Vote for MOM!

I am not a pushy person by nature so excuse me for asking a big favor of you, the reader. I am honored to have one of my projects selected as a finalist in the Crafts Unleashed National Craft Month Linky Party. It really is a big honor just to be selected as one of the top five projects.

But here comes the favor, they will select the winner based on a vote on Facebook. So I am asking all of my dear Followers to click on this link: http://on.fb.me/Hir995 and "Like" my Mother's Day Coupon Book project.

Voting ends on Friday, April 6th at noon EST so I would greatly appreciate your support.

Thank you and remember "Vote for MOM"

Versatile Blogger Award - Wow!

I love blogging. I love sharing. And I really love the nice people out there who blog. Case in point: Melissa Burger of Mel Dreams Often. She kindly awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. I love the crafting and the thrifting but it is so sweet when someone out there kindly pats you on the back and says "Good job". Thank you Melissa. I am honored.

This award comes with a few rules:
• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
• Tell us seven things about yourself.
• Award fifteen recently discovered new bloggers.
• Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received their award.

Okay, so here goes: Seven things about me:

1. I am addicted to estate sale shopping (no one should be surprised by this one)
2. I watch less than 2 hours of television per week (usually BBC America)
3. I've been scrapbooking since 1988
4. I've designed advertising and packaging for large corporations
5. I love English history and know more about Richard III, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Edward VIII than I do of any American president
6. I worry too much
7. I enjoy reading Shakespeare

My nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award:
1. Babushka & Co.
2. Monkey Box
3. Rook No. 17
4. A Sentimental Life
5. Beatrice Banks
6. Brambleberry Cottage
7. Very Merry Vintage Style
8. Common Ground
9. Design It Chic
10. Faith Hope and Charity Shopping
11. French Bleu Vintage
12. I Love Collecting
13. I Bake Cakes
14. Into Vintage
15. One Cheap Bitch

These are all wonderful, creative blogs that I believe deserve some well-earned recognition. Hope you take a moment to visit them and thanks again to Melissa of meldreamsoften.com

Stylish Blogger Award... WOW!

I am so honored to be awarded with the Stylish Blogger Award from the talented ladies at Coffee @ 3. How exciting this is for me. I could ramble on but let's just say I am pleased and honored.

So now it is my turn to select eight wonderfully stylish blogs and honor them with a Stylish Blogger Award. If you are one of the winners listed below then here are a few rules to follow when you accept this award:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger who gave you the award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 8 recently discovered bloggers
4. Contact Bloggers and inform them of their awards

So without further delay, here are the eight blogs that I think are deserving of a Stylish Blogger Award.

BLOG #1

Ruffled

Ruffled is self-described as a "Wedding blog for vintage, indie and DIY brides". But it is a wonderful, visual treat to see beautiful photographs, vintage treasures and clever, handmade decorations all in one place. This is a treasure trove of party and decorating ideas as well as lovely tablescapes.

BLOG #2

A Creative Mint

A Creative Mint will make you gasp at how beautiful simple things can become in the hands of an artist. Leslie creates color boards that are so stunning and takes photos that are so beautiful. She raises the bar on what a stylish blog should look like.

BLOG #3

Miss Mustard Seed

Miss Mustard Seed is a fabulous blog about interior decorating and refurbishing vintage finds. She does some amazing transformations of furniture. I also love the graphics on her blog which give it a vintage feel without going over the top.

BLOG #4

Into Vintage

I'm just a vintage groupie and I love the treasures Amy finds. Besides seeing all of the cool vintage things, I enjoy her writing style. I like her sense of humor. And I like her taste in vintage.

BLOG #5

Apron Thrift Girl

I adore Selena's blog. Not only does she have a Linky party for everyone to share their fabulous thrifting finds, but she is also so generous to share her tips on conducting a reselling business. 

BLOG #6

Such Pretty Things

Almost, but not quite, too pretty for words. The photos here are like candy for the eyes. Lots of inspiration.

BLOG #7

3191 miles apart

A thoughtful blog written by two women who live 3,191 miles apart. They post photos of their daily lives as viewed from both sides of United States. A beautiful blog that makes you stop and smell the roses in your own life.

BLOG #8

Pretty Little Things

Everything Lori creates is adorable. I especially love her Tiny House. Another creative and inspiring blog.

So those are my eight winners of the Stylish Blogger Award. It was difficult to select just eight but these are all stylish, inspiring and entertaining. Now, on to...

SEVEN RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

1. I have a wonderful grown-up son and a super-special English boyfriend. Both of these men make me laugh and bring so much joy into my life.

2. I am a graphic designer for a paper crafting company. I design packaging, catalogs and advertising (the ad that I designed for the Tim Holtz Vagabond die cutting machine was in Scrapbooks Etc. recently). 

3. I started my blog because I didn't want to waste my evenings watching TV. I like making things and it feels good to be productive.

4. As a child, I remember going to thrift stores with my mother. I have since inherited boxes of vintage treasures as well as some true antiques. All of that and I still go out looking for more vintage treasures.

5. I don't like to cook. 

6. Things I have crossed off of my Bucket List: Helicopter flight over Manhattan, "Flying" in a vertical wind tunnel (not recommended), Scuba Diving in Hawaii, Seeing my favorite British actor perform in Hamlet (flying out in the morning, catching a matinee and flying back the same day), Learning to ride a horse... the list goes on. 

7. Words that inspire me to do more: "When was the last time you did something for the first time?"

Congratulations to all of these amazing bloggers. Thank you for your inspiration and generosity in sharing your talents. Remember to follow the rules listed above. And again, I want to thank Lauren & Michele from Coffee @ 3 for honoring me with this Stylish Blogger Award. Thank you.