More about Natural Health

Lower blood sugar, fats and cholesterol
Studies have shown that just 1/4 tsp of cinnamon every day may help to lower blood sugar, fats and cholesterol by up to 30 percent! Researchers suggest it may also stave off the onset of type 2 diabetes in those at risk.
Watkins Purest Ground Cinnamon contains a high amount of essential oils for optimum flavor, aroma and health benefits! Try some every day on cereal, oatmeal, toast, apples and savory dishes. Place in coffee grounds before brewing for rich flavor and aroma.
The following is a summary of this ground-breaking study published in the journal Diabetes Care:
A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps Treat Diabetes by Alison McCook
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with diabetes can help keep their bodies healthy by simply adding a dash of spice to their diet, new research reports.
In a study, diabetics who incorporated one gram — equivalent to less than one-quarter teaspoon — of cinnamon per day for 40 days into their normal diets experienced a decrease in levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fats.
And for people with diabetes, the less of those substances in the body, the better.
Type 2 diabetes arises when the body loses sensitivity to insulin, a hormone that shuttles the sugars from food into body cells to be used for energy. As a result, the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood remains high, leading to fatigue and blurred vision. Over the long term, excess blood glucose can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney failure and blindness.
The current findings suggest that a small amount of cinnamon can help protect diabetics from these and other potential complications of their condition, study author Dr. Richard A. Anderson of the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland told Reuters Health.
Diabetics could add a dash of cinnamon to their morning servings of coffee, orange juice or cereal, Anderson noted. “You can also make a cinnamon tea by simply boiling water with stick cinnamon,” he suggested.
Anderson noted that cinnamon may also help stave off the onset of type 2 diabetes in people at risk of the condition.

During the study, Anderson and his colleagues asked 60 people with type 2 diabetes to consume 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon each day for 40 days, or the equivalent amount of wheat flour, as a placebo.
Reporting in the journal Diabetes Care, Anderson and his team found that all cinnamon-takers experienced a drop in blood levels of glucose, fats and cholesterol by up to 30 percent. No change was seen in the people taking placebo.
Anderson explained that cinnamon contains compounds that help make insulin more efficient, improving the hormone’s ability to bring glucose to the cells that need it.
As an added bonus, cinnamon contains virtually no calories, Anderson said, allowing diabetics to add zest to their meals without adding to their waistlines.
Previous research has shown that cinnamon appears to help fat cells recognize and respond to insulin. In recent studies, the spice increased glucose metabolism by about 20 times.

Natural Soy Candles

Candles are a lovely way to illuminate your home with the soft flicker of candlelight. However, it’s important to choose only soy-based candles for several important reasons:
* Regular candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin and their fragrance is anchored and released with toxic chemicals. When you burn a paraffin candle, you’re filling your home with soot and harmful chemicals.
* Soy candles are completely non-toxic, and they burn cleaner and cooler than paraffin candles. Therefore, you won’t get the black soot residue from a soy candle. (Just make sure it’s a 100 percent soy candle, as soy/paraffin mix candles will create the black soot).
* The fragrance of soy candles are from natural essences and oils, without harmful chemicals. They don’t have the artificial scent like paraffin candles do. Soy candles’ fragrance also is stronger and so its aroma fills a greater amount of room space, compared to paraffin candles.
* Soy candles burn much slower than paraffin candles, so they’re a better value for your money.
* Paraffin candles have at least four known carcinogens in them, (Benzene; Carbon Tetrachloride; Trichloroethane; and Toluene), so when they’re burned, you’re spilling chemicals into the air that you breathe at home. There’s growing concern over pregnant mothers and young children breathing the fumes of paraffin candles.
* One expert on air safety said that burning a paraffin candle in your home is worse than running a diesel engine in your home!
You can find soy candles on Internet shops (just google soy candle) and at most Whole Food, health food, and metaphysical centers. Soy candles may be a bit more expensive, but since they burn much slower, you’ll save money in the long run. Look for non-GMO soy candles with cotton wicks, and you can also feel good that you’re supporting soy farmers in the process.
Clean Burning Candles

Talk about Natural

Since 1987 Mountain Rose Herbs has been known for its uncompromising commitment to organic agriculture and on offering natural botanical products which I feel are absolutely divine. Throughout all of these magnificent and developmental years they have always put an emphasis on conducting business in an ethical, responsible, clear, and ecological way; hoping to pave a medium for other blossoming green companies. During this time they have always found it in their nature to purport the advantages of organic agriculture, fund non profit organizations, contribute their time to numerous social and environmental groups, stay involved in community action campaigns, and develop cultivation programs for endangered botanicals. Yet, in the midst of these exciting and sometimes tumultuous times, they have always guaranteed their customers the absolute best in quality organic herbal products with a strict emphasis on color, aroma, flavor and efficacy. It has been their intent from the beginning to share with everyone the joy to be had in organic products, and as most of us know, organically grown materials exhibit superior flavor and nutritional value when compared to ‘conventional’ alternatives. There is so much to share with you all in so little virtual space, so I highly recommend paying them a visit at their website to learn more about their products, practices and principles.
See my side banners for direct links to this awesome company. They are a true model of Green and I thank them greatly for the hard work they do to keep us safe. God Bless...

Free Angel Card Readings

Ever have one of those days, you awaken in the morning feeling just a bit blue and by time your getting ready to start your day, you just can't shake it. And other times you choose to just ignore it and go off to work wondering why you feel this day and then something happens. Well, there are some solutions to this and one of them is to take a few minuets and do an Angel card reading. Go to the link listed here and save it to your favorites, cause I know that the information I have received from the few minuets a day I've spent consulting these cards have given me insight for my day and sometimes even warned me of an impending danger. Take a look anyway even if you don't normally ask your guides for help because you came to this sight for many reasons I'm sure, maybe looking to find something just a little different or because unbeknown to you, your angels and guides brought you here. . . it's worth looking at and definitely free for the taking. Enjoy this gift for visiting my blog. . .

with love and light
Penny

http://www.consciousone.com/c1Cards/

New Additions to Listings on Crane's Nest Creations Etsy and ECRATER Stores

Welcome, I loaded a bunch of vegan, all natural body products and natural soy candles into my ETSY and ECRATER Stores. I offer free shipping and free samples with every order so stop by and take a look. Actually it's really easy now that I have these widgets!? You are able to click on a picture in the widget and it will take you right to my store so go and have a look around. For those of you who have been looking for a relatively inexpensive way to sell your stuff on line Ecrater is totally free to open and set up a store, with no commission charges and ETSY a home for all handmade things charges only .20 cents per listing and a 3% commission on sales. I'm adding hang tags to my sites and some small craft supplies so if your looking for rusty junk or vintage textile spools you can look there. There's nothing worse than buying a pattern to make something and now you have to track down supplies to make it. So watch my site for some of your small crafting needs. With no shipping charges to pay, it's pretty cheep.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Please, won't you take the time to sign my guest book? I'd love to see you there.

Get Wholesale pricing at Factory Direct Craft Supply

Crafter's Get Wholesale pricing at Factory Direct Wholesale Supply
Give them a look you'll be amazed at the discounts available.

This is the actual article posted by them Feb 7th
You can buy through them at wholesale prices for craft supplies or retail sales.
Just wanted to get you hooked up with some really good people to help your business along.

We Have a Wholesale Division Now!
A wholesale program for retail shops & professional crafter's.
Our commitment to our customers is to provide the best possible value at a minimum price. For professional crafter's and retailers, we have a wholesale program. This program gives you 20% off our already low, discount prices. In order to have access to the wholesale program, your account must meet the minimum required purchase of $250.00* per order. Orders less than the $250* purchase per order will not receive 20% off. Wholesale orders will be charged actual shipping FOB Franklin, Ohio.
Methods of payment accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Paypal.
To take part in this program, you must provide us with the following information:
Your Business Name
A Copy of Your State Tax ID Number
Shipping Address and Contact Information (including daytime phone number)
Your Business Email Address
Send your information by mail to:
Factory Direct Craft Supply, Inc. - Wholesale Accounts315 Conover Drive.Franklin, Ohio 45005
You can also fax this information to the following fax number: 937-743-5500. We will process your information within one week from the date we receive your application. If you qualify you will be notified by email with your company account number. This will provide you with a 20% discount off all of your future purchases both on our web site and by phone. (Ebay purchases are not included in this offer)
We must have a copy of your business/contract license/permit on file.
http://www.factorydirectcraftsupply.com/

Factory Direct Craft Supply

Factory Direct Craft has much more than an extensive selection of craft supplies. Their most popular items are country and primitive home decor. They offer discount prices on brands such as The Hearthside Collection, Blossom Bucket, Design Concepts and other favorite primitive designs. They have a large selection of discounted wedding supplies, wedding decorations and reception supplies. Wedding supplies include: beautiful tiaras, decorations, favor supplies, glassware, wedding lights, bridal floral supplies, centerpiece mirrors, candles, and much more. Table centerpiece mirrors make your wedding and banquet tables elegant! Mirrors reflect the beauty of your floral arrangements, candles, and natural light. Smaller size mirrors also work well for displaying your collectibles and keepsakes. So, whether you are looking for muslin dolls, vintage look ceiling tiles for your next project or a table centerpiece mirrors for your next party look on their website and in

Good News from my youngest son Rusty

Rusty's birthday is today and we went out to lunch in Twin Lakes at the Touch of Class where the food is awesome and the atmosphere is unique. Elisa her charming self, Rusty and I were having lunch and enjoying each others company. Well low and behold, they announced their plans to get married on June 13th, just a month from today. What a wonderful feeling to share in such a magnificent venture of two people in love and planning to spend the rest of their lives together. I'm so happy for them. I knew that today was going to be a special day in spite of the rain. All I can say is Thank you my lord and lady for this most wonderful gift. I couldn't have planned it better myself. Being the mother of an indigo child has had it's ups and downs but I learned a long time ago how much they dislike being serious about anything so this is a giant step forward for him in this commitment stage of his life. Oh the joys of motherhood. . .
till next time. . .
have a most beautiful day and remember to stop and smell the roses along your path as they will make you giggle with delight
Bliss to you

Visit Free Shipping Community and sign their guest book

Hi there,
There's a new blogger that supports our efforts to drive buying customers to our websites. It's a free shipping community that you can join, visit for updates etc. They placed a counter and guestbook there this morning so you can go and sign into the guestbook and your link will be added to their site in favorite links or blogs. It's all about us crofters getting more exposure on the web to direct traffic to us so we sell more. Join in the fun, put a free counter on your site so you are able to tell just how many people are visiting and the nature of their business. The Bravenet counter tell you if its a new visitor, repeat, unique. Then you can tell where your traffic is coming from. Get on the bandwagon and offer free shipping, sign up for your own guestbook , hit counter and much more. It's all free stuff. . . so what are you waiting for? Get going. . . and have a great week end
till next time
with love and light
Penny

Something to Crow about

Well after a full weeks work to get Martha done and on the shelf I can finally go onto other things. Yes of course prims. Well I stopped to smell the roses even though it's raining like crazy here, but hey, no complaints. The house is dry and warm and there's food on the table. What more could a soul ask for? LOL I have added some fun things for you to look at and play with and even ponder on my blog today. So take some time to take a look and please sign my guestbook, your comments are welcome . . .
till next time,
thanks for looking

Support Your Environment

see how you can make a differnce

Handmade Teddy Bear Baby Quilts

Handmade Teddy Bear Crib Quilts

So I decided that after all these years of crafting, that the crib quilts I used to make back in the day when all my family and friends were having our children, were too wonderful to keep to myself. So I started making them again and offering them for sale on my ETSY site as I am able to take special orders through ETSY. There is one pictured in green gingham check that you can view here on my blog.
I remember all too well how these baby quilts made it through the lives of these children. And yes, I did turn them into bankey babies, but it was all good with the parents. Now that they have all grown up and I attend the weddings of nieces, nephews and family friends that received a teddy bear quilt, they are too funny when they tell me how they remember growing up with their quilts and some even still have them put away for their own children to have. It's a wonderful thing to know that you made a child's life comfy in their growing years and how much they appreciate it now that they are grown. I used to sell them at a shop in Richmond, IL. called The Pumpkin Patch during the 70's when my youngest son was too young for me to go back to work and it supplied a means to make some extra money for family outings.
With all the fond memories attached to these beautiful little quilts, I decided it would truly be a shame not to offer them in my own shop. So if you know someone that is having a baby shower, take a look at them as they are really a creature comfort in every sense of the word.
till next time. . .

At Home in Wisconsin where Everything is Handmade

You'll notice that I added a page element "I Took the Handmade Pledge" which is what ETSY and myself is all about. I've been consumed with a made to order OOAK French Bed doll named Martha, but believe me my notes while doing so have accumulated into a huge pile of new things to make, and even have cut out some material thoughts, most of which are Mothers Day and Americana based prims. So check out my ETSY and ECRATER stores to see what's new. Some of them are on the widget at the top of my page.
While cooking up some Southwest Chicken stew I was listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer, I have to tell you that if you are looking for some inspiration he is the best. He lives his dream in Maui and is such a magnificent speaker, you should take the opportunity to read or listen to some of his work as he is filled with inspiration on manifesting what you want in your life. I just love to listen to him when I'm working. I saw him three years ago, in Las Vegas at the "You Can Do It" conference sponsored by Hay House and my life has not been the same since. In fact, it was that spiritual conference that has driven me to manifest the ability to live to create beautiful and fun things to sell to supplement my income so I could stop being a restaurant manager. Wayne Dyer has a saying, "Desire is the action that "inspires: us to take action towards the things we want in our lives and I encourage you to understand that you can too. And always know that you are not alone. For now. . .
Bliss to you

Day After the Fool's Day

Wow, there's allot going on in the Internet sales world these days. Sellers will boycott ebay on the first of May and I am so glad I only use that site to promote my handmade stuff that I sell on etsy and ecrater. It gives me a jump start as people out there get to see the items but being an auction, which I have to say I do not like I price them with a margin so they don't sell, but I get many lookers. I'm still working on driving traffic and now ecrater has given us a new tool to do that so it's pretty cool huh? It's the widget at the top of this blog so now you can see some of the products I offer at ecrater and etsy before you visit my store.
On the personal front I'm not going to list many new products or epatterns this week as I've been busy building a french bed doll by the name of Martha. She's a special order doll and I will put her picture on etsy as "Reserved for Martha" just so you will get to meet her before she joins her new owner. I do have a few things in the works but they won't be released until late next week so stop by, I'll put on the coffee and we can visit at my shops next week
till then, have a great week end. . .