Tis the season for giving....

Happy holidays to all! While many of us may get caught up in the shopping, wrapping and visiting, there are also little ways we can help help brighten up the lives of those who truly need our help.

During the research portion of my YA book, I discovered a therapeutic riding stable nearby...and wound up volunteering there. It is such an incredible place....a place of healing and hope for all those who ride there, as well as those who work or volunteer there. If you would like to help make a difference, please consider a $10 donation to light a light at the barn and help us provide therapeutic riding programs to children and adults with special needs.

No one who needs this therapy is ever turned away if they cannot afford the treatment. Words can never describe this place....and the expressions of joy on the faces of the children and families who come here.

Between December 9th and December 31st, donate a $10 tax deductible donation to light a light in honor of one of our riders, our horses, your friends, loved ones or beloved pets.
Encourage your friends, employer, club, congregation or others to light a light.
By making a $10 tax-deductible donation to light a light on our barn this holiday season, your donation will allow us to continue our therapeutic riding programs to our growing community of riders.

Just go to https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=ZF2V2K7 to make a donation or visit www.equestrianconnection.org for more information.

Disclosure of Material Connection

Disclosure: While I may have a material connection to a company affiliated with a brand, topic and/or product that is mentioned herein because I received a cash payment and/or product samples from that company for other services rendered (including trade show demos, project design & publication, etc.), the opinions and statements on this blog regarding those products are based solely on my own experience, preference and/or use. I am not being paid by any of these companies for writing my blog or in any other way being compensated for statements made on this blog or on my websites http://www.gailgreen.net/ or http://www.sweetpetatoes.com/.

Read about me on the front page of www.CraftForHealth.com !

If you have ever wondered what inspired me to create the Sweet PETatoes line or develop the rendering technique and style, all is revealed in a story featured on www.CraftForHealth.com , a blog developed by TV Host and best selling author, Kathy Peterson. This Lifetime series TV host asked me to submit my story about when, how and why creativity is the most essential ingredient in my life....so I'm shouting it out! Just go to www.CraftForHealth.com and read all about how Sweet PETatoes came to life...and how they came straight from my heart.

Roller Coaster Riding...

If you wonder why I haven't blogged recently, it's not because there has been a lack of things going on. On the contrary...it's been a bit TOO busy. Over the top busy, in fact. Trade shows, new clients, meeting deadlines-yes. Enjoying the gorgeous weather while it is still here-yes. That's busy enough, right?

Now add in the emotional roller coaster ride associated with the failing health of one elderly father that included serious, life-threatening infections, two trips to the ER, 2 stays in the hospital, rehab, heart attacks, heart procedures and surgery....and you've got a better picture how over the top it has really been.

Hopefully all will stay on an even keel for a while. Or, at least, for a few hours....

Around here, we can't really be certain of that.

WOW! Where did August go???

Actually, where did the entire summer go? Oh wait...Chicago never actually had a summer this year. Or at least, we didn't have a typical hot and steamy Chicago summer. Instead we have been fluctuating between wet, rainy weather and drop dead gorgeous Hawaii weather with only a random hot, sticky day thrown in.

I also cannot believe I haven't posted for so long because so much has happened the past few weeks. I'll try to summarize:

I was interviewed live on WGN-TV a couple weeks ago. The video is now posted at this link: http://wgntv.com/news/middaynews/wgntv-hblock-082409,0,7659631.story
The interview is about my new book Animals & Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide.

I attended the CHA show, doing make n take marker blending projects and demos the entire show at the Tombow booth. We were INCREDIBLY busy the entire show...sometimes demoing to 20+ people for hours.

My incredible husband also earned his O.T.C.H. title (Obedience Titled Champion) on Maggie. He's been getting consistent top scores (199 or 199.5 out of a possible 200) and placing or getting High in Trial. They're a magnificant team! So proud of all the hard work!

New member of our pack/flock joined us recently--Ollie, a baby Eclectus parrot. I'll post some photos soon.

That's all for now.....time to go walking with Shady and enjoy the rest of this drop dead gorgeous afternoon! I so love September....

Back from CHA...WHAT A SHOW!

This year's CHA summer show was much smaller than in previous years but definitely did not lack for enthusiasm and creative energy! I heard repeatedly from attendees that they actually liked the smaller scale because it gave them the opportunity to visit each and every exhibitor's booth and try products they had never had time to explore in previous shows. Many felt less rushed and frantic and more able to actually relax and learn about these products so they can carry them in their stores.

I was at the Tombow booth for the entire 3 days of the trade show, demoing and teaching marker blending techniques to the steady stream of attendees working on projects or waiting in line and eager to learn about the Tombow markers and blending pen. We were totally mobbed almost the entire show and the days just flew by! EVERYBODY just loved doing the make-n-take projects and I had such a blast meeting all the people who went from never having tried Tombow markers and blender (or marker blending with any markers) to marker blending experts in the matter of minutes! It was hilarious when at least one person in each and every group would then turn to everyone else and tell them how much fun this was.

More thoughts later....

Stop by Tombow booth 335 to say hi at the CHA Show!

A last minute invitation to everyone out in Twitterland, Facebook Island and Linked-in Avenue....stop by American Tombow's booth #335 at Orlando's CHA Summer Show Tuesday July 28 through 30 and do a make n take project with me! I'm teaching marker blending techniques using the awesome Tombow Brush Pen markers and blending pen. We'll be exploring techniques like Scribble Blending and Faux Watercolor, as well as Shadow Blending and Faux Chalking.

For anyone who is chemically sensitive or who is careful what chemicals and toxins they breathe or absorb through their skin, THESE are THE markers for you! I am VERY chemically sensitive and cannot even come within several feet of solvent-based markers and inks without triggering a reaction. But I've been using Tombow markers for almost 20 years without one single problem!

And, these markers are available in an incredible color range! If you were a kid like me who wanted to use every color in the crayon box, you will be blown away! The results you can achive with these markers and the techniques I will be teaching rival watercolor, airbrush and chalk effects.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the CHA Summer Show!