We're so excited to have Joli Paquet be featured today on the Where Women Create blog as a part of the site's Fabulous Friday feature. Jo did a wonderful write up and we're offering 4 giveaways over there as well. Go check it out right here.

Gratitude

Many thanks to everyone for their love and prayers over the last few days. I can't tell you how much they are appreciated. My aunt seems to be making a miraculous recovery which has taken a huge worry off my shoulders. I have been so concerned about her these past few weeks and felt so frustrated that I couldn't be with her. She is an amazing woman and such a huge inspiration for those of us who know and love her. Please continue to keep your prayers coming for my her, as well as my DH. He came through surgery with flying colors but still has a long road ahead of him.

A Favor

This is a photo of my dear Aunt Helen when she was a young girl. She is 98 years old now.

My aunt is the most remarkable woman I know.

We are very close, even though we live 932 miles from each other.

She has been ill for several weeks now and

I wish I could be with her to offer her my love and support in person, like she has done for me throughout the years. But unfortunately I am unable to right now. . .

This is a photo of my husband when he was a young boy. Doesn't he look sweet? Well he is sweet and one of the nicest persons you will ever meet. We've been married for 34 years and he is my rock. This weekend we found out some news we were totally unprepared for and as a result he is under-going surgery today in hopes of remedying the situation.

I believe that the power of prayer can work miracles and I am counting on that right now. So if you have a spare moment today, will you please say a prayer for these two special people.

Elegant Edibles

~ Photo courtesy of Cerri Campbell ~

Look at this!

Doesn't it look like an expensive box made of alabaster or porcelain?

Well, it's not. It's made of chocolate!

And the best part is, Cerri and her daughter Trin show us how to make a cameo box of our very own right here.

Paper Roses

I've got a tutorial for making these paper roses up on Joli Paquet today. You can use them to embellish lots of things like:

A paper corsage for mother. . .

Or a vintage looking trinket box.

The possibilities are endless!

All Cracked Up!!!

~ Photo Courtesy of Brandy Faulkner ~

Today on Joli Paquet, Brandy shows us how to achieve this look of cracked glass to instantly age any kind of paper ephemera. I've seen crackling done before, but Brandy has a "cool" way of doing this which was new to me. Go take a peek for yourself right here.

It's a good way to get your mind off of those pesky taxes that are due today.

39 Squares Finale & a Sweet Tutorial

Some of you were wondering how I would finish off my 39 Squares sampler project. I decided that a shadowbox frame on my sewing shelf would be the best way to display it. If you want to see a close-up of each square just click here.

~ Photo Courtesy of Cindy Gilstrap ~

Cindy has a terrific project for you on Joli Paquet today. What better way to dress up those Mother's Day (freshly cut garden) bouquets than with these adorable wallpaper covered birdy picks?! You can find all the how-tos right here.

Spring Splendor

Here's a peek at what's happening in our backyard:

It's bright and sunny here - - - I hope you have a bright and sunny day too!

Hey Looky. . .

Shelley over at YellowViolet included my bouquet in her Woodland Violet Treasury on Etsy today. Wasn't that sweet of her? Thanks Shelley!

39 Squares - Days 28 - 39

Today is the 39th day of the 39 Squares Project. I've been away from my blog for a while so thought I would play catch up and show you the final squares in my project.

I haven't decided yet how I will finish the sampler off. Got any suggestions?

Today on Joli Paquet, Cerri from Little Pink Studio has some lovely images for you to download and use in your Mother's Day projects. You can check them all out by clicking here.

Guest Artist Featured on Joli Paquet

~ Photo Courtesy of Heidi Wallingford ~

Today at Joli Paquet, we are featuring our first Guest Artist spot with the lovely and talented Heidi Wallingford. She has designed this super adorable Lark's Tale Cuff and shows us all how to make it in her detailed tutorial here. She also has a limited amount of kits available for the cuff in her shop here.

Spring Break

Happy Easter!

We no longer have children in school that are on Spring Break, but with everything that is going on here I decided to take my own spring break for a little bit just to recharge and regroup. Thanks to all of you who have been sending prayers our way (see previous post).

I am hoping that the tide will change soon and things will be bright again.