Well hello Monday

When the alarm went off this morning, I couldn't even open both eyes at the same time. Beyond tired but I forced myself out from under the warm blankets and placed my feet onto the winter chilled floor. Both eyes opened then!

Anyone that knows me can pass on the knowledge of me not even coming close to being a morning person. With the computer issues(stupid #(@&&^@**^#wireless connection) that I'm having though, I really need to squeeze in as much online time as possible on this other computer in the house. So that means up and at the morning before anyone else is awake.

Had a wonderful Christmas Season with family and friends. Pretty low key compared to other years but so much more quality I think. Spent yesterday taking down the decorations and the tree. (Shoving 8 boxes) Placing a few boxes back under the stairs until next year. Sweeping and moving back furniture to get the living room; in order for 2011 to get into full swing. Dusting will ensue today as I swear some of those dust bunnies that I saw yesterday growled at me and bared their teeth. I needed till today to gather my courage

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No One Cares What You Had For Lunch

No One Cares What You Had For Lunch: 100 Ideas For Your Blog

A book that I treated myself to this holiday season. I really was laying the ground work, so to speak, on how I want to better my crafting business in 2011. Getting back into blogging on a much more regular basis is one of the biggest changes I hope to make.
Somedays you sit and just stare at the screen though and I wanted a bit of help that I could reach out for right away.

It was not an expensive book at all and it has ...well 100 ideas...... to gently nudge me when needed. Small enough that it can stay on the desk and not get lost in a shuffle of papers in the drawer.

Some of the ideas I already knew and use but there were quite a few pages that made me raise my eyebrows and think....oh now THAT will be fun to do and share.

Do you own this book?
Have you found it beneficial to your blog?

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Kelly Rae Roberts

Sometimes you stumble across something and it alters your life.
That really is how I feel about Kelly Rae Roberts.

Blog hopping one afternoon and not really looking for anything in particular. Typing words into search engines and seeing what comes up. I came across a painting and it just jumped right out at me off the screen. I just stared at it and knew I had to learn all about who created it.

I found her website and looked at every piece of art she has created. Clicking links on her web site, I saw she had a blog. I spend the next little while reading each of her posts.
I was inhaling everything I could from her. Something about her words and painting was striking a cord within me. It awakened something in me that I wasn't even aware had been sleeping.

The day I walked into a local shop and found her prints...oh you should have seen me freaking out with excitement. I raced to the checkout with 2 different ones and knew right away they'd be hanging in my art space.

One of the books I treated myself to over the holidays Taking Flight :Inspirations and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings has opened my eyes to a new way of creating art. I bought paints, inks, canvas and a multitude of other supplies to play with.

Do you read her blog?
Have you bought any of her artwork because something about it just spoke to you?
Does her book sit on your bookcase in your art room?
This won't be the only post about this incredible artist and woman that you will be reading her.
I can't get enough of her.

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Blog Family

Don't let the sheer number of amazing blogs that are available to read, overwhelm you. The creative blogging community is friendly and doesn't encourage competition. Of course you'll find blogs that appear written by people who are more graceful then you think you are or who appear to lead more exciting lifes. Don't focus on that.

Write proudly and share your thoughts. By doing this, you will naturally attract the readers that are right for you. You don't even have to leave your home. Fancy clothes and shoes that pinch your feet don't need to be worn. No one will know you wrote that incredible post in your flannel jammies while sipping vodka  hot chocolate. Within moments, you are connecting with kindred spirits and exchanging ideas, dreams and encouraging magic to explode.

Everyone has a space in this blog family!

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By the way.... Family 

Liberate Your Inner Writer

When I sit down to write, I tend to imagine talking on the phone to a friend. I'm not concerned about things like grammer or sentence structure, or how my writing flows. This sort of conversational way of writing works well for me and forms a basic template to create my blog posts from.

I say hello (the introduction/topic of my blog posts); then I share some details (which acts as the body of the post);then I say goodbye for now(the conclusion of the post).

*Zero in on one topic per post instead of several when at all possible. You can ask the usual series of questions like who, what, where, why and how? Always keep in mind that with storytelling, you want to SHOW and not TELL.
If you follow this advice, even the shortest blog post can be packed with vivid and entertaining details.

*Write from your heart as you'll have a better chance of connecting with your readers and engaging them to follow your blog.
Get them to feel your excitement and other emotions, thru your words and photos.

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Rediscover the Joy of Photography

What is a blog without incredible eye candy?

BORING!

Blogging has helped me rediscover my love of photography. Having an eye-catching photo can be quite an asset to your blog posts. The unique way you captured an image might be what grabs a readers eye when they first land on your blog. It can pull them in long enough to get them reading and before you know it, you have faithful followers.
Look thru your favorite magazines or surf other blogs that you enjoy reading. What draws you to them? What about their photos captured your attention first? Think about lighting and how you will crop your photos before you snap your photograph. Whenever possible, shoot without using the flash. Natural lighting really adds a nice touch to your photos if possible.

Remember angles when shooting...... don't go for the angle that everyone else always shoots from. Go above. Go below. Shoot from the side. Shoot in B&W. Don't be afraid of the camera. Take it off Automatic and play around. It's digital. If you don't like the shot, you can delete it.

Within the last few months, I treated myself to a brand new camera. I went for the FujiFilm FinePx HS10.
I've had a number of FujiFilm cameras and am thrilled with this newest one.
Lots of bells and whistles to play with and share some new "eye candy" with my readers.
As I play, I will share photography tips as I go

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Will 2011 Be The Year You Begin to Blog?

Give yourself an excuse to explore and dream

If you are on the fence about starting a blog, don't think about it too much. Just start and see what happens. It's super easy to do and many of the blogging sites are free (This one is!)

The beauty of a blog is that it is never a finished project, so you don't have to worry about "achieving perfection".
Treat your blog as an always evolving canvas. There will always be something new to try and learn. Always something to write and share with folks.

Find a few blogs within the creative blogging community to help guide you when you find yourself stumbling. Creative prompts, like Illustration Friday, are numerous and wonderful ways to play.

What is the worst that can happen?
Nothing.......but you will know you at least gave it a try.
Keep writing and gradually, you'll carve your own niche within the blogging community.

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Another Blogging Tip

When you sit down to blog and the screen just stares back at you......nothing seems to want to form a post worthy of sharing.
SHARE A QUOTE.

It can be someone famous.
A quote that makes you laugh.
A quote that makes you think.


Give credit to the author of the quote you are sharing.
You can even match a quote to a photo you are sharing or a mood you are wanting to convey.

Stacked on my writing desk are journals that I write quotes down when I find ones that strike a cord within me. Some nights I flip thru the pages and conjure the memories of when I first found the quote or why it means so much. I plan on sharing some of my favorite ones with you ,my followers.

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2011

I make them and I break them.
It doesn't start out that way but it always seems to happen.
This year, I'm just not making any.
I know what I HOPE to have happen in 2011 for myself and my business.

As they happen.... I promise I'll share :)

New Years Resolution 2011

Allow Yourself to be Free

Many times, I've had someone tell me how creative I was and that they didn't have an ounce of creativity themselves. I always tell them, they just haven't looked in the right direction yet. Being creative isn't just being able to paint on canvas or sew a doll. Some find their creative voice in how they bring a garden to life. Others hear that voice while in the kitchen mixing ingredients into a mouthwatering memory. For some, their creative voice comes thru in how they weave words together and tell stories.

I truly believe that everyone is creative and that if we allow ourselves the freedom to play with creativity, no matter what we are doing, it will only grow stronger. Allow yourself to be free.

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Frozen

Creative energy flows in cycles. It took me awhile to catch on to this rhythm of my creativity. When I experienced a down cycle, I would sort of panic. I'd feel blocked and begin to question myself and my creative process. FROZEN.

Now when it happens, I take that time to collect, gather and research. Walks along the edge of the property;day trips to the local bookstore or little farm markets.

Next thing I know, ideas are flowing again and my creative energy becomes unfrozen. Like spring flowers budding thru the last of winters snow.
A new season of creativity is upon you.....enjoy!

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Ignite Your Creative Spark

REMEMBER...  An unanticipated event that pops up in the midst of your usually ordinary day can be that SPARK that ignites a story that just begs to be told in your blog.

Photography Tips to Ponder for your Blog

* Get up close and personal.
Always think about how your subject matter is being positioned in the photo you are building. Get as close to something as possible. If you stand too far away, your subject is going to get lost in the background and the photographic message you are trying to tell will be muddled.

*Look at things differently
Changing your position by using items like step ladders or bending down on your knees can capture an image in a brand new way of looking at it.

*Don't be Afraid to Delete
The delete button is your friend and you should always remember to use it. Have fun while experimenting with your camera and take lots of photos with learning all the bells and whistles of your camera. You can never take too many photos. Move around a subject to capture it from all the different angles possible.
Anything blurry can be deleted.
Anything plain can be deleted.
Doesn't cost anything to delete.

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Blogging.....again

Primitive Raggedy Doll

This is one of the newest primitive raggedy style dolls that I've made in the last few weeks. She has stolen my heart and I'm working on her pattern.

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Growing and Harvesting Oregano

I've been busy harvesting my Oregano patch and the house smells incredible. I use this herb in so many of my recipes. Once I filled my basket a number of times (14 times to be exact), I took some heavy twine and created bundles of the Oregano to hang for drying.
I placed it in the spare room upstairs where it was cool and dry. It takes a good few weeks to dry and then I store it in a gallon size mason jar.

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Molasses Cookies....oh so yummy!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, measure after sifting
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups butter, at room temperature, (2 1/2 sticks)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

Preparation:

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine the first 6 ingredients, mixing well with a wooden spoon. Add the remaining ingredients; beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes or continue using spoon, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times. Wrap the dough in waxed paper and chill for at least1 hour. Preheat oven to 350° with the rack in the center position. Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the tops are set, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 36 soft molasses cookies.

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Old Fish Shack - Freeport Nova Scotia

Sewing Notions and Fabric

Just thought I'd snap a photo of the old apple crates I have stacked against the large window in my bedroom(at the foot of my bed). They work so perfect for storing my sewing supplies that I need within an arms reach. I have Rubbermaid containers of fabric as well but these hold my "special" fabrics. The ones that I fight myself to have to cut into. I have mason jars full of buttons, rusty pieces, vintage hankies. That blue box you can see on the shelf hold all my patterns that I own. I should take a sideways pic of that to really give you a look at my addiction! haha

Where do you store your sewing notions, fabric and patterns?

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Sewing Space

The corner of my room where I do my sewing. You'll notice the bed is right next to the table. There isn't much extra room in this bedroom. I've got everything possible jammed in here.

The shelf on the wall belonged to my grandmother and I use it to hold my needle basket, extra spools of thread and misc little sewing notions.

I usually have sketches of doll ideas on the bulletin board but took them down for the photo...can't have you knowing what is coming next! heehee

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Working on her Pattern

Her sheep wool hair makes me giggle!
My Godmother asked me to create her as a gift for her granddaughter and I really love the way she came alive. It had been awhile since I'd done a round head primitive doll. Needle felting the hair is always so much fun and actually quite relaxing to work on.

Her pattern is being worked on right now :)

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Twice the Love

Sometimes ya need a little push in the right direction to get crafting. My friend Sherry and I did a "double dog dare" the other day. Let's just see what we can create in one day and share photos on Facebook.

This sweet Raggedy gal was one of three gals I got finished and posted. She really made me smile and I am madly in love with the fabric that I used for her dress.

She was posted on Facebook and TWO different folks wanted her right away. I generally try not to repeat a doll too often but I had another section of the dress fabric so both will be getting her.
The original on the wooden spindle will go to my aunt up the valley. Another without a spindle will be going to live in Ontario.

Doesn't she make ya smile?

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Clouds

Looked up from weeding the garden area and grabbed my camera to capture this shot.....love the look of the clouds and the old building

Oregano

Oregano

One of my favorite herbs to grow and use.....its starting to poke its head up and smile at Spring. I've been weeding and pulling dead pieces off. The weather has been wonderful for working in the garden. Its been not touched for a few years so its loving the attention its getting now.
I can't wait to harvest and be using this wonderful herb in my cooking.

Do you grow fresh herbs? Do you have a favorite?

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