Good Morning Everyone.
This will be my last blog on this space as I am closing up my shops.  It has become necessary for me to do so.  I may be back some day.  It has been a great ride.  Thanks for the follows!!  God Bless each and every one of you.

Happy Hump Day!  I just want to share one of the great artisans from Artfire.com with you all today.  I don't know a lot about Nancy, but what I do know is that she goes out of her way to promote shops on Artfire.com with owners she doesn't even know.  I was fortunate to have her feature my shop on her blog and it was well written.  I was very proud.  I am repaying by giving you a small glimpse into her shop...http:/www.sarasinart.artfire.com  I will give you a few little tidbits and you will have to go check her shop out to see more.  I noticed on her bio that she has a cat.  Now we all know how I feel about my cat, Cappy, so we know she is a keeper.  Enjoy!

I absolutely love these copper ones....Copper is the metal we choose around the house too.

So many of us are so fortunate and don't even realize it sometimes.  I have a friend that just found out that she has breast cancer.  After tests last week she met with Dr. today and was told that one would have to come off for sure and a spot was found on the other breast as well.  I am heartsick as I write this.  Cancer is a terrible thing and takes no concern over who it casts it's spell on.  I am a cancer survivor and I will never forget the call I received at work telling my I had cancer.  I was very lucky and am doing well.  Please ladies(and men) get checked.  Not knowing is not better than knowing.  The sooner these things are caught the better for everyone involved.  It not only touches you but everyone you interact with.  Take that little bit of extra time and money and get any tests you need.  Be generous in giving and doing what you can for the cause.  God bless you all.

Just wanted to share a shop I came accross at http://www.artfire.com/...

She makes the most beautiful pater crafts.  I'll just leave you a few of her items and a link to her shop.

www.paperlavish.artfire.com

Since this week is Freelance Writers Appreciation Week I have been thinking about writers and how dull the world would be without them.  When I was young I thought I could write a novel.  Well...I never did finish it, and good thing....I think it stunk!  I have seen so much of the world, have gone on wonderful adventures, been a fugitive, run many races, driven so fast the wind couldn't keep up with me, been loved by many rich men...all from a book.  A book can make a life so exciting and fill the days of a lonely person with all kinds of company.  I know, for one...I am very appreciative of freelance writers and all the stories I have read in magazines and short stories in other publications.  Thanks for sharing your imagination with us in such an exciting way.

Well, the shimmering trees were sure pretty.  The 5 inches of snow a few days later were also pretty.  Ok...now I really am over it.  I am ready for sunshine and warm weather.  I have been looking for a crocus or something....no such luck.  I am still working on custom order....have bears stuffed just need to sew noses and dress them.  I have so many ideas roaming around in my head....I just need a few more of me...lol.  I think everyone else is glad there is only one.  Have a great day!

Sometimes we worry about what "we" do or what "we" get done.  I woke up to some of God's Handiwork this morning that took my breath away.  I'm going to share a few pictures with you.  They could of been better but my hubby wouldn't let me off the porch.  He was afraid I might fall and with my neck and back I guess he was right.  Anyway, I just want to share this with you.....the wonder and grace of God is so wonderful, sometimes we forget.  Have a great day.

Top picture....accross the street.                     

This is my honeysuckle plant encased in ice.

This is the side of our house...mini icecycles.                                        

This is our Big Maple tree.                                     

God sure does a great job when he does something, doesn't he?

Here they are, warning us we might get 12 inches of snow by Wednsday.  I am so over winter.  I guess it has to rear it's ugly head at least once more.  Here I was thinking Spring was on the way, have already seen the Robins....oh well....  I guess I can take it if I have to.  Been working on the bears for my special customer.  Should get them done this next week.  I always like finishing a project.

I think Spring is coming!  I have seen two Robins in the yard this week.  They are fat as can be and are eating berries off the honeysuckle plant.  I know it can't come too fast for my liking.  I am thinking of all the cute little Spring outfits I can make.  I am working on 7 Memory Bears right now.  I have three done and four more to go.  All for the same client.  I have done 6 for her before and she wanted more.  I love doing the Memory work...it just seems so special.  Even though I don't know the person it just seems so special.  Well...off to work.  Have a good Saturday.  Will post a picture of one of the Memory Bears I made for her earlier.  Her husband was a Dr. and she wanted them from his lab coats.

Well, it's still cold!  I am so ready for Spring to come.  We still have several months of cold, and I am seriously over it.  I'm posting pictures of my latest sewing project.  This is a cute little elephant, 14-inches.  Hope you like him.  I love the way the little butt sticks up.

I have gone through my back stock of counted cross stitch items and finished a bunch of them and got them listed online.  I still have some to do, but think I want to frame the ones left, not make pillows or quilt hangings.  So much time goes into each one, it is really hard to put a price on it.  We are in a financial crisis right now and I have been thinking of ways to make money that won't be physically taxing on my back and hips....any ideas?  It is hard days for many folks right now.  I know things always work out, but I'm not sure how in this case.  I am trying hard to be positive.

This week is Hunt For Happiness week.  That got me to thinking...what exactly does happiness mean?  According to Webster :  good fortune, luck, pleasure, joy, contentment,appropriateness.  Now...where do we look for our happiness?  Family, spouse, our things, places, our work?  It's funny, I have always thought of outward things as well.  Part of Websters definition of happiness is appropriateness.....that means, ourselves, in ourselves.  So that leads me to believe that I have a huge part to play in my own happiness.  I try to lay aside my troubles and am learning to lean on the Lord for help.  If I get out of bed on the wrong side...I adjust my attitude....I don't wait for something "wonderful" to happen to make me feel better.  Just a bit of food for thought as you go through this week.  Make some happiness for yourself and then spread some around.

I would like to take today and let you all know about a new Artist on ArtFire.  She came into the forum and said she will promote anyone with less than 50 sales on her blog.  Now this is really outstanding.  Anyone that is willing to promote you for nothing is a big deal.  I, in turn, am going to promote her here on my blog as well.  She is Marga Vidals of CA. and a designer.  She states that she has a love of buttons and embellishments.  I can't say that I blame her, I do too.  She has just opened a shop on ArtFire, http://www.vidals.artfire.com/ and she is selling the service of helping people with their pictures.  She is very good in photo shop and will make your pictures stand out.  A very much needed service by many.  Please take the time to visit here studio and her blog as well.  http://wwwvidalbuttons.blogspot.com/   I wish her well on her new shop and thank her very much for promoting ArtFire Artists.

Monday.....the days and weeks just fly by anymore.  I have been snooping through some shops on ArtFire and have found some real jems.  I am going to start picking one a week and letting you all know a bit more about them.  Keep watching....will get busy and get them lined up and see what we can come up with.

Well, here it is Sunday already.  Been a busy week and another coming up.  I have been trying to get some counted cross stitch pieces all finished up so I can put them for sale.  Listed some finished ones and am working on others.  I will show you the one I finished today.  I hope you all enjoy seeing them.  I heard from an old customer today, she wants me to make her more Teddy Bears.  I love doing the custom jobs, they are so much fun, to bring a special memory to life.  Hope you all have a nice Sunday evening.

The New Year is just clicking away. I feel like this is going to be a great year. I am feeling better than I have for several years and am trusting it will continue. I have lots of new projects I would like to work on, and several new Bear patterns I would like to finish. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

I bought several items on ArtFire for Christmas gifts this year and the talent of the folks there amaze me. I can see no reason to not buy "handmade" if at all possible. You may pay a bit more, but you are getting quality and helping someone realize their dream.

Have a great day!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to float up above the earth and watch happenings? To see life going on as if you were not even there? I wonder what people would see if they were watching me from afar? Would they think I was a good person, a sour person, an angry person.....sure makes me wonder what they would see.

I am not one to make resolutions for the New Year. I didn't make any per say. I did decide once my brother passed in November that I was going to be a better person. I am often short with people, to busy to give notice or offer any help. I guess it was all about me and I didn't realize that. Now I am going to reach out more, push myself to be more involved....not roll my eyes and then say ok.

I am going to live and love like today is all I have. I have wonderful people in my life and I never want them to wonder if I loved them. They will know, and people will get sick of me telling them so. If I feel like laughing, I'm going to laugh, if I feel like crying, I will. If I want to dance in the rain or make a grandma snow angel, that is exactly what I am going to do. I am going to just be happy and spice up the life around me.

Have a great January everyone....and for Pete's sake....stop and smell the roses.

Here it is....2011! Boy did that year pass quickly. I have great hopes for the year of 2011. I hope everyone renewed peace, joy, happiness, and prosperity. I am going to promote my shops like crazy, am going to sew like crazy, hit shows more than ever, and build my brand as best I can. I am going to work on being a better person, there is always room for improvement. I am going to reach out to others much better than I do now. Most of all I am going to love more. Each day may be our last and I want everyone I love to know that. Happy New Year!!