03.30.07

Oh My Gosh – I’m Opening Up A Store!

Posted in Uncategorized at 6:40 pm by PaperDesigns

Bunny Easter Bonnet (2)

 

Easter, PC Hugware

 

It’s funny how if you let a set of circumstances guide you – you can end up with a solution that helps everyone! I’ve a lot of what I’ll call “loose ends” on my plate, and when this idea hit – it hit hard. We’ve decided to expand PaperDesignsByBarbara.com to include on online store. Our store will feature hand made, limited edition cards, photo-ready layouts, altered art, and crafted wood creations. Plus, we’ll also have a category for craft supplies and coordinating kits. All items will be available for purchase through the PayPal account system.

To mark the occasion of our store’s Grand Opening, the site is getting remodelled. (I’m tired of the blue – the company colors are mauve and gold – so we’re switching to that!) Also, on schedule are new articles for the review section (the new Design Runner Disk Maker, The Crop-a-dile, Cuttlebug, Zutter’s Bind it All, and more!). More art projects, and more Basic Technique Articles!

Spring is really shaping up to be a very busy season – but I am looking forward to it!! Please check back for our Grand Opening Announcement – we’d love to see you there!!

03.13.07

Sunshine!!

Posted in Uncategorized at 3:16 am by PaperDesigns

Butterfly and Flowers (2)

A Mother’s Garden, PC Hugware

 

So Daylight Savings hit…. literally – I awoke with a start to realize I was an hour late! But it was so nice driving home this evening – in the light! It feels so safe and comforting. I thought it seemed like it was only 2pm – but it was really 6pm. The challenge question is about what I’ll do with all that extra time in the light. I have a lot of wonderful things on my plate right now – I couldn’t be happier to have the extra daylight hours to work and get it all done. It just feels like the day is extended, before I would start putting my work away and clean up around 4, now even 7pm seems early.

The only drawback, from my perspective, besides the lost hour’s sleep! – is that my children are back to walking to the bus stop in the dark. I know it gets a little lighter every day for them – I just don’t feel right sending them out in the dark!

03.10.07

As I Get Older

Posted in Uncategorized at 7:37 am by PaperDesigns

Lilies and Violas (2)

 

Debbie Mumm, PC Hugware

 

As I get older, I see myself feeling older – and I want/need to avoid that. I’m up at 2:30am, because the back pain is too much, and I’m waiting for the aspirin to kick in!

I go to the gym 4 days a week, I try to stay healthy and strong for my children’s sake – so I can hang with them. I don’t really know what I’m doing wrong, but there are so many things I wish I were doing right. So my goals, as I grow older, are:

to feel younger (stronger, healthier),

to get more done in a day – and the worst thing to admit is that I LOVE all of the things I do in a day – I should just do them!,

to stay close to my children – even as they grow and change,

to do more with dh, he was gone so much for the first 20 years of our marriage – I hope we can find some great things to do together in our next 20,

to celebrate more – life is a celebration – let’s party! I want to celebrate Wednesdays, and “I got an A on my test” day, and “the sun is finally out” day, and ‘let’s have a picnic”day. I want my kids to remember that mom made life fun (even if they thought she was wacko at the time!)

03.01.07

Well, I’ve been busy!

Posted in Uncategorized at 2:51 am by PaperDesigns

I just noticed how long it’s been since I last update this blog! My only reason is – I’ve been so happy with the functionality of my workspace – that I’m finally tackling the “inbox”! I’ve been to the post office 3 times in last week – with outgoing mail! Projects that have been completed and mailed off!

It feels so good to start crossing things off my “to do” list. I’ve even had a some “play” time. My newest art obsession: Chinese Brush Painting. I love it! I’m working on my technique, and trying to master the basic strokes. I hope to have something finished and “photo ready” so I can post it here. The paint properties of Chinese watercolors is so completely different from western watercolors. It’s incredible, and there’s so much you can do with them. I need more time to practice, and then I’ll shoot for a “frame worthy” piece! We’ll see, it may take me a while.