Grow Your Blog 2015 Sign-Ups

**THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED TO ENTRIES**

Just a quick PSA... I'm happy to pass on the news that Vicki of 2BagsFull is once again hosting her wonderful Grow Your Blog event! As in past years, the party starts on January 25th, but Vicki leaves the post up permanently, and it is a source of visits the year round. It is easy to sign up but it must be done at the link above ONLY! 

**The deadline for entry is January 17th**

Last year was my first time participating and I had a ball! I discovered hundreds of new blogs and am still following many of them (what can I say? I love blogging!)

Here's my post from last January: Grow Your Blog January 2014. I hope you will all check out Vicki's invitation and consider joining us :) 

Tea Pot Challenge

We bloggers in the Northern Hemisphere are facing another winter :( Looking for a way to keep warm as the mercury plunges? How about a lovely collection of decorated tea pots? The French blog Parole de Pate features their Tea Pot Challenge entrants on today's post (click on link).

From the whimsical to the sublime, with links to the creators' blogs, they are sure to warm our creative souls, if not our bellies :)

Now for a cuppa...

Art Charm Fundraiser 2014 Coming Up!

**THIS EVENT HAS CONCLUDED! Thanks everyone who supported us by visiting, bidding and buying. It was a great success again thanks to Jen Cameron's hard work!!**

Coming up later this month, November 14th 25th to be precise, is my all-time favourite blogging event, the annual Art Charm Exchange and fundraising auction for Beads of Courage, a wonderful program which assists seriously ill children to overcome difficult moments in their treatments.

I have sent my charms for the swap, including one which will be auctioned to raise money for this great organization. Jen Cameron of Glass Addictions has been coordinating this event for the past five years, and puts in many hours receiving, redistributing, repackaging, photographing, listing on eBay and of course managing the online auction and ensuring buyers have a great experience. Thanks so much Jen, for your dedication to a truly beautiful cause!

If you have never bought on eBay, you'll be surprised how easy it is to register to buy. You can register today and be ready for the bidding on November 14th 25th. It's great fun and all money raised goes to Beads of Courage :)

Here's a sneak peek at my charms:

All will be revealed on November 14th 25th!

And here's a look at Jennifer's center of operations:

"Santa" Jen getting ready to load the sleigh!

That's boxes to U.S. participants on the right, international charm swappers on the left... I believe this year we have gals from Australia, Slovenia, the U.K. and Canada.

I'm eager to receive my package of charms. It's always a fabulous surprise to see how everyone interprets the theme, which for 2014 is "SOAR".

Looking forward to the auction and hope to see everyone on the 14th 25th!

Easy Photo Collage With PicMonkey

Ever wonder how to make those cool collaged photo groups to share your creations on Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, etc? Link below the photo:

I sneaked in a collage of some 2012 Art Charm Swap and
fundraiser  creations. Info on this year's event coming...
this weekend!

Genea Crivello-Knable of Genea Beads recently uploaded a great Youtube video to get you started. Check it out!

No Octoberfest for Me :(

My apologies to anyone looking for my Octoberfest post. I let the hostess, Rita, know I wouldn't be taking part, and she removed me from her list, but I notice a few participants may have inadvertantly published an older list which included my blog. Sorry for any inconvenience. I hope to be able to join everyone for the next blog hop!