Sometimes I just don't know how to start a blog post. I don't know how to pick up where I left off in the last one and then smoothly make a transition since some times occurs in between me posting.
I have been working on a project for some time now. Before I purchased my iPad and started using procreate, I was painting a lot.
I came up with some sketches, photographed them and uploaded them to my computer with intentions of making a positive affirmation card deck. I got frustrated with it. I ended up creating a yearly planner/activity/positive affirmation book. I don't know where the idea came from- maybe from me not really wanting to create more paintings and settling on the amount that I already had. I'm not sure where I really turned my cards into a planner but it happened. I tried to get it printed through an online site that i have had some photo books done though and I was incredibly disappointed in the quality even after they advertised it as a notebook/planner material that they print on. They also had these funky yellow lines that were showing up so I addressed it and they said they would reprint it because it was something that was caused by their printers. Well, the second copy was even worse. The paper was too thin, the binding was questionable so I turned to Google. I googled suggestions on best places to get things printed and I read numerous blogs on printing through local printers. I found one not too far from my work and met with them. They never reached back out to me like they said they would and I'm not one to chase people down for things I'm willing to spend money on. I then met with the printers that we use to use for full time job. I met with a very nice man and showed him the example I had printed online and told him what I was looking for but the small run prices were horribly expensive.
I just about gave up.
Then one day I get this phone call while I was sitting in my cubicle asking if we needed a printer. I explained that we have an account with a larger company that is all done through our corporate office (I do have a full time job that isn't Two Dingoes) but then it hit me.... ASK HIM IF THEY DO SMALL RUNS!
So, I said our office may not need a printer, but I DO! Do you do small runs? Can I send you my examples and can you give me prices? He said of course they do and he would be happy to get me pricing.
After throwing together my example, sending it to him and talking on the phone I received the pricing and it was right where I needed it to be.
They printed an example book for me and I got a bit discouraged as the way things lined up didn't work out so I had to go back to the drawing board (this is all new to me so I didn't know exactly what to do when he asked me to bleed and crop the pages- youtube helped with that). I sent in the final edit before my craft show, had some faith in myself and didn't ask for another sample (because I was hoping to have it for my first craft show) and picked it up on Friday (the day before my show). It was PERFECT.
I can't begin to describe how incredibly happy I am with it and how much work I have put into this book.
I was a little disappointed in the customer service toward the end with the current printer but I don't care as long as they do a great job and get me my products on time!
SO IT'S HERE and available on my Etsy shop. The calendars are blank so you can start them anytime of the year. Which is awesome because sometimes I skip a month or start in February when things slow down.
Here are some photos :)
I didn't show the whole book because I don't want to spoil the challenges/activities that are in there but each month has the same set up. You get two pages for your appointments/reminders/project lists etc - two pages of a blank month that you fill in, then one page of that particular month's challenge and one page that is the positive affirmation for that month.
If you think this is something you would like, please stop by my Etsy page (link at top) and pick one up- I only have about 5 left at this time.
Moving on from the planner- ;)
I had my first craft show at Animal Friends.
This was super special because our "Two Dingoes" Chance & Bear were adopted there. So having the name and explaining why we were called that was awesome!
and... the show was AWESOME! I didn't think we would sell as much as we did but I am so so happy that people loved my work. I was on such a high after we left- nothing could ruin that!
I am so grateful.
After the show, we took a break. A much needed break. We put up the tree and decorated and then cuddled a lot. I'm exhausted but ready to keep creating. I feel inspired lately despite the darker, gloomy days and the long nights. So STAY TUNED!
