Next adventure..

Life continues on its merry happy little way with lots of work, playtime (less than I'd want) and much love!  Unbelievable that it is already Memorial Day weekend!  Where did the 1st half of the year go?!  But much is happening with us.

Our next adventure...Teaching a class next weekend at one of the local libraries!  Much thanks to my friend Lisa for giving me the chance and great thanks to Sue for being the cohort and co teacher!.  It's a beginning journal making class - simple, straightforward and SO MUCH FUN!  I cannot wait.  I'll take and post photos -- promise. 

Where have I been, you ask?

Or maybe you don't? It's the middle of March and spring starts officially next week. It's almost 70 degrees today here -- and going into the high 70's tomorrow! It's March! It could still snow yet in this part of the US. But we're enjoying having the windows open and the fresh breezes.

To get back to what I've been doing..... Well experimenting with my POGO photo printer on a recent vacation to Sedona (just how red are those rocks?!). See below...

So that's being included in my art journaling and my regular journal! I have minor frustrations using it ... as I've forgotten how to do so each time and have to relearn it. Fortunately it is easy!

In addition I've been on the road for the day job 4 weeks of the last 9 and one week of vacation with the hubbie! Loved that time together but am glad to be home until the middle of April when I'm off again for three week on business! Can you say glamorous?

Rest assured creating is going on and on and on...

New Toys

One of my new toys received from my niece and nephew for Christmas is the Polaroid Pogo instant camera. I know...not a "serious" photo printer but I have to say... such fun!

A few hard bumps getting it working but simple internet research helped me load the free android software for my Samsung Galaxy phone and it worked! Bump 1 done. Oh but here comes bump 2... went to use it the next day, it wouldn't work! No matter what. Failure it said. Frustrating I said. Tonight I was determined to get it to work. More research and no new answers. So I took the computer support tech route -- power on/off first - no luck. Second pull the battery - nope. Third - delete the printer from my bluetooth devices and reconnect them -- wait for it...SUCCESS!

I'm printing things for my collages, journals and I don't know what else. Hee Hee!

So I'm going through my initial pack of film pretty quick. Have to run and order more...

Extreme (or not so extreme) Coupon Binder Cover

For the Extreme Couponers in the world...the quintessential binder carrying case is now available! My niece joined the world of extreme couponing and is having a blast finding those deals. With an almost 5 yr old and a 20 months old, shopping can be a challenge for her when she juggles her purse, the kids and a clunky 3" binder in her arms. She wanted to go hands free and asked me to design this for her. We looked and looked but couldn't find a pattern. BUT if anyone is looking to have one made - stop here. We can make it for you (for a fee of course)! Of course she already has improvements!

Holidays and creating

The holidays are here and creating is the game! I've been working on fulfilling orders for the holidays and just finished them all and posted them. Now I can focus on finishing shopping for family and friends and planning menus for various holiday parties and gatherings.

I've not had time to create any gifts (except one but cannot say what it is yet). But I have had time to do some baking, designing, planning and research. All work to share but it's not quite ready yet to share... but soon.

Back to the holidays and the fun surrounding them... Question is will we get our cards in the mail before the holiday?

Enjoy!

What's next?

Sue and I are looking ahead! We are going to a few art/craft fairs this weekend to see the potential for next year. Our goal in 2012 is to get to one fair minimum. Now with working full time, that is about all that we can manage -- we think! In any case, I'm excited to see what the future holds for us.

Our recent experience gave lots of food for thought as to our goods, our creating process and our production itself.

What does it all mean? No idea! but it is forward motion and positive energy. My favorite path to follow.

Craft Fair #3 -The results

Yesterday we had a great time. Everyone was fantastic and while business was slower than anticipated, we talked to many of you about specific items you would like to have made in the coming months. We will be in touch soon. A special thank you to our family and friends that stopped by. Lisa thanks for taking a chance...glass things next year for sure!

Sue and I commented that no matter what happens at these fairs, it the fun of sharing our passions that we enjoy the most and the creative process to get there!

Until the next one...all our best...

Craft Fair #3

Later this month, we are participating in the craft fair (where I work) for the third time. This time with a renewed vigor! They are publicizing it to more people in the area than just the building tenants. It will be in the lower level of One Rotary Center (1560 Sherman Ave Evanston IL) fromj 9-3pm on 18 November.

We are both really excited about it and cannot wait to show off everything we've made this year. Sue has made some truly outstanding clutches that I am sure will be extremely popular. I've been busy making journals, including a new "large" journal.

So the focus is now getting ready for it (and has been for the past few weeks)!

Let the holiday shopping begin...

Photography does make a world of difference!

Thanks to my sister, we have new photos of a very professional caliber of our products. An up and coming photographer (Christi) in the Quad Cities works for my sister currently and we are in awe of her work! So without further ado...Here are the photos!

Getting back in the swing..

Absenteeism...describes me to a "T". I've been away from the creative process a bit. Instead I've been enjoying cleaning out closets, our storage unit, the car, and anything else I can find. It feels GREAT! But now I'm juiced to get back on track and back to the creative process and back to the fun and joy of it all.

I did some painting tonight and move a journal along so I can finish it soon. I have two of those chipboard shaped journals -- one star shaped and the other a flower! I painted the flower pages in autumnal colors. When dry, I'll start the embellishment soon. Tomorrow we're babysitting. Maybe I can get the kids to finger paint...My husband is frowning over that one. We'll see. Maybe we'll just bake instead. Now he's smiling!

Interesting though - when you start creating physically you realize that you never stop creating - ideas are filling my head - almost overwhelmingly so and I just keep adding ideas to my creativity notebook. (Best recommendation I ever got was to start a creativity journal!)

Of to jot some things down before I forget!