Inspiring Women

If you are visiting to see my workspace as part of Where Bloggers Create 2013 please read here.

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Inspiring Women

I have many reasons for blogging.

It inspires me to be creative and to FINISH what I start. 

I get so many ideas for decorating our little cottage and projects for my itchy fingers.

But, what I love most is the inspiration I get from other bloggers.

Three different bloggers inspire me in different ways and I played in my totally organized creative space with these women in mind.

Anita of Castles, Crowns and Cottages makes me smile even before I read each post.

Her use of words, images and music is magical.

When she writes a comment on my blog, it is worded as beautifully as her posts.

My first creation last week was a book for Anita to write her wonderful words.

Leslie of the blog Gwen Moss writes about a variety of topics such as how to turn a pile of old wood into a beautiful rustic table, decorating tips for parties, how to accessorize your bookshelves and favorite reads.

But, my favorites are the posts that make me THINK.

I always take my time writing comments on her posts because I want to sound as knowledgeable as Leslie.

Yesterday's project was a book especially for Leslie to write her thoughts.

Brenda of Cozy Little House is one of the sweetest people in the world of blogging.

Every week she hunts for new bloggers to feature in her Welcome Wagon Friday post.

She featured my blog last summer and that simple sweet gesture introduced me to many new people.

I had Brenda and her love of color in mind as I finished up this little alphabet book yesterday.

After organizing my creative space, I hesitated making a mess so I am proud of myself that this is what my workspace looks like after several days of creating.

The reason I have been making books is because I just approached a friend who owns Red Brick Gallery about teaching a book making class in the fall.

When I was out in the garage yesterday, 3 different neighbors stopped by to chat and I roped them into being my guinea pigs.

Next week I am going to teach a little bookmaking class in my creative space (without the car) in order to get my timing down for the organized class at Red Brick.

I can't wait.

Hey, if you live near my area of southern California, I'd love to have more guinea pigs..

I almost forgot, - Anita, Leslie and Brenda, I need your addresses to send you the books.

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I am partying at

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

Little Red House - Mosaic Monday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

books...books...books

Last night while Steve made dinner, I made a table runner.

Before I photographed it, I dug out the yellow box from my work space.

 I couldn't use it with 'cards' so first I had to alter it.

there is no meaning to the number 5, it was just sitting on my work table

A scrap of paper and a rub-on number changed the look.

First came the flowers - hard to find in the garden after 2 days of rain...

Then a book...

And another book...

Some hands...

A clock face plate...

And finally my little C tile.  

I set it on the table and added candles.

Looking around the room and into the living room, I was struck by the number of books I saw everywhere I looked...

under tables and on tables.

placed on shelves and stacked on furniture.

I was reminded of our move to this little cottage 15 years ago.

I loved this house from the beginning, but one thing I didn't like back then was the lack of places to put books.

Books are definitely a part of who we are, but it took us time to remove walls and replace furniture so that we had a place for books.

Now,

there are books to fit our life style,

books about decorating and making books.

There are books I made

including a book for people who are staying at our house to watch Dorje.

There are books for reading. but more and more

we are reading books and magazines on these.

Despite our electronic reading,

I know I will continue to decorate using books.

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I started to tell you about my heart table runner

But, as in the saying, "the best laid plans of mice and men...",

my plans went astray.

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I am linked up at

Under the Table and Dreaming

Lavender Garden Cottage

Alderberry Hill

Funky Junk Interiors

Boogieboard Cottage

Twigg Studios

Primp

Six Sisters

The Gingerbread Blog

A Little of This and a Little of That

The timing of the Grow Your Blog Party

at 2 Bags Full is perfect.

My blog,

just turned one year old.

Participating in the party means I need to describe my blog.

I still am not sure what the blog is about.

Yikes!

What can I say?

It's a bit schizophrenic -

a little of this and a little of that.

My original thought was to use Schizophrenia for the title of this post, but I thought it might scare people away.

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Basically I write about life in our little seaside cottage.

Decorating

Some days I write about decorating and my love of primary colors,

collections,

vignettes - 

all the ways I tweak my home to make it fresh and inviting.

Other days I write about painting furniture.

Did I mention that I like primary colors?

I was not much of a furniture painter PB (pre-blogging) and I had never heard of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  

Seeing all the beautiful furniture pieces being refinished around the blogosphere has inspired me to paint up a storm.

I have to drive 45 minutes to the closest ASCP dealer, but it's worth the time and it is located in a great antiques mall.

Life Outdoors

I might write about my garden, but definitely not right now.

Even though I live in temperate southern California, it has been too cold to work outdoors and the poor garden is not showing off to her best.

I long for summer when I can spend my days digging, weeding and planting.

the dog in the foreground is our precious Dorje during "doggie playgroup"

You will definitely read about life at the beach 

and see pictures of our daily walks

or kayaking adventures.

Creativity

I might write about making pillows out of scrap canvas, 

or using the canvas to make a rug.

I will never write about making slipcovers.

I have nothing against slipcovers.

In fact I love the look of slipcovers.

But I will NEVER make slipcovers again.

Been there, done that and will let someone else experience the aching back and sore fingers.

I'm sticking to pillows.

Then again, you might read about the little books I make.

or the Valentine decorations I have been making.

One thing I will guarantee you.

You will NEVER read a post about recipes and cooking.

I do not cook.

I do not clean.

I do eat.

My husband Steve is a gourmet cook, surfer, tennis player, and artist (not in any specific order).

He takes care of me and the house while I slave away at school.

I teach school.

More specifically, I teach middle school.

 Which also means I'm crazy - you have to be crazy to teach middle school. 

It keeps me young - at least at heart.

Since Birthday Wishes are in order for Art and Sand, there needs to be a present- not for me - for you.

If you would like to win this little handmade quotation book please leave a comment.

I know not everyone is into primary colors

so the winner may request a custom book - size, color scheme and favorite quotes.

Thanks for dropping by Art and Sand.

The Giveaway will close on January 31.

Please come back on February 1 to see who is the winner.

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See all the other blogs attending the party at 

2 Bags Full- Grow Your Blog Party.

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