Today is Brought to You By the Letter 'M'

If I could open a brick and mortar place, I think I would choose a venue similar to my features today. Have you heard of moomah or The Make Lounge? If not, hurry and check out their websites. Oh, the creativity is just oozing at these two wonderful places. They make the right side of my brain tingle with delight!

moomah :: A place of sweet whimsy, wonder and warmth, moomah is a creative playscape, a cozy café, a living classroom, a quiet hideaway, an art oasis, your neighborhood meeting spot. Your favorite place to be together, and a place for your child to simply be.

These words just jump out at me and beckon me to visit :: whimsy, wonder and warmth. These phrases sing to my heart and creative passion :: creative playscape, living classroom, art oasis. And as a parent, this phrase just makes me smile and is music to my ears :: a place for your child to simply be.

Located in New York City, moomah offers a variety of classes for all ages of children ranging from art to yoga - there's something for everyone! The café provides a healthy eating outlet allowing visitors to choose from a wholesome and sustainable menu and making their selection into a fun presentation. Check out their activity listing for programs for both children and adults. Next time I'm in New York City, I'm going to check this place out.

Next up is The Make Lounge in London. Again, a MUST visit place when I get to the UK.

According to their website, The Make Lounge is a stylish, welcoming space featuring short-term, project-oriented craft workshops. It also has a retail shop, featuring all manner of crafting supplies, including gorgeous fabrics, haberdashery, trimmings, craft books and magazines, stylish kits, and even lovely handmade goods.

Jennifer Pirtle, creator and founder of The Make Lounge, offers workshops for a wide range of interest and levels. Be sure to check out her parties section - how much fun would it be to do a crafting party?!? Girls' Night Out, Baby Shower, Bachelorette Party, Milestone Birthday...the possibilities are endless. They may be across the ocean for some of us, but you can sign up for their newsletter and be inspired on your own. Who knows, maybe you'll open a shop like this in your city? I know I'm thinking about it...seriously.

What types of venues do you like to explore your favorite or a new creative outlet? Please share!

(Images courtesy of moomah and The Make Lounge)

My Very First Blog Giveaway!!!

Where do you look for inspiration? Nature, art, architecture, blogs, magazines, books or maybe all of the above? There isn't a right or wrong answer to that question and the happy thing about it is that it differs for everyone. How fun! Awhile ago, I was given the book Where Women Create and have enjoyed every page of it...over and over and over again. The book highlights the creative workspaces of a variety of women - it's true eye candy and is inspirational on so many levels. Did you know that Jo Packham and Jenny Doh are releasing another book called Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration: In the Studio and Behind the Scenes with Extraordinary Women? (Insert squeal of delight here.) It's due out on April 5th - you can check it out for yourself and pre-order yours today here.

Where Women Create also has an awesome blog where you can lose yourself for hours, if you're not careful. Be sure to check out the WWC BLOG here, or click on their button in the lower part of my left sidebar to visit. They have put together a wonderful couple days in September called The Creative Connection. Crafters come together over a few days in Minneapolis to take classes and enjoy creativity...it's going to be on my calendar; how about yours?

I was ecstatic when Stampington announced that they were creating a quarterly magazine that would feature more creative spaces of women on a regular basis. I've purchased every issue since the first and frequent the pages for a quick creative fix or a peek into someone's studio...a mini vacation.

I'm happy to announce my very FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY!!! One lucky reader will receive the Spring 2010 issue of Where Women Create (a $14.99 value)! I MUST share this creativity with you!!! Here's a sneak peek of one of my favorite articles in this issue (PAPER SOURCE!).....

Here's what you need to do to enter the giveaway...two easy steps:

1) Become a 'follower' in my Google Friend Connect window in my left sidebar. If you are already a Google Friend, fantastic and thank you! Skip down to step #2.

2) Leave a comment letting me know the URL name of your favorite creative or inspirational blog. I'll write a post later highlighting some of the great blogs you mention.

Also be sure to leave your name and an email address so I know how to get a hold of you when you win!

Giveaway is open to US residents at this time only.

One entry per person please.

Enter through Saturday, March 20th at midnight CST.

One winner will be selected via random.org on Sunday and announced here sometime on Monday, March 22nd.

Do YOU have the luck of the Irish? Be sure to enter to see if you do! Have fun!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE POSTED MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 22nd. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!!! WATCH FOR OUR NEXT GIVEAWAY...

(Images courtesy of Where Women Create and Amazon.com)