Doll It Up!

With spring time “just around the corner,” many of you may want to make some simple changes around the house. Please enjoy a look at these amazing blogs--they are pure inspiration!

A visit to Jojeana’s (pictured above) at Secret Garden Cottage is a rare treat! If you love vintage and decorating and acres of beautiful gardens, you will want to pay Jo a visit...She’s as sweet as she is inspiring! Her blog is like stepping into another world--I know you’ll enjoy your magical visit!

Gail of Gail’s Decorative Touch is an interior decorator who has beautiful “dolling it up” projects on her blog. Here, she took a lamp and added a rosette and burlap border around it. What a fabulous idea!

Kathy at Creative Home Expressions is an interior decorator who has some amazing decorative “makeovers” on her blog. She has her own Etsy shop where she has many of her creative treasures. Here the “before” and “after” pictures of a lamp that was updated....Don’t you just love the new shade? I love the bird tag hanging from her lamp too!

Sissie from Sissie’s Shabby Cottage is a boutique owner and also has her own Etsy shop. Her blog is always filled with sensational home goods, including pillows and furniture. Here is a look at what she made from peat pots.

Take a look at these--(I know you must be drooling!) These creations were made by Manni from I Bake Cakes. There are recipes on her blog, but don’t miss her photo gallery--you will be astounded!

Sheer perfection--I'll bet it tastes yummy!

Remember the garland I posted last week? I pulled a name from the list of comments left on the blog to have a little “surprise giveaway.” Congratulations Cameron--you won it! The only thing that is not included are the clothespins and ribbon to hang it on....That way you can embellish it any way you want for your home.

But, there’s more--I loved making the garland so much, that I made a 2nd one. It has splashes of turquoise in it, but it was made with the same basic images. And I made it for a giveaway--Congratulations Rhonda! Just add ribbon and you’re all set! (By the way, these garlands have hearts, but who doesn’t love hearts all year ‘round?)

Also, it's not too late to enter my Valentine Blog Candy event!!! I will announce the winner on February 14, so one of my blog friends will be having something extra to be excited about that day. Just push the button on the sidebar of this blog to enter...(It's up near the top and it will take you to that post...just leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing.)

Have a "Sweet" week everyone!

Womankind

Chris

I would like to introduce you to 5 amazing women who create beautiful works of art. This week is not only a celebration of them, but also, a celebration of YOU because all of you inspire me in so many ways.

Chris is a Canadian artist whose diverse mixed media work exemplifies the masterful use of so many different techniques.

Never afraid to try new things, Chris is not only on the design team at Dezinaworld, but her blog is chock-full of the amazing pieces she produces.

Lovey

Lovey of Fabric Photo Memories creates exquisite fabric designs and her work has been included in numerous magazines. The time and detail that goes into her creations makes each a one-of-a-kind treasure. Not only does she use gorgeous fabric, but also, her gems make a girl’s heart flutter! You’ll have to go and visit to see what I’m talking about.

The other day, I was standing in Hobby Lobby and decided to go see if I had friends who were featured in the magazine section. One major magazine caught my eye, I opened it up--and there was Lovey’s work! I was so excited. I said to my husband, “That’s Lovey--that’s my dear friend! I’m so excited she is in this!” Okay...so now you know I’m like a little kid and get very thrilled for my friends. (That might also give you a clue as to why I decided to create this online magazine to feature people I feel have such incredible talent.)

Suzy

Suzy is a fabric artist from Australia whose creations are splendorous. I came upon her blog one day and all I could think was “Oh my gosh--I wish I could come over and watch her create!” She has one of those blogs that makes me “oooh” and “awe” as I scroll from one page to the next--the fabric, the art, the colors, the textures--it is all sublime and her talent is astounding.

Suzy

I hope that you will visit her blog to see the rich textures and colors that abound! You will be "ooh-ing" and "aww-ing" too!

June/Junibear's Jottings

June of Junibear’s Jottings is the quintessential digital artist. Her work takes my breath away and I know that if you visit her blog you will feel the same way. The layers and depth of her pieces make them stand out as the true treasures they are. June is not only an artist, but is also part of the design team of Dezinaworld.

June/Dezinaworld

June of Dezinaworld is a woman who “does it all,” from digital pieces to fabric to beeswax creations. If you are an artist, no doubt, you have probably used her graphics from Dezinaworld in the past as they are beautiful. Here is a beeswax collage that she created. I hope that you will get a chance to view more of her work and also visit her online shop where graphics abound!

As many of you know, I design for Shabby Cottage Studio. I created this jar which would be perfect to put Valentine candies in or to display in your home.

It was created with images from Shabby Cottage Studio...I hope you’ll take a look at their amazing digital images....With just one sheet, you will have lots of projects you can create! I know that many of you use the gorgeous images from there and believe me, you won't want to miss the special Valentine goodies that are in store!!

Here is a little tag made with images “from the cottage” that I just fell in love with! I love all that shabby goodness.

And now an announcement--Barbara of Moore Whimsies won the giveaway for the robin’s egg blue tablet and tag--Congratulations, Barbara!!!! I hope that all of you will enjoy seeing Barbara's art work that is featured in numerous art galleries...Her work is on her blog.

Also, there is a huge Blog Candy giveaway going on at my personal blog...You still have time to enter to win this special Valentine's Day giveaway!

Just go to: Whimsical Musings to enter!

Next week, I'll help you get ready for Valentine's Day with a special article called "Spread the Love." I hope you'll join everyone back here then!

Launch Party!

Welcome to the Launch Party of this new weekly online magazine.

You are welcome to grab a blog button. There will be professional guest

artists featured each Monday. This week, I would like to introduce you to

3 of those individuals.

Donna from My Shabby Chateau is an artist, blogger, and Etsy store owner.

She is inspired by her numerous trips to Paris and brings her original and

repurposed creations to her shop with so much vitality and panache. Don’t

you just love this French-inspired shelf?

Linda of Itsy Bits and Pieces not only creates her own fabulous work, but

also sells vintage items in her 2 Etsy stores, and has all kinds of vintage

finds to create art. These Victorian shoes are priceless, don’t you think?

Imagine how beautiful they would be in a Victorian-style vignette to dress

up almost any room.

Julie of Saltbox Treasures has fabulous finds in her Etsy store. Her work

is so delightful and each piece is meticulously created. Just look at this

wreath that has already sold. If you would like to order one, she will

personalize it for you!

I hope that you will have fun visiting these guests and their Etsy shops

which are located on their blogs.

Next week, will be a special article entitled, “Womankind.”

You are welcome to enter the giveaway to win this robin’s egg blue

Cottage Charm decorator tag and matching tablet. This tag could be

perfect to decorate a boudoir or adorn a book shelf. Of course, the

tablet could be used for love notes--just in time for Valentine’s Day!

If you would like to enter the drawing to win them, just become a follower

on here and leave a comment.

This will be linked to The Graphics Fairy.

Also, if you would like to enter the Valentine’s Day drawing for the blog

candy, just click the button on the right side bar.

Several pieces of my own work are currently on display at a gallery in

Vancouver--I wanted to share some pictures with you from the exhibit.

The winner for the Cottage Charm tag will be announced next Monday~

Until then, have a wonderful, creative week!