My Creative Life

The Power of Words.

Tonight, while laying here in bed with my laptop, I found myself reading several blogs....something I have not done for quite sometime.  It used to be that I would go online and first things first....read through my daily list of blogs...friends, family and several lovely women I don't even know.  It was my source of joy and empowerment for the day.  I don't do this anymore and I quickly realized how much this has been missing from my life!  {Truth be told, I blame it all on Facebook....and Pinterest}

We all know the power that words can have on us. The power of words, especially those written about the everyday happenings of life...the good and the bad are what truly inspire me.  This life is full of both joy and sorrow and I am so grateful to all of you brave women (and men) who are willing to share what is making your world go round...or even stop for awhile.  This is the stuff that matters and your stories, your photographs, your creations and just the simple words you write are a blessing!

I hope that I can get back to doing my own blogging.  I miss writing and sharing my story.  I think it is important on so many levels....journaling, memory keeping, creative sharing, etc....but more importantly, I have realized that you never know who out in the world needs to hear just exactly what you have to say. I have been both helped, guided and inspired through reading blogs. For that I am truly grateful. 

Happy Monday!

Flea Market Swap Boxes

 

I have the most fun creating and recieving inspiration swap boxes hosted by Heather at Speckled Egg. The theme of her most recent swap was the Flea Market Edition.  I said a big enthusiastic yes to that! To do the swap, Heather puts us in groups of 3 and based on each others styles, likes, fav things, etc...we create a personalized box full of creative goodies for each of our partners.  I recieved my fabulous boxes from Jessica and Christine this last week and they recieved mine as well!  I still need to take photos of the boxes I recieved...so that will have to come in another post....but LOVE!  For now...I wanted to share the boxes I created for my partners.  

This one was for Jessica:

This next box was for Christine:

Happy Monday!





 

If only I could be more like her....

The Pioneer Woman that is. I just think she is pretty much the coolest chick around.  

Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman has got it goin on in her fab life. If you haven't heard about her...it's just possible that you may have been living under a rock. Not that there's anything wrong with that :).  

Why do I love her so?  Read her blog/web site for just 2 minutes and you will get it.  First of all...she endearingly refers to her uber-hot cattle-rancher husband as "the Marlboro Man" (he doesn't smoke).  I love it.  She talks about him with such adoration and lust. Yes! Lust!  She is extremely witty in her writing and damn is she a good writer.  She homeschools her four children and is an amazing cook and photographer among many other talents.  

She's beautiful, smart, fashionable, talented and is also devoted wife and mother. She loves and adores people and is an all-round genuine and gracious woman.  And...did I mention that she is married to a cowboy? Hot.

My take-away for today.

As I have been working on my blog and reading the blogs of many amazing women...like The Pioneer Woman...I am reminded that there are some pretty incredible ladies on this earth who truly are here to inspire us on our own journey's through this life. Whether we have a Marlboro Man or not...whether or not we are good cooks or great photographers or even if we are not as great as expressing ourselves as she is.  We have guides and role models such as Ree to help lighten our spirits, ease our burdens and inspire our lives on a daily...sometimes hourly basis all thanks to twitter and facebook!

I just love and admire The Pioneer Woman.

 

Petite Inspiration Box Swap

I am so excited to show you the treasures and loveliness I made AND recieved In Heather's Petite Box Swap - Nesting Edition.  This was my first swap and I absolutely LOVED it!  There are so many beautiful vintage and vintage-inspired craft items out there and what a fun way to be inspired by other women's find and the things they love!  There were four players in my group including myself.  So lets take a look first at what I recieved!

 The first box I recieved was from Samantha

I love the cute handle she put on the outside!

A little peek inside - now...silly (or stupid) me was so excited to open the box that I did it with Sophie, my 7-month old) on my lap. Well...Samantha's presentation was much more beautiful all wrapped in a pretty paper doily with a beautiful tag on tap.  Sophie has been crafting with that doily!

Beautiful stuff! All so pretty....

Isn't this just too adorable!!!

I put the bracelet together right away! I LOVE IT! Thank you Samantha!!  

 

The next box I recieved was from Connie

 
A nest with eggs....so gorgeous!

 
A peek inside - I see flowers and velvet....fabulous!

Treasures of beauty! I love everything here!  

I just can't decide what my favorite things are...but I particulary love this little mixture of items.

 
Thank you Connie!  I love all of it! 

 

This one is from Jessica

Pretty pretty colors....makes me excited for Spring!

This box is just brimming with goodness...

 

 

Just look at all of this vintage stuff!  I love the paper goods...so nostalgic.

Never can have too many buttons - I love them all.  Especially love this little plastic bird charm. Adorable!

 
 Beautifully stamped ribbon and tags!  Thank you Jessica!  So inspirational!

 

Lastly...here are the boxes I created for Jessica, Samantha and Connie!  I love how they turned out and I hope they enjoy them!  Oh - and sorry for the random lighting in my photos - I have been playing around with my speedlight and manual settings on my Nikon.  I have so much to learn about photography!  Tips appreciated!

 









Thank you for playing with me ladies and Thank you Heather for hosting! I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again!