Belated BFF Thanks and More Creative Goodness

While I was away at the beach, my incredible box of prize-goodies arrived from my BFF Melissa at the Inspired Room. I was the blessed grand prize winner from her gala co-party with The Blissful. I couldn't wait to open it!

Eiffel Tower earrings, a subscription to Cottage Living, a sweet note, and some yummy truffles were waiting for me inside

Oh goodness these are WAY cute!! Love 'em!! Thanks Melissa!!!!!
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And the fun and inspiration goes on and on at The Inspired Room - Melissa's next awesome adventure is called "Creative Inspiration Week" and it begins on Monday December 3rd - don't miss it!! She'll be hosting numerous creative folks sharing what inspires them, glimpses of their creative spaces, festive holiday ideas, and more!! That Melissa knows how to throw a shin-dig, so be sure and stop by all throughout the week!!!!

Thanks Melissa for sharing your vision and creative inspiration with us all - what a blessing you are!!

Calendar Sneak Peek: September

Hello friends,

First off, I just want to say thank you - I'm always so happy when you drop by!! You guys will probably never know what and inspiration you are to me - and what an encouragement! So again I say, with a heart full of gratitude, Thank You!!

Just wanted to post another mini sneak peek at just a portion of my calendar design for September. I am rocking right along with the calendar, but it will take most all of my spare time to get all the designs done by December the 17th, my self-imposed deadline - so thanks also for your patience as I post a little less and skip Illustration Friday - I have no choice if I am to finish...

Ahhh..but there's so much to post about, so I will burn some midnight oil and manage to post as often as I can. Some highlights still to come:

• My First Ever Blog Give-Away
• Brand new goodies in my store
• Fat-Free Fridays (should be fun)
• Awesome Introductions to some Awesome Bloggers
• Deck the Halls, Y'all
• and more....
  

Please stay tuned...this would be no fun at all if no one ever came by!! I love you guys!!

Thanksgiving Memory Making

What a WONDERFUL time we all had at the beach for Thanksgiving! 14 of us gathered in a beach cabin near Galveston for a fun-filled 4 days of memory-making. Wednesday was relatively warm and the kids actually got to play in the water.

My new daughter sculpted this incredible sea turtle on the beach - my new grandson shows the scale of the sculpture.

The beach cabin has plenty of kitschy decor - so fun!

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Thursday, the cold air started to pour in - but we all enjoyed it - it just doesn't quite feel like Thanksgiving if it's not a little chilly. And my oh my, you should've seen the food - we could have fed another 14 people easily. We all thoroughly enjoyed bustling around, pulling together the feast...

My brother's lab Sandy could not understand why she wasn't invited
to the Thanksgiving feast.
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I was so grateful that I brought lots of craft supplies for me and the grandkids, niece and nephews to create with - we were forced indoors pretty much all day Friday and Saturday as the cold increased and the rains came...

We did manage to have a wonderful fire on the beach both Thursday and Friday nights - so cozy...

The cold and rain couldn't put a damper on our incredible memory-making Thanksgiving - we had a blast and have already agreed that we will return to the cabin for Christmas of 2008 - it's becoming a regular family holiday tradition. I was so thankful that my new sweet hubby was there, along with one of his daughters and 3 of his grandkids, to share in the fun, food and family fellowship - it was awesome!!! I hope each and every one of you had a warm memory-making Thanksgiving as well!

PS - Don't forget to check out the Merry-Making Christmas Gift Guide - Ive added 2 new artisans since I first posted. If you are an artist or craftsperson offering your wares online and you want to be included in the guide, please be sure and leave a comment on any post and I'll get it. Also, whether you're an artisan or not, I invite you to include a banner ad for the guide on your site - it's a nice bit of "customer service" to your blog readers. Click here to find the HTML code. Thanks all for your support of these great artisans!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like...the 4th of July??

Mini-sneak-peek at part of the July design

Working on the July design for my 12 month calendar 2 days before Thanksgiving and 5 days after posting the "Merry Making Christmas Gift Guide" is really messing with my internal holiday clock!! To top it off, my family is heading for a beach house on the Texas coast for 4 days to celebrate Thanksgiving and relax together - talk about confusing!! Oh, but it gets better - a nice cold front is heading our way and will reach us by Thursday so at least it will be cold at the beach... huh??

Actually, my family went to this same beach house last year for Christmas and it was cold but WONDERFUL! Here's a few photos from that trip...

Brrrrrrrrr - what kind of crazy people fish in 38 degree weather?? That's my sweet sister-in-law under all the layers...

We're heading back to this same beach house for Thanksgiving...can't wait!

Actually I love the beach any time...it was quite beautiful!

This year will be EXTRA special because my Sweet Hubby will be there by my side - our first big Holiday as husband and wife - joy, joy, joy!!! We are going to have such fun with us and all the family there together!! And to make things even sweeter, his second daughter and 2 grandkids (10 and 8) will be joining us all too!! Yay!! I LOVE BIG FAMILIES!! I am SO BLESSED!! I will have LOTS of photos to share, no doubt - please stay tuned...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas too...

OK, back to Christmas for just a bit - these days it seems you have to start gathering Christmas stuff well before Halloween if you're going to have a shot and having a decorated house for the season. I'm not quite sure what happened to the days of trudging around in the chilly Texas air looking at Christmas tree lots for a REAL tree on about December the 17th or 18th - but that's how we used to do it. The tree went up about a week before Christmas and we all gathered around and decorated it with one or two colors of glass ornaments, handmade felt ornaments, silver "icicles", and a star on top - that was about it...and we loved it! But hey, I have to admit I love decorating the "new" way too - designer colors, gorgeous trimmings, swags and sparkles and candlelight and on and on...the main thing that will make today's designer Christmas like the spirit of Christmas' past is to have family close by to share the season and to keep God at the center of everything....then no matter how humble or how ornate, the real reason for Christmas is what will shine through in everything you do...

SO, here's a little peek at some of my Christmas decorating goodies I've gathered (not the greatest photo, but you get the gist) - we'll start the decorating process after we return from the beach this weekend - should be fun!

But for now, onward to the beach for lots of fun, food, family, and RELAXATION...

So, to all of you I wish a safe, tasty, fun, family-and-friend-filled Thanksgiving Holiday!! I am so thankful for so many things - the Lord and the miracles He's done in my life, my incredible new Hubby (one of those miracles), my wonderful family, this great country we live in, all my many blessings...WOW, I am so blown away!!! And I count YOU, beautiful blog buddies, among my many blessings!! Sharing my heart and art with all of you and having you share your life back has been an incredible joy to me! Thank you for being a special part of my life....

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

2007 Merry-Making Christmas Gift Guide!

Welcome to the Just Bee 'n Me
2007 Merry-Making Christmas Gift Guide!

UPDATE (1/2/2008): This guide will remain open in the archives of my blog even though the Christmas season 2007 has passed. If you have found your way here after the holidays, we welcome you to browse through the shops represented here as they will continue to add new products to their shops throughout the year and we would all be tickled pink for you to stop by!! Thanks and blessings to you in 2008!!

I am so pleased that you made your way here! We have assembled a wonderful list of some of the finest artists and craftsmen around who also happen to be some of the nicest people around. We are all unique - some of us create with mouse, paper, glitter,watercolor, wire, yarn, or needle & thread, but we all have one thing in common - a passion for handmade goodness - works of love from our hearts and hands. It is that passion that we want to celebrate here! You are cordially invited to celebrate with us! Enjoy, be inspired, shop in your jammies, and have a yourselves a very Merry-Making Christmas!

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Bailiwick Designs (Jill)

Bailiwick Designs offers bags & purses, sachets, flower pins, pincushions, and many other little handcrafted things.

Etsy Shop: Bailiwick Designs
Blog and Christmas Shoppe: Bailiwick Designs

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Beth's Bagz (Beth)

Beth's Bagz offers you one-of-a-kind totes, purses, pin cushions, and other delights made from vintage and new materials!

Etsy Shop: Beth's Bagz
eBay Shop: Beth's Bagz
Blog: Elizabeth Holcombe - Words and Whimsies

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GeorgiaPeachez Yummy! Designs (Suzy)

At GeorgiaPeachez, you will find items (like the Laptop case above) that Suzy has handcrafted herself using vintage textiles, trims and laces.
NOTE: International Buyers are Welcome!!

eBay Shop: GeorgiaPeachez Yummy! Designs
Etsy Shop: GeorgiaPeachez Yummy! Designs
Blog: GeorgiaPeachez

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Humble Beads (Heather)

At Humble Beads you'll find one-of-kind and limited edition beads and art jewelry. Heather's designs have appeared in magazines, books, on HGTV and PBS' Beads, Baubles and Jewels.

Etsy Shop: Humble Beads
Blog: Humblearts
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Inspire Company (Amy)

Thank you so much for visiting Inspire Company. May you find many inspiring gifts, whether for yourself or your loved ones. Please don't hesitate to contact Amy if you need more information about a product or if you need any assistance.

Shop: Inspire Company
Blog: inspireco.

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Lallee's Cottage (Lallee)

All of Lallee's treasures are handcrafted by Lallee herself. She makes accessories for women, children, and for your home as well. She welcomes custom orders and can even re-create a past treasure for you if she has the supplies!

Etsy Shop: Lallee's Cottage
Blog: Lallee's Cottage
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Sweet Cottage Dreams (Becky)

Becky has sewn up some adorable and finely crafted pillows and tote bags using vintage and vintage-inspired fabrics, trims and buttons. Such a pleasing, sweet variety of colors and textures, PLUS a sale on the blog shop - don't miss it! She's also offering some great vintage decor in her eBay shop, so make sure and stop by there too!

Blog/Shop: Sweet Cottage Dreams
eBay Shop: cottage*dreams

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Holly Doodle Designs (Holly)

Holly paints, glues, glitters, crafts, assembles, and creates beautiful and sweet art for her clients (who quickly become her friends).

Shop: Holly Doodle Designs
Home Page/Blog: Holly Doodle Designs

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The Pink Barn (Shelly)

Welcome to ~The Pink Barn~....where cowgirls are chic, old things become new, and pink is beautiful!!

Etsy Shop: The Pink Barn
Blog: The Pink Barn
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Cherry Heart Boutique (Dolly)

a bit of old... a bit of new, sparkley glitter here, vintage laces there, jars of old buttons, baskets of ribbons, pink roses adorn every table, snippets of paper and pippets of fou fou, whimsical delights surround you!

Etsy Shop: Cherry Heart Boutique
Blog: From My Cherry Heart

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Hydrangea Home (Dawn)

Welcome to Hydrangea Home, a site for all of you (like Dawn) who are obsessed with all things beautiful! Enjoy your stay!

Boutique: Hydrangea Home
Blog: Hydrangea Home

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Katie's Rose Cottage (Lori )

Lori has a passion for finding things from flea markets and antique stores and recreating them into treasures for your home ~ She love pinks, aquas and roses and the romantic and cottage comfort that they bring, all of the items at Katie's Rose Cottage will reflect this feel in some way ~

Shop: Katie's Rose Cottage
Affiliated Shops: Make Mine Pink
Blog: Katie's Rose Cottage

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La Rea Rose (Celestina)

Hand Painted home and garden decor ~ by Celeste, Decorative Design Artist. Offering old and new surfaces in a variety of styles. Rose painted vintage accents, including Romantic Shabby, Tuscan Designs, Folk Art Primitive, Garden Style, and Holiday decor with new items arriving each week.

eBay Shop: La Rea Rose
Blog: La Rea Rose
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Sadie Olive (Sara)

Add a little "ooh la la" to your holidays. Vintage inspired French treasures to adorn your chateau.

Boutique: Sadie Olive
Blog: Sadie Olive - Le Journal

Sadie Olive Design
Beautiful web and blog design as well as custom graphic design services and a lot more!

Design Shop: Sadie Olive Design Home

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Sweet n Shabby Roses (Rhea)

Rhea is a freelance artist, painting with different mediums for the past 17 years. She started tole painting in the late 1980's - which led to statuary plaster, marblizing and fauxing, which led to a home interior and residential Faux finishing business. Happily, Rhea finds herself back tole painting on smaller vintage, loved-on pieces. She sincerely hopes you'll find a treasure to love.

Etsy Shop: Sweet n Shabby Roses
Blog: Sweet n Shabby Roses

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The Old Painted Cottage (Jennifer)

At the Old Painted Cottage, Jennifer is pleased to offer romantic cottage decor that embodies the comfort, charm and casual elegance of a beautiful and relaxing home. Specializing in Shabby Chic and Beach Cottage decor, you're sure to find that special item here.

e-Boutique: The Old Painted Cottage
Blog: The Old Painted Cottage

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Whimsy Pink (Laura)

Let's go shopping together for those flea market finds and vintage treasures we all love. ~ New items are added daily ~cottage chic accessories, beach treasures and the most Romantic fabrics and home decor ~ that will enhance your favorite places ~ You'll always find something new at whimsypink!

Shop: Whimsy Pink
Blog: Whimsy Pink: Romantic Home Accessories
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Geninne's Art (Geninne)

Geninne's online shop is brimming with colorful original watercolors and limited edition prints! It is with great pleasure that Geninne welcomes you to have a look around to see if there's anything you fancy...

Etsy Shop: Geninne's Art
Blog: Geninne's Art Blog

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It's A Whimsical Life (Susan)

Susan is a children's illustrator dipping her toes into the Etsy pool. When she is not working on books, she likes to create teeny tiny pieces of art on luggage tags and little stuffed creatures.
**Special notice** This shop will be open until the 12th December then Susan will be closed up for the holidays until the beginning of January.

Etsy Shop: It's a Whimsical Life
Blog: It's a Whimsical Life

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Just Bee 'n Me (Becky)

You are warmly invited to browse through Becky's online shop featuring a growing selection of original, inspirational designs on a variety of fun, functional products! Be sure to check back often throughout the holidays for new designs.

CafePress Shop: Just Bee 'n Me
Blog: Just Bee 'n Me

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My Sweet Imaginations (Susan)

Sweet art that celebrates the whimsical spirit and imaginations of childhood. Each piece is an original painting which you are receiving directly from the Susan. She uses acrylic paint on high quality stretched canvas. Susan is always happy to make customizations to each painting to personalize it for your child....change hair color, add bangs, glasses, crowns, flowers...even add or change simple details or colors to better suit your child's decor.

Etsy Shop: My Sweet Imaginations
eBay Shop: My Sweet Imaginations
Glitter and Grunge Shop: My Sweet Imaginations
Blog: My Sweet Imaginations

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trudette

Trudette is a fulltime artist from the Netherlands, living and working in Belgium. She paint with oils in a loose, painterly method, with energetic brushwork and lush color application.

Image Gallery: trudette
Card Shop: trudette
Blog: trudette

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Watercolor Friends (Alicia)

Here you'll find cute and expressive illustrations all done in watercolor. Animal and kids are always the main characters in these colorful Illustrations.

Image Gallery: Watercolor Friends
Blog: My Place Over the Hill

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White Shoes (Erin)

The designs of illustrator Erin Sherman. Buy and wear her style here, for kids and kids at heart.

CafePress Shop: White Shoes
Card Shop: Christmas Cards from Erin Sherman
Blog: White Shoes

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Wynle Designs (Anette)

Anette is a children's illustrator and writer living in Norway. She has Christmas Cards and a 2008 Calendar featuring her sweet colorful children's designs.

Shop: Art by Anette Heiberg
Blog: Wynle Designs
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Well, I hope you enjoyed our Merry-Making Christmas Gift Guide! Please bookmark the site and check back often throughout the holiday season because our artisans will be adding exciting and beautiful new items all the time and we will be adding new artisans as well! If you'd like to add a Merry-Making banner to your site, click here for the Merry-Making information page where you can snag the HTML code.

Thanks again for stopping by - and may your Chrstmas be Merry and Bright and Blessed!