Blogoversary Today!

Hello! Woo Hoo! Toot toot! Yes, it's true - today my blog is 3 years old! How cool is that?!

Anyway, just a reminder - if you have not entered my giveaway drawing you have until 12:00 midnight tonight to get your name in (just leave a comment on the post titled 3rd Blogoversary and a Giveaway - below, a few posts).

Tomorrow I will be announcing the winner and will be sending them their special goodies!

Happy Monday =)

"A Joyful Studio" is open! Yippy!

Hello there! Yes, I am so happy to finally be able to say my Etsy shop is open for business. These are some of the items that I am listing today (thought it was a good idea to start out a bit small). Anyway, with each item purchased I will be sending along a free goody for you. Please stop by my shop - the link is right there on the top of my sidebar =) Also, I will take special orders and would be happy to make something one-of-a-kind just for you.

Best wishes, Peggi xo

A Lovely Bracelet from "Two Silly Sisters"!

My friend Lori, of Morning Glories and Moonflowers , has recently opened up her Etsy shop, Two Silly Sisters . And she is offering the most darling items! I saw her button bracelets, and knew I had to get one for my daughter, Lisa. Well, not only did Lori make one for Lisa in the colors she chose, but she also wrapped it up so beauuuutifully! When Lisa received it in the mail today, she was thrilled, and fell in love with it!

Definitely visit Lori's new shop - like I said, everything in there is too cute for words, and Lori is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! Thanks so much, Lori! Now I can't wait to get one for myself, too =)

Little Crafty Things For Sale

Hello! I am still in the process of setting up my Etsy store; I know, it's been taking a while but I do want to have enough little items to start with. Anyway, here is a sort of "sneak" peek so that you can see the kinds of items I'll be offering.

The kimonos will be sold separately, or you can purchase 5 per garland (they will be hung from a paper garland by colorful mini-clothes pins), they can also be used as cards to send to friends and family.

The fans will be offered in a variety of colors - they can also be used as cards, or as decoration, or even as fans =)

The bookmarks will also be offered in a variety of colors and styles, as will the tussie mussie's. The tussie mussie's can be filled with goodies or with silk flowers, whichever you prefer. I will also be selling decorated cards, ATCs, and painted wooden crafts, as well....

If you prefer a certain color, ribbon, etc. just ask and I will be happy to make an item especially for you. I am also offering free shipping for now. So, if something catches your eye, please write to me at peggi_meyer_graminski@yahoo.com. And yes, I do accept PayPal =) Thanks! xoxo

"Birds of a Feather" Giveaway Goodies

Last week I was overjoyed to discover that I was one of the lucky winners of Heidi's Birds of a Feather Giveaway...and these yummy little treats arrived in my mail today. I won two of the lovely Petite Ruffled Crepe Garlands (one in Ivory and one in Powder Blue), and four Petite Double Ruffle Crepe Trims (two in Petal, one in White and one in Powder Blue). Aren't they lovely?! I can't wait to start making some cards and collages with them - they are so feminine and frilly and fun! Perfect for summertime crafting ... Thanks again, Heidi! (To see all the beautiful items Heidi has in her Etsy shop please visit Birds of a Feather )

Birthdays, Producers and Art - Oh MY!

Lovely! What a wonderful weekend this was - better than any I can remember for a while. Lisa's birthday was on Friday - her 18th birthday to be exact. Why do they have to grow up so fast? It just seems like the other day when she was learning to walk, and talk, surrounded by her stuffed animals, horseback riding, singing, swimming - and now she is 18, and an author, a student, a wonderful daughter and sister.

So, what does one do on their daughter's 18th birthday? Well, it had to be special, of course - and it had to be her choice =) Lisa loves musicals, and one of her favorites is "The Producers" which just happened to be playing at The Muny in Forest Park (St. Louis' most beautiful imho). And so, we went - and so, it was fantastic! The actors were from Broadway - the actress who played Ulla actually played that role on Broadway in the Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane version.

It was a lovely evening, lots of people, the lights of the city were fantastic...and Lisa enjoyed her birthday (we all did, for that matter =).

Anyway, here is a photo of an item I've been working on this last week - not the one for the giveaway as it has been promised to someone else ... but I will be getting a photo of the giveaway item on here very soon. If you haven't already signed up, please do (on the previous entry below).

Hope everyone had a wonderful, blessed weekend! xoxo Hugs, Peggi

3rd Blogoversary - and a Giveaway

Hello everybody! I was looking at the calendar recently and noticed that it has been nearly three years since I began blogging. I can't believe it's been that long - honestly, I remember when I started up this blog and when I look over those old posts now I realize how much my art, my life, my world, in fact - has changed.

I have lost my Dad who was my most wonderful friend, confidante, hero, and birthday partner; I moved away from the place I grew up and had many friends, to a place where I really did not know anyone. I've been very ill, and I've recovered...I have also made many dear new friends through this blog; I have learned a lot about art and life from them; I have contributed to a book which will soon be published; and I have tried to share my heart with you - my dreams, my soul, the part of me that I am often slow to reveal I believe I am able to reveal through my art.

So, enough talking here - what I would like to do is have a giveaway...on my Blogoversary, June 30 where I will pull one name out of a hat, and will send the winner a piece of art I have created (I will get a photo of it on here shortly). To enter the giveaway just comment to this post, and leave me your email or blog info...I will notify the winner on July 1. Good luck to everyone, and thank you for allowing me to share my art with you. Hugs, Peggi xo

For Theme Thursday - Hats

Digital and mixed media collage...by me...today. To view more "Hat" submissions please visit Theme Thursday

Virtual Garden Tour for a Cure 2008

As part of Sweet Annee's Virtual Garden Tour for a Cure, here are some photos of our yard and garden in Illinois. Having relocated from Arizona to the Midwest last summer, I am still not familiar with the names of all of the different flowers and flowering trees in this part of the country; however, I can certainly say they are here in abundance and I absolutely love seeing such a variety of blossoms and blooms! (Please click on the photos to see supersized images =)


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Please visit Deena's Story to read about her brave battle with breast cancer. She is a lovely and talented soul! And while you are there, view more submissions to the Virtual Garden Tour =) Please remember to click everyday:

Hugs, Peggi

Virtual Garden Tour for a Cure - Tomorrow, June 15th

Tomorrow Sweet Annee (Deena) will be hosting a virtual Garden Tour for a Cure to support breast cancer research, and many of us in blogland will be taking part by posting photos of our gardens on our respective blogs. Deena also would like to encourage us to Click:

Clicking everyday funds FREE mammograms

Please visit her blog Can I Be Pretty in Pink? tomorrow for a list of the participants, and a chance to vote for your favorite garden.

Thank you! Peggi xoxo

Theme Thursday - Fairies

For Theme Thursday this week ...

Ruebee Swap Goodies Received

Today I was excited to find in my mail my swap package from my Ruebee Secret Santa. Her name is Robbye of Precious Angel Originals and she made the cutest assortment of goodies! An adorable headband with matching flip flops, and an awesome personalized keyring (I should mention that the flip flops are personalized with an elegant letter "P" too - everything will match my swimming suit this year so I can't wait to hit the pool now=)

If you get a chance you should really visit Robbye's website...she sells the most adorable hairbows and accessories (and even hairbows for your pets!), and her items have a super nice quality feeling to them. Handmade really is the best!!!

Thanks again Robbye!! Hugs, Peggi

For Elisabeth ...

The little girl in this old photo looks so much like my daughter, Elisabeth, at that age. So anyway, this one's for you, kid =)

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Polkadots

Here's my submission for the Crazy Amigo Challenge this week ... hope everyone is well and enjoying the last couple of weeks of spring =) xoxo

Recent Crafts

I have been getting more and more intrigued - and inspired - by all the lovely "shabby chic" items so many bloggers have been creating recently; and I notice, that when I go to the craft store to pick up supplies I am becoming much more attracted to all things pink, lace, baby blue, things with pearls, things with an aged appearance - like white worn wooden things, beautiful scroll writings and flourishes, flower prints - lavender scented sachets...truly, the list is endless, but my heart is just yearning for this country-feeling * cottage * shabby * vintage * type of art and crafts.

In my most recent swaps I've tried to bring that vintage feeling to the items I've been creating...the items in the pics above are some of the crafty little things I've been making for some of my special swap partners. I don't know how long the Shabby Chic Muse will be visiting me in my studio, but I am starting to hope she stays for a very long time ...

What Treasures I Received in the Mail Today!

Today in the mail I received these two amazing ATCs from my new friend, Wil - who lives in The Netherlands. We traded two cards each, and I just love all the delightful details on her cards. They are so sweet! Please visit her blog to see all the beautiful work she creates ... Thank you, Wil - I hope you like your cards too! xo

Theme Thursday - Men

I do believe I could make a Johnny Depp ATC everyday and live happily ever after =) ... OK ... to see more submissions for this week's theme "Men" please visit Theme Thursday

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Blue & Brown

Here is my submission for the Crazy Amigo Challenge this week - please visit their blog to check out more "Blue and Brown" artwork...

Pinkalicious Goodies Received

Today in the mail I was so excited to receive my Pinkalicious Swapapalooza (hosted by Tangee) package from my swap partner, Jennifer (aka Drama Mama) As you can see, she sent a wonderful assortment of pink goodies galore - lots of awesome scrapbooking papers and stickers, and a beautiful "Ooh La La" frame that she made by hand - it is just gorgeous! Thank you so much, Jennifer - I love everything, and I hope you enjoy your swap goodies too! xxoo