I Never Thought It Was Possible ....

Welcome to the World

I've had many requests to design birth announcements, but I am particularly thrilled to have been asked to design this one as it is my niece. Welcome to the family Alexa Nicole.

All I am, I owe to my mother

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
- Washington Irving

This card and several others are available in our shop

Artisan. No, Writer. Writer. No, Artisan. . .

Looking out the window with her coffee in hand,

Julia had a sudden urge to go outside.
The sun shone warmly and the dew
was evaporating right before her eyes.
Spring seemed everywhere today.
She glanced back at her computer-
work was piled up and the curser was blinking expectantly.
"Work can wait" she thought as she ran upstairs to change.
Pulling on jeans and a v-neck sweater, she glanced in the mirror.
It had been a tough winter-she had been feeling overworked and
overwhelmed-and it was beginning to show on her face.
She needed something new to keep her feeling alive.
"This will do it" she thought as she reached for
the new dragonfly necklace she purchased on Etsy.
As she headed out the door she was lost in thought-
fingering the pendant,it symbolized a fresh start:
warmer weather, some freedom, new beginnings.
Her feet carried her out to her mailbox where she promptly
crashed into someone-"oh sorry!" she began, looking up
for the first time into a set of perfect teeth in a sheepish,
grinning tanned face. "No, I'm sorry," he said,
"I saw you coming and should have said something.
I'm Sean, your new Postman. Nice necklace."

This might just be a very very good spring, she mused.

Julia held up her long brown hair in a ponytail,
away from her face. “Maybe I should do something
with my hair, maybe I should cut it short”.
She let it fall. “What do you think, Harry?”
Harry, who had been gazing at her, cocked his head
and placed a paw over his nose. “Hmmm, maybe you’re right,
maybe I should leave it for now". Harry barked, relieved.
“It’s just that it’s spring-wouldn’t it be nice
to change things up for spring?
No? How ‘bout a walk then?”
Harry‘s toenails clattered across the floor
as he took off to get his leash.
She put on her favorite necklace-
a beautiful suspended copper butterfly
that she bought on Etsy,
and turned back and forth in the mirror,
admiring the way the light refracted from it.
Pulling her hair into a ponytail and securing it, she frowned.
“I wouldn’t look that bad in short hair , would I?”

Artisan handmade jewelry is prized for its uniqueness, variety and often unsurpassed beauty. Writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images, whether fiction or non-fiction.

Leanne (aka Industrial Poppy) has combined both skills so beautifully. I wait, with baited breath, to read the next chapter of Julia's life. More importantly, to view the amazing art which will portray that chapter.

BFF - Best Friends Forever

Milton and Lionel - BFF

This is Milton, the Abominable Lovable Jackalope
who was lost from his family in a terrible snow storm.

During his search for his family, Milton finds comfort
in a new friend named Lionel, a sad and lonely firefly.

Together they continue the search
and learn a bit about each other along the way....

The moment I saw this illustration, I was in love. So much so, I purchased it. Mikiep hopes to make this an animated film someday. I'm in his corner rooting for him all the way!

But his talent doesn't stop there. He's taken being a superhero to a whole new level. Look at what he has illustrated to inspire children to be heroes saving the world.






















Mikiep's delightful, whimsical and extraordinary illustrations should be an inspiration to us all!

IT'S UNIVERSAL LETTER WRITING WEEK

What we are missing today are letters so dear that we will carry them in our wallets so that on quiet moments we may take them out, read them again, and reflect on the words and the good person who took time to write them.

With junk mail, e-mail, IM and texting, most of us don't receive personal letters in the mail anymore. We often forget what a simple pleasure it is, at the end of the day, to sit with our feet up, sipping a warm cup of tea, and reading a personal note from a friend or loved-one.

If we think long and hard, I'm sure there is one person in our lives to whom we could write a letter. Even a note or a postcard would be a wonderful surprise to find in our mailbox. It doesn't need to be long and gushy or filled with trials and tribulations of your life. Just simply share your thoughts and feelings for the day. Don't strive for perfect, just for heartfelt.

Of course, I, along with my team members of ETSY Greetings, would want you to write your letter on one of our fancy and beautiful papers or note cards. But honestly, the recipient will love it even if it's written on the back of a napkin.

It is still possible to brighten someone's day - simply send them a handwritten letter. And who knows, maybe you'll receive one in return. Won't you feel special then?

Here's one of our personalized note cards, available in our shop, which you might like to purchase for your next snail mail greeting:

New beginnings

From small beginnings come great things

It's a new year and new beginnings. Nothing is more appropriate for this theme than the birth of a child. Several of my family members are looking forward to additions to their families this year and that has inspired me to design many new birth announcements which can be found in my shop.
















I have created almost all of the announcements so they can be used for a girl or a boy. Now, if you have twins (one of each), I'll have to rethink the whole idea :) Hmm, that has stirred up the pot for some new ideas.

As always, any of my designs will be customized for you and your family.