These three letters have a lot of work to do this year. I am using Joy as my word for the year. What does that mean? The easiest way to explain is this years word was determination. When I picked that word I thought it would encourage me to get things done, take care of myself, build the blog, and have some fun. I had no idea how much I needed that word. 

Elf Gift Exchange Bonds Bloggers

Today you have hit the mother load of blog posts I Have joined in with Bloglovin to expand my blog Follow me on BlogLovin , included is a tutorial, a gift exchange and a round up coordinated by my sweet friend +Michele Alger
  Now on to the elf gift exchange which, gave bloggers an chance to learn more about each other, and share holiday spirit. I was lucky to become +Ali Williams  Elf. Thank you Ali for coordinating a bunch of creative bloggers to assemble gifts before Christmas. No easy task I can assure you. We Creative creatures tend to drift here or there especially at this time of year.
  Ali Williams is the creator of Skinny gf  Chef please visit her to grab a few healthy recipes.
  I chose to make her a card as well as a gift card. Shhhh she hasn't received it yet.
I started with doing a bit of stalking on her blog, FB, IG to find out what she liked. Creepy I know but it was for a good cause.

Kindred Spirits

A Handmade Gift Exchange started by my friend Tori

 created a journey of Kindred Spirits.

 Two Karens, same country, different states, 

Married 10 and 30 years, Loving Husbands (different men) LOL. Two children all boys, SAHM one starting the other finished, 

both creative, and talented in the many ways.

Handmade Gift Exchange

 Tori was following our Facebook Group called the Silhouette Challenge. All of this handmade work swirling through the words of our members. Each post a person, pictures of a new project, with loads of encouragement below. Others asking for an opinion, which looks better?  Where do you get the best vinyl? Tricks to keep your machine running smoothly, and money savings tips too.

Tori Set up an event Handmade Gift Exchange asking people to participate, then she split us into pairs sent us our present partners, gave us ideas how to get to know each other, and of course a deadline for when the packages to ship.

Facebook

As you can see from above, is how I met my kindred spirit Karen. We have not met in person but, we have corresponded like modern day pen pals. 

Blog Designs

      I bet there many of you out in Blog World, who have faced the same decisions I have been make recently. 
  What decisions you asked?
 Well here is a part of the list:
1. website hosts dedicated, shared, and free servers 
2. $$$$ cost is is right for me or you? 
3. Raise your SEO and Page traffic.
4. WordPress vs Blogger?
  I am filled with information overload after searching, reading, and questioning. Now I  feel like I am tossing the pros and cons like a juggling act. Many of you are right now in the same boat, with your mind steering the boat in circles, well I took a little break and Jumped off the Boat!
  Since I am still debating these thoughts I needed to accomplish something.

 We all know, that a creative spirit has got to dance, clear the cobwebs, to be able be inspired, to transform, and create.

 Hey, I think I just worked on simplifying my Header!

    What did I do? 

I created new art work for my blog. 

  I have been working on creating one continuous logo for my types of social media and blog. I have been chatting with someone who I value their opinion. She knows who she is for now we will keep it that way. Her suggestion is simplify your design and header. 

The first idea was layering paper, an image from the +Karen Watson Graphics Fairy(Lily Pads), and my own image the Dragonfly.

When I  worked on this I used my computer to wash in some color to appear like a water color.

I added in words I feel describe my blog and dressed up the Logo a bit.   
Did you notice the color of the year?

Can you see the subtle change?

Happy Day

I Have something to Celebrate with all of you who have shared this blog journey. We Have hit over 5000 page views ahead of my goal. This would not be possible, with out each reader, who has given me their vote of confidence by reading 

Dragonfly and Lily Pads! 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! 

Now is the part where I need your feed back. This entire blog is about the people
 who read it, try new things, and create.

Please leave a comment below answering any or all of these questions?

1. Which is do you like the best?

2. Do you like the message?

3. What would you change?

4. Does the Title Stand out enough?

5. Any other thoughts!

  Constructive comments will not hurt my feelings. Being honest with your thoughts will help me better to serve you. 

A great BIG THANK YOU to +Karen Watson http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ Please go by and check out her awesome blog, graphics and talent. It is not to be missed!
The Black and white Graphic of the Lily Pads is from her site.

I can not wait to see your responses, Please take the time to share your input. I assure you it is truly appreciated.

~Let Your Creative Spirit Dance


This post is linked to:
http://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2014/03/creating-stars-2014-contest-link.html
http://tatertotsandjello.com/

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.