Love is in the air

My muse has been visiting me lately so I have been using that onslaught of creativity to stock my shop. You know how much I love vintage and vintage looking things, so in hopes that others like them too I have gone out on a limb and added them to my etsy shop. Do you ever fall in love with something you make and consider keeping it for yourself, only to be reminded that you are making it to sell? I had that moment with the sweet turquoise box above and the crackled heart below. So instead of selling the heart, I decided to use it as a prop with the vintage inspired postcards in my shop. The little box will begrudgingly go into my shop tomorrow. I hope someone will love it like I do. :)

What have you been up to lately? Has your muse visited you, as well? Any new ideas to create that you are excited to try? Fill me in. I have missed you all.

SALES in 2 Etsy Shops!!

My friend Steph of Dragonfly Studios is having a 40% off sale in her Etsy shop. Click here to be transported to her world of gorgeous paintings in her Etsy shop.

I have another friend, Maggie of Heart of the Magpie, who is also a painter. She has a whimsical style and would be an excellent children's book illustrator. Maggie's is also having a sale in her shop. 20% off of everything. Click here to be transported to her magical world in her Etsy shop.

I can personally say that both of these ladies are amazingly talented artists and just lovely individuals. After reading their blogs and seeing their art work, I think you'll agree. Go have fun!

New Years Resolution A year of Thanks

I don't usually make New Years resolutions anymore because a lot of the time I don't stick to them (lose wight, work out, you know) and then I get all bent out of shape with guilt so this year I decided that I was going to make one but my New Years resolution was going to be something to make others feel good. I've decided to give thanks personally to those who have touched my life in a special way. All year long I plan to hand write notes to each of these people. It may be someone who always smiles and says hello genuinely. It may be someone who always makes me feel special in some way, like my coworkers, my friends, my family.

It might be someone who does a nice job on something I have hired them for ie; the guys who installed my entry door, my fence, that do my landscaping, etc. The nail tech, the hairdresser. I want to say what I often feel but don't always verbalize. The cashier or clerk that bags and loads my groceries into my car, who always have a good attitude even though I know they have had a long day standing on their feet and have more than likely encountered less than pleasant people along the way.

It's the simplest of things that touch my heart and make me happy. People who are genuine, who have an easy smile or laugh, people who have a good heart, people who love to help others, people who are quick to point out the good in others, people who enjoy life, people who make art that makes you smile, people who have a good attitude about life, people who take pride in what they do. You know those people. They surround us every day and yet I don't always let them know how much I appreciate them for whatever reason.

So that is my New Years resolution. I have bought some blank cards by Anna Griffin (I love her stationary) in the wedding section of one of the craft stores, so that I can stamp an image on it and the word thanks or thank you and hand write my note. I saw some pretty thank you cards but I wanted them to be something I took the time to create.

Did you make a New Years resolution that you want to share?

What was your New Years resolution.