Category Archives: More on Us

Let’s Play Tag!


Posted by tlcinspirations

Oh! I’m it! Remember playing tag as a kid? This works pretty much the same way. I was just tagged by Crystal at Kizz Designs, my new friend, and talented jewelry designer. Now I must list 10 interesting facts about myself and tag 10 other unsuspecting bloggers. It’s a great way to get acquainted.
Crystal stated that she was combining the “tag game” with the “Primio Meme Award.” Thank you Crystal, it’s an honor to receive this award, and this opportunity to reveal a little of myself.
One asks for a list of 10 and the other a list of 7. (You can refer to Kizz Designs for further details) I hope it is ok that I continue with combining the two, but I am only tagging, and passing the award to 10 bloggers, and listing 10 facts.
Here goes:
  1. I was born in a very small town, Slayton, Minnesota, and my parents named me Bonita Juane Beal. My mother came up with my middle name by combining her name, June, and my dad’s name, Duane. Unique, huh?
  2. I am blessed with 2 phenomenal daughters and 7 grandchildren! 5 beautiful grand-daughters, and 2 amazing grandsons. My oldest grandson is “special needs” and he is the gentlest spirit I have ever known.
  3. I was a hair stylist for 30 years, and owned a salon for 20 years. It was a wonderful experience but I was glad to move on to other things. I persued a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Health after closing my shop. Since I undervalued education when I was younger, this achievement means a lot to me.
  4. My husband and I have been together for 24 years, and married for 21 years. He suffered a stroke, when he fell off of our roof 3 years ago, and I thank God everyday for his remarkable recovery. It is our dream to build a log home in beautiful Leavenworth, Wa.
  5. I am an animal lover, and have the best dog ever! He is a black lab mix weighing about 95 lbs, and was adopted from the local shelter. Also a stray cat, that adopted us, so we adopted him too!
  6. My favorite place to go is Seaside, Oregon. My mom and I spend every Mother’s Day there. We celebrated her 80th birthday on the coast with the whole family. My daughters, all the kids and I also spend as much time as we can at the beach playing in the sea, sun and sand! I love it!
  7. Wow, there is a lot of reflection going on here…thanks Crystal! Ok, moving on… the computer amazes me, and I don’t know how I ever survived without it!
  8. My love of arts and crafts started as a child. Both of my grandmother’s introduced me to sewing and crocheting. My mom also did a lot of sewing, and made most of my clothes when I was young. I haven’t had any professional classes (Home Ec in school, and I don’t think that counts) I am self taught in everything that I attempt. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I fail, but it’s always fun!
  9. Last, but not least is, that I am not the only “face” behind TLC Inspirations. My daughter, Rachel, and I started this journey together. She is extremely creative, a gifted writer, and has a knack for capturing beautiful photos. It is our mutual love of mother nature that inspires us, and our love of arts and crafts, that brought us to this venture.
  10. I am truly blessed with love and contentment in my life.
And, now, I pass this Award to all of the following blogs, and… “TAG! YOU’RE IT! for a list of “10 Interesting Facts” about yourselves. Don’t forget to pass the Award on!

A week in the life of…


Posted by tlcinspirations

me. Rachel. First, if you don’t know me, in a few words…

generous. a g r e s s i v e. reflective. NON-photogenic. caffeine-dunked. short-tempered. closet dAnCEr. cheesecake lover. animal guardian. mother. reluctant shopper. neurotic wife. nostalgic. offensive singer. nature freak. gardener. PAtHoloGiCAl ReADeR. spunky cook. worrywart. S A R C A S T I C.
.•*〬·.✽¸.·~•☄.♥ L O V E ♥.•**·._¸☆..•**·.♬

So, this week was interesting. If you don’t already know, I have a new puppy, aptly named Mojo…as Mojo can be either good or bad on many levels. He totally fulfills the name he’s been given. Anyway, THIS week, he managed to get himself peed on by my other dog. Oh yes. And he didn’t even notice. My other dog, Cyrus, lifted his leg and no sooner did he do this than Mojo ran under him, mid-stream. I was horrified at the prospect of having to pick him up and carry him into the house, but a bath was required. What was great is that he was happy as a clam, regardless of his pee-soaked fur, lol. There’s something to learn there.

My Grandma June also visited us this week. We live in Sandpoint, Idaho and she travels by train from Washington. There’s only one train that stops here and they drop her off here at 2:32am and then when we take her home, the train leaves at midnight. Nothing we can do about it ~ it just is what it is. And we don’t mind…it’s worth it!

I love having my Grandma to myself for a few days. She’s an incredible individual! I could talk to her for hours and, in fact, DID! Her stories never cease to mesmerize me. Both of my daughters are transfixed by the “old days” and thoroughly enjoy a good game of Scrabble or Yahtzee with her, even though she tries to sneak by with non-words like “eaze”, lol. Ok, I confess, I tried to use “nudgy”….it could be a word! “Her nudgy sister kept hitting me in the arm.” ~ see? We shopped, laughed, played and talked for 3 days. It was perfect. Thanks, Grandma!

Well, I guess we’ll see what the coming weeks have in store for us. Every day is an adventure, isn’t it? Feel free to share your own experiences here. How else would we get to know you? Blessings. ~ Rachel

Lost in a Sea of Creativity


Posted by tlcinspirations

“Even the simplest weed holds us in awe of it’s creation.”

I have had my hands in and out of arts and crafts ever since I was a child, although more in, than out! When I was small my mother made all of my clothes, and I thought she was amazing, and I felt very special wearing her creations. My grandmother was a seamstress, and I was completely fascinated with all the pretty dresses she was making or altering for someone. As I got into high school I began sewing for myself, which was the thing to do in those days, as most of my friends also liked to sew. We would spend hours in the fabric store after school, enthralled with all the beautiful fabrics, and looking for the perfect simplicity pattern. Do kids do that now days?

I don’t think so.
My mom was not too thrilled with some of my picks, but she did not discourage me. She would just make gentle suggestions.
My love of creating continued to lure me into other arts and crafts. After I was married, my creativity expanded into my home, with frilly curtains, macrame’, crocheting, decoupage, and clothes for my kids. I have dabbled in just about every craft. I think most creative people have had their hands in many of the different arts. I play with photography, and digital painting, and I love to write beautiful, inspirational words.
My problem is that I don’t think I have found my niche yet. My daughter and I have started an Etsy shop together, since she also shares the passion for handmade, and is extremely creative. I find myself looking at all the wonderful shops, and all of that creativity that is out there, somewhat overwhelms me. I know I am creative, but I don’t know where to focus my time and energy. I want to do everything! I am trying to find my “sweet creative spot.” What really inspires me? What makes me feel proud and excited? I have a bad habit of getting easily distracted when the next “cool thing” comes along, or something that I haven’t tried yet.
I really want to perfect my talents in a chosen area, but the question remains, “what area?” Should it be something that comes easy to me, or something that constantly challenges me? Should it be something that sells well, or something that just satisfies my creative aspirations? Should I consider whether there is a market for it? These are questions that I am trying to answer as I take this journey in the sea of creativity.

It’s a journey I am truly enjoying, even though I am not sure of the destination. Some of my suggested navigation tools for your creative journey:

  • Don’t create for others, create for yourself.
  • Create with passion and love.
  • Don’t make money the object of your creations. If the passion is there, the money will follow.
  • Always give everything you’ve got to whatever you are working on.
  • Remember art is personal, and what appeals to one person, may not appeal to someone else.
  • You are usually your own harshest critic.
  • Take a break when you are frustrated. Recharge doing something else, preferably a moment of relaxation.

And last, but not least: There are no rules to being creative, just have fun!
If you have any other navigation tools for this journey that you would like to share, please feel free to add your comments.

Thanks,
Bonnie