12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

Down to the wire! Just a couple more days to go in the giveaway at Janesays! Here is a fantastic shop Paper Eclectiques that I couldn't resisit!!

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-21.html

Here is the giveaway from my Etsy shop Bird Nests & Paper

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-22.html

And here is the cool shop Bebeloosh with eco friendly sandwich bags and lots of other goodies!

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-23.html

Sorry there haven't been any pictures lately! So busy - but I will be posting several in the next couple of days, including the wreath that I made for the Year of Color Wreath Swap!!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY AT JANESAYS #13

Oh - I love these fantastic Pom Poms in the giveaway! I actually purchased one a while back and they are fantastic!

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-13_06.html

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY AT JANESAYS # 10, #11 and #12

Check it out - Free stuff and such awesome Etsy sellers!!

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-10.html

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-11.html

http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-number-12.html

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY AT JANESAYS #9

You have got to check out this shop Linkel Designs! Super sweet and very reasonable! The giveaway at Janesays is really cool and there are lots of ways to win! Have fun!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY AT JANESAYS

When I was contacted to participate in the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway I was surprised and honored! As the time came closer I began to see just how organized and dedicated April is to supporting artists, their Etsy shops and the creative community. Here is the link to the blog for the giveaway, there will be over 30 shops represented, so that means more than one giveaway every day!

www.freshandfun.blogspot.com

The first shop giveaway is P.S. It's in the Details go check it out! And be sure to check all day for the other giveaways!!

As a bonus, if you mention the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway in the notes to seller during December in my Etsy shop, I will refund your shipping back to your paypal account!

My Etsy shop will be featured on December 9th. Here is my giveaway!


I will be adding other goodies to this Christmas Vintage Grab Bag! Happy Holidays!!

Much Needed Rain

I don't usually say much about the weather in San Diego - it certainly isn't very nice to complain about the continual sunshine when it is snowing and raining all over the place. But, it has been so warm and dry here that we all wonder if it really is winter!

On Saturday we got our first rain of the season and it was so LOVELY! Really just a dusting of rain, and only for a brief period but I had to go outside and take a couple of photos!





We also put up our tree, not completely decorated - just with the lovely white lights, but it is so festive to sit with a cup of tea and realize how wonderful the season can be!


Let's deck the halls, Fa la la la!

Thankful

I feel I have so much to be thankful for. Two lovely daughters, a great husband and great friends and family that I love and cherish. I have a pretty long gratitude list, once I get started. But I wanted to take the time here to thank everyone who has supported me with the creative life that means so much to me. My husband, is numero uno in the support department! He found me a super great camera to take photos for my Etsy shop, and then found a laptop on Ebay that I am using right this minute!

He got so excited when I decided to move my studio to a room in our home! Here are some photos of the home studio. I still have a studio away from the house until the end of the year and I love to be there. It's peaceful and filled with creative energy. There are three of us sharing the space right now and it works out perfectly. I will miss it when it comes time to let it go.



I don't think either of us realized that it would be such a huge job transitioning and the space required to contain all of the necessary equipment and inventory for selling on an Etsy site! Photos are taken in a photo booth in the kitchen - orders are printed and packaged on the dining room table. I like to hand write the addresses. That seems more personal to me. I like getting hand written letters. . . I make trips to the post office every couple of days, sending off packages to all of my wonderful creative Etsy customers !!! You all make my life so fun these days!!I feel very blessed to be part of this fantastic and talented community!

What a thrill it is to search see all the things that people create - my intention by the beginning of the year is to have a new dedicated Etsy site for my own creations. It's always a little scary, but must be done. I long to be creating more and feel inspired by so many of the artists I admire.

I will end with a couple of images that support me in my creative life. First, I have been looking all over to find this wonderful sewing book. I finally found it at one of my favorite thrift stores in Poway. With this, I can create almost anything my heart desires! I have been sewing since I was a young girl and find it very soothing.

Secondly - whenever I find something with lots of color, I am drawn to it My home studio has minty green walls with white trim, hard wood floors and various color groupings spread around like little gems. This wonderful flower garland is so fun next to the calendar with sequins!! It makes me happy when I see it!

I am grateful, so grateful for the fullnes of life and the wonder that fills me each time I uncover another treasure at a thrift store and I can't wait to see where it will find a new home! I love that! I love browsing and buying from the wonderful people on Etsy. And the talent - they totally rock!!!

Yes, there is so much to be thankful for!