What a Doll!

I just wrote a new article with fabulous handmade dolls and patterns of a lot of different creations in doll land on www.Indiesmiles.com I sure would love for yall to visit it and since we are having a contest with whoever gets the most comments wins the prize!
This is the link:
http://www.indiesmiles.com/what-a-doll/

It sure has been awhile since I have the time to visit my own blog as well as others. Has been a strange couple of months with everything breaking down including ...it seems that my computer needs a new hard drive! Geesh. When it rains, it pours it seems. Even my toilet overflowed today. I used every single towel I own to sop it up .............................. and now I don't have time to wash them as I need to go to a Houston Artisan Team meeting shortly! Ok, this is getting a little out of "money in my pocket" hand. I will wait until it is absolutely necessary to get my computer fixed as it will cost another fortune!!! At least Kenzie, my precious cat daughter is doing fine
and my ballroom dance classes are doing fine, making my body better, although I do still have a lot of pain, there are days now that I don't have any pain and I still go to dance class with pain! I just force myself through it and usually my body seems to get centered and after the class I am in no pain a lot of the times. I wake up the next day and am in a normal person's muscle pain, not fibro pain. There IS a difference! I am getting stronger and LOVE IT!!!! It's way fun, although I do look kinda weird in my jazz ballet shoes while every other gal is wearing their high heels. How do they do it? I have to wear my foot and hand braces. Oh! I was at a ballroom dance the other night and they were selling dance clothes and trimms. I got a skirt to die for! It looks right out of the 40's although Scarlet Ohara from the movie "Gone With the Wind" must have worn it. It only cost me $10.00! I will fix it to fit me as it is a bit too small and I also want it a little more hip hugger. I have a thing with clothes being exactly around my waist. The dress is made out of layers of chiffon! It's divine and so.. my taste! Well, and last but not least, I sold a new piece and it is available, kinda like a customized item in my Etsy, Http://LindaGJ.Etsy.com and here it is!
Here's wishing yall a wonderful week!
Linda :)

An Artist Beach Babe!

It's still in the 100's here, so it's still very much the summer, as people elsewhere are getting ready for fall and I'm still in the beach mode! Well, I was so lucky to find out about this wonderful artist and also I purchased one of her limited prints of this one, along with some other smaller print goodies that I will cherish forever. She even did a darling sketch of a gal surfing a wave on the carboard envelope that she sent the print in, that I want to frame as well! How cheerful this one is, so colorful, I adore the hats as well as the friends hanging out together at the beach! Well I approached the artist and she let me write an article about her! You will find her so fascinating and there is so much going on being her story and what she is also doing now! Please visit the article, and browse away. Please also leave a comment , since I am sending yall to the comment section link where you put your comments and you'll need to scroll up to see the article, a video slide, and a few of her links that can not be missed! *Sorry about the stupid pop up this slide video maker is now putting up..they gotta make money, but all you have to do is click on the far right top corner and click on the black x to get rid of it) I'm looking into finding another free video maker.. very frustrating! :( *

Here is the link: http://www.indiesmiles.com/an-artist-beach-babe/#respond

Thank you and hope yall are having a beautiful "beach kinda day"!

Linda :)

Another Announcement About MY Pet Swap Partner!

http://earlybird454.etsy.com/
** Your pet could be the next TOP MODEL in Tammy's Etsy Boutique!!! My Kenzie is!!!**
Tammy is offering FREE SHIPPING on your NEXT purchase, for Appreciation photos sent with permission to use your pet's photo as a model in her boutique.
She lists P.I.F. (pay it forward) items randomly. That means, for ONLY the .20 listing fee (which
Etsy requires), you can sample Tammy's wares.
*PLEASE, ON THE HONOR SYSTEM, ONLY (1) PIF ITEM PER CUSTOMER*
Tammy is a member of:
*Etsy Texas Crafters (ETC) Team
* Dachshund Team
*Etsy for Animals (EFA) http://www.efaartistshelpinganimals.org/

This gal has so much much to offer us animal lovers that I feel so honored to be featuring her here on my Blog!!!

Texas Etsy Crafters Pet Gift Swap!

Above are a couple of pictures that my Pet Swap Buddy got from me!

A few days ago I did a swap on on of my teams called Etsy Texas Crafters and the theme was Pets! I just had to share with you what my wonderful swap partner sent to me!!! Her shop is http://earlybird454.etsy.com/ and one of the items she makes and sells are little caps and bandanas in all sizes for all kinds of pups! Too cute! I just had to have her make me one to give to my Dear jewelry artist friend, Pam from http://serendipityrose.etsy.com/ that has a miniature dachshund named Carly who I have shown yall when she was a puppy a while ago.

TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!!!

Well Tammy, from earlybird also asked me for a picture of my cat, Kenzie!

Who knew that she would take Kenzie's face and transfer it to fabric and make me this adorable Kenzie doll along with a darling little brown mouse with a bell in it and a place to put cat nip in it!

I saw that Kenzie was tearing up the mouse, so the mouse is the doll's mouse now!
I have one more example of a dachshund that Tammy made a doll out of!!! Any pet lover would LOVE this, I think, and also it would make a fabulous gift for a friend! Please go check out this wonderful shop and see what Tammy has to offer! Yall will not be disappointed!

Day Dreamin'

Hi yall,
My latest article is published and it's really fun. I think yall would really enjoy it! Please join me in my Day Dream. Here is the link: http://www.Indiesmiles.com/let-your-imagination-soar/#respond This will take you to the comment section where you will see where you make your comments and then you can scroll up to read and see the article. You will also see so many awesome artist's works!
Thanks for visiting there and making a comment!
Have a fabulous week!
Linda :)

Brutus needs a Forever Home !!!

"This is a very sad, but unfortunately it happens all too often" Kelly

Brutus was rescued on July 1st, 2010. He is about 60 lbs, 10 to 20 lbs. underweight.

He's 1 1/2 yrs. old.

He was kept in a crate 24 hrs a day & fed every 2 days. He now has received all of his shots and clear of heartworm & everything looks good. We also bought him a 6 month supply of heart guard and frontline. In the last 5 days he is potty trained & on schedule. He caught on fast because he is very smart! He's not good with other animals, but he loves to lay around & hide bones in the yard. He is great on a leash and loves to walk. He loves to hang out on the back porch and he loves kisses & hugs & prefers to be around people. He is on the waiting list with Animal Friends to be neutered.

Please let me know if you have any questions at 412-580-5400

Jamie Kokales

If you know of anyone that would love to give this darling dog a forever home, please call Jamie and also let me know. Please send this to all your friends as well!

Thank you so much!

Linda :)

PS: I don't know why my comment section for this post has such a long space!

Fun With Sand Castles!

It's the summer and a lot of things are going on including the Galveston, Tx. Sand Castle Competition! I went on location and wrote an article about it and would love for yall to check it out and please make a comment for me! You will see a bunch of sand castles that amateur artists made, which it makes it all that more fun! See, everyone has an artist in them!
Happy Independence Day as well!
Just follow this link: http://www.indiesmiles.com/fun-with-sand-castles/
Linda :)

Stolen Purse Victim

Purse, wallet, card holder, and Coin Purse:

http://acute-accent.etsy.com/

I am the victim of my purse being stolen. I wanted to tell yall about my experience for yall to always be extra careful as you do not want this to happen to you! Yes, I am always careful with my purse. Who isn't? I keep my purse in the grocery cart usually covered with stuff and always holding onto it. I was in an area of the store that was baren of people. I took a split second to look at a shirt and took my hand and my eye watch off my grocery cart, no one was around, so time spent at all, and when I looked down, my purse was stolen. Along with another gal's purse being stolen within the same 15 minutes, at least. The store would do nothing about. It was not their responsibility. We had to call the cops. They were rude, and blamed it on us as it was our responsibility. They just took some info about us and it took about an hour for them to get there, although it seemed like an enternity. I had no idea how much this effected me as I have been through much more tragedies. As we are talking to this rude cop a security guard ran up and had found a plastic bag that had been left on the floor with our purses in it. The thieves had taken everything, but what is weird, is they carefully looked through the deepest part of my wallet, a couple of sentimental pictures, my Medicare card and QMB(medicaid) card, my keys and my meds were left. Thank God! But my cell, debit/credit card, social security card, camera, wallet, cash, and other paper work, amonst other things, were taken. I had no idea what a hassle this would be. You know you have to replace everything, call every place, change your bank account number, new drivers license, new social security number, you have to get a new cell phone, new camera, call places that take your money out of your bank account, keep an open bank account for outstanding checks, change your paypal, which takes forever. I still haven't received my new checks or debit/credit card, nor has paypal, gone through yet. I didn't even have any credit cards, but the thief did make one effort to use my debit/credit card on gasoline, and I got that reimbursed. I had just received over 100.00 worth of new checks, lost that, and am waiting for 2 boxes now that I had to pay 50.00 for. Guess I'll have to think a way of fun ways to make something out of the unused checks. Any suggestions? I felt so sorry for the other gal that had tons of credit cards. I'm just saying, you may not think this will happen to you. Even if you have to watch over your kids every split second, by all means keep your attention equality towards your purse as well. I don't care if you cover it up. It still happens. If if it happened to me, and I thought I was always extra careful, it could happen to you too. Now that I go into stores, I see most people doing exactly what I was doing. I feel it's my duty to go up to them and tell them what happened to me. They immediately respond as well. In the mean time, the day after it happened, I was coming down with the flu, which I wasn't aware of. I had 102 tempt, I found out and just thought I was stressed out and thought I had the beginning of demensia. This is first day I don't have fever for a week. But I am still coughing up a productive cough. So I guess, now I have a bad chest cold. So beware, it happens when you least expect it and I at least want yall to be safe!!! The items I am showing above is from an amazingly talented artison for making fabulous bags, wallets, business card holders, and coin purses! She will also do custom orders! Check her out! I am going to replace my items with some of her very well made wallets, business card holders, and coin purses. They are well made along with she is having a clearance sell as well!
Ordering from her is going to make my loss a bit more cheerful!
I wish yall safety.

Looking Outside the Box!

Hi yall, The part 2 of Deb Hill's http://DebHillArt.Etsy.com article is up now and you will be taking a tour of her new studio. I had so much fun driving out to the 'somewhat' country and walking into this place called "The Purple Elephant". I felt like Alice and Wonderland or Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in a way! The main picture of the box at the top was donated by http://LuckySustainables.Etsy.com and this piece is made out of wood, including the ribbon!

Please check it out and I will be giving yall the link where it will take you to the comment section and you scroll up to see the slide video and article. I think it's so inspiring!!!

Happy reading and visualizing

http://www.indiessmiles.com/think-out-the-box-part-2/#respond

Thanks so much!

Linda :)

Fairy Tales are Made of This Part 1

Hi Yall,
Sorry I haven't had the time to visit yall's blog homes, but as yall know life gets very busy sometimes and you have to do them, which leaves no time to relax and visit your blog buddies! But I will find a day to do that hopefully next week! I really look forward to those days.
I have to tell yall that I just wrote a new article for Indiesmiles!!! It is so good too! Yall will love this artist as she is sooooooo.....talented and her work is so much fun and whimsical. I went on location to visit her at her new studio which Part 2 will be about because it's fabulous. Here is the link to go read it and please leave a comment, because that means so much to me! http://www.indiesmiles.com/fairy-tales-are-made-of-this-part-1/#respond
Well, I hardly have time to work on my blog as well, but wanted to put it out there, so yall will see some wonderful art and meet a really beautiful lady as well. She is soooo....nice!!!
Have a Happy Monday!!!
Linda :)

Darling Pup Needs Cataract Surgery!

Remy is this precious pup's name and she is blind in one eye from a cataract. Also she has the beginning of a new cataract in her other eye. The owner, Kevin, is such an animal lover, takes in strays to help them find homes and he gets them neutered or spayed. He even has a bag of dog and cat food in his car in case he sees a stray and can't capture them. He will leave food for the strays. Remy is so darling and loving and Kevin can't afford the $3000.00 that would help his baby. I am so afraid Remy will go blind in both eyes. An operation is needed and possibly the cataract surgery will get her sight back. I just thought if I collect some money to help Remy get her surgery, one of our special angels on earth would get her site back. Please contact me by leaving a comment and I will write to you. I can take checks, but also I have paypal. This is for a good cause and the smallest donation will help!
Thank yall so much!
Linda :)
PS: Thanks for the comments on the kittens. Three have found homes!!!

Home Sweet Home

This letter is from one of my best friends. If any of you know of someone, possibly yourself wanting a new little happy furball that is in desperate need of a new home, please comment! all they need from you is Love. Make this a really Happy Memorial Day!
Dear Friends of animals,
My neighbor kids rescued these adorable kittens from outside my apartment complex. They were roaming around skinny and covered in fleas.
They are now chubby, friendly, defleaed and perfectly sweet and purring lovebugs!
I took them to the vet so they are already neutered!!
These kittens desperately need forever homes and can't go to a shelter where they euthanize 75% of cats, especially black ones!!!
Please consider adopting one of these precious puffballs and
Please forward this email so all of these cuddly and well-adjusted babies will find a home soon.
Thank you so much for helping.
Sincerely,
LeAnne and kittens

***Free Delivery!!***REALLY!

PS Petting kittens lowers your blood pressure and their funny antics are sure to entertain you!!

The Beaver County Humane Society

Hi Everyone – The BEAVER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY is still having an online photo contest!

What a fun way to showcase your furbabies and raise money for the homeless animals at the shelter!!!!!

You may enter your furbaby or vote for my furbaby, Kenzie, for just $1.00 per vote!!!

Please enter and Please Vote!!!!!

Here is the link for the contest:

https://www.360photocontest.com/46

Egyption Roots

I've written another article on a brilliant artist named Caroline. It's called "Egyptian Roots". I would love for yall to check it out as this artist is not only a very talented, but has a very interesting background as well!!! Please follow this link and leave a short comment for me! Comments mean so much!
http://www.indiesmiles.com/egyptian-roots/#respond

Thanks yall!
Linda :)

Ruby for Women

I wanted to introduce yall to a magazine that you can only buy on line, so far that is! I have entered the info. they wanted me to share with you. On the right side of my vertical column is a red X for yall to click on to see many pages of the magazine if you keep clicking on the bottom where it says older inserts. There will be an article about me and my art in the May/June issue as well as a later issue about women that have overcome some obstacles in their lives. I just bought a yrs worth for only 13.00 for 6 issues, excluding the ones I'll be in. I wouldn't tell yall about this magazine, but it's really uplifting and good for the soul!!!

Hope you are having a great Tuesday! Here at Ruby for Women, we are working diligently to get the word out about our magazine and all of the great advice and information that is available to our readers. I am including with this email the information that you can use to add to your blog or website to help us tell the world about Ruby for Women. Here are a few ways that you can help us:
1. Invite all of your Facebook friends to join the Ruby for Women FB fan page at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruby-for-Women/117683838247417?ref=ts&v=wall
2. Post the link to the Ruby blog on Twitter, Facebook, and your blogs and website:
www.rubyforwomen.com
3. Use the following article on your blog, along with our link, and the code for the clickable button:
"Ruby for Women is an online Christian women's magazine for women of all ages and stages of life. The current issue of Ruby for Women is filled with so many wonderful ideas for your home and family, you won't want to miss out!
If you are a gardener, you will love Aunt Dot’s article on springtime gardening. And if you like to crochet, you’ll find a sweet little headband pattern from Jaybird Designs tucked into this issue. As always, there is inspiring poetry from Keith Wallis, and devotionals from Lynn Mosher, and you will also find “Mama’s Craft Corner” from one of our newest writers, Carolyn Arnold.
Of course, there are always the paper doll and coloring pages from Rochelle Martin, but we are now also featuring one of her quilt designs, “Gardener’s Delight.” In every issue for the next eight issues, Rochelle will teach you how to make a new block for this beautiful quilted wall hanging. Don’t miss a single issue so that you can complete this lovely quilt over the next several months.
Also in this issue of Ruby for Women is “Ask Ms. Beth” where you can read Ms. Beth’s advice on teaching our children the importance of household chores; a tutorial on making your own Journal of Gratitude; and advice for building a home business from “Ask Sue of Indiesmiles.” We have started a couple of new columns with this issue, one is “Spotlight On . . . . ” where we feature a woman who has built a home-based business, and “Through Another’s Eyes” in which we will be sharing personal stories of women who have encountered struggles and heartache in life and who have triumphed through God’s amazing grace.
In this issue of Ruby for Women you will also find advice for home-school families along with hands-on projects that we can all do with our kids this summer, all from our resident Home School Mom, Heather Miller. One of our newest writers, Amanda Johnson, writes about hearing God call her into missions, and she shares with us her adventure in Balcony Gardening from her little second-floor apartment. For a bride on a budget, there is a tutorial for creating your own hand-embellished bridal shoes and handbag, and there are some great recipes for summer drinks from Jennifer Cirka of Jaybird Designs, as well as ideas for Frugal Family Fun from Lisa Moore Gee.
Vintage Mama has sent along a few old-fashioned recipes that she discovered in some vintage cookbooks, as well as a few newer recipes for creating delicious sugar-free desserts for your family. And if you are looking for a fun project to make this summer for the county fair, you’ll also find a complete eBook pattern for making a Country Girl Apron by upcycling a pair of bib overalls, from mamas*little*treasures.
Visit the Ruby for Women blog at www.rubyforwomen.com"
Here is the code for adding to your blog that will direct your readers to Ruby for Women if they would like to subscribe or purchase a single issue of the magazine:

Another diary is being born from Fantasia: fantazya@videotron.ca for 2011! I chose my birthday to do this one, and hopefully more pages will open up. This diary will be in 3 different languages, and will be a half of a page, so I had to really narrow it down and as you can see, I used part of a photograph of one of my pieces. You may also draw if you desire to! It's just another way to get exposure to your blog or shop! Here is the link to the page that will take you where you need to go if you are interested!
http://www.fantazya.ca/diary2011.html
Have a great weekend you all!
Linda :)

Magical Holiday Artists and Etsy Texas Crafter's Swaps!!!

I just have to show off my swaps I've recently been involved with a couple of my teams. The theme I chose with the Etsy Texas Crafters Team, was green. Check out THE gorgeous necklace I got above from http://ShastaGail.Etsy.com !!!! I just LOVE it!!!
I sent her this:


THE GREEN FISH

AND SOME PRINTS!!!




Yippee,I think she was pleased!

Then I had 2 swaps on MHA, One with Http://BucksCountyDesigns.Etsy.com I adore her work so much!!!


Thank you so much Lisa!!!

Here is what I sent to her!!!
Two Prints:


And Peanut Angel in her Pink Outfit:

And Last but not least a MHA swap with the owner http://cottagegarden.Etsy.com
Look what I got!!! I love them both as they are two of my faves!!!!
Thank you so much Sarah!


And this is what I sent to her!


Aren't swaps FUN?!!!!

Big Sale for Mom's day and Spring!!!

I have a sale brewing right now!!! You can pick from the picture which is in my customized items's section! Eight cards of your choice, a print of your choice and a flat magnet of your choice! Just convo me first and I will make up a special order for you for half price. You may also half price on all my print, card and flat magnet postings. This is a steal and I am only letting my bloggers know about it! I am in the process of clearing out and making new pieces as I have sold out of a lot of my pieces. I will also honor any other piece at 20 % off. This Grand sale will last until the end of May, so take advantage!!! This is a gift for all my blog followers!!!
After my organization of all my new items as well as some oldies, I will then start to post all my newbies that haven't even been born yet!
Remember to convo me at my shop: http://LindaGJ.Etsy.com.
I love you guys!
And since it's Mom's day Happy Mother's day to all of yall that are mothers to children, older children, and children grown ups, and of course your housepets. I consider a mom to my Kenzie, my precious white cat!!! So I'm a Mom too!!!
Linda :)