Hi! I’m Donna!
Welcome to GoAlongs, a little corner of the internet where creative ideas, curiosity, and everyday life come together!
I’ve always been one of those people who loves to create, experiment, learn something new, and then share what I’ve discovered with someone else.
Over the years, my creative adventures have taken me in all sorts of directions. I’ve been a science teacher, a homeschool mom, a digital scrapbook designer, a creative business owner, and a lifelong maker of just about anything that catches my interest.
I’ve worked with paper, paint, polymer clay, digital graphics, 3D printers, and plenty of materials that probably weren’t originally intended for whatever I decided to do with them!
And I’m still learning.
So, What Is GoAlongs?
The idea behind GoAlongs is simple:
Creative Ideas and Inspiration that Go Along with YOUR Life!
I don’t believe creativity has to fit neatly into one category. Sometimes it’s making something beautiful. Sometimes it’s finding a better way to organize a workspace. Sometimes it’s helping a child discover something amazing about science. And sometimes it’s exploring somewhere new and coming home with a hundred ideas!
That’s why you’ll find four different areas here:
- CREATE — Creative projects, digital design, art, and inspiration for finding your own creative space.
- LEARN — Hands-on learning, science activities, educational resources, and ideas that make discovery fun.
- MAKE — Miniatures, dollhouses, 3D printing, crafting, and all sorts of projects that involve making something with your hands.
- EXPLORE — Places to go, things to see, experiences to enjoy, and inspiration found along the way.
There’s a little something for everyone who enjoys creating, learning, making, and exploring.
A Little About My Creative Journey
Creativity and teaching have always gone hand in hand for me.
As a science teacher, I loved finding ways to make learning more engaging, memorable, and hands-on. Whether students were building cars to investigate physics, designing experiments, or tackling a complicated scientific concept, I wanted them to experience the excitement of discovering something for themselves.
Outside the classroom, I’ve spent years exploring other creative interests, from scrapbooking and digital design to building and decorating miniature worlds.
In fact, some of my favorite projects have started with the simple question, “I wonder if I could make that?”
Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it takes a little experimenting. And sometimes the experiment becomes a completely different project!
That’s part of the fun.
And Then There’s Tootlebugz!
You may already know me through Tootlebugz, my creative shop.
Tootlebugz is where you’ll find downloadable resources, designs, and products related to many of the projects and ideas I share here.
Think of it this way: GoAlongs is where we share ideas, inspiration, stories, and tutorials. Tootlebugz is where you can find the resources to help bring some of those ideas to life.
They’re two parts of the same creative adventure.
I’m Glad You’re Here!
Whether you’re looking for a miniature tutorial, a science activity, a creative project, or a little inspiration for your next adventure, I hope you’ll find something that sparks your imagination.
You don’t need an elaborate studio, expensive supplies, or years of experience to be creative.
Sometimes all you need is a little curiosity and the willingness to try.
So grab a cup of coffee, look around, and see what inspires you!
Happy creating!
Donna