Warm weather appears to be arriving and spring break is in full swing. I will be taking a break from blogging for a while to catch up on a few things.
Rest and relaxation are at the top of the list.
Taking time to “smell the roses” and admire nature is always a good idea.
Baking desserts are my favorites and there are many new recipes I have been wanting to try. Yummy!
Last, but not least, I have neglected several art projects in progress and many others yet to be started. I hope to let my creativity soar and will return to blogging with plenty of fresh ideas and inspirations.
I will do my best to keep up with all your blog posts and look forward to reading and commenting. I truly appreciate my followers and visitors and send best wishes to all.
Since I was a kid, I have always loved dragons. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I was introduced to the Chinese zodiac and discovered that I am a dragon! Isn’t it funny I was instinctively drawn to them as a child? This year will be awesome because February 10th marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. These powerful, fascinating creatures have a lot to teach us, and we can all use a little motivation and inspiration.
Be Yourself
You are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Let your inner light shine and you will inspire others to do the same.
Protect Your Treasures
Your family, friends and home are precious gifts. Protect and appreciate them well and you will always have love and joy in your life.
Be Playful
Whether you swim in a pool, hike along a trail or soar through the sky to a beautiful vacation destination, make time to get outside and play.
Release Anger & Stress
Don’t allow negative emotions to build up inside you. Find ways to safely let them go and you will be rewarded with peace and harmony in mind, body, and spirit.
Celebrate Life’s Magic
There is magic around and within us all. INXS said it best in their song, “Never Tear Us Apart: … I told you that we could fly, cause we all have wings, but some of us don’t know why.” Let’s learn to fly together.
Go Out on the Town
There’s something special about a night out on the town. All the noise and clutter disappear into the background, leaving you free to be whoever you want to be and celebrate, if only for one night.
Who Says Dragons are Mythical?
Most articles refer to dragons as legendary and mythical, however the present-day creature shown above is a seadragon, commonly found in the waters off Australia. This beautiful member of the seahorse family has perfect camouflage resembling leaves floating in the current. How many other dragons might be hidden among us?
Valentine’s Day – There are many ways to celebrate…
Indulge in a romantic dinner for two.
Toast your love with champagne on ice.
Savor decadent chocolates by the box full.
Which brings us to a very strange event occurring on the same day this year…
Ash Wednesday
It may sound crazy, but it’s true. Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and prayer falls upon February 14th, a day of indulgence and passion. Really? How did that happen? Oh well, I guess there’s an easy solution.
If you want to enjoy sweet desserts,
fine wine and lots of chocolate, …
celebrate the day before! lol
Thanks for Reading, Happy Valentine’s Day, & Happy Crafting
It seems we are always keeping an eye on the time. Busy schedules and ever-growing “To-Do” lists often prevent us from stopping to review our accomplishments. Let us take a few minutes to look back at the highest ranked posts, as voted by you, the readers. Below is a list of the Top Six posts of 2023, in ascending order: (Likes for posts 4, 5 & 6 were tied)
Number 6: The Beauty of Origami
Origami is an ancient art of paper folding. Boats are one of the more familiar forms, but there is a wide variety of shapes, including animals, trees, and flowers. To read more, please click here.
Number 5: Eternal Spring
As new blooms of spring dazzle us with their beautiful pastel or jewel tone petals, equally attractive butterflies gather the sweet nectar and flutter away like fairies in the wind. To read more, please click here.
Number 4: Table Décor – Elements
Earlier this year, one of my followers requested a post featuring table décor inspirations for year-round events. To read more, please click here.
Number 3: Muffin Fest 2023
This week’s post celebrates the many flavors of muffins. Of course, we have all heard and hopefully tasted some of the classics, such as corn or blueberry muffins, but you may also find some new ones here to tempt your taste buds. To read more, please click here.
Number 2: Table Décor – Designs for All Occasions
Welcome to part two of table décor. Last week we reviewed the basic elements used in decorating tables. Today, we will see table designs for most occasions celebrated throughout the year. To read more, please click here.
Number 1: Inspiring Cake Design
A well-designed cake sets the tone (e.g., romantic, playful, humorous), or complements the theme (e.g., fairytales, natural wonders, hobbies, holidays) for every celebration. To read more, please click here.
And there we have it – the top 6 posts of 2023. We have a new year to explore the world of creativity. There are always new ideas and I’ll be sure to include more of your favorites. Your opinions are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to so much more this year. If you have any suggestions for future posts, please let me know.
Thanks for Reading, Happy New Year & Happy Crafting!
The new year is quickly approaching, presenting us with new relationships and new opportunities, as our imaginations soar, and dreams come true await around every corner.
I hope 2024 will inspire your creativity to venture into places you have never been before, and bring joy to your body, mind, and spirit as you embark on this journey of self-discovery.
Thank you to all my wonderful visitors for reading, following, liking, and commenting! You inspire me every day to create new works of art and to share ideas with so many of you with a passion for art and admiration for the beautiful world in which we live.
It feels like 2023 is flying by. In fact, time seems to go by faster every year.
The presents are all wrapped with care.
The appetizers are made and the table is set, ready for guests.
Wanting to be part of the celebration, the family pet has discovered the centerpiece is edible. Uh oh!
I want to wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and any other holidays you may celebrate! Thank you for sharing this blogging journey with me. It’s wonderful to be part of this community and I look forward to sharing more in the new year.
Thanks for Reading, Happy Holidays, and Happy Crafting!
We may think we came up with the concept of tree décor, but Mother Nature has been decorating trees since the beginning of time. Let’s see how she does it and maybe find some inspiration along the way…
Ornaments:
When your tree heights range from 3-feet to 380-feet, you’re going to need a wide variety of ornaments, and most of those are alive!
Bromeliads
Birds
Butterflies
Fruits & Berries
Leaves & Needles
Animals
Moss
Mushrooms
Peach Blossoms
Seeds, Pinecones & Seedpods
Garlands:
Many people like to string popcorn for their trees, and of course there are multicolor garland selections in stores and online. Mother Nature prefers the DIY approach.
Bougainvillea
Ivy
Rangoon Creeper
Trumpet Vine
Wisteria
Lighting & Special Effects:
Mother Nature pulls out all the stops, from wind and weather to bioluminescence, to dazzle our eyes with one-of-a-kind displays.
Fireflies
Frost & Ice
Lightning
Moonlight
Rain
Wind
Mother Nature’s Best:
As caretaker of the earth, Mother Nature is always busy creating new and exciting things for us to see and enjoy. Here are just a few of her best tree designs.
Dogwood Trees
Holly Trees
Japanese Cherry Trees
Joshua Trees
Pine Trees
Plumeria Trees
Snow Covered Trees
Tulip Magnolia Trees
Weeping Willow Trees
I hope you have enjoyed and perhaps feel a little inspired to take a fresh look, through new eyes, at the beauty that surrounds you. It’s out there waiting and it’s yours to discover.
Thanks for Reading, Happy Holidays, & Happy Crafting!
I am thrilled and humbled to have reached a major blogging milestone: 750 Followers. My sincere thanks to each of you. Whether you stop by for a quick read, or settle in and stay for a while, your presence is greatly appreciated.
Sharing images and words sends ripples of inspiration around the world. I feel privileged to belong to this amazing blogging community.
We express ourselves through photography, music, poetry, arts & crafts, and many other ways too numerous to mention. It does not matter what approach you choose. By sharing our gifts, we help each other to grow, learn, and discover hidden talents on this creative journey called life.
Thanks for reading, liking, commenting & following!
Warmer weather, clear blue skies, and an abundance of fragrant blooms are sure signs of spring. It’s time to trade in our winter coats for some fresh air and lots of sunshine. It feels so good to be outdoors, surrounded by inspiring sights. Whether you wander around your own backyard, or visit the local petting zoo, there are plenty of opportunities to see some of the most adorable creatures on earth – baby animals.
Chicks
Duckling
Fawn
Fox
Goslings
Kittens
Lamb
Piglets
Puppies
Rabbits
Raccoons
These “Aww” moments are sponsored by Mother Nature. Let’s go outside and see what treasures she has in store for us. Thanks for reading.
Crafts Inspire Me 