I have not been blogging for quite awhile.  I feel like my facebook page and instagram posts give my followers more up to date and interesting information about Craft Diva Cottage.  If you are interested in daily updates please follow me on social media.  Blessings to you all. 

​Today is International Women's Day. Here is a photo of three generations of members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. My grandmother was ecstatic that all of us were legacy members. I come from a lineage of very strong and successful women.
My sister Sheila is a NAFTA Regional Marketing Mgr and Food Scientist for a International company, she's is making a global impact on our worlds food supply.
My grandmother Hazel Horn was a pioneer in the Oklahoma City School Systems, her legacy as an educator and school principal lives on. She taught thousands of disadvantaged children. She was in the first group of African American women to be accepted into and receive a MA degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma.
I was a pioneer in the government contracting arena as the youngest woman minority owned business owner, Founder and CEO of AMA technologies, Inc. where we specialized in software development, training and networking.
As an military officer's wife my mother was a extraordinary gatherer of people and entertainer. While living in Germany in the 70's she made a great impact on cultivating relationships with the German Business community and the American Military community. Later she was Vice President and co founder with my father of Automation Research Systems, Limited, a global company in the high-tech arena of the 80's and 90's. She was glue that held the company together.
My grandmother and mother had to fight prejudice and discrimination along the way. Because of the color of their skin, their weight, size and their very high intellect. They taught my sisters and I to handle these road blocks with grace and dignity. My sister and I have both experienced a different type of subtle discrimination in the workplace, mostly from being young and successful women, not necessarily because of our skin color.
Today we celebrate women all over the globe and their power and achievements. Let's make this world a better place for our daughters and grandchildren.

​These two young women are our future. They are both third generation progeny of successful women in business, finance and education. This week they present their final business marketing plan at the North Carolina DECA young leaders and entrepreneurs conference. They will be going off to different colleges in the fall to forge new paths, friendships and experiences. Wish them well and let's hope that we have created a world where smart, articulate and ambitious young women can continue to thrive and succeed.

​I'm very proud of my oldest daughter! When she graduated from college she had to forge her career path on her own with no family support, help or contacts. She had the burden all on her own to achieve career success. Her father and grandparents had passed over and I was extremely ill. There were no calls to friends for job offers and support. She made it through by hard work, determination and a strong foundation of love and example from her lineage.
Today at the age of 30 she's made a name for herself in her business arena. She's embarking on a new path and moving to North Carolina. I wish her well and know that she's guided by a large band of Angels from above.

I’m so excited to tell you about a brand-new book I’m part of: 365 Life Shifts: Pivotal Moments That Changed Everything. It contains 365 inspiring true-life stories from over 250 beautiful souls all around the world, and I’m so happy to share my words in it! This special book is filled with over 450 pages of such positive, loving energy, and we know that it’s going to be so uplifting for so many. Topics include: finding the strength to go down a new path, saying yes or no to a relationship, bravely living authentically, receive from beyond, and everyday moments that were infused with extraordinary soulfulness that shifted the author’s life. All of the stories are intended to uplift, inspire, and remind you of just how magical and far reaching a life shift can truly be.  In my piece, “Painting the Fabric of my Life,  I talk about how I use the creative arts as a form of self-care and healing in my life.   If you want to read this piece – and 364 others – I hope you’ll check out this wonderful book. It makes a great gift for friends, family, and anyone else who loves to be inspired and amazed…including yourself!  to purchase it https://www.365lifeshifts.com
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I have been working on updating my Crafty Diva product line and books.  It is my goal to launch my designs and products on line, at craft shops and art shows this summer.  Last week I received the prototypes in the mail.  Everything looks so gorgeous!  I'm very excited and can't wait for the launch.  I'm self publishing everything so its a bit of a challenge, but the rewards will be worth it.  This dream has been in the making for the past 14 years.  Never give up on your Dreams!

Below are my original craft kits and fabric designs.  I'm updating everything!

Martha is modeling her beautiful entrelac sweater.  Her details and finishing work are superb!

We had a wonderful time at our first Soul Sistah's Circle event.  The Dream Circle Workshop went off without a hitch.  We are thankful for all of the courageous souls who participated in our 'Playground of Possibilities.'   Follow us on Facebook to learn more about our upcoming events.

The ladies are looking for images that represent their dreams, goals and desires.

Suzanne and I assisting the women and giving them guidance on crafting their circles.

More thoughtful preparation.

The ladies describing their process and sharing their dreams, goals and desires.

We had a fantastic afternoon making and creating in a community of like-minded women.  I cant wait to see what unfolds for this group this year.

​Today was finishing day for Martha and Claudia. Jane is starting a new sweater and Lynn is knitting an entrelac pullover sweater for her husband. It's gorgeous of course! I can't wait until Martha's entrelac sweater reveal next week. She and Claudia are going to learn a new technique also. Stay tuned...

​Over sixteen years ago we met and our Soul connection was through art-to-wear. We had a vision of leading women's creative events and artful ventures. We made several attempts along the way to create our common vision. Over the years through challenges and celebrations we learned to embody and cultivate our dream. We had a lot of soul work to walk out to bring us to this point. We had to almost come undone as we both faced health and financial challenges. Finally realizing that all of this experience made us stronger and more determined to lead these joyful events. Now we have embraced our own inner Soul guides and are ready to lead and guide you along your own soulful path to Joyful adventure through the creative arts and empowerment through clothing and accessories.

My friend Suzanne and I will be launching a series of collaborative workshops this year.  ​

Our Vision is to bring women together to celebrate and honor themselves, each other, and their dreams. We offer a FUN and nurturing environment for this process at our workshops, events, and retreats that we create and facilitate for our clients.
By using your personal SOUL style, the CREATIVE arts, and your INTUITION as your guides, we will lead you on a wonderful, creative journey of self-discovery.
Our belief is that your life will transform when you take the time to ENVISION, EMBODY and EMBRACE all that you can dream and imagine. When you open your heart to possibility, you then ALLOW yourself to manifest the JOY, ABUNDANCE, and MAGIC that you desire in your life.
Because we have journeyed through the same process that we take you through during our workshops and retreats, we not only BELIEVE this! WE KNOW IT!
Through this creative process we have both manifested magic in our lives beyond measure!