A Passion for Scrapbooking, Decorating and Shopping

Where Women Create, the blog...

When I discovered Jo Packham's books, Organizing Your Craft Space and Where Women Create, several years ago, I was delighted to see books dedicated to three of my favorite pastimes:  crafting, decorating and organizing. 

Sometimes I believe I spend more time attempting to create and refine a dedicated space for crafting than actually doing the craft itself.  Quite frankly, I sit in my craft room thinking about crafting. Thoughts of making a mini album for family or a journal of my favorite things, even a photo cube for my niece which is half finished. 

It takes inspiration to motivate me.  And friends who influence me.  I do try to think for myself but I can't help but be inspired by others. 

The introduction of the magazine version of Where Women Create guarantees me continued inspiration on how artists surround themselves with objects and supplies that give them the desire and passion for their craft.  It is almost like taking a peek into one's handbag.  These are the things that are a part of their daily existence. 

And now Jo Packham hosts a blog entitled appropriately, Where Women Create.  A great gathering place with a plethora of information to keep the inspiration circulating. 

Speaking of continued inspiration, in searching for Ms. Packham's books on Amazon I discovered there's a book she has co-authored with Jenny Doh due for release in April 2010 - Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration: In the Studio and Behind the Scenes with Extraordinary Women. 

All I had to see was the title and immediately pre-ordered it.

This entry is my way of keeping the inspiration circulating.  See it all for yourself and enjoy.

Admiration for Joe Ruggiero...

In the early days of HGTV, I spent a lot of TV-time getting to know the design style of Interior Designer, Joe Ruggiero. 

His shows, like Homes Across America are captivating and inspiring.  Magazines, books (Staged to Sell, Outdoor Kitchens, First Impressions, to name a few) and television programs are a sample of the venues where Mr. Ruggiero's work is showcased.

 

Sunbrella, Miles Talbott, Wood-Mode, Casa Fiora, and many more offer a collection of product designed by Mr. Ruggiero. 

And he now shares his expertise in the world of design in blog format and on Twitter. Designers who share insights, information and ideas using technology and social networking are a great bonus to enthusiasts like ourselves. 

For those in the design trade, you can hear Mr. Ruggiero present "The World of Design" at the Washington Design Center on September 24. 

There is also a monthly newsletter sharing the latest in the Joe Ruggiero Collection.  The photos included in the newsletters are outstanding too.

His 'eye for the practical' is in sync with what I'd like to achieve for our home.

Styles and fads come and go, but I remain inspired by Mr. Ruggiero today as I did when I first began watching HGTV in 1994.

Not only do I have a great appreciation for Interior Designers like Mr. Ruggiero, I am also thankful for cable television and modern technology. 

Belgian design via Cote de Texas...

If you are interested in knowing more about the new designs featured in the latest Restoration Hardware catalog, please visit Joni Webb's site, Cote de Texas.  Her perspective on the new releases and Belgian design is informative and very well written. 

This catalog is certainly causing quite a buzz amongst us design enthusiasts.

On my To Read list...

As I purge items from my home I am finding more items to fill it up.  Ironic, huh? 

My sister discovered a book she thought would be of interest to me called "Blogging for Bliss:  Crafting Your Own Online Journal:  A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives of all Kinds". 

In an effort to keep clutter to a minimum at home, I was hoping the book would be available in the Kindle version.  (iPhone users, there's an app for that in case you didn't know that already.)  It is not at this time, but that won't keep me from ordering the book.

Gaining perspective from blogging enthusiasts is what I seek.  There are so many creative blogs in blogland it would be nice to hear what motivates bloggers to share their bliss, their passions and peek into their world.  It is all very fascinating to me. 

What I find fulfilling is connecting and learning from those who share common interests, whether you are a reader and/or blogger.  My tendencies run on the shy-side when I meet someone new.  With blogging, it has opened the doors to friendship, knowledge and the ability to share our passions.

Being a student of many things, including my attempts at being creative combined with blogging is how I describe myself.  Lifelong student, actually.  I am always learning.

If you are interested in learning more about the author (as am I), Tara Frey, you can visit her blog here. 

I am now off to learn what is in our basement storage room.  The purge continues.

The Washington Post's HOME...

The first section I pull out of The Washington Post's Thursday edition is the Home section. 

 

Next, I check out House Calls.  If you like Before & After photos, you will like House Calls.  You can also submit your design challenge for an opportunity to have a designer evaluate your photos and provide recommendations along with a sketch. 

And it's not just black & white text, there are photos in color which is an added bonus.

Then I move onto 'Blog Watch' looking for resourceful and inspiring blogs to peruse.  Be sure to check out today's list as it has a number of blogs sharing a wealth of interior design-related details.

Thursday mornings are like a great mail day when the latest Traditional Home magazine arrives in my mailbox.  These are moments I savor, taking in all the interior design possibilities I can get.

Things that Inspire...

Classic style.  Fabulous taste.  Gorgeous photos.  And narrates them quite well.  That is what Things that Inspire provides via their blog dedicated to inspiration of art, architecture and design.

Speaking of narration, I was in awe over the detail shared in a personal tour of interior designer Phoebe Howard and her husband, Jim's home in Atlanta.  I have great admiration for Mrs. Howard's style and was incredibly inspired by this feature by Things that Inspire.

Thanks again to The Washington Post and Terri Sapienza's Blog Watch article in a Thursday edition of the Real Estate section, I came to know this blog that consistently captures the essence and style I am always pining for.

What I am also pining for is the carpet used on Things that Inspire's staircase in a very recent blog post.  It was one of those moments where you see something and it clicks immediately.  So this carpet and my staircase clicked. 

If you are inspired by art, architecture and design, Things that Inspire is the place to be. 

Hooked on Houses...

As a hobby, I love visiting model homes to gain inspiration of the decor-kind.  I'm sure realtors do not appreciate it, but to me, it's like visiting a playground.  Rather than being physically entertained, my eyes are taking delight in every nook and cranny of design wonderment.

When I discovered Hooked on Houses, I realized how much I have in common with Julia and her site.

She features a broad range of homes from celebrities, movies and TV shows as well as homes we may find intriguing as a decorating enthusiast.

Set design is another aspect of interior decor that many of us take interest in.  How many folks ooh'd and aah'd over Diane Keaton's home in Something's Gotta Give. 

photo from Architectural Digest

For nostalgia, how about today's post on Mary Richards' apartment on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Julia also encourages camaraderie among us design enthusiasts with her Hooked on Fridays posts where you can link your own favorite blog post to her site.   

Sketching floor plans on graph paper is how I entertained myself as a kid.  And the fascination has remained with me ever since.  There is something about the bones of a house and it's contents.  And I'm glad I found Hooked on Houses to feed that curiosity for all things design-related when it comes to homes.

Velvet & Linen...

Feast your hungry-and-thirsty-interior design eyes on a blog titled 'Velvet & Linen'.  It belongs to interior designer Brooke Giannetti whose style I admire a great deal.  Why her personal space is what has inspired me to continue my path toward subtle color in our bedroom.

I discovered Ms. Giannetti's site some time ago via The Washington Post's Blog Watch by Terri Sapienza which is featured every Thursday in the 'Home' section of the newspaper.

Take a break from the normal day-to-day routine, open your favorite beverage and spend some time perusing Velvet & Linen where Ms. Giannetti showcases her clients projects as well as her own. 

Washington Spaces...

A favorite interior design magazine of mine is Washington Spaces.  It is filled with eye candy galore. 

I also try to read their blog as often as I possibly can.  And today, I reacquainted myself after a long absence to find a blog feature on Urban Elegance.

 

I am drawn to the chandelier as well as the structure of the dining room chairs which include nailhead trim, something I adore.  There is something sexy about it but in a distinguished way.

And the dog statue is another favorite of mine Washington Spaces featured in a post about Middleburg. 

 

Their recent visit to High Point features a post dedicated to all things bird-related.  And in this post, I came upon this photo that truly speaks to me.

 

Is there a magazine that makes you giddy when you see it arrive in your mailbox or you discover the latest issue on the newsstand?  I force myself not to open the magazine until I'm ready to read it properly.  And that involves solitude.  Somewhere I can devote a good hour to devouring every photo and article.  Typically that means at bedtime for me.  Just before I go to sleep. 

So today, I am celebrating inspiration in the form of a magazine called Washington Spaces.

Wishy washy Wednesday...

What better title to describe my fickle demeanor.  Color commitment is obviously a battle for me and I believe the color for our bedroom walls that I mentioned recently will work.

My guy likes the contrast and so I compromised a bit.  We are going forward with Benjamin Moore's Pashmina (it's the color closest to the window). 

And with the wonderful feedback I received from my Facebook & Twitter friends, we will paint the ceilings in a white flat paint.  There's nothing more unattractive than roller marks which glossy paints have a tendency to leave if you do not paint fast enough before it dries.

I believe, according to my guy, we will paint the ceiling first.  Let me backtrack a bit, the first step is to repair nail pops and any drywall blemishes before we begin painting. 

Once we move onto the walls, I want to paint the wall behind our bed first to see how I like it before we proceed any further.  Then go from there.

We've got a plan.  Now it just needs to be implemented.

It seems that I'm always creating more work for my guy, particularly when I try to do things myself.  For example, I hung 3 pieces of art over our guest room's bed and the first thing he said was, it is crooked.

He will now go right behind me to balance the artwork properly.  I just get a little impatient but I'd rather try to get the wall art up now (before we paint) so I can get a sense of where to place it.  And this guest room is on our "to-do" list once we complete the master bedroom.  I'm not sure if my guy knows this, but if he reads it here, he now knows.  ;-)

We find ourselves in similar situations with home projects and finding the time to complete them.  Please know I share in your desires to get them accomplished.  As the The Pioneer Woman says, just keepin' it real.

Books to decorate with...

Do you enjoy browsing eBay for great finds?  I was never much of a collector (aside from my matchbook collection, which did not cost a cent, in my more youthful days) until I discovered Estee Lauder solid perfume compacts.

I've scaled back these days on my collection but I still check out eBay for all sorts of things, including home decor items.

One of my favorite eBay search words is "neoclassical" as that is the style of decor I admire tremendously.  And when I searched for items using that word, I came across an interesting book.  First, it has a pediment embossed on the cover.  Oh how I love pediments.  My initial reaction was to bid on it simply for that reason.  So I did.

Fortunately, I won the bid.  When I received the book, I discovered just how old the book really is.  Then it truly dawned on me the nature of the book:  Friendships.  Very appropriate in my world as friendships mean the world to me.  (Yes, I didn't focus on the name of the book as I did to the design of it...shame on me.)

Recently, I have discovered some new blogs (new to me, that is) related to interior design.  And when I discovered Paloma's beautiful blog where she featured some very nicely covered classic books, I was in awe. 

Truthfully, I am not a big novel reader but do read one on rare occasions.  Having discovered books with such ornate covers may change that! 

This is one way to literally decorate your life with books. 

Angelo: Home Modern Classics...

I admire Angelo Surmelis' love of design.  His show on HGTV, Rate My Space, is one of my favorites and I enjoy reading his blog, Design Geek as well as following him on Twitter.

As a follower, I learned that he will be introducing a new line of furniture, Angelo:  Home Modern Classics, this summer.  It will be available at Overstock.com (one of my favorite online shopping resources) with various pieces available at other retailers, to be announced later. 

He included some of my favorite design elements, such as nailhead trim on this leather chair:

 

And the leg detail where he mixes traditional and modern designs:

You must check out Angelo's blog for more sneak peeks.

This talented man knows how to go forth & design well.

It's all about a chair...

It began when Barbara Barry introduced "Musical Chairs".  The silhouettes of chairs featured on bedding, wallpaper, tableware and fabric fed my hunger for great design.  And chairs really do that for me.

Since then, I have collected some prints of chairs that have captured my design lovin' soul by talented artist Kimberly Applegate.  Her originals are available on eBay.

Thanks to Kelly, my design sister, I discovered Annechovie and recently acquired a print that not only includes a lovely chair, but some awesome interior design books stacked on the seat of the chair itself.  It was a commission piece for Courtney Barnes of Style Court (a blog you should add to your Google Reader if you enjoy interior design).  I've actually discovered a number of things with Kelly's influence, including Mothball Charlie on Etsy.

So, after the holidays, I lurked online until I discovered a deal too good to pass up on a collection of "Musical Chairs" decorative plates by Wedgwood. 

And they are now hanging in the craft room where I like to surround myself with inspiration and pretty things. 

I may run out of wall space very soon in this room but I will never run out of inspiration, thanks to technology, magazines, books, artists and designers.  And it's one thing I can never get enough of. 

May inspiration make your world a happy and productive one.

Sources of inspiration...

Discovering new sources of inspiration is exciting to me and it would be a shame to keep it to myself. 

One is Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper showcasing their inventory of furniture and home decor that makes me want to hop in my car and drive all the way to their Jacksonville, Florida shop to see it all in person. 

  PhoebeHoward.net

And What is Mrs. Howard?  I'm learning about Mrs. Howard by reading various blogs that admire her talent for interior design.  Things that Inspire recently featured Mr. & Mrs. Howard's pied-à-terre in Atlanta which is currently on the market.  I thoroughly enjoyed the "personal tour".

Willow Decor offers eye candy for one's designing soul. I love the architectural interests featured in it's recent posts.   

Cote de Texas tells the story behind many of the rooms featured by various interior designers.  It is quite intriguing and captures the true essence of interior design in a passionate way.

My Google Reader is loaded with inspiring blogs which makes me feel very fortunate and thankful for technology as it stands today. 

I hope you take delight in these sites and enjoy the inspiration as much as I do.

A directory with inspiration...

On my way out the door after checking out at the grocery store last weekend, I grabbed the latest New Home Directory (it's free) to get a pulse on new home construction and to perhaps be inspired by the interiors of model homes featured in this directory.

It has been a long time since I've toured model homes so this booklet is the next best thing. 

There was one ad that triggered a design thought:

A glass-top table in the center of the foyer with a flower arrangement (or possibly a sculpture) as the focal point.  I like it.  I think the glass-top allows the piece of furniture to look less bulky, especially if you are dealing with a small foyer.

This is not a project I will be pursuing for our home in the near-term.  As much as I would like to see results sooner vs. later, it is nice though to have goals and implement them at some point down the road when the budget says it's OK to proceed.   

I keep a file with ideas such as this one but in an effort to conserve paper and be "green", I am filing it here under "home goals".  Using this site as an organizing resource is not a bad idea.  I wish I had thought of it sooner. 

Before I go, let me share with you a design blog I discovered today thanks to Blog Watch in the Home section of The Washington Post.  It is called My Notting Hill and is filled with all sorts of design inspiration.  Enjoy the wonderment of it all.

Because Kelly told me to...

A different twist to a blog tag by Kelly (soulmates we are yet we've never met in person) has me taking photos of myself in the mirror. 

Truthfully, I've never personally done this before.  An amateur for sure.

Let me try this again...

I see tissue, a camera strap and a fluffy belly.  Lovely.  Oh and the white paint on the cuff of my CKU sweat jacket.  Thank goodness this mirror is not full-length.

OK, I feel like I am playing peek-a-boo with the camera.
 

I finally figured it out.  If I can see my reflection in the camera lens, then I know I am on target.

It's off center but at least I got into the frame shot.

My Sunday-lazy-day attire.  Sweats are on, hair is up and my flip-flops are on. 

Now turning to my friends:  Paula (because she is having some good hair days lately), Jennifer (I haven't seen much of her lately and want to reconnect) and Tammy (because she's had lots to smile about lately).

The rules of this tag are:

1. Take a picture of your self right now, no primping or preparing. Just snap a picture.
2. Load onto your blog.
3. Tag 3 people to play...remember if you are tagged on another blog we will all be heading to yours to see if you played along.

How was my self-portrait debut?  It's a good thing this request did not come on a day where I recently returned home from the dentist, numb from novocaine and drool on my chin.

Have a productive yet fun week!

Why I love to blog...

When Typepad asked their users to share why they love to blog, I thought this would be a good time to reiterate my feelings about blogging.

Blogging allows me to share my thoughts and connect with those who share similar interests.  I find the process to be therapeutic and I enjoy pretending as though I am a writer for a magazine, but it's my magazine. 

I spend a lot of time on-line seeking information, researching resources that pertain to my hobbies & interests and take many photos.  The one thing I enjoy when reading a magazine is viewing the photos.  So it is important to me to include photos with almost every entry. 

I recall how anxious I was to share my very first entry on this blog because I am very passionate about my interests and love to elaborate on topics such as scrapbooking, decorating and shopping with anyone and everyone. 

It has also afforded me the opportunity to make friends with peers near and far. 

And I rarely experience writer's block because when you are writing about something you truly care about, it comes out quite easily into a blog entry.

The world is at our fingertips.  I say take the plunge and see what blogging is all about. 

Thank you...

There are many ways to express our gratitude.  By saying thank you to a gracious host, a kind gift-giver, a caring friend, a loving family member, a supportive spouse.  It never occurred to me to record what I am thankful for until I participated in Kolette Hall's class at Creative Escape a couple months ago.

And today, I am thankful for this site where I record thoughts, ideas and information-sharing.  It's like having lunch with my girlfriends and dishing about the latest and greatest in scrapbooking, admiring the new handbag a friend just purchased, where the latest sales and bargains can be found, and seeking ideas on what color paint to use in the powder room.  We feed off each other. 

That is exactly how I feel about this blog.  Having the opportunity to share what comes to mind on a particular day is extremely theraputic for me.  And I do love to dish about the latest and great in almost anything and everything.  Guess what I read in the latest issue of House Beautiful....or the new hair dryer I just purchased dries your hair so quickly.  You get my drift.  We speak the same language, so to speak.  ;)

If I hear of a sale where lingerie is 20% off, you will be the first to hear (if you didn't know already).  And Lord & Taylor is offering 25-30% off designer handbags.  Or did you see the room decorated by Candice Olson in the latest episode of Divine Design?  Where do you like to shop for home accessories...Pottery Barn...so do I!  Did you know that Ali Edwards is teaching a gratitude project on Big Picture Scrapbooking?  Now that I'm sure you've heard.

This is the sisterhood of scrapbooking, decorating and shopping.  And I am VERY THANKFUL to those who find this site of any interest.  Truly, I am grateful, very grateful.

The Nest Egg...

One of my favorite local retail shops specializing in home accents and furniture is The Nest Egg.  Moments spent browsing and walking around the shop at least 2-3 times is typical of me. 

It is where I found Sid Dickens.  I display the 3 pieces I purchased on our window sill in the kitchen.

The placemats on our kitchen island were just what I was looking for, helping to add a little color to the space.  And red does the trick.

The pair of finials were a pleasant discovery and adds architectural interest to my studio's bookcase (a finial is placed at each end of the bookcase).

The toile coaster is the right size for placement of my beverage of choice while playing in my little space. What sold me on this coaster was the urn in the toile design.  I love urns.

My fascination for topiaries is what steered me toward these 4 prints that now hang in our upstairs hallway. 

My home retail therapy is The Nest Egg.  And I now can stay abreast of the latest and greatest in home accents at their shop by visiting their blog where I see they are offering a 15% off coupon toward your purchase through November 7.  It certainly gives me added motivation to nest. 

Furthermore, I think our home deserves a Christmas present.  Perhaps a rug or lamp would make a nice gift.  Or if I truly want to spoil our home, how about a bookcase?  My guy may not understand the rationale here but it would be fun to see the look on his face if were to mention adding our home as a Christmas gift recipient this season.

All I can say is the best gift is the one you'd give yourself.  And The Nest Egg is the place to go for that gift.

Enjoy your Monday.  :=)

Blog organizing...

Spending the last 2 days reorganizing this site has me very distracted, thus no blog posts lately.  I am attempting to clean-up links that no longer work and sharing information in a more orderly fashion. 

At the top of this blog, underneath my banner, I have created links to topics I frequently "talk" about.  I've also included those same links on the right side of this blog under "A Passion For". 

So please pardon the dust while I continue to make this site a bit more functional. 

And tomorrow, I intend to share a gift idea of the political kind.  Stay tuned.

A favor or two...

Our Stampin Up! consultant, Nancy, continually inspires us with crafty ideas.  So I am glad she finally began a blog to showcase her work.

And the crop we attended over the weekend, she created fabulous make 'n takes where I 'made' and 'took' a cute party favor.

A little halloween treat bag with my new favorite punch shape as a tag.

She also used the new Sizzix die-cut exclusive to Stampin Up! where we made a winter-themed tag.  This is where I fell in love with the new felt ribbon.  I wish it came in more than one color though.

On display at her table were various home decor-type projects, including a Christmas shadow box using their vinyl clings and patterned paper.  Nancy added battery operated lights and miniature ball ornaments and created a lovely piece of holiday decor.

I was also dazzled by her "business card"...

The inside contains a calendar and notepad.  All in the size of a matchbook.

The ideas are running through my head as to what I could do to customize these little projects into favors for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

So I have Nancy and the Giving Well class with Kolette at Big Picture Scrapbooking to inspire me this holiday season.  Now all I ask is that Santa grant my wish.  And that is the gift of time. 

Eight, 8, ate...

My mate (and I say this because I seem to be in a British kind of mood these days), Paula, is sharing a quiz she just completed on her site where I now must do the same and name 8 more mates to complete it too.

A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question.

B) Tag 8 people to do this quiz.

Here I go....

1.How many songs are on your iPod?

119....I need to get with the program.  This is lame.

2. What music would you want played at your funeral?

My Love by Paul McCartney & the Wings

3.What magazines do you have subscriptions to?

Traditional Home, Simple Scrapbooks, Paper Crafts, Domino, Wired, MacLife, BH&G, Southern Living, Southern Accents, Marie Claire, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Home & Design, Washington Spaces, Creating Keepsakes, O at Home...there's more but can't think recall all of them.

A shameful vice of mine.

4. What is your favorite scent?

 Right now, Vetyver

5. If you had a million dollars that you could only spend on yourself, what would you do with it?

I'd decorate and invest in a few good pieces of furniture as well as replacing our dishwasher with a 2 drawer type of dishwasher.  And I'd expand my craft room.  :)

6. What is your theme song?

I don't think I have one.  It depends on the day and the situation.  It could be "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Bon Jovi when there's just not enough time in the day and "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison when I'm feeling mellow.  Then there are days that "Gravity" by John Mayer could apply too.  And I mean that in the physical sense.  Some days, there no sense in fighting it.

7. Do you trust easily?

Yes, most of the time

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?

It depends on my state-of-mind.  Generally, I think before I act.  But I can be impulsive too. 

9.Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?

I can't think of anything at the moment. 

10. Do you have a good body-image?

No, I do not.  It's an issue I struggle with day-in and day-out.

11. Is being tagged fun?

It depends on the type of tag.  This one is very thought-provoking.

12. How do you spend your social networking (Facebook, etc.) time?

Facebook, Flickr, Yahoo groups and blogs

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?

Dr. Pepper and Skinny Cow ice cream cones

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

Energetic, tell-it-like-it-is incredibly friendly person that I'm happy to call a girlfriend...yes, that's Paula.  And that we have so much in common is what brings us together.  She's quite entrepreneurial too.  I admire that quality in a person. 

15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?

 I'll Be There For You....listening to Bon Jovi CDs in the car non-stop for the last 6 months will do that to you.  When my guy is with me in the car, he prefers anything over Bon Jovi.

16.What’s your favorite item of clothing?

On a skinny day, jeans or a nice pair of pants.  On a not-so-skinny day, Juicy Couture sweats or my pajamas!  Or a day like today, Matilda Jane ruffled sweats.

17. Do you think Rice Crispies are yummy?

Yes, particularly because they are Weight Watcher-point friendly.

18. What would you do if you see saw $100 lying on the ground?

Pick it up, and if it's the holiday season, I'd place it in the Salvation Army bucket.  Otherwise, I'd donate it to a worthy cause.  Many, many years ago there was a moment in time where things were not so well, then one day I slipped a few dollars in the Salvation Army bucket and things turned around inside me.  It was a deep moment but it has stuck with me all these years.

19. What items could you not go without during the day?

Powder and/or blotting sheets. 

20. What should you be doing right now?

Watching the Presidential debate with my guy.  He will keep me abreast of the issues in my absence.

Now for the 8 mates:

• Elizabeth, whom I just met last weekend taking her photography class at our LSS.
• Zanne, fellow Inspired attendee whom I've come to know in the last couple weeks.  And she's teaching a mini-workshop at Inspired next May.
• Carol, my creative inspiration and kit/project guru.  I'm looking forward to her visit to the Queen's Ink early next year as well as at Inspired in May.
• Stacy, whom I met at Creative Escape earlier this month. 
• Tena, my creative inspiration and took a class with her for the first time at Inspired last April.  I'm excited that Tena will be back in '09 for a mini-workshop.
• Grace, my blogging buddy and connoisseur of all things pink.
• Nancy, whom I've met at several Get Croppin events and happens to be on our LSS's design team.
• Jennifer, whose class I took at Inspired earlier this year.  Quite inspiring and loved the project and she will return in '09 with another great home decor project, I'm sure.  Am enjoying her great wit and friendly demeanor. 

OK, mates.  Let your hair down as I want to hear it all, particularly the answer to the last question.  There's always something else we should be doing, right!?

Have fun.

Reciprocal linkage...

Nearly every day I discover blogs where I have a lot in common with.  Recently, I was introduced to Montrealaise en Californie.  Nancy celebrates her domestic diva-ness with such enthusiasm while at the same time sharing wonderful tips from her own personal experiences. 

She also shared blog recognition, listing some of her favorites, including this ol' site.  I am greatly appreciative of the nod and the concern of a restraining order.  Nancy's sense of humor is a nice fringe benefit to reading her blog.

I'm also appreciative of great friends.  Jennifer being one whom I've come to know over the last several years.  I always look to her for guidance when it comes to papercrafts.  It's no wonder that Quickutz, Scrap Jazz/Scrapbook.com and Fiberscraps (among many others) have benefited from her creativity and friendly demeanor.

And today, Jennifer continued with her friendliness by nominating blogs she loves.  I return that love as she shares her inspirations, projects that entail home decor as well as papercrafting which I admire tremendously.  Plus she has a wonderful playlist.

There are so many blogs, with new ones appearing every day.  Recently, I began using Google Reader which has simplied my blog reading in big ways.  I try to browse & read blogs as often as I can.  And I'm always grateful to those who link to me.  I'd like to thank the following blogs who have linked here within the last week:

• Brandylogan

• Ivypink

• Iamadiva

• Bluegrasspublishing

• Alas3lads

• Wewillalwayshaveparis

• Thena

• Pinkpizzaz

• Ohscrapit

• Stacycartwright

• Gypsywagon

• Everythingisalwaysperfect

• Carolwingert

• Momofirishtwins

• Angieedwards

• Brokeshopaholic

• Cestmoi

• Scrapsofthisandthat

• Scrapyoga

• Craftystorage

• Amywilges

• Redmittens

• Jolenegeorge

• Jodielejeune

• Paulawessells

• Ellenprentice

• Scrapbliss

• Todayscreativeblog

• Marirosa

• Elishasnow

• Suburbanmomma

• Amymowbray

• Suzifiner

• Lisacohen

• Quiltychick

• Gabriela Delworth

• CarrieB

• Deidrabrown

• Brandylogan

• Justlittleme

• Alifeunrehearsed

• J-a-girl

• Yblair

• Wendysmedley

• Lifetimesofnotsoccermom

• Ratemyfavoritespaces

• Inspireco

• Christysplayground

• Nicholeheady

Some new, some not-so-new, some friends and some new blog acquaintances.  Regardless, technology has brought us together.

Garage & Matilda - a sale or two...

There are two kinds of sales I'd like to share.  One, I've updated the garage sale with a price reduction and added a couple Brighton items.  I'm full of energy right now, so I'm purging my heart out. 

Second, I have a friend who has shared her addiction to Matilda Jane Clothing with me.  Have you heard of Matilda Jane?  If not, check out their blog, website, and the Home Grown 2008 collection.  Their method of selling merchandise is similar to Stampin' Up!, CTMH, Longaberger, etc.  You get the idea.

Lately, whenever I see Marirosa, she is wearing a stylish yet casual outfit from Matilda Jane (as well as her 4 year old daughter).  And every time I share how much I love it and that I'd like one too.  In response, Marirosa reminds me to wait for the Fall catalog party she will be hosting.  Lots of new and exciting things for girls like us as well as little gals like toddlers and pre-teens.

In the meantime, I purchased this outfit thanks to Marirosa:

Then I see Marirosa prancing around in these sweats.  Stop it already.  I can't take the cuteness any longer.  I'd like a pair, pleeeeze!

Well the time is almost here.  The fall line (Sack Lunch) is available for preview on August 23 and Marirosa is hosting an online/catalog show from August 25-September 10.  And she's offering some special deals in the range of photo sessions for the locals.

I'm itching to see what the new fall line will be. If you are interested and/or have any questions, contact Marirosa directly via her blog.

And if you become a big-time admirer of Matilda Jane Clothing, you can blame...I mean thank Marirosa.

More virtuality...

Are you a card-maker?  Are you inspired by the beauty of papercrafting?  Then let me introduce you to IvyPink who represents all of the above.  She has a beautiful studio and her passion for organization cannot be missed.  And the blog-recognition I received recently from IvyPink is truly heart-warming. 

In continuation of a previous post listing great linkage from other generous bloggers, I share with you the following list of recent kind linkers here:

DeniseHill

BrandyLogan

Mechiel

Bestrongcalmgrateful

JodieLejeune

CraftyStorage

GabrielaDelworthClasses

TodaysCreativeBlog

Ratemyfavoritespaces

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "It's a small world afterall".

Happy Thursday to you all!

JeanetteS's spaces...

I have now joined the ranks of Rate My Spacers and added our linen closet as the first space to be rated.

I'm slowly phasing myself into this wonderful group of decorating enthusiasts.  My next goal is to add our master bedroom, seeking feedback concerning wall color, drapery treatments and anything else anyone cares to share.  I hope to do that tomorrow. 

Perhaps one day Angelo Surmelis will visit good 'ol Virginia, providing us with inspiration and guidance which I desperately require.  And speaking of Angelo, his latest blog post talks about taking risks.  That is a trait I need to develop confidence within me.  I try to take risks but it's not easy.  I'm always afraid of being disappointed. 

So my goals are to add more photos to RMS and develop a backbone when it comes to taking risks in the world of decorating.

Call him "Design Geek"...

With thanks to Mary Kay, I discovered where Angelo Surmelis shares his thoughts on design as well as his journey through life to all things design-related as host of HGTV's Rate My Space.  

I've delighted in his perspective on design with each show, viewing it online as well as on TV.  The lessons I've learned already, like careful consideration to the height of the ceiling when contemplating lighting options.  You see, I was considering placing a chandelier in our master bath at some point, but never took much thought into the height of our ceiling.

After viewing this episode of RMS, I now realize our ceiling is too low and I know my guy would not appreciate banging his head into the chandelier every time he goes to brush his teeth.  That doesn't mean I cannot have a decorative ceiling light similar to what was used in the RMS episode one day.  It certainly alleviates the height issue.

This is just one of many lessons learned I've experienced over the years as a HGTV viewer.  I became a faithful viewer the day HGTV made its debut onto cable television with Interiors by Design, hosted by Chris Madden being my favorite show.

Today, not only do I get a dose of Rate My Space on TV, I also get the enjoyment of perusing spaces that viewers like us can upload photos to the RMS website to share and inspire one another.

And Angelo hosting a blog is a great fringe benefit.  I'm enjoying what technology has to offer and what Design Geeks are willing to share. 

This and that, Thursday night edition...

Currently I have family visiting with little opportunity to connect with my Mac.  I do though have some interesting links to share.  One is the kitchen of the year sponsored by House Beautiful and shown on the Today Show.  A feature that appeals to me are the 2 refrigerators side-by-side.  Although we're a family of two, I could see having 2 fridges in the kitchen.

Today, I had my first experience at a Korean spa called  SpaWorld.  It was different, but not in a bad way.  The massage therapist walked on my back.  Yes, she walked on my back.  Fortunately she was tiny but boy were her feet strong as she kneaded my back, tending to every tight muscle. 

And the body scrub has left me feeling soft as a baby's derrière.  I'm glad I was able to share this time with my mom and aunt.  It meant a lot to them for me to experience some of their culture.

Also, did you notice the blog banner?  I know some of you have based on the feedback I've received.  Leave it to my talented friend Tammy to come to my aide. 

For what remains this evening is a diet Coke, ibuprofen, body moisturizer (want to savor the body scrub) and a cold pillow to rest on. 

Friday is almost here...

The beauty of inspiration via Mary Kay...

At times, do you crave inspiration when it comes to home projects and decor?  Well be prepared to be incredibly inspired by Mary Kay's blog.  I discovered her site via Rate My Space where she shares photos of her beautfiul home as a result of hard work and great talent.

If my guy had a ManSpace of this magnitude, I do not believe I'd ever see him.  Although he could say the same about me when I'm playing in my craft room.  And if he did have a space like Mary Kay's hubby, I might have to move into the space too. 

 

Her attention to detail is above and beyond.  To create "feet" for a cabinet amazes me.

Journey into Mary Kay's world.  The inspiration awaits.

It's all virtual...

The Virtual Garage Sale is going well with thanks to many of you.  It is an ongoing project (stay tuned for a Coach bag) and I can honestly say that the clutter is slowly disappearing. 

If you fancy a great bargain or two, please visit Michelle's blog.  She is also hosting a Virtual Garage Sale.  If I weren't already knee-deep in learning about things like photography from BPS, I'd be tempted by the Graphite tablet Michelle has for sale. 

Now, let me introduce you to Kristen.  I met her at CKU-Masters in Boston in 2006.  And the kind soul that she is, she has shared a Brilliante blog award with me.

In lieu of naming 7 favorite blogs, I'd like to share a list of blogs that have linked here recently.  They were kind enough to share this site with their readers that I'd like to share theirs with you:

J-A-Girl

Rooms With a View

Crafty Storage

Red Mittens

Elisha Snow

Loves to Create

Shannon Stamp

Alas 3 Lads

Heath The Weather Boy

Jolene George

Suburban Momma

AndreaW123

Everything is Always Perfect

Amy Wilges

Julie Jean Designs

Lifetimes of Not Soccer Mom

Kerry McKibbins

A Life Unrehearsed

Micheleliebig

Stacy Cartwright

Happy in my Blue Room

Yblair

No Worries Enjoy this Life

Erin Bassett

Whether you have a passion for scrapbooking and/or home decor, it is nice to know we all have something in common.  And thanks to modern technology, it's a small world after all.

Quarterly inspiration...

For the next 12 months, juliem will receive 4 issues of Do It Yourself magazine.  My subscription has been ongoing for a number of years now and typically have a copy floating around the house.  Of course tonight, when I want to share some snapshots of pages I've tagged on this 'ol blog, I cannot find it.  I'm sure juliem will take better care of her magazines than I.

Thanks to those who participated in the "put me to work around the house" magazine subscription fun-fest.  It's always a pleasure receiving your feedback, particularly on the paint color issue.  And I will consider every suggestion.  I'm always open to ideas and suggestions.

Sharing the inspiration...

I discovered a new blog and more on the Rate My Spacer whose style I admire which I shared recently.  Interestingly, I learned she is from my neck of the woods.  As for the new blog I discovered, they share more on this Rate My Spacer on their site.  Their magazine is one of my favorites too.

I also admire the styles of many other decorating enthusiasts who share their labor of love on Rate My Space which I will share more on very soon. 

Meanwhile, delight in the inspiration.

Time Savers: Food shopping...

Update:  In reference to the last paragraph of this post, let me clarify by saying my guy does most of the housework.  What I meant to say was I wish he'd agree to hire assistance with housework...hint, hint.  :)

 

Remember this, Carol?

Food is a favorite topic of mine.  It is one reason why I spend a lot of time on Mrs. L's blog reading entry after entry concerning food. 

Way back when, I used to enjoy weekly shopping trips to the grocery store.  Discovering new products and seeing how much I could save using coupons.  In the last 10 years, I have found it to be a task I dread.  Particularly when I discovered scrapbooking.  Those shopping trips would eat-up 2 hours of my hobby-time every Sunday.  I was beginning to get a little resentful. 

And when I would arrive at the grocery store, I was struggling to come up with ideas for meals.  This is a perfect example of not being prepared.  I would promise myself that I would peruse the cookbooks seeking ideas for meals but never got around to it.

Today, I can thank the internet for simplifying my life when it comes to food.  First, I can seek recipes online with the click of a button.  Then, I can go to Peapod and create my grocery list.  I try to initiate a grocery list every Monday and finalize it by Friday for an early delivery on Saturday morning. 

There is also Net Grocer, which I've used in the past.  They ship groceries to you.  And I know friends who live overseas that have used them too.  Net Grocer also comes in handy if you have elderly family members to look after.  It provides peace of mind knowing you can get groceries to them from afar.

Like I mentioned yesterday, we have our Carry-Out Menu binder for nights when we do not feel like cooking.  The internet plays another role when it comes to pizza.  We have an online account set-up with Papa John's, Dominos and Pizza Hut.  It is so convenient.  With Papa Johns you can plan ahead (I haven't checked the other pizza websites to see if they do as well) with at least 2 hours notice.  (In my attempt to be healthy, I order a thin crust pizza with black olives, no cheese & extra sauce...yum!)

 

Papa John's on Valentine's Day

One time recently I was traveling and talking to my guy on the phone.  He indicated that there was nothing to eat at home.  I happen to be in front of my laptop so I logged onto Papa Johns website and ordered a pizza to be delivered that evening.  How's that for service!

Back to grocery shopping.  I gave up on coupons long ago.  It's a great way to save money but I found it to be time consuming.  If you are a coupon user, Peapod does accept them.  And their selection of meats & fruits have been far better than what you get in the grocery store.

There is no dispute in our household for the expense of using Peapod (around 6.95-9.95 per delivery).  If I can only convince my guy that some assistance with cleaning our home would be worthwhile too.  That's a subject for another day.  :)

Scor-It...

I can always count on my friends to influence me, even when they do not realize they are influencing me.  And that friend (The same friend who introduced me to Copic pens...Bad Kitty) was using a mini Scor-It during a weekend crop recently.  I had no idea there was a mini version.  I have had the larger version for some time now.

The size card I typically create is 5" x 4 1/4".  As you can see in the above photo, I have plenty of room to spare on the full-size version.  The mini Scor-It is definitely suitable for my purposes and the portability is what's so appealing about it. 

So, I'd like to add the mini to my wish list with the idea of keeping the large one at home and the mini to take to crops and classes.

And have you seen what Nichole at Papertrey has been up to?  The stamps are amazing and the cards created by her and the design team are incredible.  I am continually inspired by what she shares on her blog.

Suffice it to say that I'm inspired by my friends too.

Making a connection...

"Meeting" those who share common interests is a very neat thing.  And when I read Angie's blog, I discover we have a lot in common.  Particularly an appreciation for our girlfriends and doing fun things together.  Angie also shared in a recent post the "four things" tag and prompted me to share a few too.

Four Jobs That I Have Held:

Receptionist at a title company as a teenager

Life-long career in the corporate world and it's still going strong

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:

Sex and the City (in case you didn't know already)

Steel Magnolias

Funny Farm

Home for the Holidays (particularly every Thanksgiving)

Four Places That I Have Lived:

Virginia, Virginia, Virginia, Virginia

Four TV Shows That I Like:

Sex and the City

Divine Design

The Sopranos

Giada's Everyday Italian

Four People Who Email Me Regularly:

My best friend, Carol

All my scrapbooking buds

My sister

My dear friend Sheila

Four Things You Do Almost Everyday Without Fail:

Take a bath at the end of the day

Spray cologne or perfume

Apply make-up

Wash my face

Four Favorite Foods:

Chicken Chow Mein

Pasta, pasta and pasta

Baked Tostitos & salsa

Cannolis

Four Places I Would Rather Be:

In Florida visiting family

Having a girlfriends getaway to Manhattan

Napa Valley (I will get there one day)

Anywhere with my guy

Four People I am Tagging:

Yoli, Mechiel, Nancy and Lucinda.  All 4 ladies I've come to know via blogging.

"Friends have all things in common."
- Plato

Actions...

I find myself trying to learn more about photography and Photoshop actions.  And tonight, you can find me spending time on The Pioneer Woman's site seeking knowledge and downloading her free actions.  (Note:  It only works with Photoshop Creative Suite and not Elements).

Here's a photo of our niece (who turned 2 today) with no actions:

And here's the same photo with Pioneer Woman's Lovely & Ethereal photoshop action:

And here's an example of Pioneer Woman's B&W action:

I have so much to learn and am having fun in the process.  And you just never know where that next click on the 'net will lead to. 

As for The Pioneer Woman, I admire her writing style and wealth of information she shares with her readers.  Her photography is inspiring and her cooking skills can even make a non-cook like me ready to take them on. 

It is now time to explore her Home and Garden section.  Goodnight, folks.

I'm an Oscar Mayer wiener...

You are correct, the photo in the previous post is the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. 

I happen to be driving home from work on Rt. 66 this evening, when I came upon the Wienermobile.  So when traffic came to a standstill, I whipped out my cell phone and snapped a photo (see, I do need a purse-size camera). 

I've heard about the Wienermobile but have never seen one in person. 

Christie - I hope you enjoy the Anna Griffin pencil case.

I adore Anna Griffin's line of products (embellishments and tote accessories, in particular).  I also discovered she now has a blog.  Let us all stop by and say hello to Anna.

Good night, folks.  :=)

Sharing all things Anna...

My inspiration for this post came from Debby Schuh, whose class I took at our LSS yesterday (will share more soon on the class).  I was admiring her lovely Anna Griffin craft tote bag and shared how I love my  Anna Griffin craft tote bag too.   So tonight, I found more things by Anna to tempt my checkbook. 

Check out Evelyn, available at Iamadiva.com, which is a fun place to visit and discovered on Debby's blog via her link to Suzi Finer.  If it weren't for my recent tool bag purchase, I'd use this Craft Desktop Organizer in the lovely Evelyn pattern.  It's so vibrant and fun, just like this design of patterned paper by Anna Griffin.

Blythe is another pattern I am enjoying right now.  It's sophisticated girliness is what I like about it.  Try submitting a proposal or report with Blythe report covers.   That will catch the recipient's attention.

May this colorful inspiration brighten your Monday.

Tags & Tagged...

She never ceases to amaze me with her Photoshop abilities and presents to me a set of tags for my baskets.  With a damask background no less.  What more can a girl ask for.

I actually pulled out my handy-dandy nested circle Coluzzle template  to cut the tags which I printed on matte photo paper.  This new organization system is already paying off by the fact that I was able to find the swivel knife along with the template so quickly.

Life is good in the craft room right now. 

More on tags, this time in the form of the weblog kind.  Gabriela Delworth tagged me all the way from Canada.  How refreshing.  A different topic to share in this entry besides craft room organization.

Gabriela is an amazing designer and if I lived closer, I'd be spending a lot of time as a student of hers, learning how to make incredibly feminine paper crowns and how to tie a proper bow on a package among many other crafts.  Her blog is full of design wonderment.

As for the tag, here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, here are the juicy details:

• I am a creature of habit.  Monday through Friday it's straight to work and back home.  I have been known to take the exit to home off the interstate when in fact I have a hair appointment after work and should be taking a different exit.  If you knew how bad the traffic can be in this area, you'd understand why I get so mad at myself when I do this.  And it happens often.  :(
• I dislike mushrooms.  The texture bothers me.  If they are chopped and I can't see them, well I guess what I do not know will not hurt me.
• There's no passion when it comes to cooking.  I'd rather eat out. 
• I do love my slow cooker though.  Getting up on a Sunday morning, throwing all the ingredients into the slow cooker, turn it on and set the timer, then go play in my craft room or tend to some home projects with my guy while dinner simmers all day.  Now that's an ideal Sunday. 
• I've probably mentioned this before but I have a strong passion for magazines, particularly home decor related.  This is to my guy's dismay and I drive my mother crazy when we're shopping and I drag her into every bookstore we pass.
• As I mentioned in #3, I like to eat out.  Whether it's trying a new restaurant, going to a favorite place, or getting something fast like Panera's chicken noodle soup.
• I collect Estee Lauder perfume solids and have done so for numerous years.  I'm not quite as into it now than I was about 6 or 7 years ago but I still love them.

The tagged 7 are:  Tammy, Paula, Marirosa, Korie, Pam, Jennifer & Ashlie (I haven't given up on you, Ash).  Our mutual interest in this great hobby called scrapbooking is what brought us together.  Amazing. 

Slice & CHA...

Congratulations to those who won great prizes on the Making Memories blog this week.  And let me clarify that it was not me that won the fabulous new Slice tool.  I wish it were me but it is not the case.

All the new product releases coming out of CHA is very exciting.  Have you seen the new Hambly releases?  Wow.  Quickutz also mentioned a new 12" platform for the Revolution.  I can't wait to get one of those.

I'm also excited about the new Resin line by Melissa Frances.  How about the new lines from Chatterbox.  Oh my goodness.  Luxe Designs has all sorts of new things coming our way too. 

My craft room is overflowing with supplies and tools, but there's a fascination with new paper, new tools, new embellishments that renews my love for scrapbooking and papercrafts.  Is there a new product that you are excited about?

My Feathered Nest...

I am in the mood for a papercrafting project.  Seriously, I am.  It hit me today when I received Creatologie from Carol Wingert Studio's exclusive online kit. 

I can't get enough of the goodies contained in this kit.

The embellishments are all so well coordinated.

She leaves no detail left unturned.

I wish I lived nearby Scrapbooks Etc. as I'd love to partake in Carol's theme for her monthly classes called "Totally Timeless:  Classic Style".

I admire classic style and I admire Carol.  She's been a creative inspiration to me ever since I discovered her blog and the books she co-wrote with Tena Sprenger (Artful Memories and Lifelines).

We will have an opportunity to be personally inspired by Carol when she teaches our LSS in June.   I'm pretty excited about that.

I really do wish I had the time this weekend to play with this kit but I am going to save it for the crop at Scrapbowl next month.  Another creative opportunity to look forward to.

Meanwhile, I am eagerly anticipating Carol's next kit. 

Joie de Vivre...

My fascination with artwork continues with a new discovery I made today....Kimberly Applegate of Joie de Vivre.  It satisfies my hunger for home decor and anything pretty and architectural.  And these chairs are it!

To satisfy that hunger, I purchased a print called Drama Queen.

I purchased a few others which I will share once they are framed. 

If you are quick, originals can be purchased on the Joie de Vivre site (be sure to sign up for her email list for updates) and prints are available here, although I understand you can request a print of almost any original you see.

Wait, it get's better.  Kimberly has a line of notecards (Live a Plush Life), including ones in miniature ottomans.  I am enjoying the home decor connection here. 

This site has been bookmarked and linked-to by me.  I will be back for more...definitely.  Would you care to join me in a browse?

p.s. - Creative Thursday's blog is what led me to Joie de Vivre.  :)

One site leads to another...

I was browsing Design*Sponge's blog which led me to the Dose of Design blog which led me to Decorative Things where I found decorative things such as salad servers that come in a baroque pattern.  How about that!

Almost daily, I read Cathy Z.'s blog (who makes me giggle A LOT) which leads me to Dooce's, whose good storytelling and writing abilities are guaranteed to entertain you. 

When I go to Donna's site, I somehow end up on Rosie's site and am always intrigued by her videos.

I recall in 1993 when I first signed-on with AOL and obtained my first email address.  Never did I imagine it would lead to what the internet has become today.  To even have the ability to take a scrapbooking class online is amazing. 

Now I can't imagine it any other way.

She puts the fun in Funky...

Please visit Jessica's site as she recaps her recent visit to the Stitch Fashion Show & Guerrilla Craft Bazaar.  An opportunity to win a swag bag is involved. 

Jessica is your connection to the unique crafts and handmade items made by talented artists (in case you don't know this already).  I've developed a fondness for Etsy because of Jessica.

And speaking of Etsy, I've been spending more time at Every Jot and Tittle buying up more tags.  Love it all!

Seven...

Erin and Marirosa both blog-tagged me where I must do the following....

Here are the rules which must be posted on your blog if you are tagged:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Here's 7 facts about me:

1. Toast is becoming one of my favorite snacks.
2. I like to wear a ponytail when at home.
3. Merlot is my favorite type of wine.
4. Magazine-reading is a bedtime ritual and when I go to the grocery store, I always go down the magazine aisle to look for the latest on the newsstand (drives my guy crazy).
5. I like to drink out of a foam cup.
6. I love chinese food and order the same thing every time (Chicken Chow Mein w/Steamed Rice)
7. I love to take paper-crafting classes.

Now, here's who I'm tagging:

1. Ashlie, whom I encourage to update her lovely blog.
2. Lisa because she's a breath of fresh artistic air.
3. Jennifer because I appreciate her creative guidance
4. Pam because she's such a great story-teller.
5. Paula because we have so much in common.
6. Colleen because she's such a sweet cyber-friend.
7. Tammy because, the great friend that she is, is now rallying support to get an Archivers to set up shop in northern VA now that we are losing Recollections.

Jupiter...

If I may, I'd like to introduce you to a new blog that has nothing to do with scrapbooking but has a lot to do with real estate and West Palm Beach, Florida.  In particular, Jupiter and Juno Beach.  Hence the name, Blogging Jupino. 

The company behind the blog is Cobblestone Realty.  They are a growing young company continually expanding services to provide a complete line of realty products and services for their clients.  They serve one of the most beautiful areas in Florida and are located on the east coast where their community is rich with a diversified population.  They have seasonal (or snowbirds as they like to call them) young families.

There are a few famous celebrities who love the Jupiter area because of the private communities available to them.  Cobblestone Realty can help with relocation, second homes, seasonal rentals and investment properties. 

Blogging Jupino is a forum for Cobblestone Realty to share resources, information, and anything that pertains to homes and real estate.  They plan to include tidbits on interior design and staging a home for sale as well as local interests.  I look forward to hearing more on that front!

More importantly, the blog is managed by my sister and her hubby is Cobblestone Realty.  I'd like to welcome them to the world of blogging.  And if you want to stop by to wish them well, I know they'd greatly appreciate it. 

Of course if you are ever looking for a home in the West Palm Beach area, Cobblestone Realty would be a great resource.  And if you are interested in opening a local scrapbook store, this area could really use one! 

Organizational inspiration...

I was paying a daily visit to my friend Korie's blog when she practically knocked the socks right off me with her post on stamp organization.  How ingenious of her to use acrylic box photo frames to store her stamps.  Amazing.  I do not have very many stamps but I am going to adapt to her system of stamp storage. 

Then I moved onto Simple Scrapbooks Studio Blog and found that Wendy has been sharing all sorts of great discoveries she's made regarding organization.  My favorite is the way buttons were organized into a shadow box.  And speaking of Wendy, I am very much looking forward to the release of her new book, The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, that she co-wrote with Aby. 

This piece of wall decor is something I'd love to have in my craft room but I simply do not have the space.  One day when I have a bigger space (hint, hint), I can accommodate this lovely piece.  In the meantime, I will have to live vicariously through those who own it. 

This was my inspiration for the day.  And I know where I am going tonight...Michael's for acrylic block photo frames!

How about them apples...

That's what my mom's best friend used to say. How about them apples. She's no longer around for me to hear those darling words out of her mouth, but as a kid, I enjoyed getting that reaction from her when I would tell her exciting news about my day at school or if something good happend to me.

And today is no different.  I'm catching up reading Carol Wingert's blog this morning to see she has shared an award with me...NICE MATTERS.  And Emily stopped by last week and left a comment sharing the same award too.  How very NICE.  I'm glad to hear I'm thought of as being NICE.  Why my mother would not be so happy if she heard otherwise.

And Carol also bestowed the same honor to my best friend, Carol.  Since she doesn't have a blog I will share that she, too, is thrilled with this honor. 

Now I'm going to spread some NICEness by sharing the award with Heather, modern vintage stylist extraordinaire, Paula who is a great example of what best friend means, Colleen who is always so kind to me, and Jessica who exemplifies NICEness all around. 

Now, how about them apples!

The day has arrived...

...where the person who has inspired me in a great way is opening shop. 

Let me back up and tell you how much she's inspired me.  When Lucinda introduced me to her blog, I was in awe of the photos she shared of a bridal shower she hosted.  It was elegant and sophisticated.  That is where most of my inspiration came from when I put together my sister's bridal shower. 

And her wonderful taste in vintage style has me taking more of an interest in that realm of decor. 

When I heard that Heather was launching an online shop, I counted down the days to today.  It is refreshing to find a different perspective on home decor.  My mind soaks it all in and I daydream of how I want to reflect a particular style in our home.  Whether it's in the guest room, bedroom, family room, or anywhere I can find a blank palette to work with.  No room goes untouched (or that is my goal).  And I'm finding that our home reflects an eclectic style, incorporated by a wide range of styles I am influenced by. 

So be influenced by Heather and her PresentPast Collection and have fun exploring!

Anna & Debby...

Anna Griffin is one of my favorite lines of patterned paper.  And after reading Pam's blog today, I was excited to learn that Debby Schuh, who designs for Anna Griffin, MAY be coming to our neck of the woods to teach some classes at our LSS in December. 

If I've peaked your interest at all, please visit Pam's site for more info on these classes.  It is worth sacrificing a weekend of Christmas shopping (thank goodness for online shopping) to be inspired by the great Debby.  And these wonderful projects would make nice Christmas gifts, although I'm not sure if I can part with the ones I will make in these classes. 

Inspiration and creating...why that's a gift in it's self.  Merry Christmas!