I absolutely love this idea. A "Gratitude Journal". A place to tuck away little tidbits about all the things you're grateful for in life so you can come back and enjoy the read later on down the road when you're feeling down or need a little pick me up.
I've written about my love for journals and my belief in their importance for people's lives as well as for those of future generations before in a past blog post. I think that they're important and I think that they can have a great deal of use and significance in someone's life depending on how they are used.
To me, a Gratitude Journal is a terrific use. One that can live on and on.
The journal shown here is designed by FromShirlee on Etsy, who has a shop filled with wonderful ideas and a warm, cozy feel.
Not only do they offer journals including the one I've featured here, but they also offer baby blanket throws and other knit items (check out the little Amigurumi turtles! SO cute!) as well as cards and other paper crafts including scrap book pages and more!
This shop is family run by three generations of crafty and talented women and there's a terrific story on FromShirlee's profile all about it that's sure to make you smile. So when you stop in, take a browse through her items but also take a peek at their profile because it's worth the read!
And not only are these talented women working together to create beautiful 100% handcrafted items for their shop, but they also take custom requests. Something that, especially with the scrap book pages and cards, I find not just useful but inspiring as well!
TO VISIT FROMSHIRLEE ON ETSY YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURES ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!
You may also enjoy a visit to FromShirlee's blog or Facebook page!
Let's talk a minute about the "I want" reflex. We all have it. That moment when you just can't do without something and your impulse by overrides nearly all common sense. Some are more susceptible to it than others and I'm one of those. In fact, I often use this blog to curve those desires before they make me completely broke.
Today's shop inspired my "I want" reflex so intensely that I just can't seem to banish it, and I've returned to Third Eye Artisans' shop repeatedly since discovering it a my temptation grows and grows.
Third Eye Artisans is a shop filled with beautiful crocheted goodies that are gorgeous in both color and style. They offer everything from cowls, scarves, shawls and hats to baby blankets, afghans and even bookmarks and Julie, the artist behind these creations, has an absolutely wonderful eye for color and style.
Julie is one of those people that has a true passion for yarn and loves to experiment and the results are the incorporation of that love and passion into every single item she makes.
I'm sure that while browsing through her shop you're going find something you simply can't live without or will make the perfect gift for that special someone you're shopping for, so be sure to stop by!
YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT JULIE'S THIRD EYE ARTISANS SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.
When I was shopping for a new bedspread for my bed, I wish I'd known about today's Etsy shop. I have a feeling that I'd have been much, much happier with one of these beautiful handmade quilts that she has to offer than I am with what I ended up with.
You see, I love to sleep. It's my favorite time of the day, when I get to slide into bed under the weight of comfy blankets and burrow down into the soft warmth. Bed time is paradise.
And if you're like me or know someone else who is, when you take a browse through EveryStitch's shop, you're sure to be just as drawn as I am or find the perfect gift for that someone you've been shopping for.
Even without the need for a new bedspread, I'm still tempted!
This shop is filled with a variety of quilts, all made of 100% cotton fabrics, cotton batting and lots of love. They're created in a smoke-free, pet-free environment and each and every one is even carefully laundered once it's completed.
YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT EVERYSTITCH'S SHOP OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.
Carrying on with the theme from yesterday, I'd like to introduce you to another Etsy seller who I, personally, think should be selling their product photos as prints.
Today's seller is Tricity Hokes Creations with a shop that's carries a number of beautiful one-of-a-kind hand crocheted items for infants, mommies and more.
In fact, they're the perfect place to shop if 
you know someone throwing a baby shower soon. I sure wish I'd known about this shop last year when I'd been preparing to attend one myself!
Just look at the picture to the right, and you're sure to see what I mean about her product photos, too. Tricity Hokes is filled with beautiful pictures like this that don't just show off the products offered but do so in a beautiful, and unique way that gives you a look at just how the products are used.
Tricity Hokes provides quality items at a reasonable prices and each and every piece she makes is a unique. Each item is hand-crocheted and made in a smoke-free home, too, which makes it that much more safe for baby and mama both.
Even if you don't have a baby or know anyone who does, this shop is still worth a look. The pictures alone are just beautiful and well worth the browse. So, be sure to stop by and take a look!
YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT CFHOKE'S SHOP OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.
