Today I'm Blogging For Bliss...

Welcome to today's Blogging For Bliss Party. Our hostess today is Kari Ramstrom over at Artsy Mama. She planned her party to coincide with the release of Tara Frey's inspirational book called "Blogging For Bliss". I know I speak for all of us in Blogland when I congratulate Tara on the publication of her book. Yea, Tara! It's an entertaining and informative read, whether you're a seasoned blogger, new to blogging, or perhaps contemplating a blogging adventure for yourself.

Once you've read about Brynwood, you can click here to visit Artsy Mama. Just go down the right side bar for a guest list; click on the guests' names and explore their blogs. I'm sure this is going to be fun!

In keeping with the spirit of the party, I've decided to share with you my blogging inspirations and what you can expect to find here (if you aren't already one of my readers. If you are - Thanks so much!).

I never was much for writing in diaries or journals. It seems I only put pen to paper when I was feeling bad or when my life would hit a rough patch (many, many years ago). When I decided to write a blog last March, I knew that it would be a place where I could count my blessings...seeing my glass as always half full and not half empty. You see, I'm basically an optimist. Blogging helps me to focus in on all the joys of my life. It's interesting to know how easy and simple it is to find your blessings, when it is blessings you seek. I never want my readers to be bored or worse yet, to be burdened by my writings.

In addition, I have a creative life - loving needlework and crafting in all forms. The hardest thing for me was to pare down my interests to fit within the confines of my studio. Alas, I have failed, in that my books spill into the hallway, and I have a few plastic storage tubs in other rooms of the house. But I try every day...I really do.

I am inspired daily by the love of my friends and family...those people in whose care my heart is safe. I am inspired by nature and the beauty to be found on a walk in the woods, or by looking closely in concrete jungles. I have found that nature always finds a way. You can find grass growing through cracks in cement or places where it should not be able to find a foothold. But there it is, right in front of you.

As nature always finds a way, so does art. I could no more spend my days without a creative outlet than I could without food. It nourishes my mind, my heart and my soul. When I give a gift from my hands, I give a small part of myself to the recipient. And just when you think there's nothing new under the sun...there it is, right there in front of you. Art in all its glory.

The purpose of my blog is to share myself with you. To help you find inspiration, creativity and joy in your daily life. To learn more about you and for you learn more about me. To share the parts of my life that give me purpose.

My favorite quote is: "The way to use life is to do something that outlasts it." I find that the heirloom-quality needlework and sewing I do - and then share with others - is some small way to accomplish that. I hope that in sharing myself and my days with you, the memory of me and how I live my life with survive long after I'm gone (hopefully, many years from now).

I also hope that my writing and photographs inspire my readers to try something new, or to share their gifts with someone they know. You can never really be sure how you can touch someone else's life until you try.

Thank you for visiting me again. Have fun at the party...and do something creative today! You'll be glad you did.

Don't forget to come back Friday for my 100th Post Giveaway!!! See you then!