~SHABBY COTTAGE DECOR and My How You Bless Me~

FRENCH SACHET HANGER

Do you ever wonder what you'd be doing with your life if you didn't do what you do? During my hiatus from selling my wares on eBay and the reopening of my website I thought about this a lot.  I mean...I've done other things in my life and they never brought me the joy I've experienced when creating. 

I'm so thankful I get to do what I love!  I reopened my site last Saturday and you came and you blessed me.  I'm over-the-moon excited over the results and can't thank you enough for your kind words and well wishes.  I'm working on restocking the shelves and I'll have many more pretties like this

 and this

 for you to look at this week! 

I'm sure many of the creative girlies (OK...and some guys, too!) out in Blogland are as passionate about what they do as I am!  Here are a few BLOGS for you to peek in on when you have time (you can find links to their there shops, too):  Celeste (Celestina Marie Designs), Lori (Katie's Rose Cottage), Sara (Sara Norris, LTD), Dawn (The Feathered Nest), Maureen (A Rose Without A Thorn), Anne (Fiona and Twig), Lynn (Her Creative Spirit), Rhea (Miss Rhea's), Carol (The Roseberry Cottage), Melissa (The Piney Rose), Janet (Shabby Fufu), Pat (Pat Winter Gatherings), Violetta (VMCreations), Marijke (Marijke's Cards)...

There is so much talent out there and I hope to share more of what I find with you in the near future... but this is a beginning for now!

For those of you who are fortunate enough to actually make a living with your hands I'm sure you, like me,  wouldn't have it any other way.  I know for CERTAIN that if it wasn't for the fact my Mr. AGPMAN (my hardworking underpaid unpaid assistant) works for a major Corporation (with awesome benefits and a consistent paycheck) I would be doing what I do as a hobby and not as my main source of income (sooo...thank you, honey...you continue to be my hero!).

Many blessings as you seek out those creative spirits that are yet to be discovered.  And, may you continue to draw inspiration from those who have already blazed a trail led by their passion and grace...

Have a wonderful Tuesday...and thank you again!

An Ever Grateful,

~In The Spotlight - SARA NORRIS - Featured Artisan~

~A PRESENT FROM SARA NORRIS~

Want to know a secret?

I guess if I tell you it won't be a secret any longer, huh?

~SO EXCITING~

That's OK...I'm going to tell you anyway!

~CAN IT BE?~

I love being part of the Blog World and for lots of different reasons.  I've had the pleasure of meeting some of you face to face and it's been a huge joy to count so many of you amongst my real friends.  Some of you make me smile and some of you make me laugh out loud.  Some of you have the gift of encouragement while some of you have helped take my faith to a new, deeper level.  Some of you inspire me and some of you, well...just listen.  Without a doubt though, all of you bless me...

 ~YES! IT CAN BE!~

One of my very favorite things about becoming part of the Blogging Community is when I stumble upon an Artisan with a deep love for what they do.  It is easy to see the passion behind everything they create because it shows in each and every tiny detail.

 ~A BONNET FOR LEARNING SMOCKING~

I'm immediately drawn to artists like this and find myself visiting their sites over and over again.

~TINY LITTLE STITCHES~

Because I love quality handwork when I found Sara Norris from Sara Norris, Ltd., I found myself mesmerized from the start.

~TINY LACE TRIM~

Sara has mastered the intricacy of SMOCKING and her handwork, simply stated, takes my breath away.  Her custom designs, including her handwork, are like none I have ever seen. I've become a huge fan of both her calling and her gentle spirit.  I mentioned once in a comment to Sara how I would LOVE to learn how to Smock someday.  (I know how to do a lot of things, especially sewing related things, but Smocking is NOT one of them!) 

~HANDMADE not HOMEMADE~

Anyway, about ten days ago I was wandering around in Blogland when came across one of Sara's latest Posts.   I immediately thought...'Gosh...I'd really LOVE to showcase this beautiful lady's handwork on my Blog!  Instead of acting on the thought that very moment I tucked the little idea in the back of my head, but promised myself to visit it again once my website was back up and running.  I'm always doing that...putting things off until.........................

Well...(I'm not kidding when I tell you this!), two days later I got an email from sweet Sara telling me she wanted to send me something.  Knowing ahead of time how much I've wanted to learn Smocking, she graciously sent me one of the Baby Bonnets she uses in her demonstration classes!  A precious little yellow Bonnet, needles, instructions and even the embroidery floss were in the box! Now how is that for the blessing of the day? Sara...if only you could see how excited I am!!  If ONLY...

Now, is there a lesson to be learned here?  Sometimes I get so preoccupied with what I do and love that I don't pay attention to the Spirit that lives within me and ACT timely upon His quiet instruction...  And, since I don't believe in coincidences, I can only conclude that sharing with you all about Sara is a God-Thing! :)

Now...I so hope you will take the time to visit Sara Norris, Ltd.  Believing children are a gift from God, Sara specializes in beautiful things for a Baby's Layette.  Because the days of infancy are fleeting, she encourages celebrating them with beautiful heirloom quality clothing!

Sara is definitely in the blessing-business!

Thank you, Sara!  Now it's my turn to 'Pay-It-Forward'....

Love to you all...

~FROM ONE ARTIST TO ANOTHER...Creative Ladies You Should Know~

For me, one of the wonderful benefits of being part of the Blog world is, without a doubt, the other Artisans I've had the privilege of meeting along my way.  I mean...our planet is FULL of simply outrageous talent and I can't help but think it's a miracle of God that we all intersect at the corner of blogspot & dotcom.

PAT WINTER

PAT WINTER'S GATHERINGS

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from a fellow blogger asking if I would share with her a graphic I had included on one of my past Posts.  She was looking for a picture, one with something purple (maybe violets or pansies!) and I obliged her by forwarding her a clear copy of the vintage image she was wanting.  I readily admit I'm stingy with SOME of my graphics ...but a few I willingly share! (Only the ones that are extremely rare or have to pay big $$$$ for are horded!) ahhahahh...

MADE BY SUCH TALENTED HANDS

Gorgeous Handwork

Anyway...to my SHOCK (see...God rewards our gifts to others!) I received this simply GORGEOUS gift in the mail today!  It is a little purse made by none other than Pat Winter herself!  Not only does it showcase the image I emailed to her, but it is full of tiny bead work, beautiful silk hand embroidery, lovely laces and colorized motifs.  In her note to me it said 'since I was a PINK GIRL if I wanted to I could forward it along'....HUH???  No way!  This gorgeous masterpiece is staying here in my La Chaumerie de Briarwood.

Thank you, Pat!  Your heart is much more generous than mine.  I will treasure your gift always!

Please take the time to visit Pat via the link above.  She has a lovely blog full of 2die4 things...

TERRI SMITH

DIMPLES and DRAGONFLIES

My second BRAG ABOUT Artisan is none other than Terri Smith.  I love Terri's work and so happy we have become friends.  Her painting is like none other and I sooo love her originality and the passion that shines through in all she creates.  I can tell by the comments Terri makes on my Posts as well as the style in which she writes she has a heart full of sweetness.   I hope you again will take the time to check out this talented woman's blog.  You can find her at the link above!

Blessings as you seek to uncover your greatest passion...