trying to take a breather

This week has been so busy. I know, I know. We are all busy. I have been trying to stop and rest a little this week, but it doesn't seem to be working.

I had agreed to create an entire scrapbook in one week, about a child I have never met. Luckily, her mother took lots of pictures and had them organized very well, so I was able to chronicle her senior year with very little effort. I knew I had done a good job when her mother cried as she looked through the pages.

This has been a gorgeous week. The Memphis In May International Barbecue Festival is in full swing, and downtown Memphis smells like burnt pork, the aroma of the gods. It will linger through this evening when the champs will be announced. Then, after a final evening of partying, the teams will break down what has been their home for the last week and all will probably be gone by morning. Kind of like barbecue gypsies, which is what it's like. Stop for charcoal and a box of ribs or some shoulders or a whole hog and it's on to the next contest.

My dear, talented, beautiful friend Roxie Phillips called Thursday night to tell me she got a book deal. She is a paper artist who is so talented and so caring and so sharing. I know this will be a huge success for her. She puts so much into every piece she does.
I'm off this morning to stamp club meeting. Guess I'd better get it in gear....

Blog Day One

This is the first day of the rest of my life and I have decided to chronicle the future in this spot. I am a graphic designer as well as a fine artist (no...not a great artist, fine as in painter) and work in watercolor, colored pencil, acrylic and paper arts...just about anything but oil - waaay too messy and too slow to dry for an instant gatification person like me.

I have a special passion for paper. My father was a printer, so I have been around specialty papers all my life. I buy it and touch it and hoard it. I have papers I purchased 20 years ago that I haven't used....what if I could never get more? I do pull out some bits and pieces for special items and am trying to reduce my paper hoard somewhat. Of course, heading to my favorite paper stores at least once a week is definitely defeating that purpose.

I also hoard things I can stamp on such as tins and chipboard books and dominos and all the things a stamper can't live without.

My goal for the rest of the year is to submit as much as possible for publications. If I am lucky enough to get published and get paid ...even if it's in paper, I'll be in heaven...as long as it isn't cute paper. I am not a cutesy kind of girl.

I'm off to finish a scrapbook today. Hopefully the recipient will be proud. Then I think I will spend Mother's Day thinking of my child who just moved to New Jersey... my sweet Tennessee boy... and creating a book about him. After all....I have all that paper and lots of chipboard books.