Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Starting Gratitude Tuesday

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, 
but to live by them." John F. Kennedy

This year I started a gratitude list that everyday I write down things that I am grateful for in my life. Yes in the beginning it was easy to just the easy things I was grateful for like my children, family, friends, food and house. Now I am at the point that I am looking at the little things that I am grateful for like having patience with others and my artistic skills. This great feeling I am filled with everyday when I add to my gratitude list is one that I want to share with all other you. More than just making a list of things that you are grateful for, people need to tell and show those they care about how much they mean to them. You never know if a small gift or words of kindness will be just what a person needs that day. Everyone needs to know they are loved by others! 

So I challenge you to go out and tell the people you love that you love them and how you are grateful to be in their lives! Not only will you feel better about yourself but you will make someone else feel great!
Every Tuesday will be Gratitude Tuesday where I will be showcasing people or things we all should be grateful for in our lives. So check back next week for another gratitude post.


 You can share these delicious LOVE cookies by justcrumbs with someone you are grateful with and they will be grateful for your gift! You can purchase these cookies or other sweet treats in justcrumbs Etsy shop by clicking any blue link or the photograph. Enjoy!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Valentine Cake Pops

"Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world." SUSAN LIEBERMAN

This weekend I spent the weekend bonding with my mother, sister and young daughter by making cake pops. Cake pops seem to be the latest craze in the baking world. My mom caught the wave of the craze and bought the cake pop machine which is supposed to create perfectly round balls to stick on a stick and create a cake pop. So we got all the ingredients including chocolate to melt and valentine sprinkles to decorate.  

The balls seemed to come out a bit deflated on one side so we decided to insert the stick on that side so the deflation would not be as noticeable. So far not to bad. Well then we got the fondue pot out and melted down Hershey's milk chocolate chips which felt like it took forever to melt down. Next, we ATTEMPTED to dip the cake pops into the melted chocolate. This did not work the way we expected. The cake balls came off the sticks and the chocolate was not liquidy so the chocolate would stick to one side off the ball. So we tried our best by taking a knife or spoon and spreading the chocolate around the cake pop. Then came the sprinkles which was the best part because we could be creative as we wanted. Overall, it was a fun time and a great bonding experience for 3 generations of my family.  So here are our results:


  

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Pattern Giveaway

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.” Brian Tracy

I am having my first giveaway! I want to share with one of my readers a pattern of mine so one week from today I will be giving away one of patterns that are in my shop. See creating patterns is a special passion of mine because I can take just one of my patterns and alter 10 different ways to create something else completely different and new. Creating new patterns also keeps my creative juices flowing. I just began listing my patterns in my shop to share this passion with others. I have created so many patterns over the years that I haven't even written down but they are in my mind. So this weekend I will be writing them down and listing them in my shop. By next Saturday's give away there will be at least 15 patterns for one lucky winner to choose from in my shop! 

WAYS TO WIN: Comment on this post wins you an entry, each comment on each of this week's posts wins you an entry per comment, for every person you refer to win they need to put your username as a reference you will win an entry so you have 3 ways to win and plenty of chances! I will announce the winner at 10am on Saturday February 4! The winner will be emailed a free coupon code good for my Etsy Shop for a pattern only. Good luck to everyone!

Here are just a few of my patterns that you will be able to choose from:




Friday, January 27, 2012

Sick Days

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book."  ~Irish Proverb

I wish I could say today was a fun Friday but unfortunately for me that is not the case. I am home, sick in bed with a horrible cold and at least today feel well enough to sit up and be able to type out something small for my positivity blog. I am sorry that yesterday I was unable to write anything but I never made it to my computer til later at night so I will make up for my absences with a few awesome posts this weekend featuring some amazing Etsy shops! So be sure to come back tomorrow and check out my awesome features!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Recycle Rather than Trash

Every day is Earth Day.  ~Author Unknown

One thing that I am trying to become more aware of is recycling. What can I do to encourage my family to separate the recycling? Well I will admit that my family does not recycle so trying to encourage and change is going to take a lot of effort and time. Everything from newspapers, magazine to soda bottles and cans have been thrown in trash for as long as I can remember which is basically my whole life. It is amazing how people really don't think about where these items go once we place them in the garbage. So many items that can be recycled but are thrown in the garbage are not biodegradable so they sit in landfills, contaminating the ground, water and wildlife for much longer than we are on this earth. This concept is enough for me to think about the future generations and attempt to make some changes. I challenge all of you that do not recycle to start today!

This set of pop up trash and recycling bins by Hobnob will encourage your family and guests to separate their trash from recycling. To purchase these bins or check out the other great items in Hobnob's Etsy shop please click any of the blue links or the photo. 

Have a positive day!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A Child's Imagination

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
Pablo Picasso

This morning, as I was trying to figure out what I should write about today, my 4 year old became very impatient and bored. So what better subject to blog about than a child's imagination. Just to sit and observe my daughter's playtime is fascinating because she absorbs everything around her and it reflects in her interactions with her dolls. My daughter is artistic by nature just like the rest of my family. She loves to sing, dance and perform for people just as much as she loves to draw, paint or create some beautiful gift that she will give someone special in her life. At this age the creativity and energy is endless and I am at awe at the things that she comes up with somedays. Whether she is sings a song that I never knew she had listened to but at some point did or the abstract drawing of her family that most adults would call scribbles, her imagination is endless. My only wish is that she keeps this creativity and imagination for the rest of her life.  


This adorable crayon case was created by OurLittleMesses and is the perfect toy to kick up a child's creative side. The case will fit crayons, pencils or markers. With the handle, this case is easy to take on the go for the car ride too! To check out OurLittleMesses collection of crayon cases and other awesome creations please click any of the blue links or the photo.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Move My Butt Monday

"A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world." John Locke
 
Monday mornings are always the hardest on me because I just want to be able to hit the snooze button for just 5 more minutes of sleep but then my other alarm clock goes off with the sounds of "Mom, Mom". Just like the weekend my 4 year old daughter is sounding off by 7am which to me feels like 5 minutes from when I fell asleep. I guess it would help if I didn't go to bed after Midnight but as a single mom, small business owner and student I really don't have much time in my day. It is that time of night that I feel a bit relaxed and can sit with a cup of tea and my book or journal and have ME time. 

I know that I need to take care of my body which as a chocoholic, that is very hard because I don't eat as well as I should be eating but this year I am trying very hard. I know that I need to be physically healthy, as well as mentally healthy which is why I love yoga. I began practicing the art of yoga right after I had my daughter and even found a video that taught me how to include her in my yoga stances which also encourages us to feel closer in the parental bond. I continue to practice yoga, though not as often as I should or want, which is so healthy for me because it encourages me to quiet my mind and just be one with myself the universe. I feel at such ease when I am done a yoga session and encourage all of you to just try it once because you will walk away with a better feeling of yourself.


Agadart's print is exactly how I feel today.... I need to practice yoga and I will keep calm and get through my Monday with ease. You can purchase this print or many other awesome prints in their Agadart Etsy Shop. To check out their shop please click any of the blue links or the picture.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Relaxing Sunday


"Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer." Leonardo DaVinci

With my business, I don't just work Monday through Friday from 8-5... I work Sunday through Saturday all day and night. I am lucky that some of creations can be taken with me so that I can work on them where ever I am and not lose precious work time. People do not realize how much time it takes to crochet and knit a creation. My hands are my tools which is a great thing but sometimes they need a break as much as mentally I need a break. So I am declaring today.... Relaxing Sunday! Today I get to take a small break because everyone needs a relaxing day.  
So as part of my wish list for a relaxing day, I would like to sit in a nice, hot bath with ClearEssential's Lavender Bath Set. This set is the ultimate need for a relaxing day with 4oz Relax Massage Balm Honey & Lavender scented with Shea & Cocoa Butter, 4oz Serenity Epsom Bath Salt Soak infused with Lavender essential oil, 4oz Shine Body Lotion with Honey,Milk and Lavender scented, 4oz Glow Sugar Body Scrub with a hint of Lavender, 4oz Natural Shower Gel Sulfate free with nourishing Shea Butter! To check this set or other wonderful bath products check out ClearEssential's Etsy Shop!

*To purchase this wonderful bath set please click any of the blue links!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Give Me Beach, Sand and Warmth





"A real friend is someone who takes a winter vacation on a sun-drenched beach and does not send a card." -Farmer’s Almanac 

This quote describes how the perfect vacation from this cold snow that is sitting outside my front door this morning. I waited and waited for the snow to come so that I can just sit and look at it but now that it is here... I want the beach, sunshine and warmth! I love that feeling when you wake up, look out the window and all you see is this blanket of pure white that stretches as far as the eye can see. The trees glistening with snow and icicles as all the winter animals are hidden away somewhere in a cave or tree trying to keep warm during their hibernation. So it maybe cold to the touch but beautiful to the eye.

After I come back inside from shoveling, I know that my description of this beautiful snow will change but so will my thoughts. As I attempt to warm my body, I will be thinking of the beach and the sun warming my body as I wear a cute little sundress. The light ocean breeze will be blowing in my hair and sandals on my feet as the sand clings to my skin so that I have tiny pieces of the beach coming home with me. The ocean waves ending just before it reaches me where you see the little shells scattered all about as children look for that perfect shell to show their mommy and daddy. 


A light cotton dress would be perfect to wear for a day to walk along the beach. A soft, white that reflects from the sun and an airy feel to the dress makes it a comfortable accessory to the warm, sunny day at the beach. You can find this beautiful dress in SeasonChange's Etsy Shop. Click the blue link or the photograph to purchase this or any of their other beautiful creations.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Fun Friday with Pinterest

"I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun." Thomas A. Edison

I woke up this morning to a special treat.... I got my invitation to Pinterest! Pinterest is a site where people can "pin" things that they see on  the internet which then goes on a "poster board" for other people on Pinterest to see and enjoy. There is a waiting list to get an invitation in order to begin "pinning" on the website but any person, member or not, can view what is "pinned" 

Typically, I am the girl who goes against the grain when it comes to something that everyone else loves. When everyone was joining Myspace... I refused but eventually caved in. When everyone was switching to Facebook... I said never and eventually caved. When everyone was tweeting on Twitter I said no tweets from me.... now I love Twitter! Next was Pinterest....the smile on my face when I saw my Invite should say it all! Being able to share not only what I create but other things that ignite my creative sense in a unique way is just up my alley! 

Here is my first Pin... my newly created frog hat! 





Thursday, January 19, 2012

Brrrr... Its Cold Outside

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  ~Edith Sitwell

On this cold winter day in the Northeast of the United States, I think of things that will keep me warm like a warm fire, a cozy blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. I think I just described the perfect winter day. A day where I just get to lounge around, read my favorite book, drink tea since I am not a big hot chocolate fan and sit next to a warm fire while cozied up in a handmade blanket. I am imagining this scene in my head which would make a beautiful painting or drawing. I love that I can creative something out of just a mere thought that began with a cold chill going through my body. This teaches me how there is a positive in every negative!
This beautiful blanket is knitted by MyBluePeacock and is available in her shop along with other hand knit creations. Each of her items look so soft and cozy that you would love to keep warm with them on a cold day. To see MyBluePeacock's other warm creations please click any of the blue links. 

Keep warm on this chilly day if you are in cold climate or enjoy the warmth you have in other regions in the world. Keep positive and keep creating!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Do Something Wednesday

"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry."  ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

There may be millions of people but there is only one Earth. We, as the people who live on this Earth, need to contribute to helping the environment in order to for the generations to come to have a safe place to live. So many times people take advantage of where we live and what we have by just needlessly wasting and creating a ton of trash that kills the environment. Every piece of paper you throw out or every soda bottle you put in the trash rather than recycle, you don't think about how it effects the environment but everything we do on this Earth effects our surroundings.  So I am promoting that people take a stand and do something good for the environment because even the smallest thing does help. 

My inspiration came from the Environmental Science class I took this past fall. I took the class because I figured it would be an easy class to take science I am not naturally a math or science person. Well that class was hard but more importantly, it taught me that people are unaware of our effect on our surroundings. Our Final project was called Do Something Now, where we had to change something in our own lives that helps the environment and record our journey. Well, being the creative type, I chose to make plarn out of grocery bags and create a purse. It took over 30 bags to create the purse which is a month worth of groceries in my family. If these bags would be thrown out, they would sit in a landfill for 100s of years because plastic does not break down and is not healthy for ground or water supply near the landfill. My Plarn Purse is now listed in my Etsy shop along with a couple of other plarn creations.

Helping the environment has become a passion of mine and I want to inspire other people to take small steps to help. Do Something Wednesday will feature posts about the environment and feature sellers who are making creations out of recycled materials that help the environment. 

*If you would like to purchase my Plarn Purse please follow this link: Plarn Purse

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Everyday is a New Day

"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend or a meaningful day." Dalai Lama

I love quotes so each day I will begin my blog with an inspirational quote to share with all of you. An important concept that I have been experiencing lately is that everyday is a new day so do what you can today because tomorrow is forever away. If we live in the past or future then we pass by what we accomplish or enjoy right now. No one wants to live with what ifs so live in today and forget about yesterday and tomorrow. 


This beautiful sun rise was photographed by JHayhurstPhotography and was the perfect picture for my first blog post in ReAwakening. When I look at this photograph, I am instantly reminded of how beautiful each day looks including today. Each day I can reawaken my senses and creative a beautiful day with beautiful creations. Everyday brings me new ideas because of new inspirations that I might not have seen if I was worried about tomorrow or yesterday.

I love to search Etsy and see what beautiful creations other people are making with their own two hands. That right there is so much inspiration for me to want to get my crochet hook and yarn out and create something beautiful! Whether I am looking at the unique art or exquisite furniture or melt in my mouth foods, I am seeing that other people are doing what they love. So now I know that I can do what I love and create away for other people to enjoy what I create as well.

So today I challenge all of you to go search Etsy and just look at the beautiful and one of kind items other people are creating and find your creative inspiration to make something beautiful!

If you would like to see other beautiful photographs from JHayhurstPhotography please click any of the blue links to open a window to their shop.