*Painting for Life Christmas Card Give-​Away*

This week we are giving away two new “Something to Cherish” Christmas cards, hot of the press to one of you! These are a special part of our 2009 Painting for Life Christmas card collection. They are blank inside and can be used as Christmas greeting cards or even an after-​holiday thank you! For the chance to win, just leave a comment in this post with your e-​mail address as well as a random fun fact about yourself. On November 24^th, just in time to give thanks, we will randomly select a winner from the comments on the blog and a very special gift will be on its way.

*Special Craft Project*

Embroidered Name Christmas Gift Tag & Keepsake Ornament

Download the PDF craft direc­tions here –For your personal use only please.

*5 things that really inspire you*

1. Relationships — family, friends, clients & students
2. Color
3. Exploring nature
4. Traveling to new and old places
5. Music

*5 things we might not know about you that you’d like to share*

1. I am married to an awesome guy, Benjamin Hummel, who survived not one but TWO liver trans­plants when he was a teenager due to an auto immune disorder that he was born with. He is an artist, too. I am so lucky to have him in my life. You can see some of his work at www.Painting for Life.com.
2. During the summer of 2008 I had my first rib removed (the one under my left clavicle) since it was damaged in a car accident (I was not at fault). The dislo­cated rib caused a huge clot in my left arm several hundred blot clots broke off and passed through my heart and into my lungs. I am EXCEPTIONALLY grateful to God that I am still alive and back in the studio making new art!
3. I wake up almost every morning with a purring cat on my good shoulder. Her name is Lady Guinevere (Gwinny for short), my little sister named her after she was rescued as a kitten from the streets of Kansas.
4. To read the last two items, visit the article that CraftForHealth.com just posted HERE.

*5 things going on in your creative world*

1. I am learning Corel Painter for the 3^rd time since its release. I am really excited about the water­color brushes. Thinking about some hybrid art making possibilities.
2. I will be exhibiting at CHA for the 3^rd year in the License & Design section in Anaheim, CA. My lightbox it stacked with a ton of ideas and paintings for new water­color embroidery art licensing collections.
3. Also, as a part of CHA 2010 I am partic­i­pating in the crafting around the world exhibit and will share art inspired by Sweden.
4. Our studio is also working on some new digital art products for computers and the iPhone with a new licensing partner … stayed tuned for details.
5. Oh, and did I mention that my husband and I are also excited to share our collection of Christmas cards? You can check those out and sign up for a friends only e-​mail update list at www.PaintingForLife.com.

*What’s Next?*

Tomorrow be sure to check out the wonderful work of Joy Hall and feel free to visit and comment on each artist’s blog before the 24^th — the more the merrier!

Terri Conrad Designs November 14^th

Brenda Pinnick November 15^th

Tori Higa November 16^th

Joyce Shelton November 17^th

Phyllis Dobbs November 18^th

Cherish Flieder November 19^th

Joy Hall November 20^th

Barbara Johansen Newman November 21^st

Sharyn Sowell November 22^nd