People who inspire me...

Yesterday I was able to visit the home of a creative genius named Brenda. I was introduced by Pamela (of "From My Front Porch To Yours blog). It turns out the three of us live right here in the same neighborhood!

Our friend had the most beautiful home. I could have stayed in her craft room for days. I know we must have chastised her 3 separate times for not having a blog, because such beauty and artistic flair should not be hidden from the world. I had to leave shortly after the tour to pick up a "sick" child from school. But I didn't leave without a few goodies, a new piece of art and a whirlwind of decorating and crafting ideas swirling around in my brain. 

Here is a little tour of Brenda's house, mostly her Valentin'es Day decor... HERE

So today, I got out the trusty glue gun...

some doo-dads, trims, sparkle and paper...

and here's what I came up with. Please don't laugh. Remember...I was going for whimsical!

  Why a duck? I have no idea. I found a few of these vintage ducks, in original packaging, at a thrift store for .25 cents each. They just makes me smile. 

And then I went to town on this sheep, which I almost threw away the other day. I got this for a couple bucks in a gift shop somewhere and then didn't like it. Looks much better with some embellishments!

I love feeling inspired! It's such a wonderful feeling to be passionate about creating. It takes your mind off of everything else in the world. You get lost within yourself and use a part of your brain that is usually asleep. Everyone has this part of the brain, but some believe they don't or ignore it. Kinda like the math side of my brain I guess. 

Happy Crafting!

♥Linsey

Sharing at: From My Front porch to Yours
French Country Cottage

Saddle up Partner, it's Week 52 of the Cowgirl Up! Link Party!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our cowgirls!!  (If you're here, that means you, unless you're a guy.)



This week is week 52, and guess what? We started Cowgirl Up one year ago! (Oh I guess you figured that out with it being week #52 and all.)  This party is special because of you dear friend.  You are the special ingredient that makes this party work.  We're taking off our hats to you.  Now I'm ready to introduce our special guest host, Debbie from Confessions of a Plate Addict. I love her and I know you probably already do, but if you don't know her, I'll let her speak for herself. Take it away, Debbie...

Hi, Cowgirl Up readers!

I am Debbie and I am so excited to have been invited to join all of those wonderful ladies from Texas…  Anita, Samantha, Linsey and Amanda… for the Cowgirl Up linky party!

I already feeling right at home here since I had the honor of hanging out with these talented ladies for their Christmas in July party!

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I blog at Confessions of a Plate Addict where I am aided by my sassy feline staff.  In a nutshell, I am a retired French teacher who loves anything French. I am also blessed to be the grandmother of three wonderful boys!

And yes…I love plates!

And I have to show you my favorites…my vintage French Quimper collection! Why plates?  My addiction began when I was living in France for a year (What a experience!) where lovely plates are an essential part of life!

The birth of my first grandson brought me back home to Georgia...

but not without some ideas for making my home into my own little corner of "France"…the best of both worlds!

And so I embarked on a mission to create frenchiness…on a budget! (I am a retired teacher, you know!)

I am a natural born copy-cat, so I have created my own “vintage” French linens…

…and put French words on anything that sits still long enough to let me!

And once I figure out how to make something, I share how I did it… so my blog is packed with lots of tips and tutorials so you can add frenchiness to your home, too, if you would like!

Add in some fun thrifting and antiquing…

…and top if off with travel...to places where French is spoken, of course… and there you have my blog!

 So I hope you will drop by, make yourself at home and have a look around!  

You are always welcome!

And thanks again to the Cowgirls for inviting me to co-host! 

Now…let’s get this party started!

** Want to be a Guest Host here on Cowgirl Up? Just leave a comment with your name and blog address below! If you are selected, you will be introduced in the Cowgirl Up post for that week, and we'll include a link to your blog. We’ll send you the code for the party ahead of time. Lots of fantastic exposure for you, and the post is written for you! On to this week's features chosen by Anita of   Cedar Hill Ranch

(I hope you got to see my blog featured in the February issue of Romantic Homes magazine. 

You can click here for more info.) Here are this week's features.

At Home on the Bay - How to Diffuse Hard Light

Southern Abbey - Antique White Sideboard

An Extraordinary Day - DIY Valentine Moment with Meaning

The Kitchen is my Playground - Chocolate Valentine's Day Kiss Cookies

Petticoat Junktion - MMS Milk Paint

Texas Girl in Philly - Lavender Heart Sachets

Now about this week's party... You link up on my blog and your link shows up on FIVE blogs.

More exposure, less time. We are looking for the latest and greatest projects, tutorials, ideas, crafts, recipes, decor, and inspiring stories. Anything that you are proud to show off.

Cowgirl Up! is the link party that saves you time and brings you inspiration.

What blogs will your link appear on? Check us out below!

Linsey with The Farmhouse Porch

Anita with Cedar Hill Ranch

Amanda with The Ivy Cottage Blog

Samantha with Crafty Texas Girls *PLUS our Special GUEST HOST:  Debbie of Confessions of a Plate Addict

The four of us are all Texas bloggers, but you don't have to be Texas, country, western, or own horses to participate in Cowgirl Up! You just need that "can-do", cowgirl spirit!

Cowgirl Up! Link Party Guidelines

(Please read the guidelines before participating)

* When you link with Cowgirl Up!, your link will automatically show on four different blogs. Awesome!

* Please follow your host blog before linking up on GFC (and if you have a linkyfollow account, then please follow that way too.)

* You may link up decor, DIY, crafts, guest post, recipes, giveaways, sewing, inspiring stories, and anything that you feel related to the listed categories.

* You may link as many links as you want.

* Be sure to include the Cowgirl Up! Button or text link to Cowgirl Up in your linked post, (mine can be found on my sidebar.) Mandatory to be featured!!

* Be courteous and visit the two links before yours. Several projects will be featured each week!

* By linking up you are agreeing that the photos are yours or that you have permission to use them,  that we may use those photos to feature your project in a blog post, on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter with a link back to your blog of course. 

*If you pin a project shown here, please, please pin from the original source.

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