I asked if we could blend the Randolph Street Market with DIY bloggers to create a place for bloggers to meet in the Midwest. This area of the country is an untapped resource for bloggers to network, learn and let their talents shine. Planning this event was no small task but, well worth the effort to provide a platform for the Midwest bloggers, companies, and of course, one of the top ten markets in the country.

   The Randolph Street Market Make Your Reservation Here along with a special rate at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel which has received numerous features in magazine, fabulous reviews and is absolutely a stunning restored piece of Chicago's skyline.

Thank you to the Randolph Street Market, Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Hometalk and Blitsy for your generous sponsorships supporting the First Midwest DIY Blogger Roundup. Without their support to create this venue for us to network this event would not be possible. Please remember to show them your appreciation

Standing in My Shoes

  As I look in the mirror the reflection of a woman full of promise, hope, standing in my own beauty. I am proud, feel a sense of peace, knowing I am a still a work in progress. Today I am standing in my own shoes. Why is it important I am standing in my own shoes?
 After a simple accident at home followed by three surgeries in as many years. I worked with wonderful therapists who helped me retrain my nerve and brain to work after a fall. I am left with questions that have no answers from some of the lasting effects of this accident. Which I find extremely frustrating. In my living room a single high heel black shoe with sequins trim between the seam of heel and the shoe. I found the picture at +Home Goods and Decor on my way home from one of the many occupational and, physical therapy sessions during three years of rehabilitation.The print is out of the ordinary for my decor but it doesn't matter because it is a symbol of my strength, courage and determination it took me to battle back. The words in in the print are all encouraging to rise above and strive for the best.

First Year Anniversary of Blogging {Blogiversary}

    I am celebrating the First Year Anniversary of Blogging! I prefer to call it my  Blogiversary. I have good news for you too.
 What is a celebration without a party? Boring! Several friends and I are holding a Spook-Tacular Silhouette Giveaway. The value is over $275.00 of  products to inspire you to be creative and transform your house into a  home.
 Be sure to enter before the deadline on Monday October 27th, 2014. I'd love to  cap off this year with one of you winning this great prize.

The Tour Through Blogland is live with Three New Bloggers!

The Kim Six Fix has invited me to participate in The Tour Through Blogland. Which is fitting since we have met through blogland, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and of course our blogs. She mentions in her post, we are alike in our blogs. We love DIY, constantly learning what, where, and how to use different tools to build or remodel. Then there is our softer side, which is decor, sewing, painting and crafting. One big difference is I am not a Scientist. I have a degree in Early Childhood but, both Kim and I became SAHM. One of my favorite segments on her blog is her Mantels. Look at Kim's talent in these photos then click this link to check out The Kim Six Fix.

Before & After of Kim's Bathroom
Kim's Back to School Mantel

Thank you Kim for the lovely introduction. You are a talented blogger, always willing to support others, and teach amazing tips to new bloggers.  :)

Who am I?

Celebrating Eveyday Life Magazine

     I am so excited to bring you a new magazine.

 Celebrating Every Day Life Magazine  

March/April Edition 

http://www.jennifercarrollmedia.com/

by Jennifer Carroll. 

     I was contacted by +Jennifer Carroll to review her new magazine. This pleasant opportunity was snapped up in a heartbeat. I am able share something new with all of you. Awesome!!

Even better I fell in love, when I opened the link to reveal this fresh breath of Spring, dazzled with simple to elegant pieces, of a Queens Table.

 As the pages turned I found each one to be a treasure trove of ideas, information and complimentary blogging material. The wealth of resources to help each one of us with our desire to keep on trend, just kept mounting as the pages held my attention, with stunning photography. 

     Lets start right at the front door , with this Umbrella Decoration. A creative twist to a welcoming wreath for the season. Next I became enchanted with these Easter Bonnet ideas. I love the white hat in the magazine, which can be gussied up for the day, with ribbons, buttons, or a broach. After the Holiday change it up and it will be a great summer beach hat. These Chapeaus would make a colorful Easter Parade!

     How about a tasty recipe for a beautiful cookie, pressed with doilies to give the look of lace. Wouldn't these be a perfect addition to a tea or brunch with the girls. They also would be perfect for the Spring time ritual of  wedding showers.

    Articles including tutorials are in these pages,which covers so many different skills to learn, or sharpen, while diving into the pages. Here is one of the sewing articles, which is a tutorial on how to make this flower pin cushion! 

I love to sew and would love this for a sweet homemade Mother's Day gift.

The Last Photo I will share, to entice you to read this fabulous magazine, is a furniture update done with, paint and foam core. Yes that is what I said!

    This China Cabinet painted in a neutral color but, the daring background is the secret, (Foam Core Board). How about decorate or style the back side of the core board too? This way you can either remove it, or flip it, making three ways to change your cabinet.

   I do understand Jennifer Carroll wanted to honor all who contributed work to the beautifully photographed, well written celebration of life, illustrated in this creative magazine. I do have one suggestion keep reading, because the pages I describe follow the snippets of articles, in the beginning of the magazine. As I read these pages, I wanted to read several snippets, and then see the full article matching those tidbits. Then read more snippets with the articles to follow.

   Now you may think I should have credited the amazing talent shared in my review but I gave this careful thought. I want you to read the magazine. So please give Jennifer Carroll, along with all the talent in Celebrate Everyday Life Magazine your time by reading this terrific March/April edition. Included below is a link with a video to sample the magazine. You may also purchase this addition at this link too.

Want more of Celebration of Everyday Life

 I did receive this edition of the magazine to review at no cost to me. I have given a honest review, with my own thoughts, and words. I was provided these fabulous pages to share with you during my review. I was not compensated in anyway for this post.

Until Next time.... 

~ Let Your Creative Spirit Dance ~

The Liebster Blog Award

 An Exciting week I am a Liebster Award Winner!

What?

 This is a way to showcase new bloggers with less than 200 followers to the World!

First I would like to thank the people who nominated me.

+Deborah Sommerlot  AKA Sister and Mister From; Salvage Sister & Mister

Second I need to say a 
GREAT BIG THANK YOU,
 To my family, friends and my treasured readers. 
Without each and every one of you none of this would be possible.

The Liebster Award is simple:

 Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you and display the award. 

Answer eleven questions that the blogger gives you. Give eleven random facts about yourself. 

Nominate eleven blogs that you think are deserving of the award (but they must have less than 200 followers) 

Let the bloggers know you nominated them. 

Give them eleven questions to answer. 

-What does this Award Mean-

   This award origin began in Germany 2010. It is given to you by another blogger who recognizes your work. Perhaps they like your projects, writing style, photography, sense of humor, or subject. So this is an award is given to you by your peers. This is an honor not a chain letter but, some one thought enough of you to say check out this blog. It has changed since the start but, it's roots are still strong. Only the rules have varied by how many bloggers to you nominate, or questions to answer. This award is intended to share new blogs, ideas and open the door of opportunity to the future. 

Here are our 11 questions from Salvage Sister & Mister

1. If you could travel anyplace today, where would it be?
    Michigan! I feel at peace when I am at the lake house

2. What is your next blogging goal? 
    Thanks for helping me Deborah, I would like to develop a following of subscribers.

3. How long have you been blogging?
    Five months this week, it keeps my creativity rolling, and meet new interesting people

4. How many pets do you have?
    My little girl! She is a Golden Retriever named Cricket. She is my side kick.

5. What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge right now? 
    Home Brewed Beer! I have my son and his friend to thank for that because, they have created a Micro Brewing System, Occasionally Worms for fishing.

6. Favorite chore to do in or out of the house?
   Gardening because I love to be outside, and planting flowers, at the lake I work and play outside all day. I have one standing appointment with Prince Charming & Cricket, along with any guests. Each evening you will find us on the pier or in the boat, watching the Sunset. 
 We like to call it, Eeyore's Cloud Painting.  (Whinnie The Pooh)

7. Eat in or out? 
   Funny! Pick up food and Eat at home.

8.Favorite food?
  Lasagna, My Prince Charming makes a mean one! 
  Chef Emeril Lagasse Recipe Yummy!!!!!

9. Why did you start blogging? 
   I was lucky enough to accomplish my dream of Staying at home with my sons. Now they are making their dreams while I focus on Sharing my love for creating beauty from simple to glamour always keeping in mind the people in my life who have come before me the ones who share my days and the ones who will share the stories of our memories.

10. If you were born in a different generation which would it be? 
   My parents because, being a stay at home mom was respected then 

11. Very first blog you started reading?
    I wish I could say Salvage Sister & Mister but it was 
+Brittany Bailey of Pretty Handy Girl, on the same day
 +Donna Williams of +Funky Junk Interiors 

My Liebster Award Nominees  

Here are my nominees for blogs to watch, in no particular order. If you are more than 200 followers, I apologize in advance. I just wanted to say GREAT JOB! Just click on the names to visit their sites

1. http://twinstreasuretrove.blogspot.com

2. http://sondralynathome.com/

3. http://diy180site.blogspot.com/

4. http://www.downhomeinspiration.com/

5. http://veggieinspiredjourney.wordpress.com/

6. http://www.threelittlemonkeysstudio.com/

7. http://www.marriedfiling-jointly.com/

8. http://www.titicrafty.com/

9. http://frommexicotocanadawithlove.wordpress.com/

10. http://www.thedecoratednest.com/

11. http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/   &       http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

. Sending some blog Love! 

To honor each of you for inspiring me to start blogging, by sharing your spirit. I know you have more then 200 followers. I wanted you both to know your work has influenced me. 

     

And here are my questions to my nominees.

1. Where is your dream place to live?

2. When and Where was your last vacation?

3. What is your favorite blog post to date? (Add Link)

4. What Blog Conference would/did you attend?

5. How do you balance your time between all of your life demands and fun?

6. What is your next blog goal?

7. How long have you been Blogging?

8. Do you want or have your own website?

9. When you create your blog are you messy or neat?

10. Are you a Free Spirit or a Planner?

11. Why did you start blogging?

I can not wait to learn about my blogging friends.

The time you have taken to read this blog does not go unnoticed, please leave a comment. I will reply and thank you properly for visiting.

Until Next time.... 

~ Let Your Creative Spirit Dance ~

Not So Pretty Picture

Making Lemonade out of a Lemon
While I have been tearing my hair out to get this blog written, you might have wondered where did she go? Well I have been here trying to get my computer repaired. Yep you guessed it the dreaded virus. Which ironicly we both had viruses, mine required rest and medication. The computer a complete over haul. It occurred to me last night, after writing, and scrapping the first draft of this post that I was looking at this dilema all wrong.
  I have no pictures and I promised my family I would not talk about them in the blog. I am using one pinky to write this on my phone and I can barely see what it looks like. Most important to me is that I am only one month into this and letting people and myself down.
 So I do have pictures on this phone. I do have something to write about and I still have a pinky finger and a phone. So please have patience with me while we get through this little bump in the road.
  Let's see what is important, that is lost in this mess. Well of course my 25,000 pictures, time, all 181,000 documents, for a fundraising auction I volunteer to help my sons college baseball team, my Storybook projects, Silhouette projects, and this blog post.
  No

Our Cricket dinging the beach as much as me

The beautiful Fall colors

The last Roses of the Summer at my parents

 Arriving at the lake after a long week

The sun setting on a day our whole family was together

My favorite spot to enjoy the view

  There are so many more moments you will see along our journey. These are just a few of the memories and treasures locked up in my computer. I hope you will all back up your computers now so your treasures will be safe. My son taught me last night to simply open your choice of storage device, then open another window  click on your files and click copy.  Now go back to your storage device click paste. Depending on the amount of content in your files this can take a long time. I did one over night but it can be done during the day too, you will just want to have a project or something to do so you can use your time productive. My kind son is now spending his day repairing my computer. I am blessed to have a loving and supportive family in my life.
The sun is shining here, it is Cricket's 3rd Birthday, and time for me to take an adorable furry girl shopping for some presents. Why? Because that's what girls do, on their birthday, in this house.  Have a great day and please share your computer crash stories with me. I know we have all been through it sharing just might make us all feel a little better.