A Plethora of Peacocks!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE peacocks!  When I was a little girl we went to the San Diego Zoo several times a year.  Anyone who’s ever been there has been regally greeted by the resident show offs that hang around the entrance.  I could have watched them for hours if my mother would have let me.

Peacocks are showing a resurgence in art and especially for weddings.  I have happily gone along with this trend and have some new things to show today.  A new line of wedding invitations at Zazzle.  And new craft oriented designs for sale at my Etsy store.

I am still in the process of adding designs in both stores.  The wedding ensemble will have cupcake wrapers and toppers, table seating charts, table numbers, escort cards, wedding menus & programs and much more.

The Etsy kits will include both square and round designs in 3″, 2.5″, 2.25″, 2″, 1.5″, 1″ and 7.8″ sizes as well as ATC cards, shaped tags and more.

If you’re looking to add some elegance to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table, try this quick idea:  Use peacock feathers, a custom name on a circle design like these collages and a beautiful wired ribbon – cut the feathers to about 5-6″, tie them on to your napkins, tuck them inside the ribbon and place across your table setting.  Easy Peasy Elegance!!!!

Back to Work! Thanksgiving Recipes Requested

We spent the last week visiting both of our parents (and both of our sisters) in Arizona.  It was a delightful time spent with those we love so much!  As always, we wish we had a week of “vacation” to rest from our vacation 🙂  But then, I’m excited to get back to work.  I’m so blessed to have work I love to do so much I don’t hate coming home.

Can you believe that October is already starting to wind down?  It’s simply amazing to me.  I’m looking forward to the holidays and to winter, which is I think my favorite time of year here in the mountains.  I’d love to hear in the comments about what you’re looking forward to in this next 3 months.  What are your plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas?  Have you changed plans based on the economy and do you feel good or bad about those changes?  I really enjoy hearing back from the other side of the computer monitor, LOL!

Do you have a tried and true favorite family recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas that would fit on a recipe card?  If you do, will you share it with me?  Send me a comment and I’ll email you.  I’d like to do some free recipe cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas since I pretty much don’t cook and ESPECIALLY don’t cook with recipes, I need some assistance.  My husband calls me an “artistic” cook — ie a little of this, a little of that and we’ll see how it turns out 🙂

I’m working on wrapping up a major project for a new product line then *fingers crossed* I’m going to work on new art this week.  Have a great week!  AJ

Catching up!

I have neglected my blog all month long.  I simply couldn’t take even an hour to come and fill you in on what’s happening.  So now it’s time to “Catch up.”  Don’t you wish you could really, “catch up?!”  Are you like me and the faster you get things done the more that goes on your plate?  This month has been like that.  It’s stressful at times, but as an artist in a tough economy I’m always very, very thankful that I have more work than I can easily get done!

My Etsy store and Zazzle stores are doing amazingly well.  THANK YOU to each bride I’ve been privileged to work with and help  with making your wedding day special.  I’ve had so much fun working with English, French, Norwegian and other brides-to-be from around the globe.  I am adding coordinating cupcake wrapper kits to each new collection and will go back and add them to the most popular wedding collections that I’ve already created.  These are printed two-sided on 80 lb. tex and are simple to cut and assemble.  I give instructions on how to use the coordinating stickers to create cupcake toppers as well.  Perfect for Bridal Showers, Wedding receptions and baby showers as well.

Thank you also to each family that has allowed my baby collections to be part of your special joy in welcoming a new addition.  I must have at least a million new ideas and no time to do them all.  That’s the blessing and the curse of the creative mind…

I’ve created some new holiday art, but haven’t even had the time to play with how to put it together into products because of assignments that come first.  My inner little girl artist is shouting and stomping her feet, “I want to play, I want to play, I WANT TO PLAY!!!!!”  Oh well… I’ll eventually get a chance.

It’s the holiday season again.  Time for celebrating love, family and the ties that bind our hearts together.  We’re starting our holiday season with a trip to see both my parents and my husband’s parents.  My sister will be visiting from Kauai at my parents so it’s an extra special time to gather together.  My mom and adoptive father will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this month.  It’s scary how fast that 40 years went!

When it all comes down to it, is it work that provides the warm and wonderful memories?  A clean house?  A task list that is marked complete (mmmmmm…. could be maybe a “Yes” answer on that last one, but I’ve never achieved it!)  But in truth the answer is surely “No.”  It’s the relationships we are privileged to share.  Take time to slow down and focus on those you love.  It’s the best stress reliever I know!