As a writer, paper lover, and person who normally gets mail everyday I wanted to share this super idea with you. Mary Rominette Kowal has posted this challenge and so I want to forward the challenge to all of you this month in Febuary.

This challenge is this:

Every day starting with the first day of February write a letter and send it to someone. Simple right? It doesn’t have to be a letter necessarily as we think of a sheet of paper, but could also be a short note in a card, or simply a card that might make someone smile or brighten their day because you thought of them. The catch is… you have to mail it. I know it will cost you $.45 for a stamp in the US, but the cost is little compared to what it might mean to the person on the other side of the mail box.

You can send a letter to a  loved one, a friend, or a complete stranger. There are several listings of places where you can send cards and letters to prisioners of war, those who fight to protect our countries, or those in homes and shelters needing to know someone cares.

Stars and Stamps has a great resource for those of you who like to make cards to send to our troops. I highly recommend hoping over to their blog and checking out how you can create and contribute to this effort.

Well it’s time for me to finish unpacking before our weekly bible study group meets. Hopefully, somewhere in my suitcase are some photos to share!

like these yummy yogurt strawberrys from Jessica Gamer

or how about these adorable crochet heart bobbi pins by Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart?

or check out this sweetheart coupon book by Passionately Artistic

and last but not least of today’s heart-speration share is…

this darling princess hair style.

I’m out of town today, but I’d love to see what you’ve made this week or what heart-sperations you’ve found. Be sure to link up below. I can’t wait to see all your heart-sperations!

I’ll see you all again on Monday, have an awesome weekend!

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First of all, I want to apologize for the lack of  posts this week. Our family was bit by the flu bug. For the past two days, Bug and I have been curled up in bed watching cartoons and being sick together. Bella had it a few days before us, and hopefully it will bypass Boy and Chad. Or I pray so.

Last Saturday, Bella’s girl scout troop went bowling. It was just the three of us, Bella, Bug, and I. And both of them scored higher than me. I guess I could use the excuse that Bug had to ‘assist’ me by holding on to my ball until I left go, but it was the time we spent together that mattered. Bug couldn’t pick up the bowling ball she rolled it instead. Nothing like granny bowling at the bowling alley!

Tuesday night, before the flu hit, Boy’s cubscout den went on a tour of our local fire station. The kids learned about fire safety, and dialing 911 in an emergency. They even got to see a crew go out on a call and come back, thankfully it wasn’t anything very serious.

Yesterday was Bugs field trip to the Discovery Workshop over at the YMCA, of course we didn’t go, but don’t tell Bug she missed her field trip. The last thing I want to do is upset my sick child.

Chad has been great this week with taking Bella and Boy to school for me and checking up on us.

As you read this, I’m more than likely on my way to NY today for the SCBWI conference this weekend. Just me, Ole Blue, and the highway. I’m happy to say that after two days of being knocked off my feet I’m still able to attend the conference.

I’ve had a lot of challenges this week and a some big decisions to make, but I’ve been really thankful that our family has rejoined and is back in our Life Group again through our Church. We’ve just started studying the book of Romans. I had missed our group, its support, and the weekly assignments that brought on the motivation to dive deeper into my Bible.

I promise to share plenty of photos and tell you all about my trip when I return, and if you could so kindly say a prayer for Boy and Chad that they don’t get the flu while I’m gone or that Ole Blue and I don’t have any mishaps on the road today, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Oh and yesterday was both my big sisters birthdays. No they’re not twins. Just born a year apart to the day. Happy Birthday to my sisters!!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Week #3

Invention and style are both words we are familiar with, however, when we put them together it can become a little confusing.
For instance, inventors are people who create new products for the use of society. So really an invention is the product of an inventor. Much like you the artist, crafter, or author, you’re long hours of creative talents are spent on creating a unique and well crafted invention. That invention may be a story or novel, a piece of art, or designer knit sweater.
Of course, style has a complete different meaning. If you ask a writer about style, they would automatically assume you’re talking about the prose of their words for creating a story. Yet, if you ask a fashion designer about their style, they would refer to the types of fabrics, prints, and overall design of several items of clothing assembled together to make a great outfit.
A dear friend of mine loves french country decor, that’s her style, with a little hot pink and black pitched in for good taste.
So, how do you go about inventing your style?
It maybe easier than you think. You’ve been inventing your style from the very first time you began using your talents, even before you knew you wanted to sell your craft.
Just take a look at your craft. What do you create? How do you do it?
If you’re craftsmen or an artist, look at your products.
What colors do you favor most in your creation? What textiles do you use most often? (fabric, wood, metal, beads…etc..) What do you create? (type of product, art, or writing genre)
Now look around yourself. What do you love? What type of decor is in your house? What is your favorite color? Yes, color has a lot to do with you personally and your style. Just read Blue Today Green Tomorrow to find out.
For instance you may just find something out about yourself you didn’t know before. Don’t be shy, what’s your style?

This first project comes from The Crafting Chicks.

 I just love these cut hearts and valentine tags. Be sure to check them out, they’re made from tiny pieces of painted wood and paper.

Something simple and beautiful are this paper heart garland that I found over at Minnesota Mom.

What I love about these paper garland is that you can make them out of any kind of paper. Especially newspaper and other types of paper that you probably already have lying around the house.

And who isn’t inspired by chocolate? Really? If your like me, you can’t wait to make these mouth-watering Ghirardellis Chocolate Raspberry Hearts.

Can you say “Yum”? Oh, and Here is the recipe. Call me, I’ll bring the Vanilla Chia and we’ll sample them together.

Do you have something that has inspired you this week, or that you’ve made and want to share? I can’t wait to see it, please share in the comments section. I’ll be happy to link to it.

Have an inspiring weekend everyone!

Boy has been working really hard on his car since Christmas. What every cub scout wants – his pinewood derby car from Santa.

And this is it, after long hours of cutting, sanding, drilling, and painting. Boy calls his car “Color Flash”.  Tomorrow morning, we’ll see how fast Boy’s car can go at his Troop’s Pinewood Derby.

Bug wore her bathing suit to school this past week for Summer Day. The kids in her class participated in fun activities like wading in a small children’s pool, volleyball, and crafts. It definitely was the highlight of her week.

Bella has been working on a project at school involving Tigers. She’s been spending most of her evenings flipping through books, searching facts, and creating a poster for her first school report. I have to say I’m quite proud of her. She’s really worked hard and has been very interested in the topic of Tigers.

We’re heading to the bowling alley this weekend with Bella’s Girl Scout troop. We’ve been looking forward to it, as much as Boy has been looking forward to playing baseball this spring. Today, we officially signed Boy up to play T-ball. He was so upset until I explained that T-ball was baseball and that we all had to learn and start from somewhere.

Chad is busy playing with his new blackberry, a typical boy with a new toy!

Well, I’m off to prepare for another busy week of writing, mothering, and working.

See you tomorrow, for some inspiring finds!

Last year, I received this book and gave it to Bella as a gift. Since then we’ve had fun acting out scenes from the bible and learning neat things from a little girl’s point of view.

When we first received it, I didn’t think she would be as willing to read it since it wasn’t Pokemon or Littlest Pet Shop. However, after spending a year with this book, I’m sad to say she’s now out grown it and moved on to another kids devotional book. However, Bug, even as young as she is, was excited when big sister handed down God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible to little sister. Now, I get to go through those wonderful pages all over again.

Sheila Welsh inspiring devotional for little girls has been a wonderful addition to our bedtime story routine. It’s great if you have a girl. This pink and sparkly little book makes little girls realize that they’re a princess. Whether they are Daddy’s princess or God’s princess that every little girl holds a special place in God’s heart. It’s easy to read and is a great way to for moms to spend time with their daughters. There are questions throughout this bible that you can ask your little girl or both of you can answer together.

I even found that we’d be driving in the car and Bella would still be thinking of something we read in this Bible the night before and we’d discuss it again on the way to school. I’m looking forward to sharing this with Bug, even though she’s only four, I have a feeling she will have plenty more questions and just as much fun as Bella did!

Little side note: I received this book free from the publisher in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

For the past year, I’ve been revising one project while writing another. Bella is anxious to see those revisions turn into a book. It’s hard sometimes to be patient when your that age. I too understand her excitement, but I know all good things take time.

This week, I’m diving into a little more research on my WIP UNBRIDLED.  Jenny and Cade are headed back to the rodeo and I guess so am I. I’ve always loved watching the rodeo, even as a teenager when my Dad took us to 4-h game shows to race my horse. Clover-leaf barrel was, and is, my favorite of the rodeo events.

So in this book, we’re off to the rodeo. Jenny’s torn about who to give her heart ,and Cade is torn about going back to his rodeo roots to help Jenny.  Now, I’m off to do some more research, talk to a few more cowboys, and saddle up for the next chapter.

All in the mean time, I’ve finished the revisions on my MG series novel and am preparing for a trip to the SCBWI Conference in New York coming up soon. And yes, I’ll be taking Ole Blue, so if you could squeeze a prayer or two in for my travels I’d appreciate it.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I’m off to write some more!

So you’ve been thinking about it for a long time now. You’ve got this idea in your head. It’s been there for some time and you know you’re good at it.
You’ve got this special talent, skill. craft that you’re ready to put out there and share in the market. So now what?
Would a blind man go out for a walk without his guide dog or a cane? Then you too, should not go into business without a plan and purpose.
It’s simple to come up with an idea. A plan helps you decide on how to implement that idea into reality. Just like any good Carpenter would refer to a set of blue prints, your business plan is a guide to opening shop and setting up your shop’s success.
“Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.” Proverbs 24: 3-4

There is a lot of software and sites out there developed to helping you create a business plan. The SBA has this good advice about what a business plan is: “The business plan should tell a compelling story about your business, explaining who, what, when, where, how and why.”

48 Days To The Work You Love author, Dan Miller offers this Business Planning Guide based on his book that is recommended by Dave Ramsey.

You may also find another great book by this same author, called No More Dreaded Mondays, to be a valuable resources in your business planning.
Planning to sell your crafts online becomes more than just a plan. It’s also a purpose. You can go visit any top selling website and find that company’s mission statement. A mission statement, boiled down, is the purpose of your business.
For example:
“exercise my creativity and innovative ideas by developing songs, books and products, which change lives and society for the better. I will use my talents and abilities consistently. I will not hide them simply because they will not always be immediately recognized.” From 48days.com
This one comes from PadandQuill on Etsy:

Today this blog’s purpose is to provide individuals with the tools to promote and successfully sell their craft online.
As an author, my purpose is to use my writing talent to inspire others in their relationships with one another and through their relationship with their heavenly father.
See what I mean about purpose?  So tell me…what’s your purpose? I’d love for you to share in the comment section and look forward to reading your mission statement.

The kiddo’s and I have been playing a lot lately with Mommy’s scrapbook paper. We’ve been finding all these neat designs, and if you saw last friday’s post, then you know we’ve been creating story book pages. Although, we have yet to put a story with these pictures, it’s been fun creating them.

Which leads us to today’s make it Monday project. I’m going to be teaching my basic blogging class again in a few weeks over at Pennsylvania College of Technology in February. If you live near Williamsport, PA and would like to attend the class you can still sign up for it here.

But thinking about teaching that class in a few weeks, plus all the paper scenes the kiddos and I have been creating with various papers, I turned a few of our designs into blog banners.  Some of my favorite blog banners have been created with frames, ribbon, lace, and buttons. So why not add a little personality right?

If you remember my tutorial on how to create a blog banner using Paint, this will be fairly easy for you. Today, we’re just making the photo that becomes your blog banner.

Both banners above were created with scrapbook paper, die cuts, and embellishments. No frills, just simple. However you can add your own frills anyway you want.

The die cuts were created using my circut.  Once I created my die cuts, I laid them out on a 12″ x 12″ piece of designer scrapbook paper (designer = paper with a design). Then I made sure I had enough light and took my camara and photograph the paper laid out.

Lastly, I loaded it to my paint program on my computer and adjusted the size  to match a standard blog banner.

These blog banner designs are free. You may use them for your own personal use on your personal blog. To add your blog title, just copy the photo and add text in a program such as paint, MS Publisher, or Photoshop.

The kiddos are off from school today, so who knows what we’ll craft up this afternoon, but I’ll be sure to share it with on Saturday. And talking about crafting, we’ll talk top tomorrow. Until then, have an awesome Monday!