Handmade Wins from Shona & Heidi

My good intentions to start the year off healthy have experienced a set back, namely in the manner of a double ear infection that I'm dealing with. This luscious and oh so bad for me cup of peppermint hot chocolate was what I finally had to resort to at four in the morning early Thursday. Super hot and delish, it naturally sent my sugars sky high but that's why it's an only when I'm sick and crabby treat:)

My sense of balance, always a shaky thing to begin with, as I am a complete and total klutz isn't doing so well now. Getting on the elliptical isn't the best idea, since just going down the stairs makes me feel dizzy. I'm going to be resting up today and this weekend and hopefully I will be feeling better real soon.

In the meantime I wanted to share two lovely and handmade giveaways I recently won! Yay for me, anything artsy always cheers me up☺ Speaking of cheering me up, you may have noticed that I changed back to my normal header. There may be snow on the ground but at least on there the sun is always shining and rainbows abound☺
From Shona at An Artful Life I got this really beautiful small poetic wall hanging. After reading her tutorial on how she altered the picture I just had to have it. I was in lucky because at the end of the post was an announcement, that I was her Saturday Giveaway #4 winner! I've already been inspired and learning some interesting techniques from her blog. If you're interested in stretching yourself creatively, you should stop by.

Shona is eagerly anticipating the upcoming release of her first book The Artistic Mother: A Practical Guide to Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Life. Every week up until the release in March she's picking one of her blog followers at random to win a piece of her handmade art.

I am excited to see her book, here's the description from Amazon, where you can preorder it:
Are you a busy Momma who loves art but can never fit it in? When you have kids to feed and errands to run, finding the time to create meaningful art can be difficult. In The Artistic Mother, Shona Cole, mother of five and mixed media artist to boot, helps you make the time and space in your life for your artistic passion while incorporating your love for your children into your art. Shona guides you through the Artist’s Workshop, a 12-week course that includes step-by-step instructions for making artwork inspired by your children. You’ll also be introduced to seven other artistic mothers from whom you can draw inspiration and encouragement.

Discover within the pages:

• The Artist’s Workshop, a 12-week art course that teaches you how to bring creativity back into your life
• Step-by-step instructions for more than 12 finished art pieces celebrating motherhood and family
• A weekly action plan to help you make the best use of your time
• Artist Spotlights that introduce you to 7 inspiring artist-mommas
• Tips on creating time and space in your life for your art
• A beginner’s guide to each of three much-loved arts: poetry, photography and mixed media

Don’t go another day without bringing together your two passions: motherhood and art!

That totally sounds like me! Plus she had me at the book cover, I can't wait to dive inside and see all the projects. Doesn't it sound like something you NEED! My birthday is in March...hint, hint, hint...Brad☺
The other lovely package of goodies arrived from my long time blogging buddy Heidi at Blue Eyed Blessings. I won this for participating in her Monthly Craft Challenge. I have been admiring enviously all her stamped creations for quite some time. I was overjoyed to finally win some of my own. The snowman bag and Tic-Tac mini containers will never be used or given away because I just like looking at them too much. I also got a ton of cute snow themed goodies to enjoy for the rest of winter or next year. Thank you so much Heidi, I am so glad you're in my circle of blogging buds:)