TIP TUESDAY #17 - Hey Girlfriends! Who's your She-ro?

Author, designer, creativity guru, blogger, actress, singer, TV personality and BQOTU (Bead Queen of the Universe), MARGOT POTTER, shared her wonderful energy, wit, wisdom and inspiring beliefs with Girlfriendology in a recent podcast. She spoke of her she-roes - women who have inspired her like Georgia O'Keefe and Frida Kahlo.

Then, Saturday came and it was International Women's Day. More she-roes - like women who have gone before us to secure our freedom and rights. And those women who presently live without freedom and rights and how we need to be aware and involved.

Now, for TIP TUESDAY, it is YOUR turn. This week's TIP TUESDAY question:

Who are your she-roes? And why?

Inspire us with the women who we should know about and be thankful for. Go ahead. Leave a comment girlfriend!

(For more inspiration, listen in to the Podcast with MARGOT POTTER.)

Hey Girlfriend - new article on connecting with females (friends & family)

Hey Girlfriend! That's the name of my new column in "Today's Creative Home Arts" club magazine. I'm very fortunate that the editorial team recognizes and believes in the power of 'girlfriends' because now I get to write for, and connect with, these creative subscribers.

Julie Stephani, the editor, is an author, TV personality and creative guru. You might remember her from a podcast we did together on the importance of being creative and crafting with your (primarily female) family and friends. Julie is well respected in the craft and hobby industry and is a very inspiring woman - and, yes!, she is a creative Shero of mine!

I was honored to be accepted into this world of women who are involved in a variety of crafts - home decorating, beading, sewing, painting, etc. They're very versatile! I wanted to let you know about the Creative Home Arts Club too because you can get a free copy, join it and receive the magazine (and get the "Hey Girlfriend" articles!) or you can just join their online community and have access to so many creative women through their online Forum. Check it out!

My Creative SHERO Girlfriends - Meet Mary Lynn!

My girlfriend MARY LYNN MALONEY makes a creative statement everywhere she goes. In her customized and very cool MiARTa car, she shows up in style and beautifies the roads in her northwestern home town. And, if you meet her at a craft/hobby tradeshow (like I did), you immediately are drawn to her and her beautiful smile. I'm a lucky person to call Mary Lynn my girlfriend! She is one of my creative Sheros.

Her new book is called "Memory Art: 30 Ideas for Shadowboxes and Other Keepsake Displays." It's full of creative ideas on how to transform your cherished keepsakes and memorabilia into unique, artistic tabletop and wall art. Mary Lynn told me that she wanted to encourage readers to explore beyond the scrapbook page and incorporate 3-dimensional keepsakes, as well as photos, into their art. (I know she achieved that!) Planning a party or wedding? Mary Lynn also wrote a beautiful book on Party Favors. Check out her books for all kinds of creative inspiration!

In addition to writing books and articles, Mary Lynn does lots of my mixed media, found object collage art. For the past two years, she's been featured in a local gallery. Her business is called Top Floor Designs where she creates "artistic ideas for the crafting world."

One reason I wanted to introduce YOU to MARY LYNN, is because she has taken her creative talents and turned them into books, art, products, etc. Do you have creative aspirations? Like I discussed on our podcast with Margot Potter recently - do you want to follow your bliss? Hopefully Mary Lynn, and my other creative Sheros to follow, will inspire you.

Share your ideas or other creative women I should feature here in the GirlfriendologyToo blog. Thanks Mary Lynn! Thanks Girlfriends!

p.s. Don't forget to send in your stories for the March Girlfriendology Contest which asks for creative gifts you've given to or received from girlfriends. You could win prizes and you'll no doubt inspire other girlfriends to be creative.