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!

Sunday In The Studio...

I spent the afternoon in the studio completing a few projects that have been patiently waiting for me. The first project I finished was the long-overdue ribbon embroidered pincushion.

I told you late last week about rediscovering it in the studio. I believe it's waited long enough to be finished, so today was the day. I stitched this design using silk ribbons and I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. After securing the edges and stuffing the back with wool batting, I secured it in the authentic Shaker wooden base. Then I chose pretty green perle cotons and made the cord to attach to the edge. I hope you like it as much as I do!

When the pincushion was complete, I went on to my next project. I found a beautiful bronze wire when I was at the Craft Show...perfect for making birds nests! (I warned you they're addictive!) I also have some beautiful Swarovski pearls accent beads that I'm using for "eggs". So, I immediately got to making a new nest. From there, I just let my muse carry me and the result is this Birds Nest Button Jar! The jar is a Longaberger basket jar with a basket pattern molded right into the glass. I hung the nest from a hook and then added a pearly dangle with a peridot-colored faceted bead. I entwined a pretty bronze/gold ribbon with more of my wire and secured it to the ring that screws onto the jar. Lastly, I added coordinating buttons inside the jar. So tell me, what do you think? Don't you just love it?

Now, you may also be wondering how I'm doing with those dresses for my granddaughters. Are they finished yet? (You betcha!) Are they cute? (yuppers) So, then you ask, "Where are the photographs?" Patience, my dears. My daughter-in-law (their momma) reads my blog and I want to keep this a secret until the girls get to open their gifts. So in order to keep them a surprise, you'll just have to wait until the weekend to see photos. I apologize, but I promise I'll share pictures with you! Really. This way Miss Stealth Sneakypants won't see them ahead of time! (giggle)

Please be sure to visit here tomorrow for the "Blogging For Bliss Party", as we all celebrate the release of Tara Frey's new book by the same name!
Only Four Days until my 100th Post Giveaway!

Saturday Road Trip...

Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, my friends, Netta and Monica hopped into my Explorer and the three of us headed to Orlando to the CHA Craft Show. A quick three hours later, we had parked the car and walked across the lot to the Orange County Convention Center. I say "quick" because we hadn't been together for a while and were catching up during the drive.

Before we knew it, we were entering the show with our eyes open wide before all the displays. I've done trade shows and needleworker events before - both as a vendor and as a buyer - but that first sight of a show in full swing is always awe-inspiring.

We were quickly engulfed in a sea of humanity, all scurrying about for Make & Take workshops, vendor lectures, giveaways and demonstrations. We decided that it might be best for us to split up for a couple of hours and then meet at a designated time near the entry to grab a bite to eat. After our tasty repast, and comparison of shopping bag contents, we again set off for the vendor booths.

Many of the vendors were focused on products for knitting, scrapbooking and stamping, and I managed to find a few unique items that would suit my purposes. A booth run by Bello Modo (The Beautiful Way) from Olympia, Washington had these beautiful wire lace ribbons. They are tubular, so you can slip beads or other embellishments into them. They can be pulled lengthwise or widthwise and they retain their new shape to add a beautiful sparkle and a lacy effect to just about anything. You can see they come in many different colors, and they make up into beautiful jewelry!

Right on the counter next to the ribbon display was this beautiful necklace using first, a pendant with charms, then adding pearls inserted into the ribbon, alternating with spacers and dangles outside the ribbon. It was finished with a length of silver chain and a clasp at each end of the ribbon. I was intrigued enough to purchase about 6 different 1 yard lengths in a half inch width. I can't wait to play with it.

We left the show with bags full of information, free patterns, make & take projects - and feet a little sore. We stopped in Sarasota for a bite to eat and then headed home with our booty.

As I write this on Saturday night, I know that tonight my dreams will be filled with the sights and sounds of market, along with ideas cooking in my head just waiting for the right time to come forward in the studio. Tomorrow is going to be fun! Sweet Dreams.

FIVE DAYS and counting until the 100th Post Giveaway!! I'm so excited about what I'll be offering. It's taking all my willpower not to spill all the details now!