Think Pink!

What fun! A fresh new look for the blog.
I have to admit, I'm a total geek. I'm learning coding to create my own blog templates. I can't wait until I have a few under my belt and then I can share. I've found most blogger templates are a bit too blingy for me - seem to be designed with the 12 to 15 year olds in mind - so it's fun to design and create the look I want. I have found a few sites that offer some waaaaay cute layouts, so I'm using the feel of some of those as a reference.

Back at work this morning. After 4 days away, it takes me a while to get back into the swing of things and remember what I'm supposed to be doing. I swear I suffer from temporary amnesia sometimes.

A little time away...

It's so refreshing and renewing to know that I have 4 whole days away from work. I had planned to be at the shop at least for the afternoon, but got sidetracked with housework and spent the day at home.
Christmas Eve was lovely. Went to visit my parents in the afternoon and exchange gifts with my sister. Then just a quiet evening at home.
Christmas Day was quieter than I had expected because I was snowed in and couldn't leave the house until my brother plowed my driveway for me in the afternoon. Yeah, I have a terrific family.

I'm not used to so much down time. I have a whole load of stuff to work on. One of the first things on my list is a new design for my blog now that Christmas is behind me. I hope to have that up in the next day or so. Lots of new things for the New Year.

Something to think about: I always have a theme for the year. I've chosen this year's theme, but I'll wait for the New Year to post it. It takes a considerable bit of thought and introspection. I want something that will challenge me and move me forward, but still reflect where I am in my life.
Anybody else out there have a theme for the year?

Looks like a White Christmas

It's snowing today. Big white lazy flakes. So far about 3 inches with much more to come, I'm sure. It's beautiful to look at. Too bad it has to be COLD in order to snow.
I hate being cold. I'd stay home all snuggly in my big ol' bed with a book and my awesome electric blanket and my warm fuzzy kitty, but I have a few last of the season orders to send out today.
I have a couple of gifts to get packaged and sent as well. My poor family usually gets something that involves vinyl... go figure. In the past it's been glass blocks or a plate with lettering. This year... it's a do it yourself kind of thing. Everybody likes to get a gift they have to make themselves, right? Riiiight!!!

A sample of things to come

We're still pretty busy with Christmas orders, but will be wrapping it up in a few days.

While I love being so very busy, I also look forward to some time to be creative again. That involves new layouts and revamping our website so that you will be able to see more of the awesome stuff that we do.

It's a party!

Twelve days until Christmas.
I haven't started my shopping yet. I have no idea what I will get for everyone. I'm sure inspiration will strike at some point. Most likely at 3 in the morning when there's nothing I can do about it and by the time get up, I'll have forgotten what my inspiration was.

My sister emailed me to order stickers for Christmas ornaments. She's had a great idea - at least I think it's great.
We made the ornaments after dinner on Thanksgiving and that was a big success. Everyone made a dazzling ornament and stuck stickers to their hearts content.
So... since she has a 14 year old daughter who has a million friends, instead of spending a million dollars for friend gifts, she's inviting everyone over to make their own ornament.
Cute idea, huh? We'll cut everyone's name and the year 2008, and then they can plaster them with snowflakes or stars or hearts... whatever, stick a bow on it and voila! How fun is that?

Show & Tell

This is a photo of a project I completed over the weekend. The lovely lady who ordered it was very pleased... and so was I.

This sign is 24 x 36 inches and will soon grace the front porch of the Anderson home.

Whaddaya think?

Oh the weather outside is frightful, or kind of

There's a sprinkling of snow on the ground this morning....
I'm trying to be cheerful and focus on how beautiful it is - and it is gorgeous - and I am grateful because we need the water.
But....
I really hate being cold!

I feel so much better now that I have complained about something.

Our craft show schedule is done for the year. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and spent a few hard earned dollers. It's a ton of fun and a ton of work doing a craft show. Many of you are crafters, so you know what I'm talking about. Answering questions, demonstrating the product, making sure that everybody finds what they need. Setting up... taking down. Whew!!!

I need a hot drink...

Oh yeah....
A shout out to Megan in Ohio who pointed out to me that some of the tile designs were missing from the website. Oh my goodness! about half of my layouts were gone!
Got it fixed. Thanks, girl, I'll send you a freebie.

I've got telephone ear...

One of the things I love best about what I do is talking to people. Especially at this time of year when so many are calling to place their Christmas orders. A fair portion of my day is spent with my ear on the phone, and I gotta tell ya, some of you women out there are just a hoot!
I remember the first time I got a call from someone on the east coast... it was a big deal to me. It's still a big deal. The internet has made it such a small world... now every once in a while I get a call from another country. That's a big deal too. I guess it doesn't take much to thrill me.

After the first of the year, we'll be implementing a shopping cart which will simplify the ordering process tremendously. It's a necessity, and will make things easier for everyone, but it makes me kind of sad, because it will also reduce my time on the phone.
My customers are my source of inspiration. I NEED that! So call me!!!

Yay! Christmas packages!

I love Christmas! I love Christmas shopping. I know that's hard for most people to imagine, but I do.
Because of the crazy long hours I work at this time of year, I do the majority of my shopping online. I think it's the thrill of the hunt... finding the best price, hopefully with free shipping. There are any number of sites that list what's on sale and where, so I watch for the best deal, then jump on it quickly before it's gone.
Got my first Christmas package delivery this morning. Can't tell you what it is, cuz then it wouldn't be a surprise, now, would it?