The picture at the left is from Lauries Charming Designs. I bought this cute pincushion from her last year! She painted the box too! I have to thank Laurie for getting me into blogging in the first place!

I was just visiting Kathy's Cottage and her blog was so inspirational. She talked about how she has always been creative, but put it on the back-burner to work and raise her family. I can relate to that, as I'm sure most of us bloggers can! I'm a Grandma now, so you know I have lived a long life so far! A happy life! I believe that raising my children was THE most important thing in life, next to that the grandkids! I have worked outside my home most of my adult life also. So finding time to be creative was very hard at times. I used to sew my dolls clothes when I was young, then my own clothes starting in high school...art class was always my favorite in school. I dabbled in other venues while raising my family. Later, when I met Roger, my husband, he was so creative and knowledgable about how things work (he was in the park attraction/imagineering business all his life) and with his know-how I just felt that I was sort-of set free and could finally do anything I set my mind to!

Seeing all of your blogger sites is inspiring too...I have always loved going through decorating books and magazines, watching HGTV...sometimes I see something and it inspires me to do something similar to it or to embellish it in another way (I hope I am making some since here, I feel like I am babbling on!) Anyway, since I am new to blogging, I have visited so many wonderful blog sites and seen so many creative people, I think this is just so enlightening. It's really nice to have a place like this!

One more thing; we live far away from our children and grandchildren. It has been very hard not living close to them. We now have a wonderful new invention: a web-cam! It's almost like being there - you can actually have a conversation and see them at the same time (better than using the phone!) When I saw my new grandson Luke, walking for the first time, I realized what a great invention this was! It really does keep you closer when you are far away.

Well, you all have a great week. I'll be out working in my shop creating a new lampshade, or maybe just cleaning up out there, it surely needs it!!

Bye for now, Marilyn