Inspiration Sensations!

Happy New Year to All! I couldn't wait for a fresh start and new opportunities to create more crafts that say, "ME"! So I've been jumping on articles that offer inspiration...

Two favorites that came across my path were from two of my favorite blogs I follow:

Scoutie Girl and Blacksburg Belle...

Welcome to the Machine by lovercraft

Each had a different tack on Creativity- from SG, ways to battle the demons of creative suppression and from BB some inspiration boosts. I loved them both and have in particular taken one suggestion immediately and I started an 'Inspiration File' for all these wonderful words of wisdom to be gathered for days when I can't get my spark to ignite!

Check out these articles for a kick start to an Inspiring New Year!

12 Fantastic Ways to Bring More Creativity into Your Life by Blacksburg Belle

fearless creativity by Scoutie Girl

Take the Daze Out of Holidays

It happens every year.

We all feel it, the impending Holiday Season pressure. And we all set high goals and expectations for being ready early this time. 

Yeah, right! Keep dreaming.

So how to stop the dread from creeping into your happy holiday place? Aside from boarding up the windows of your favorite shops, beating up the mailman for bringing you catalogs and turning off your internet, it's hard to fend off the assault of "Buy me, I'm the perfect gift!"

So what do we do? First, sit back and RELAX.

Think about the holidays from a different perspective. Not about the presents. But the presence of mind and heart. The pleasures of the holidays: the smell of winter spices, savory and sweet, the people you love and actually want to see at this time of year, the beauty of twinkling lights and the chill in the air. 

The obligatory family gatherings and company parties can make some people wish they were Ebeneezer Scrooge before his epiphany. But why? Because we can't say NO. We do it to ourselves by setting ourselves up to fail. Taking on more than we can handle, saying yes, when we know it's going to put us under. The pressure to please everyone on our 'list' is the nemesis of a truly Happy Holiday.

We must force ourselves to make a new list. The first ones on this list should be your immediate family: spouse, children, you, period. Yes, it's hard, but so is the economy. People will understand. They might even be relieved. If you absolutely must include a few others, think intimately, near and dear to your heart. Not, well- I really should get something for so and so... Now think handmade. Think creatively. What do you do well? It doesn't have to be something you make. How about something you're good at? How about bartering with someone who is creative and needs your services? What about the age old idea of thoughtfulness... Forget about the gift cards. Make your own gift card or something you can put your heart into. The possibilities are endless, if you slow down long enough to think about them. How many of us have looked back on the holidays after the rush is over, only to think: Oh, why didn't I get her/him this or that? Or wow, what was I thinking, I should have done...?

If we really dwindle our list down to those who are nearest and dearest, then you should actually know them very well. You just have to think about it while relaxing and imagining it. Not running around the mall, a big box store or sitting in traffic counting off all the things you haven't done yet. Just a little thoughtful time can save hours of aggravation, impulsively spent money and your sanity. 

Take charge of your holidays, don't let them overrun you. Know when it's time to say No, take a breather, treat yourself to a hot chocolate (or a toddy!), a bubble bath or a walk with a loved one. Clear your mind of the daze of confusion and make these days fun, happy and memorable.

This Ain't Mayberry, Aunt BEE!

'This Ain't Mayberry, Aunt BEE!' by collagical

Think Mad Men not Mayberry! Vintage doesn't mean frumpy, dated or old...Today it means eco-chic, trendy, sexy and Etsy!

White Satin Rose Print ... ValentinesArmo... $23.00	1950's Peach and Bl... loveintheafter... $167.00	50's Vintage Rhines... nicolasvintage $52.00
Vintage 50s Rockabilly ... mysweetiepiepi... $54.99	Vintage 1950s Golden Pr... divelegant $350.00	Vintage Double Strand o... LaCocoBella $2300.00
Vintage 1950's Crea... TheIDconnectio... $450.00	Vintage Pink Lace Slip milkbarboutiqu... $65.00	Rare Vintage DEITSCH Br... 502Vintage $100.00
1950's Golden Seafo... jessjamesjake $286.00	Vintage Jacqueline Desi... AntoinettesWhi... $147.00	50s 60s vintage cream k... digvintageclot... $37.00
Sabrina vintage silk co... VariedTreasure... $50.00	1950s lucite and rhines... brighteststar $125.00	Vintage romantic soft g... modchicvintage $99.00

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One 'Fine' DaY at a Sidewalk ArT Fair

'One 'Fine' DaY at a Sidewalk ArT Fair' by collagical

Stroll the city sidewalks and enjoy the Fine Art of Florida Etsy Street Team, then stop and get an outdoor table at your favorite cafe and enjoy a Cafecito!

Burano Shops heyU $25.00	Cafecito and Lime ACEO ... artbymsr $25.00	NYC Statue Of Liberty S... AspiringImages $20.00
Frida Kahlo Poppies Art... darklingwoods $16.00	20070802 colorful unfra... creationsbyjdb $45.00	The Discovery of a Ligh... KathleenMarieK... $350.00
Mr. Newman's Last G... kellywarrenpho... $25.00	Shine - 8x8 Metallic Fi... squidart $25.00	TRIXIE CAT PERSON IN CA... craftyhag $35.00
Breakfast of Champions ... glimpsesandrem... $3.50	The Beauty Between- Fin... malinda612 $30.00	Hello Crow with pink an... RobinMariaPedr... $20.00
When the Kids are Old E... RiverCityArtwo... $25.00	Fall Trees Fine Art Pri... faerytalewings $10.00	Flower fantasy I, mixed... Cesart64 $100.00

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Fall Giveaway from By Our Paws! And the winner is...

Guess who won the gorgeous 'Pretty in Pink' fused glass necklace from Carol of By Our Paws on Etsy? You guessed it...ME!

I'm especially tickled (pink, that is! lol) because of the tie in with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She added an entry for those that had a special experience to tell about that made the issue important to them. My great grandmother was a survivor, she was blessed to live late into her nineties!

Carol and I are both members of a new site called Etsypreneur.com- an uplifting and helpful community of Etsy sellers. A fantastic site with great bells and whistles: groups, forums, galleries and lots & lots of link love! That's how I found the link to Carol's blog: This, That and Glass. In addition to gorgeous jewelry, Carol loves photography and it shows in her prints listed in her Etsy shop.

By Our Paws is fairly new, Carol opened shop on August 22 of this year, so I know she would love it if you stopped by and had a look! I love the fall colors and theme of two of her pieces: 'Pumpkin Spice' and 'Orange Zinger', they are both on my wishlist!

Remember to be sure to come and meet some new friends on Etsypreneur! Carol and I will both be there to welcome you!

More Favorites from By Our Paws:

My Treasury on Handmadeology!

I was tickled to see my latest treasury, 'My FAVE-orite pair of Jeans!' featured on Handmadeology.
   Especially since their site is one of my daily go-to places...great articles and links everyday. Timothy Adams, the editor, is also the head writer of Handmade Spark, another fantastic site!
Some of the best articles and links about SEO and marketing I've found have been on these two sites. I just thought it would be nice for me to show them some link love since they have been such a great help to me!


Link Love:
The Handmade Blogging Blueprint
Need Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Help? Click Here!
Website Submission for the Non-Geek SEO Help Me! Part Two
SEO Help Me! Part Three: Google Analytics~ What in the World is this thing telling me?
New Treasury Tool- Quickly Add Any Treasury to your Blog or Website

Bunnies in an Upcycled Frame!

  The frames I wrote about the other day in Upcycling Frames are mostly finished. One of them is completely done and is now a home for three little vintage bunnies. After a couple coats of acrylic white paint with a bit of sanding in between, I added some calico red to the inside edge and out over 1/3" of the frame's front. Then I added some crackling medium and more white paint. I love the weathered vintage look of that effect and after gluing some very old, but perfectly kept, silver metallic rickrack just on the edge of the crackled paint, I got the look I was going for. I "built" a little shelf, sanded and painted it white and glued it to the little wall I papered with an adorable printed cardstock. Then I positioned my three little bunnies in an ever so cute arrangement to forever be cherished! I know my imagination works in mysterious ways, but it turned out just the way I saw it there!

♥ My FAVE-orite pair of Jeans ♥

'My FAVE-orite pair of Jeans ' by collagical

Just wanna throw on my comfy blues and cocoon...

Messenger Dark Blue Den... CrazyBoy $43.00	NEW - Fall / Winter CAS... JohnlozDesign $75.00	DENIM BLUE FLEUR DE LIS... ClayDesignsbyg... $12.00
Red, White and Denim Bl... upthecreek $6.00	Ramie eco friendly deni... tangente $105.00	Stone and denim blue me... iamnotawallflo... $20.00
HIM skinny jeans TIE be... matydavis $140.00	FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS--... bittyclippies $60.00	Sale Earrings. Vintage ... blackcatcraft $11.25
Hemp Denim Manitoba Pan... consciouscloth... $110.00	Dark Denim Girl Felt Sk... sunflowerexpre... $26.00	Denim Dreams Scarf - B... sewstacy $20.00
All Natural Indigo Croc... ThreeBlueBee $11.99	Denim lapis lazuli, Fre... Sabtisdesigns $25.00	Charming dress xiaolizi $66.00

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