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Quotable

"It is something to be able to paint a particular picture or to carve a statue and make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day- that is the highest of the arts."
- Henry David Thoreau

Eat, Drink and be VERY Blessed!

Hello Friends
Just a quick note to wish you all a very happy & blessed Thanksgiving & share this wonderful email I received today:

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received."

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them. "I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section," my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed "How is it that there is no work going on here?" I asked.

"So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments ."

"How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked.

"Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord."

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy ."

"And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity."

"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day ."

"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ...you are ahead of 700 million people in the world."

"If you can attend a place of worship of your choice without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world ."

"If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare ."

"If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair."

Ok, what now? How can I start?

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

ATTN:
Acknowledge Dept.: "Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Conversation Pieces

I got this email the other day and found it fun & thought you might like to check it out...at least you will have something to say at all those Christmas parties this season!

INTERESTING TRIVIA


In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have 'the rule of thumb'.
***
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'...and thus, the word GOLF entered into the English language.
***
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone. (my daughter says I giggle-laugh like Wilma when I am excited)
***
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.
***
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
***
Coca-Cola was originally green. (eew)
***
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
***
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:
Alaska
***
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
***
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven:
$ 16,400
***
The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour:
61,000
***
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
***
The first novel ever written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.
***
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
***
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
***
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
***
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
***
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
***
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
***
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
***
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'?
A. One thousand
***
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common?
A. All were invented by women.
***
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
***
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
***
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase...'Goodnight, sleep tight'
***
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
***
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.'
It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'
***
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!

Wish List

With Christmas so close, I decided to take my own advice and list some pretties I would love to find in my lil ole stocking this year! Come window shop with me:

My Latest Wish List:

These Journal Tags

This glorious wreath

This lil charm

This fabulous scarf

This Divine Neck Candy

This Flighty Decal

This Artful Brooch

maybe I could save on shipping if I buy this pretty necklace from the same artist?

A Lil Pocket Planner like This

Oh my goodness..THIS little guy (and the stocking outfit too...)

Anything from this shop.
I could go on & on but its getting late & so much to do. If you feature other artists in your blog be sure to stop in and let me know- I would love to see YOUR favorites :)

Featuring....Me!

I have met some really great ladies at lollishops and it isnt even open quite yet! Recently, I was featured on one of the lovely ladies' blogs, you can check it out here. You can also see her darling shop here.

I love when artists are bold enough to share other people's work with the world. It shows they are confident in who they are and in their own talents. Thanks to blondheart for this sweet feature! I will be listing some more inspiring artists very soon.

I would love to see everyone who happens on this blog do a mini feature on their own blog on someone who inspires YOU. Write to them, tell them about it. I wrote this back in September:

I encourage everyone to take a minute to share your impressions of the beauty around you. Often times I think we 'borrow inspiration' from people and they never know they had a hand in lighting our inspired fire. Take a minute to drop a note to someone who has tickled your fancy and let them know they have inspired you to create something beautiful! Nothing brings a smile to an artist more than knowing someone who has appreciated their work took the time to write a quick note about it. Spread the love!

See how much love YOU can spread today by trumpeting the praises of another.

Inspiration All Around

This may sound strange but I was hit with a lightning bolt of inspiration from a most unlikely source this morning. I was watching Max & Ruby with my son and saw the bunny characters venture into their gramma's attic. There were big, old trunks, unopened jewelry boxes, dusty dress forms, forgotten shoes and so much inspiration hidden in the alcoves that I literally almost burst....from a child's tv show. I knew right away that I wanted to spend today unearthing some of the goodies I had packed away and bring them to light. If I could choose one place to go today it would be to a big old undiscovered attic full of promise and surprises. Where would you go????

Don't Exist

I think there is a huge difference between existing & living. Living is experiencing life and existing is getting up each day and merely going through the motions. Something I once read (written by a cancer patient) sums it up nicely: You dont need permission to start living. Life is not a dress rehearsal...this is it.
Sometimes things happen in life that remind us of how precious life truly is. We have all had those moments... but then there are times when we can have an 'epiphany' of sorts for no apparent reason. That's been happening for me a lot recently. Lately I have found myself wanting to change everything, make it new, make it different. For no real reason. THEN: I started realizing that a lot of that was simply interference or distractions & quite frankly it was making it impossible for me to enjoy the here & now.
Then I ask...am I living or am I existing?
The best way to appreciate life is to experience each individual moment without that 'static'. The 'what-ifs' the 'shoulda' coulda' thoughts that throw us off our destination. When we give up trying to control the way we think things ought to be -only then can we immerse ourselves in the moment and drink in all that it intended to provide us with. And after that we can giggle at the idea we had any control over things at all.
I am ashamed to say that sometimes I allow these little distractions to take me away from my goal completely...sometimes to the point where I begin to actually absorb the negative feelings associated with them. So.....from today I vow to try reaaalllly hard not to do that - if I can help it. Won't you join me?

OH NO! Is it that time already!?!?!?

Don't panic! That's what I keep telling myself...just over a month til Christmas and nothing is done...YIKES! What to do? I am so busy busy busy getting ready for Lollishops to premeire, keeping up with orders and launching new products (wait til you see what I have come up with!) oh...and the usual mommy and wife duties...I still need to sneak in my sisters wedding next weekend, Thanksgiving, the 4am crazy Christmas doorbusting shopping the day after Thanksgiving and ...and...
....but WAIT! I promised myself last year I would not do this again!
I dont want to get lost in all of it when I should truly be enjoying all that this wonderous season has to offer. Each year the holidays sneak up on us so quickly and then {{poof}} they're gone and I feel spent. This year I am realllllly going to try to sit down and drink it all in, relax and enjoy. I lost both of my grandmothers last year and see how time has a way of getting away from us. So this year I vow to take more time to 'smell the roses', smooch under the mistletoe, bake Christmas cookies, decorate my home into something that would make Martha swoon and maybe even hit a few Christmas parties.
For now, I am off to grab a cup of pink hot cocoa and practice this strange thing people call 'relaxing'....

Bon Voyage Bellas!

I am bittersweet today- I am so excited for all the ladies who are in attendance at Silver Bella but so sad that I couldnt make it this year. I know they will have a wonderful time, I so wish I could join them. Perhaps next year-it just wasnt in the cards this year. I hope everyone has fun and will share some photos and stories when they return. Its got to be so cool to meet everyone you have only known through the computer. For those of you who are not familliar with Silver Bella, Country Living did a great story on the event this year. You can see it here. Here are some pictures from the countryliving.com & their article:

This Just In....

Its been awhile since I have sewn anything, but at this time of year I always love to make these little darlings. Please help me welcome these new doorstops...or are they pin keeps...or pillows....Whatever you decide to use them for they make a unique gift (even if that gift happens to be for yourself!) These are always a hit. I have made some with my beloved Cath Kidston & Rachel Ashwell fabrics and some with Mackenzie Childs fabrics. I will be offering the shabbier stops here and in my new lollishops store opening soon.

I also made some using some fabrics I have been collecting from Mackenzie Childs over the years. They havent sold fabric to the public in years. For those of you (like me) who adore their older artisan works, you will appreciate these:

I finally put the finishing touches on these babies and they are now listed in the store here.

Veteran's Day Tribute

HONOR THE VETERAN
by: Sunny Paula Barnhart USMC

Veterans are easy to recognize
By their special swagger
And their shattered eyes
By the way they stand so tall
When the flag is raised
And how they bow their head
When the Lord is praised.
They may have clabbered voices
And brown and mottled skin
A missing arm or leg or eye
But you can see the youth within.
What horrors did they see
What hell did they endure
To keep my flag and liberty secure?
What would our nation be like
Without veteranssuch as these?
Let us remember each of them
When we bow our knees
And may we give all reverence due
To the brave men and women
Who defend the Red, White and Blue.

A HUGE & sincere thank you to all of the Veterans who have sacrificed for this country. You are not appreciated & never forgotten!

I AM A FAVORITE THING!

I got some exciting news this weekend~ My flash card sets will be featured in the upcoming edition of Somerset Life! I absolutely love that publication-in fact its my favorite magazine ever! Jenny Doh sent me a note saying she would be featuring my flash card sets in their 'Our Favorite Things in Life' section. I am absolutely thrilled! YIPPEE! (See an example of the set featured here.) Please let me know if there are any themes YOU would like to see in the flash cards. I have done some custom sets for retail stores in the past.
Some people still ask me what they are for. What AREN'T they for? I just love the flash cards. I started making them awhile back to use as signs for my products at local craft shows, then I started using them on my packaging, then I started putting them in when customers made purchases...then it FINALLY dawned on me that other people might enjoy them as well. I view them as subliminal messages that can be placed anywhere...and enjoyed in so many ways. Use them to tuck in a greeting card, tie them on a gift, add them to an apothecary jar full of goodies, pin them to an inspiration board...any other ideas??!?!? Drop me a note with any suggestions....

TAG-I'm It!

I've been tagged by my friend and wonderfully talented soul Cathy of Avalon Rose Designs.
Here are the rules:

* Link to the person who tagged you.
* Mention the rules.
* Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
* Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
* Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

Here are my SIX Quirky things:
1. I am very easily sidetracked-I often have several things started at once
2. My favorite childhood stuffed animals were named 'Fifi LaFemme' & 'LeMutt'
3. My toenails are almost always painted with red glitter nailpolish
4. I am a volunteer for the National Centers for Missing & Exploited Children-this year I was the keynote speaker at their 'Rochester Ride for the Missing'
5. I hate scary movies and violence of any sort on tv
6. I cannot sleep on my back. If I ever roll to my back I'll wake up right away.
That was easier than I thought....NOW, I am tagging the following lovely ladies:

Michelle

Sadie

etsy cottage style blog

Couture de Papier

Carrie

Sandra