So many updates!

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!

Catch up post

So.  This summer has pretty much flown by and I'm not truly ready to let it go- though- I LOVE Autumn.  Mabon is on Saturday and that is the official start to the season.  It's the balance between light and dark, equal day and night.  It should be a time to honor the dark as without it, we have no light :)

 

So- We may do a bonfire this weekend, go pick some apples or celebrate with some wine and truly enjoy the balance before the winter comes in and takes over.

 

In the meantime here are some things we have been up to.

 

I am currently painting our dining room furniture and I'm super proud of this piece as it was a real bitch to paint...

The set was handed down to us by my mother-in-law and it just needed a little love: 

 

I have also been exploring some trails close to my work that I can explore on my lunch break- I found one about 15 mins away so it gives me 30 mins to check out the trails :)

Oh and My husband and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary! YAY - we actually had very heavy rains and were pretty much cleaning up the flooding basement but hey- marriage lol!

And my girlfriends at work even celebrated :) I am very lucky to have them!

And as always, just crafting away.  I don't know where I'm trying to get with it all as I haven't been posting on Etsy but I do want to do a few craft shows in the near future so I guess I'm stocking up! Here's something I found on Pinterest that I just wanted to do for myself:

 

I also have been working on a pretty big project for a while and I have part of it completed and coming on the 28th!  I want to film a short video about it, my process and show you how to get the final product so stayed tuned, be excited- cause I am- and I can't wait to show you!  

Clarity.

"Recognizing that people's reactions don't belong to you is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you've created, terrific. If people ignore what you've created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you've created, don't sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you've created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, and insult your intelligence, and malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest - as politely as you possibly can - that they go make their own fucking art. Then stubbornly continue making yours"-Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic)

I was on the fence about this photo.  I really had a hard time even posting it.  But since I have been reading Big Magic, something in me has been inspired.  I swear, read the book.  I beg it of you! I have taken way too long to get through it but I have been taking notes on the pages and re-reading the same paragraph over and over and folding pages over as reminders to go back and read them again.  I am just obsessed.  READ IT!

This was also taken when we were on our vacation at Conneaut Lake.  I can't say it's my favorite but it's something (in Big Magic, it states that putting something out there is better than putting nothing out there).  I suddenly have so many ideas flooding into my head for new photos that I can't wait to dive in.  I felt a little standstill for a month or so.  
This is my next photo (#4) in the oracle series.  "Clarity" is to represent clearing of the mind and getting your head out of the clouds.  I hope you enjoy it!  I've been having a hard time with life lately so expect more photos - I have to create when there is chaos in my life- it's my way of staying sane (and control something) ;)

Before and After

 

Also- here are some behind the scenes of Chance NOT wanting to participate at all! He was not interested in the camera one bit that day ;) Side note: I don't know what I would do without my dog.  He's so very special to me.  I just love him so!

Thank you for reading!

1 Year

     A year went by already! HOW?! It truly went so fast and it defiantly had it's ups and downs. They say the first year of marriage is the hardest and I have to say, yes, yes it is.   That does not, in anyway, mean it was bad but it does hold new challenges that you have to learn to work together on.  We came out so much stronger.  I am so head-over-heals in love with this man.  He is my world, truly.  

     So to celebrate one year we ventured up to our wedding venue about 45 mins north of us.  They were setting up for a wedding so we hiked some of the trails.  I surprised him by starting a tradition for us - I took a nice box and placed our vows in there along with a few our favorite photos from our wedding.  I added our "Mr." and "Mrs." shot glasses and our Brennivin airplane bottle of liquor from our honeymoon that we were saving for our Anniversary.  I also put in our vow stone that we used on our wedding day.  We found a spot in the woods, sat down on the ground and opened the box together. He really loved it.  We snapped a few Polaroids to put in there for next year, downed the shot, read our vows to each other and enjoyed our photos then closed it up for next year - this is such a nice tradition to start and I'm excited to add photos each year and maybe try some new shots together!  

After Succop we went to Moraine State Park to bike and have a picnic.  I made all the food the night before so we could pack up the cooler in the morning, put our bikes on the car and get on our way bright and early!  Once we got to Moraine we hopped on our bikes and got about 6 miles in before I had an issue with one of my bike tires so we decided that it was time to find a place to eat.  

Yes, that thing was huge... ew.

So we found our picnic spot after driving up the road a few minutes.  We laid the blanket down and enjoyed each others company.  It was so nice to just STOP and enjoy without anything else going on.

 Ya for some reason I am holding the fork between my knees, I think I didn't want to set it down. Haha, I'm so weird! 

 So, once we got home we hung out with the dogs, ate some dinner together and then brought out the top of our wedding cake to eat.  It was actually pretty good still! We had a few bites and then threw it away- I felt bad for throwing that whole cake out but I don't think you're really suppose to eat the whole thing after a year in the freezer. 

 Since we share our Anniversary with my parents, I decided to make them a gift this year.  I saw a painting like this on Etsy but they wanted 70$ for it and I decided to try to paint something similar myself.  I was so proud of this!  Chance liked it too, he insisted on being in the photo! I put their wedding date and initials in the heart on the three- they hung it up in their living room- it made me so happy! 

  

So- here's to our one year and my parent's 41st!  :)

Thanks for reading! 

Baby Mobile for a Friend

Hello all!

I hope you are all doing well and have a safe and Happy 4th of July tomorrow!  

I just wanted to pop in and post this project I was working on since it took me a long time to make this.  I made it for a friend of mine who is having a baby and I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow!  I think I may make more for my Etsy store (which- once I get a free moment I will finish setting up)! I really liked the woodland creatures theme though and this one has a special place in my heart! 

I hope you enjoy the photos!