Meet Artist Brent Borup

I had the great honor of meeting artist Brent Borup the other day!

BRENT S. BORUP was born in Boise, Idaho in 1975. The third of six children to Keith and Judy Borup, he loved growing up in the small treasure valley town of Meridian, Idaho. Attending Centennial High School, he developed a love for art and made it a life goal to pursue art as a career.

In 1994, Brent was called to serve as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Mexico, Monterrey South Mission. Upon returning home, he attended both Boise State University and the College of Southern Idaho, where he met his beautiful wife and fellow artist Jeanette.

Brent currently lives in Preston, Idaho with his wife and three children, fulfilling his dream of being an artist. He considers it a great blessing to be able to share his talents with the world.

You can find his artwork in Bed Bath Beyond, select Deseret Book Stores, and in Sam's Club throughout the western US.

Brent would love to hear from you at brentborup@hotmail.com
Or follow him on his--

Studio / Facebook / Pinterest / Blog

Brent specializes in Inspirational Fine Art-- 

Here are some of my favorites

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The Title of Liberty

Bountiful Temple

Las Vegas Temple

The Prince of Peace

That They Might Have Joy

Monterrey, Mexico Temple

Greatest in the Kingdom

Treat your family to some fine art this season ~

Meet The Book Artisan w/ Book Art Giveaway

About The Book Artisan - I've been a book lover my whole life! The idea to start re-purposing older books as decorative displays began after I folded books for decorations for a family wedding. As a lifelong lover of books, I thought these folded book decorations were the cutest thing ever! Seeing other people’s delighted reactions to the books only encouraged me to share them more.

When I started getting unique requests for different designs to fold, I realized the sky’s the limit with the kind of books you can create. I love seeing the creativity from everyone! I’ve made everything from Don Quixote-themed designs, to phrases formed from multiple books. Who knows what’s next…maybe a marriage proposal using book art?

When I’m not handcrafting beautiful book décor, I’m probably reading a book, buying books, or loving life with my amazing husband and two adorable boys.

Enough about me, though. I'd love to hear from you! Drop me a quick note here and tell me your story. Wherever life has taken you, I'd love to craft a unique, folded book specifically for you! Or if you haven't already, check out our selection of books.

HANDCRAFTED BOOK ART

We take old books and turn them into beautiful pieces of art. Each page of the book is folded by hand to create unique designs. The result is beautiful book decor that can be displayed anywhere!

We have an assortment of all kinds of different book designs. We're constantly adding new book designs to this collection so be sure to check back often. If you have an idea for a book that you don't see here, just submit it through our custom order form and we'll make it for you! Click HERE for book pricing.

Scroll through these amazing pictures

and then enter to win "you & me" :)

The Book Artisan has graciously offered a FOLDED BOOK GIVEAWAY

for one of my followers :)
(USA addresses only please)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet Music Artist Alex Sharpe

I was introduced to Alex Sharpe by Dr. Steven Young an ophthalmologist in Logan, Utah.

Dr. Young is a gifted pianist/organist himself and finds great pleasure in sharing the power of beautiful music.

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"Once there was a very shy and quiet young girl.... until one day she stood on a stage and a marvelous and magical journey began!

Alex Sharpe began her career playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin.

Since then she has enjoyed playing the following roles.

Bernie, The Raven Beckons, Mila, Aloha Kamiano, Riverbank Theatre Dublin.

Young Sally, Follies in Concert, National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Jenny, Aspects of Love, Olympia Theatre, Dublin.

Kate Foley, The Wiremen, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.

Cathy, The Last 5 Years, Mill Theatre, Newtownabbey, Lady Ulveigh The Promise Helix Theatre.

Cinderella, Aladdin, Sinbad and Mother Goose, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.

Eponine, UK National tour; Les Miserables, and Concert tour of Scandinavia.

Bernadette (original cast), in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game, London.

As guest soloist Alex has appeared with the RTE Concert Orchestra, Dublin, in The Romps, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Razzle Dazzle, Show Stoppers, Super Troopers, Love is in the Air, Christmas Gala, Broadway and Beyond.

Night of a Thousand Voices, Belfast.

Academy Award Winners, The Birmingham City Orchestra, Birmingham.

Hallé Orchestra, Manchester, the Welsh National Orchestra, Cardiff and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway.

With West End International in Beatlemania! Götenborg Opera House, Reykjavik,Iceland Bond - Shaken Not Stirred in the UK.

Show Stoppers, Danish National Symphony, Helsinborg Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2008 Alex was asked to be one of the soloists with Celtic Woman she toured the States for three years and had the opportunity to perform live on, Dancing with the Stars, The Today Show, Good Morning America and for President Obama at the National Christmas Tree Lighting 2009, along with TV appearances in China and Japan.

In 2009 she recorded the Emmy nominated DVD and Album Songs from the Heart.

Alex appeared as a guest on Jenny Oaks Baker’s Christmas Album “Noel” produced and arranged by Kurt Bestor in August 2012 and was guest soloist on the 25th Anniversary of “A Kurt Bestor Christmas” SLC, Utah and guest soloist with Craig Jessop and the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra at the Ellen Eccles Theatre, Logan, Utah Dec 2012

December 2013 Alex performed with Jenny Oaks Baker at the Festival of Lights in Washington DC and the Annapolis Christmas Pops in Maryland

On the 7th of April she released her debut solo album “Be Still My Soul”

In December 2014 she will play the role of “Maleficent” in The Cork Opera House’s production Sleeping Beauty.

 Website | FanPage | FaceBook | Twitter

I ASKED ALEX TO TELL US

TEN FUN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HER

1. I can touch my nose with my tongue…now there’s a talent.

2. I can play the spoons (badly)… I learned to do it for an Irish cabaret and when I was rehearsing The Beautiful Game in London, Andrew Lloyd Webber ask the cast in rehearsals one day if any of us could play any instruments… I said I could play the spoons (mostly as a joke ) and he said OK! Well show us what you can do, and from there on in it stayed in the show in the party scene.

3. I have had a wig fly off on stage!!! Very funny and embarrassing.

4. I quite often answer the phone in a variety of different accents to my friends and find it hard to go back to speaking normal.

5. I am great at the Hula Hoop ;-)

6. My favorite quote is “ to thine own self be true” by William Shakespeare.

7. My favorite flower scent is Freesia.

8. I was raised by a single Mother and I have two brothers. (I am the middle child)

9. I have a guilty pleasure in watching Sumo Wrestling…. I have no idea where that comes from…I find the sport and the whole culture about it fascinating.

10. I learned that I could sing while mimicking my Grandmothers voice.

NEW ALBUM ~ BE STILL MY SOUL.

Here is what Alex says about this album:

For many years people have asked me to record the songs they have heard me sing in church.

They have shared personal experiences with me in those moments of listening that have convinced me there is a great power in sacred music that goes beyond the abilities of the human voice.

Although I have made a career out of being a Musical Theatre performer and as a soloist performing a wide variety of musical styles, I cannot deny that singing a hymn or song sacred in nature is a very different experience.

Alex has an incredible voice!

This really is a BEAUTIFUL CD...I have already fallen in love with it and have listened to it over and over again :)

Songs included are:
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Abide With Me, I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Joseph Smith's First Prayer, I Am a Child of God/Love One Another, His Name, O My Father, Be Still My Soul, I know That My Redeemer Lives, My Heart Was Home Again

This CD carries with it a power to 

change lives!

Many stories have already been shared where this CD has made a difference

~ Let it touch your heart ~

Amazon | Deseret Book

Meet Lindsay (aka Frenchie)

Hi! I’m Lindsay. What can I say about me. I started blogging because I wanted to start working more from home and I wanted to start sharing more of myself with others. I live to create and make things. My craft “room under the stairs” is pretty unorganized and projects halfway started. My blog was a way to give me some accountability to get those completed. I wrote my first post in March of 2014 and since that day I’ve had so many opportunities present themselves. I’ve met so many wonderful people and my ideas have expanded. I’ve been contemplating starting a blog for at least 4 years now and I should have done it then. If you’re ever wondering, don’t wonder anymore, do it!

My family life is a whole other obstacle! I’m a wife to Efi (F-E), he was born and raised in Tonga and came to the states on his LDS mission to Portland, OR. We were married here in Utah and quickly began our family. Our oldest son Freddie was born in 2005 and is a sweet boy and is always helping me and making sure I know what everyone else is doing. Our second son, Siaki (C-awe-key), it means Jack, was born in 2008 and is definitely my limit pusher. He can be so sweet when he wants to be and he’s told me many times that he doesn’t want to ever get married and always live with me. Our last child is our daughter Leila, she was born in 2010 and she is definitely all girl. She loves being pampered and having all the attention. She’ll give you anything you need and is always in the mood for jokes. We’ve been very fortunate in our lives and can’t wait to share more with you. I really hope to get to know you all better. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, I’d love to talk!

BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST 

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I met Frenchie the day I did the BIG AUTHOR MEET and immediately felt a friendship with her.

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While Frenchie is not an author she does make 
the CUTEST headwraps!

and she is GRACIOUSLY OFFERING 
20% OFF for MY Followers :)

Here are pictures, but you will need to order from her SHOP

USE COUPON CODE: READ20
Offer ends 8/31/14

Ordinaire Wire Wraps

The perfect addition to any outfit. Pair with a matching outfit or for an eclectic look, pair it with something fun. Just wrap it around it around your head and twist. The wire will keep tight without giving you the headaches.

Petite Wire Wrap

These are the slim version of the Ordinaire, just not reversible but it does come with a gorgeous genuine leather bow! Wear these bohemian style, wrapped around your ponytail or just on the crown of your head. You’ll open a whole new door when you try these!

Accessories

Handmade, leather accessories made to wear wherever you dare. I love to throw my hair in a ballerina knot and place mine right in front where everyone can see. The jumbo bows can just go in the back.

FREE SHIPPING WITH ORDERS OF $35 OR MORE