Completed Special Order...

Oh, dear. I so enjoyed yesterday as I spent my time designing a

custom iPad cover for my friend, Sharon J. of Corgis In My Garden.

She asked for an appliqued' corgi, and chose colors of rose,

gray, and white. Beyond that, she left the design up to me.

Oh, and she wanted it to have a flap, too. She emailed the measurements of

 her particular iPad model and I took it from there. I had so darn much fun!

I lined it with a fabric using tiny rosebuds, so I think I met all her

requests. It's all finished and ready to ship on its way to her and 

the Corgi girls. I sure hope she loves it and gets lots of use from it.

It's nicely padded, so I know it will protect her tablet for a long time.

If you're interested in a special order tablet cover, please contact me. I'd

love to create something just to your taste. I price them according to the

features and size you choose. I'd love to play in the studio for you, too!

Chocolate Bunnies and Eggs...

 YAY!!!

I finished the Chocolate Bunnies Table Topper yesterday.

 It's on the dining room table, along with those matching eggs I 

made here and a large yard bunny that lives here at Brynwood.

 I really enjoyed this project and it's the perfect spring touch with Easter
just around the corner. The topper is approximately 38" long and 18" wide.
If I were to make it again for this table, I'd probably add a few more 2 1/2"
strips in the center section to make it longer, but I am happy with it this way.

 I did a cross-hatch pattern on each end, stitched around each individual 

egg, swirled around the brown of the chocolate bunnies and then did a 

"bunny" meander on the balance of the topper. I decided to add the same 

blue fabric for the binding that I chose to use on the back. I even played 

around with the display after I finished taking the first photographs.

 So which one do you like better?

 Do you prefer the topper displayed with the big bunny or

the candle bowl with the eggs? I think each one has its appeal.

Thanks for all your comments yesterday. I appreciate the feedback.

You guys really are the best. Hugs from Florida to you!

I'm back to playing again, so there will be more

 creative goodness coming from the studio very soon.

Let's Chat About Blogging...

Immokolee Art Celebration Image

I want to tell you about how I feel about "blogging"...writing my web log these

past five years. I've read bloggers who say, "I've hit a slump" or "I need to take a 

break" because they don't have anything to say, or they don't know what to write 

about. The only time I've "taken time off" is when I've felt a deep loss - like when 

my sweet, little Corgi, Fezzik died unexpectedly. After all this time, I can still 

find plenty to talk about, and it's really easier than you might think. I'll explain.

When I set up my very first header in 2009, I wanted to have a guideline to follow.

 I kept personal journals years ago, and when I went back to read through them, I

was horrified! I realized that I used my journals as a place to bitch and complain.

I couldn't imagine a loved one stumbling upon those grim books years later. My

life is so much better than those paltry complaints written in my own hand on lined

pages. So, I decided that my blog would be filled with "thoughts on a joyful and

creative life"...sharing my beautiful, wonderful, blessed and love-filled life online.

Do I sometimes find it difficult to come up with interesting and inspiring ideas?

Is anyone always interesting and inspiring? (I know I'm not!) So what I do on

those days is slow down, make a cup of tea and write to you as though I'm sitting

across the table from a few of my wonderful, creative girlfriends...and I just "chat".

I chat about my day. I ask about yours. I show you what I've made recently, or

something I'm working on right now. I tell you about my little dog (or he's at

my feet amusing you all by himself), I walk about life with my Handsome, 

supportive husband and his music...and sometimes I openly share my faith.

But one thing I decided that I would not do with my blog is use it as a forum

for complaining or what I call "holding forth". I'm sure, if I chose to, I could

easily tell off bullies, talk about politics or other injustices in the world, and

not only would you not be interested, I would have lost interest years ago, too.

I don't use the word "depressed" ever in my vocabulary because I believe the 

words one uses often become the life one lives. So, even on those days when

I'm not all sunshine, butterflies and puppies, I act like I am. I don't just do it

for you. I do it for me, too. I want what I send out into the world to be lovely

and joyful. I want my legacy to be remembrances of an honest, well-lived life.

I don't post my Sunday Scriptures from a position of perfection. I post them

because they speak to the person I want to be. I share them because they might

serve as inspiration to others, too. I'm not perfect, but I don't give up trying 

to be a better person. I hope that sharing my faith might help others be happier.

So, all that being said, I imagine that some of you just might start or end

your days with me over a cuppa tea, coffee or hot chocolate. We sit down

together, share a few projects or a laugh or two, and we leave each other a little

better than before. If I manage that once in a while, I think I'll be happy

knowing I accomplished my goal here in my own little corner of cyberspace.

I sure can get wordy, can't I? (giggling) Well, my time is up for today. Let

me give you a (virtual) hug and wish you a glorious, good day. Thank you

for stopping by again to visit with me for a little while. I really appreciate it.

I'll be back tomorrow and hope you will be, too.