Calligraphy is such a classic, timeless art and it makes and elegant and timeless gift, especially if you pair the art of lettering with such a beautiful quotation as “The Love Chapter” from the bible.  If you have any weddings coming up this summer and are looking for a very special, easy and affordable heirloom quality gift for the bride and groom I’d like to show you just one of the special gifts that are available on my www.audreyjeanne.com website.  You can shop from the convenience of home and your personal computer and send what just might become the most treasured gift the happy couple receives!

We can giftwrap your purchase with beautiful paper, wired ribbons, a gift tag and enclose a greeting card for a small additional charge.  If you have a need for a rush, we can more often than not accommodate your request.  Our usual turn around time for most custom framed print orders is 1-2 weeks.

Can be found at www.audreyjeanne.com in limited quantities.  These music boxes are my artist samples from a company that is no longer in business, so when they’re gone… they’re gone! 

Each box runs $24.95 and is in a mahogany finish with four mats.  The musical movement varies with each design and is appropriate for the occasion or relationship.

I am offering an introductory coupon for May and June of 2008 good for a 15% discount on your order.  To access the coupon simply use "welcometoaje" on the check out page.

 Keep checking back at the web site as I will be adding a lot of small products that I have taking up space in my studio.  These are items that I have received as artist’s samples and will be in limited quantities only!

THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Matt 25:21 "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  NIV

PRAYER:  "Lord, I so want to hear you say ‘Well, done, good and faithful servant!’   You’ve given me a few things to be faithful with, my children, my husband, and the talents you’ve given me.  Please teach me how to be more and more faithful with them.  Strengthen me for the task and give me opportunities to serve you more effectively that I might bring much joy to your heart.

And Lord, as I learn to be faithful with what you have given me, help me to be open to your increasing the responsibilities that you will give to me (and not resent it!)  Give me a joy in being put in charge of ‘many things!’  Enlarge my vision and show me what is possible for you to do in me and through me.  AMEN"

To celebrate our "Grand Opening" of our website, www.audreyjeanne.com we are giving a coupon special of 15% discount on any order.  To redeem this coupon (which is good through the month of June, 2008) enter the code "grandopening" at check out.  It’s our way of saying both, "Welcome" and "Thank You!" 

The first day hits were amazing and we hadn’t even hit the search engines yet this morning, thank you to all who referred friends.  Hopefully, I’ll have a guest book on the site soon so I can know who stopped by and perhaps even start building an email list for a monthly newsletter. 

The piece that is shown can be used for graduation and can also come with an opening for a 5 x 7 photo in cap and gown.  The photo opening version isn’t on the web yet but will be by the end of the day (fingers crossed!)

We specialize in personalized wedding, anniversary, family, baby and other special calligraphy gifts with many original verses written by Audrey Jeanne Roberts.  

After many years of desperately needing to have a web site  – we have finally gotten one up.  Though it is incomplete and imperfect, it’s live!!!  This site currently carries only our framed print line, which is where I began in the art business.   You can find our site at: www.audreyjeanne.com

Many of you know me only for the art I create or the design work I do for about 35 manufacturers in the art, gift and home decor industries.  However, I began my career as the artist, author and calligrapher of a framed print line called, "Audrey Jeanne’s Expressions."

About a decade ago we had nearly 4,000 stores that carried our products, but as my licensing career grew, we cut back on our wholesale operation.  It became too overwhelming to do both manufacturing and designing.  It felt a little like trying to ride two horses at once! 

During the almost 30 years that I have created these products we have built relationships with thousands of retail customers who love to give our products as Wedding, Anniversary, Baby and other gifts on a regular basis.  Now there will be an easy way for those customers to see what is available and order online.  We do continue to do some limited wholesale sales, so if you are a really, really special store that likes to carry unique items (especially personalized items) you can give us a call.  The contact information is on our web page.

Some of the things we are capable of doing, but are not yet reflected in our web site are drop shipping, gift wrapping and including an enclosure card.  So if you have an out-of-area Wedding to send a gift to, you can find the piece you like and call our office to have it wrapped and sent as a complete gift without having to leave your home!

THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Zech 4:10  Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. For these seven lamps represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world."   NLT

PRAYER:  Lord sometimes I tend to feel a little "less than" when I am beginning a work.  It seems so small and puny I can’t even imagine how it can grow into anything significant.  But in this verse you said "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin."  What was true then is still true for me today.

When I take steps in new directions, or begin new ventures, remind me that great trees from tiny acorns grow.  A "ministry" can begin by meeting the first need that is put before me.  A deep and wonderful relationship will begin to develop with the first, "Hello."  Every thing that you want to do in and through me has to start somewhere — help me to rejoice in the day of my small beginnings trusting that everything I commit to you for your blessing will grow to produce fruit in its season!

Has been turned into an Adobe Reader PDF document that you can now download.  This is our older version catalog.  We are working on the new catalog for this year and as soon as the new designs have been completed it will also be released.  You can access this page any time by looking at the "Pages" column to the right.

You can download the catalog by clicking on the image to the left.  It will lead you through the downloading process.  The download link is at the bottom right side of the page, in a white box.  It might take a minute for that box to appear, but when it does the link will be active.  Please be aware that it is a relatively large file that will take a while to download.  When you go to the download site, it will be green in color and look very generic, it is my 4shared.com site, so don’t be worried that it doesn’t look like my blog. 

It is at 100 dpi, which is slightly better quality than monitors can read and will allow you to enlarge to see detail and read text.  This catalog and all the artwork and poetry within it are officially registered with the United States Copyright office and we intend to fully enforce those copyrights.  Please respect them or you could be held liable for both punitive damages and legal costs.

We ship anywhere in the US and Canada, shipping rates vary with weight and distance.  We can ship elsewhere in the world but cost usually proves prohibitive.   

You may have noticed I’ve been a little absent this week, I’m finishing up my family’s Christmas, working on licensing projects and I’ve been working on new designs for our framed print line, a new catalog and a new web site.  Where is that clone when you need her?!  I just had to show off some of the new products that will be available on the web site soon!

You can order them now by using the codes and calling 800-662-3333 M-F 9-5 Pacific time (USA) but soon (fingers and toes crossed) they’ll be available 24/7 on the web!

The first is "LC694DK11 Precious Little One" (with mat and frame as shown) a 13" x 16" new baby gift that is personalized with the baby’s name, weight, length, date, time and place of birth.  The calligraphy is Audrey Jeanne’s Whimsical style.  The price of $59.95 includes your choice of four frames, double bevel cut mats, personalization, shipping and a free gift enclosure card.  You can also have it beautifully gift wrapped using wired ribbon for an additional $10 charge.  The boys version is identical but in blue, aqua, green and a touch of yellow.

The second piece is "P695GD07 Welcome Sign," (framed and matted as shown) a 10" x 22" Welcome sign that also includes your family name and Est. year.  It also is $59.95 including frame, double bevel cut mats, personalization, gift enclosure card and shipping. 

The rich detail in this watercolor just can’t quite be captured for the web, but it is in deeply textured, weathered tans, greens, golds, rusts with the grapes in a deep rich eggplant.  The text is in chocolate brown, in Audrey Jeanne’s contemporary italic calligraphy.

Also coming soon, perhaps within two weeks, will be a PDF version of our catalog that we can email you.  You can email a request for that PDF catalog to: Steve Roberts at steveataje@earthlink.net and we’ll send it when it is complete.  Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas!

THE CHRISTMAS STORY: Matt 1:22-2:1
2 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us."

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. NIV

but I’m in super-crunch-crisis-get-stuff-to-manufacturer’s mode!  I have some very exciting possibilities that I’m being presented for and have to give it my full attention for the next couple of days so be patient with me (and of course when and if it comes to fruition you’ll get in on the news!)

But today, my BABY turns 21.  I can close my eyes and feel the labor pains, smell the new baby smell and feel her snuggled up in my arms.  This is my dare-devil pilot daughter!  She’s an amazing woman and I am so blessed to be called "Mom" by her.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACQUI!!!!!!  No mother was ever prouder of her children than this mom (maybe equally proud, but not prouder!). 

My baby’s grown up just in time for us to welcome our new GRANDSON, Ellington.  He’ll be born at the end of January and the cycle will begin anew.  Here’s a poem that I wrote a few years back.  I wrote it when Jacqui was twelve.  It is copyrighted, so you may use it to make a single item for yourself but not for sale please.

THE CIRCLE OF LOVE

My child, when you were conceived I held you deep inside…in the circle of my womb.  We were so close, we shared everything, you and I.  On the day you were born I held you in the circle of my arms, joyously sharing you with those I loved the most.

Then when you seemed to fit just right, you began to walk and talk and grow and the circle of my arms had to open more and more.  Your gangly arms and legs began spreading outside of my reach… My circle could no longer contain all you were becoming!

Now I watch your life moving into even bigger circles, uniquely your own… A tiny part of me fears I will stand apart, alone… somewhere outside your heart… but the greater part of me knows you will carry with you the values, wisdom and truth shared within our circle of love.

And now I know, as I walk the path of all who have passed this way before, it’s in the letting go that the circle of love begins again.  Copyright Audrey Jeanne Roberts  (This is available as a framed, matted, hand-calligraphied piece from Audrey Jeanne’s Expressions 800-662-3333 if you’re interested)

Hi everyone!  I’ve had my "head down" designing intensively our new line of framed prints for the Fall.  It’s a lot of work, especially when it involves writing which is actually the hardest part of it all.  Other times its working and working at getting a layout right with the balance of the text, the art and the overall look. 

I thought I would share two of my newest framed print selections.  A larger is a second design for 1 Corinthians 13 and a new Friendship piece that has a French Antique floral feel.  Refreshing the line is a long process as we will usually update and redesign as many as 50 pieces at a time.  Once all of the new designs are completed, then I go to work on the catalog.  This year my daughter Jennifer is going to help out with the grapics.  I’ve been teaching her photoshop all year long and she gets the hang of it quite quickly (Thank you, Lord!!!!)

I will be making the old catalog available on this site as soon as I can by doing it as  a downloadable catalog.  Ideally, I  need to figure out how to make a pdf file (so Cheryl my dear wonderful adorable friend … hehehehe! if you know how to do that can you clue me in?!)  Once I can do that I’ll post a permanent page that will have the download for the catalog.  This is the stop gap measure until the web site gets built.

Our Summer Special applies to any purchases made from now through the end of September.  We’ll deluxe gift wrap and send a card with your personal message and personalize any print for no charge (normally a $10.00 cost), so if you have any special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, new babies or other family events, give us a call at (800)662-3333 and we’ll be happy to help out.  Also, we have a routine special where if you order 3 pieces we ship the order at our expense. 

I haven’t heard from my sweetheart today… still hoping for a call tonight!  His partner’s wife called me today to say that he had called her last night and things were settling down.  Hopefully they didn’t have to move the fire camp.  It’s a lot of extra work if they did.

I thought I would change up today and do the scripture of the day and I chose "The Love Chapter" since that’s what I was designing all day!  It’s such a good reminder to me of how I am supposed to act.  I personalize it and put my name in the blanks like this… "Audrey is patient… Audrey is kind, she does not envy, she does not boast…"  YIKES!  It’s totally convicting!  Especially when I’m in a snipey mood or am being easily frustrated or angered.  I try to work on living this a little more each day. 

THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:  1 Cor 13:4-8, 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. … And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  NIV

Do you have a Summer Wedding to attend or did you get married in the summer yourself so you have an anniversary to buy a gift for?  Our framed print side of the business, "Audrey Jeanne’s Expressions" is having a Summer Special.

For $44.95, you will receive a 13" x 16" framed, double matted (with bevel cut mattes) and personalized art print AND we’ll gft wrap it with a beautiful presentation using exquisite wired ribbon and quality wrapping papers AND a note card in an envelope containing your personal message.

The cost of shipping varies with the distance, but is $5.50-$9.00 in the continental United States.  Shipping to Alaska or Hawaii or outside of the US must be quoted separately.

You’ll be able to give a gift that wiill be treasured for a lifetime and never have to leave home to find it!

This special will run from now until September 30th, 2007.  To order your prints, simply call 800-662-3333 9-5 M-F Pacific Daylight time and we’ll walk you through the order.  (Yeah I know, a web site would be awesome… we’re slowly working on it!)

"I’d Marry You All Over Again" is a brand new verse that I have written.  The text reads:  "When we began our life together, our love was shiny and new.  It was as yet untested… yet so full of promise.  Since then we’ve travelled hand-in-hand, on a path that has taken us places we could never have dreamed of. 

Our love has come through the tests and trials of life, and has acquired the rich patina of a valued treasure.  Our passion remains, becoming enriched by the joy of a deepening and cherished companionship.  I love you more today than ever.  Without hesitation, I’d marry you all over again!"  Thank you for respecting that this text is copyrighted and may not be reproduced. 

Here’s a link to Stacey’s blog for an update on her sister’s stroke.  http://www.thisjustinblog.com/  Since this post, the doctors believe that her sister may have a rare form of MS and further tests are being conducted.  If you visit her blog a note of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

THE PROVERB OF THE DAY: Prov 1:5-7  Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles. Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. NLT

I was wonderfing why I was having a sudden surge in google searches about our framed print line, "Audrey Jeanne’s Expressions" and I realized it’s Wedding season!  Our framed print line specializes in items for Wedding, Anniversary, Family, Mother, Grandparents, Baby, Children and other framed sentiment relationships and occasions. 

Because we don’t have a web site set up, it can be a little difficult to track us down.  So I’m going to post a little bit of information here on my blog and the contact information for our sales office so anyone searching through google or other search engines will be able to locate us more easily.  We’re in the process of starting on our web site, but I make no promises as to when we’ll get it all done!

I started my career as a calligrapher and poet.  Only after years of trying to make the art prettier and more colorful did I teach myself to watercolor and begin doing the art and illustrations that you’re so familiar with today.  Our framed print line as shown on the left are framed, double matted, gold leaf accented prints of my original poetry (in many cases) that has been attractively calligraphied and highlighted with watercolor art.

Our most popular pieces are "To Build a Lasting Love," "Lord, Help me to Build a Healthy Child," "Walk With me, Daddy," (also Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa) "1 Corinthians 13" and then there’s about 300 other pieces.  The framed prints retail between $29.95 and $47.95 in the three sizes shown.  They are also available matted only if desired.

You can reach our sales office at 800-662-3333 M-F Pacific Time.  You can also reach the sales office via email at steveataje (at sign) earthlink.net.  Remove the spaces and insert @ sign to contact Steve Roberts.  There are programs that harvest email addresses off of blog pages and heavily spam which is why the information is presented this way. 

All of these items can be personalized with names and dates and YES we do custom design work with your own quote.

Hope this helps those that are looking! 

Audrey Jeanne Roberts