Creative Altered Composition Journals

So Yeah, It's cold outside. It has been since October. I call this the winter that never ends. The wood shop has no heat and it's really put a crimp in my woodworking. I didn't pre plan for winter did I?

"Must create, Must create, Must create!" my brain has been screaming at me.

Sooooo who was I not to listen? I started altering composition notebooks. A project that can be done in the warmth of your house. I am LOVING how they are coming out! Going to put them in my Etsy shop. It will kinda ruin the whole old -time ambiance of the shop but don't care at this point. Just want to keep my creative addiction fed and I am happy!

My Entrecard Addiction

When I joined the Entrecard community I thought it would be just another traffic driving chore. Little did I know, it would quickly become an addiction. Everyday I travel around the world of blog looking at other peoples sites and enjoying the ride. There is so many great sites out there! There's some not so great sites too. I genuinely enjoy reading other peoples blogs. Sometimes I comment. Sometimes I add them to my feed. Sometimes I start following them on Twitter. Sometimes I watch their YouTube videos. Sometimes I simply DROP and move on. I find out all kinds of interesting information. I find great blog contests. I learn what is good and what is not so good when it comes to blogging. I have had to limit my time doing this or else I would get nothing else accomplished!

WIN 50.00! Voice of Bragg Blog Site Review

While doing my Entrecard drops, I came across this very informative blog. Here is a review of this wonderful site! "Voice of Bragg"
A+ quality content. I read several posts through to their entirety after I arrived there. It's unusual for me to do that due to time restraints. I normally just scan posts looking for interesting or pertinent information. Randy has helpful informative technical and non technical type information. The kind of things we all want to know! Concise writing style. Easy to understand and relate to. An example of this is Randy's, " In Case of Emergency" post. He talks about applying ICE (In Case of Emergency) to your cell phone. A must read for all of us!

The blog is clean and uncluttered. "Voice of Bragg" obviously cares about high quality content. Not a lot of fluff, fancy graphics and mind numbing advertising. He gets to the point in his posts. This blog grabs your attention and doesn't let go!
Relevent information is placed at the top where it can be viewed upon entering. Important links are right there. " Voice of Bragg " is a user friendly site with easy navigation.

Randy cares about his blog and takes blogging seriously. It appears that he cares about the rest of us bloggers also! He is offering 50.00 to the person who can write the best review of his blog. Fantastic!! While I could use the 50.00 and I don't know many of us who couldn't right now, Randy is also offering something even more important than cash for writing a review. More important than money you ask? YES! You write a review and he will link to your site on his blog. He has a page rank of 228,00 on Technorati. This will give your site EXPOSURE and a much needed LINKBACK! Priceless! Click the title to this post for a link to his blog ~or~ go here to get right to the post and rules for writing the review : http://voiceofbragg.com/review-my-blog-win-50/
As a member of Entrecard, I look at many many blogs daily. Some great and some not so great. I would rate "Voice of Bragg" one of my top 10 favorites!
Thank you Randy for offering this opportunity!
http://voiceofbragg.com/

Sunrise

Thought I would share this beautiful sunrise with you. Picture was taken outside my front door.

Inauguration Day for President Obama

Today is the beginning of a new chapter in American history. I feel hopeful for the first time in as long as I can remember. I am not one who cares much for the ceremony of the whole thing. I care more about what comes tomorrow and the following months over the next 4 years. I hope that everyone will take a moment to say a prayer today for our 44th President and this country. President Obama has his work cut out for him. I am hopeful that we can all come together as Americans to support him no matter what our political views or affiliations are. This country needs change. We the people need change. President Obama will hear us. He already hears us.

Congratulations President Obabma!

I Believe!

Blogging and the Learning Curve

As you know I am new to blogging. I did not realize how important it is to your business until I started doing it! I keep learning new things everyday. Well, except for the days I was caught up in the Twilight series books. If you scroll down towards the bottom of the page you will see I put in a slideshow of items in my Etsy shop! I was so proud! I find it amazing since I did not even know what a widget was until a couple weeks ago. LOL. I still have so much more to learn but am taking it one thing at a time. If you would like to leave a hint or tip..please do so in the comments.

Things I would like to learn:

How to do a blog giveaway.

How to make a button for trade with other bloggers.

Does this look like a blog where you would like to have your shop featured? If not, what would make it that way?

Thank you for any help you would like to leave here.

Distracted in the Twilight

Having a tough time keeping up with anything the past few days. A friend lent me the Twilight series by Stephanie Myer. I read the first book and was hooked. I moved quickly through Twilight falling in love with Edward and Bella. It was on to Blue Moon. I just love how Stephanie Meyer described Bella's utter devistation at Edward's leaving by writing nothing but the months that go by, each on a seperate page. She couldn't have wrote that any better. The point was made. I just finished Eclipse and am starting Breaking Dawn. I plan to savor every page. I have dark circles under my eyes from reading late into the night. I am beginning to look a little like a vampire myself. I promise when I finish I will get back to the blogging business as usual. Or will it be?

Almost Time For FLW Fantasy Fishing!

I am so excited! I love fantasy fishing! Forget fantasy football and baseball. You can actually win money and prizes playing fantasy fishing. Not just a little money either! There are 6-100 thousand dollar prizes and the chance at a million! Much better odds than the lottery. All you have to do is pick your team of 10 anglers for each event..or keep the same anglers the whole way through. If you sign up for Players Advantage and I HIGHLY recommend it, you get stats and other tools to help you make informed picks. It's only 10.00. Last year it was 40.00. Only 35 days left until the first event of the season! Hey a person could spend more than that on lottery tickets in a week!
If you are interested click the Fantasy fishing link on the right! Hope to see you there and Good Luck!

Went Junking Yesterday

My favorite pastime looking through second hand stores searching for that elusive treasure! I made a few rounds yesterday and came up with a couple boxes full. Some items are truly junk but hopefully when I finish with them they will be treasures! I can't wait to show you! I found the most charming framed needlepoint, an old flour sifter and lots of wood items to transform!

The problem with the needlepoint will be taking it's picture. Glass always reflects and I am not the best photographer. I will probably take 20 or 30 pics before I get it right..lol.

I miss you Pam!

9 Years ago ( I can't believe this it seems like yesterday) I lost my Best friend of 22 years to Breast Cancer. There is not one day that goes by that I don't miss her. She was 39. She was extremely talented in everything she did and she encouraged you to always be the best you could be. When I make crafts, work in the woodshop, make candles or tarts, or just whatever I decide to create, I think of Pam. I think of how much she would have loved what I am doing and ideas she would have given me. She would have had one or two internet stores herself!.

Right now I am in a bit of a creative slump and having troubles with pictures. If Pam was still here on this earth I would have called her or we would have gotten together, had a glass of wine, laughed at silly things, talked about everything under the sun and before I could realize it was happening, my mind would be full of new creations and pictures would come easily!

I dedicate my Internet stores to You, Pam. I know you are watching.

It's a new year. Please have your mammograms done.

It's a New Year. I don't have "resolutions". I have, "I'll try harder not to______ or I'll try harder to______." You can insert any number of things in those blanks. For me to resolve I will do or not do something is a certain guarantee of it's failure. I am the queen of failure. Just ask my ex husband! I fail at about everything I try and I have tried a lot of things in my life. Does it get me down? Occasionally. Don't get me wrong, I have had many many successes too!

Here is my take on failure: Each failure is a learning experience. Each failure is bringing me one step closer to success.

I experience more things in life than I would by sitting back and doing nothing. That is what I consider true failure. The act of doing nothing by not even trying to do something.

Have you failed today? If you have, be happy and rejoice! You are one step closer to success!

Vintage Jewelry

I am a sucker for vintage jewelry. I love the bling. I have a few favorite necklaces that I wear out and about. I NEVER fail to get compliments. There is just something about the elegance and uniqueness of vintage that can't be reproduced. I have several beautiful pieces in my Bonanzle store and a couple of stunning Bakelite pieces in my Etsy store. All are estate finds. Check them out!