Sunday Spotlight: December 2, 2012

Happy Sunday all!  I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful weekend wherever you happen to be in this great big world of ours.  I find in incredible that in a little over a month I now have cyberfriends scattered all over this planet.  The whole wide world just got a little bit smaller for me and I'm thrilled to be meeting so many new people all bonded by our love of creativity.  

If you are just visiting for the first time, it is that time of week when I say a particular thank you to one of my readers acknowledging them for something thoughtful, inspiring, or mindful that they have said in one of their comments.  As a way of saying thanks, I will present this person with an advanced copy of a freebie that I promise, no one else will be able to get their hand on for at least three months and possibly longer.  

So without further ado, the comment I'm highlighting and reflecting on this week belongs to:

AMY JO

who said:

Oh my, Lisa!  This is such a wonderful thing you are doing!  I am adding  you to my "favorite blogs" bookmark on my toolbar right now!  What a beautiful way to use your blog for the scrapping/stamping community!  I think it's brilliant and unique and I will be checking out every one of these sites you have mentioned here.  :)  Thanks so much for doing this and I would be thrilled if you would pop in and say hi on my blog sometime; Honored is more like it. ;) I love the way you write and I love the helpful and positive way you are reaching out.  How inspiring!  You have certainly given me food for thought tonight and I really appreciate it.  I'm also going to subscribe to your posts via email so I can be sure to get my daily lift, which is much needed in my life.  Thank you again for what you are doing!  It is not going unnoticed. :)

I'm so glad that the Saturday Showcase continues to be a welcomed addition to the scrapbook/card making/digital design community.  There are so many of you out there who are worthy of being in the showcase.  Every single day I come across someone who deserves to have their work put out there for all the world to see.  I'm glad that people are taking the time to visit the sites I recommend.  Some weeks, pulling it all together is an arduous process.  It takes time to search out just the right image and then I have to contact the person to set things up.  While the majority of people I've asked have responded quickly and graciously, sometimes I don't get a reply back at all.  It is very possible that my emails are going into spam, or that they are floating somewhere out in cyberspace.  Regardless of the reason, when this happens I have to go and search someone else out and then hope that I'll get a response within the turn around time I have left.  I'm always afraid that I won't be able to get the post out on time or that one day no one will write me back and I'll have nothing at all for the showcase.  What if people think my blog is too small?  What if I'm just not worth the effort?  What if someone gets upset by what I have to say about them?  All these questions play into my fears of rejection.   Just another one of my insecurities peeking through the surface.  

So, I am so very thankful indeed for everyone who has agreed to be part of the showcase and for people like Amy Jo, and so many of you out there who continue to support the idea of it.  Even if just one of you finds something new out there to inspire you in your own work, then the time and effort is worth it.  As for dealing with my fears, well lets just say I'm a work in progress.

I would also like to add that I am honoured that Amy Jo finds my words inspiring and that I am able to give her a 'lift' on those days when she needs one.  The feeling is reciprocal for Amy Jo also inspires me to continue down this new road I have begun to travel.

Honourable mentions include: 

You are so right we should be more thankful and often we take all the simple things in our life for granted but if they were gone we would be miserable... so we really should appreciate our life more. Thanks for the reminder! Hugs Vicky on Thursdays Are For Giving Thanks

Lisa, you are a joy and a delight! Although I was away from Blogger for much of the last couple weeks, your sunshiny love shone forth even when I wasn't here. I couldn't resist dropping by before I flutter off to sleep... always remember that your work is lovely because it is created by YOU! :o) Hugs and blessings! Karen on Sunday Spotlight: November 11, 2012

I love these sayings! I think we should all pin them to the mirror and repeat every day! Keep those good thoughts coming our way! We need all the encouragement we can get in this crazy world of ours ((hugs)) Michelle from MS on Motivational Monday: November 19, 2012

I am so humbled Lisa... you beautiful soul! You did touch my life and many others and will touch sooooo many more. I sense a great profoundness in you and through that you will soar as far as you think you can, so think it my friend... you are truly amazing. I will write you in the morning...what a sweet thing to read before getting sleep.Hugs Naomi on Sunday Spotlight: November 18, 2012

Thank you for such an amazing post Lisa. I can see that I need to change my outlook on things a bit after reading this. Instead of complaining how difficult it is to drive the car - I struggle with u-turns and pulling out into traffic - I should be grateful that I can still drive. Thank you heaps for making me think about how I see things. I look forward to your quotes and reminders to be grateful for what we have. I think it is easy to lose sight of that sometimes. Thanks also for the quote. Hugs, Suze on Thursdays Are For Giving Thanks

This part of your blog is the most inspirational part of it. You not only find the right words in just your own way of saying things ... your "quotes" will reach someone out there that really needs that encouragment in their lives. You are a motivational speaker and we need this in our world. I am so glad that I found you. Hugs, Sue on Motivational Monday: November 19, 2012 

Please know how truly difficult it is each and every week for me to choose just one comment to highlight.  So many of you have left such beautiful comments that have touched me deeply and I truly appreciate each and every one of them and each and every one of you!  

Until next time,

Saturday Showcase: December 1, 2012

Can you believe it is already the first of December?  I only have one Christmas card ready!  That leaves at least 28 or so to go.  Heck who am I kidding.  There is no way on God's green earth that I am going to get all these cards done.  I guess for this year anyways, I'll have to resort to sending the store bought ones for the majority of the people I'm sending cards to and only be able to make them for our closest family and friends.  Since none of these people even know I have a blog, I don't have to worry about people getting in a snit over not receiving a homemade card--hopefully.

However, I'm not the reason you are all here today--you're here to check out who is in the latest showcase.   For those of you new to my little slice of bloggyland, each week I come across a lot of truly unique blogs featuring incredible freebies, remarkable card designs and great tips and techniques.  Consequently, I created a special Saturday post designed to showcase other artists' work (whether it be stamps, cards or otherwise), a blog post offering a great technique, or I might even just pick a whole blog to showcase.  The criteria I use is that it has to move me in some way (it makes me laugh or cry; awes, inspires or astounds me; etc). I believe that it is extremely important to support other artists within our creative community and this is my way of doing so.

My top picks for this week include...

Card Choice 

 This wonderful card was designed by

  NIKKI C.

Her blog is called

Graphix and Designs

You've seen Nikki's work before on my blog.  Her digi stamp, 'Ed the Turkey' starred in the first showcase.  He can be found at her store Limited Runs Stamps.  This time I'm showcasing her blog.  While I've been visiting Limited Runs since the beginning of April, I just recently came across her blog, Graphix and Designs. I can't believe I somehow had missed it!  Today I'm showing off a card that tugs on my heart strings.  This little bear is so adorable I just want to cuddle him up and give him a big squeeze.  He reminds me of my treasured stuffed bear from childhood that I sleep , uh...er...I mean slept with, as child.  Actually, nowadays I sleep with a stuffed bunny.  Teddy was so worn I had to create clothing for him to keep the stuffing in; so, now he has a special place where he won't see any further deterioration.  These days my buddy 'Valentine', a gift from my husband on our first Valentine's day as a married couple, has the honour of snuggling up with me on those nights that are difficult to get through.  I'm going to trust that you are not giving the screen one of those, "is she nuts?" looks.  I know, I'm putting a LOT of trust in you because truthfully, I am a little nuts.  Don't all 45 year olds still sleep with a stuffed animal?  Anyways, I am off topic again, as usual.  Getting back to the card, I love how the rich red works so well with the cream.  I also really like the bold stripes in the paper and the bling on the top of the ornaments.  Additionally, I like the inside of the card just as much as the outside of it.  Apparently, there isn't anything about this card I don't like.  If you haven't found Nikki yet, please check out her work (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).  

_______________________________________________________________________________

  Free Digital Stamp Artist Choice

 This awesome stamp was designed by

  IKE

Her blog is called

 Ike's World

While this image is no longer available for free, it was two weeks ago when I first saw it. I found Ike's blog around the end of June.  I've been visiting her weekly since then.  She lured me in with her Freebie Fridays but has made me a true fan.  While most of her work is tame, Ike tends to have a bit of a darker side which I also love.  We all have those dark corners in our personalities.  Ike is just brave enough to share hers with the world.  Her designs are sold at her store Ike's Art  and also at Stitchy Bear.  She has also just become an exclusive artist at Smeared Ink (way to go Ike!).  I'll caution you that images available through Smeared Ink tend to sway more to the Dark Gothic crowd and may not be for the faint of heart.  While the work featured at this site may be darker, it is still very unique.  All of Ike's art is.  You abslolutely need to visit the fine art animal portraits section of her store.  OMG!  Words can't describe how very incredibly talented this woman is.   

Ike has done several cat digi stamps which I absolutely adore. While they have all been great, the one above really grabbed my attention in particular.  Ike's 'Cat Tree' brings to the surface so many memories of Christmas time during my childhood.  We had three cats when I was growing up.  All unique in their own ways, as cats will most definitely be.  Until we had to close off the room with the Christmas tree, we wouldn't know how we were going to find the poor tree from hour to hour.  Muffin, the eldest, decided that she rightfully deserved her place on the top of the tree, forget any angels on top she was determined to be the true star of the tree.  So the tree would often be found completely on it's side.  Cactus, the middle child, thought that each ornament was his own personal play toy, and the youngest Marmalade was just happy posing as presents.  There are probably still holes in the wall of that old house where we had to screw in fishing wire to keep the tree in an upright position.  So, I definitely got caught up in the memories I associated with this image.  If you want it for yourself, it can be found in her store.  She does offer freebies almost every Friday so please stop by soon. Here is a sneak peak of her latest one:

If you want to see the whole thing you will need to visit her blog.  Her images don't stay free for long but are always available in the store once they've left Ike's World (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).  

_______________________________________________________________________________

Finally, that  brings me to the...

 This is a special category highlighting 

a stamp for sale by another artist.

  This week that honour goes to...

  

This neat paper pack was created by

AMANDA MARKS

Her blog is called

 AJ's Digi Shoppe Blog

Her store is

AJ's Digi Shoppe

The link to purchase this paper pack can be found HERE

 I'm relatively new to Amanda's blog.  One day while I was over there collecting one of her freebies that she offers every Friday, I decided to browse through her store.  When I came across this neat paper pack, I added it to my wish list.  I have to tell you, after visiting all these incredible artists that I showcase, my wish list is getting pretty long.  Anyways, after seeing this paper, the gingerbread men had visions of Christmas all dancing around in my head.  I was eager to start thinking about creating some Christmas cards.  

Amanda offers other items besides paper packs.  She also has several categories of digi stamps, including quite a few freebies, and a new section offering ornaments based on some of her most popular digis.  What is really cool is that when you buy one of her ornaments, 50% of the proceeds are donated to charity. Yet another reason I am impressed with AJ's Digi Shoppe.  Please pay Amanda a visit and see her awesome images for yourself (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog). 

_______________________________________________________________________________

Now I have just one more thing to mention before I go.  Yesterday, when I went over to the Avadares Challenge Blog to see my name in lights for winning their November card challenge (sorry I can't seem to stop bragging),  I also picked up the latest freebie.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  The freebie being offered for the month of December is 'Crumbs'!  For those of you who have been keeping up on the Saturday showcases, you may remember 'Crumbs' winning the stamp of approval in the November 17th Showcase.  If this is your first time you can check out the post HERE.  I just loved this little guy.  So, when I saw that he was the December freebie, I just had to let you know.   If you fell in love with him like I did, head on over and grab him but remember he is only available for the month.  Don't forget to leave some love for Teresa and Sara while you are there.

Well, that is it for this week's edition of the Saturday Showcase.  Thanks to all the wonderful artists listed above for agreeing to allow me to showcase their work on my blog.  Don't be surprised to see their work listed here again in the future.  Though you never know, I may be contacting YOU next to showcase something incredible you've created.

 

Until next time,

 

 

Note:  *Thanks to Nikki from Limited Runs Stamps for creating my Saturday Showcase badge.

 

Fiftieth Follower Freebie: A Special Treat For All My Followers

I have reached the 50th follower mark!  YEAH!!!!!!

To help celebrate this milestone,  I have a special treat reserved for those of you who have honoured me by signing up as a follower.  If your picture/name is listed over in the side bar as part of Google Friends Connect, email me with "DDD-50th follower" in the subject line and I will email you a special treat.

I'm so glad to have all 50 of you on board!

Here's looking forward to the next 50!

Until next time,

More Good News: I've won my first card challenge!

Woo Hoo!  I can't believe I won!  

I was chosen as the winner in the November card challenge over on the Avadares Challenge Blog.  Even if it is only a random draw, I still can't belive I won!  Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Inlink and of course Teresa and the gang over at Avadares!  I have won a generous £10 voucher from Crafty-Emblies which is a company in the UK that makes beautiful and unique wooden embellishments.   Not only do I win a great prize, I also get to post this lovely 'winner's badge' on my side bar.  

It's even more phenomenal because when I entered, there was less than 10 hours to go before the challenge closed.  For some reason, when I submitted my Christmas card to all the challenges about two weeks ago, I forgot about the Avadares blog.  Silly me, I know.  So when I was looking for challenges to enter my sunflower card into, I realized my blunder and set to rectify the situation immediately.  Lucky thing I did!

It's been an exciting week for me hasn't it?  First the DT announcement and now a win on a card challenge. 

Hmmm, they say things come in three...what other exciting news could be in store for me?

Until next time,

So Very Thankful: Good News To Share

Today I'm so excited to share some FANTASTIC news with you.  In fact, if I was capable of it, I'd climb up and shout it from the rooftop.  Since that isn't possible, I'll just share it with all of you here on my blog.

Today I have one more thing in my life to add to my gratitude list.  I was asked to join a design team and after careful consideration to ensure that I would be able to keep the committment I would be making, I SAID YES!  So come February, I will be designing for the AWESOME Canadian company--Scribbles Designs owned by the super, fabulously talented, Sandy Sommerfeld.  I am truly honoured and so thankful to be chosen as one of the design team members.  I only hope that I do Sandy justice.

Today I want to show you the card I created using one of Sandy's freebies.  You can currently find it and information on the Design Team call over on Sandy's blog, Scribbles By Sandy or on the new Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog.  If you are interested in applying for a team member position, there is still time left.  Just head on over when you are done here and check out the details.  

So, in this edition of "Thursdays Are For Giving Thanks", my focus is on expressing gratitude for this amazing opportunity.  It is especially meaningful because this will be my first Design Team position.  Wish me luck!  I hope you will be joining us when the Scribbles Challenge Blog goes live.  Become a follower so you won't miss any of the action!

I decided to go with a clean and simple look for this card.  Sandy's sunflower design is so beautiful, I wanted to make sure it was the star of the show.  Copics include: Y13, Y15, Y17, E21, E23 and E25 (sunflower); G20, G29, YG61, YG63, YG67 (leaves and stems).  The sentiment, which fits perfectly, is from Hannalie over on Desert Diva.   The inside is stamped with a clear rubber stamp from the Stampendous Encouraging Words set using a Studio-G ink.  By leaving the inside void of any text, the card can be used for inspiration, dealing with difficulty or even for encouraging someone's dreams or expressing pride.

I'm afraid the colour quality of my scans aren't the greatest.  That is something else on my list of things to do--learn how to touch up pics for colour restoration.  Unfortunately, it is rather low on my priority list at the moment and will now have to wait until the new year to explore.  

I have entered this card into the following challenges: 

• Challenges For Everybody -- Challenge #8:  Anything Goes
• Through the Craftroom Door -- Anything Goes Challenge #46
• Make It Monday -- MIM #117:  Anything Goes 
• Digi Haven -- November Anything Goes Challenge
• Pile It On Challenge -- Challenge #48: Anything But a Christmas Card
• Word Art Wednesday --  Challenge #46: God's Goodness/Anything Goes
•  Simon Says Stamps Challenge -- Simon Says...Anything Goes
•  Crafting For All Seasons --  Challenge #41:  Use Flowers
•  Can You Digi It -- Challenge #23: Clean and Simple
•  Creative Card Crew -- Challenge #24:  Anything Goes
•  All That Scraps Challenge Blog -- Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest post. If you have the time before you go, I'd love to know one thing you are thankful for on this day.

Until next time,

Nail Design: Pink Winter Frost

Since I'm still waiting for my 'comrades' to grow back, I figured I'd post a never before seen design from last year.  It is a winter theme in honour of our first real snowfall of the season.  The design is called 'Pink Winter Frost'.








Instructions:

• Start with a clear base coat to protect the nails. 
• Paint entire nail in a shiny light pink.
• Add pink glitter as far down as you like. I've chosen to go about two-thirds of the way down.
• Finish with 2 coats of a good quality top coat.

Easy peasy!

Until next time,

Follower Freebie 20: Warm Winter Wishes

It is bad enough when Blogger messes with me.  I spend more time trying to get the formatting I want to stick than anything else.  However, now my fonts have it out for me too!  When I tried to go in and create the sentiment I'm offereing in black as well, one of the fonts I had used was no longer available.  Now, it had existed previously because I have the png to prove it!  A gremlin must have gotten into my font folder because although it was still listed, it was no longer reading as a font file.  Very weird.  I didn't have enough to do. I had to uninstall the font, try and find it again and then reinstall it.  Things seem to be okay now but boy oh boy, I wanted to slap that font something good.
 
So finally, as promised last week, here is the sentiment that I used in my card for the November Designed 2 Delight Challenge.  This one will count as...

Follower Freebie #20:    In honour of 'morninglass' who became a follower on Oct. 31st.

I'm offering it up in the original colours I used in my card and also as a strictly black and white option.  Hope you can find a use for it.

P.S.  While the cups look cool grey here, they are actually a warm grey.

If you are interested in the font information I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

Until next time, 

Fonts Used: 

• KR Coffee Love
• Janda Sparkle and Shine
•  Mountains of Christmas

Click the font name to take you to a download location.  The Mountains of Christmas font is considered free for commercial use and both the KR Coffee Love and Janda Sparkle and Shine fonts are free for personal use.  According to the download pages, 'personal use' typically refers to any use that is not meant to generate profit. So, I believe that I am safe in using them here in these designs and offering it to all of you.  (Pssst, in case you are looking for the clear coffee cup use the shift comma key.)

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

• Do not claim the image as your own.
• Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
• Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
• If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
• Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies.

Motivational Monday: November 26, 2012

Inspiration can come from the oddest sources.  My favourite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on television late Friday night (go ahead laugh it up).  It is the musical episode called "Once More With Feeling".  There were two quotes towards the end of the episode that I thought would be perfect for Motivational Monday.  I am going to share one of them with you today.  The quote is "where there is life--there is hope".  Pretty profound for a science fiction show, wouldn't you say? 

Now actually, I didn’t take it for granted that the quote was original to the show so I went looking for the source.  Apparently, the expression originates in Ecclesiastes and is based on the Latin proverb “Dum vita est, spes est” --while there's life, there's hope.  However, where it comes from isn’t as important as the meaning it conveys.  While you still have a single breath left in you, then there is chance for change.  Today though, I am not focusing so much on the message of the quote but rather on where inspiration comes from. 

Inspiration can be found in many places.  It can come from our own imaginations or from the world around us.  You just have to start looking.  Our senses play a huge part in our inspirational journey.  We can be inspired by things that we see, things we hear, things that we touch.  We can even be inspired by the way something smells.  So if you are looking for inspiration, interact with the world around you.  You never know where your next idea may come from.

When you come across an idea, write it down.  I used to keep a journal where I would cut things out from magazines that inspired me to create.  These days I keep most everything in folders on my computer.  However you choose to store the ideas that encourage you, make it a system that works for your own lifestyle.  The more organized you are, the easier it will be to find the things that move you and get the creative juices flowing again when you are stuck for ideas.  

Inspiration is not just about helping us with our creativity though.  Sometimes, we need a little extra encouragement to help keep us motivated to get through the day, a project or another complexity we are facing in our lives.  During those situations, I find it best to turn more towards nature and the wonders of the world around you or to the thoughts and words from others (i.e. quotes).  It doesn’t matter what it is, just find something that you can grasp onto to help you navigate your way through the difficulties.

Whether it is in your personal life or your professional one, continue to look for things that inspire you to be better & do better every single day.  It won't be easy but nothing in life ever is.  You'll need to work at it.  Try an idea out, play around with the concept in different ways.  Sure, you'll probably be frustrated but that is part of the process.  You need to go down different alleys, knock on a few doors, and even get turned away until you finally come to your destination.  The key is to never stop trying.

So, where do you get your inspiration from?  I’d love to know.

Before I go, here is your motivational quote for this week.

If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

Until next time, 

Clipart Information:

The graphic of the hands is a public domain image which can be found at Free Clipart Now. 

Fonts Used: 

• Big Lou

• Brock Script

Click the font name to take you to a download location.  The Brock Script font is considered free for commercial use and the Big Lou font is free for personal use.  According to 1001 Fonts, 'personal use' typically refers to any use that is not meant to generate profit. So, I believe that I am safe in using it here in these designs and offering it to all of you.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

• Do not claim the image as your own.
• Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
• Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
• If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
• Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies. 

References:

Author Unknown. (2009). Latin Proverbs: Motivational Latin Proverbs. Available: http://latin-proverbs.com/phrases/while-there-is-life-there-is-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Author Unknown. (2012). while there is life there is hope. Available: http://www.answers.com/topic/while-there-s-life-there-s-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Meindl, Anthony . (2012). Where Does Inspiration Come From?. Available: http://www.dailyactor.com/2012/11/acting-advice-where-does-inspiration-come-from/. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

“Once More With Feeling”.  Buffy The Vampire Slayer.  UPN.  Much More Music, Toronto, ON. 23 November 2012. 

Rose, Gene. (2008). Where Does Inspiration Come From? . Available: http://governmentcommunicators.blogspot.ca/2008/04/where-does-inspiration-come-from.html. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Xerri-Brooks, Sally. (2012). Where does inspiration come from?. Available: http://sallyxerribrooks.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/where-does-inspiration-come-from/. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Sunday Spotlight: November 25, 2012

Wow!  Can you believe it is exactly one month until Christmas?  I'm afraid to blink in case I miss it.  It is also just a little over a month since I started blogging.  My goodness, how time flies.  

Anyways it's time for the Sunday Spotlight. For those of you visiting for the first time, welcome to a special post where each Sunday I say a particular thank you to one of my readers acknowledging them for something thoughtful, inspiring, or mindful that they have said in one of their comments.  As a way of saying thanks, I will present this person with an advanced copy of a freebie that I promise, no one else will be able to get their hand on for at least three months and possibly longer.  Of course, given how far behind I am right now, it may take three months before they even get it themselves. 

So without further ado, the comment I'm highlighting this week belongs to:

 MICHELE FROM MS

who said:
What a fabulous idea! I agree with Sue and Naomi....you bring "fun" back  to blog reading with your comments. It's kind of like a good book you can't put down. You wanna know what's next!! I also agree with your friend Laurie....do not compare your work to others. I do the same exact  thing and feel sooooo inferior. BUT, I look back to things I created a year ago and see how much I have improved so that gives me the little boost to keep pushing forward and learning from those that I think are "better than me". Hope you have a great day Lisa ~~~ 
 
 Michele made my day when she said that I bring 'fun' back to blog reading and that my work is kind of like a good book you can't put down.  If that doesn't boost my ego I don't know what will.  However, the rest of what she had to say was just as important.  Michele really made me look inside myself and analyze some of my insecurities.

When we expose our talents and ultimately our heart to the world, we never know how we are going to be perceived.  Every time we showcase a card, a sketch, or offer a freebie, we are opening ourselves up to criticism from others.  Sometimes it is just easier to see our own work as being inferior so that when others knock us down we don’t have very far to fall.  This might be in part where my lack of self-confidence comes from.  Better to tear myself down before others do it.  It is comforting knowing that others have felt this exact same way at some point in their life.  So, I need to take Michele’s words to heart along with the others who keep telling me the same thing (you know who you are) and only use my own work as a measure of my success.  And you are right Michele, when I look at the very first card I created almost exactly a year ago to the date, I have come a long way indeed.  

Honourable mentions include:

•  Lisa, you are a joy and a delight! Although I was away from Blogger for much of the last couple weeks, your sunshiny love shone forth even when I  wasn't here. I couldn't resist dropping by before I flutter off to sleep... always remember that your work is lovely because it is created by YOU! :o) Hugs and blessings! -- Karen
• So much good stuff here!!!! You do such a lovely job showcasing!!!! I will  drop back and visit these very talented women!!!  Thanks for making me laugh..I needed a good laugh..(teeny weeny crush on Colleen)  hehe!!! love it...  we are having a hop today if time is on your side and you just have to see the card I made for it..it is my favorite to date!!!!! eeeek -- Naomi
• Lisa, I am beyond words!  You can't know how much I appreciate your kindness!  My son and I are so grateful for people like crafters who reach out with their hearts.  Everyone is so wonderful and we know that God will get us there, with the support of all of you wonderful crafters!  You all are in our hearts! --Sincerely Jessica and Eddie
• I second what everyone above me is saying, Lisa.  You are uniquely "one of a kind" in our digital blogging world.  You have not only already inspired me with your "Dedication Monday's", now I see that you are now going above and beyond with more blessings each day.  To speak to us all  concerning one of fellow site, in relationship to what she is going through and encourage us all the help ... you are an angel sent from above in my book.  I will personally go to her site later today and do my part to help her.  Hugs always --Sue

Thank you ladies for your wonderful words of encouragement.

To all of you who left comments throughout the week, even if they were not acknowledged above, please know that I appreciate each and every one of them and each and every one of you!  Without your kind words, there wouldn't be much of an incentive to continue.

Until next time,