Words to the Wise

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A close family friend lost her battle with cancer this past weekend. These words reminded me of her because it was how she chose to live her life.
It's something we can all aspire to!

TEN WAYS TO LOVE

1.  Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18:13)

2. Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)

3. Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)

4. Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)

5. Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)

6. Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)

7. Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)

8. Trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)

9. Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)

10. Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

A $2500 GIVEAWAY

SnazzieDrawers Dream Big $2500 Giveaway

"No dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big." – Anonymous

is offering a GIVEAWAY worth $2,500

 Open to all dreamers. Anyone interested in starting a business, this shoud JUST about cover all you need. A design template, logo, blog optimization (a la me!) and more.

Wherther you're starting anew or need a new presence-why not throw your name in the hat to win it all?

No purchase or obligation necessary!

This is only open to BIG dreamers. This is for a special person who wants to pursue that burning desire within them to make their dreams a reality. A lot of times, one just needs some motivation, overcoming their fear, and some kind guidance or support in "going for it" and turning a hobby into a business which takes a special entrepreneural spirit, hours upon hours of hard work, and practical financial backing.  GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

CHECK IT OUT ~ HERE ~



Little Fairy Houses

      Little Fairy Houses from CarolineAlexander

These fairy houses are one-of-a-kind, hand-built designs by Jennifer Cameron.  The house is made from clay and crafted with meticulous detail.  The base of each house is pressed into tree bark to give it a realistic fairy house look. Real leaves and molds are used to form each tiny and unique detail on the house.  Each house is hand glazed in beautiful pastel shades and often embellished with "pixie dust."  Some of the houses are decorated with Swarovski rhinestones for that extra sparkle.  Each amazing little piece is meticulously placed and hand glazed, not painted.  

The house starts as a slab of clay and then the artist goes to work.  Her inspiration comes from her daughters’ love of fairies.  Each house cannot and will not be duplicated; they are not mass-produced and take many long hours of thought and work.  These enchanted houses are whimsical and fun for any true fairy believer. 

 The house is spectacular when lit.  Each house has amazing detail in the doorways, windows and other creative elements.  The house will come with a tea light candle.  This house is not a toy and I do not recommend it for children under 5 years old.  There are many tiny pieces that could create choking hazards.  Please, when using candles do not leave them unattended. 

If there is something special that you are looking for, please contact Jennifer at:

716-672-9826 or jcameron@netsync.net

and she will design one together with you!  

She loves creative imaginations and always welcomes new ideas! 

Vintage Wallpaper Art!

HAD TO SHARE!

How absolutely STUNNING is this!?

I love the handpainted gown and love it even MORE that it's on vintage wallpaper from artist Natasha Burns.

The detailed frame is the icing on the cake!

Gorgeous work, Natasha!

{{ CHECK IT OUT }}

Shea and Debbie from A Gilded Life are hosting a fabulous giveaway is for Melody Ross' Brave Girls' online course Soul Restoration I, which will begin on April 5th.  All you have to do to be entered to win is to head over to their blog { RIGHT HERE } and leave a comment THAT'S IT! 
Comments will be closed for this giveaway on Saturday, March 5th

at 9:00 CST, and a winner will be announced Sunday afternoon.

Meet: Shabby Lane Shops

I've been lucky enough to know Catherine from Shabby Lane Shops for several years now.  It's been fun to watch her grow.  If you have a chance stop over and browse the shops and see all the fun things they have to offer.  While you're there, be sure to check out their AMAZING FREE page full of beautiful {and FREE} treats:

• eCards
• Postcard Downloads
• Recipe Card Downloads
• Blog Backgrounds
• Printable Stationery

Don't forget to check out the magazine which has graced over 300 news stands including Barnes & Noble!

If you've been thinking about joining, why not try them out for FREE for two weeks.  There's no obligation to purchase a full membership, but I'm guessing during your stay, you'll see so much benefit, you won't want to leave! 

Since becoming a member of SLS, I have seen my page hits increase rather handsomely...and the members are so kind and welcoming.  I really enjoy their members only forum.  You can post anything from sales to questions to info to .... anything!

Thank you to women like Catherine Monceaux for helping women in business have a place to gather and affordably market themselves online.   

A Different Kind of Birthday Bash

My Inner Pin-Up is a blog by my fun, motivating & uber-creative friend, Roxie Morrow.  Pretty Rox is turning the BIG 4-0 next month and has embarked on a mission to help all of us learn to be healthier and feel sexier at any age-without excuses!  Her blog 'MY INNER PIN-UP' follows her weight loss journey and includes tips on clean eating {something I am very interested in!} as well as her struggles with Type 1 diabetes. No complaints, no excuses...just a daily dose of motivation & humor with some living healthy tips sprinkled in for good measure!  Wontcha join me to help cheer Roxie toward her goal of being a pin-up mama and making 40 her best year ever?!

New Year, New Me...and New You, too!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Sorry I have been uncharacteristically quiet for the past few weeks. I have been hard at work on a new venture. I am finally ready to share it with you.
I've launched a new business called Designher Brands. The 'her' is clearly a play on words to better define what it is I am going to be doing. My mission is to assist women {like you} who own small web-based businesses with everything from branding solutions to copywriting, from product descriptions to product entry, from marketing strategies to helping out with blog posts...and so much more. I am also able to assist women who own brick and mortar shops who are looking to 'break onto the web'. So, whatever your needs are, there's a good chance I will be able to help you.

Over the past year I have spent a lot of time researching SEO techniques, writing that gets attention {both customers' and the search engines' attention} so I am best equipped to assist you. Perhaps you have noticed my banners on Avalon Rose's website? If you purchase a web design from Cathy at Avalon Rose, please be sure to let me know prior to getting a price quote from me.

I will still be keeping the Adored Before doors open. I love this place. Its been home for 9 years. I have met so many wonderful women in business online and through Adored Before. I always love to help other businesses shine. This new undertaking is the perfect way to do that and still enjoy the fun of my original business. Please take a moment to stop by Designher Brands and have a look around. I am still putting the finishing touches on some e-books and products, but I am ready to start helping you start or freshen up your online business today.

If you think you would like your business featured in a marketing e-book, please leave me a comment and I will be sure to get back to you. My ultimate goal is to help your business succeed, all the while building a giant network of women working together to help one another. Doesn't that sound great?

A Show

For the past two days we gathered as we do every year for an annual Holiday House in a small town in upstate New York to share a year's worth of handpainting, jewelry, sewing, knitting, and more...

This year my sister hosted the event in her 1809 farmhouse.

My mother and sister paint, glitterify, sew, repurpose and beautify.  My aunt knits and knits and knits.  My brother's mom-in-law paints and paints and I repurpose whatever I can find into wearable art. 

Here's a peek inside~come see how I spent my weekend...

Perhaps next year, you will join us?

Vintage Buttons

Fun Pins & Brooches

Cocktail Rings...repurposed vintage bachelor buttons & earrings

And then there was the rest of the show....

My mother and my sister painted and sewed for months...have a look at their results:

Vintage Stools in their Party Dresses:

Room Divider

 Ornaments galore...

How 'bout that glitter tree my sister made?  She hand glittered the entire thing & painted the pot~

She generously donated it to my dining room~YAY!

Handpainted Chargers & some friendly nutcrackers...

Mom and my sister spent countless hours painting and glittering to create these pieces for the show:

Handpainted Ornaments by artist Patricia Belodoff

Mom's Pretty Tote with handpainted straps

Back to my loot...some  jewels and Flash Cards...

Paper crowns & vintage buttons in their 2nd life as thumbtacks in cork frames

Necklaces I displayed in an antique typesetter's drawer



A Guest Author

I am so happy to announce I am the very first guest author for Avalon Rose Market Square 
If you haven't been to Avalon Rose Market Square, you MUST click HERE to go have a visit.

Here are some FAQs I 'borrowed' from the website:
Who is involved in Avalon Rose Market Square?

Avalon Rose Market Square is the individual endeavor of Catherine  from Avalon Rose Design. Periodically, guest authors will be selected for the blog, but they will be selected from the business owners who are members of Avalon Rose Market Square.

How do you select the spotlight products and featured businesses?
Spotlight products are hand selected to best advertise market member's businesses. Each grouping of spotlight products are put together with a theme in mind. Featured businesses are chosen by random from the market members.

I have an etsy/ebay store, can I still be considered for membership?
Absolutely! Etsy and ebay store owners are welcome to join the market.

BE BRAVE, GIRL!

Are you a brave girl?  Brave girls is an amazing and inspiring place for women to go channel their BEST self.
You can read all about who they are and more... HERE

Says sisters Melody Ross & Kathy Wilkins:

This is a crazy world that forces confusing lies upon us every day......lies about what is most important, who we are, who we can become, what we can accomplish, our value, our potential, our worth, what makes our lives meaningful, how & where we can find true happiness, and on and on. So we've decided to wage our own little war against those lies by sending our brave friends a daily truth. Think of it as a little bird delivering your truth-- and imagine that this truth-teller is someone who loves you and understands you completely.
Our daily emails are a free gift that is sent most weekdays, Monday through Friday, with all our love and wishes for everything joyful and brave and true.

I am so enamored with the 'daily truth' emails- I just went back and read them all....every one.  You can find them here : Daily Truth Archives

Enjoy, brave girl!

Over the Top

In two weeks I will be among the thousands of women attending the 2010 Women of Faith Over the Top tour with my oldest friend, Jen. If you havent heard of the event before have a look at the video below, it will give you an idea of how powerful and amazing this event is!

Its all about women becoming empowered, inspired and enlightened. This is no standard dry church service....last year Natalie Grant performed...you cant yawn during her songs:

This year Mandisa will be there but I am MOST excited about Andy Andrews as the keynote speaker. He is the author of several of my favorite books, including 'The Noticer'.
I look forward to sharing more about the event as we get closer - if you want to have the time of your life- see if the tour has hit your area yet.... you can check HERE.

Staying Positive in the Face of Cancer

A really wonderful woman I met a few years ago at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has just completed an amazing new book that helps young children cope, understand and stay positive in the face of cancer. 
In the book, a little girl copes as her friend has to go away for cancer treatment. My Friend Zach is an endearing story of friendship and hope. Proceeds from the sales of this book will benefit Band of Parents, a non profit organization that raises funds for neuroblastoma cancer research.   You can read the local newspaper article here.

Click here to PURCHASE the book. 

An Inspiring New Marketplace

If you're like me, you check in from time to time with the very talented graphic artist Catherine Haugland of Avalon Rose Designs to see what fantastic creation she has brought to life this time.  She just put the finishing touches on a new venture ~ and you're invited to the grand opening:

Avalon Rose Market Square is an online shopping directory where you'll find everything from housewares, jewelry, antiques, clothing, babies & kids items, beauty products, art, graphics, gothic items, paper goods, supplies, and services. Be sure to visit the featured business of the week as well as the hand-selected spotlight products. If you would like your business to be part of the market square, please visit the membership details page.

There will also be an array of guest blog posts to inspire and inform (including one from yours, truly). You won't want to miss a beat!

Click the icon below to be transported to an inspiring collection of artists...

200th Post AND a Treasury

Welcome to my 200th post-iversary!  A giant THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time to stop by and see what's going on.  I appreciate it AND your kind comments and always enjoy reading your feedback and comments.  xoxo

AND I got a very nice surprise today when the lovely and talented Amy of GingerGirlPhotos on etsy featured my pretty 'wax seal' hearts  in her treasury.  You can see it here.
Thank you, Amy ~ and thank you all for making me feel welcome in blogland!