tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380460652133668332024-02-06T21:00:54.846-05:00Krys Caywood DesignWelcome to Krys Caywood Design, the blog. All the ideas and artwork presented here are my own. Product Design is my passion. I've worked in the Toy, Stationery, Home and Garden, Party and Paper goods and most recently Scrapbooking industries. I've designed for Deja Views, Little Yellow Bicycle and My Mind's Eye.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-79024948142401356922014-01-09T16:36:00.000-05:002014-01-09T16:42:13.505-05:00It's About TimeWell, I just looked and my last blog was almost two years ago so I guess it is about time to get my %&# together and start working on it again. I seriously do not know how designers have time to tweet, blog, design lines, participate in all of their kid's activities, go on date nights, clean the house, make meals, read books, do crafts and pee. There simply are NOT enough hours a day to accomplish all of those things on a regular basis without help. Oh sweet help, how I wish you were mine! Many designers aren't designers as much as they are style hunters who shop trends and tell the real worker bees what they want done, fuss over silly details they know virtually nothing about, then stamp their names and faces on it and smile pretty for publicity shots with millions of awe-struck, naive, adoring fans who don't get that it's an illusion. The "designer" they idolize is off getting lattes and mani-pedis, NOT drawing, painting or computer illustrating all those pretty patterns. Wake up people! It's pretty sad that it's come to that but it's true. Of course there are some true designers who manage to do it all, but they more than likely have help in other areas like childcare and housekeeping. I am not one of those, I am a true DIY Designer. Everything I do, I do myself. From cleaning the house and making meals to stringing beads, sewing holiday presents, creating scrapbooking and craft designs for production and trying to create a website for all my new projects. It's overwhelming a lot of the time, but I'm also an ADHD Designer so I manage to get a lot done very quickly when I'm motivated.<br />
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And there it is - that's the key, Motivation, yup, that's the thing...when I have it, I'm unstoppable. When it's gone, I'm a total slug. I liken it to Creative Bipolarity, some days it's overflowing and other days there's a complete creative juice drought. Right now, I'm highly motivated. I find that starting one thing has a spillover effect...so many other ideas seem to drip everywhere and I want to mop up all of them and follow through with each project. It seems chaotic and messy to most but I'm at my best when I'm crazy busy with several projects, mostly because you never know when the well is going to run dry for a spell. And, ADHD has a way of allowing the brain to flex from one thing to the next pretty freely. Of course it also means there are plenty of burnt cookies because you forget they were baking and the sewing machine and laundry drowned out the buzzer on the oven...but burnt cookies are still better than no cookies in my book. And they're not too bad once you get used to 'em. Wash them down with a nice Cab and they're even better!<br />
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So January 2014 is off to a running start with the remodeling of my bathroom, a laundry closet make-over, a jewelry making craze, new website design, and at least 5 other happy projects to keep me motivated. The 5 other projects will be fun to post separately so I will try to be patient and not spill the details just yet. Sit back, have a cookie and enjoy yourself. I hope to see you back here very soon!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-51084234134989426092012-04-22T14:06:00.001-04:002012-04-22T14:06:36.056-04:00A word about Mraz...It's true, I do love Jason Mraz's music. The man tosses around words like a juggler does flaming bowling pins. It's a delight to the ears and makes me smile everytime I hear him rhyme something unrhymable or speaksing so quickly that I have to think twice about what was saidsung. But just this morning I got an itunes blip about his new release and the picture threw me. Now, we're all accustomed to the Mraz image of old Rat Pack charm and confidence combined with boyish good looks, the signature fedora (aka: "cock your hat, angles are attitudes" - Sinatra) and a sense of humor. Surprised was I when the image that stared back at me on the screen this morning was not the boy I thought I knew so well.<br />
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That being the case, I googled him to see what was up with this new look and found that the kid tosses image styles around as seamlessly as he does words. There is a definite and vastly different vibe in each of the following photos that struck me immediately upon seeing them so I thought I'd share and see if you catch the same impression or if I'm just completely losing my mind. ;)<br />
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If the pics don't come through it's probably because I'm breaching some copyrights without knowing it...fingers crossed, for this purpose they will forgive me my transgressions as I do not earn a penny from this blog (although I think I really should...but that's a blog for another day). Oh, I digress - here we go:<br />
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Jason Mraz does:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVMC48enG501E_HuO28KW2nD1Y7_3q2eJl-PF4_NndRoHLqH9cN8L8w82jFyDAoE05MMpWhP7w1fLp962Bkb2MVQElW_uPMsAu1IgOez2PZtkxM5_lCjhrmHCqPnpZd4zdojTZqY8_p0u/s1600/600full-jason-mraz-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVMC48enG501E_HuO28KW2nD1Y7_3q2eJl-PF4_NndRoHLqH9cN8L8w82jFyDAoE05MMpWhP7w1fLp962Bkb2MVQElW_uPMsAu1IgOez2PZtkxM5_lCjhrmHCqPnpZd4zdojTZqY8_p0u/s320/600full-jason-mraz-1.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Criss Angel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoWqQfNtWI2ni377hwwxJORLgE6D2weLYPWX3mAJvzvV7muQyS4vxrYm-pGW28Aj0CBl5jHPQcDNhb6519vRYNQMEseewkYDa0FbtOyVOJWsbRX1_IEn6nNXQQKpJe5tUjBqAXj_SoAKp/s1600/600full-jason-mraz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoWqQfNtWI2ni377hwwxJORLgE6D2weLYPWX3mAJvzvV7muQyS4vxrYm-pGW28Aj0CBl5jHPQcDNhb6519vRYNQMEseewkYDa0FbtOyVOJWsbRX1_IEn6nNXQQKpJe5tUjBqAXj_SoAKp/s1600/600full-jason-mraz.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woody Allen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOnFWnJcrS5LsIlxWXy_vskGlzMDE551aLBXwu516-QwrhmeVcEgIvxKYj4YLd_nW4Uv8Av1jEMCn6yGfVlfc9GkfSBKreu6zUFyZlN3mpIyPw7gVk59wAdfsGVpTAZH22s-rylZ2AkR9/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOnFWnJcrS5LsIlxWXy_vskGlzMDE551aLBXwu516-QwrhmeVcEgIvxKYj4YLd_nW4Uv8Av1jEMCn6yGfVlfc9GkfSBKreu6zUFyZlN3mpIyPw7gVk59wAdfsGVpTAZH22s-rylZ2AkR9/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh Grant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjB0-PdlAUWKjFfliT7YJQad3BMVIdIBXiuyjtegLbcqe_3izQnOoiTRPIsAWx4UDxwG-D09lcNJF0CkvYrnRywARdbm10MDmM-Ii2s237DFeOSCTwkYht8jnonl_pF8reFSGE6RulJZH/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjB0-PdlAUWKjFfliT7YJQad3BMVIdIBXiuyjtegLbcqe_3izQnOoiTRPIsAWx4UDxwG-D09lcNJF0CkvYrnRywARdbm10MDmM-Ii2s237DFeOSCTwkYht8jnonl_pF8reFSGE6RulJZH/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashton Kutcher - Punk'd</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZvbrIglw6EK4sbI7NCVeBkpU3K02nvAu6prIPRGHnfeBW9-SXFiWxUE45ioMvKUu22b5YXXyd6LrtzNBlmds6eXgrFnRAciFpa0O0f_RbMaq3u6Sedr9fLsI6MoKUP6p2ZTy5p9icqiw/s1600/Jason-Mraz-jason-mraz-5892512-414-594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZvbrIglw6EK4sbI7NCVeBkpU3K02nvAu6prIPRGHnfeBW9-SXFiWxUE45ioMvKUu22b5YXXyd6LrtzNBlmds6eXgrFnRAciFpa0O0f_RbMaq3u6Sedr9fLsI6MoKUP6p2ZTy5p9icqiw/s320/Jason-Mraz-jason-mraz-5892512-414-594.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travelling Brad Pitt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU3JYx2j49d3ss2egGpvSO-39_7tztnXIso3_RzuNS-t8RkjLNtBJ-J4KrxZUbJuW3RexQzNRBvCNkpSezc0QRNN47_npNVj074gaUVbVHpjRBkWabBfAvDdZofbD4XSTNkgd9HzqPwwG/s1600/jason-mraz-10th-trevor-new-york-summer-gala-wiVn2K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU3JYx2j49d3ss2egGpvSO-39_7tztnXIso3_RzuNS-t8RkjLNtBJ-J4KrxZUbJuW3RexQzNRBvCNkpSezc0QRNN47_npNVj074gaUVbVHpjRBkWabBfAvDdZofbD4XSTNkgd9HzqPwwG/s320/jason-mraz-10th-trevor-new-york-summer-gala-wiVn2K.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce Springsteen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPI-oz99UtOIMDgLm1ipBh9Tbs-GSLjwGwv6AvET8H3vXrZfnGtuOSbr98Q7bXNyz5sVdr2Cfn0J2QYHjLQ-1J3-lVK_NP2mGyPX3xWHGp2t9dImD6WBZBGa0rNgPDyQNpgN-cfXgbRwP/s1600/jason-mraz-hrc-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPI-oz99UtOIMDgLm1ipBh9Tbs-GSLjwGwv6AvET8H3vXrZfnGtuOSbr98Q7bXNyz5sVdr2Cfn0J2QYHjLQ-1J3-lVK_NP2mGyPX3xWHGp2t9dImD6WBZBGa0rNgPDyQNpgN-cfXgbRwP/s320/jason-mraz-hrc-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aging Bruce Springsteen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX6ePO0ZqhdNuBh4fjuEHc4kqG5eI-BllKC-9BjdP8vfMf3pfakCMaY918-PyKY3Bgbx8vEHlRBan_te_yO6FH-CGsw2Km2nJqmWc_BlGA2cz_rLhJ0FpHUWjS-70GA4tQx1rrdIKT5kV/s1600/jason_mraz_1169661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX6ePO0ZqhdNuBh4fjuEHc4kqG5eI-BllKC-9BjdP8vfMf3pfakCMaY918-PyKY3Bgbx8vEHlRBan_te_yO6FH-CGsw2Km2nJqmWc_BlGA2cz_rLhJ0FpHUWjS-70GA4tQx1rrdIKT5kV/s1600/jason_mraz_1169661.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matther McConaughey with Ben Alfeck 's hair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfLi2_uDjHPOfBlCX4BqtWZ1fOf15ANP_fpSeA5ss59eU4yIXfCSzPnp0yHH0tkAKjkJOTg5dMJF9TNK7W71uZELd-McWstdRrkQt5g_x3rVX9QwpFcSk8WG6IlAMYbBrl3Ya1o-b2slG/s1600/jasonmraz_4_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfLi2_uDjHPOfBlCX4BqtWZ1fOf15ANP_fpSeA5ss59eU4yIXfCSzPnp0yHH0tkAKjkJOTg5dMJF9TNK7W71uZELd-McWstdRrkQt5g_x3rVX9QwpFcSk8WG6IlAMYbBrl3Ya1o-b2slG/s320/jasonmraz_4_2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenny - G or Loggins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9Z-PQu-Bs_CfWGtHYpwWCJjzFLEV7MvwwsNpwItr9M-StOKfxXACB_ZkMxG8Om-vELrvbV8HALPFv20s7EebhIGoG6gmQHYa5HLTqG5IuWfTZICFEKfkEO0aQS3MeoZpA49y4CwttgX1/s1600/US-musician-Jason-Mraz-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9Z-PQu-Bs_CfWGtHYpwWCJjzFLEV7MvwwsNpwItr9M-StOKfxXACB_ZkMxG8Om-vELrvbV8HALPFv20s7EebhIGoG6gmQHYa5HLTqG5IuWfTZICFEKfkEO0aQS3MeoZpA49y4CwttgX1/s320/US-musician-Jason-Mraz-008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy London during Celebrity Rehab</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhkp5JH0WXtVwDQRpDmlkicimnUjMVNZky8l_YSsai78fy30dx4RDn7sc4audIBlCh0Ta9MqoWyrNSdd7SAPA63vsT-KYG4i6N7nOlSt-bAZtM28h7wgZ-8lhRp_ASuyz2t4QjuMxTS15/s1600/1516479-sundance-jason-mraz-617-409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhkp5JH0WXtVwDQRpDmlkicimnUjMVNZky8l_YSsai78fy30dx4RDn7sc4audIBlCh0Ta9MqoWyrNSdd7SAPA63vsT-KYG4i6N7nOlSt-bAZtM28h7wgZ-8lhRp_ASuyz2t4QjuMxTS15/s320/1516479-sundance-jason-mraz-617-409.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brett Michaels </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfCoA90f_ucMZDGKEO-FcU-xdFa6bkC3c0sNpFGoqbHXnc8j7C4P9L9-BBRHYGYW6PuCcrG_7HbCt9a0emDA2JH3hRClih7n9qRpKSRYcMXGW7ArLownlUhrEjCO_BiNPfmDLIA4Znkx7/s1600/jason-mraz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfCoA90f_ucMZDGKEO-FcU-xdFa6bkC3c0sNpFGoqbHXnc8j7C4P9L9-BBRHYGYW6PuCcrG_7HbCt9a0emDA2JH3hRClih7n9qRpKSRYcMXGW7ArLownlUhrEjCO_BiNPfmDLIA4Znkx7/s320/jason-mraz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adrien Brody</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgatqrI9PCZNn_u7axu0bUSSJSQ2HcGLLAocGidyKIQUB0zjiJOPtkgc4UYM4xdVfZ3I17bdI-mAlVHzdY3plWGfiHw212A9rhSd8opJHDxXFIfHn-KGmHLhkFu1KqkJ_nrqzEVWq3tvL/s1600/JasonMraz_7210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgatqrI9PCZNn_u7axu0bUSSJSQ2HcGLLAocGidyKIQUB0zjiJOPtkgc4UYM4xdVfZ3I17bdI-mAlVHzdY3plWGfiHw212A9rhSd8opJHDxXFIfHn-KGmHLhkFu1KqkJ_nrqzEVWq3tvL/s320/JasonMraz_7210.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman Polanski/Mr Bean/Austin Powers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPxodka8mVa49VvtgG59z8bDTpTPZqBmg2UMj0WOWZ2UVI-gvzMNQjXOqTsVCEggJI4MiyoieIVgXSHGrfulqyNlxPl6Cl08zxRNPL58m829SxJp4V6P9cYZEIGdwMJuhQZQU97oN8jGo/s1600/Jason-Mraz-jason-mraz-173341_600_399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPxodka8mVa49VvtgG59z8bDTpTPZqBmg2UMj0WOWZ2UVI-gvzMNQjXOqTsVCEggJI4MiyoieIVgXSHGrfulqyNlxPl6Cl08zxRNPL58m829SxJp4V6P9cYZEIGdwMJuhQZQU97oN8jGo/s320/Jason-Mraz-jason-mraz-173341_600_399.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan Lane in The Birdcage</td></tr>
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Ad there you have it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-68644668507032283572012-02-07T13:04:00.002-05:002012-02-07T17:53:09.369-05:00Share the Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I've been working on a Project Life scrapbook because it seemed sooooo easy to do, which it would have been had I not decided I needed to design all the pieces myself (including the pockets). Sometime the designer in me gets a little over ambitious, but it will be completely unique when I get through it all. And that suits our family to a tee!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Anyway, during this process of designing monthly journal cards and titles, calendars etc... I created a few extras for all of you! These are digital journal cards that you can print. One title, three vertical and two horizontal. I'm not sure if the horizontals will fit the Project life pockets exactly, but I'm pretty sure you can work with them in some capacity. They are all slightly under 3"x4" which is the approximate size according to the Jessica Sprague free grid journal card giveaway on her site today. Be sure to pop over to jessicasprague.com to grab that all purpose journal card too!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here are the cards I've designed. If you would like the download printable file drop a comment here, or email me your contact info. Please remember these are for your personal use only. No re-selling or copying of these designs please. The artwork is copyrighted.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvPqazoA2MSf0k6G7ptl8_BpXYY-s0Suyh9tZjjkVozhW14CkYFouprFyIygkdCupLcoJBsU-Z9eTV_SZMk7jTVXHkiVh4rhoKGvgZj1ieNK1p7R2nUsXFAM6lN_bmbjFmW9q_ItUpczx/s1600/VDPLjotscombo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvPqazoA2MSf0k6G7ptl8_BpXYY-s0Suyh9tZjjkVozhW14CkYFouprFyIygkdCupLcoJBsU-Z9eTV_SZMk7jTVXHkiVh4rhoKGvgZj1ieNK1p7R2nUsXFAM6lN_bmbjFmW9q_ItUpczx/s1600/VDPLjotscombo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright 2012, Krys Caywood, Krys Caywood Design</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-91984603397979271732012-01-11T17:08:00.001-05:002012-01-11T20:30:12.408-05:00$crap CleanoutSeems that at least twice a year my Studio screams to be cleaned and re-organized. Today the call to clear out the shelves and bins was ringing loud in my ears and resulted in a scrap avalanche!<br />
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As a product designer, I LOVE to see my work in it's final form but I rarely have time to use it because I'm always working on designing the next new line. Much of the product that was taking up residence in my studio was looking for a forever home much like a pooch at the pound. Thus the monster of all scrapbooking giveaways! Page Kits, Tablets, Embellishments, Papers and Chipboard mini albums etc...<br />
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Here are a couple of snaps of the scraps!<br />
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In the spirit of welcoming the new year I'm happily shouting "Out with the old & in with the new!" Drop a comment if you want stuff here or on fb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpo6u-JLC82xVkz7HrRjsDuDxocsiQMeF1xYkh8guHpO8F9ZA2LnAfY0bNtP1p4-UqQpBwKAWJLRUWYUUhOBHVvzXUhy6QXF2GsdKLJyxAm87sak_2NPA-7F9jdYGcvaNfz6QaI4uzyuU/s1600/happy2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpo6u-JLC82xVkz7HrRjsDuDxocsiQMeF1xYkh8guHpO8F9ZA2LnAfY0bNtP1p4-UqQpBwKAWJLRUWYUUhOBHVvzXUhy6QXF2GsdKLJyxAm87sak_2NPA-7F9jdYGcvaNfz6QaI4uzyuU/s1600/happy2012.png" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-32350474408402922122012-01-05T16:22:00.001-05:002012-01-05T16:26:21.127-05:00Wouldn't it be nice<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">There's a song running through my head, and this post is my blog equivalent of humming a few bars so you can sing along... I've rewritten the words to fit my current state of mind.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Wouldn't it be nice if we were freer</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And face time was face to face; not on the phone</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And wouldn't it be nice to live together</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Out in the world; not home alone</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>You know its gonna make it that much better</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>When we can be courteous and work and play together</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And enjoy a day without these distractions</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And after having spent the day together</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Be thankful for our interactions</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Happy times together we'd be spending</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And all the tweeting would soon be ending</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Wouldn't it be nice</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Then there wouldn't be as much self-absorption and rudeness too</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And we'd be less harried</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>And then we'd be happy</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Wouldn't it be nice</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>You know it seems the more we talk about it</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>It only makes more sense to live without it</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>But lets talk about it</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Wouldn't it be nice</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I hope that people can unplug and pay attention to their families and friends, if only for one day. Wouldn't it be nice...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Gotta go now, I need to update my facebook status with a link to this blog - ;) but seriously, it would be nice...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-80987720574545304482011-12-22T17:05:00.002-05:002011-12-22T17:31:10.122-05:00Ghosts of Christmas Past<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I was what you would call </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a fan</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> of the Dicken's classic, A Christmas Carol, but it seems to be striking a chord with me this year. Lessons learned over the years have made us all who we are today and I've become very sentimental over the past year (yup, probably hormones but, hey, let's just go with it...). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The Ghosts of Christmas Past in my life are many and widely varied so I'm trying to morph them into one with a lesson that fits. Staying true to Dicken's approach, there was only one ghost from the past, though if memory serves, and by memory I mean seeing 15 minutes of "A Muppet Christmas Carol" while channel surfing last week, who reminded Scrooge of past happinesses and shortcomings. I've plenty of both but the ones that stand out are all tied to family and friends. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Some of the earliest and best memories are of my Dad ho ho ho-ing outside our bedroom windows on Christmas Eve then waking us up at 4:00 am too excited to wait 'til we woke up on our own. He HAD to show us the incredible air hockey table Santa brought us. His love of Christmas almost exceeded ours as kids. I love that Dad was as much a child at Christmas as my sister and I were. I cannot wait to see him spend this Christmas with his grandkids. That will be my gift from him, whether he knows it or not. The twins are now 16 months old and full of curiosity. Combine them with a 77 year old who is still just as full of wonder, especially when it comes to seeing the kids learn and grow...and heck, you might as well put a ribbon on that!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fast Forward to 1980-something when sneaking home from College with great friends to set up a tree at my parents house to surprise them resulted in a not so pleasant call from my Mother reprimanding me for letting the cat make a giant mess. {Apparently Boo climbed it and toppled the tree then proceeded to pull out then drag all the baby's breath, flowers and ribbon through out the house. Whoda thunk?!?!} Would I do it again? Absolutely, yes. The thought was there and the cat probably had a fantastic time playing with the decorations even if my Mother wasn't too impressed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fast Forward again to 2010 when we spent the first week of December home with our twins, freshly released from NICU and feeling like a family only to end up in the hospital on and off throughout the holiday for our daughter's health issues, which were unknown to us at the time. Spending the week before Christmas in a hospital is no way to spend one's first Christmas, yet it was followed up with visits from wonderful friends Dana and Victor and Matt and Don who embraced these two tiny babies in such a way that reminded us we were truly blessed despite the challenges that may lie ahead. Seeing your kids be unconditionally loved by those who you love is an amazing thing...there really aren't words to describe it. It's heartwarming, and even that is too lukewarm to convey the feeling.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I guess if taken as a sum whole, the lesson I take away from the Ghost of Christmas Past is: <b><u>don't blink</u></b>. The special moments are everywhere, sparkling like those random iridescent crystals that catch your eye when you're burdened with the task of shoveling 2 foot of snow from your steep and seemingly endless driveway in sub-zero temperatures. Look for the sparkle, not the slush. Enjoy the moments and make the effort to keep the love of life alive and in the hearts of everyone (even if there is an adorable yet diabolical cat, wild with free will and a serious stash of catnip at it's disposal, in the mix).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">As for the rest of the classic - Christmas Present and Future remain to be seen this year. I have high hopes for the very best Christmas ever, but if the turkey explodes or the gifts don't fit, I'll remember to look for the sparkle in the snow and make light of the mishaps. They will happen, the key is to keep it all in perspective.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">May the Ghosts of Christmas Past bless you with wonderful memories and Present and Future shine brightly enough to cast no shadows on your festivities.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-83845541788953415492011-12-18T16:39:00.001-05:002011-12-18T16:39:08.201-05:00WARNING: The images below may be disturbing to some.Those of you who have over-developed or fragile fashion senses may want to look away. The images below depict, quite possibly, the WORST case of bedhead I've ever seen on a one year old!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf6ylO_Yt6pqRvqnjeBYM10esmiDGPDpc6SGKRiQweVFvosR61xo8JE35_FRw9lAuvco9x936sG5vq31S51RL6mQkWc-1cLcrp-w27QSczwJx2tBSWihjT-yjcN46DjML6NQltakUFzQR/s1600/DELbedhead4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf6ylO_Yt6pqRvqnjeBYM10esmiDGPDpc6SGKRiQweVFvosR61xo8JE35_FRw9lAuvco9x936sG5vq31S51RL6mQkWc-1cLcrp-w27QSczwJx2tBSWihjT-yjcN46DjML6NQltakUFzQR/s400/DELbedhead4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHKBNId2h4LwkMGlkbmk01FMBE9dG3l_V1s2Q1ycRJyyjknuaM_P6uGB1vwyEbuZ-0aYa5RmpqFK-B9l1Yo3EjxAF-ldIXKefMUHYDIG7wtJgR2x9o09aZNPwpfCzY3wINUjnEmO0p3Tl/s1600/Delbedhead3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHKBNId2h4LwkMGlkbmk01FMBE9dG3l_V1s2Q1ycRJyyjknuaM_P6uGB1vwyEbuZ-0aYa5RmpqFK-B9l1Yo3EjxAF-ldIXKefMUHYDIG7wtJgR2x9o09aZNPwpfCzY3wINUjnEmO0p3Tl/s400/Delbedhead3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-50199735820483538952011-12-12T12:02:00.000-05:002011-12-12T12:20:00.402-05:00Christmas Rush<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Every year this time creeps up on me and attacks like a cat lying in wait behind the shower curtain. And this year, like all others, has me feeling the Christmas rush as I try to finish up designing several new scrapbook programs, deck the halls, and figure out what and where to get everybody's gifts {big surprise, I'm a last minute shopper!?!}. The project du jour is the Caywood Family Christmas Card. It's always a big challenge - what style?, what photos to use?, themed?, not themed? On and on the process goes but this year it started with the photo shoot. Yes, our first family photo shoot, and let me say, there were over 600 photos taken and only 13 between two photographers were presentable! Of those precious 13, only 1 of the whole family (and there are only 4 of us) all facing the camera at the same time existed. After experiencing the Christmas chaos, I reflect on my childhood Christmasses and think, Dear God, how the hell did my parents do it?!?! {I'd say lots of eggnog, but neither of them drink so it must have been some sort of Divine intervention.}</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Anyway, feeling slightly nostalgic, I messed around with the thought of making our Christmas card look like the photos from the 60's-70's. You know drained of color but full of feeling. It hits me that the reason photos from that time are sooooo appealing because there was a specialness to each photo. With film, processing and the anticipation of those photos arriving at your local drug store after a minimum 2 week wait, the pictures were celebrated as much as the event that was captured by the light on the lens. Each held a special memory to the photographer or photographee. We are lucky to have digital photography at our fingertips giving us the ability to catch every moment and amusement, but do we really cherish every minute and does that dilute the specialness? It certainly affords us the resources to get a "perfect picture" but that may miss the mark of the perfect memory. I'm torn about the change but but I do know that old stained, torn, faded photos carry more emotion than spiffy brand spanking sparkling new digitals in many ways. Perhaps I need to reframe my thoughts on photos and picture taking in general.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It takes way more time and skill to make a photo look old than I thought but after much trial and play with photoshop, here's the result.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-cO4GP3Z3zyKf-WdyL56iEdOzs_rMhCQie-suvijsBa6zyjH8Tj2T2jX0Lai96bjysn0zMRN-pZs7Jbpji_x2zEBySav2cfDCFIeGOC-nulh_VAMDtfiJdN8rV6W0-tuX4Ms-3XWhUDc/s1600/retrocaywoodxmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-cO4GP3Z3zyKf-WdyL56iEdOzs_rMhCQie-suvijsBa6zyjH8Tj2T2jX0Lai96bjysn0zMRN-pZs7Jbpji_x2zEBySav2cfDCFIeGOC-nulh_VAMDtfiJdN8rV6W0-tuX4Ms-3XWhUDc/s640/retrocaywoodxmas.png" width="538" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I hope the holiday season brings you all much cheer and memories of a more simplistic time when the biggest challenge was untangling the Christmas lights!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-63447926733504420422011-12-05T14:26:00.000-05:002011-12-05T14:26:41.346-05:00Decking the hallsChristmas decorations continue to invade the house. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have the tree up and decorated but until then the little touches that keep popping up make me smile. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Caywood home!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUy9_Pa2l2sa9G0HVgkDZ4Ub0nWbnkX6PomRNruLiLLKv5LvxO5hs8ob6sL7AETzjiBMx96mQq_NyMrREC6gimtblFLktuMPrHuD4ef-cy1ohyBpl7zn4FjC7z-DW37zw3ZWUd7wWaGR1/s1600/Christmas+jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUy9_Pa2l2sa9G0HVgkDZ4Ub0nWbnkX6PomRNruLiLLKv5LvxO5hs8ob6sL7AETzjiBMx96mQq_NyMrREC6gimtblFLktuMPrHuD4ef-cy1ohyBpl7zn4FjC7z-DW37zw3ZWUd7wWaGR1/s640/Christmas+jars.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-53774173383466491412011-12-05T14:18:00.001-05:002011-12-06T09:40:25.265-05:00You can't get ahead if your're trying to get even<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The title says it all. </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">You can't get ahead if you're trying to get even.</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> It's a saying that is quite apropo today. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I try to live my life in a forward motion, perfecting my craft, honing my skills and getting better and stronger without dwelling on the past. I try to continually grow as a person and dedicate myself to those people and things that I love.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">However, there are some from my past who do not live this way and it's come to my attention that one in particular is on a bit of a fishing expedition trying to find out what is going on in my life. It is with intent to inflict harm that this person asks questions about me and I believe the person will continue to try to cause some drama to feed their own ego and sense of power. They will, of course, say they are doing it in the line of work, no doubt, deflecting their personal accountability, though it is most definitely personal.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am reminding myself that I escaped that drama years ago and have been much happier and more blessed in life since then. As a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, I truly believe that getting out of that arrangement was the best thing that ever happened to me. I do not wish to return to the dysfunction that occurred in the past nor do I wish to be bothered ever again with even the thought of this human (for lack of a better term, though many come to mind).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A well lived life is the best revenge. And that is all I have to say about that. (Forrest, Forrest Gump)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-73713773539456710572011-12-02T19:09:00.000-05:002011-12-02T19:09:30.123-05:00Countdown to Christmas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here's the Christmas Calendar I'm working on. I used an old type drawer as a base for the calendar to create a unique shape and space for each of the days. The papers and elements in the calendar are from a scrapbooking program I designed, along with adorable mini ornaments from Michaels.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXv2x6MuNg1aFMOUHe2nnMS2lnwP0RuNFvvuHv12aXaLxszc5Vhqeo_QCd77p94sVvWT35FSqWXAhv0heVAOGhXUfQs6nV88DsH9Obzw7yXrTeOCJq1tf2Xxz1eY4RCbyHEkI7vSjZT9F/s1600/DSApine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXv2x6MuNg1aFMOUHe2nnMS2lnwP0RuNFvvuHv12aXaLxszc5Vhqeo_QCd77p94sVvWT35FSqWXAhv0heVAOGhXUfQs6nV88DsH9Obzw7yXrTeOCJq1tf2Xxz1eY4RCbyHEkI7vSjZT9F/s640/DSApine1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1jL6TuMy0GTmG7Zb8j9S57V-MtS0PV4BDFBs7bTPkL4Bjuft8FtF7L-JeUCsoTWPPSzfch5D1jH7J3YVnKbi9zGaG2Bjp6WOuFKTmecziZe9qQAHoi5JSwRXp1D6HBYOBcV6RYj2by48/s1600/DSAtable1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1jL6TuMy0GTmG7Zb8j9S57V-MtS0PV4BDFBs7bTPkL4Bjuft8FtF7L-JeUCsoTWPPSzfch5D1jH7J3YVnKbi9zGaG2Bjp6WOuFKTmecziZe9qQAHoi5JSwRXp1D6HBYOBcV6RYj2by48/s640/DSAtable1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">{Cinnamon scented pinecones topped with glittery red birds really bring the feel of Christmas to the entryway of our home}</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_imEgOxG_QBVpLWb_RI8pxb7J5idqyaUVsJN6-heopLmHc1ge6HVG9SLIJD10cL05fa5w0zzY3vYo_fliZgUV4PoYJ2lelW8Vw0eXDwTYscJTcG2D8ce3IflMQXYOl9KmkU9c2ZL0V4xu/s1600/DSAtin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_imEgOxG_QBVpLWb_RI8pxb7J5idqyaUVsJN6-heopLmHc1ge6HVG9SLIJD10cL05fa5w0zzY3vYo_fliZgUV4PoYJ2lelW8Vw0eXDwTYscJTcG2D8ce3IflMQXYOl9KmkU9c2ZL0V4xu/s640/DSAtin1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OqKuvy-_JjCZDrqSUuCnfr7k48ceX9OBGNiHCzhRFe3YZqN7COjWqsxIPAKMGNnlQzJyeZe6CkrzSiH7fPWQK8mSFaICTl8dqvjrVjoZVu30HMrOMCUy2utDvaTcqERIkHHTHJTcfhlf/s1600/DSAtin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OqKuvy-_JjCZDrqSUuCnfr7k48ceX9OBGNiHCzhRFe3YZqN7COjWqsxIPAKMGNnlQzJyeZe6CkrzSiH7fPWQK8mSFaICTl8dqvjrVjoZVu30HMrOMCUy2utDvaTcqERIkHHTHJTcfhlf/s640/DSAtin2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">{This cute tin bucket holds the key holder/numbers and all the elements for the calendar while adding a little festivity of it's own}</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HAPPY HOLi<b>DAYS</b>!</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-77070912135106065712011-11-21T13:29:00.000-05:002011-11-21T13:29:24.760-05:00KCD is giving thanks {in the form of a digital freebie for you}<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, you've got a house full of family and friends coming for dinner in just a few days and need cute Thanksgiving nametags for the table(s) ~ or you're going to a friend's for the holiday and made some goodies to share but want some festive labels to dress up your gifts. We've got just the thing...KCD's Thanksgiving linen labels. Just drop a comment below with an email address and I'll send you this KCD original digital file for free!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispXlOuELsCaU8DlXelP6uZOrCOEPFbQ_3kXfi-_nn_4uFw1iF3GPhrDMbjUKq2KOnIJ4apjM5bMnaucnGUUzvhFKENmWXy3jBymBu077wDxNOW4M8pTmaFpcJyLOu8yaduhVxAG8NjRie/s1600/Turkey+day+nametags-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispXlOuELsCaU8DlXelP6uZOrCOEPFbQ_3kXfi-_nn_4uFw1iF3GPhrDMbjUKq2KOnIJ4apjM5bMnaucnGUUzvhFKENmWXy3jBymBu077wDxNOW4M8pTmaFpcJyLOu8yaduhVxAG8NjRie/s1600/Turkey+day+nametags-01.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Simply print on your favorite paper or label material, cut out and use. Adorable!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THANKS FOR VISITING AND HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(please note this file and artwork is only for your personal use and may not be used, copied or borrowed for any commercial purposes)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-5877388740559309162011-10-28T12:04:00.002-04:002011-10-28T13:56:30.960-04:00Breathe...just breathe.For those of you who read this blog, you already know that I often get sidetracked by the many things in my life these days and forget that I have a blog to attend to. Sporadic as it may be, I find that it's cathartic to write and want to be more dedicated to doing this on a regular basis.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">In fact, several months ago I was told by a counselor (who specializes in the challenges facing parents of multiples) that I should journal everyday. (let's just clarify, with a normal infant that's difficult, with twins dang near impossible but with twins who were 11 weeks premature, one of whom has health issues that require full time nursing, it's downright ridiculous to even get a minute to THINK, nevemind write your thoughts out longhand!) I smiled and nodded at her but in my head the snarky sarcastic me thought - "uh huh, I'll get right on that - after cleaning up the baby barf, doing laundry, rocking, feeding, and changing a multitude of poopy diapers...seriously you think I have time to journal when I can't even get a shower everyday?!?". Regardless, I was going to see her since we had a new family, which was a major adjustment for a couple of 40-somethings like Dave and I so I thought I'd gain some insight from a professional who herself had twins. I know she meant well but a lot of the tips and tricks were not applicable to our situation and missed the mark of being helpful.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">In addition to this doctor's not-so-helpful </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">"promise me you will do this"</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> list of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">"take time for you"</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> exercises she had one well-hidden and disturbing attribute that surfaced about 4 weeks into our sessions. {Cue the villianous duh-dun-dah music} </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">She was a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">hugger</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> Not the casual kind of hugger who takes the universally understood "end this hug now" back pat hint. We're talking prolonged hugging, compounded by her telling me to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">"breathe....just breathe..."</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">. This is the hug that makes you feel incredibly uncomfortable. In truth it was the ANTI-HUG. Hugs are intended to bring comfort and a warm fuzzy feeling...this imposter hug failed to meet any and all hug criteria. Can you say AWKWARD? I left there thinking "that was weird" - "and unprofessional" - "and, yeah, weird". So I went home, feeling rather unsettled and, yeah, just weird. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">A week passed and being the forgiving type that I am, I thought it might be a one time thing and decided to keep my appointment for that morning despite the risk. So I went, and talked until the 40 minute mark when I stopped talking as she gave me her new to-do task list, then abruptly, I made a beeline for the door. Much to my surprise, she was ready with counter measures deviously cloaked as courtesy. I smiled as I thought she was simply opening the door for me but she put her hand on the knob, then body-twisted 180 degrees to face me and, you guessed it... pulled me into yet another hug! I was in a state of disbelief and a"why the hell didn't you anticipate and prepare for this" thought when the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">"breathe...just breathe"</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> words hit my ears, again. So, I responded, "It's fine, I'm fine, everything will be fine" thinking, "okay she needs a verbal cue". Nope, didn't work. There I stood, stuck in the constricting arms of a woman half my height, powerless to escape unless I surrendered to her wishes...so I exhaled, really loud, with a sigh and it was like the parting of the Red Sea. Without warning her arms and office door magically opened! I could see the inviting flourescence of the hallway lights and smell the musty odor of the sad, white noise infused, windowless corridor that served as a waiting room. Seeing my chance, I quickly made my way through the door jam, past the unsuspecting victims sitting in the mismatched secondhand waiting room chairs, into the main hall and down to the elevator...I could almost taste the fresh air of freedom when all of a sudden the moment of bliss was broken by a crackling voice saying, "You can pay at the front desk. See you next week." Then in a flash, (similar to those 'getting sucked backwards at warp speed through a tunnel' shots you see in the movies) I realized my feet had not left the floor at all and the counselor was still standing there with one hand on my shoulder looking at me like I was this poor pitiful creature needing further guidance. Yet another mistaken perception on her part, I was just lost in my anti-hug escapist day-dream. I guess a hug only last until the 45 minute mark, or in counseling terms, your hour is up! Needless to say, after that I never went back. OH, but I digress...</span></span><br />
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Even though I may not be able to do this everyday, if I can get a couple of posts done each week it will be a fun break for me, (and it's my acknowledgment that the counselor was right in some respect). It's good to talk, and vent and get things out, and here, on this page, I'm assured of no prolonged awkward hugging!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-26173712853655160462011-10-27T16:48:00.000-04:002011-10-27T17:06:37.862-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love Halloween for all it's spooky good fun, and, of course, candy! Here you can grab a sugar-free treat, jpg paper files and pngs of the apothecary labels I designed just for you to print and use</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(for personal use only - no commercial use at all will be permitted). All I ask is you send me a pic of your cool projects to post if you use the files :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-9446412263334920372011-10-19T11:11:00.003-04:002011-10-19T16:09:37.410-04:00First year in review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A</span></span>s if the last blog post date didn't give it away, I've been very busy over the past year with my new job as full-time Mommy of twins. It's been an extraordinary journey this far and I expect will continue to be so as the days and weeks go by. Our twins decided to arrive 11 weeks earlier than planned and spent much of that time in NICU. We quickly realized that babies are God's way of reminding us that we are NOT in control, and that is okay.<br />
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The recap isn't a good way to sum up all that has happened over the course of a year but while loading photos onto a digital photo frame this week I realized just how far we have all come in such a short time. Our daughter, Delaney, has grown from 2 1/2 lbs at birth to 16 lbs of joyful, inquisitive, patient, and goofy chattering girliness. And our son, Beckett, has earned the nickname "The Bulldozer", bulking up from his 3lb starting point to a muscley 22 lb boy who explores everything through hours of bulldozering over, under and through everything (even his sister) as he crawls with wild reckless abandon! Together they will be unstoppable, and the love they share is abundantly apparent when they talk to each other while bouncing in sync in their adjacent bounceroos. It's a language only they will ever know but we enjoy the interaction and are amazed at how much they respond to each other's voices and touch.<br />
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I guess if I had to sum it up I'd say this year was the fastest year full of the longest days I've even known. Broken into moments; some were good, some scary, some exciting, some quiet, some loud, some happy, some sad, some tender, some overwhelming, some silly, some mad, but all of them, every last one filled with love. The pictures tell the stories that sometimes our hearts and heads forget, and serve to remind us that it has, indeed, been a great and wonderous first year as a family.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-64756132273699868062010-08-17T09:42:00.005-04:002010-08-17T09:56:54.260-04:00Deconstructing the autobiography one blog at a time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has long been a thought in my head the the best life stories are never completely non-fiction. Although Oprah and probably most publishers have a different view, I believe that embellishment of one's life experience tells it's own sub story which gives and incredible depth, dimension and insight to the main character's, well, character...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a view, a glimpse into the mind of the story teller. Did he make the story completely self-agrandizing, does he or she show the need for acceptance, or the desire for fame, is he pre-occupied with one-upping others in an effort to boost his own sense of self-worth, or is he merely telling the story as he experienced it? It's fascinating to creep into an individual's psyche this way and try to figure out how a person views himself by deconstruction the story and reading the subtext. Because whether or not we mean to, we all have a sub-text. And I believe that sub-text changes as we change and grow as individuals, which is why I find blogs so interesting.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been delinquent in my blog regularity and often find that I get overwhelmed with exactly WHAT I should blog about. Questions and contemplation often interfere with my free-flow of ideas and expression of them. Will this be interesting? Is this too much information? Am I being too sarcastic? Can I make a point without offending someone? The list goes on and it all comes back to that sub-text of writing so that the reader sees me the way I want to be perceived. It's the written equivalent of hair and make up. Am I presenting myself in a way that coincides with who I am, who I want to be? So I'm making a conscious effort to address that today. The reality is (as Popeye so eloquently said) Iyam-whad-Iyam.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tend to over-analyze. I try to put myself in other situations to view things from other people's perspectives. I try to be kind. I try to be assertive and true to myself, I try not to preach or push my views on others while expecting others to take a minute to consider mine without judgement. I try to live authentically.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe we can all learn from everyone who crosses our paths everyday. I believe that if you want to learn a new skill you just do it. I believe that we will all turn older at our next birthday (30, 40, 50, 60 etc...) but I do not believe that those milestones should pass with the thought that "Now I'm too old to learn piano, or how to paint, or how to bake a perfect ciabatta" I believe that if you use those excuses you just turn older, not wiser. I believe that if we continue to learn new things we grow older and wiser but feel younger. I believe that stress is a waste of my time. I believe that spending time with negative people or crazy-makers is completely unnecessary, and I believe that telling them I won't expend any time or energy on them only makes them more negative and crazy, but that's their problem. I believe I should not feel sorry for people who play the victim role every day of their lives in order to control and manipulate people and situations to their liking. I believe people should stop looking for others to blame for their own shortcomings. I believe in personal accountability. I believe the tv should be turned off and the kids should be sent outside to play. I believe the cel phones should be taken away during dinner and dates and drive time and face to face interactions should become a priority again. I believe that courtesy needs to be revived.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I prefer survivors to victims. I prefer artists to critics, I prefer humor and sarcasm to pollyana-esque behavior. I prefer to see things for myself, rather than take the word of others. I prefer to roll up my shirt sleeves and do the work to get the results. I prefer happy to sad but understand that without each other both would be meaningless. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe in being flexible and know that without flexibility even the most monumental buildings will crumble to the ground if their earth begins to shake. I believe that everyday has teachable moments. I believe that a smile gets you further than an air of superiority. I believe that I will continue to make mistakes and learn from them. I do not believe that you should get a trophy just for showing up. I believe that my subtext will continue to morph as I live my life and I'm okay with that.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's your subtext? If you wash off the makeup and let the hair down, what really lies beneath?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-90235751276677963242010-07-12T13:35:00.000-04:002010-07-12T13:35:52.339-04:00Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNZCnosR2UgGkndsYWHM4-5Ds9x9T6ULfeCSDogXUeKIK-WgqNpxEtELXNWFe5TuSFRvNQoC-OLZjpeNBvWPB2GWLcmGndt8tDDe686YRgQUYFjE3E_lZDZ9vEWpztOJgZjtVK-Jzw2Y1/s1600/LHC+days+of+summer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNZCnosR2UgGkndsYWHM4-5Ds9x9T6ULfeCSDogXUeKIK-WgqNpxEtELXNWFe5TuSFRvNQoC-OLZjpeNBvWPB2GWLcmGndt8tDDe686YRgQUYFjE3E_lZDZ9vEWpztOJgZjtVK-Jzw2Y1/s640/LHC+days+of+summer.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Lazy - check!</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hazy - check!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">{{{CrAzY}}} Not so much!</span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And that's just the way I like it. That's not to say that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> things aren't happening here, actually quite the opposite. It's just that I'm not letting the crazies make me </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> too!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For starters, I am currently pregnant with twins - which is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> good, makes me </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">happy, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> excited. It also means that in a few short months life, as I know it, may become a bit challenging, maybe even baby <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #999999;">crazy</span></span></i></b>, but I'm so looking forward to it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Secondly, we just got over a 6 day heat wave with 100+ temps and are starting another one this week which is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hot for CT</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, but I'm keeping cool and calm in the central air and enjoying a splendidly sunny summer so far.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thirdly, I am working on designing more scrapbooking lines to keep my creative child from going </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">stir crazy</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in the absence of full time work. This, I am fully embracing as well. I {LOVE!} having the freedom to design when I'm inspired and motivated and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">CRAZY</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">creative. It's been an eye opening experience to have complete creative freedom designing for a company that doesn't micro-manage or put too many chefs in the kitchen so to speak. Finally, I've been blessed to work with a team that understands the word team, and doesn't make decisions by committee on every little detail. What an absolute joy to be appreciated and recognized and given complete control over my own designs. And sometimes it means there are </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">crazy</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> deadlines, but that's a kind of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I can work with!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> thing that's going on is that I haven't blogged in so long. With all that's been going on in my life it's kind of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #666666;">crazy</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to think that I thought I had nothing to say. Perhaps there was just no time to say it ~ either way I'm back from the shadows and ready to start blogging </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{like crazy}</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> again!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-48194027489203770392010-03-19T08:22:00.004-04:002010-03-19T09:19:27.092-04:00HDB - 2010 KCD color awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBaV7UHhYVoHy-i0EY0bUdE0H7PnqVS4p-hoIuqQuXZbqiHXpdUqcgX3Bsdb7aDIdrlE6QOfFwxVb56ypbEXIRfhYCUjCmNTEYo-mhpAH4_UjpXgrjI4GlZ7pnAs005DSVPeADoQZsQnj/s1600-h/spring+border-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBaV7UHhYVoHy-i0EY0bUdE0H7PnqVS4p-hoIuqQuXZbqiHXpdUqcgX3Bsdb7aDIdrlE6QOfFwxVb56ypbEXIRfhYCUjCmNTEYo-mhpAH4_UjpXgrjI4GlZ7pnAs005DSVPeADoQZsQnj/s640/spring+border-01.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year M</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">arch came in like a lion and quickly gave way to lovely lambiness with warm weather and sunny skies and that has made a lot of people very happy, myself included.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunny warm days make smiles bloom like crocuses, peeking their bright green shoots from the cold hard earth. And with all this giddiness, my mind turns to springtime color palettes. I must admit, I've never been a fan of pastels. They always seemed too watered down and wishy washy for me. I lean towards bold strong color palettes with striking confident color, but this year I'm starting to bend and sway with the gentle spring breeze and am finally enjoying the power of pastels. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I say power of pastels, I mean the ability of pastels to get into one's head with thoughts of Easter and babies, of laughter and lightness. I never gave pastels the credit they deserved for their quiet unassuming way of influencing one's thoughts. I am finally understanding and appreciating the soft touch that these colors bring to our lives. Pastels are not weak and wishy washy, they are the sage and seasoned grandparents that gently nudge, encourage and applaud discovery rather than the egocentric bright <b>{look at me}</b> colors that I've been so fond of all these years. Pastels play well with others, share the spotlight and give inspired performances. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And like the kind nurturing grandparents, I also think pastels do best when they have that wild child of brightness to look after. It brings contrast and energy to the design. So with no further delay, the envelopes please...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 2010 Krys Caywood Design Best Supporting Color award goes to... Pastel Yellow!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 2010 Krys Caywood Design Best Color award goes to... wait, it's a tie... Turquoise and Tomato Red!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Expect to see a lot of these accomplished colors in the next line...previews coming soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBaV7UHhYVoHy-i0EY0bUdE0H7PnqVS4p-hoIuqQuXZbqiHXpdUqcgX3Bsdb7aDIdrlE6QOfFwxVb56ypbEXIRfhYCUjCmNTEYo-mhpAH4_UjpXgrjI4GlZ7pnAs005DSVPeADoQZsQnj/s1600-h/spring+border-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBaV7UHhYVoHy-i0EY0bUdE0H7PnqVS4p-hoIuqQuXZbqiHXpdUqcgX3Bsdb7aDIdrlE6QOfFwxVb56ypbEXIRfhYCUjCmNTEYo-mhpAH4_UjpXgrjI4GlZ7pnAs005DSVPeADoQZsQnj/s640/spring+border-01.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-20589052955257938572010-03-03T10:47:00.002-05:002010-03-03T10:52:49.590-05:00No More Merry-Go-Round<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Roller coasters were never an amusement park favorite of mine. I preferred the merry-go-round as a kid. Probably because they are predictable; up and down, round and round. You never really </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">get</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> anywhere but you get there safe and content. Seems to me there used to be golden rings to reach for, but, I've noticed that most carousels no longer have them. I wonder why that is (although I'm guessing it's an insurance issue in reality) were they too dangerous?, too challenging?, was it too upsetting to kids who just couldn't grab the rings so they took away from everyone? It's pretty strange huh? It's like people are just content to go round in circles and listen to the calliope while bobbing up and down, and it's a good metaphor for life. So many of us just ride the merry-go-round for so long that when we finally get in line for a roller coaster we're scared, nervous, and desperately looking for the exit. And </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> we do manage to make it onto the ride and get strapped in we end up closing our eyes for the whole ride, or tossing our cookies shortly thereafter...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I guess what I'm saying is there comes a time to step up and ride the roller coaster, front row, eyes wide open.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The past few years have felt like that for me...going in circles, wanting more adventure, reaching for the golden ring and finally stepping beyond the comfortable confines of the calliope to ride the rollercoaster, open eyed. This week's events were my personal equivalent of tackling the Incredible Hulk roller coaster in Universal Islands of Adventure. It's been unpredictable, unexpected, incredibly fast, exciting, energizing and emotional. And I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Lots of things happening here. Many twists and turns, loops and sudden drops, but I'm confident that it will all be worth it. And the best part is, I didn't throw up! (not yet anyway)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-41255738638877192272010-02-23T12:45:00.002-05:002010-02-23T13:02:27.794-05:00Hot Diggity Blog - Blanco puts a screeching halt on the day's choresWell, today was supposed to be a laundry day with scattered showers of scraptivity but it turns out that our cat, Blanco, has other ideas. Yes that is the laundry basket he's lolling in...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUHOoLs5wxZjdaMUHQFetKy4k0k62k8O4n4QWkdGAAjqzpc0_3LfB7PIRtQxUfC5Q9eAAmawbLy49uP_oVKsKsDeuT50Y2VwgDjqPXgMKUbsmXrM6YDvxHBsamTY9eO-_S0iIMuqKUke0/s1600-h/Luxe-Blanco.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUHOoLs5wxZjdaMUHQFetKy4k0k62k8O4n4QWkdGAAjqzpc0_3LfB7PIRtQxUfC5Q9eAAmawbLy49uP_oVKsKsDeuT50Y2VwgDjqPXgMKUbsmXrM6YDvxHBsamTY9eO-_S0iIMuqKUke0/s640/Luxe-Blanco.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, rather than disturb his adorableness, I took the opportunity to digitally scrap the moment, consciously avoiding housework with reckless creative abandon! ~LOL~ I do believe it was time well spent!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes we all need a break from the daily grind. Chores are mostly BORES in my mind anyway but I guess I can't complain too much. I'm lucky enough to have clothes and blankets to wash, a washing machine to wash them in, and an appreciative husband who always notices and thanks me for putting fresh linens on the bed. And I too {LOVE} fresh sheets. There's just something about the crisp, crumb-free, Downey scented sheets that makes me ridiculously happy. Simple pleasures make it all worthwhile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And while I have enjoyed my morning off from the role of "Little Susie Homemaker", I know that cat wont sleep all day. At 27lbs, it's a safe bet he'll be at the food bowl anytime now and I'll be donning the LSH moniker, pretending like I'm the housewife in a 60's sit-com to amuse myself while doing the mundane fluff and fold routine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Enter Darren Stephens (Dana, that one's for you...) "Hi Honey I'm home! Dinner smells wonderful." Now if I could only get that darn nose wiggle down so I could continue to play instead of clean...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's really not such a bad life, huh? :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-49600630169333373442010-02-22T12:04:00.007-05:002010-02-22T12:21:25.469-05:00Memorable Monday - Quotes and Lyrics that inspire me to create<div style="text-align: justify;">Ah, here it is Monday and I've accomplished much already today but I am now starting to feel that pre-lunch lull kicking in. My mind's starting to wander and I feel a little "floaty" and ungrounded which could mean several things, I need to eat, I need a nap, or I just need to suck it up and get working on something to wake me up. Generally I combine 1 and 3 and get moving, if I give in to 2 I wake up and feel like I have to start all over again so, 1 and 3 it is!</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Quotes and lyrics are a great source of inspiration to me. Honestly, I have a lot of those "dang, that was good, wish I'd thought of that" moments when I come across a particularly pertinent quote. I love to see what quotes "click with you as well, so if you have any favorite quotes that help motivate and inspire you please post comments!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few of my favorite motivators<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (especially when I need a swift kick in the butt to get me moving forward)</span>:</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8MZCKPpsTSAAjTSIrQQ1V4L4wgp8ibVea4R4WyqDOLQIWH7Hbet25vmbXqQSabYJpOci4JRanWSpcKrQy0tHPP_2ccpujWZW73cmz-OZvOu1zBPnnhfNkOZEXMpl9S-1BVJRPoLBGE55/s1600-h/Luxe+border.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8MZCKPpsTSAAjTSIrQQ1V4L4wgp8ibVea4R4WyqDOLQIWH7Hbet25vmbXqQSabYJpOci4JRanWSpcKrQy0tHPP_2ccpujWZW73cmz-OZvOu1zBPnnhfNkOZEXMpl9S-1BVJRPoLBGE55/s640/Luxe+border.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Don't let tomorrow find you wishin', Boy you've got a mission, Shake it, rattle and roll </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">- Jimmy Buffett</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.- </span>Mary Kay Ash </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire. - John W. Foster</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: xx-large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Just do it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> - Nike</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> Well begun is half done - John Fawcett </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It's kind of fun to do the impossible. - Walt Disney</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Empowerment is accepting that our imaginings are actually our "coming attractions" - Krys Caywood</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. - Albert Einstein</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Nothing happens without action. - Anon</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> I like to move it move it - King Julian, Madagascar </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-size: x-large;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-266363781332500372010-02-20T09:51:00.007-05:002010-02-20T10:11:14.538-05:00Refilling the Well, creative seasons<div style="text-align: justify;">Seems I'm a bit backblogged this week! I've been busy with design and family visiting from the the Pacific Northwest, and appointments...sheesh. Sometimes I enjoy the social interruptions but when I over-schedule them I start to get crabby due to lack of creative time to myself. I know it's bad, but acknowlegdement is the first step on the road to recovery! :) (Seriously though, at my age change isn't likely!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, disclaimer out of the way now on to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">Thursday's</span>, I mean today's blog! Todays blog is about renewal and refilling the well. As much as I complain and get irritable when I'm interrupted, I do realize that it is essential to my creative growth and expression in irreplaceable ways. I tend to work in a vacuum, meaning absolute total seclusion, and while that allows me to crank out a lot of work, it also drains the creative juices that fuel my creativity. So it's good and necessary to interact with the world to keep current and not become repetitive and stagnant in my design style.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The life cycle of creativity for me, is much like the seasons. While it appears that winter is the death of everything, it is actually that much needed respite from all the activity and creation we enjoyed over the spring, summer, and fall. Winter is Mother Nature's version of hibernation and it seems that we all fall prey to it. Especially in New England where the weather is cold, blustery and brutal. We tend to hole up for the long winter months and by now start to loudly voice our need for spring! This is exactly the cycle that I go through with design. I'm ready for spring. I've had my month long nap and now I'm charged up to start an explosion of color and pattern on the page. Although it's still officially winter, in my design cycle it's most definitely spring. And in the outside world signs of spring are starting to peek through too. It's been a long cold winter and this past week was full of time spent out and about, enjoying the 40 degree days, loving seeing the sun and spending time laughing and chatting with family and friends. It's been like a flower blooming through a blanket of snow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have come to the conclusion that we all need a little winter to fully enjoy the vibrant color and activity that comes with spring. Winter clears your palette. Winter give us time to reconnect, to refill the well, and soon, the little seeds that you've planted take root and sprout, and if you make the time to watch, they might just magically bloom right before your eyes...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjppRYZ2A0g1hxXa4NNtuRtp0sf9bgZkeVaAIProwVvuqfaC6d-8GW8iD7H446gkpPb7bjR-50lvrsd3z9c2kTDOFMDQom967DrSf4d7YXZ9PduBaRqdS1_03H_Rnzv16r2jznWkyHIARr/s1600-h/ImageF02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjppRYZ2A0g1hxXa4NNtuRtp0sf9bgZkeVaAIProwVvuqfaC6d-8GW8iD7H446gkpPb7bjR-50lvrsd3z9c2kTDOFMDQom967DrSf4d7YXZ9PduBaRqdS1_03H_Rnzv16r2jznWkyHIARr/s320/ImageF02.jpg" width="216" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjZbmWqYTF6CJ4lm_unE-Y3glvvW1DfdeP1yub6tGuotqzQmk1WMSYAbppbuARFNyFI-biwtgMvro_so06tXRUcrAtQRYMCKAShYQj7IDvBaP2t8Iv2q9hk8JT7xAlPz7JEpZkBFrZDjE/s1600-h/ImageF03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjZbmWqYTF6CJ4lm_unE-Y3glvvW1DfdeP1yub6tGuotqzQmk1WMSYAbppbuARFNyFI-biwtgMvro_so06tXRUcrAtQRYMCKAShYQj7IDvBaP2t8Iv2q9hk8JT7xAlPz7JEpZkBFrZDjE/s320/ImageF03.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdgU__y2nlw6pSMnZ-Ka5yVETwC7_n62gbqLwDOt01WxJ7JAiAn0mAVfZEIO2fIttQ4cNwKXKtcMtdtwogLjS8kJ493WfgiZ9deLaKYWXrxh4Uq_kfPt87qvKw6JoC6qUMVEYGI6hWPcL/s1600-h/ImageF04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdgU__y2nlw6pSMnZ-Ka5yVETwC7_n62gbqLwDOt01WxJ7JAiAn0mAVfZEIO2fIttQ4cNwKXKtcMtdtwogLjS8kJ493WfgiZ9deLaKYWXrxh4Uq_kfPt87qvKw6JoC6qUMVEYGI6hWPcL/s320/ImageF04.jpg" width="216" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkAFKlt8vkWwafULr4fA6dGQ6Ekh1L6QdPWk5ZV2tv6-pkxRUPxfiEVOl_tVN92De6L1CEJV3XY82YvrUDCiy5UazTk2gzFcDbsZKUGVttD9mfxMQVQcS8-ei9rUEBSCEDq1rGpm3t661/s1600-h/ImageF06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkAFKlt8vkWwafULr4fA6dGQ6Ekh1L6QdPWk5ZV2tv6-pkxRUPxfiEVOl_tVN92De6L1CEJV3XY82YvrUDCiy5UazTk2gzFcDbsZKUGVttD9mfxMQVQcS8-ei9rUEBSCEDq1rGpm3t661/s320/ImageF06.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDyqfKvnXpdzL_qYjH0uozcsM2CxC59dS-5wsTWExOqCI-h5sbzV4hdffODmL85tRSn44jiICIEgM32INoYzsJHy9x-QjLQrQJKFlrwG74iE10SXXLgmr_WIVLZujaFU69S41oZ6eomJl/s1600-h/ImageF01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDyqfKvnXpdzL_qYjH0uozcsM2CxC59dS-5wsTWExOqCI-h5sbzV4hdffODmL85tRSn44jiICIEgM32INoYzsJHy9x-QjLQrQJKFlrwG74iE10SXXLgmr_WIVLZujaFU69S41oZ6eomJl/s640/ImageF01.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-19387786234922431232010-02-16T15:05:00.005-05:002010-02-16T15:17:38.520-05:00Total Blog Fog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm in a bit of a blog fog today. Truthfully I'm in a total fog today! I stayed up watching the Olympics last night and obviously did not get enough sleep to sustain sufficient brain power to write anything remotely interesting. Therefore, I am sharing a digital scrap page that simply and sweetly captures the sleepiness I feel right now! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My kitty Chase, affectionately called M-WOWZer (because when he meows he says "M-WOWZ"), had a super sleepy face in this photo and it's perfectly summing up how I feel on this snowy day, fireplace blazing and hot chocolate buzz wearing off...oh to be a cat, if only for one day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrbmQxRm6h1czrWDWepm3UweQqgQ1aYtPLi0f_X-PMH3jrXXe3jk2SwepLAbP7PKYuOoJePUwZJj9NrAUBVVjAyhgQvjWhSCKYFuX0WbotKbm6FpTpuCnyjlUXhFzg-ht2r-fmvoA17RU/s1600-h/M-WOWZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrbmQxRm6h1czrWDWepm3UweQqgQ1aYtPLi0f_X-PMH3jrXXe3jk2SwepLAbP7PKYuOoJePUwZJj9NrAUBVVjAyhgQvjWhSCKYFuX0WbotKbm6FpTpuCnyjlUXhFzg-ht2r-fmvoA17RU/s640/M-WOWZ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-89290158966636129672010-02-15T12:28:00.007-05:002010-02-15T14:30:37.264-05:00Memorable Monday - Honoring the positive influences in our lives<div style="text-align: left;">So last week was about turning your dream into an action plan. And after a week you may need a little more motivation and encouragement to get out there and take that first step. While I encourage you all to do that, it's often more meaningful to look at the people who have had a positive influence on us to get motivated and feel secure and confident as we move forward into what seems like the uncharted territory of great success.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zwgILhvjCCZOwANDQwgfjAfER_FljXQ6yN7hJFfo7Azl4KTjRNDJ7-2MOG2JMKrTqYuzVXXBiNxHqZ9DCdQU8woKU2gFAGa0V1LMA9uWS3HhuERo5V48kv8HOsbZMFDrk_MJXpnqmUY6/s1600-h/Krys-Haddons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zwgILhvjCCZOwANDQwgfjAfER_FljXQ6yN7hJFfo7Azl4KTjRNDJ7-2MOG2JMKrTqYuzVXXBiNxHqZ9DCdQU8woKU2gFAGa0V1LMA9uWS3HhuERo5V48kv8HOsbZMFDrk_MJXpnqmUY6/s400/Krys-Haddons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This past weekend I was fortunate to have had a wonderful visit with my Godparents whom I have not seen in almost 10 years. And I have to say that, hands down, besides my own parents, this enthusiastic and loving couple truly influenced my life in more positive ways that I can count. Just spending several hours recounting stories from my childhood days spent with them and their children reminded me how much I missed having them in my daily life. There is something incredibly comforting that emanates from certain people. It's as if we're dialed into the same frequency and the glorious hum of that life energy puts us in a state of bliss. I know it sounds odd, but you have to admit that sometimes you say "she has a way about her..." or "there's just something about him"... That's what I'm talking about. The connection between people that feels like home. That feeling is the focus of todays Memorable Monday task.<br />
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Take out your journal and write the names of 10 people who have influenced your life in a positive way. Write down examples of their generosity of spirit, the encouraging words or actions that you remember and take stock in those words and actions to remind yourself what wonderful things you have to offer. <br />
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Now, take the time to reflect on the positives in yourself and consider ways you can share your enthusiasm for life with another person. Maybe one day they will put you on their list of "10 people that positively influenced my life". Keep the cycle of positivity going in your own way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sharing yourself is often a great motivator to move forward in whatever creative venture you wish to undertake. Have a memorable Monday! :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638046065213366833.post-56506557138246309802010-02-12T18:50:00.007-05:002010-02-12T19:16:33.431-05:00Looking Back, Looking Ahead III- KDi STUDiOSMany of you know I owned and ran a greeting card company named KDi STUDiOS. But not many of you know why or how it started. This is the story of KDi.<br />
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For many years, since graduating college, I used the title KDi STUDiOS for my freelance illustration business, K = Krys, D = Denshick and I = Illustration. But after leaving a job in 2001 (under extremely bad working conditions), I was left in a very dark place and my loving and patient husband found the perfect way to heal me. He suggested that we start our own greeting card company. (this occurred after looking for a birthday card for someone, and reading through 20-30 cards before finding one that was just okay). And just like the SkiDaddles story, when Dave gives me creative encouragement, I have a tendency to run with it. That is exactly the case of KDi.<br />
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We began by deciding that we'd keep the KDi name only now we joked that it stood for Krys and Dave Innovations (we actually got asked what it stood for by many at the National Stationery Show so it was good we figured it out beforehand!) and we kept the original logo of the little pigtailed girl who looked a bit pissed off to some, but she had character and was memorable as we found out in the following months and years when people would show up at our booth and say, "There she is!!! We we're looking for the little girl!"<br />
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When we started the company we set our sights on the National Stationery Show which was only 5-6 months away, so needless to say there was quite a bit of work to be done and amazingly in that short amount of time I cranked out over 300 card designs, we built a booth and all the tables and furnishings to go in it and we created a computerized order system which was unheard of back in 2002! We were handling everything ourselves, from design to packing orders to customer service.<br />
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And it paid off in many ways, none of which, however, were financial independence!!! LOL Over the next three years I designed and ran a business that had international sales and recognition. We were nominated for 6 LOUIE awards in our first and second years of business. We didn't win, but the nomination alone is a fantastic honor. They take three cards in each category so we like to tell ourselves we came in second! LOL<br />
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It was a wonderful fun three years but we learned that it takes more than determination, drive and good design to make a greeting card company successful. It takes money, a lot of money, and sales. Having a reliable sales team is crucial to your success. We had reps but none of them seemed to move enough product to keep us afloat and neither Dave nor I were drawing a paycheck. Why did we do it? It was a leap of faith, and the end result was better than any financial gain. We grew as people, we stretched our wings, we learned more than we ever would have just working for anyone else, we had a fabulous wonderful adventure and it brought us closer together in the process.<br />
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There was a lot learned during those years, but the most important thing I came to know was my husband's love for me knows no bounds. He knew in his heart what would make be better, more than any doctor or friend or counselor, he knew me and what makes my heart happy and he gave me the opportunity to find out for myself just what I'm made of. And he showed me that no one and nothing could ever take away my talent or passion or unique views on life.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqAhlcoJE2DA-xPsg-HGSw16M4PxUc4s2xo_oEpvH9EFgD3dytBZac0tOCaxS-iUpMV0d_Z-0JIP-F0hFMHPtnXcLSUur63ca8qA70oFXKoIJ4b5giI6JSRdqKsBD5cGJlhJXmPMq3ub8/s1600-h/yule+tied.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqAhlcoJE2DA-xPsg-HGSw16M4PxUc4s2xo_oEpvH9EFgD3dytBZac0tOCaxS-iUpMV0d_Z-0JIP-F0hFMHPtnXcLSUur63ca8qA70oFXKoIJ4b5giI6JSRdqKsBD5cGJlhJXmPMq3ub8/s400/yule+tied.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Rt1Mbit_e5-1GnCDlPQH5pxAFgbQUpZyfUqzyvJxfKGxraLum6yW3AKp_KP7wKmavZ4rkoNu1a88j-IB4Rj7cyjWwov1nem7QdjK6qx3dxAvcGo4Fb1xR0z4ibAQw6PtPA394WTsDmqe/s1600-h/KDi-Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Rt1Mbit_e5-1GnCDlPQH5pxAFgbQUpZyfUqzyvJxfKGxraLum6yW3AKp_KP7wKmavZ4rkoNu1a88j-IB4Rj7cyjWwov1nem7QdjK6qx3dxAvcGo4Fb1xR0z4ibAQw6PtPA394WTsDmqe/s320/KDi-Girl.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0