Shabby Lane Shops Giveaway and Latest Magazine

Click here to enter to win this Spring Shabby Lane Shops Boutique Bag giveaway! That link will take you to the Shabby Lane Shops blog where the entries are being accepted. There are 32 shops that contributed to this giveaway, so this would be a great one to win! If you can see it, my mini blackboard tag is right in the center of the picture.

Four of the last Shabby Lane Shops magazine are included, along with the recent Spring & Summer issue that will hit newstands April 6th! My latest short story is included in this new issue. It's titled "The Unexpected Garden" and it's very much a spring and Mother's Day story. If you don't see it in your Barnes & Noble or other local bookstore, you can always order it here.

My New Mini-Sized Painting

I painted this itty bitty painting last night and baked it this morning. I love how sweet and small it is.

I have several more just waiting to be painted. I can't wait!

I'm Back At It Again...

But this time I didn't paint one large chalkboard, I painted over 40 small, sweet little chalkboards. These have been shipped off to Tennessee to be included in the Shabby Lane Shops boutique bags, to be sold at the Nashville Women's Show in April. I even included a little mini piece of chalk with each one!

They can be used for gift tags or for labels in the kitchen, etc. AND since they're chalkboards, they're totally reusable. I kept three for myself, but I can see it's not going to be enough!

By the way, if you would like to order a Boutique Bag from Shabby Lane Shops and receive a sampling of what many of the shops have to offer, the link is http://www.shabbylaneshops.com/catalog.htm?item=354

The Ice Storm

Every single twig and blade of grass was covered today. It was beautiful but I have to admit, I enjoyed its awesomeness much more from the inside of the warm house as I watched through the window.

My lavender is trying desperately to hang in there.

And this is all before the sleet hit. We had so much sleet it looked like snow.

But the kids played in it anyway.

Which means, of course, these icicles were demolished.

Hang in there lavender. Spring will be here soon....

I Just Finished My Chalkboard!

I don't know what it is, but I have a thing for chalkboards. I found this cabinet door at a yard sale and, for some reason unknown, had it sitting in my basement unused. It's so fun to give something new life, to change it into something totally unexpected. I should really do that more often.

I have the perfect spot in my kitchen for this freshly painted 'Menu' but the thing is, I still have more chalkboard paint. And I still have more cabinet doors from that yard sale. Where will I go with all of them when I'm finished?

It's voting time! I've decorated my website once again for Valentine's Day. I even have falling pink hearts this year! Click here to see how it looks. But then come back and remember to vote for me (by clicking on the button below) for this year's Valentine's Day contest! Thank you!!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy New Year everyone! I'm sharing a link to the new Shabby Lane Shops magazine on sale now either through this link or at book stores across the country, including select Barnes & Noble stores. I have a short story included in this magazine titled "Romance in Bloom".

This magazine is called New Year Romance and is the New Year/Valentine issue. Just like the past issues, this magazine has great articles and beautiful photos, so don't miss it! Subscriptions are also available.