Great giveaway from Johanna Parker

You all know that I am a huge fan of small businesses and homemade goodies.  Johanna Parker is giving away a beautiful (and functional) freebie on her blog!

For those of you that don't know about her, she does beautiful, handmade vintage holiday art. She has been featured in magazines and books, and as a small business owner, is very close to my heart. Take a peek!

Pretty cool huh? Good luck to all!

thinking outside the box to me means...

going outside the "norm" to accomplish your hopes and dreams. I was thinking about this when I sat down to the computer today and saw orders from my customers and I was instantly happy. Every time that I work with a customer, I realize how amazing it is to have my own business and I'm filled with gratitude. It sounds totally hokey but it's true.

I am thankful that eight years ago, I got the marketing job for instead of the administrative job that I really wanted (the admin job paid more and we needed that extra money). But the marketing job gave me my training to get me where I am now. It is amazing how life works.

And it was when I was laid off from that job (at seven months pregnant) that forced me to really look outside the corporate "box" I had been in for 3 1/2 years. What in the heck do I do now?? Especially with a baby boy soon to be born, this was definitely a time of growth in my life.

Four years later, I work with people all over the world and love the "me" time that I get from having my own business. Another huge benefit is that I work with other small business owners, including work at home Moms like me.

One of my good friends Stacy has recently started her own business too! Like me, she is a scrapbooker, but unlike me she does pages for other people. Beautiful pages. AMAZING pages! She owns Remembering You Scraps and I will hopefully be doing a website for her soon:




What does thinking outside the box mean to you? Leave me a comment (Creative Contribution), I would absolutely love to hear and learn from you! Have a wonderful day everyone!

apologies and updates

I am sorry for the long period between posts, a cold has been circulating around our family for the past week and I am the latest victim. I am feeling a little bit better and am excited to post about the latest news!

Roman has been accepted into the Developmental Preschool program! I am so excited, he starts Monday. We have decided to continue with private therapy as well, which will be more expensive, but it will provide him with the best possible care which is our top priority.

I am also proud to announce that I'm going to be an Aunt! My sister just found out that she is having a baby girl, due in October. I am so excited, obviously I think that boys rock and that I am truly meant to be the Mother of boys, my sister is the complete opposite and will make a great Mom to her little girl.

Mothers Day is fast approaching us! My Dad gave me the best advice long ago - "make something, it's much more special." As money is tight for everyone out there, I give you a challenge - make this a handmade Mothers Day. Here are some ideas cooked up from yours truly:
- Make a small scrapbook of extra photos
- Put together a gardening basket with a handmade card
- Bake something special
- Make something practical like a "meals for the week" list for the fridge (if you laminate it, you can use it again and again with a dry erase marker!)
- Write a "thank you" note to your Mom for all the things she did right.

Also remember to celebrate other Mothers, not just your own! I will have more ideas in the next few days and hopefully a few fun examples too.

Creative Catch of the Day: 4.14.09

Every once in a while I want to highlight something fun and creative, something that really catches my eye. "Creative Catch" came to mind, so watch out for these in the coming days.

Today it comes to you courtesy of Amy's Baby Crochet,



Would you believe this is an original pattern of hers? This hat comes in Pink, Green and Blue and is available in newborn, toddler and child sizes. And the best part? It costs next to nothing and is made in the USA by a work at home Mom. What could be better than that?

If you'd like to see more of Amy's fabulous creations, her website is http://www.amysbabycrochet.com.

Have a blessed day!