Who am I, and what is this blog about?

I'm Pam, and I'm so happy you're here. I'm the wife of the most patient husband in the world, a former homeschool mom and reading tutor, and a seriously lacking (but not hopeless), follower of Jesus Christ.

An Artful Mom is an eclectic blog with creative ideas for your home, art and craft projects, lettering, calligraphy, and journaling, family time, photography, homeschooling, and pretty much any of my other passions and interests. It's my online magazine, where everyone is welcome.

I'm an introvert, but I love to make connections, and my blog is a safe place to do that. So, I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Bloglovin, or by email, so that we can stay connected! Contact me at pam@anartfulmom.com

(This picture is old (maybe 10 years old!), but it's one of my favorite pictures of my husband and me.)

A few factoids about me:

In high school, I was so shy, I was often thought to be "stuck up." Ouch! The funny thing about that is, I never had the self confidence to be stuck up, even if I had wanted to be! These days, I'm the quiet one who can't stop talking once you get to know me.

I'm terrified of public speaking, but my job right before I became a SAHM required presentations to medical professionals on a regular basis. Way outside my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it! Confident on the outside, shaking on the inside.

I have a degree in Psychology, (and at one point had planned to be a school psychologist), a minor in Speech Pathology, and I completed teacher training while a SAHM.

We have a sweet, sweet Yorkie named Sunny who was a rescue from a puppy-mill. She is really my daughter's dog, but she figured out who the mom is, so both my daughter and I are her "favored ones." (Although, Sunny literally loves everybody!) Because of Sunny, I became a strong advocate of pet adoption and rescue organizations.

Most of the photography at my blog is my own. I love photography, with a capital LOVE. (I have even made a few dollars from it.)

If you're new to my blog, wondering where to go first, here are some of my favorite posts:

For lettering and journal lovers:

Brush Lettering with Crayola Markers
Fountain Pen Basics and Tips for Beginners
How to Store Brush Markers
The Best Markers for Brush Lettering, Journals, and Scrapbooks

Modern Calligraphy and Pointed Pen Basics

How to Use a Lightbox for Lettering and Crafts

For photography lovers:
How to Get Blurred Backgrounds in Your Photos

Photography Tips for New DSLR Owners

Tips for Getting Better Photos of Your Dog or Cat

Photography Tips: Bouncing the Flash

For Craft Lovers:
How to Make Victorian Paper Cones
How to Make an Accordion Book/Card
Make Marbled Paper with Shaving Cream

Art and Craft Room Progress: Supplies Organization

For parents:
Developing Kids' Creativity by Sharing Your Hobbies
Parenting Advice I Actually Used
Fall Activities on a Budget

For Pet lovers:
Caring for Your Senior Dog

How to Housetrain a Dog--Fast!
Choosing a Pet: Cat vs. Dog

I'm learning to enjoy this adventure of life, hoping to always find the good in, and the purpose for, the more difficult parts of it.

I hope you'll find this blog a warm, fun, and inspiring place to visit. I value your comments and hope you will leave here encouraged and will find some ideas you can use in your daily life.