Inspired & Encouraged

Thank you for all of your encouraging comments in this new form of "Art Participation". I have wanted to post a few things but didn't know where to start, soooo I decided I would use the connections I made at a recent gathering I attended aptly named "The Arizona Bloggers Luncheon" hosted by the gracious Meri Wiley of http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/. I met many smart and funny ladies who could probably be of help in this department - specifically Karen Valentine of http://mydesertcottage.blogspot.com/ who has an E-book for beginner bloggers called Building Beautiful Blogs...A Beginner's Guide to Blogger. HELLOOO! Check it out, it is awesome! I never, never would have found this stuff out without alot of growing pains. I will do what I know for now, and enjoy the process, thank you Karen.

I wanted to share a few photos of our visit to relatives in Whispering Pines, Payson this past Sunday where spring is definitely in full bloom. Just Beautiful!



The Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship...

I have been meaning to start a blog for a looonnnggg time and can put it off no longer! I work and teach papercrafting classes at my local scrapbook store which keeps me very busy but I appreciate that I also have a creative outlet. Due to the urging of two very special friends, I entered a contest sponsored by Canvas Corp. Products. I submitted photos of four of my banners on the very last day of the contest and received an email from them that was very complimentary and sent me over the moon! I was floating on air for the last 2 days but now I have a permanent smile and butterflies in my tummy because I just got the email from them and I WON!!  I am so HAPPY!! Those of you that know me can see me dancing right, right? So, at the end of the email Jenn Luce of Canvas Corp. Products asked me, "Do you have a blog?" I can't anwer that email with a lame "No, sorry", so here we are at the beginning of my crafting tales, I am smiling!!

The winning entry! A Banner that spells out the word  "BLESSED" and uses burlap, jute, old denim, vintage lace and ric rac, as well as recycled cardboard boxes and empty ribbon rolls. Thanks to my friend Susan Brown for sharing her idea with me for recycling the ribbon rolls. I am so happy to count this as an extra blessing today, have a great weekend! Melissa