Sponsor Shout Out for November

The Fat Quarter Shop is at it again with the fifth annual Designer Mystery Block of the MonthTM featuring their favorite designers. This year, they will showcase a vintage sampler quilt with traditional blocks full of color and style! They have kits avaliable and this is what you will receive:

• 12 different sampler blocks featuring the Vintage Modern collection by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.
• Each block finishes at 12" and will be an easy to intermediate pieced block (no templates, applique or paper piecing),
• Block of the month suitable for all quilters.

Christmas Planner 2012

Yesterday I decided that I really needed to make a planner for Christmas this year. The holiday season starts this week in our town, with the lighting of the historic county courthouse, this Thursday night. My girls and I will be there all bundled up and ready for the festivities. It is also the first shopping night on the town square and the start of carriage rides. The girls are so excited to be going again this year.

I have added sections for a calendar, a gifts, and a section for parties and dinners that I will attend.

I added two 6x9 envelopes, one to each inside cover. I labeled one for coupons and ads and the other one for receipts. This way if anything needs to be returned I will have them all in one place.

I will share more pictures soon. I need to get them on the computer.

Palmolive Fresh Infusions

• Comes in three heavenly scents
• Fabulous enough to display on your counter
• Easy to find at Walmart & Target
• I received this product complimentary through Influenster

Just like the best recipes, the freshest scents & elegant simplicity are what inspire us in the kitchen. Taking cues from nature, we created inviting, naturally inspired fragrance blends - and combined them with the sparkling clean you've always trusted from Palmolive® dish liquid. Infuse your kitchen with freshness.

You can find more reviews on the Influenster Product Page. 

Be Strong

 

 

Layla Grace Sponsor Shout Out

 

Fall in love with the all new Layla Grayce! Layla Grayce has recently launched their newly redesigned website. In addition to a fresh and inspiring new look, Layla Grayce has added some bells and whistles just for you. You can now check customer reviews to read firsthand information on product experiences and weigh in on your favorite purchases. Test drive a new look with the brand new design board, where you can mix and match different products and perfect your look before you purchase. When you seem to lack inspiration, visit the redesigned and revamped Backroom Blog. There you'll find ideas that inspire and inform you to get a jumpstart on your next project. Be sure to visit the newly designed Layla Grayce website today!

Floral Inspiration

I love taking photos of flowers because the colors in nature really help to inspire my work and help me to see that colors that I would not normally be drawn to or think that they would work together really do. These pictures were taken at the flower competition at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, GA. This event happens every year the first 2 weeks of October. This year was our first time visiting and I have a lot of inspiration from the various competitions to share with you.

 

This flower really caught my eye because of the pattern that the petals are shaped in. It reminds me of a shrimp.

 

Felt Bobbles

I have not been feeling to good again this week. I guess I should listen to my body and rest when I am feeling bad, but I started feeling a little better so I tried to do too much and now I am paying for it.

 


I am no really good sitting or laying around doing nothing, even if I am sick so I have been using my time wisely trying to make some small things for my studio open house. That I am hosting the first Friday night in December.

These little felted bobbles are just the beginning . I am planning on having them for sale there as well as have a few listed in my Etsy shop.

 

I have 8 round ones completed, and one heart. I like the heart one but I don't know about them. I would love a little feedback on them to know what you think. Each circle one is about 2 inches across.

Here is a close up of the stitching. These have really been fun to make and I have a lot cut out and ready to stitch.

 

Inspiration Monday

I know I am a little late today posting this but I wanted to show what I have been working on lately. I hope that you will be inspired by it this week.

This was the start to my first Mandela. I didn't know what I was going to do but I knew that Ihad to start somewhere.

I started adding some lines to the inside and thickening the main design lines to make them pop.

This is how it turned out after about an hour of drawing and adding more lines and thickening other ones. I hope you like this one. I am in the process of working on another one tonight.

 

Views from My Journal

Playing with backgrounds adding texture with various items.

A Crazy Week

It has been a crazy week so far. One child sick then started feeling better and then the other child started feeling bad. I haven't been feeling so hot either. We totally skipped fall in Georgia and went straight to winter . It has been super cold and I haven't felt like doing much of anything for long periods of time until today. So most of my creative endeavors have been things that I could complete while sitting on the couch. I thought I would share the instagram pictures here with you.

I have been trying to come up with a few new ideas for new houses. I like to sketch them up before I start to cut paper or pull out any paint.

Inspiration Monday

I love urban areas. They are full of inspiration everywhere you look. From walls to sewer grates. I really love drawing these repeating patterns and they are a great way to add texture to your drawings and paintings.

This pattern would look great as stencils or stamps for background designs on papers as well as fabric.

I would love to have this pattern as a stamp. It would look great on a journal cover or a tote bag.

This design could be incopporated onto various items.

When you are in an urban area always remember to look up because some of the greatest art is at the top of buildings. I hope that you are inspired by these images as much as I am.

Influenster Shoutout

I love receiving free stuff and I really want to share how I do it. Influenster is one of the sites that I use and I really think that is is a great site and a great way to learn about new products.
Here is a Quote from their site:

"The Influenster Makeover brings all new changes to this trendsetting community. Reviews, Influenster Scores, Public Profiles, LifeStage & Expert Badges, and Invite-Only Membership to name just a few changes.

Influenster Score:

Your score is the biggest measure of your standing within Influenster and will determine your qualification in programs. Scores go up by connecting your social channels and showing your social influence. 

LifeStage & Expert Badges:

We're introducing two new types of badges - LifeStage & Expert. LifeStage represent where you are in your life, while Expert Badges are all about what you know, and are scored to show off your expertise in various areas. Leave reviews and complete other tasks to raise your scores and get higher chances of qualifying in programs. Influensters can earn up to five Expert Badges to start. 

Reviews:

We know you’ve loved reviewing VoxBox products, but what about the millions of other products you use and love? In October, you'll be able to add any product to our review pages and leave reviews on everything!

Invite Only:

Our trendsetting community just became more exclusive. New members are now required to request an invite to join. Prior members will retain their memberships and can invite up to five few friends. The more influential your referrals, the higher your Influenster Score will rise."

You can find out about new products as they launch.it is a great place to sign up for.

Inspiration From Nature

Update from the road

 

Ohio

Indiana

Picking up the camper in Indiana .

We saw too many to count, they girls were counting for a while but gave up after the count went so high.

 

This restaurant was is Indiana and will will update the post with the name of the town soon. It is a long name and I can't remember how to spell it . The food was wonderful and the prices were very good. They really give you your money's worth.

We are driving through Kentucky today on the way back home. It has been a fun trip so far.

 

Posting From the Road

 

Tennessee and Kentucky

Cincinnati

Sponsor Shout Out for October

The Fat Quarter Shop is at it again with the fifth annual Designer Mystery Block of the MonthTM featuring their favorite designers. This year, they will showcase a vintage sampler quilt with traditional blocks full of color and style! They have kits avaliable and this is what you will receive:

• 12 different sampler blocks featuring the Vintage Modern collection by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.
• Each block finishes at 12" and will be an easy to intermediate pieced block (no templates, applique or paper piecing),
• Block of the month suitable for all quilters.

Vintage Ephemra Mixed Media Collage Giveaway

The items pictured are examples of what will be given away.These are located in my shop for sale. 

The kit includes the following; 

• 6 vintage travel book pages
• 4 maps from vintage travel books
• 8 vintage 1982 travel coupons

I am also adding a set of 5 hand-painted papers as a bonus for the person that wins this giveaway. 

There is only one winner for this giveaway. Ages 18 and up only.

This giveaway is open to US addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Follies

My week in review. I have now done a week in review for a few weeks and I really have had a busy week this week and I want to share it with you. I have played around with a few new techniques and learned a few things also.

This is a large scale painting in progress. I had completed a painting on this canvas and it has hung on the wall above the piano in my living room,but I was never happy with it and said that one day it would be reworked. I like how it is looking so far but I have no idea where I am going with it. My vision for this piece has changed now that I have really worked on it again.

I made this owl for my youngest daughter . It really felt good sewing again. I haven't sewn much other than make the house pieces.

I made some painted fabric backgrounds also. I think that these will be the basis for some Christmas ornaments.

I played around with bleach gel in a fine tip bottle and made a few shirts with doodles on them. I really like the way that they turned out but you really need a well ventilated area for this project or the fumes will be really bad.

Isn't out a call on instagram for some snail mail partners. I also love to swap stuff. You can email me at my swap email if you are interested.

I played with a Crafters Workshop template that I purchased at Hobby Lobby and a few varied colors of stamp pads and a stencil brush. I love how it turned out.

I have a new giveaway starting at midnight tonight so come back and check it out.

October Journal Update

I decided to try my new Blogsy App for my IPad. I want to make sure that this is posting correctly before I take it on a road trip next week.

I

Low Entry Giveaway Linky Party

Starting Today I will be hosting a Low Entry Giveaway Link Party every Tuesday here on my blog.

The Rules: 

•  Please only link up your giveaway here and not your projects. 
• Any link that does not include a giveaway will be deleted. 
• Please be follow me via GFC 
• Please add my button to your sidebar so that everyone will know where you found this linky (not mandatory but appreciated)

Winning Wednesday - Low Entry Giveaways

1. Guylian Chocolates Variety Packs - US (10/25)	2. 20x30 Poster Collage -US (10/25)	3. Helper Gift Set - US (10/20)	4. Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} - Little Caesars gift card 10/20
5. Pacific-Rim On Blu-Ray /CAN/US 10/25	6. Decoreview - Wall Decal gift certificate 10/24	7. Organic Massage Oils Travel Set 10/31	8. Hands Free Baby Sling US/CAN 10/18
9. My Handy Journal US/CAN 10/18	10. Cool Wrap Foldable Lunchbox 10/24	11. Aluminium Music Speaker Giveaway 10/29	12. Win a Nickelodeon Kid's DVD 10/20
13. Christmas Decor Giveaway 10/23	14. Pet Stain Carpet Cleaner 10/28	15. Dora DVD Giveaway 10/20	16. SpongBob DVD Giveaway 10/20
17. Pumpkin Carving Kit 10/16	18. Pacific Rim Blu-Ray Giveaway 10/20	19. Squishy Snack Pak giveaway 10/17	20. Free 6-pack of Zevia, 5 winners 10/19
21. Backpack giveaway end 10/16	22. Shrek the Musical DVD Giveaway 10/17	23. RMCS - Carpentree Framed Art 11/30	24. $120 Date Night Essentials | US Only, ends 10/19
25. Garnet Bar Necklace by London Manori (value: $72) - 10/31 WW	26. RMCS - Feather Bib Necklace by Gleeful Peacock 11/30	27. Feather Bib Necklace by Gleeful Peacock 11/30	28. $25 Hobby Lobby & $25 Mardel GC 11/30
29. Lavender Bath Salts Weekly Giveaway	30. Win A 16 Ounce Eco-Soya Candle From Bonfire Candles CAN ends 11/17	31. Hard Candy Case (US/CAN) Ends 11/04	32. HALO SleepSack (US/CAN) Ends 10/28
33. $200 Amazon Gift Card 11/10	34. $1,000 giftcard to The Land of Nod	35. What Knots Headband/Bracelet Set 11/4	36. Pumpkin Masters Prize Pack 10/30
37. P&G gift basket - 10/29 US	38. $50 YogaOutlet.com giftcard 10/31	39. Little Passports subscription 10/27	40. Energizer Family Safety Kit 10/30
41. $30 to southern fabric	42. 2 Pieces of Ethical Jewelry From Indiverve, US/CAN ends 11/4	43. All Diaper Cakes $50 GIFT CARD ends 11/03	44. Queen St Artisan Tea Towel
45. Never Say Die Beauty	46. Case of Way Better Tortilla Snacks 11/18	47. Oil Warmer Package Giveaway 11/30 US	48. Sincerely Stacie - Motivated Moms Planner 11/8
49. $50 shopping spree from esselle !!!	50. Microsoft Surface 2 Holiday Giveaway	51. Rabana Crisps Prize Pack 11/21	52. Barbara's Organic Snackimals Cereal
53. Win a Free iPad Mini and $25 gift certificates! 12/01/2013	54. Eepples MilkCharms	55. $50 credit for your choice of pillow cover(s)! 11/19	56. Jura Impressa F7 Gourmet Coffee Machine - 11/19
57. Set of 3 Ergonomic UGLee Pens (stocking stuffers)	58. VTech InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet - 11/21 US	59. ZonePerfect Greek Yogurt Nutrition Bars (12/1)	60. Mighty Handle 12/1
61. Great Stocking Stuffers ergonomic UGLee Pens	62. Free Set of Beautifully Designed Holiday Cards	63. Origami Book Can Usa Dec 2	64. Reusable Snack/Sandwich Bags, US/CAN, 12/6
65. Light Shine Brass Cuff 11/30	66. Travel Brew Mug & Tea Sampler (US|12/15)	67. 6 Jars of WowButter Spread (US&Canada | 12/18)	68. LED Teeth Whitening Kit ($69.95 value) 12/20
69. PURE All Natural Skincare 11/22 ww	70. ACE Appetite Control and Saba Evening $105 US 11/29	71. Alice Remembers 11/26 US/CAN	72. Sundry Scents 11/25 US/CAN
73. The First Christmas Night Book CAN/US 11/26	74. 1 girl nation CD CAN/US 12/5	75. Zoologic Game Canada Only 11/26	76. The First Christmas Night Ends Nov 26 US/Can Only
77. 1 girl nation CD CAN/US 12/5	78. #NSgivesThanks Instagram Contest | WIN BEDDING | Ends 11/30	79. $50 Lululemon Gift Certificate - 12/1 - WW	80. Learn Like A Mom-Autographed Children's Book-US11/30
81. Kindle fire, gift card and books 11/30	82. 50 FREE Holiday Cards from Cardstore! 12/6	83. SnackBox Vegan Gluten Free Snack gift pack 11/30 CAN	84. $75 Gift Card from CandyGalaxy.com
85. $50 Tiny Prints Gift Card Giveaway US 12/1	86. My Little Pony Princess Twilight Sparkle (Retail $50)	87. Veggitales Merry Larry DVD, US, 11/30- SUPER LOW ENTRIES!	88. ACNEFREE FACIAL WIPES, 2 Pack, 2 Winners, US, 12/02- SUPER LOW ENTRIES!
89. WORLD VISION HANDCRAFTED SERVING SPOONS WORTH $65! US, 12/12	90. The Wolverine - CAN/US - 12/3	91. Comic Print Sweater - 12/13 WW	92. Eiffel Tower Tote Bag - 12/12 WW
93. Cork iPad Mini Case - 12/11 WW	94. Leather iPhone Wallet Case - 12/10 WW	95. Pink Leather Wrap Bracelet (value $55) - 12/9 WW	96. Giveaway week! $30 to Southern Fabrics
97. $50 JCPenney gift card - 12/6 US	98. Autographed kids Christmas book DEAR SANTASAURUS 12/13	99. 2 Handmade Crochet	100. Pouring Pot Tabletop Fountain 12/16
101. $75 achoo Kleenex Gift Pack 16/12 US/CAN	102. Purina Wonderfur Winter Treats 3 WINNERS CAN 16/12	103. Mother's Therapy Organics Lotion and More $30 Value 12/21	104. A Gift for Sophie US/CAN
105. Snoopy iPad Book App, WW, 01/06	106. $50 Gift Card of Your Choice (12/31)	107. Win 30 day supply of Keratin Hair Volumizer 12/22 US	108. Mrs Bearfield's Class - 3 Items - 12/26
109. Egyptian magic face cream used by celebs 12/27	110. SNAILS safe polish 1/4	111. Weavers Wobble- $15 Starbucks Gift Card, US, 1/1

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

October Journal Giveaway

I made 2 journals with the same theme from my October Daily Journal.

Stella & Dot Sponsor Post

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer awareness month? Join Stella & Dot in the fight against breast cancer. Shop any piece from theirBreast Cancer Boutique and all net proceeds will be donated to the Noreen Fraser Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to women's cancer research and awareness. Don't miss this chance to shop for a cause!

Etsy Shop Update

I have added a few new items to my Etsy Shop today with more coming tomorrow. Let me know what you think of the new items.

A Productive Week

I have been absent here but I have been very active in my studio. I want to share a few of the new items with you.

I had this canvas laying around with just a few layers on it, and I was not really pleased with how it turned out. So I reworked it and went in a whole new direction.