tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80857012009-07-11T22:17:06.897-04:00Random thoughts and quotes shared by a happily married mother of 3 trying to balance family and a home based business.Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-51861766967411212402009-07-11T12:15:00.006-04:002009-07-11T12:55:36.759-04:00

Wow! Had a super busy week...All Star baseball games every night. My son's team is not moving ahead as they got eliminated last night. I hate to say this but I'm glad! We've been dealing with baseball since March and we need a break! And no one needs this down time more than him...what a crab he's been!! Too much of anything is NOT a good thing. It's time for summer enjoyment! I love to go to the

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-45216229058659615182009-07-03T07:40:00.000-04:002009-07-03T07:43:40.772-04:00

Happy Fourth of July! It's our nation's birthday so rather than focus on only one artist this week I decided to feature a variety of Americana themed artwork.I did a quick search on Etsy and here are a few items that I stumbled upon and thoroughly enjoyed...Felted Wool Nesting Bowls created byValeriesGallery.etsy.com -----------Ceramic Americana Pie Dish created byThePigPen.etsy.com -----------

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-50658370490173846392009-06-26T09:28:00.001-04:002009-06-26T12:58:52.020-04:00

Happy Friday everyone! Here we are at the end of another crazy week. I don't know about you but the weather here in western Pa has been fabulous! Yes, it's been hot, but that's the way I like it. I was outside sanding several pieces of wood for name sign orders and I was sweating like crazy. But I didn't care. I quickly recalled all the cold winter days when I was standing out there in that exact

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-75456169625599944182009-06-22T07:17:00.000-04:002009-06-22T07:25:49.810-04:00

I have been so busy lately trying to keep up with everything in my life and haven't had time to post here as much as I'd like.BUT, I've been continuing to collect quotes and now have a whole list I want to share.Sorry if this is overwhelming, but these are all great and I didn't want to exclude any of them.Here we go...quoting away..."The successful man is the average man, focused."-- Source

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-24048195312954909552009-06-19T08:41:00.002-04:002009-06-19T09:54:14.106-04:00

Wow! I'm honored to have received this wonderful award!This lovely award was given to me by Jen over at Studio Petite.I'm a big fan of her art...I love her style and designs! Get on over to her Etsy Shop - Studio Petite - and check out her whimsical, colorful and 'oh so sweet' artwork...Studio Petitehttp://www.studiopetite.etsy.comI humbly yet gratefully accept this award and I'd like to pass it

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-8542731728653621612009-06-19T06:49:00.000-04:002009-06-19T07:04:32.875-04:00

First of all I MUST apologize for not posting a feature last Friday. Everything was extremely hectic for me! It was the first week my kids were off from school...something I was nervous about to begin with. But it ended up that the cause of my stress wasn't the kids after all...it was the dog! She was a nutcase! Uppity all week long...nervous, panting, following me EVERYWHERE!! I was completely

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-40309184963561503582009-06-10T08:55:00.000-04:002009-06-10T09:19:40.257-04:00

This week has been super busy. Remember in a blog post from last week how I shared that I was nervous about adjusting to life with the kids home now that school's out??? Well, the kids haven't been the issue at all......of all things what's been the worst to deal with???The dog!!I am about to pull my hair out trying to figure out what's going on with her. I honestly believe the biggest issue is

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-79570695776865828982009-06-06T09:03:00.002-04:002009-06-06T09:19:32.702-04:00

Yesterday morning I opened the back door to let the dog out to do her business. As I peered out the door I saw this at the edge of our deck......a cute, chubby and furry baby Blue Jay! The poor thing was so scared! I guess it was time for Mama Blue Jay to kick him/her out of the nest. As I was watching it and snapping a few pictures another baby Blue Jay plopped onto one of our deck chairs. I

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-16590499243181183002009-06-06T08:05:00.001-04:002009-06-06T08:21:42.400-04:00

...and I found a photo of a drawing that I wanted to share...but before I show the one I like so much let me backtrack...You may or may not know this, but along with my house portraits I also sell hand crafted custom moving announcements. A customer simply submits photos of their new house via email or snail mail and then I draw a portrait of it. Once complete, I scan the portrait, resize the

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-61052240636004135832009-06-05T09:17:00.000-04:002009-06-05T10:27:54.365-04:00

Wow! Here we are on a Friday again! I can't believe how fast the weeks go by!Speaking of time flying, yesterday was the last day of school for my kids. Needless to say, the next few days will be a bit harried and chaos promises to reign. But soon we'll get into a new routine and we'll enjoy a less hectic pace. I plan to soak in these warm, sunny, laid back days and make it a point to live in the

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-43339318640450298662009-06-03T10:12:00.005-04:002009-06-03T10:25:31.725-04:00

...but I'm heading to my baby's 5th grade graduation! One of my very first posts was written on his first day of first grade! I can't believe how the time has flown by!I don't usually cry at these types of events...heck it's only 5th grade...not high school or college. But you never know...he's my baby and at times I can cry over pretty much nothing! As a matter of fact I cry so often that all 3

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-47139465267243068032009-06-01T07:10:00.002-04:002009-06-01T08:09:54.319-04:00

Ahhh...so glad to be home! I spent the weekend with my girlfriends and we had a great time on Saturday visiting a handful of wineries in Northeast Ohio.Although each winery has it's own charm my absolute favorite is the South River Vineyard. Housed in a century old church the vineyards stretch for what seems like miles...it's an extremely beautiful and peaceful setting. Just the ticket for

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-58417796502034469302009-05-30T07:20:00.003-04:002009-05-30T07:26:30.750-04:00

Loved this one...“Everybody builds a dream in their lifetime. You’re either going to build yourdream, or somebody else's. So build your own!"-- Christopher LaBrecJust wanted to share that quickly...I'm heading up to the lake to visit friends for a girls weekend! Can't wait to relax...it's been a hectic couple of weeks and I need a break!I'll be back next week wih more creative finds, quotes and

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-60883609311576672562009-05-29T06:34:00.011-04:002009-05-29T07:29:34.314-04:00

Good Friday morning to you all! It's that time again...I have another wonderful Feature Friday artist to share with you. This week's feature is...da da da daaaa...Marilyn Fegan's 'furnARTure'http://mfeganart.etsy.comI stumbled upon Marilyn Fegan's Etsy shop a few weeks ago using Etsy's Pounce Tool. As soon as I saw this adorable bird's nest bowl I HAD to click through to see more...Isn't it just

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-60280955029929602942009-05-26T10:52:00.006-04:002009-05-26T11:33:05.892-04:00

...is taking place right now and runs through the end of this week!Make sure you get over to Kiddie Corner Deals to see all of the great things you can win for that extra special dad in your life!More on the way throughout the week...

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-35542028394044851802009-05-25T19:55:00.004-04:002009-05-25T20:13:07.124-04:00

Do you keep a journal? I journal sporadically and enjoy it, but the fascination for it seems to wear off and then I stop...usually for a long while.Lately I've been in the 'stop' mode and my sketchbook/journal has been collecting dust on my bedside table. Every so often I see it sitting there and I get the urge to try it out again. But then that thought conveniently passes.Then I saw this tweet

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-36966319928693053562009-05-25T08:46:00.003-04:002009-05-25T09:14:02.697-04:00

Last week I had a couple customers who, more or less, were critical of my work. In reality the issue was theirs...they obviously didn't read my website before they placed their orders and then got on my case because the product they got was not what they ordered. I was upset, but swallowed my pride and worked with each of them to resolve the issues and everything turned out okay.But I'll tell you

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-88629233640123245432009-05-24T22:09:00.006-04:002009-05-24T22:57:53.664-04:00

I just finished reading "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen.A very cute story that gave me a new appreciation for elephants...even though the book isn't really about elephants. It's the story of Jacob Jankowski's life with the circus in Depression-era America. I love period pieces...it's fascinating to learn how people lived in past generations.But I'm not writing tonight to rant and rave about

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-27235661613735972722009-05-22T06:21:00.002-04:002009-05-22T06:49:34.869-04:00

Well, here we are on yet another beautiful Friday morning. And 'TGIF' is all I can say! It's been a very busy week for me and I'm ready for a couple of days off. But before I move forward with my weekend plans I want to share the latest installment of my 'Feature Friday' posts. Are you ready??? I certainly hope so!Take a look at the work of this creative soul who, most definitely, has 'a unique

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-49886356506208365022009-05-21T06:45:00.004-04:002009-05-21T07:22:25.066-04:00

In honor of the upcoming Father's Day holiday a 'Daddy Event' is going on over at Kiddie Corner Deals.The event starts May 25, 2009 and runs through May 29, 2009.I volunteered to be one of the sponsors of the giveaway by donating one of my 6"x 18" Creative Name Signs valued at $39.00. Although a name sign probably isn't something you'd think of right away as a gift to give your dad for Father's

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-29761343327532140432009-05-20T09:47:00.002-04:002009-05-20T10:14:53.769-04:00

In the United States we will be celerating Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2009. This holiday began as a rememberance for those who have died in our nation's service. While it's important to pay homage to those who fought for our freedoms I can't help but think of my dad at this time of year as well. After a long bout with cancer he passed away on May 21, 2002. He is sadly missed, but will never

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-37484434126206185902009-05-20T07:50:00.001-04:002009-05-20T08:33:47.270-04:00

Since I started my Feature Friday blog posts I've devoted a great amount of time searching for more artists and crafters to share with you. Although I thoroughly enjoy the search process, I've run into a problem. A GOOD problem, but a problem none the less. My issue?? Every week I struggle with the fact that there is so much talent out there and I get overwhelmed at decision time! There are too

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-45793105585468159502009-05-19T20:02:00.000-04:002009-05-21T08:20:40.786-04:00

I recently participated in Blog Link-A-Thon over at Mom Blogs at MomDot.An interesting way to network and support other bloggers this Link-A-Thon was a huge success! A total of 333 people added their blog! Wow!! Now it's time to go down this list and do some serious reading and hopefully make some new friends at the same time!1. Lori@Not Always Charming2. Fairy Blog Mother3. Crazy Adventures in

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-88400048977695485182009-05-18T13:54:00.003-04:002009-05-18T14:12:20.427-04:00

I was on Twitter today and read a tweet with a link to this website:The Art of Nonconformity.It sounded like an interesting site and something that I might find interesting so I read more to see what it's all about. After clicking around a bit I came across this quote and simply loved it..."Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085701.post-52034580116354582692009-05-18T10:21:00.002-04:002009-05-18T10:40:26.792-04:00

I recently joined the Handmade Artists Forum...a wonderful group of supportive handmade artists, jewelers, chainmaillers and crafters. Click the button and take some time to visit their forum as a guest. Promotional opportunities are available on the forum and many members are interested in networking and helping to promote each others shops.Once you take a look around and see how supportive and

Jane Loeddinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09998554795271970493noreply@blogger.com2