Odds and Ends and an Award!

(click on any of my pictures to enlarge them)

Well, all your good advice yesterday helped immensely and I ended up having a productive, yet relaxed day and feel back on track today!! Thanks to all of you!!!

So, today, I have some odds and ends for you. First up are my new greeting and business cards, which I won in two fantastic giveaways from UPrinting over at Melissa's blog Januarywish. I won 250 custom greeting cards and 500 business cards. The quality is fantastic and the whole process was easy and painless! Make sure you check out Melissa's blog - it's not only beautiful, but she's got the best giveaways. Daniel designed my business cards for me - aren't they fun?!?
Then, I saw this wonderful New England cookbook from 1956 in my friend Beth's Etsy shop, Maine Coast Vintage, and I'm so glad I bought it before someone else found it.
It has some great recipes, but just look at those illustrations!
I just love them!
I thought I'd better give you some proof that I'm actually working on another painting. Here a small piece of it. You'll get to see the whole painting (there's much more to it!) when it's finally done...
And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the talented Lisa Holtzman for passing on this award to me. She is not only a warm and kind friend, but a talented artist and the most brilliant calligrapher! Make sure you check out her blog. You'll be amazed!!
Thank you, Lisa!

Later today, I hope to visit some of your lovely blogs. You are always an inspiration to me as I try to live the creative life...

Today...

... is my dear friend Beth's birthday! Beth and I worked together for only three months some 15 years ago and during those short months we became fast friends. Even now, after all this time, we touch base with each other very regularly, share in our lives and adventures, and are always able to uplift each other.
I know that Beth is happiest at the beach, so I included a couple of pictures we took here on Tybee Island when Beth was visiting a couple of years ago.

If you'd like to, head on over to Beth's blog to wish her Happy Birthday!

P.S. Thank you all for your incredible comments on my news yesterday. It's so much more fun when we all share in each others successes! I'm off now to your blogs to celebrate your successes!!