This March has been really fun around here, between being in Donna Downey's newletter , selling my Create on Etsy , discovering a new inspiration ( Kelly Rae Roberts ), meeting new friends thru blogs and facebook , making several custom Word Arts, joining the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Moms , blog hopping at Unity's Inspiration Blog Hop , and entering some creations in Martha Stewart's Easter/Spring contest. I even celebrated a birthday in the middle of all the excitement. Hopefully all this fun and friendship building can help motivate me to keep more current on the blog front. So in an attempt, I would like to share this simple project I just made for my oldest daughter, Rebecca (age 4). To coordinate my two daughters for "school" pictures I cut this flower from felt and sewed an old button to its center while wrapping the thread around her headband. I used one of my flower punches as the pattern. Its not perfect but I'm really happy with

Welcome! My name is Jen. I'm an optometrist by day and crafter by night. I live with my wonderfully supportive husband and two precious little girls, Rebecca (4) and Katherine (1). I absolutely LOVE being creative! If there's a craft out there, I've either tried it or its on my list of things to do. I especially enjoy scrapbooking (although I can't tell you the last time I actually made a layout), papercrafting, knitting, sewing and needle-felting. For years now I've been itching to do something with my creativity, so I recently started up an Etsy shop . Currently I've been inspired to make Word Art with my ever growing stash of craft supplies. I was excited to donate a custom piece to the long list of amazing prizes, but it looks like I joined the party too late. I will be giving one away to a fan of my new facebook page at the end of the month, so come check that out! Not on facebook? Go ahead and leave me a comment here and I'll add you to my drawing! I

Lately, my creative adventure has taken me on a wonderful and inspiring path. As a result I'm exploring new artforms and learning new techniques. So I've been considering starting an art journal . Up 'til now this notebook in the photo has been my place for creative thoughts and ideas, but generally in word form only. But now I think I "need" an art journal. A place where I can try new techniques and maybe discover more about me. I've noticed that a couple of my creative inspirations seem to have art journals, too, such as Donna Downey , and Ali Edwards . I've also just been introduced to Kelly Rae Roberts . Her book Taking Flight (my new favorite book) includes an art journal as one of the projects. I also found this , too. So if anyone else is interested in creating an art journal or has more information or examples to share, please do. I'll be sure to share, too!

I've recently been figuring out this whole facebook thing, both on a personal level and as a business tool. After several mistakes along the way, I have now created my third and hopefully final By Jen facebook page . As a thank you to my support/"fans", I will be giving away a free piece of Word Art at the end of the month to one lucky fan! So please feel free to check out the page if you're on facebook and become a fan to receive updates and for your chance to win your very own Word Art . If you're not on facebook, but would still like a chance to win, just leave me a comment/hello below. Thank you again for supporting me on my creative journey. What an exciting time for me!

Create , originally uploaded by byjen . Yesterday was a magical day for me. It all started with an email from Donna Downey . I got featured in her March newsletter in the Trash to Treasure section (the theme was using bits and scraps). I can't even describe how exciting this is. I've followed Donna Downey for years. She is one of my biggest inspirations! And after the newsletter went out I started to see a few more fans on my facebook page. And I sold my CREATE on etsy , which is bittersweet because I love that one! Just an excuse to create more inspirational word art. What a great day!