Pearls of Wisdom. Survey Results

I want to start off this post by saying Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
I cannot thank all of you enough for taking the time to help me think things through. I believe sometimes we all just need a little help from our friends to see things in a new light and gain perspective.

So what did I learn? Well, lots!

First, I learned that I will ask my friends in blog land their opinions because their answers are much better than David's, "whatever you think Shell," as he looks at the TV or his car parts magazine. hee,hee,hee.

Second, I thought I was needing to "focus" my blog on one certain thing like a lot of people do when trying to build a business. But I realized from reading your comments that my personality is not "one thing" and I can't put parts of it in a box (even if the box is pretty!). I love to write and share and I think I would get bored talking about one thing all the time.

Third, I was getting consumed with the storms of worry over making money, finding a career "identity," having a purpose and it was stealing my joy and my creative spirit.

But then you helped me remember that if I would just try and clear my head of those storms that I might gain some clarity and inspiration. That there are always rainbows hidden in the storms if we just remember to look for them.

I made a card for a friend the other day who is starting the next chapter of her life after 20 years at a career. It was ironic that when I looked for the perfect quote to put in the card, the quote spoke loudly to me as well.
"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination." --John Schaar

So, what am I going to do? Well, I'm going to start creating my own path. I am a writer, an artist, a decorator, a bunny lover and a friend. My true success comes from how much joy all those things bring me. I will look for the key that unlocks the door to combining all of those things so I can earn a living while making a life.
 "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. --EE. Cummings.  Thanks to Karen at Briarside Lane for sending that!

And yes, I will continue blogging as you are all pearls of wisdom and I treasure your friendship!

Congratulations to Juliet Wilson of Crafty Green Poet in Edinburgh Scotland. Juliet, you win this little book as the random number generator picked you, number 34. (Funny that it picked Juliet. She is a poet!) Check out her blog. Send me your address Juliet and I'll get your prize to you!

Join me tomorrow for the next block on "A Sentimental Journey" and of course, another giveaway! Hmmmm...I think it's something white. ;)

Hugs to you all!

As Sweet as Sugar... Happy Rescue Day

One year ago some sweetness was added to my life in the form of Sugar or as most of you now know her, Sugie.

My friend, Paula Watkins, of Cape Fear House Rabbit Society, called to tell me about a rabbit that needed rescuing. She was only 20 minutes from my house. I wasn't sure I could handle it as I had just lost my little Chloe a week earlier. But, one look at your scared, sweet little face, sitting in that awful cage, out in 100 degree heat, covered in pee from the male rabbits spraying you from each side, was all my heart needed. I scooped you up and brought you home.

(didn't she look so sad?!?)

Now here you live in Bunnyville with your own air conditioning, lots of food, toys and love.

Your fur is clean and soft.

You do a little happy dance for your dinner and Razzy loves dearly.

In fact...we all love you dearly and you truly are as Sweet as Sugar.

Happy Rescue Day baby girl. We may have rescued you, but you rescued our hearts.

A little Survey. Your vote counts. Curious minds need to know.

Hello there! If you are here for Where Bloggers Create, Click here. :)

Hi my friends! I was wondering if ya'll could help me with something? I love blogging and I truly love all the wonderful people I get to meet through this wonderful place called blog land. I get so excited when I get another follower.

As you know I was laid off from my job in April. Needless to say I'm trying to figure out a few things. Basically, ummmm....what I want to be when I grow up! hee,hee,hee.

I was wondering if you could answer this question for me.
 "Why do you follow my blog?"

1. Are you a fan of the bunnies and their cuteness and tales are why you are here?

2. Are you a crafty person that likes to create stitcheries, quilts and like the monthly giveaways?

3. Do you love decorating and my all white house and want to see more?

4. Do you like my goofy little tales? She made me buy a dress.

5. All of the above.

6. Did you click my blog by mistake and will be leaving now?

Thank you for taking the time to answer this for me. Just put the number that corresponds in your comment. It will help me with some decisions I really need to make. And, since I believe in thanking people for there time, I will randomly pick someone from the comments and award a prize. I don't know what the prize is yet, but it will be good. I'll pick the winner on Wed.

Thanks so much!
Hugs!
Michelle

Happy Friday!

                               Would you like fries with that?

Click here for Where Bloggers Create party.

Happy Friday!

Artichokes Honey, not Pineapples...Men

Hello there! Are you looking for the Studio post for the Blog Party? Click HERE or scroll down.

So I was at Tuesday Morning's the other week looking for cocktail napkins to use in an art project. I entered the store and quietly said to myself, "I will not get a cart...I will only purchase napkins...I don't have any extra money...go directly to napkin isle...pay no attention to............" Screeeeeeeech went my flip flops to an abrupt halt!

Well hellooooooooooo there Mr. and Mrs. Artichoke! Aren't you two just as fabulous as can be?

 "Oh yes we are Shell and we are so cheap. You know we need to come live at your house because we are so fabulous and would perfect on your mantel! Now go back and get a cart you ding dong, we're heavy."  

So did I get napkins? Nope. I got artichokes. I brought them home and placed them on my fireplace mantel, jumped up and down with delight and did the happy bunny dance. Then, I rearranged some of the items on the bookshelves (yet again).

David came home and I stood there grinning from ear to ear, arm outstretched, pointing to the fireplace and said, "Well, what do you think? Are they just so fabulous or what?" David, getting momentarily distracted by his TV (men) says to me, "Oh yeah... those are nice pineapples."

Artichokes honey, not pineapples! Men...

It's Time to Party!!! Where Bloggers Create Party that is!

             Come on Sugie! It's time for the party!

                     I'm not going Razzy...I have nothing to wear!

Oh brother.....don't be ridiculous.

                                      Men just don't understand.

                                     I'll drink to that!

Welcome Blogging Friends! So glad you could join us here in Bunnyville for the second Where Bloggers Create Party hosted by my friend, the lovely and talented Karen Valentine at My Desert Cottage!

Oh look the bunny light is on in Bunnyville! Let's go!

Up these stairs, past the stone rabbits, is my most favorite place in the whole world. I am blessed to have over 300 square feet of creative area all to myself. Uhh...errrr...well...kinda. Razzy and Sugie also call this place home and I guess they actually "let" me hang out with them. I do believe the only reason they let me hang out with them is because I bring them food!

If you are a follower of my blog, you know that I love white, clean and serene. Bunnyville is no exception. I'm a neat freak. I admit it. I create better in calm than I do in chaos and since there tends to be a lot of bunny fur flying around, I like cabinets to store things in. Plus, bunnies like to chew things and redecorate like that cardboard box under the window.

Hey Razzy...can you grab me a bag of that batting?

Oh and how about some of that fabric from the bin on the left? Thanks boy!

I love this saying above my clock and after being laid off from my job in April, I try to focus on this every day. I say it out loud "If you can Dream it, you can Achieve it" and then I look at the clock and say "the time is mine." Yeah, yeah...I know, I'm dorky. hee,hee,hee.

I really love architectural elements and 18th Century Style so my work is influenced by that look.

Of course, I totally had to have this beautiful pedestal for the iron to rest on!

I also had to have this gorgeous piece!

I have a huge work table and nice sitting area where my friends can come and visit and share some wine and cheese or a cup of tea.

I'm a textile artist and I create stitcheries and art quilts. I sell my original pieces as well as patterns on my website. I also am a teller of tales and one day hope to publish a story. I keep my computer and all my supplies for customers downstairs away from the fur and bunny teeth. Don't ya just love my organized closet!

I want to thank all of you for visiting with me and the bunnies. I have a little party favor for you.

If you click HERE, it will take you to my website where you can download this stitchery design. While you're there, you can also collect the Sentimental Journey Free stitcheries too! I do hope you'll come back and visit us again. I have a fun giveaway the first of every month.

So glad to be friends! Have a wonderful time visiting the rest of the creative spaces at the party! Tell Karen Hi for us!

                                                                      Hugs!

                                                                    Michelle

Inspirations and a Little Peek

Here I go with my paint swatches again. Then I got some colored pencils, some pretty napkins, buttons and some Valdani floss. It's time to play!

This is a little peek of my latest project. It's almost done and I can't wait to show you. It will be for sale on my website when it's done.

Don't forget the big PARTY this Saturday! I do hope you can come by and take a tour of Bunnyville! I will have a party favor for all that attend. See you there!

Stitching and Playing around with the Computer

As you can see from my blog header, I've been playing around with the computer. Aren't those vases gorgeous?! I got them on clearance at Michael's, $7.00 each! They look great in my bedroom on the dresser.

Well, I have been stitching on my next design and I hope to have it finished by this weekend. This is the "Baroque Bouquets No. 1" I designed a while back. I really love how it is turning out. It's pretty big though, so it's taking me a while. I'll be adding some pearl beads to it as well.

I'll also iron everything when I'm done. hee,hee,hee.

This is the floss I'm using. Pretty isn't it? I'll have the pattern, floss and a couple of kits available on my website when I'm finished.

Hope your Monday is fun!