Blog issues

Hey all..I have been very out of touch with the blog lately and I do apologize. Not sure what is going on with the layout here but having some technical difficulties and am in the process of a major blog overhaul..so stay tuned and I will be sure to send out info and invites to all of you involved.. Big Love.. R!

Torie Jayne: Lemonade stand award

Torie Jayne: Lemonade stand award

Posted using ShareThis

ZuZuGirl Thanks!

I wanted to send out a very special thanks to Kristi of ZuzuGirl Handmade! Not only does Kristi have an amazing blog and a wonderful Etsy shop but she spends much of her time promoting others! In a time of great financial strain for most of us, it is so refreshing to find such wonderful and supportive women who selflessly take their time and efforts to share...in all ways. I thank her for her kindness and friendship and I truly hope that Kristi and women like her will receive their own recognition and selling success. They so deserve it!

Harper's New Shoes!

Oh how I love to create personal items for others. Every single person I have met and done business with has been so enthusiastic even prior to getting their items! Shari of Spearmint Baby is certainly no exception to that! She has graciously and selflessly featured my baby booties on her blog..not once, but twice! And now...a third time dedicating a good deal of blog space to a pair of booties I have crafted for her darling baby Harper! I don't even have words to properly describe my feelings nor to offer the thanks she so deserves. Shari has developed a great network at showcasing the best of the best in baby wear, new mom items, nursery design and outstanding product reviews. She is quite dedicated and has a long list of followers along with other great mom bloggers who share in her dedication! Shari, you really are the best!

Spearmint Baby does it AGAIN!!

What a wonderful surprise! Shari over at Spearmint Baby has featured more of my work! She is so incredibly generous of both her time and effort in promoting the makers of handmade. I am truly honored to be recognized. Last week Shari featured my first pair of baby booties...and this week she has done it again with my second pair and a bonus of two pairs of my bunny ears hair clips! Now that's dedication! All of this recognition and promotion is one of the reasons that I am quickly falling in love with the internet. People and places I would have never otherwise had the privilege to know. It also makes me realize just how many super talented and dedicated women artists and crafters are out there in the world. It makes me feel a sense of completion..to know so many women in similar circumstances. It's like fitting together pieces of a puzzle. The beauty of it also is that at any given time, day or night, there is always one of these great people to chat with as they are from around the globe and on different time zones. I never ever take for granted the generosity of those who dedicate their time and spaces to spotlighting others, myself included. It is wonderful to be noticed and for that alone I thank you Shari and all of those before and hopefully after you! Happy gorgeous Saturday!

waiting for momma

waiting for momma,
originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

Today's baby bird update..I was extremely careful not to disturb the babies in their nest..They are so big that they are visible from the ground and I actually took this shot from a good distance..They are just so adorable that I can't stop thinking about them! I was also very careful to make sure I got this shot between naps and feeding intervals of the babies..and I know both parents are closely watching me from a safe distance..Today was the first day I actually saw the momma and papa together..in an adjoining tree..watching me and screaming at each other..I so love nature!

baby birds X3

baby birds X3,
originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

Look at what I found in my backyard today! I knew there was a nest and thought perhaps a few eggs..but not this! Three beautiful baby Robins..my heart be still..and I did NOT attempt to do this or take pics until I had educated myself about viewing birds nests..and the safety of it...

Spearmint Baby Feature

Oh My...Some days I am so fortunate! There is such a wealth of incredible websites and blogs, and along with them, behind the scenes are just as many incredible people..those whose sole business it is to maintain these sites. These people expend much time, effort, energy and thought to keep up with the world and all of the great things in it, specifically crafts, art, artists and creative people. I have been very lucky in the way of sites like these, having been noticed by them and by way of promotion of many of my pieces that I create. Today's take notice moment has come to me by the way of the ever so fabulous site, Spearmint Baby! This site's curator, Shari has devoted all of her efforts into searching for and finding great baby items and she has quite a following as well. What impressed me immediately about Shari was her respect of other people's items and photos, writing me first to request permission to feature my felt baby booties along with the photos and link to my site! I found that to be very sweet and not only was I incredibly flattered but also so touched that she respected my creative rights enough to ask before she acted. Honestly, I have been featured in my share of blogs and the like and am always happy to be a part of things like that but I found it so refreshing that someone would take the time to contact me prior. So please head on over to her fabulous site and check out my feature and the other great articles. A fantastic site if you are an expectant, first-time, new or seasoned mother!

Another PaperGirlProductions feature!

http://papergirlproductions.com/ Belle of Paper Girl Productions is constantly featuring my work! I just love her and her blog is fabulous! Click the link above to check it out!

Elizabeth of Creative Breathing..this one is for you!!!

Elizabeth of Creative Breathing..this one is for you!!!,
originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

A very special gift for my good friend Elizabeth of Creative Breathing! Many of you are familiar with Elizabeth..and those of you who really know her well will undoubtedly call her friend as I do.

She is perhaps one of the sweetest, nicest, most talented, giving and loving people you or I will ever know. It is a very special person who is so willing to give so much of their time, effort and themselves for people that they have only met through the world wide web!

Elizabeth has gifted to me an incredible assortment of heartfelt goodies from one of her very precious childhood memories. She has done this for me as she has for countless other crafters that have met on Flickr. She does not sell any of her creations..and I think it both a shame and a relief at the same time..a shame because everyone deserves the chance to have even one of her pieces..and a relief because she would probably put many of us other crafters out of business if she were to sell her wares!

Elizabeth adores very specific colors..of the primary nature and refers to them lovingly as 'creative breathing' colors..I had created a piece similar to this one I am gifting to her..a few days ago but the colors were greens and purples..Of course, Elizabeth left a very lovely comment on my photo of the piece..noting that it was her favorite of my creations..so, I thought..hmmm...finally something I can create for her that I know she will love and appreciate..so I set of today to get it done and in the colors she so adores..In the morning it will be off to her home in Ohio...and I hope she knows just how much pleasure I have received in crafting this for her as I never usually repeat my ideas..but she was/is so worth it!

This Heart Tells a Story

This Heart Tells a Story,
originally uploaded by creative breathing.

I still can't believe that this jar and everything in it were crafted for ME! I am so very touched by this and even more now that I have read the blog post.story about the inspiration for these items..Elizabeth of Creative Breathing is simply incredible all around! A beautiful artist, crafter, writer, photographer and friend..What more could anyone ask for! I am honored!

FRIENDSHIP!!!!

I am constantly speechless and amazed by the abundance of love and friendship I receive from people I have never personally met! I often complain about the internet as it sucks much of my time and influences my teenagers in a way that I don't like..BUT, that being said, the upside and equal balance to this thinking is the sheer joy and support I continually get from women I would not otherwise have known due to the internet! I have spoken of my friend Nancy a few times on this blog and she so deserves every recognition I give her here and she is always so proactive in being thankful to me. I LOVE to give..and it's even more special to give to those whom I know truly appreciate it! Nancy is at the top of that list. She had admired something I created and expressed an interest in purchasing one of them..Being that she is my friend and has done many wonderful things for me..I would never dream of doing anything less than gifting an item to her. I will be clear in saying that she has purchased items from my Etsy shop as gifts for her family..but something for her specifically...well back to the giving part..She is so enthusiastic over receiving anything from me so that alone is worth everything to me..Not only did Nancy express her gratitude to me..but she did it in great fashion! She set up a photo shoot for the piece..downloaded the pics and added them to Flickr along with a beautiful description..AND she took the time to create an entire blog post about the gift! I don't think she will ever truly know just how much that thoughtfulness means to me as I realize that the time alone this takes is a gift unto itself..So for you Nancy...my NJ counterpart..I love Ya to pieces and am so incredibly grateful that we were able to meet eachother and that we can call each other friend!!

7 THINGS I LOVE!!!

OK so I have to list 7 things I love...this idea came from my very good friend Nancy who received a blogger award and passed on her love to a few of her friends..me being one of them. So here it goes..I am going to attempt to list from the top of my head and see what comes out.. 1)I LOVE the rare occasion when I get to be in my house alone..no kids, no hubby and no dog! 2)I LOVE and adore dogs...and my favorite part of them is the smell of their peds..puppy feat! 3)I LOVE all things bird! Any type of bird, and time of year..real birds..fabric birds..bird beads..painted birds..you get the idea! 4)I LOVE sitting on my back deck when a load of laundry is in the dryer and I can smell the dryer sheet coming through the vent into the backyard. 5)I LOVE the exact moment when you realize that Spring has finally arrived..and you look up while driving and all of the trees have green budding leaves on them. 6)I LOVE thinking back on the days when my kids were younger and enjoying their company and all of the great parent moments..like Little League, early Sunday morning soccer games..visiting the gyms of opposing basketball teams and watching all of the kids enjoy themselves. 7) I LOVE knowing that I have met so many wonderful women through online venues and that each and every one of them are always just a mouse click away if I ever need anything..and are always there to help, listen and support all of my life moments, good and bad!

Beyond the Box banner-2nd Etsy shop

Beyond the Box banner-2nd Etsy shop, originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

OK..so I finally took the plunge and set up a 2nd Etsy shop..I know, I know..it is difficult just keeping up with one but I feel the additional shop will greatly help me to get and stay organized with my crafts and crafting. I needed the 2nd shop to begin showcasing and selling all of my paper-type creations..Fingers crossed! This Beyond the Box Etsy shop banner was created by me using Picnik..go to www.picnik.com to make your own..Totally FREE and quite easy!

Think Outside the Box Etsy shop banner

Think Outside the Box Etsy shop banner, originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

New Etsy shop banner created using Picnik...It was SO easy and totally FREE! I highly endorse this website..get your own at http://www.picnik.com/

Think Outside the Box Lollishops banner

Think Outside the Box Lollishops banner, originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

New Lollishops shop banner created using Picnik!

Spring has almost sprung!

OK...I can feel the breeze of change...literally and figuratively! Boy that word looks funny when typed, no? Anyhow, I am proud to say that finally the huge heaping mounds of filthy frozen winter snow have met their maker..and their maker is the sun and the temperature beating down upon the earth. Thee biggest sacrifice we have made throughout the winter months has to be the lack of outdoor space because of all that snow. When it falls, and it did quite often this year, there is no where for it to go except onto all of our available outdoor spaces. My poor pooch has endured a very long winter of discontent as she was not free to cavort and romp. She is a great creature of routine and as hubby puts it, fiercely independent! Our routine in the 'nice' weather is to have an early evening cup o' joe on the deck while pup gallops like a mini horse around the yard chasing an array of tennis,rubber and inflated balls. This is what she does and when that is taken from her then depression hits like a bag of cement. This year hubby did snow-blow a path from the deck steps to the other side that we fondly referred to as the 'racetrack' but that didn't produce much elation..especially considering that the racetrack quickly turned into the 'poop track' when poor pup had nowhere else to 'go'...she did attempt the impossible on many occasions..lifting herself up onto the snow piles in a futile effort to leave her 'behinds' away from areas that she could step upon. On a sidebar note here..3 hours and a dozen plastic bags later, hubby and I had the distinct pleasure of removing all of those winter landmines that embedded themselves deep into the snow and eventually popped up onto the ground once the snow melted fully. Hours of fun I tell ya! So now we have assessed the winter damage now that we can fully view the remnants of what should be grass and have to say that it really isn't that bad. Granted, we had many impressive ice storms this winter and did lose quite a few branches and some bushes but during all of that we (and when I say we I mean hubby) made the effort to stay on top of any issues, damage and the potentials for disaster. All of my nagging at hubby to get out and take care of things while they were happening really paid off now that Spring is here. All over this tiny wooded town there are echoed sounds of chainsaws and leaf blowers from others who were NOT proactive through the wintertime. We lost a lot as a town and many of the carcuses of Oaks and Pines that did not fare well in those stroms, lay alongside the roads awaiting further demise..chopped up inot manageable pieces and hauled off to that place they take dead trees to lay in rest. All this being said, I am happily enjoying the dancing and mating rituals of my many feathered friends in my backyard. I got smart already this year and decided to strategically place bird seed and a few extra special birdie treats right onto the railing of my deck so that I can watch them at close range and when real lucky I can actually snap a few photos of my elusive and camera shy flight friends. AHHH ..today..yes my friends..life IS good!

The Elusive Cardinal!

The Elusive Cardinal!,
originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

I am in the middle of a great flirting affair with my Cardinal friend. He and his wife come around every year. I have seen him through the winter months as well but now I see him everyday. Often he leaves the little woman 'at home' and comes to my deck for some cashews but he has been quite elusive these days. He can sense when I am reaching for the camera..and then hides among the branches so I can't snap a shot of him.

You can see my attempts on the left and then..voila! I caught him off guard as he was reaching for a golden raisin I left out for him. You can see from his expression that he was a bit peeved that I won this round!

BLOG FEATURE AND A GIVEAWAY!!

Hey!! Have you heard? Little 'ol me is being featured over at the awesome blog VinylRocksMyWorld! Included in the wonderful blog-styling of its owner Amanda is a fabulous giveaway hosted by yours truly! So head on over by clicking on the word 'featured' above..and it will take you right to the giveaway and the directions on how to enter..very easy.. Here's your chance to get TWO of my crafted goodies...PLUS a special discount code to redeem in my ETSY SHOP! WOO HOO....free stuff and discount coupons..what is better than that?

Marabou feather bird nest ornament

Marabou feather bird nest ornament ,
originally uploaded by Thinkoutsidethebox2008.

My newest creation..available in the shop...Just wanted to share some springtime inspiration for those of you still looking at mounds of snow in your yard!