Ever feel a little overwhelmed by other blogs?

I think we ALL are at some point or another.

Just the sheer creativity that exists out there is incredible!

It kinda makes you feel like a speck of sand sometimes.

When I first started blogging in 2007,

there were tons of blogs

but NOTHING like there are now.

I'm absolutely amazed at how blogging has taken off....

but it's just one of those things

that as much as you love all of the beautiful inspiration,

the sheer volume of blogs that exist can intimidate you as well.

My take?

Don't let it.

Don't be bothered that there are zillions of blogs....

sharing tons of ideas ~

big deal!

You are a part of the picture too!!!!

Share what you love, share what's happening in your life

and don't think about everyone else ~

I think that's what it's all about.

Using our blogs to share, document our lives and

build amazing friendships.

So it boils down to this,

have your blog and enjoy every minute of it!

Comment on other blogs you love and they will, in turn, visit you back.

You will develop your own following and

so many precious friendships along the way too.

Just a little Friday food for thought ~

Wishing you a wonderful Friday dear friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

THIS my precious friends, is why I blog.....

An email I recently receive from a friend:

Dawn,

I wanted to answer your precious reply. I want you to know what your kind words and encouragement has meant to me...

I have to tell you that when I read you very sweet reply and your words of encouragement, I just sat there and wept. I have been soooo torn and insecure about this.  I just feel that there must be a way to bring some extra money doing what I love and I see these beautiful sites and the close knit family, helping each other and I have wanted so much to be a part of it. Every time I mention it to one of my friends they just don't get it. I see all these beautiful blogs and hear about the wonderful friendships and creative support and it feels almost like home.Your words of support and your offer to introduce me was just what I needed. I truly believe God puts people in the right place and guides you if you just keep alert and recognize these little nudges. You really gave me hope that maybe I can do this. Soooo I've purchased a good slr digital camera, researched some of the domains (I'm thinking blogspot), I already have an Etsy site  and am close to a name. I want to get an inventory of some work, but I am going to do this. I may not be able to do it everyday as you do with working, maintaining this house inside and outside with a daughter, but I'll do it to some degree. I think this may help to fill something since my husband died. I have to work on some concepts, etc. Can I ask you in addition to the given of forming artistic creative family of friends are you really able to bring in some income. I don't mean to be mercenary, but as a widow that would be such a bonus. When my husband was alive I had a thriving mural business. Many decorators were my clients, but I can't hang off ladders for 8 hours anymore and I must maintain the regular income of my job. I'm just hoping I can have my cake and eat it too.

Your wish to have a wonderful day - hugs and love was all such a lovely thing from someone I have never met. I must have been craving those words very badly to have sat there and cried as I did, even now I am choking up. But I will tell you I think that is why I am so drawn to your blog. It is real, caring, sharing, creative and just lovely.  Everyday even when I work the first thing in the AM I do is visit you. I knew you were a kind spirit.  Bless you for your kindness.

(Published with permission from sender)


We are all looking for kindred spirits....for others who can relate to our creativity and what we love ~ because women are naturally creative, in some way or another
I want to encourage you, if you do not blog, think about it....
.please share your creativity and your sweet spirit!!


Have a wonderful weekend precious friends,
hugs and love,
Dawn

Confessions of a blogger ~

So what am I going to confess?
Well, sometimes....I got nothing. I mean it.
Sometimes I've not been creative,
or I'm tired and just I have no imagination whatsoever!
But does that mean I won't blog?? Not a bit!!!

I still have to say hello, that I'm so glad to be here,
that I'm so very glad you're here
and that I've been fortunate enough
to "meet" so many of you through this blog of mine.

I'm coming up on my 3 year blogiversary
February 11th and of course
I want to have a giveaway to celebrate!!
So now I just need to decide what to give away....


Here are a few more images I scanned for you
from the books that I found this weekend!

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday precious friends,
hugs and love,
Dawn

Your blog can be what YOU want it to be ~

As you stroll through blogs, sometimes you may see a blog that you think, "I want my blog to be just like hers!" Looking a certain way, or having posts that are always uplifting and cheerful but what I wanted to say is that your blog needs to be for you and about you ~ If posting about an event in your life helps you work through it, by all means, post about it. It truly is an online journal.

My blog is what I want it to be ~ about my creative endeavors and simple things that happen in my life. Some are not so pleasant, just like my sweet Noah breaking his leg, but the support I received from my dear friends in blogland during that hard time was AMAZING!! Now, I don't share every little drama that happens to me during the day but my blog is not about that. It's about time away from the hectic day-to-day things and about being creative and especially about being inspired by other blogs and your kind words!

Your comments inspire me more than you'll ever know sweet friends!

Have a happy Monday!!
hugs and love, Dawn

Your blog is "you"!

The wonderful thing about having a blog is that it is usually a representation of you. Who you love, what you love, your taste....all of these things show up in our blogs at some time or another. Another wonderful thing about having a blog, and really the BEST thing, are the friends that I've made in the last few years. Near and far.....from Georgia...to France...to Australia....to Denmark....to California and all in between! I'm so very thankful for each and every one of you ~

My sweet friend Dorthe in Denmark and I traded bookmarks and just look at hers that she sent me ~ It's so very "me" I can't believe it! Oh dear friend, thank you so much, I just LOVE IT!

The sun was going down but I wanted to take a photo of a little chair I found today at the thrift!!! I just love it ~ it needed a good washing so I have ditched the foam cushion and will cut another, washed the cushion cover in the washing machine and then totally sprayed down the rest of the chair with upholstery cleaner, scrubbed it and I'll do it again tomorrow. So we'll see how this little sweetie turns out.....to go in the studio!

I wish you a great Tuesday dear friends ~
hugs and love, Dawn

My sweet blog friends ~

When I returned home Saturday evening from Tammy's house I had a sweet little package waiting on me from a precious friend, Nita of Red Tin Heart! She's one of the most thoughtful, selfless women I know....look at what she created just for me ~ a bird's nest ring! She's started making jewelry and she knew I would LOVE this and I do dear Nita! Of course she had to add a few extra goodies, flower seeds and some pretty collage items......and the sweetest of all? She sent Noah some McDonald's gift certificates!!!

Dear Nita, thank you so very much, I pray you will be blessed beyond measure......

Wednesday the mail came and there was a package addressed to Noah.....he has quite a few thank you notes to write now!!! Well, it was from Myrna of Heirlooms sending him a get well package chock FULL of great kid goodies!!!! Thank you so much sweet friend, you are so kind and thoughtful to send this care package wishing him well,
HE JUST LOVED IT!!!!
Blessings to you as well dear friend ~

I'm constantly amazed at the friends that I've made while blogging these last two years. There are so many caring, thoughtful people here in this land of blog. Just by keeping up with one another, commenting on each other's blogs and sharing our lives creates a sweet bond that I absolutely love ~ thank you always for your friendship dear friends.

Happy Thursday!
May you all be blessed beyond measure ~
xxoo, Dawn

Thoughts on blogging ~

It's funny how blogging has become such an integral part of so many lives these days. There's a blog about most anything out there now! It's a fun process to me, the interaction between so many all around the world. And you really do become long-distance friends with your fellow bloggers!!

I was thinking how each and every blog has it's own purpose. Some use it as an amazing marketing tool, others use their blog as a way to keep their families caught up with growing children and activities. A lot of bloggers use it to make new friends and share ideas. I think it's important to understand what your blog means to you and it's main purpose.

What does my blog do for me? It makes. me. accountable. Does that sound odd? But really, it makes me accountable for my time and I like that! I am one of those people that look back on my day and say to myself, "what have you accomplished today?" And it seems that the blog helps me document that....it some strange way :) That's why I love to blog daily......that may not work for you and that's OK, do what works for YOU....but blogging daily gets me motivated, and I need that motivation!

The most wonderful BENEFIT of blogging by far?? Friendship. The amazing friends that I've found here are priceless. The inspiration you give by your comments, your blogs, your artwork or simply your attitude towards life make me smile and want to be better....a better artist and always a better friend. Thank you all so much for that ~

hugs and love, Dawn

Thank you sweet friends ~

The birth of a precious child, a wedding or another special event are the things that make our lives so wonderful. But to share it with sweet friends is truly the icing on the cake!!! A dear friend and customer of The Plum Tree works at the hospital where Clara was born. Deborah reads the blog and had been keeping up with all of the news and she knew right away when Emily came to the hospital!! She's such a sweetheart and continually checked on her progress.

Today was going home day and after I showed up to pick them all up, Deborah came by the room bearing the sweetest grandmother gifts!!! A pretty brag book and a beautiful bird in it's nest!! She knows how I love them and I'll have to find something neat to place inside of it.

Thank you very much Deb....you are so thoughtful and it was wonderful sharing this special time in our lives with you!!

Clara had a great day at home today (Wednesday). Emily has been amazing, as has Brent ~ they've remained calm, loving and are going to be wonderful parents.

Tomorrow I'm back in the studio to begin cleaning, organizing and getting everything placed where I want it!! I can't wait....hopefully I'll be able to put it together quickly because I am SO in the mood to create a little artwork ~

Please forgive me for not responding to each of your wonderful comments and wishes ~ but just know that to have shared this with each of you on my blog as been the biggest blessing to me!!! You all are such a blessing to me! Thank you sooooo much!


Wishing you an amazing Thursday sweet friends,

xxoo, Dawn

Precious Clara ~

Do you know the kind of love that makes your chin quiver? The kind of love that makes your heart swell like the Grinch on Christmas Eve???? THAT, my sweet friends, is the love that I feel for this precious little girl ....... we all feel this love for our new baby Clara ~

And you were all right dear friends. About this grandmother gig........my heart is full, and I'm so very proud of my son Brent and sweet Emily. They are feeling the same exact feelings that I felt 26 years ago when my first precious son was born (Brent). The surreal feeling that you're in a dream and can't believe that it's you....having a child and falling so deeply in love in just a few short hours.

These are the precious moments that make life worth the living ~

Noah is in love too! And an uncle at eleven years old.....

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalms 139:14

Thank you my sweet friends for each and every comment you've left here......I'm am always astounded at the love that is shown here in this land of blog......and you wonder why I love blogging??? It is because of YOU dear friends!!!!

Have a wonderful Wednesday ~
xxoo, Dawn

A few posting ideas for you ~

So you've started your blog and today you weren't especially productive. What do you post about? You may have folded a couple of loads of laundry or stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things but you realize you don't need to take photos of your folded clothes or canned goods just to have something to blog about!

When I have those days, and believe me I do......here are a few things that come to mind that I've done in the past....because you KNOW I love posting and sharing things with you!

1 ~ Walk around your home and take photos of things that you just love. A special display or item that means alot to you.....we learn so much about one another by doing that.

2 ~ This is along those same lines, take a few photos of items that you collect. Group everything together in a pretty display to show your readers.

3 ~ Share beautiful images that you may have on hand that you could scan in (if you have a scanner) or that you've found that are OK to share with others. We all love having new goodies to use in our artwork.

4 ~ Share a few beautiful websites that you've found while surfing the internet. A fun way to find sites is to go to Google.com and click on images.....then search for a couple of key words that you may like. The other day I just keyed in "antique cream" and found so many beautiful websites!! Be sure to provide a link back to the site too.

5 ~ Post a pretty poem or quote that you love with a photograph that you've taken or even an old image.

6 ~ Recipes are always a great thing to post about. Do you have a tried and true recipe that everyone requests when you come to a covered dish gathering? Share that with your readers and they will love to try it!

7 ~ Take a few photos showing us how you make something that you enjoy creating, share this little tutorial with your readers.

8 ~ If you create artwork, share a product that you love using....or if you have another item that you are a die-hard fan for that you use to clean, cook or something else, share it with us.

I hope this helps give you a few ideas on posting.....I've been cleaning my art room and took Emily to her OB appointment today. I didn't get much accomplished creatively but still love talking to you! Think of it this way, if you were to pick up the phone to talk to a sweet friend, what would you enjoy sharing?

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday sweet friends ~

xxoo, Dawn

I think I'm going to offer this little bird below as my next tutorial in Lessons from The Nest!! :)

A little artwork in the making ~

(I've given you this image before but I had a special request from Martha for these sweet birds!)

I had a few extra images printed on fabric from my art quilt last week. Of course I saved them and knew that I would use them for something. Well, it came to me on our way home from Babies-R-Us Tuesday afternoon!!
WOW, what a wonderland for expectant moms!! Emily had the most fun registering!

I collect precious old, thin and even stained little baby dresses, in mostly whites and creams. I've been wanting to turn a few into art pieces but hadn't really figured out how. I played around a little when I returned home by taking one of my sweet dresses that I dipped in coffee, wrung out and tossed in the dryer. I'm going to make the two images into nature pockets!!! Plus I still had an adorable egg charm that can hang from a sweet twig hanger that I'll make ~ Of course I'll have to have a few goodies in the pockets, right?

We'll see how this turns out...I can already see it in my mind and I LOVE it!!!

What a wonderful response to the post about blogging tips! Thank you all so much for sharing your insight with everyone. Pictures are a very, very important aspect in my blog. I love them as large as they can be and I also size them in my photo software so when they are clicked on they can be enlarged even more!

Awards and tags are a great way to get to know one another as well. I don't do well with them myself as I have SO many blogs that I love now that I just can't possibly narrow it down to only a few. And I never want to hurt someone's feelings but not choosing them either. But if you love them, by all means participate!

To have a friend, you must first be a friend....I think if you'll keep this in mind ~ blogging will be absolutely wonderful!!

Happy Wednesday dear friends ~

xxoo, Dawn

So...you've started a blog! Now what do you do??

I'm so proud of you!!!! If you've read the comments from my previous post about starting your own blog...you will see how many love this community and are so very glad they finally took the plunge and started blogging! And yes, I will be the first to tell you that blogging can be very addictive and all things are best in moderation but when your laundry is falling out the front door and your family is begging to be fed something besides Ramen noodles....it might be time to take a break!

I find too that there's a fine line between being inspired by everyone's wonderful creations and posts and then ACTUALLY taking the time to create artwork myself! You can be inspired all day long but you have to take the time away to make that inspiration work for you in your home or artwork. But I'm sure all of you already know this :)

The best way to put yourself out into the blogging world is by visiting other's blogs and reading what's happening in their lives and leaving a thoughtful comment. By introducing yourself and commenting on their blog....you will soon become recognized when they see your name!

Another wonderful way to have blogger's find your blog is by holding a small giveaway. Not anything huge, heavy or expensive....maybe just a little something that you've made or something decorative, a small book, or it could be a little gathering of small things. Just ask other bloggers to leave a comment with an email for a chance to win. THEN ask if they would like TWO chances to win, to please post on their blog about your giveaway with a link back to the giveaway post! You will end up with several new visitors! Draw a name at the end of the week and mail your goodie out to the lucky winner!!

You can also enter swaps or participate in themed events that you can be involved in and your blog name will be listed as a participant. Usually all the others involved will end up visiting and meeting you before the event is over.

Post regularly. No, you don't have to post every day, or even every other day....but just take a little time to post enough so that everyone knows you're still around ~

I would love it too if any of you have any additional ideas to increase visitors to your blog to please leave your ideas in my comments section. Sharing ideas.....sharing information.....sharing inspiration ~ these are just a few of the things that make blogging such a wonderful cycle of friendship.


Wishing you a great Tuesday dear friends ~

xxoo, Dawn

Do you want to start a blog?

Can I just give you a little nudge? DO IT!! Do it now....it's so very easy ~ Blogger.com is free and if you click on the little "B" logo in the upper left hand corner it will even ask if you want to start your own blog. It's FREE and the rewards. are. priceless!

The encouragement you will receive and the friends you will make will make any learning you have to do about blogging TOTALLY worthwhile. And if you need any help, just email one of us, we will be so very glad to help you ~

I want other women to experience the camaraderie that I have during the last two years of blogging. What is the definition of camaraderie? : a spirit of friendly, good-fellowship THAT my friends is the definition of blogging.

Just a nudge. That's all it is.

xxoo, Dawn