Not sure when I'll get a post to you all. I am working at the CK Convention tomorrow after my class. I'll be at The Dollar Booth from noon til 7pm, so if you're going, please stop by and say hi.

I am thinking that I will be too pooped to post once I get home. So look for something new on Saturday.

:)

Bonus

What two posts in one day?

I just wanted to hop on here real quick and plug Shannon's new adventure. Eight Crazy Designs.

She's selling pre-designed blog designs. She does a great job. Reasonable prices too.

I love my blog design that Shawn from Whimsy designed for me and so I know how exciting it is to get a makeover for your blog. Blogger doesn't offer much.

Junk 2 Jewels Boutique

I had to get on here and get a post out to you all. In between my classes, early school release, making salad rolls and on to basketball photos later.....I have decided to hide from life for a moment to grab a cup of inspiration.
I get almost giddy when I can make something beautiful from something someone discarded........Could I have said SOME any more in that sentence?

Junk 2 Jewels is the site I decided to feature today. So much inspiration before you even get off the first page. But you must snoop deeper. So much to see.

Tracy is oozing the glam. She has taken our discarded bottles, found vintage anything and created a whole new world. Very artsy stuff. She and her soldering thingy are a force to be reckoned with. Anything from jewelery or charms.........or bottles...........and now adding photography to her resume. She has it all. I could learn a bit from her I'm sure.

Love this charm......It's one of those things you can stare at for a very long time.

Look at this! I love me a banner.......but this one is in glass and soldered. She has sold them in the past in her Etsy shop.........but sadly she has none right now. She bought a bunch of vintage buttons and decided to make this necklace one day. Style! She's got style. Someone without style wouldn't have placed the perfect paper underneath. All of her photos are very well done, very pleasing to the eye. Relaxing.This she can't take credit for. It's from her girlfriends home. But she has sense enough to take the photo..........you know what they say? Birds of a feather, flock together. This she can take credit for. This is in her home. Another naked frame..........I LOVE NAKED FRAMES! And it's all chippy.........I'm getting goosebumps. And when you're done swooning over the naked frame.........what about that other large frame? Cool isn't it?Just before you think you want to hate her...........you can't. She's nice. She makes pumpkin face mask for gifts. I have always been interested in home remedies.........never heard of using pumpkin. Gonna have to look that up and remember it for next October.

Before I forget.......she also has a few tutorials. WE LOVE TUTORIALS!

Ok, so after you leave ME a comment, head over to Tracy's site and tell her how much we love her over here.

I'm off to make my salad rolls. Have you ever made those? So annoying, but so good........so I suffer to make my family happy.

Really?

I was featured........me! Over at Laurie's site.......TIP JUNKIE.

She's been a feature here a while ago. She has a couple of sites that are full of stuff.

I almost forgot that I can make these things. I am heading to the CK convention this Friday, so maybe I'll get my scrappin Mojo back. I'll be working the Dollar Scrapbook booth from 12-7pm, so stop by and say hi!

Sorry ladies, no feature today. The day got away from me.

Portabello Pixie ~ Sandi Henderson

Cute! This girl is just plain CUTE! Her blog is delightfully designed with music that I don't turn down.
Portabello Pixie..........another cute name.
Where are people coming up with such cute names?

Sandi is a Jack.........or I should say a Jane of all craft trades. She takes amazing photographs.........I want to know what lenses she's using.

She designs and sews the most adorable and amazing children's clothing. I'd wear these......wouldn't you?And the biggy is...........she designed her own fabric line. Yes...........she did. Just to prove it to you, it's called Ginger Blossom and it's right here.

She went for it. She even has a whole post on How to Design Fabric. Very interesting. (no I didn't link you......you'll have to head over and enjoy yourself looking around)Sandi is an old soul at the ripe age of 27. She is attracted to fun, anything vintage and all things turquoise. Love what she did with this side table. Painting it a distressed turquoise is so original. Look at that pear and apple! So cute sitting there matching the drawer pull. I LOVE THAT!She also re-did this red thingy. Great re-purpose, perfect for holding crafty things, so dang cute.........she calls it a Who Ha Holder???...........Um........maybe it's just me... But this is not a Who Ha. If you know what I mean. But I love it just the same.

Tutorials! And FREE patterns............GO!...........wait, I'm not done yet.It's all there..........the pattern for this cute butterfly and so much more.More shots of her fabric line. I think it's just amazing how it all mixes and matches. That's talent. She is one talented woman. I'm so thrilled for her...........really. I am.I could have posted so many more photos........but I want you to head over and check them out for yourself, because she has really great posts that go along with them. She's a gem. And she has cute kids.

Oh.......and she just finished up a little event with Flat Betty. Remember her? I had Flat Betty in December........love the shoes.

Lolly Jane Boutique

Lolly Jane Boutique.........another adorable name. What's not to love? Affordable wall decor that YOU design......... Lettering is so popular right now. I love the personal touch it adds to your home.

This is the exact idea I am thinking of adding for my photo wall. I wonder how big it is? I need to go back and see.
They have a lot of great family ideas on their site, but it looks like you can have pretty much anything made.

The birthday thingy would be perfect for my mom. Wouldn't it Kacie?..........that's my sister who is a lurker. Or maybe I should get that for me so I can remember my husbands side of the family........it's a cardinal rule to send a birthday card to everyone ON TIME! Even if their over 50.

Chore chart...........very cute. I love the idea of this, even if they never work. I just can't be tied down to a chore.........You know what I mean. But wouldn't be cute hanging on your wall? It would at least look like my family has it all together.
Have a great weekend everyone. What's on your list today? We have a birthday party, then our first basketball game..........we had our first practice last night. :)

Thanks for all the help lately. I love hearing from you all.

more help?

Since we are so helpful...........I have a burning question.
My Typepad featured bloggers are having problems adding their blinkie to their site. The few typepad bloggers that have done it say it's a widget thing. ????


So, now what I need is answers..........how to typepad people add blinkies?



Because I'm sure there are LOTS of typepad bloggers (and any other bloggers) that would LOVE to add this blinkie just because it's so cute. Just because they like me.......they really like me...........I'm getting ready for the Oscars tomorrow......I love Sally Fields. But she's probably not going to be there......and actually, I won't be there either.And because I'm such showdog, I lap up any attention I can get. Why do you think I teach fitness classes?

I'm in front.......
I get to dance around..........and they have to watch me.
I get to tell people what to do........and they actually do it.......unlike at home.

But this post wasn't supposed to be about me. It's about helping typepad people add their blinkie.

I'm working on a post for today........really.........it's coming.

Links updated

I have updated all the links. I'm sure I have mentioned.....yea, like a 100 times....how I hate that job. I could make it easy on myself and add a new link when I post..........but that would make too much sense. I'm complicated..........mysterious...........and sometimes just plain difficult, I can't be bothered with details. :) Truth be told, I'm pretty simple and I just get lazy.

Just in case you're new here, I have all the past features listed to the left. So much inspiration......you'll be lost for days.

I just realized that my bloggy anniversary is April 9th ~ one year of pure inspirational bliss. Seriously.
Maybe I'll have to figure out a give-away???

Our help is needed.........

OK crafty girls, creative girls, artsy girls..........and maybe even a few guys. I received this email today begging me for help and since I haven't been in a scrapbook store for at least 6 months......I am no help in this department right now. I'm sure my husband loves the fact that I haven't been scrappin........saves a bit of money.........but the CK convention is next week, so I must support them. You know what I'm talking about.

Anyway...........below is the email I received. I know we can help her.

Ok, Kim -- You MUST be my saving grace... I'm a fan of your blog and since you seem to know the world of crafts, I need to know where I can get very specific papers. I need a brown & ivory/white pattern. Pretty much any pattern. I'm making the wedding invitations for a good friend of mine and have had no luck locating the paper I need to complete one of the comps. Please help! Oh, and I'm too lazy to open up my gmail, copy and paste your email address, etc. -- so could you please respond to jennymac79@gmail.com?Thanks a million!!

There you go pretty people.........you've got a job.

How About Orange ~ Jessica Jones

*****Warning *****

The post you are about to read will make you feel one of two things.....Incredibly creative or incredibly un-creative. Read at your own risk.

Jessica Jones with How About Orange (my maiden name was Jones.......how I wish I was related...think of the Christmas gifts I would get from her) is an amazing, gifted, super talented, creative being. WOW!

OK, so she's a graphic designer.........they always seem to have one up on the rest of us creative people........and she has her own line of fabric she designed and she makes the most wonderful things. I have looked at her blog several times and honestly, I get intimidated to do a write up on her...........then I think that perhaps.......just perhaps some of my readers don't know about her yet and I really should enlighten them. Oh no..........am I coming off as whining? Because actually I think I am whining and you know what? That's OK. Some days are like that. It's Thursday isn't it? I always whine on Thursdays.

One of the first things I remember drooling over was the room makeover she did.

BEFORE---

AFTER---

Want a closer look at that tree?

I know..........brilliant.

She really is THAT talented.

Love the other stuff she paints.........She even has desktops you can download that look like this.........plus some other really cool ones.

CUTE! Love the circles. This is so cool........another great idea for a teacher. You could do a whole set of something like this. This card is perfect isn't it? Simple, colorful, whimsical. I have a ton of buttons.........I think I need to make a few cards.Have you done the decorated magnet thing? Me too..........but not with felt. Another very cute idea.Kind of reminds me of getting to those thumb tacks I wanted to glue buttons to.......but here's her idea. Very cute.......and you know what?A tutorial, that's what!Her blog is spilling with ideas. Make sure you have a snack and a cool drink, because you'll be there for days.

Besides just showing HER ideas, she kind of features creative ideas she finds around blog land. Like I said...........you'll be there for days!

Enjoy!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments. I really do appreciate hearing from you. I try to get around to everyone, but I'm behind. Thank you!

AND!!! AND!!!! Spell check is back..........thank the Gods!

Mt. Hope Chronicles

Get out!
That's what I was screaming as I spent more time at Heidi's blog........Mt. Hope Chronicles.

When I first clicked on her blog after seeing it on my site meter.........yes, I do check that out every once in a while........So it's best just to leave me a comment, so I don't feel like I'm peeking on something. I also noticed she has my blog linked! I love that........thank you.

Anywhoooo........I clicked on her blog and at first I saw THIS! Could you just fall over? Amazing silhouette's in the most wonderful colors. She actually painted them........Yes she did.....she shows a tutorial on her blog. Say it with me.........YOU KNOW I LOVE A TUTORIAL! They grabbed me. I loved the whole design. Hip, fresh, colorful and original. Can't get any better than that.

Then as I spent more time there, I thought to myself......"hmmmm she looks like she could be from Oregon" and no quicker did I think that and..............

I saw THIS.............

and thought......."WAIT! NO! This can't be the little shop I tried to visit in September?" Well with a bit more digging........yes it was! My mom lives down the Willamette Valley (and I was born in Lebanon) and while my husband and son headed further South to the Duck Game, I planned to spend the day shopping with my Mother. I was very excited to go here and had planned the trip around going to THIS SHOP! But they were closed. CLOSED! I was so bummed. I almost got out of my car and threw a tizzy right there. So glad I didn't. I pouted for at least 15 minutes until I was distracted by another amazing sale. This shop, Poets Garden..... is way out in the country. WAY way out! Beautiful. Reminded me so much of my childhood roaming around these parts. I wonder if she's been to the Strawberry festival? Small World! I can't wait to visit.

After finding this out.......that her mom, sister and her started and run this shop, it totally made sense to why her style is so amazing. And only growing up in the Willamette Valley would give you the idea to grow wheat grass for a part of you decor! FABULOUS! (for those of you not from the NW.......it's pronounced Will - AM - ETT...........not willa mett)

More grass............ I love this circle art. She did that too. Yes there is a tutorial. I have often eye'd those candles and thought about decorating them. There is nothing you can't do with some great scrapbook paper. You could also use some yummy fabric too. I love the fact that the items I love in her house were all made by her.........hand made goodness. One more look at the grass just in case you didn't believe me. How cute would this be around Easter time? She homeschools her boys. 3 adorable boys. Do you think they know how lucky they are to have a classroom like this? That cute room is inside this cute house! Darling. Can't wait to see it more photos of this in the spring and summer.And if she's not talented enough.........decorating with grass afterall ...........homeschooling............she also takes great photographs. Don't worry, it's not a busy road. I've been on that road. :)

For more amazing stuff to look at, head over to Mt Hope Chronicles.

Spell check? What's that? Apparently Blogger has invested in Dictionary.com ..........still broken.

Lime Gardenia ~ Mommo

I'm not sure where I found her, but this is one creative Momma. She had one blog called Mommo, then decided to switch things up and start a different one called Lime Gardenia.

Lime Gardenia..........isn't that a nice name?

What caught my eye was this lamp shade! What a great idea and SO SO simple. I love these big bang ideas.

And if you like that lamp shade, then you'll probably really really like this one...........at least I know you'll really really like it if you have a young one in school.
Teacher gifts are always hard. This is pretty original.......incorporates the children's art work, and looks like something the teacher would love.

This idea is always a great reminder. Find an old frame you love..........leave it as is, or paint it.........

Then make a beautiful bullentin board using any fabric that blows your skirt up..........Love it! She made this for her daughters room. I think I need to make one of these for my son's Explorer room, or his newly cleaned up Playroom.Speaking of play........she is all about being creative with the kids. She helped them make these little lanterns. Use some tissue paper, feathers, glue, add a handle..........plop a glo stick inside and you are ready for some Fairy hunting. Just to prove she spoils her children...........and who doesn't.....she made this darling princess castle thingy for her daughters birthday party. It's designed to go over a round table. What little girl wouldn't want to hang out under the table? Heck......if there's cake, I'd like to hang out under the table. That is really really sweet.Did someone say CAKE?! Look at that cake! Love the simplistic look with only the top and middles frosted. The sides are always so hard for me anyway. And this adorable gourd on top with the leaves...........it couldn't be any cuter if you ask me. The colors are perfect aren't they?

I really enjoyed snooping around her blogs. I'm pretty sure she's from my neck of the woods.......maybe even my old neighborhood in Mt. Tabor. Her blogs are fun to read with lots of crafty eye candy and lots of great mom stories. She totally hit the nail on the head when describing the feeling of life changes when your child heads to school. She has a way with words.

Enjoy

Yes, spell check is still broken. I'm going to stop eating until it's fixed.