I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 12/28 thru 1/3

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 12/21 thru 12/27

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

Monday Morning Mosaics

If you need a gift in a hurry, gift certificates are a terrific way to give someone a gift when you're down to the wire in your last minute holiday shopping.

Whether you're just not sure what to get someone, or you're running out of time to pick up a special gift, online gift certificates are a terrific resolution to this issue and lots of shops on the handmade marketplace offer them as well!

This week we'll be focusing on online shops in the handmade marketplace that offer this terrific last-minute option to shopping, starting with the four shops below!


Crop Circle Clay - Inspiring, Earthy, Spiritual Pottery

Diana Brower from Dayton, Ohio

Vibrant glazes and beautiful forms make up this shop filled with ceramic wonders from mugs and goblets to jewelry, personalized items, bowls and platters, beads for crafters, candle trays and more. Stoneware has an earthy appeal and solid weight behind it that makes it perfect for any home and this shop offers gift certificates in a variety of price points as well!

Down to Earth Woodworks - Blanks, Planks and Platters

Robert Goforth from Concrete, Washington

Cutting boards and other artistic products from raw materials salvaged locally in the foothills of the North Cascades. Great care is taken to find and identify materials which might otherwise be considered unusable, be it a recycled old growth timber or a section off of a fallen log in the forest.

Enhabiten - Earth-Friendly Materials, Simple Rustic Design

Liane from New Hampshire, Connecticut

Whether you're looking for something pretty to wear, a touch of lace to touch up your outfit or a bit of rustic home decor, this shop is one you won't want to miss with lots of earthy colors, rustic charm and primitive pieces sure to make any home a little more cozy or any outfit a little more comfortable. Gift Certificates are available in a variety of price points.

Feed Your Soul Art - Creative Therapy by Harmoy

Harmony from Gainesville, Florida

Adorable art prints and wall panel prints are combined with creativity art journals and wearable art pieces in this shop filled with creativity and a unique vision of life as we know it. Inspirational pick-me-up pieces abound and Gift Certificates are available, as with all the shops featured here today.

The handmade marketplace and the talented artisans you'll find there are a terrific alternative to commercial products and with the added bonus of personalized care and an attention to detail and quality that commercial products lack.

Just because it's only a few days away from Christmas Day doesn't mean you can't find something thoughtful and special for those you need to by for.

Gift certificates are an excellent way to purchase last minute gifts that show thought and care without the stress of worrying about postal deadlines. So, don't forget to browse through artisan works and see what you can find, you'll be surprised at just how much creativity, originality and quality is out there!

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by Gilliauna ~ Winter Blush and a Touch of Rustic Brown

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: ancienesthetique, CharmingGypsyVintage, craftsbynesli, Earthwares79, Gilliauna, graceandfavourshop, lillyandlulu, MadisonStreetBeauty, Nikifashion, pillowsophi, pixiestrinkets, rushcreekmosaics, Sightly, stoastn, StumblingOnSainthood, theothermagdalene and TwoSadDonkeys.

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 12/14 thru 12/20

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 12/7 thru 12/13

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by AnnaPoli ~ Shades of Amber

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: AleciaV, AnnaPoli, artemiskoukidou, asmanykata, CarlaDyck, daimblond, eekra, FEATHERSnPEARLS, Gilliauna, InmostLight, MayaHoney, PoodlePoddles, ReComputing, SAStudio, sharonsaindon, singingscarves and studiorayyan.

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 11/30 thru 12/6

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by StumblingOnSainthood ~ Deals and Steals for Black Friday through Cyber Monday

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: ArtisEverything, catnapcottage, Gilliauna, GlitzGlitter, HCJewelrybyRose, LollysCubbyhole, ME2Designs, MsBsDesigns, MyasEyes, penguinpapyrus, ragandbonedesign, SandsTea, StumblingOnSainthood, ThatSallie, TheLandofCraft, TheLodgeSpa and twoinspireyou.

Hand Crafted Owl Home Decor

If you love owls, you're going to love this shop. And if you know someone else that loves owls that you're in the process of shopping for, today's feature shop is one you won't want to miss because your holiday shopping will be complete once you've stopped in to take a look around.

TheSleepyOwlTM on Etsy specializes in owl pillows like the one pictured here in this blog post.

They come in all different colors and patterns, some with ruffles and some without but all with great big sleepy eyes and a nonplussed expression that's sure to make you smile just as they did me when I first stumbled across this shop.

The artist that creates these adorable owls takes custom orders too! So if you don't see a color or design that quite fits what you want, you can contact them to get something custom done just for you

Also, don't forget to look through their sold items too! There's some cute designs and ideas in there as well including my favorite... a hot pink owl with fluffy fuzzy black feathers edging its wings instead of ruffles.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURES ABOVE TO VISIT THESLEEPYOWLTM ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Wine Art Wednesdays and the Sober Blogger

I ran across a shop the other day that was so much fun that I had to share it with you.

The shop is WineArtWednesdays on Etsy and they have one of the most fun shops I've seen in a long time.

The concept behind this shop is simple. A group of seven friends and artists get together once a week to enjoy a little gossip, wine, slow food, and art every Wednesday evening!

Over an evening of delicious food, good wine and a night of gossip, Alex Whatton, Audrey Grice, Denise Lohr, Jen Lamie, Joan Pilarczyk, Naty Carter and Rita Paradis paint the night away and then share their completed pieces in this wonderful shop!

There are seasonal pieces and more, all gathered together to create a shop full of color and creativity that is filled with love and fun that overflows and comes through in every piece you'll find in this gallery of friends.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT THE WINE ART WEDNESDAYS GALLERY ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE.

If you like what you see in the WineArtWednesdays shop, you may also enjoy visiting the Wine Art Wednesdays and the Sober Blogger blog where the artists occasionally blog about their work, their time together as well as sharing promotional codes from time to time!

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 11/23 thru 11/29

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

Romantic Vintage Chic Style Jewelry & Vintage Treasures

Total cuteness.

When I was approached to feature this shop, she hadn't yet added her holiday items and I'm so glad I waited until she did! Otherwise I might have missed this adorable snowman necklace which has instantly become my favorite item in today's feature shop.

Alyssabeths on Etsy is a jewelry shop on Etsy that specializes in vintage-inspired jewelry with a chic sense of style.

Beth, the artist behind the design of these pieces of inspired jewelry, has a shop that's stocked full of everything from the classic pieces like bracelets, earrings and necklaces to jewelry sets, hair accessories and a wonderful budding Christmas section that's quickly filling with beautiful pieces for winter and the holidays!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT ALYSSABETHS ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!

If you like what you see in Alyssabeths' shop, you may also enjoy visiting Alyssabeths' blog or website or stopping by to say hi to the artist on Facebook or Twitter!

Monday Morning Mosaics

Creativity comes in a wide variety of talents and is spurred on by the imagination of the creator. Today's Monday Mosaic explores a variety of wonderful artists with an abundance of imagination and the talent to share the fantasies in their minds with everyone else!

Blue Dog Rose - The Rabbit Tarot, Animal Paintings, Sculptures & More!

Nakisha Elsje VanderHoeven from Seattle, Washington

Little White Rabbit paintings, bunny art and watercolors, the Rabbit Tarot, original animal sculptures and more abound in this beautiful and fanciful shop filled with wonderful ideas for home decor, nursery decoration and more. Not only can you find original artworks but also calendars, cards, books and lots more to browse through.

Nancy Adams Clay Artist - Flora and Fauna Ceramic Art and Vessels

Nancy Yturriaga Adams from Applegate, Oregon

Hand carved and hand modeled vessels and boxes inspired by the flora and fauna of nature. Each piece is breath-taking with beautiful detail and a quality that can't be matched. This talented artist's work has been included in the Spencer Davis collection which is held by the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA.

Dark and Twisty Dolls - OOAK Art Dolls & Creations

Lacey Michelle from Gilbert, Arizona

Art dolls, mini dolls and photography prints combine in this shop with an original flair and a dark and gothic flavor. Whether looking for art to hang on the wall or tuck on a shelf, if you like creepy or are shopping for someone who does this holiday season, this shop is one you won't want to miss stopping by to take a look around.

The Little Clay House - Cute Clay Animals, Spirit Guides & Sculpture

Denise Ferragamo from Navarre, Florida

Adorable hand-built clay sculpture and vessels that are made with love to be one of a kind pieces that speak to the heart. Pieces are influenced by fairy tales and story books to a variety of historical and modern influences. Ornaments, clay animals and sculpture sit beside wall art, jars and vessels, plates, bowls, jewelry and more in this shop filled with sweet ideas and creativity to make you smile.

The handmade marketplace and the talented artisans you'll find there are a terrific alternative to commercial products and with the added bonus of personalized care and an attention to detail and quality that commercial products lack.

With holidays just around the corner and the shopping season gearing up into full swing, don't forget to browse through artisan works and see what you can find, you'll be surprised at just how much creativity, originality and quality is out there!

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by Gilliauna ~ Delight in Darkness

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: 9thCycleStudios, BevaStyles, FeltingFishDesigns, Gilliauna, gingerkellydesigns, JillianAudreyDesigns, JoyMadeIt , LittleShopofCrochets, madebyswirlygirl, MollysMuses, PeriwinkleNuthatch, RevampRenewedLiving, ScienceKitty, sofisticata, StumblingOnSainthood, TheJaneCo and WeirdAndTwisted.

Beautiful Personalized Decor for Little Ones

So many of my friends these days are expecting and are looking for classic but baby-safe gifts and decor for expectant mothers as well as the parents of babies and toddlers that I anted to take a minute to introduce this wonderful shop today.

GypsyLaneDesigns on Etsy is a beautiful little shop filled with options for personalized decor for baby and toddler rooms.

Hand painted baby blocks for book ends, photo props and decor options are scatted through their shop among other wonderful gifts such as picture frames, growth charts, hand painted wooden letters, drawer knobs, alphabet prints, name paintings, step stools and more. All handmade, of course. And many of their products have a custom aspect to them which easily can make whatever you choose into something original and extra special.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT GYPSY LANE DESIGNS ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE.

If you like what you see in Gypsy Lane Designs' Etsy shop, you may also enjoy visiting the Gypsy Lane Design blog or stopping by to say hi to the artist on Facebook to earn 10% off your order!

A Three-for-One Thursday Theme

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.

Even if you've never thought of writing a book, a journal is a terrific way to explore your creativity and you'll be surprised how fast it fills up once you get started. I've filled up many over my lifetime with everything from rambling thoughts to short stories, poetry, lists and more.

Today I'd like to introduce you to three journals that have caught my eye and the sellers shops who carry them and a wide variety of other beautiful journals as well.

Baghy on Etsy is filled with beautiful journals handcrafted and bound in leather to delight the eyes and senses. I'm particularly drawn to this one done in green with it's beautifully hand-painted ivy leaves and buckle closure. All the journals have unique, earthy designs that draw the eye and, in my experience, calm the soul as well as inspire one to open them every day and add a little more to their contents. Small Leather Sketchbook by Baghy - $46.00 USD

Heaven Sent Crafts on Etsy is filled with recycled journals and notebooks made from items such as board game boards, coasters, floppy disks and more. I own the notebook pictured here in this feature that's made with coasters and can personally vouch for the quality of workmanship offered in this shop. I love my little notebook and it's fun design and originality get compliments wherever I go. Recycled Journal Notebook by HeavenSentCrafts - $5.00 USD

Unique and carefully handmade, each of the journals and notebooks found in Kreativlink on Etsy have an aesthetic appeal that draws you in. Original artwork decorates the covers of these handmade leather and fabric journals, many of which are made with hand torn pages for an authentic, handcrafted appeal. Some are earthy, others are mystic or just have an artisan appeal such as the one I like that's pictured here titled "BRUSH". 'BRUSH' Leather Notebook/Journal by Kreativlink - $49.00 USD

Whether you're a writer, a list maker, an artist that needs a place to sketch your ideas or you just have a love for journals in general, there's plenty of beautiful handmade options to choose from like those introduced here in this post and lots more that you can find on the handmade marketplace.

Be sure to stop by places like Etsy and Artfire to explore these venues for what they have to offer!

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 11/16 thru 11/22

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

Unique Handmade Products for Interior Decoration

So cool that resistance is futile.

I found this shop by accident while searching for something else and now I'm stuck wanting everything that they have to offer even though I don't have any room in my home for it all.

Steampunk, fantasy, acrylic paintings and more. Pushok1983 on Etsy has it all with a specialty towards acrylic paints and leather work with lots of detail.

I'm especially drawn to the very cool ceiling mobiles, hot air balloons and air ships like the one pictured in this post.

All of the pieces in the shop have details galore and lots of delicate parts, fascinating design and an attention to detail that shines through even in the pictures. Each piece is OOAK, entirely unique from start to finish as well as affordably priced, and the artist offers the option of custom ordering, as well.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT PUSHOK1983 ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!

If you like what you see in Pushok1983's shop, you may also enjoy visiting Pushok1983's website or stopping by to say hi to the artist on Facebook!

Monday Morning Mosaics

Accessories are a part of life, especially in the fall and winter when you start dressing warmer and bundling up.

Today's Monday Mosaic is all about accessorizing from purses to hair accessories, scarves and more. Take a look at these four talented artisans that caught my eye in the handmade market place this weekend.

Betsy and Bess - Unique Upcycled Purses & Handmade Accessories

Elizabeth from Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Looking out for the environment and the economy with eco-friendly products and up-cycled items, this shop is filled with wonderful warm accessories for winter weather along side beautiful totes, purses, wallets and bags galore. They are also offering some beautiful handcrafted Christmas Stockings for the holidays!

Bien Aime Beloved - DIY Flower Tutorials and Custom Made Blooms

Cara Hunter from Atlanta, Georgia

Whether you're looking for pretty blooms to buy and wear or some tutorials so that you can make them yourself, this shop has just what you're looking for with lots of DIY flower tutorials as well as ready-made blooms and an open policy for custom orders that will allow you to order just what you're looking for.

Peeko Apparel - OOAK Indie Made Clothing, Accessories and Jewellery

Brook Fung from San Francisco, California

Cutting edge style and fashion all displayed in beautiful photos abound in this shop that carries everything from jewelry and scarves to headbands, turbans, bags, belts as well as clothing. The shop has a very urban feel and is filled with innovative accessories that are sure to be a hit.

Jordani Sarreal - Clutches, Coin Purses, Cosmetic Bags and More

Jordani Sarreal from Tacoma, Washington

Sewing since the age of five, you can be sure that the accessories you find in this shop are going to be of high quality and beautifully made. The pouches, clutches and more in this shop are created with beautiful, colorful prints and lots of style. Artist welcomes wholesale, consignment, and custom orders.

The handmade marketplace and the talented artisans you'll find there are a terrific alternative to commercial products and with the added bonus of personalized care and an attention to detail and quality that commercial products lack.

When shopping for accessories for this season or the next, don't forget to browse through artisan works and see what you can find, you'll be surprised at just how much creativity, originality and quality is out there!

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by Gilliauna ~ A Little Lemon on a Gray Day

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: AppleBlossomPrint, ChaseVintage, FrankieLloyd, fudgieknits, giardino, Gilliauna, HoneyWillowDesigns, KurliCuesBoutique, louisagallery, peonijahandmadeshop, polkadotshop , PopperAndMimi, RetroMenagerie, SugarOwlDesign, thespottedbarn, theYarnKitchen and urbanfringe .

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 11/9 thru 11/15

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

Something Just for Me - Messy Moments (A Rare Post by Leal)

Gilliauna is taking a little break this week and so things have been quiet here on the Meandering Musings Blog. But I ran across a giveaway the other day that I wanted to enter and although the title says this is "just for me" to be honest, I have to say that it's for Gilliauna too.

Why? Because the prize is a camera and I think both of us would enjoy using it. So the giveaway is giving me a chance to possibly win a nice surprise for both of us that can be used both for pleasure as well as for bringing our handmade jewelry designs to you. And, once we learn how to use the camera and use it well, teaching others new tips and tricks in product photography so they can bring their creative projects to all of you too.

So, here we go...

Spending time with friends and family can lead to fun and memorable moments, but also some very messy ones. Tell us about the messiest moments that you’ll always remember!

We all have them right? And to be honest, the first one that came to mind for me was at my aunt's house last holiday season when my cousin let the dog in the house and the dog got so excited it left a fine trail of urine on the carpet that went all over the house. Gross, right? I know. Paper towels flying everywhere and chaos ensued. And, neither my sister or I would agree to take our shoes off. I can't even imagine how much embarrassment my aunt was going through.

Of course, there's also the three times over the past year that I've managed to spill a full glass of orange juice over the kitchen floor.

Or the face full of flour I got from my sister for sassing off in the kitchen while she was making Christmas tree ornaments which then turned into a very sloppy food fight involving eggs. (Hint, eggs and flour combined in a food fight is a VERY bad idea! It quickly becomes hard as cement and nearly impossible to get cleaned up.)

Water (lots... and sometimes boiling) in most cases can solve all of these problems and have... other than the dog issue. That, well that took shampooing the carpets and a hefty reminder not to let the dog in the house. Still, in the end they all get cleaned up right?

Anyway, enough rambling on. I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane. Remember, messes happen but it's not the end of the world. It's easier to laugh and make fun than to get frustrated or lose your temper.

I hope everyone has terrific holiday parties, lots of family reunion fun and a wonderful winter filled with love this holiday season. The Meandering Musings blog will be back to it's regular scheduled features starting Saturday, November 12th.

- Leal

I received information about Clorox’s Bleach It Away campaign and am sharing my messy moment for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls. To learn more about the messy moment program, check out www.BleachItAway.com. Sharing your story on the Clorox fan page gets you entered for the chance to win $25,000 and daily prizes, and you can grab a coupon for Clorox® Regular Bleach.

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 11/2 thru 11/8

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by TheLandofCraft ~ Blue Christmas

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: 32NorthSupplies, arjunajewelry, bbdsupplies, CaityAshBadashery, christmascracker, crochetby51bebe, exceptionalclutter, GalleryBotanica, Gilliauna, hartart13, labiblioteca, MountainCoveAntiques, SugarAndPaint, TheLandofCraft, thevintageelf, WinterNook and ZibelineKnits.

Hair Fascinators, Embellished Hats and Hair Accessories

Recently I was contacted by a talented designer. Olivia Stackhouse is not just talented but she has vision as well and an eye for style and fashion.

In her time since graduating from college, she has created her own brand, the Lazy Leopard, which is filled with simple but beautiful pieces from feather hair fascinators to embellished hats, barrettes, headbands and more.

The designs are simple and yet there is a flair of sass and personality to every piece in her collection and each piece is uniquely different from the last as well.

Olivia sells both on her own Lazy Leopard website where she has a gallery of her work as well as takes custom orders. She also has a shop over at Big Cartel by the same Lazy Leopard Boutique title. In both locations you'll find a wonderful variety of beautiful products to browse through that are perfect for everyday wear or fashion forward dressing for special occasions, weddings and more.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT OLIVIA STACKHOUSE'S LAZY LEOPARD ON BIGCARTEL AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!

If you like what you see in the Lazy Leopard shop, you may also enjoy visiting Olivia Stackhouse's blog or stopping by to say hi to the artist on Facebook!

Stella Bleu Designs Industrial Decor on Etsy

I love discovering new home decor inspirations and I hit the mother-load when I found today's feature shop.

Stella Bleu Designs Industrial Decor on Etsy is a shop that is filled with amazing pieces of wall art designed from industrial pipe and other components to create interesting lighting ideas and book shelves to die for.

From pipe sconces to coat racks, bookshelves and more, this shop has revolutionized the modern industrial style of home decor and if you're looking for a unique and interesting fixture to incorporate into your home decor, this is a shop you won't want to miss stopping by to check out.

The artist, K Katz, also offers the option of custom designs and loves working with her customers to create something to fit their unique needs.

Also included in this shop are a handful of unique original works of art with a definitive influence of The Blues and blue grass behind their inspiration and creation.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT STELLABLEUDESIGNS ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE.

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 10/26 thru 11/1

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!

In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]

Macrame Jewelry with South American Stones

Usually, when I think of Macrame, I think of those owls that hung on the walls of homes in the 70's. It's kind of a lost art, really, in that you don't see a lot of people who work with macrame anymore.

After seeing today's feature shop, though, my vision of this form of artwork has changed completely.

GitanaMama on Etsy is filled with macrame jewelry. In fact, the jewelry in this shop is nothing like those long ago owls but instead is delicate and earthy and absolutely gorgeous pieces made by knotting thread to create patterns and designs unique to the artist.

Catie Atkinson from Santa Fe, New Mexico has spent a good portion of her life backpacking through South America with her husband where they learned the art of jewelry design, leather work and macrame. In their travels, the places that they visited and people they met became inspiration for their jewelry designs and art.

Many of the pieces in GitanaMama are made with semiprecious stones and other beads are sometimes incorporated into the work as well. Each piece in the shop is a one of a kind design you won't come across again so you can be guaranteed to have purchased something uniquely yours.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT GITANAMAMA ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Monday Morning Mosaic

I've personally explored a wide variety of different art forms and crafts. Some of them I enjoyed and others I didn't. Some, I wanted badly to be good at but wasn't and others I was good at and yet not quite good enough.

In today's mosaic, I'd love to introduce you to four talented artists that I personally admire beyond words and whose creativity, imagination and talent take my breath away.

Nature Mandalas - Nature Photography Prints

Rocky Top Studio from Belfast, Maine

A published, award winning professional photographer based in Midcoast Maine, the artist that runs this ship has been photographing full time for over 10 years and it shows in the quality of the work you will find there. With an eye for beauty and a talent for sharing it through photo prints and note cards, this shop is a breathtaking display of nature's beauty. Currently, they are also having a "Buy One Print, Get One Free" sale as well!

Black Sketchbook - Original Paintings by International Artist Claire Elan

Claire Elan from Los Angeles, California

Original one-of-a-kind oil paintings and drawings by international artist, Clair Elan. These paintings have a soul reaching melancholy to them and a life breathing quality that draws the eye and speaks to the soul. Each painting includes a detailed certificate of authenticity from the artist. The gallery of paintings in the Black Sketchbook is a small one, but well worth an admiring eye and some deep contemplation as well.

The Dancing Brush - Contemporary Organic Abstract Art

The Dancing Brush from Nashville, Tennessee

Specialty plasters, metals and glazes combine in the creation of this new body of work with a unique flair and one of a kind texture reminiscent of mother nature herself. Every piece has a birth and life of its own and every one come out different and I'm so enraptured with the artist's trees that I've been dying to buy one of her pieces for myself. This artist has an eye for beauty and a way of communicating her vision that reflects her love for her work.

Studio Rayyan - The Fairy Tale and Fantasy Art of Omar Rayyan

Omar Rayyan from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

When I saw the Squid Contessa, I knew this was an artist I had to introduce to my readers. The detail and imagination in the works by Omar Rayyan are more than breathtaking but awe inspiring and rich with fantasy and imagination. Fantasy art, fairy tales, folklore and flights of fancy fill this shop and are available in both original art and art prints as well as mini prints.

The handmade marketplace and the talented artisans you'll find there are a terrific alternative to commercial products and with the added bonus of personalized care and an attention to detail and quality that commercial products lack.

When shopping for artwork, prints and other items to add to your home decor, don't forget to browse through artisan works and see what you can find, you'll be surprised at just how much creativity, originality and quality is out there!

16 Remarkable Weekend Finds!

An Etsy Treasury curated by bought2much ~ What's In Your Bag?

Click on the picture below to be taken to a page where you can browse individual items you like that you see pictured here as well as the shops where these items were found and artisans behind them all!

Credits go to: BluePetyl, bought2much, BradGoodellToo, BrassPaperclip, CraftationHMCafe, CreativeElements, CWestbrookDesigns, ElliotFrancis, Gilliauna, herbanluxe, KillorglinCreations , PernillasSS, RibbonsAndRetro, soapysuessoapshoppe, taissalada, Textilemonster and unusualsforsale.

Highest Quality Hand Painted Concrete Leaf Art

Have you ever visited a site while shopping and come across something that takes your breath away? Today's shop is one of those for me and I think it will be for you too.

When you think of the delicate structure of nature's creation, the leaf, it's one of those things that brings to mind a certain amount of intricate delicacy that only nature itself can create.

When you think of concrete, on the other hand, (or when I do)... what comes to mind is sidewalks and buildings, architecture and cities.

Today's shop, Concrete Impressions on Etsy, has found a way to combine these two seemingly opposing entities into beautiful art.

The artist creates unique, beautiful cast leaves created in concrete that are then hand painted with an eye for color and detail.

Raspberry leaves and sycamore leaves sit beside leaf castings from hostas, begonias, hydrangeas and more in this shop that's filled with the beauty of nature and creativity of man combined.

Terry, the artist who creates these amazing works of art, also takes custom orders! So if you want something to match your decor or have an idea you need some help bringing to life, be sure to send him a note and let him know!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT CONCRETE IMPRESSIONS ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!