vol.25

New 12x12 album template listed!

Shannon Sewell did it again! I find it pretty amazing that a quick click over to her blog can instantly inspire me... and an entire album design at that! You can take a peek at the new Twig Album design listed in the digital shop, HERE.  I found out how to discount certain products, so this time you will not need a coupon code, the price is already discounted! :) However on the 6th the price will adjust to the normal 40.00 price.

In other news, the call to my computer guy resolved my issue. He didnt charge me a dime, and all I had to do was uninstall McAfee... Voila internet access was back! I guess they released a new update a couple of weeks ago and that messed up quite a few computers. I realize that things like this unfortunately happen to companies, but I was a bit dissapointed that there wasnt a mass e-mailing that went out bringing the issue to the attention of customers... it sure would have saved me a week of frustration! Fortunately though I was only out my time, others weren't so fortunate and had to pay a technician to find the problem.

Anyhow, I'm glad to be back up and running... and with that I promise more frequent posting. :) Trin started school yesterday and loves her teacher/class. I'm seeing a little more productivity returning aroud here. It is fairly easy to run a schedule with just Journey being home. She does miss her sister during the day, they are pretty close and I am thankful for that. I've been trying to fill the void and so far I think its working out okay. :)

Are you ready for summer to end? If you know me very well, you know that I am never ready for Summer to end, and every year about this time I mention in a blog post that I need to move somewhere like CA. :) Although- at that point I would miss Fall/Winter. The grass is always greener on the other side! ;)

In case you wondered...

... I am still alive! :) I just now realized that it has been 10 days since I have posted! I thought I needed to drop in and let everyone know I was still alive. :D The main reason for my absence is due to the fact that the internet on my main computer is not working. It has been a frustrating experience. Fortunately the internet still works on my laptop... I just do not feel like I work nearly as efficiently on this little guy. I had to install a few programs on here in order to print orders from my etsy shop, so I'm still functioning- just not nearly as efficiently!

Yesterday was the last week of Summer vacation for Trin, and she starts 2nd grade this morning! So hard to believe, she is growing up into a little lady. I couldnt be more proud of her though.

We found out who her teacher was last Thursday... and it turns out she already knew her. :) So that helped ease any butterflies.

I have been busy decluttering/organizing every square inch of the house, and donating quite a bit.No cabinet or bookshelf is safe!

Because yesterday was the last day of summer break, we met my mom and sister + her kids at the park. The weather was pretty much perfect. Slight breeze nice and sunny...

I'm not ready for summer to leave yet, but really... I never am. :)

I think I may try to call my regular computer technician and see if he can fix my computer. It is still under warranty, but when I called to see what they could do, I felt like I was just going through a bunch of unnecessary steps because they cannot really diagnose the problem over the phone very easily. I may try calling them one more time today...

It is frustrating because I have so many projects I want to finish up! I have an album template just about finished... and transferring everything back and forth between computers is a really big inconvenience!

Anyhow, I hope you are having a great Tuesday. First day of school and it is a little chilly outside and they are forecasting rain clouds and gusts of wind! I hope they are wrong about that! :)

Last day to save 45% off Canvas Prints in my etsy shop

Good Morning Beautiful in 7 colors listed in my etsy shop (would be great for a bathroom)

Good morning. :) So, how are you doing today? Too early to tell? ;) It is Friday, and that has to count for something, right?

I wanted to send a little reminder to everyone about the 45% off sale in my etsy shop- It expires tonight just before midnight (I am on PST) So, if you wanted to grab a canvas print, now is definitely the time to do so. :)

2 NEW art prints listed in my etsy shop!!

Another version of the quote "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" is available in my shop. This version is rocking a rustic natural vibe. :) I also did a companion print that coordinates beautifully:

"Love Simplicity" is natural and all things woodsy.

You can also grab them at 45% off for a couple more days until the storewide 45% off sale ends!

New Family themed Overlay set- 50% off

New overlay set listed in the shop! :) My last family themed set was loved so much, a second set was requested... and well I delivered! :) It is titled Kindred Spirits and you can find it right here in the digital shop.

Also: Tonight I will be listing two new art prints in my etsy shop:

.. TONIGHT! :) Today though, just as soon as I hit publish on this post I am getting started on orders for the day! The 45% off sale is keeping me busy... in a VERY good way!

Excited to offer up something new in my etsy shop...

.... typography influenced art! -see second photo down- I've debated in the past about introducing more of a clean crisp graphic style of art to my shop, ( I briefly touched on it in this blog post) mainly because every time I create an art wall with mixed pieces, I always feel the need to balance out my artwork with more of a simple style. I'm not really sure why, probably just personal preference. Anyhow a couple of weeks ago I was creating an art wall for my sister, and felt the need to create something meaningful, graphic and bold... something that would play nice with my sunshine print. I ended up changing it from yellow to blue to match her new turquoise color themed room... (if you want it in blue, just purchase the yellow and state in the message to seller that you want the blue version and I'll gladly print it for you)

... and after doing that I found myself creating this happy little piece of art:

I was able to introduce a little bit of an ombre (gradient) color effect. I printed this guy in a 16x20 size and fell in love. It really pops when hung up on a wall.

Anyhow, a couple of days ago I asked my facebook buddies what they would think if I added this style of typographic art to my shop, and I had a really positive response... so tonight I added the Love print in 7 different Ombre colors:

and also added this print, "Take Every Chance" It uses one of my favorite quotes.

Then I went ahead and virtually decorated a wall using prints from my shop in both 16x20 and 8x10 sizes. :)

Hopefully it helps show how well the two styles of art compliment each other. :) I went ahead and created a separate section in my shop for this typographic styled art, and I'll be adding to it in the weeks ahead. I'm curious to know if you have any specific quotes of phrases you would like to see added?

Also- Dont forget that I'm having a 45% off sale in my etsy shop right now! You have to use the code: SAVE45 when you checkout to have the 45% deducted from your total. :)

p.s. This is completely off topic- but one of my favorite flowers are white cosmos... and I finally found some at Home Depot today- for 99 cents a piece! I would have bought more if I had known they were so cheap. I wish they were perennials... the couple of times they have come back up the following year, something eats them before they get their second set of leaves. :(

Did you have a good weekend!? :)

Winthrop, WA

Here are the photos I took of our trip to Winthrop! We stayed with some friends of ours that live just a short drive away from this cute little town. We started with a yummy breakfast back at their cabin:

Then stopped along the way at Blue Star Coffee Roasters in Twisp... yum, they know how to fix a good cup of coffee!

Then we headed the rest of the way to Winthrop. It had been years since I had been there, and I dont remember it being nearly as neat of a town... I do remember what seemed like a long drive getting there though! :)

These waffle cones smelled AMAZING.

We ate lunch here at Three Fingered Jack's Saloon :)

Jaydon and I shared a Bleu Cheese Burger, and it was REALLY good! :)

I would LOVE to go back again, but without little kiddos so that I can really have fun taking pictures. The boardwalk is pretty neat, but it isnt very wide, and I was constantly worrying about the girls being in the way of other people. I'm sure I cant be the only mom like that? :)

p.s. Dont forget there are sales in both my etsy and digital shop!

45% OFF sale in my ETSY shop on all canvas prints!

Hello! :) I'm dropping in today to let you know that I am having a 45% off sale in my VOL25 etsy shop. :) I print on textured canvas, and 45% off is so drastic a sale that I do not run them very often. Only when I have a REALLY really good reason do I offer one! Well, I do have a very good reason but I'm hesitant to let everyone know just yet. Simply because things seem to not always work out the way we plan, and I would like to make sure I dont count my chickens until they have officially hatched! :)

The jist of it all, is that change seems to be on the horizon for us. As you all know change can be scary, unsettling, exciting and healthy all at the same time! Change can be a little easier when you feel somewhat prepared with a cushion to fall back on if needed, hence the reason for the sale. :)

So... all you have to do is use CODE: SAVE45 when you checkout to have 45% automatically taken off your order! :) Really, the money will just magically fly back into your pocket. :D Not that it ever leaves... techinically... anyhow! The sale ends on the 17th, so write it down so you dont miss it! :)

Also, there is just a couple days left to save 50% off products in the digital shop. Use code NEWLOOK over there, to save on anything in the digital shop.

So to make that a little clearer, sales in both shops:

VOL25 ETSY SHOP 45% OFF SALE. USE CODE: SAVE45 EXP 8/17

VOL25 DIGITAL EYE CANDY SHOP: 50% OFF SALE USE CODE: NEWLOOK EXP 8/10

:) Are you the type of person that welcomes change, or do ou tend to avoid it like the plague? I think I'm somewhere in the middle. :)

80's + Neon = a fun photo shoot!

Last night was the night my cousin Shannon and I finally found time to put into action our 80's themed photo session with our kiddos. We've been gathering and collecting items for awhile now, and it felt so good to finally put them all to use!

The kids did so good! The weather was still warm even though it was about 7:00 when we took these. It was a little humid, and they were sure troppers!

Stars are part of the Rock Star Overlay set available in my shop

The boomboxes will eventually be a printable offered in my digital shop. I need to tweak the illustration to fit a standard size box, and I think I know just what I will use. Stay tuned for that!

Musical notes is part of the Rock Star Overlay set available in my shop.

Trins idea was to make hearts with their hands... how sweet I thought... even if you cant tell exactly what they are doing. ;)

The reward at the end was these ring pops! :)

I'm so glad we are able to do these sessions with our kids. I wish I would have had pictures like this with my cousins as kids. :)

A quote for your week #100

So- quote 100 has now been posted!! Woohoo. :) I did plan to do something big, but I'm juggling so many projects right now, that I'm not doing anything amazing... I know you probably arent surprised! ;)

This quote really hit home with me, and thought some of you could also relate!

My cousin and I are planning an 80s photo shoot today with our kids in the midst of red flag warning weather. Record high temps and possible thunderstorms... I'm also trying to finish up newsletters and unpack from our weekend trip, and I'm editing photos taken in Winthrop, WA. It was a very fun weekend! Gorgeous weather, and beautiful country!

I'll post more photos soon! :) How was your weekend?!