Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine's Day friends!  I hope your day is filled with love and laughter!  I'm a bit Valentine'ed out so I have no card to share today but this seemed a fitting occasion to mention that recently I was the lucky recipient of a Liebster Blog award from two of my very dear blogging buddies--Anne Marie and Christina.  Wow!

Anne Marie, or Stampin' Anne to the blog world, is a super talented crafter with a heart of gold and a design style as big and bold as the state where she lives--yep, Texas!  She is a master at mixing patterns, texture and BLING and a visit to her blog is sure to inspire as well as bring a smile to your face with her sparkling personality not to mention the occasional song lyric!  Thank you Ann Marie--it's an honor!

Christina, of Sea Glass and Sentiments, is another super talented crafter with an amazing attention to detail and a clean and simple style that is to die for!  She mixes colors and layers to perfection and is wicked with her sewing machine!  She also has a heart of gold and always leaves me the sweetest and most encouraging comments.  Thank you Christina--I am honored!

As part of the award, I am to pass it on to 3 other blogging buddies whom I admire.  Of course, I find inspiration from so many talented bloggers out there--my Google Reader list grows everyday--but the following artists inspire me not only with their amazing creations but their kindness as well:

1. Linda @ Stampin' Seasons--not only do I love her effortlessly elegant style, Linda is generous with her comments and always makes me laugh!
2. Lesley @ Always Playing with Paper--Lesley gave me my very first spot on a Design Team and along with that, confidence in myself and my designs .  On top of that, she is super friendly and I love her style.
3. Tara @ Tara Bee Ink--Tara's creations are always stellar.  An amazing attention to detail and a superb sense of color.  I always leave a visit to her blog with my jaw still on the floor!

And, iIf you're still with me I will leave you with a virtual Valentine's bouquet straight from the camellia bushes in our backyard.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Oh "sew" stylish, dahling!

I was tickled pink recently to learn that I had been tagged with this oh-sooo-stylish blogger award by not one, but two lovely and talented friends who I admire greatly: Diane Oliver and Carrie Gaskin.  I am truly spoiled!  Thank you so much, Diane and Carrie!  

One of the responsibilities of a stylish blogger is to share 8 things about myself...not always easy for me but I'll give it a try!

1. My husband, of 17 years, and I have a wonderful daughter (7YO) who makes us laugh everyday!
2. I have been a Reference Librarian in both public and academic libraries for those same 17 years--wow 1993 was a good year! :-)
3. I have always been crafty but, like a true Gemini, find many, many crafty ventures that pique my interest! I love the satisfaction of being able to say "I made that!"
4. I believe in the transformative power of books and always have a stack of books on my nightstand.  Currently, I am reading The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
5. I lived and worked as a model in Tokyo, Japan.
6.  I would call my style modern elegance--I don't do "cutesy" very often!! ;-)
7. I love trees.
8. My favorite Starbucks drink is Chai Latte.  I don't do coffee!  :-)

Stylish bloggers know where to go for inspiration and though it's impossible to name just a few (my Google Reader grows everyday!), I give you 8 of my favorite bloggers:

1. Nancy Lempinen - my Mom, my original source of all stylish inspiration.
2. Tara Bilbao
3. Christina MacLaren
4. Margaret Moody
5. Anne Marie Hile
6. Kristin Moore
7. Jen Sannes
8. Julie DiMatteo

Thanks for stopping by today and indulging me in my "stylish" moment!  Be sure to check back tomorrow when I will have an exciting announcement under the Canopy!  Happy Friday, friends!