Weekend Recap

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and took time to honor the US military men and women who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my escape for the long weekend albeit lacking in the relaxing part! I was able to partake in much hiking, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling during my camping trip to my most favorite state park in the area, St. Joseph State Park. The Gulf of Mexico offers up some of the most beautiful sugary, white sandy beaches I have ever seen and I am so thrilled to live in such close proximity to the beach. 

I love observing sea creatures although I didn't take the time to snap many shots. I did get a picture of these horseshoe crabs. My most favorite find are stingrays. Love them! 

We were also able to stop by the Cape San Blas Lighthouse which is owned by the US Air Force and has been moved inward and restored due to hurricane damage. I love seeing local history!

What about your weekend?

My Favorite Things

1) These natural linen bins from Hogante Handmade Originals are so adorable.

2) This necklace from Prairie Star Jewels makes me dream of the sea.

3) This bath affirmation set from Truly Aesthetic is such a beautiful and sweet idea. 

4) Aren't these rustic houses from Elukka the sweetest little things ever?

5) I must have these heart nesting bowls from New Moon Studio.

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

Quote - Do you need a hand?

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"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm ... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."  ~Audrey Hepburn

Quote - What YOU do you choose to be?

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Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be.  ~Joy Page

On the web & thoughts on letting go

It's been a super busy week for me. I started two online creative classes this week, BIG a FEARLESS painting adventure with Connie at Dirty Footprints Studio and She Had Three Hearts with Christy at Scarlet Lime. I'm loving both of these classes so very much.

I'm really working on just letting go and having fun with it. As Connie has been guiding us, it's about the process not the product and this is so true! I spend waaaay too much time with the finished product in mind that the fun and love of the process gets lost. I want to paint with abandon. I want to enjoy the process. I want to deposit my heart and soul completely into each project I encounter. I want my mind and inner critic to not be so involved but to take a backseat and allow my heart and intuition to take over. 

An art journaling spread I'm working on.

Latest painting I'm working on.

Here are a few fun finds I've found this week on the web:

* Eco-friendly laundry and dish detergent DIY on Scoutie Girl. I love those jars, by the way.

* June blog planners are available on Create as Folk.

* DIY patchwork art on Going Home to Roost.

* Donna Downey announced video workshop, Pan Pastel 101 coming soon

* More art journal love from iHanna.

* Love, love, love this spring garland DIY, fabric wrapped lampshade, and these flower napkin rings from decor8.

* Shabby chic birthday party from The TomKat Studio.

* Adoring this *free* printable artful reminder from My Concrete Sky.

I'm off to enjoy my 3-day weekend with camping and loved ones. Have a wonderful weekend!

Quote - Light a star

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"Stay the course, light a star,
Change the world where'er you are."  

~Richard Gallienne

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish for your health?

To "be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes" visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

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What do you wish for your health?

Oh how I wish to be healthy and make better food choices. To stop grabbing fast food and choose my nourishment wiser. I wish to make exercise a priority and a part of my daily routine. I wish to be a healthier me.

My Favorite Things

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

1) This flower cha cha bracelet from The Bracelet Tree is so fun!

2) I love this lavender blossom dress from East Meet West Handmade.

3) Isn't this felted weeping willow and family of owls from Intres Handmade the sweetest thing you've ever seen?

They have a purple one too! And a crazy cat in a tree, birds in a tree, and this one that I can't help but love - lilac tree of love.

4) I'm thinking of a place to hang this felted red poppy garland from The Big Brown House.

5) I'm loving this raspberry suede hobo bag from Jess Amity!

Hugs,

Quote - Every heart sings

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Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. ~Plato

Quote - What thoughts do you wish to dominate your life?

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As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives. ~Henry David Thoreau

Happy Saturday!

Hello my sweets! I didn't mean to ignore you this week as I've been out of town with my day job. Thank you for all your day wishes last Saturday! I had a wonderful day with my loved ones and was surprised with this beautiful and delicious cake.

I spent the week in Virginia which is near and dear to my heart since I was stationed there with the US Navy for 3 1/2 years. Unfortunately I was in Stafford/Fredericksburg, although a nice area, but my old stomping grounds was Virginia Beach in which I didn't have time to visit. The weather was super temperamental with a sunny sky one minute and thunderstorms and hail the next.

That picture was taken on the patio outside the indoor pool of the hotel. We were enjoying an evening swim when it started. I endured several blows by the hail to get that picture. LOL. I got back midday today and have been catching up on laundry and yardwork. I really need a lawn caretaker. Oh and a cook too. Laundry skills would help. Apply here! LOL.

I'm off to veg out and watch The King's Speech. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

XOXO,

Quote - Tell your story

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There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.  ~Maya Angelou

Quote - You are my sunshine

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The rays of happiness, like those of light, 

are colorless when unbroken.
Henry W. Longfellow

My Favorite Things

1) This laugh often plate from Claylicious makes me laugh with delight.

2) This heart-filled digital printable from Dream Version is the sweetest.

3) This is just a unique yet lovely necklace made from rice paper from Manufacta.

4) I'm loving this carry-all bag from ZiBagz.

5) This is an awesome vinyl wall sticker, Birds of a Feather from Urban Walls.

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Quote - the invisible sun within

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 Life is a pure flame,
and we live by an invisible sun within us.
Sir Thomas Brown

Birthday celebration and discount code

It's my birthday!!! Will you celebrate with me?

Today only, I'm offering a 25% discount in my Etsy shop so we can all have a gift today. Use code BIRTHDAY at checkout.

On the Web

Last Friday Where Women Create featured Kelli Flitton of Posies on Parade. I checked out her shop and fell in love with Fanny from her Petunia Posies collection.

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I was so happy to open my package from Kelli a few days ago to not only find the lovely Fanny inside but the most beautiful packaging I've ever seen! She went above and beyond and exceeded my expectations. I wanted to send a little love Kelli's way and let her know that those little touches truly matter.

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~ Goddess Leonie shared a gorgeous *free* ebook this week, A Message from your Angels.
~ Christine Mason Miller posted a beautiful story and reminder that mothering comes in many forms, Mother’s Day.
~ Danette Relic shared this lovely reminder on Roots of She to have patience during growth, Things take time to grow.
~ Eleanor Mayrhofer shared this insightful post on ScoutieGirl, 6 easy steps for understanding your creative project management.
~ Here are some fun finds from One Pretty Thing: a DIYmason jar key hook plaque from Shanty 2 Chic, a fabric flower ring from Craftsnob, and I’m so loving the journaling pages from Grace is Overrated.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Quote - Are you living your life?

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 The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.
Elbert Hubbard

Quote - Deeply Loving

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Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, 

while loving someone deeply gives you courage.   

~Lao Tzu

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to take a stand for?

Thank you for joining me for this week's Wishcasting Wednesday. If you'd like to join in this magical circle of dreamers and doers, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

What do you wish to take a stand for?

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I wish to take a stand for those not brave enough to stand up for themselves. For voiceless victims, those being persuaded to change who they are to conform to the "norm", and for those whose legs are wobbly and weak. I wish to stand tall for you until your legs are strong and powerful.

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Quote - What's your fortune?

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We make our fortunes and we call them fate.
Earl of Beaconsfield

My Favorite Things

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed Mother's Day! I was busy creating on Sunday and loving every minute of it!

She has a spring in her step.

It comes from within.

See you back here for Wishcasting Wednesday!

My Favorite Things

1) This bib necklace from Blush Envy is gorgeous!

2) I saw this jewelry box from N and J Designs in a treasury and fell in love!

3) I'm a sucker for butterflies like this butterfly cuff from LemKa's B-Side.

4) I just adore this felt bouquet from Handmade Colectibles.

5) This a sweet and simple reminder on this dream silk ribbon bracelet from Charmed.

XOXO,