Flashcard Friday - Q is for ....

It's been a while since I had a Flashcard Friday post...

The tiny quail

has a very short tail.

His eggs are so small,

it's hard to see them at all.

Calligraphy - a new hobby

I seem to suffer from this creative illness where my mind suddenly stops and thinks: hey, I want to learn how to do that!

Some of the skills I've acquired through the years I pick up from time to time, such as sewing for instance or knitting. Others, like ahum, ... gardening, well, let's just say that I soon learned that my fingers aren't as green as I thought they were.

I'm currently taking a calligraphy course and after learning the basics we now get to experiment with different inks, papers and more creative ways of writing.  Now that I have some knowledge of how to use a calligraphy pen I'm also hoping that I can teach myself how to write Copperplate.

After reading some really good reviews about this book: Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy by Eleanor Winters, I went ahead and ordered it.  I also ordered a bunch of new supplies as this particular kind of calligraphy requires its own set of nibs and pens.

Because I'm taking a course I already know that one can only truly master calligraphy by practising often. It is definitely not something that you can learn overnight. I guess I'd also better stock up on paper then...

Hope Notes

After reading a wonderful guest blog post by Colleen Attara on The Petit Cadeau blog about hope notes I've been inspired to write a couple myself. 

Colleen described the hope notes as little notes of love and encouragement that you send off into the world not knowing who is going to receive them, but believing with all your heart that the right person will find them.

So I used my newly acquired (I'm still a beginner) calligraphy skills, took out a bunch of small cards I had lying around and wrote a few short sentences: dream big, you deserve to be happy, pay it forward,...

I plan to leave them between the library books I'm currently reading.  

I wonder, have you ever found one? Could a small note written by a stranger have an effect on your life? 

How to make your own luck {free printable}

Would you like to know how to make your own luck this year?

Sometimes making your own luck can be easier than you think. Have a look here at how the lovely Allisa Jacobs from Quiltish came up with several clever uses for these free printable St. Patrick's Day cupcake toppers. 

Lucky cupcake toppers - photo courtesy of Allisa Jacobs

Here's a sneak peek...

Lucky gold coins - photo courtesy of Allisa Jacobs

Thank you Allisa for sharing your ideas and for allowing me to guest post on your blog.

What would you make with this printable?  Download them for free on Allisa's blog and let me know in the comments!

x Tania

PS: If you're a small business owner like myself I strongly recommend reading the Business Bits on Allisa's blog.  She shares some very valuable information in those posts, it's like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  And of course, while you're there your eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to the elegant clutches Allisa designs.  

This is one of my favorites. Gorgeous, isn't it?

A late Valentine's Day post

I haven't posted much this month, but of course that doesn't mean I haven't been busy.  

Early February I was contacted by MommyDecorates.com if I was willing to design a set of free printable cupcake toppers for their Pink and Gray themed Kids Valentine's Day photo shoot. I couldn't resist so I designed a cute set of toppers which I hope you will like "beary" much.

Kids Valentine Cupcake Toppers

Serra from MommyDecorates.com hired professional photographer Kasia from Kasia Sutton Photography and the results are gorgeous.

Photo by Kasia Sutton Photography via MommyDecorates.com

You can see more beautiful pictures of the party here and here as well as plenty of decorating tips for a child friendly Valentine's Day party.  If you would like to download the "Beary Love" cupcake toppers yourself, you can do so here.

I will also be working with MommyDecorates.com for their Easter photo shoot so keep an eye out for more goodness on the blog later.

Giraffe baby shower {a little glimpse}

aka what I'm working on right now:

Giraffe baby shower - new colour combinations

A sketch, photo, or work in progress. A little glimpse into the way we work or what we're working on. Keeping creative and sharing the goodness. 

The {a little glimpse} posts are inspired by Cupcakes for Clara. 

P.S. If you want to join in with the posts please do share your link in the comments so we can pop by and have a peek

The best things in life {a gratitude post}

Source: Uploaded by user via Savannah on Pinterest

When I came across the above quote it made me smile and it also made me want to express my gratitude.  The best things in life, the things I am most grateful for, it's true, they aren't things at all.

Here are some of the best things in my life right now:

• getting a kiss from my almost 13-year old son (I wonder how much longer they will last)
• a note written by my soon to be 10-year old daughter telling me she loves me soooooo much (I'm saving those notes for when she's a teenager)
• listening to my youngest as she learns new words every day
• when she "hides" behind her hands so I can't find her and giggles when she peeks through her fingers
• that look in my husband's eyes, telling me he loves me, even without words
• getting compliments from my customers that make me smile all day long

What are some of the best things in your life right now?