Blog Award! And Top Ten Lists

The sweet Knitting in Wonderland sent me this award:

Apparently I must post 10 favorite things and then 10 favorite blogs (including the one the award came from) - my only problem being limiting myself to 10 in both catagories. LOL

Top 10 Favorite Interests/Items/People:

1 - My Family - they keep me sane - and crazy, but that's what family is there for.

2 - Spring/Summer - warm weather, BBQ's, beautiful flowers, swimming, festivals, the sun, etc.

3 - The Ocean - I miss the sound of the waves, the sand beneath my feet, the shells, the peace...

4 - Reading a good story - nothing better than being transported into a different place, life or time period.

5 - Vintage Items - like typewriters, china, linen - a great find at a garage sale or flea market makes my day.

6 - Art - visiting a mueum, hanging a favorite picture or making art myself - it soothes the soul and inspires me beyond measure.

7 - The Internet - how else could I find such wonderful people that inspire me, make me laugh, share common interests, encourage me, and make me forget my own physical limitations?
8 - My House - decorating it, baking cookies in the kitchen we designed, built and made ourselves, gardening and adding to its beauty outdoors or just sitting still and enjoying the wonder of our lovely home.

9 - Making People Happy - even if it is just making a stranger smile or making a loved one feel cherished. I can't stand to see anyone unhappy or upset, it makes me hurt to see pain on anyone's face.

10 - Animals - nothing quite touches the heart as the pure and unconditional love animals are capable of giving you. Cats, dogs, rabbits, wild aimals like Foxes, bears, deer, etc. I wish every home would adopt at least one homeless animal from a shelter. I can't stand thinking of them lonely and in need of love and care.

Bonus - because I don't want to erase any of the above, but thought of one more I can't resist adding -Writing -I love to write almost as much as I love to read. I don't share my stories with anyone I know, but I do enjoy posting to other blogs under another name or just writing for myself.

Now for my favorite 10 Blogs. This is a toughie, please know if you aren't on the list it is only because I'm limited to 10 and that is a tough one. These are in NO particular order, just as they come to mind as I write. Also, I list my favoritely frequented blogs on the side, so most should come as no surprise. :)

1 - Knitting in Wonderland - thank you so much for your award! Sorry it took me so long to post it. I just LOVE your header pic - Alice in Wonderland done so whimsical and pretty. Did you design that yourself?? I have barely begun to look through your blog, but I really look forward to doing so later today. Thanks again!

2 - Du Buh Du Designs - Christine is a remarkable doll artist of the first order. I find her attention to detail, her obviously amazing talent and artistic integrity amazing. Having managed to snag one of her most beautiful dolls myself I can honestly say - her work is even more beautiful in person. Her blog and portfolio is an insiration.

3 - Inside a Black Apple - I might never have stumbled upon the online community of artists and crafters if I hadn't watched Emily on Martha Stewart. I checked out her blog and soon found to my amazement, people sharing their art and crafts and how strong Etsy had grown and how much easier and more fulfilling it was to use Etsy and the blogging world to share my own work. I'd become disappointed with Ebay and their high cost of fees and limitations and had just about abandoned the idea of selling items I made when I discovered this wonderful online movement where you could have a virtual store, more control and loved the focus on handmade and vintage items rather than the HUGE amount of inventory that just about ANYTHING can be sold on Ebay which makes it impossible to find unique and quality items. I enjoy Emily's inspiring leaps in her business and am amazed at how many similar interests we have at times and how nice she is to everyone. I own a few of her prints and I find her to be a great inspiration for what a gal can do if she works hard and stays true to her vision. If only I had her work ethic. What a great entrepreneur she is!!

4 - Some Girls Wander - another Emily blog, but very different as she focuses on vintage finds in clothing and I admire her confidence and sense of style. I check this blog even more often than the big blog because I'm always looking for tips or just to check out her newest interests. Such a fun blog to follow. I only wish she'd update more. I'm always looking for other good fashion blogs, but they are hard to find, at least those that are similar in taste or post clothing items I could actually buy, make or find. High fashion isn't much of an interest to me.

5 - Danita Art - Another inspiring entrepreneur and I just love how she's made her own niche in the art world and some of her folksy works really make me smile. Like her Frida paintings or her Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, etc. Just too cute. I also totally sympathize with her not bein able to stop picking up new mediums and trying new ways to display her art. I only wish I had her ability to FINISH some items, I have far too many abandoned projects sitting around in various states of progress. *sigh*

6 - Audrey Eclectic - Heather is so sweet and supportive and she's another prolific artist that I can't believe manages to paint so fast! I dither and throw away so much of my own art and yet she has a small child an still manages to do so well finishing her great folk art and doing commissions on top - and art shows, too! Wow! I also share her love for Austen and Victorian gothic Halloween art/items and wedding portraits, etc. And also a midwest gal, so hard to find. Seems everyone else has migrated to Portland some days.

7 - A Fanciful Twist - Never a dull moment with Vanessa's blog! She's full of color and action and crazy/amazing ideas. I especially love her Mad Tea Party every year. I can't wait for this years. ;) She's also so supportive of my work and my first customer - the little German papered house - what a thrill I got out of selling my first item on Etsy. AND to find her posting it up on her blog around Halloween. What a huge ego boost that was and inspired me to keep going. ;)

8 - Heather Bullard - Just a glance at her latest post full of beautiful antiques tells you why I like looking at her blog. I love the latest post and covet just about everything in it. Too bad I've told myself I must be good with money for awhile...

9 - Little Byrd - A cute name for a cute blog. I just love all the inspiring photos of vintage and antique items. Just like the blog above - too much temptation!!

10 - Posie Gets Cozy - Another industrious woman that is constantly at work. I'd love her blog just for the ultra cute photos of her sweet puppy Clover. Cutest dog ever (besides mine...) and her kitties. But her blog really is cozy - full of projects and cups of tea, quilts, little dresses and her latest publications. Great blog to follow.

And that's all for now...dinner's finished and I must go eat. I'll let everyone on my list know of their own award and pass on the fun. :) Also - I have lots of Scottish Festival photos to share. I'll have to trim them down to just the most interesting and fun ones I can't help wanting to show you guys!