Choice Designs

Pop up inspired video by Bim

I clever video and story illustrating a love song, Stay in My Memory by Bim. I wanted to be in that book with my sweetie. Actually we were on the first page together, that was a recreation of a specific memory of ours.

Inauguration Pop Up

I had to get this documented as both a current event and a pop up. Designed by paper engineer and book artist Carol Barton. I have got to make my own to go in my memory book of our inauguration trip. Maybe I can figure out how to change the outfits on the ladies to the much more brilliant and beautiful colors they wore.

Random Thoughts ⎨The week in review⎬

A week ago I was on the National Mall with my hubby, sizzie, and bro-in-law were just a speck among the huddled masses braving the cold and wind to bear witness to a history making inauguration. After driving 8 hours to get to DC in time for the We Are One concert on Sunday January 18 we managed a practice run at huddling. The concert was awesome, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, U2, Beyoncé, Tom Hanks, Tiger Woods, Garth Brooks it was one impressive appearance of star after star. Then out came Barack Obama, a total  surprise to me. I had no idea he was going to be there and it brought on the most emotional moment of the three days, for me (equally emotionally provocative was seeing my grandfather's name and service record in the WWII database at the WWII Memorial).

 

We spent Martin Luther King day touring the monuments and the Museum of Natural History along with everyone else who had descended upon DC so the wait for the Metro was just as long as it was for the concert, but absolutely nothing would compare to what we were to face 12 hours later.

 

One World, One Heart Giveaway

Comments will close tonight at 10 PM. I will draw the winner and post that winner tomorrow morning. This has been great fun. Thank you to all who participated. Stay tuned tomorrow to see who won!

I just love the idea of this world wide, One World - One Heart blog giveaway event. The intent is to connect bloggers from all over the world. Meet new people, see great artwork and maybe win a goodie, what could be more fun? I always want to get more connected with other arty bloggers. If you want to see  the other blogs participating, ther are over 500 of them, click the badge below to get to the One World - One Heart blog.

As for my giveaway, up for grabs is a greeting card assortment. All my cards feature hand cut details many are pop ups. Everyone likes pop up cards right? Be sure to check out my intertwingle shop to see a full portfolio of my cut paper work. At least one of each of these cards will be included as well as maybe a couple other goodies. When I get a chance I'll take a photo of the exact assortment and post an update.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with your contact information, that is, your email address (which won't be published) and your blog address so I can come visit your little space on the web. comments will be closed on February 11 and the winner will be posted and contacted on February 12. I will choose the winner via a random number generator. And now a quick shout out to Lisa who has spearheaded this event.

Again please leave a comment with your contact information with your email address (which won't be published) and your blog address, so I can visit and so I can contact you if you are the winner of my giveaway. 

a cultural loss?

The artist behind happy day studio recently had an experience where she discovered that a child of 14 from here in the US had no idea how to mail a letter. He had no idea where to start. I am starting to feel my age, or rather my experience. I feel as though I am talking about the miles I have to walk through 6 feet of snow to get to school. Aren't I too young to be lamenting the generational gap? A card is like a miniature work of art let alone the the handwriting on it. I never print an email to save it but the l cards I receive from friends, my husband are carefully saved away. Even his little post-it love notes encourage a warm smile to stretch across my face. Among the piles of bills and junk mail on the few occasions when there is a hand written envelope with a real stamp on it the rest of the mail is forgotten. There is something about the ripping of an envelope open to reveal the surprise inside. It is personal, individual, one on one the writing, the sentiments, the effort. You just can't get that from a forwarded email or even an individual one. The hand written mailed letter is a cultural icon that connects two people in no other way. I don't intend to let it slip into obscurity. I will send notes, cards, and letters using beautiful cards addressed with a pen on paper. We need art in our lives both the art of the paper as well and what is written on it. That being said here is my latest card creation notice plenty of room to leave a note.

So much for resolutions

I have decided that my new year won't start until January 12. Besides writing out my goals for this year, really I am already taking care of some of my changes, or I think I'll say adjustments, for this fresh year.  Steven and I are moving towards a predominantly vegetarian life-style. We were never huge meat eaters but we are cutting it out more. I have decided to focus more on promoting myself, my work, my business for this year ... and actually I am actively doing that as well. Finally arrived yesterday, the coffee table book of greeting cards: 1000 Handmade Greetings: Creative Cards and Clever Correspondence. A book in which 6 of my cards are featured! Exciting!

This is the first time my work has been in print aside from college publications. Steven and I walked into Barnes & Noble the other day and there it was turned so the full cover showed on the shelf. I opened it up and it naturally fell open to page 156 where my Love Nest card takes up the whole page!

It is a great book of inspirations for all sorts of artistic endeavors as well as greeting cards. I love having a collection of so many talented people and it is thrilling to be included in their company. Thank you to Laura McFadden for the opportunity and to Quarry Books for publishing it.

 

 

So as far as promoting myself goes, I am furiously working on another -much more involved- publishing project. The deadline: January 12. I'll fill in more details soon. Basically I am hot on the trail of many 2009 goals but my resolutions for more organization and order, well they are on hold until this deadline passes by. Even our adoption pursuits have to wait until lucky January 13 when we will start another pot a-boiling as I am digging out from my disorganized chaos.

Happy 2009. I hope all have joy, fulfillment, health, and the fulfillment of many dreams.

the running of the bulls

It's not Pamplona but it may as well be. After a night of snipping and folding and cutting I have a herd ready for the festival.  These bulls/oxen are actually destined for Singapore and their purpose: less frenetic. These guys are celebrating the Spring Festival also known as Lunar New Year they may as well have delicate sakura blossoms tucked among their horns. After the success of last year's lunar new year card I have had requests for this year's. The new year starts January 26. Check it out now.
These horns won't be drawinging and blood just sighs of cuteness. Ahhh, it's great to be an ox in 2009.