When producing a product or providing a service involving your craft, take a look at the results. 
 Are they adequate, enough to do the job and keep you ”resting on your laurels?”  Or are you striving for excellence in your results?
Laura Spencer has written a thought provoking post on this topic at her blog, Writing Thoughts.  In Are You an Adequate Writer or an Excellent Writer, Laura talks about writing.  However, I realized, as I read the post, Laura’s points could be applied to a craft, a business, a sport…most anything you attempt in life.
Are you putting your best into what you do or …read more

For a class I taught combining writing and scrapbooking, I created a small scrapbook using my fall photos, taken over the years. I’d also written several fall themed poems and selected the one about “Jack Frost,” an imaginary fall and winter visitor of my childhood.
The 5 x 7-inch scrapbook album was ideal for my photos. I used scrapbooking stickers, papers, and stamps to decorate the pages. These were arranged around the words of the poem throughout the book.
I also scanned several of the pages to show writers they (or a printer) could reproduce this album as a book they might …read more

 
As a writer, I’ve always carried something with me to jot down notes and ideas. 
It might be as simple as a folded over sheet of paper in my fanny pack where I can make lists and write down ideas for blogging and stories. 
When in the hospital emergency room last year with my daughter, I found I didn’t have anything  to write on.  Her going to the hospital happened so suddenly that I didn’t have time even to grab my purse nor a book. 
As we waited, she having tests and wanting to rest, I wondered how I could use the time to write.  I spied …read more

I must get out my art materials again and rediscover painting. At one point in my life I did quite a bit of art work.  Even though I’m primarily a writer, I have illustrated three of my books and designed cards and notepaper.
I took several painting courses and explored various medium.  I’m amazed at all the different types available today…those I see my daughter use for her fabric art and even pencils and inks youngsters bring to school where I substitute teach.
Do you have an urge to draw and paint?

Keep a sketchbook with you, even a small one, so you …read more

As Mary Emma already shared, we are the new co-bloggers of One Book Two Book.  Mary Emma and I have some things in common and I’d like to take a few minutes to tell you a few things about myself.
My name is Karen Weideman and I live in the beautiful state of North Carolina.  I have been a wife to Gfor 14 years.  We have two beautiful children.  Alligator (our girl) is nearly 5 and Cuddlebug (our boy) is almost 3.  I have a degree in Elementary Education and have taught grades preschool through eighth.  Quite a large span, I know, but …read more