Gratitude Friday

1. For the beautiful book I picked up at the library - truly inspiring
2. For the postcards arriving!
3. For the totally cute kittens we saw at Pet Smart. If we knew Chessie could behave with a new kitten we probably would have gotten one. It was like kittens on parade today.
4. For a phone chat with a really good friend this week. Lots of laugther. I wish we lived near each other.
5. For the chick flick - P.S. I Love You - really good movie.

Boxes Boxes Boxes

Our UPS guy probably hated us yesterday. I have been working on a postcard project for a client. We ordered the postcards just a little over a week ago and almost all the postcards were delivered yesterday. The company that we got them through - sent the majority of these 4" x 6" boxes individually and then 3 bigger boxes filled with the little 4" x 6" boxes. I am not sure I understand why you would send so many of them separately. The UPS guy had to scan them all in and then we helped him bring them up to our house. Yay for steps on the porch (yes that is said sarcastically).

It took us 2 hours of going through each box and mark whose cards they are and whatnot. Our hands were black with toner ink (from the shipping labels) and dirt that had collected on the boxes. The next step, after we get the last of them today, will be loading them all into our car, bringing them to the place they need to go and then unloading them there.

Thankfully the project is almost done for everyone involved!

Reflecting Time Redesign

Several months ago I started a redesign for Reflecting Time Productions - Michael's business website. And last week I had a little time now that I am done with my big postcard project so I worked on it and got it up. I am really happy with how it turned out. I still need to add graphic art to the services but Michael is better at writing the little blurbs for them.

Just a screen shot....click on the link to actually see the site.

Reflecting Time

Gratitude Friday

I express my sincere gratitude...
1. For a really great day -- off. We kind of played hooky today. I mean we got household things done - grocery shopping, running errands but we did some fun shopping (going to Target is always fun!), we picked up take-n-bake pizza and watched 3 movies too.
2. For Michael finally saying yes to some new clothes for him. We ordered 8 shirts for just a bit over $100. Found a great clearance sale plus found a $20 off coupon at Retail Me Not.
3. For Dove Chocolates - gotta have some chocolate!
4. For hair scrunchies to put my hair up off my back and neck because it has been so hot.
5. For beautiful spring mix of greens we got at Sam's. It just is so pretty and tastes so incredibly good. We had pizza and salad for dinner tonight and it was Fab!

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Book Review: Stamp Artistry

Stamp Artistry: Combining Stamps with Beadwork, Carving, Collage, Etching, Fabric, Metalwork, Painting, Polymer Clay, Repousse, and More by Rice Freeman-Zachery

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a project book. It gives many projects to follow along step by step. You have to have some knowledge of stamping and just crafts in general. I am really not a project following type of person. I like to go off on my own direction and this book did give me ideas and techniques to us in my art. The pictures of the projects are beautiful because the projects range from fun to exquisite. The steps seemed clear but again you need some understanding of crafts.

I went between 3 and 4 stars but gave it 4 in the end. I thought of giving it 3 because if someone bought this as simply a project book to follow along and do, I don't think some of the items are easily available or needs new supplies that one might not have around. Not all the projects are that way so that is why it got a 4 along with the other reason stated above.

Again this book inspired me and made me want to try a several new things.

View all my reviews.

Happy Father's Day!

I love you Dad!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Michael's Dad Frank and every other Father!

(photo of Dad and I right after I was born. I have that photo in a little photo clip that sits on my desk.)

Gratitude Friday

I express my sincere gratitude...
1. For a wonderful celebration last weekend for Michael's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary
2. For the Chinese take-out Michael picked up tonight for dinner. We hadn't had it in a while and it just tasted so good
3. For almost reaching 50 books and it is only June -- and enjoying them
4. For being open-minded. I know probably not the usual thing to express gratitude but I am thankful that I am able to look at things/ideas/people with an open mind. Just because someone looks different or has a different ideas or lifestyle doesn't mean it is wrong. Who are we really to judge another life.
5. I am also very thankful that some friends were able to get their dream house. I am so HAPPY for them! I know they worked hard to to get there and I am so glad they found their American Dream.

A Milestone to Celebrate....

Right now we are in Denver celebrating Michael's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary!

Gratitude Friday

I express my sincere gratitude....

1. That I was able to repair my favorite summer skirt (but fear there is only one more season left in it)
2. For Family photos - I love looking through all the photos my sister's and I scanned last year for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary video
3. That laundry is done - washed, dried, folded, ironed and mended
4. For a simple pleasure - clean sheets
5. For Across the Universe soundtrack to sing to while I clean

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.


(Thumbnail of an image from a book I created for Michael for Valentine's Day several years ago. I took favorite songs and pulled a couple lyrics from it and made collages to match the lyrics. And then bound all the images together to form a book.)

In the busy....

I have been working so much that I haven't had time to really slow down and write/think. The graphic art side of our business is usually a smaller side but right now it has been extremely busy. So I have been sitting at the computer a lot more then usual but not able to surf, catch up on blogs, email and so on. I just am working working working. I been snappy and having a few melt downs but luckily I have Michael to help calm and center me again.

It feels like I am saying I am busy a lot lately which is a mixed blessing. Good that we are have our business going good but sad that I haven't been able to create art.