Make New Friends...

I am always cautious about using the word "busy" when someone asks how I am. We are all busy, and life is not a competition to see who is busiest. Although sometimes it feels that way!

       If they did give out awards for busy, our office would be in the running this week. We have our wholesale sales reps in town for a meeting, a large national retail chain visited, the fall line debuts in less than two weeks, and we are launching a dedicated website for Canada. Phew, I have to stop and breath just thinking about it. 

     As the day quiets and comes to a close, I so enjoy checking in online and connecting with my friends and family. I am especially enjoying the new connections I am making with other creative kindred spirits.  I've met some delightful new women through their blogs. The winner of the Blogging for Bliss book giveaway from this blog is Lisa Zahn. It was fun to visit her blog and see her great kitchen makeover. Amazing what can be done with imagination and paint! 

     Deb from Posted From Home shared a story about a memory of April Cornell Christmas ornaments, so I wandered over to meet her on her blog. Being Canadian too, I especially enjoyed her perspectives.  And while I spent my day at the office in Burlington,  I am on a trip vicariously with Nerissa Alford.

    One of the things I enjoy best is that on this platform there is little focus on our ages or where we live and other superficial things we tend to group others by. It is about shared interests, beautiful things and encouraging each other to pause and enjoy the creative parts of life. Meet Emily-Claire Stevens.  Her work is wonderful!

     Our summer sale is wrapping up with 50% off the April Cornell site. The debut of the fall line is right around the corner, and the sale will soon be over, so stop on by.

Blogging for Bliss

There is a wonderfully creative and vibrant community of exceptional bloggers in blogdom these days. If you are reading this, it's likely you already know that. There is something happening online today that you won't want to miss.  A new book Blogging for Bliss  by Tara Frey has gathered many of these talented women together between two covers. Today marks the launch of an online blog tour party hosted by Artsy Mama. Hit the link and on Kari's sidebar you'll see all the blogs on the tour. Also joining in the event are many newer bloggers who are just as passionate. Take some time to enjoy what these women are creating on their blogs. 

Why do I blog for bliss? Because it gives me a wonderful way to visit with my customers 24 -7. Online it doesn't matter what time it is or how the weather is behaving. We have access to each other when it works for us to visit and interact. My business is built on making beautiful things to enhance women's lives. Over the years we have  grown and transitioned together. Daughters and granddaughters are joining us in our passions of making our homes and wardrobes feminine and lovely. I draw much of my inspiration from hearing about my customers lives, and how April Cornell products are a part of everyday. Blogging, being on Facebook and enjoying Twitter give me the opportunity to meet with other women I might not have otherwise met. 

Why do you blog? Leave a comment and you'll be entered into a random number giveaway for a copy of the book. I'll post the winner on Friday. It's a busy week! Apron FEST '09 and the Blogging for Bliss tour fell on the same dates. Who says things are slow in August?