My Thread of Thought

How to Cleanse Your Body

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:24:00 +0000

If you are feeling sick or out of touch with your body, cleansing your body can be a good way to get rid of bad toxins and feel better again.

Dry skin brush before you take a bath or shower. I also like dry brushing my face, but use a brush made especially for your face so it has softer bristles.
Take a warm salt water bath or steam in the shower.
Deep breathing can help calm you down. Do yoga. Try just doing 20 minutes of yoga a day or picking up a yoga DVD or video series.
Drink water. Try adding a couple extra glasses a day.
Try eating healthier. Go on a cleanse or add a couple healthy foods in to your diet. Check out these 30 cleansing foods that naturally cleanse your body.
Use a neti pot to naturally cleanse your sinuses.
Try the hydro therapeutic technique of taking a shower with hot water and then switching to cold. Afyerwards, get under covers.
Go for a run or walk. Try exercising at least 20 minutes a day or move your body in some way.
Get a massage or do a self massage with your favorite oils.
Try drinking hot tea with herbs in it or taking an herbal soak bath.

What do you do to cleanse yourself? Let me know in the comments.

What to Wear on a Rainy Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:57:00 +0000

Rainy day, go away! Try these stylish rainy day outfits. Rainy days can be challenging for choosing an outfit, but they can also be a chance to show off your creativity in the gloomy weather. Here are some tips and ideas on what to wear on rainy days:

Choose water resistant fabrics and natural fibers.

Get a quality rain coat. Try fabrics like such as cotton or even vegan leather, to avoid getting soaked or feeling uncomfortable. Avoid fabrics that absorb water easily such as silk, linen, or suede

Opt for darker colors or patterns that can hide any water stains or splashes.

You can also brighten up your look with a pop of color, such as a red raincoat, a yellow umbrella or a deep blue scarf1 2

Layer your clothing to adapt to the changing temperature and humidity. You can wear a thin hoodie under a maxi dress, a button-down shirt under a sweater, or a blazer over a t-shirt

Bring an umbrella!

I love bringing an umbrella out when it is raining. It is great to accessorize with clothing accessories that can protect you from the rain. For example, you can wear a waterproof hat, a stylish raincoat, a colorful umbrella or even a pair of sunglasses1 2 3 I once found a colorful rainbow umbrella while walking in the rain.

Add rain boots to protect your feet from the rain.

Waterproof your rwvorire or of shoes so they are durable in wet weather. You can wear other shoes like sneakers or sandals if the rain is light and the temperature is warm1 2 4

Remember, you can always have fun with your fashion choices, no matter the weather.

How to Come Up with Blog Post Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:28:00 +0000

Do you know what to blog about? This post is all about how to come up with blog ideas. You will need to come up with a blog post topic every time you create a new blog post. You may have a lot of ideas already. Other times, you might feel stuck. Here are some tips for staying inspired.

Write Outside of Your Blog

If you usually blog on the computer, why not try writing somewhere else? It helps to keep a list or notebook with ideas of what you want to blog about. I like to write draft posts of blog posts on a notebook and then edit them on the computer later. You can even draw or doodle when you write in a notebook to get ideas or what you want visual photos to look like. Another idea is to use an application like Bean to write without distraction.

Take Photos

Instead of writing a blog post first, take some photos. This can also help if your blog isn’t usually visual and you just want to get ideas. Try taking photos of your daily activities or things that inspire you for a day or a week. Go through the photos later and choose the best ones to inspire blog post ideas or add to your blog posts to make them more interesting.

Look at Other Blogs

Joining a blog community or looking st other blogs can help you stay inspired. Many other blogs encourage other bloggers to join them in blogging about the same topic or using a certain tag. Comment on a blog with a similar topic and let them know their blog post inspired a topic on your blog.

Search for Keywords

SEO can help you come up with popular blog topic ideas that will get you noticed in search engines. Try using Keyword Tool to find different keyword phrases that may be a good title for your blog post or a starting point when you write.

Look in Books

If you don’t care as much about writing this week’s trending topics, try looking in books or magazines. Pick an article in a magazine or a topic in a book to inspire a blog post. I like to look through old issues of magazines and see if I can find topics that would be interesting on my blog. You can also try looking at the library for books.

Look at an Old Blog Post

If you have old blog entries, find a couple popular posts you really like. See if you can rewrite them with a new spin, add on to them or write an additional blog post on the same topic.

Want specific ideas on what to write about? Here are some specific ideas on what to blog about if you are stuck:

Do a day in the life or post some personal photos that let people know more about you.
Post your favorite ways to promote your business. Write about your favorite tools, websites or applications to use.
Make a list of your top 10 favorite ________.
Do a survey or let viewers ask you questions.
Post what you ate that day or what you are planning to make for dinner.
Post what inspires you or what it on your wishlist.
Make a tutorial that gives step by step instructions how to make something or accomplish a task.
Write about your favorite blogs or give a shoutout to other bloggers.
Try to change up your media. Add a video if you usually don’t make videos or add a photos if you usually do mostly text entries.

How do you come up with blog post ideas?

Want to Be Reviewed?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:18:00 +0000

Do you have a company with a product you want me to review? I am doing product reviews on this blog. Some examples of products I will review include:

Handmade products from Etsy
Vegan companies and products
Art and art journaling supplies
Business tools
Digital products

I also do interviews and accept guest posts. Contact me for more details.

10 Ways to Cook with Bagels

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:43:00 +0000

I love cooking with bagels. Bagels are a versatile and delicious bread that can be enjoyed in many ways. If you are looking for some vegan recipes using bagels, here are 10 ideas that you can try:

Vegan Bagel Toppings: You can make your own vegan cream cheese, hummus, pesto or chocolate spread and top your bagels with them. Add some fresh or dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or herbs for extra flavor and texture
Vegan Bagel Sandwiches: Vegan bagel sandwiches are a great lunch or dinner meal. You can fill your bagels with tofu or tempeh for a meaty flavor. You can even use store bought veggie patties and use the bagel like a bun. Add vegan cheese, vegan mayo, mustard, ketchup or barbecue sauce for extra moisture and flavor.
Vegan Bagel Pizza: You can slice your bagels in half and spread some vegan pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice. Then bake them in the oven or toaster oven until the cheese is melted and the bagels are crispy. Try using vegan pesto or alfredo as the base sauce instead of tomato sauce.
Vegan Bagel Salad: Make your own bagel croutons by cubing your bagels and toss them with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake in the oven until they are golden and crunchy. You can use them as croutons for your salad or mix them with some roasted vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and dressing 1
Vegan Bagel Casserole: Make a vegan bagel casserole.You can cube your bagels and layer them with some vegan cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and spices. Then bake them in the oven until they are bubbly and cheesy. You can also add some broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or other vegetables to the casserole 3
Bagel French Toast: Use bagels instead of bread to make your own french toast.You can slice your bagels and dip them in a mixture of plant-based milk, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then fry them in a skillet until they are golden and crisp. You can serve them with some maple syrup, vegan butter, berries, or whipped cream 3
Bagel Soup: You can cube your bagels and simmer them in some vegetable broth, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and bay leaf. Then blend the soup until it is smooth and creamy. You can season the soup with some salt, pepper, nutmeg, and parsley. You can also add some vegan cheese, cream, or yogurt to the soup 3
Vegan Bagel Bread Pudding: You can cube your bagels and soak them in a mixture of plant-based milk, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and spices. Then bake them in the oven until they are set and custardy. You can add some raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut flakes to the pudding 3
Vegan Bagel Scones: You can shred your bagels and mix them with some flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and vegan butter. Then add some plant-based milk and knead the dough until it is smooth. You can shape the dough into rounds and cut them into wedges. Then bake them in the oven until they are golden and flaky. You can add some lemon zest, cranberries, chocolate chips, or nuts to the dough 3
Vegan Bagel Chips: Slice your bagels thinly and brush them with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then bake them in the oven until they are crisp and crunchy. You can use them as a snack or dip them in some salsa, guacamole, or hummus if 3

I hope you enjoy these vegan recipes using bagels. Let me know which one is your favorit

Love Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 04:17:00 +0000

Random Wishlist Items

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 04:50:00 +0000

I like to keep word documents of wishlists, products I might buy in the future or just like to think of having. Here are some products on my current wishlist:

Strapless Pleated Floral Dress

I like cute, colorful dresses for spring like this dress from Forever 21.

Lush Rub Rub Rub Sea Salt

I've been looking for a good body scrub and I like Lush products so I think I want to try this sometime.

MAC Jeanius Eye Shadow

I love the cute packaging on this eye shadow that's made to look like denim. I've never really tried MAC eye shadows before.

What's on your wishlist?

New Year's Resolution: Vision Board

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:12:00 +0000

A vision board is a good way to keep track of your goals. A vision board helps you visually see your goals and get clarity on what you want for the new year. It will also help you focus on your goals when you see the vision board every day.

Supplies:

Bulletin Board: Use a blank bulletin board, poster board, photo frame or other item to keep your vision board on.
Images: Find inspiring images for items you want to complete goals on. You can look on magazines or print out images from online.
Glitter: I used basic white craft glitter.
Glue: I used a glue stick. You can use any type of glue or adhesive you have.
Scissors

Instructions:

1. Start by cutting out images of items you want on your board. Look for goals you want to complete for the new year. If you want to travel more, add images of places you want to go. Also look for motivational words and quotes. You can also include other images you want on your board such as fabric, decorative paper or stickers.

2. Arrange the images the way you want them on the board.

3. Start gluing the images on. Start with background images and then later images. For example, you might glue on decorative paper first and then add smaller images.

4. This step is optional, but I like to add a little glitter to my vision board to make it sparkle. Add glue to the places you want to glitter. Gently sprinkle glitter over the areas you out tie on. Throw out excess glitter in the trash.

5. Put your board on display. You want to see your vision board every day to stay inspired. Your office or bedroom are great places to hang your board.

If you use this tutorial, let me know in the comments. Have you ever made a vision board?

Happy New Year's!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:42:00 +0000

Happy New Year's! What are your resolutions for the new year? Let me know in the comments!

Blog Anniversary and Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 02:37:00 +0000

This week is My Thread of Thought's anniversary. To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway. The prize is a greeting card of your choice from my shop. To enter, you just have to leave a comment in this entry. If you post about the giveaway somewhere else (your blog, etsy forums, twitter, etc.), just let me know and you'll get an extra entry. The giveaway will be up until July 18th.

I can't believe it's been two years since I've had this blog. I posted my first entry on the Fourth of July of 2008. This blog has been a good way to talk about my Etsy shop and things going on in my life. I find it helps organize my thoughts and relieve stress when I write things down. I've gained 269 followers which is great. I thought I'd post some of my favorite entries over the years:

Fourth of July (July 4, 2008)
Getting Etsy on Other Sites (July 14, 2008)
First Sale! (July 21, 2008)
Craftster Challenge: Playing Cards (July 22, 2008)
Halloween Cards Tutorial (September 20, 2008)
Election Day Giveaway (October 28, 2008)
Valentine's Day Items (February 14, 2009)
World Autism day (April 1, 2009)
Record Store Day (April 18, 2009)
Etsy Day (April 23, 2009)
First Craft Show (July 13, 2009)
Luna's Famous! (July 21, 2009)
Vote for my Journal to be in the Gift Guide (July 28, 2009)
Giveaway and Hippo Treasury (August 11, 2009)
Vatican city Photo (August 24, 2009)
Worldwide Moment (September 8, 2009)
My Cousin's Wedding (October 24, 2009)
10 Things I'm Liking and New Card (November 17, 2009)
Gift Guide Part I (December 11, 2009)
Christmas & Snowflake Journal (December 24, 2009)
YouTube & Tumblr (February 6, 2010)
World Nutella Day (February 5, 2010)

Good luck on the giveaway!

Tie Greeting Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 07:59:00 +0000

Every year for Father's Day, I make my Dad a mini greeting card shaped as a tie. I think it's fun to play with the shapes of cards. Here are some of the tie greeting cards I've made:

I've never listed one in my shop, but let me know if you like them so I know if I should make some to sell. Did you do anything special for Father's Day?

Photography & Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 07:16:00 +0000

I'm working on two new journals now. One has red flowers and is red on the inside. It started off good, but I made a few mistakes so hopefully I can fix it up and sell it. I really like how it looks though.

I also started one with the same pig fabric here and it's going to use glittery pink paper on the inside. I love how it looks, but I messed up the pages on the inside and might have to resew the whole paper part. Maybe I can find something to do with the pages I messed up. I might wait until I get my own paper cutter (which is coming in the mail) to try to do it again.

It's been hard to really work on items with school. I'm okay with that because you can't always do both. I've been doing a lot of photography in my Photography class. In our next assignment, we're supposed to make photos out of the words isolation, naked, contained, encompassing, and open. I have a few ideas for some of them, but let me know if you have any ideas. :)

Here's some photos I took sofar. These weren't for an assignment, they were just random photos I took:

This is a tree outside of the building I live in. I was just walking out and took a photo. I liked how it looked with the snow everywhere, my campus looks so pretty when it snows.

This is a photo of some fake flowers I have in my room. Once I lightened up the picture, I really like how it turned out.

I've also been doing a lot in my art journal lately. I got a moleskine sketchbook instead of using one of the journals I made. I felt weird about not using a journal I made at first (since I sell journals and everything), but I was curious about the moleskine. I really like it and it seems like the pages can hold a lot, which is nice.I might do some blog posts of scans of entries I've been making in my journal (I haven't been able to get my scanner to work lately though). There's some journal pages you can look at from my previous journals in my flickr.

When I sell journals, I also put a little note with journaling ideas and tell buyers they can always scan in journal pages (if it's something they want to share) and I can post it on my blog. I've only sold a few actual journals, so nobody's done that yet, but I hope someday people do so I can share what other people do with their journals on here.

So I noticed nobody did my game when I tagged them from the last entry. If you want, you can do the game from the post below. I didn't think I'd find a post that could relate to my shop and blog, but it happened that I found a good photo to talk about and maybe you will too. :)

What’s On My Christmas Wishlist 2023

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 03:35:00 +0000

These are some items on my wishlist for the holiday season this year.

Canon EOS Rebel T7: I want a new DSLR camera. I would use it to take photos, but also on my Etsy shop and blog. I heard this camera was good. Another camera I was looking at is the Canon EOS Rebel T100. If you have any camera recommendations, let me know. I prefer the Canon brand. I had the Canon EOS Rebel XS before and liked it, but unfortunately lost the camera.

Canon TS9521c Crafting Photo Printer: I heard this printer was good for crafting and printing out items to use with crafts. Let me know if you have a recommendation for printing photos.

Scrapbooks and Photo Boxes: I am trying to scrapbook more and I am looking for photo boxes or ways to organize my photos. I found some I liked at Michael's, but let me know if you have any recommendations.

Kindle Unlimited: I have a Kindle Paperwhite, but I need a Kindle Unlimited subscription to go with it. Let me know if you have any book recommendations.

Life is Messy Planner: I need a new planner for 2024. There are some products by Mayi Carles want to purchase. I like the Life is Messy Planners here which have a blog, meal, fitness and other printable planners.

Makeup and Beauty: I am looking for some products from Lush. I also have some items on Etsy I want. I want the GHD or Babyliss Pro Hair Straightener. I want an eyeshadow palette like the Too Faced Better Than Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette.

Digital Products: There are some digital products I want on Creative Market and Etsy. I am looking for Lightroom Presets I can use on my photos for editing them. There are also some digital paper and graphics I want.

What’s on your wishlist this year?

5 Winter Skincare Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:59:00 +0000

Does your skin get dry in the winter months? With the cold weather, you may need to switch up your skincare routine. Here are five winter skincare tips to keep your skin hydrated and protected during the colder months:

1. Moisturize Regularly

Cold air and indoor heating can dry out your skin, so it’s crucial to use a rich, hydrating moisturizer. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides to lock in moisture. Apply your moisturizer right after showering when your skin is still damp to seal in hydration.

2. Switch to a Gentler Cleanser

Winter weather can make your skin more sensitive, so it’s a good idea to switch to a cream-based or hydrating cleanser. Avoid products with harsh ingredients like alcohol, which can strip your skin of its natural oils. Opt for a gentle, non-foaming cleanser to maintain your skin’s moisture barrier.

3. Use a Humidifier

Indoor heating can cause the air to dry out, which leads to dehydrated skin. Adding a humidifier to your living space can help keep moisture in the air and prevent your skin from becoming too dry. This is especially helpful while you sleep.

4. Exfoliate Gently

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells that can make your skin look dull. However, in winter, it’s important to be gentle. Opt for a mild exfoliator with fine grains or use a chemical exfoliant with AHAs or BHAs to avoid irritation. Exfoliate once a week to keep your skin smooth and fresh.

5. Protect Your Skin from the Cold

When you go outside, don’t forget to protect your skin from harsh winter winds and cold temperatures. Use a nourishing lip balm to prevent chapped lips and wear a scarf or gloves to shield your face and hands from the elements. Always apply sunscreen, even on overcast days, as the sun’s UV rays can still cause damage during the winter.

These tips can help maintain a healthy, glowing complexion throughout the colder months.

Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 22:11:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to make side dishes. These are some of my favorites.

These Vegan Mashed Potatoes are a great version of mashed potatoes to try. They use garlic and chives to give them flavour.

If you love cranberry sauce and stuffing, try this Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing. It is a delicious version of stuffing to make this Thanksgiving.

All you need for these Rosemary Roasted Carrots are carrots, olive oil, rosemary and salt.

What are your favorite side dishes to make? Leave a reply in the comments.

It’s My Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 03:05:00 +0000

It is my birthday today!

These are a couple goals I have for the upcoming year:

Travel more
Make more money
Spend more time taking care of myself
Try out more recipes
Make more art
Get more subscribers and followers on my e-mail list, blog and social media
Journal daily
Spend less time on time wasting activities
Practice gratitude

The artwork pictured is by Margaret Berg.

What do you like to do for your birthday?

Chicago Lakeview Taco Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 02:40:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I went to the Lakeview Taco Festival in Chicago. I had never been to this event before so I thought I would go.

The event was free to attend. The festival focused on just tacos for food. The vendors sold tacos from local restaurants that were both traditional and speciality.

I had a hard time finding vegan tacos. I did find one taco was the specially made vegan. But they were all out. You could order tacos without the meat though.

Besides food, the event also had two stages of live music with several bands. The live music was pretty good. They had a lot of cover bands.

It was a fun event overall. I would go again. Have you been to any festivals lately? Let me know in the comments.

Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:40:00 +0000

I thought I'd share some items that would be good to buy for Mother's Day (Which is May 10th this year). There is a 10% sale in my shop from May 5th-May 10th. It seems like I've had a lot of sales lately, but I guess that's okay. :)

Iridescent Blue Photo Frame

This frame is perfect for your mom to put a favorite photo in or for you to put a photo of you and your mother in.

Laundry List Sticky Note Pad

Whether it's for shopping, things she has to do around the house, things she has to do for work, etc., a journal with blank to-do list sticky notes can always come in handy.

Cupcake Desserts Cookbook

This is perfect for the mother who likes to cook (especially sweets). I gave my mom a cookbook for Christmas.

Love Deeply Inspiring Quote Greeting Card (Pink Version)

I didn't have time to make new Mother's Day card, but there are some greeting cards in my shop with general inspiring quotes that could make great gifts. This card has the quote, "To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others."

I think I already know something I can give my mom. It's something I made for a class (I can't reveal what it is yet because my mom reads my blog sometimes, haha). Last year I tried making a handmade card that had seeds in it (so you could plant it afterwards). I can't remember if the seeds actually worked, but it was a fun idea to try. Mother's Day is a good holiday to give handcrafted things because they're a little more personal.

I made a new poll on this blog. I think I might do a poll from time to time. This one just asks if you keep a journal. I started journaling a lot more last year and I have kept 3 journals this year. I don't have a journal right now and I'm not sure when I'll start a new one (even though there is one journal I'm using for a class that I'm going to continue to keep) so it just made me curious if people keep journals.

I have my last final tonight (which is weird, I've never had a final on a Saturday night before). It doesn't really feel like a weekend to me now, but after that, I'll be completely done with classes. I'm excited to get out for the summer. :)

Earth Day, Craft Show and Recycled Items

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:38:00 +0000

Happy Earth Day! My college held a craft show type event for Earth Day so I decided to sell some of my crafts in it. I had fun doing it. It was busier than I thought it'd be and reminded me of a craft show I did at Esperanza last summer. One of my cards sold right away. It was a newer card and I didn't have the chance to get a photo of it. I collaged photos from a magazine I had from the 1950s. That was the only thing that sold, but I got lots of admirers and comments which was nice. It was also fun to see what other crafts and recycled items people were selling.

Since it's Earth Day, I thought I'd post some items I have in my Recycled Items.

I have a couple movie poster recycled journals. I want to make more like these in the future:

Hope Floats Movie Upcycled Journal

Center Stage Movie Upcycled Journal

I have some items made out of recycled books. The "I Am a Little Duck" is the first item I sold on Etsy:

I Am a Little Animal Upcycled Journal

Upcycled Swan Flyaway Journal

These are some items I made with vintage items, from magazines:

Best Wishes Red Birthday Greeting Card

Vintage Girl Coptic Bound Book

These items are altered journals. I started with an old journal that was already bound and redid the covers:

Asian Print Mini Upcycled Journal

Altered Octopus Spiral Journal

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?

New Greeting Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:38:00 +0000

I listed some new greeting cards. I listed these greeting cards that use paper from vintage magazines:

Wavy Fudge Ice Cream Vintage Greeting Card

Wavy Blueberry Pie Vintage Greeting Card

These are some other new cards I've listed:

Wavy Blue Checked Doughnuts Card

Blue and White Flower Greeting Card

I'm working on some new journals. I got some new decorative paper so I'm using it with these journals. I'm also trying to list new items frequently. Besides Etsy, I've been really busy with school lately. I feel like I'm at the point of the semester where you have a lot of work in all your classes. Are there any art projects or crafts you're currently working on?

Art Journaling Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:36:00 +0000

Art journaling is is a method of journaling using illustration and artwork instead of just writing. It is not about creating a perfect picture, but allowing you to be imperfect and express yourself. I discovered art journaling online around 2008 (about the same time I opened my Etsy shop). Art journaling allows me to play with pictures and not just use words which can be harder for me because I think visually a lot.

Here are some tips to get started art journaling:

- Art journaling is all about expressing yourself so just experiment until you find what works best for you. Remember, you don't have to show your journal to anyone so don't worry about it turning out a certain way.
- Use different materials such as paint, glitter, fabric, decorative paper, etc. You can keep a box or folder where you keep things you find that you might want to use in your art journal (e.g. magazine cut outs, photographs, receipts, etc.).
- Play with using both text and photos/images.
- If you don't know what to journal about, journaling prompts can help get you started. Google "art journaling prompts" or "journaling prompts" for a list of ideas for what to journal about.
- Set aside time to art journal to help stay consistent. For example, you might decide to make an entry every night or every Sunday.
- If you need inspiration for art journaling, you can google "art journaling" to find a bunch of helpful blogs and photos. Flickr also has a lot of art journaling groups where people post photos/scans from their journals.

You can see some of my art journaling on my Flickr. If you need a journal to get started in, I sell some journals in my shop that would be perfect for art journaling. Do you art journal?

Vintage Valentine Greeting Card Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:36:00 +0000

I sold this Vintage Valentine Greeting Card:

I think this is the first Valentine's Day item I've sold. I'm also giving away two greeting cards in my Valentine's Day giveaway.

How to Make a Veggie Dog for Fourth of July

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 02:35:00 +0000

Grilling veggie dogs is a great way to celebrate Fourth of July. If is a fun way to enjoy an alternative to traditional hot dogs. Here’s a quick guide on how to barbecue them to perfection:

Choose the Best Veggie Dogs

Start by choosing a vegan veggie dog. Look for veggie dogs specifically designed for grilling so they hold up better on the grill and provide a realistic texture. My favorite brand right now is Lightlife Smart Dogs. Field Roast is another good choice for veggie dogs. Try their Signature Stadium Dog Plant Based Hot Dog. Beyond Meat has a hot dog form of their Beyond Sausage that is perfect for grilling. You can also make your own veggie hot dogs like this recipe from Fat Free Vegan that use pinto beans and vital wheat gluten. to give them texture.

Grill the Veggie Dogs

Place the veggie dogs on the preheated grill using tongs. Rotate them occasionally for even cooking. Watch for grill marks which will add visual appeal and enhance the flavor of your veggie dogs. Cooking time varies, usually 5–10 minutes.

Serve with Toppings

Once done, serve on a whole grain bun and top with your favorite toppings. Veggie dogs can be customized with a variety of fun toppings! Here are some ideas:

Classic Mustard and Ketchup: A timeless combination that works well with any hot dog, including veggie dogs.
Relish: S
weet or dill relish complements the veggie dog nicely. You can also use dill or sweet pickles that are chopped.
Hot Sauce or Sriracha: If you like a spicy kick, add hot sauce instead of ketchup.
Grilled Veggies: have you tried grilled vegetables? Use your favorite veggies like peppers or mushrooms for variety. Also try caramelized which will bring sweetness and depth of flavor.
Chopped Tomatoes: This is a great way to replace ketchup. They also add a burst of color. Try using fresh tomatoes.
Vegan Cheese: Melted vegan cheese (such as Daiya cheddar) will take your veggie dog to the next level.
Sprouts or Microgreens: Add greens to your veggie dog. Use sprouts or microgreens. You can also add avocado slices which will pair well giving a creamy texture.

Remember, the best toppings are the ones you enjoy the most! Feel free to mix and match to create your perfect veggie dog.

Have you ever made a veggie dog? Let me know in the comments what you like on your veggie dog.

How to Make Fourth of July S’Mores

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 02:48:00 +0000

Here’s a delightful twist on traditional s’mores for your Fourth of July celebration: red, white and blue S’mores. These patriotic treats are easy to make and perfect for your Fourth of July party or barbecue. I found the original recipe from Sheri Silver. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

Graham crackers
1 cup red candy melts
1 cup blue candy melts
Decorative sprinkles
Vegan marshmallows (I use Dandies to make them vegan, but you can use any brand)
Chocolate squares (I use vegan dark chocolate)

Instructions:

1. Melt the red candy melts in the top half of a double boiler set over simmering water.

2. Dip a graham cracker into the bowl of red candy melts and gently tap on the rim to remove any excess. Place on a lined sheet pan to cool. Repeat with as many graham crackers as you want.

3. Top with patriotic sprinkles if using.

4. Repeat the above process with the blue candy melts (do not top with sprinkles, if using). Let set.

5. To roast your marshmallows, you can do using a campfire or stovetop. Just find a stick in the woods or use a long metal skewer and toast the marshmallow over the flame until toasty. You can also use an oven or microwave as another method to toast s’mores (do this after placing them on a graham cracker).

6. To assemble the s’mores, start with a blue graham cracker. Add 2-3 squares of chocolate. Add 1-2 marshmallows on top of the chocolate. Gently press a red graham cracker with decorative sprinkles on top.

7. Serve warm and enjoy!

10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 02:31:00 +0000

Thanksgiving offers a wonderful time to gather with loved ones, express gratitude and create memories. Whether you're hosting a traditional feast or looking for new traditions to start, here are ten creative ways to make this Thanksgiving special.

Host a Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving isn’t just for family—invite your friends over for a Friendsgiving celebration. It's a great way to include those who may not have family nearby and enjoy a diverse array of dishes and cultures.

Volunteer Together

Give back to the community by volunteering at a local food bank or soup kitchen. It's a meaningful way to spend the day and share the spirit of Thanksgiving with others.

DIY Decorations

Get creative with your Thanksgiving décor by making handmade centerpieces, place cards and gratitude trees. Involve the kids for a fun family activity that doubles as holiday décor.

Cultural Potluck

Invite guests to bring a dish that reflects their cultural heritage. It’s a delicious way to learn about and celebrate different traditions.

Recipe Exchange

Organize a Thanksgiving recipe exchange among friends and family. Share your favorite recipes beforehand and try out new dishes for the big day.

Outdoor Activities

Take advantage of the cooler weather with outdoor activities like a family hike, backyard games, or a picnic. It’s a great way to enjoy the fall scenery and get some fresh air.

Gratitude Journaling

Start a gratitude journal and encourage everyone to write down what they are thankful for. Sharing these reflections during dinner can create a meaningful and heartwarming moment.

Embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving with these ideas and make this holiday a time of joy, gratitude, and togetherness. Happy Thanksgiving!