HAPPY HALLOWEEN - FROM MY YOUNGEST FAN!

It's so awesome when I receive photos like this! This adorable little girl is Kiersten Bialozynski. It looks as though her parents, Jennifer and Dean, had an interesting time getting her to pose by my garden flag. Thanks so much for sending the pictures! Kiersten is the also granddaughter of a good friend of mine, Aida Rizzo.  Aida and I go way back and have always had the creative spirit in common. She has been collecting my flags for quite sometime now.












OK, it looks as though Kiersten is tired of posing..but still so cute! Trick ot treat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"GINGER"

These two adorable creatures are what make up the pitter-patter of four big and four tiny feet in our household. The little dachshund (with a BIG attitude) is Jake. The other big girl with the inquisitive face, (sometimes I call her MOOSE), is Ginger.

Ginger came from Beagle Rescue about six and a half years ago. Yes, I know she doesn't resemble a beagle in any way. However, that is okay, as it isn't important what kind of dog she is, we love her for being HER.

In life, I suppose it is easy to take a lot for granted until the possibility of something arises that could change what we expect to be the everyday norm.

Yesterday, my husband and I took Ginger to the vet, as she hasn't been quite herself lately. Ginger was diagnosed with canine diabetes and there is the possibility of some other health issues. She had to stay overnight for treatment and we are hoping to hear good news, but I don't know...

My heart hurts. I am hoping for the best.

THINK DIFFERENT

What a difference one person can make in our world...

After days of seeing numerous tributes, endless commentaries praising Steve Jobs and his accomplishments, I came across this amazing and interesting quote on thinking different.

"Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Think Different, narrated by Steve Jobs.

              
                  So are you the one who is going to change the world?

GOT CANDY?

What a wonderful time of year and oh how I love the fall season! Halloween will be here in a little over three weeks. Time to get ready with the tricks and treats and Halloween sweets...

Wikipedia says that "The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallomas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. The custom of wearing costumes and masks at Halloween goes back to Celtic traditions of attempting to copy the evil spirits or placate them."

However it all began, it's a tradition that I look forward to every year!

 

So it's the perfect time to buy your candy for your Halloween guests and DECORATE your home to welcome your visitors!

This year you can currently find two of my new designs on flags for your garden at Lowe's Home & Garden centers.

Please let me know if you decorate with one of my new flags and send me a photo. I would love to post a photo of you with my flag on this blog. If you (or your children) would like to be in the photo with the flag and you are dressed in your Halloween costume, that would be even better! Pet photos that include your animal dressed for Halloween are welcome too!

Thanks so much and Happy Haunting!

"The Creative Connection Event"

As I look back now, I could not be happier that I made the decision to attend the amazing Creative Connection Event. It was a unique conference that provided a community of like-minded women entrepreneurs sharing and having a harmonious connection in the creative industry. The meeting of all of these creative souls in one venue is energizing for the creative spirit and opens the door to so many new possibilities.

It took place in St. Paul, Minnesota at Crowne Plaza Hotel and the weather was fantastic. I had a refreshing view of the Wabasha Bridge over the Mississippi River. It was so cool to see the riverboats and vivid landscapes in the surrounding areas.

The Creative Connection Event included a variety of workshops, networking opportunites, business panels, book signings and a wonderful hand-made marketplace. It was a unique experience to connect with so many women passionate about their creative lives and businesses. I opted for the “Weekender Badge” which gave me complete access to the programs and events for the entire three days of the conference. Day passes were also available for those that wanted to only attend on specific days or just visit the marketplace.

The first day of the conference was an inspiring day filled with invaluable information on how social media can help women entrepreneurs and was sponsored by the women of BlogHer. BlogHer is a community and media company created in partnership with women in social media. Lisa Stone, Elisa Camahort Page and Jory Des Jardins founded BlogHer in 2005 in response to the question, “Where are all

the women bloggers?”

The co-founders of this CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT conference,  established in 2010, are Jo Packham and Nancy Soriano. I had the opportunity to meet Jo at this year's event. Jo is an accomplished and remarkable woman.  She is a successful entrepreneur with her own publishing company, Chapelle, Ltd. and she currently partners with Stampington & Company to produce two magazines:

 WHERE WOMEN CREATE — Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women

http://www.stampington.com/wherewomencreate/

 and 

WHERE WOMEN COOK — The Heart and Soul of Cooking.

http://www.stampington.com/wherewomencook/

Jo has authored more than 40 arts and crafts titles, including her newest books:  “The book of inspiration – IN THE STUDIO AND BEHIND THE SCENES” and  "Where Women Cook: CELEBRATE!"

 

 

One of the most delightful aspects of the WWC Event was the author’s book signing and cocktail party. There was a treasure trove of celebrated authors all in one venue!  

  

I first walked into the reception area and this where I met Christina Ferrare. She is the author of numerous books that include the New York Times bestsellers: “Okay, So I Don’t Have a Headache”, “Cristina Ferrare’s Family Entertainment”, “Cristina Ferrare Style” and "Realistically Ever After”. Cristina's fifth book, a cookbook entitled “Christina Ferarre’s BIG BOWL OF LOVE” was available at the book signing as well as the most current recent issue of “Where Women Cook” Magazine.

Christina also has her own entertaining new cooking show featured on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network:

http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/cristinas-big-bowl-of-love.html

Christina has a marvelous sense of humor, is truly genuine and sincere. She was a guest speaker at the welcome dinner and shared her captivating life story and steps to success.
         

                             More artists at the signing....

There were a wide variety of interesting classes and panels offered. I took a couple of Traci Bautista's classes and enjoyed her use of color and expression. It's always fun learning new techniques and have an excuse to create, just for the sake of creating. 

 

                
                 Expressions of Collage, Paint & Paper....

 I must admit that I believe my favorite class was a project taught by Shea Fragoso. I stepped out of the box working on this project, as it was the first time I had used a soldering iron. I LOVE the finished product!

OH SO PRETTY NECKLACE!!!!

Of course the conference wouldn't have been the same without having my good friends Brenda and Phyllis there to make things so much more fun and interesting!

I could go on and on about every detail of this creative trip, but truly the icing on the cake at the end of the Creative Connection was the "Cupcake Farewell". Oodles of cupcakes and plenty of tables covered with beautifully decorated cakes!

What a SWEET way to finish the festivities...