This is the fifth of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.
This store is called PositiveAffirmation. I already had an Affirmation category in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle; however, it kept growing. To keep things cleaner, I created another store, also featuring affirmation products. My intent was to have all new designs in this new store, but I inadvertently had some overlap. For the most part though, the designs in these two stores are mostly unique to each of these stores.
The categories, so far, in my PositiveAffirmation store on Zazzle are:
Apparel and Accessories:
Here you will find Aprons, Belt Buckles, Pin on buttons, Hats, Necklaces, Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.
Some of the designs in this store are simple one word affirmations. The words are usually made from a cutout letter font, featuring a photo of some of my flowers for the inside of each outlined letter. I think they give an extra added appeal to the affirmation.
The Home, Pets, Car category includes, Car (products), Clocks, Keychains, Kitchen, Luggage Tags, Ornaments, Pillows, Posters, Signs, Tiles, and Wall Art.
I usually write in an affirmation, but on this particular design, I made a template that is to be filled in with the person's own favorite affirmation. I know that using a mirror when reciting my affirmations have proven to be very helpful, and wanted to encourage others to try the same method. I designed the artwork for the mirror.
The New Products category is automatically an option by Zazzle, assigning any newly created product here, if the designer doesn't already give the new product a category, when designing it. This category is usually empty.
Office and School:
This category includes Binders, Business Cards, Dry Erase Boards, Mousepads, Notebooks, and Stickers.
An affirmation can serve as subtle reminders each time we see it, i.e. when we see it on our notebook.
As of this writing, there are only two items in this Category, so there are no subcategories as of yet. At some time, there will be more. Your suggestions and requests are welcome. As well as any requests for other categories too.
Stationery:
The Stationery category includes Address Labels, Cards, Notepads, Postcards, and Stationery.
Address labels may be thought of as pretty small for an affirmation, however a simple reminder to Give Thanks can be a timely reminder for Thanksgiving, as well as throughout the year.
Thank you for your visit, comments, and or sharing too.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Quick, fun and easy DIY to use extra ice cream cones and turn into Bird Feeders. You know ... the ice cream sundae bar at the birthday party and that bowl of cones that sat out all day and are now nice and stale? Or the package you dropped and turned the cones into crumbles!
Materials
Scrap twine, thin rope or pipe cleaners
Bird Seed
Ice Cream Cones
Peanut Butter
Sharp ish tool to make holes in the cone
How To Make The Ice Cream Cone Bird Feeder
Turn cone upside down.
Poke a hole on each side across from each other.
Feed string or twine through hole and make a loop.
Tie the loop. This will be your hanger.
Cover all or parts of the cone with peanut butter.
Sprinkle a paper plate with bird seed.
Roll cone around the bird seed to cover the peanut butter.
Gently press birdseed into peanut butter.
Find your favorite tree branch and hang.
Enjoy!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I created and produced this piece on May 8th, 2026, inspired by the way I
was raised and the life we shared with my parents.
While the memories are deeply personal to me, I know many people will
recognize parts of their own families in these lyrics and moments.
So much of it centers around the little things mothers become known for
over the years, the sayings, expressions, habits, and reactions that somehow
stay with us forever.
One thing that always made us laugh was how my mother's filter slowly
disappeared as she got older. She became more blunt, more honest, and often
unintentionally hilarious. Now that I'm older myself, I catch pieces of her
in the things I say, and every time it happens, it makes me smile.
The Things We Carry Forward
One line I especially wanted to include was "two blinks and a stare." It
perfectly captured something so many people understand instantly: that
silent look from Mom that said everything without a word.
My brothers and I knew exactly when we were pushing our luck. We were
raised to help out, contribute, and pull our weight around the house, and
those values stayed with all of us long after childhood.
Some of my favorite memories involve my dad arriving home with several
extra people unexpectedly showing up for dinner. In the 1970s, that kind of
thing happened often, and my mother somehow always seemed
prepared.
Her freezer was constantly stocked, and within no time she could put
together a full meal for whoever walked through the door. Looking back, I
still wonder how she managed it so effortlessly. It created a home that felt
warm, welcoming, and open to everyone.
The video also includes both male and female vocals for a reason. The older
male voice symbolizes my brothers, while the younger male voice represents
my youngest son.
There is a moment in the lyrics about my youngest son trying to hide a
laugh under his breath, the same way we used to around my mother, and that
memory is completely real. Watching him tilt his head to conceal a grin
because he knows he should not laugh is something that instantly brought me
back.
At its heart, this song is about recognizing that our mothers never truly
leave us. Their words, habits, expressions, lessons, and stories continue
living through us every single day. I realized I am not simply turning into
my mother over time. Parts of her have always existed within me. Sharing
these memories and speaking her words aloud is one way of keeping her spirit
alive across generations.
And if you happen to be reading this around Mother's Day or another
meaningful family occasion, I hope you spend it celebrating the woman who
helped shape your life. If you're holding onto your memories from a Mom who
has passed, here's a big hug.
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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
This is a review of last year’s book by Dean Koontz, published in January 2025. The book is titled “Going Home in the Dark”.
Long-time fans of Dean Koontz will recognize his ‘quirky’ sense of humor in this book. In fact, that humor is more apparent than ever, as the author seems to have taken a personal interest in ‘asserting’ himself (through dialogue) throughout the narration of the story by its 4 main characters. It certainly gives the book an interesting slant, beginning with the first page of text in a note from Dean Koontz himself. The title of said ‘note’ is:
There are four main characters in Going Home in the Dark who call themselves the Amigos! Outcasts, definitely in the Nerd category, Rebecca, Bobby, Spencer, & Ernie become solid friends in their teens as a way of surviving both high school and the fact that none of them had any sort of solid parental support or guidance. That shared trauma turned them into a fiercely independent unit—a bond so enduring that nearly twenty years later, when this story begins, they are as close as ever.
The so-described 4 Amigos grew up in an idyllic small Midwestern town called Maple Grove and, whether because their teen situations were so dreadful they searched for a better way, or whether they were just very smart and creative, they each became extremely successful, and very rich, pursuing their chosen fields.
Rebecca Crane: California - Actress
Bobby Shamrock - East Coast - Novelist
Spencer Truedove - Chicago - Artist
Ernie Hernishen - Maple Grove - Song Writer
Ernie is the only one of the four Amigos who stayed in Maple Grove, while the other three followed their professions in other parts of the country. Even though they live independent lives as adults, they continue to stay in touch with each other on a regular basis. Their friendship is such a lasting kind that when Ernie falls into a coma, the three others immediately return to Maple Grove.
Once back in their hometown, Rebecca, Bobby and Spencer suddenly discover repressed memories from the age of 14 when they first met and became ‘The Amigos’. Now, the current circumstances force them to confront the buried secrets and shared trauma from their past. They must discover what it all means in order to help Ernie and perhaps save themselves.
Summary
This novel combines childhood fears, buried secrets, friendship, and a strange darkness lurking beneath the idyllic small town of Maple Grove.
This is a horror/thriller novel by Koontz, but with the author’s narrative comments sprinkled throughout, frequently breaking the tension, it allows the stories’ ‘happenings’ to appear in a lighter vein even though the situation often seems to be dire.
How everything is resolved, whether or not Ernie wakes up, and the constant suspense of not knowing if all four Amigos survive will keep you on your toes throughout the reading of ‘Going Home in the Dark’.
A psychological thriller, with supernatural elements.
For more reviews of books by Dean Koontz, click here!
*This review of the Dean Koontz 2025 novel “Going Home in the Dark” was written by Wednesday Elf
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
No one wants to spend a lot of time cleaning their house, even though we
all prefer a clean home. I always appreciate anything that makes my
housework easier. For many years, I have been dusting with the
Swiffer Dusters with the short handle. They really do make dusting the furniture a lot faster and
easier. I recently started using the
long handle Swiffer Duster
and found it to be a dream come true.
I am barely over 5 feet tall, therefore reaching the top of any tall piece
of furniture like the TV cabinet, or the tops of picture frames, is
impossible for me without a
step stool. At least, that was true before I tried the long handle Swiffer
duster. Now, I can stand on the floor and reach the top of any
furniture or pictures in my home. If I stand on my tip-toes and have
the long handle fully extended, I can even dust the crown molding around my
ceiling. That is pretty amazing!
At first, I thought the long handle was flimsy when fully extended.
However, I have come to appreciate that slight flexibility as I realize it
will not press hard enough to scratch anything I am dusting. I would
rather it feel flimsy than to have it damage anything. Plus, it is
extremely lightweight.
Long Handle Swiffer Duster
Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty 3 ft Extended Handle with Pivot TopCheck PriceThe kit I originally purchased came with a 3 ft. handle and several duster
refills to get started. I can shorten the adjustable handle to about
15 inches if desired, but I often leave it fully extended and use the
original short-handle duster as needed. However, there are times when
I don't wish to carry both around the house with me. Being able to
adjust the long handle, makes it possible to dust a room with only the one
Swiffer. The top of the handle will also pivot which allows me
to run it across the entire top of a picture frame without having to climb
up on my step stool.
The most recent duster refills that I purchased came with "dust busting
strips" to help dust more thoroughly in places where dust tends to build-up,
like the top of my refrigerator or the inside of AC vents.
I highly recommend both the short handle Swiffer duster and the long
adjustable handle Swiffer duster to make dusting faster and easier.
There are better things in life to do than spend your day dusting!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
We had many good years of cooking with our old stove. We knew we needed a new one, so it was time to go shopping.
We found one that we liked and opted to spend the extra money for the built-in air fryer.
We realized that we didn't have air fryer baskets and trays for oven use.
So it was shopping again for an oven air fryer basket. We found this set on Amazon, and it has worked out well.
The set consists of two baskets and trays. The large one is 15.3" x 11", and the smaller one is 13.4" x 9.6".
The baskets are raised, this allow for 360-degree air circulation without the need to flip your food. The set is made of stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean.
The set also comes with 60 sheets of parchment paper, 30 for each tray size.
Oven Air Fryer Vs. Countertop Air Fryer:
There are some differences between oven air fryers and countertop air fryers. They both use the same technology by rapidly circulating hot air to crisp the food.
With the oven air fryer, there is a larger cooking space, so you will need more time to cook. I've noticed the food is not as crispy because the air circulation isn't as concentrated. What I do like is that the oven air fryer's larger capacity lets you cook more food in the oven than on the countertop. I also found that the oven air fryers use more energy than the countertop air fryers.
We currently have a Ninja Foodi Grill Air Fryer and still use it because it cooks faster, and the food comes out crisper. The oven air fryer saves us some counter space; we only take it out for quick cooking.
If you need oven air fryer baskets and trays, I can recommend this set.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
This is the fourth of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.
The store that I'm reviewing here is MazePuzzles. I already had a Birthday category in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle; however, I knew that I wanted to make a variety of maze puzzle themes, so I went with creating a store for just this theme. Another thing that sets this store apart from my CherylsArt store, is that I used very little of my own artwork in designing these maze puzzles. I created most of these puzzle designs from designs on Canva, of which I subscribe to.
In my MazePuzzles store, I show the Collections first on the landing page; these are sorted alphabetically by theme, followed by product type. A design theme collection is the perfect place to look if you're planning a themed birthday party. There you will find all the different products for that particular theme.
The roduct type collection is the perfect place to look if you know you just want a birthday card, or want to see all the different designs in one easy to look at place.
Here are how the product categories are arranged in my MazePuzzles store.
Birthday Maze Greeting Cards:
It's great seeing all the different maze puzzles pictured in one easy to view location. It can help you decide which maze puzzle you want to go with. The maze puzzles not only include different animals and such, the puzzle themselves range from pretty easy to somewhat harder.
The Monkey and Bananas maze can be considered easy or hard, depending on whether the overlapping vines might offer just some added fun or confusion!
Here is another option for inviting your guests. The invitations differ from the greeting cards, as there was enough room to add the party details to the front of the cards.
Birthday Maze Notepads can be a fun addition to a maze puzzle themed birthday party. All the kids can work a puzzle while they're waiting for cake to be served, or in between game playing, etc. The notepads are 5.5 inches by 6 inches and there are 40 sheets per pad, making it easy for kids to try again should their sheet get messed up. A larger, 8.5 by 11 inch option is available, but the purchasers would need to edit their selection to get the whole design to fit within the printing area.
The maze puzzles are offered on the 7 inch square paper plates. The square can also be ordered on 9 inch. There are also round plates offered in the same sizes as the square plates, and also a round 7 inch bowl.
Birthday Maze Postcards:
The postcards can be used instead of greeting cards or invitations, to invite the guests. It can save on paper usage and possibly postage.
Birthday Maze Napkins:
The maze theme is printed on paper napkins. All of the items in this store are easy to personalize using the provided template forms.
Maze Puzzle Paper Cups:
The maze puzzle design is just printed on one side of the paper cups. Having hosted birthday parties before at an art store, I could just imagine young kids turning their cups all around to view the maze puzzle from alternate sides, and then you know what might happen next. Anyway, I decided to go with the one sided view!
The yard signs are a fun way to show guests where the party is. These signs are printed on lightweight, weather resistant, corrugated plastic, that is 4 mm thick. They are listed to last for 6-9 months for outdoor use, depending on weather conditions. They come in a choice of shapes, including circle, house, helmet, and arrow. Various sizes are offered for the different shapes. You may need to edit to get the design to fit into whichever shape and or size that you select.
Do you have a favorite design so far? There are actually eight different maze puzzle designs in all. You'll have to visit the store to see them all.
Did you think of any other product that you might desire for a maze themed birthday party? Let me know in a comment below. Thank you.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
This lyric video is one I wrote and produced, titled "Your Destiny, Your Way." At its core, it's simple: chase your dreams, love Mom.
I created this piece with my sons in mind, but truly, it's for sons and daughters alike. I just naturally wrote it from a son's perspective because that's the life I've lived as a mother.
And while this message comes straight from my heart and my own experiences, I write knowing that this isn't just my story. It belongs to so many of us. The way we love our children, the way we hope for them, the way we quietly stand behind them wanting them to build a life that feels like their own, that's something most mothers understand without needing it explained.
I wrote this for all of my sons. But if I'm being honest, there is one in particular who is out there chasing his dreams in a big, bold way. This song leans toward him. It's inspired by him, and it's for him.
That said, I already know this won't be the only one. I have ideas for each of my kids, what I want to say, how I want to say it, and how I want them to feel when they hear my words. This is just one piece in something much bigger I'll create over time.
At the end of this post, I'll include the full message I shared alongside the video, because it ties everything together.
How I Wrote These Lyrics
I don't often have songs come together this quickly.
Actually, that's not entirely true, but it is rare.
Most of the time, I think deeply about the story I'm trying to tell. I map out where it's going, how I'll move into the chorus, what I want the bridge to say, and how it all ties together in a meaningful way. I'm very intentional when I write.
But this one, it just poured out of me.
The idea came to me on the night of April 30, 2026. As with most of my inspiration, it hit me while I was sitting in my room watching TV. And then suddenly, there it was, that feeling of I need to write this right now.
So I did.
I started writing that night, and before I knew it, the lyrics were there. Not forced, not overthought, just flowing. The story unfolded as I wrote it, rather than me trying to guide it into place.
I finished the entire project the next day, on May 1, 2026, and published it that same day.
From start to finish, I would say I spent about 18 hours on it.
And I'll be honest, once I start something like this, I can't stop. I have to see it through. I feel this deep pull to get it out of me and into the world. It's not pressure exactly, but it is a kind of urgency. Like something inside me is asking not to be held onto.
And I've learned to listen to that.
The Lines That Mattered Most to Me
There are so many personal meanings woven into these lyrics, but there are a few lines that I really wanted to land.
"Dance in darkness, cry in lights."
Interestingly, I originally wrote this the other way around.
But it didn't sit right.
It's easy to celebrate in the light and hide in the dark. That's the natural way most of us move through the world. But I wanted to flip that.
Dance in your quiet moments. Celebrate your wins without needing an audience. Let those moments belong to you.
And when it comes to the harder parts, don't be afraid to let them be seen. Not everything, not your whole story laid bare, but enough to be real. Enough to show that the path wasn't effortless.
There's strength in that kind of honesty.
"You can't buy any chances; they already belong inside you."
This one was important to me.
There's this idea that opportunity can sometimes be bought with money, influence, or connections. And yes, those things can open doors in certain ways.
But your real chances, the ones that matter, those are not for sale.
They come from within you, your drive, your courage, your willingness to take a step forward when you don't know how it will turn out.
You don't purchase that. You become that.
"The pressure to be someone you were never meant to be has been broken. Take the pieces to build your dreams."
This line comes from something I've seen over time and reflected on in my own generation.
There was a lot of pressure to follow certain paths, to choose what was considered stable, traditional, and expected.
And sometimes, people didn't take the wrong path, but they took a path that wasn't truly theirs.
That pressure can come from others or from within ourselves.
But what I see now, especially in my children's generation, is something different. There's more freedom, more openness, more willingness to build a life from the inside out.
And that's what this line is about, letting go of that pressure and stepping into something that actually fits who you are.
“Everyone of us knows our own way, but we fight it desperately, too scared to step outside of how we’re seen.”
This lyric is exactly what it says.
Most of us, if not all of us, feel a calling at some point in our lives. There’s something inside of us that knows the direction we want to go, even if we don’t fully understand it yet.
But stepping outside of how others see us can get in our way.
Whether we realize it or not, we allow those outside perceptions to shape our choices. We hesitate, we second-guess, we adjust ourselves to fit an image that was never truly ours to begin with.
And in doing that, we can slowly drift away from what we already knew deep down.
Final Thoughts
I wrote these lyrics on April 30 and completed the production on May 1, 2026.
What inspired me most was watching my four sons grow into their own lives, each one building something different, something uniquely theirs.
It also made me reflect on my own youth, growing up in the 1970s and early 1980s, when the path forward often felt more defined and less flexible. There was a pull toward tradition that did not always leave room for something unconventional.
But the world has changed.
And while those pressures still exist, I've seen a shift, a beautiful one, toward creating a life that starts from within.
This message is for all my children.
But especially for the one who is out there right now, chasing something big.
I want him, and all of them, to know this.
I'm right behind you. Every step of the way.
The old rules only stay alive if we keep believing in them.
So don't.
Create your own way.
To my sons,
Chase your dreams.
Be brave.
Plan well, work smart,
**Subscribe For A Free Short Guide on How to Convert Your Poems Into Lyrics***
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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
.jpg "Your Destiny, Your Way - A Message For Our Children")
