If I knew how to do cartwheels...

If I knew how to do cartwheels, I would have been doing them this week. Because what else was there to do when two talented bloggers who I follow regularly and admire immensely contacted me directly to tell me that they are collaborating on a new site "Sashes to the Merchants" and wanted me and my shop, Blue Leaf Boutique to be a part of it, and the kicker is.... it is just because they love what I do. How often does that happen?


The creative talent, Ellen, behind Handmade Recess and the other creative talent, Jessi, behind Naptime Diaries have created a wonderfully rich and thought provoking site. The site has three principles:

• Provide Biblical Encouragement




• Offer practical help with creative business pursuits




• And build a great community

I am so excited to be a part of it. The fact that I am a busy mom of two small children, starting my own business, and training for a half marathon and still find time to read their posts regularly tells you how rich and worthwhile it is. I hope you all check it out too!

The Daily Pic: A little birdie told me...

My family and I spend Sunday afternoon at my mom's house. She has a spectacular picture window in her family room and just outside there is a large bird feeder. It is great entertainment to watch the birds come in. A purchased a new camera recently and I was able to zoom in pretty closely while staying farther back as to not scare them off. Here are a few of the shots I got.

Also, there are some exciting things happening this fall for me and my Etsy shop Blue Leaf Boutique that I can't wait to share with you soon!

How To Tuesday: Autumn Door Wreath

I love decorating for Fall. Those beautiful warm colors and foliage. I was recently at a craft store perusing the beautiful wreaths only to have sticker shock when I looked at the price tag...$39.99! A bit out of my door wreath budget. So in that same aisle I started looking at the individual pieces that make up the wreath. They were on sale at 40 percent of and ranged anywhere from $0.99 to $3.50 more my style.

I purchased one 12 inch grapevine wreath at $2.39

I purchased three fall sprays at $0.99 each.


Using regular wire cutters I disassembled the sprays into individual leaves, squash, berries, and an adorable bird. I left about a 3-3 inch of stem on each piece.
I inserted the stem completed into the grapevine so just the decoration was visible. If there were any unruly pieces that were sticking out in an unattractive fashion, I used jewelry wire (which I had in my craft stash) to tie them down and put them in their place (literally.)

Voila one beautifully arranged autumn door wreath for $5.39!

I Can't Believe It

I can not believe that it is mid-September. Time flying by is okay when you have a lot to celebrate. I can not believe that as of tomorrow my shop will be open for ONE YEAR. This is such an exciting anniversary for me (sorry hubby you are special too!) but when I set out a year ago to put my creations out there online and SELL them...well I was more than a little scared. Would people like them? Would I be successful? Would I fall on my face? As I look back on the last year I can say with a smile that it has been a little of each. And I wouldn't have it any other way. But overall I am proud of myself and my shop. It is growing more every day. It has even been picked up by a few major blogs.

Next Saturday I will be venturing out again in a new way by doing my first Craft Fair/Show. If you are in or around New Bloomfield, PA come over and visit. I am excited by getting to meet customers face to face and see with my own eyes peoples reaction to my craft. This coincides perfectly with my birthday. I am celebrating the big 33 that weekend as well.

Last but not least, yesterday I completed a nine mile run. My half marathon is four weeks away. I am jittery, nervous, excited. I won't be the fastest. I won't win a medal. But if I just take it one step at a time, I will finish, god willing. Wish me luck.

What exciting things are you celebrating?