I've finally got my photos backed up so I thought I'd start sharing random ones as I get back to blogging. Starting with this group shot of a workshop I taught in Tokyo, Japan:
Even though most of these women in the all-day workshop did not speak English, we found that the universal language of memory keeping, paper and glue was one that we all spoke and understood. A great, great day - full of laughter, noise, techniques and fun.
Not too long ago, say last week, I was walking in the tropical heat of a tiny yet mighty island called Singapore. Not my first time there, but definitely my first time taking in a guided cultural tour, compliments of my host Elaine.
There, in the heart of Chinatown, I found treasures in drawers and apothecary cabinets (oh, how we squealed over how perfect the organizational pieces would be for scrapbooking):
And I marvelled at the beauty that man had created in the buildings all around us:
And cried a little as I learned about how that beauty actually hid some of man's worst sins...
I was inspired by all things paper related, even if I could not read a stitch of what was written on them.
And these buttons in an old tailor shop were delicious.
I found my maiden last name.
And around the corner, was my married name.
Visited an Indian temple, and learned more about Eastern worship practices and mysticism.
Indulged in a bit of henna handpainting.
We all did.
The reason I got to see these treasures on a sunny island walk?
And the people who made it all possible. Thank you, Laines' Papeterie!
We've been getting some emails and phonecalls about whether we are at CHA this year. We're not. It felt strange yesterday, knowing that it was Day 1 of the winter show, and I was here in BC and not in Anaheim, amidst the crowds. Or the supposed crowds, I guess.
We're not there for so many reasons. The first being, the loss of our entire computer systems which meant we lost a lot of our programs, files, etc etc etc etc etc - much more than I can even explain. We have some on backup, and the rest has been sent to the computer doctors who hopefully, through a miracle, fix everything back up. We spent all of December buying new computers, setting things back to where we could function and at least take/ship orders but of course that put us way behind. It was hoped that we could get back to a place where we could have stuff ready for the show, but it became obvious very quickly that we could not, so the decision of not to attend CHA was made.
For some reason our paper printing prices have gone up significantly as well. This made the decision not to attend CHA much easier - and so we are now looking for new printers.
The economy. What is there to say? We figured there would be less attendees at the show this year (and from all reports I've heard, the attendance is definitely down). What we spend vs what we would get in orders did not translate into good numbers - so that was another reason.
The roof. Right now there are roofers tearing up the roof and putting a new one in place. Thank you God, for a new roof. But did it have to cost that much? Oh well. Thank you, anyway.
Our business plan: there seems to be a gamut of companies and kit clubs who are offering clear stamps, so we have to figure out ways to keep FontWerks fresh, different, engaging. We are working on that now, and will have new options for retail/kit/enduser customers alike. Like custom printing and diecutting? We'll have that. Vinyl? Check. Custom stickers on a small scale? You betcha. Slowly but surely we will get all these systems in place and get it all out to you.
So, where are we now? We do have some new releases to get out, and I'm thinking we will have it out next week sometime to our retailers. We are going to take it slow and easy and ride out this downturn, with your help and support. We will do what we can. We will trust in God, we will keep on keepin' on and enjoying this industry and cheering on our friends within the industry. We will cry when we see big and small companies fail. We will be happy for those who prevail. We will work with those who are working hard to keep on working. (Gosh, I feel like I am giving an Obama-esque speech, lol).
We are still here, we have a few things planned up our sleeves. Just have to get back on track a little and we will be back out there with you with more great designs and products! Thanks for checking in with us and stay tuned.
2009 has already proven to be quite the rollercoaster ride for me, with ups and downs,emotions, swallowing of pride, forgiveness, the surprise of how things aren't as bad as you might think they are, the way family closes ranks to protect its own, the uplifting of prayer, and the hugs that say,"I'm here."
So, I'm a bit of a rag doll. December was a doozy for me with the computer systems failing, and I reached a point where I was too exhausted to even breathe. But through the days and into the New Year, I've been blessed more than I have in the last few years, as family has come and gathered around us and prayed and I'm feeling so, so blessed.
I'm glad I thought of Daily Yes before all this happened. Because I was bound and determined no matter how bad each day was, that I would find a Daily Yes to celebrate. I didn't actually have the time nor inclination (I was deathly ill, remember? :P) to create, but I looked for daily yes's as a way to count my blessings, even when it looked like the day was toast. It's like a fist pump, to celebrate the amazing and good in every day, a way to fight for strength and a boost for the soul.
Let me share them with you:
- Daily Yes: our family devotion time, just before bedtime. We're reading the Picture Bible aloud every night, and then there's question/answer time, and we try to show the kids some relevance to their lives. We're not trying to make it preachy and forced, and our hearts are always blessed when we read the 20 or so pages and deem it enough, and the kids both say,"no, read more!"
- Daily Yes: The kids' prayers. We're moving away from "Now I lay me's" to more personal and familiar conversations with God. Mostly Em, although Cam today said the cutest prayers for "poor people who sleep on the floor, help them get money from other people..." And their faith and trust in God just bolsters our faith, and reminds us how we should be more like children sometimes.
- Daily Yes: Getting things around here done. Lots to do.
- Daily Yes: Baking time. The kids and I have been baking and enjoying our treats. I'm taking photos of our baking sessions and will create a little book with the photos and recipes. Cam and I baked some peanut butter cookies a few days ago, and Em was our photographer. It was magic.
- Daily Yes: exercising. And feeling good about it.
- Daily Yes: seeing a house project coming to be, after a looooooong time of needing to get it done.
As 2009 goes on, I know we have quite a bit to go before I can completely breathe right again, and there's still so much work to be done, but I'm finding comfort in the fact that there will be a Daily Yes everyday - and that blessings are there to be found, everyday.
I've been fighting putting off this post as the first post of the year was not going to be a "I am deathly sick" post - but here I am, and while not on the edge of expiring, I FEEL it anyway. Fever, nasal and chest congestion, vertigo and headache = not getting much done.
Have been thinking on Daily Yes though, and when I am better I will share - but in the meantime I am back to bed - think healthy thoughts for me, will you?
2008 just flashed by me way too quickly - anyone else thinking the same thing? With just a few hours left in the year, I'm contemplating the last 365 and thinking about how the new year - and I've got a project to help shape the next 365 in the best possible way I can.
I'm calling it the Daily Yes. You see, for the last year or so, everytime I want to get creative, or do something for myself, it gets put on the backburner. Too many things, from business to family obligations, and yes, even laziness sometimes, cause me not to make the time to do more things that I need to do. Things like scrapbook, stamp, organize, exercise, be. Intentions, you know? I was having too many Daily "No's" so it's time to switch it around.
2009 will be my Daily Yes Year. I will help myself grow and encourage myself and perhaps others around me, by doing something everyday and recording it, and celebrating it every day. A "Yes" for a project completed at the end of the day. A "Yes" for getting out my running shoes. A "Yes" for getting a memory of my children down on paper. A "Yes" for just doing it, instead of saying I don't have time. A "Yes" for whipping out the camera. A "Yes" for living life. Yes, yes, yes.
Thank you to everyone who comes by this blog, and to the FontWerks site as well. We've loved getting to know all of you this year, and appreciate the fact that you've helped us grow and have been a part of our business and lives this year. We look forward to a great year with you in '09.
Here's to a great Yes Year!
Ah... turkey dinner, a sleepover at my parents with all my siblings and families, carol sing-alongs around the table, the Christmas message and general lazing around on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning brought tons of food for breakfast, everyone in their pjs, lots of lounging around and of course the present opening. Tons of squeals from the kiddoes as they opened their gifts. The favorite gift this season for Emily and Cameron? Their Nintendo DS (pink for her, black for him), of course.
Still snowing here. Everything is white. I'm just glad I got some new boots for Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the best to you all!
Come and sit a while.. but bring your snowpants.
The first day of winter came and gifted us with a pile of snow - it snowed almost all day yesterday, resulting in lots of "Mom, can we go outside" followed a few minutes later by,"can we come in, we're freezing," and "can we have hot chocolate with marshmallows" and finally by a few hours of holiday movies on TV... all warm and toasty. Ahh, winter.
Here's Em creating her snowangel - and I am not ashamed to say that I took this photo from the safety (and warmth) of my kitchen (where I attempted to bake bread...and failed). But that's another story. Love how she's sticking out her tongue trying to catch snowflakes.
The next few days will bring some rain-snow mix so I'm not sure if we'll actually have a white Christmas but we'll enjoy it while it lasts! I still have some last minute shopping to do, not to mention wrapping, so wish me luck as I go about getting them done. Hope you're getting your lists completed too, and that your Christmas will be merry and bright.
So much happening around here, that I've got days of blog posts to post. But today, the story is all about the other woman. It happened last Sunday, while the Christmas concert was goin' on. Rob had moved up a few rows to get a better vantage shot so he could take some photos, and then it happened.
The other woman moved in, on my man.
She came all dolled up in blue taffeta, complete with pearls. Her hair was up, she had a great smile, and her skin, oh her skin. Baby soft and oh so smooth. (That reminds me, I have to get some face exfoliant. Anyway...) She zoomed in on to Rob, placed her hand on his thigh, and looked deep into his eyes.
And smiled.
I could not believe it. He was falling for her, hook, line and sinker! There, he was giving her a smile. And talking to her! Right in the middle of the Sunday School choir concert! The nerve! Doesn't he know he's supposed to be raptly listening to how the angels harkened instead of paying attention to a woman that's not me?! And what's that? She's tilting her head and giving him a cute little impish smile? And what now? She's looking back at me coyly as to say,"Yes, now I've got him under my spell????"
And the clincher? The little cutie got onto his lap and started blabbering something to him while offering him her fake play-dress up pearl necklace, which of course he obligingly allowed her to place around his neck. If I tried that stunt, I'd be shot down, I'd bet anything on it.
Sigh.
Rob is a sucker for little kids who want to play or just want attention. All the kids in the church seem to zone in on him and he is great with them. But just to have it blatantly flashed in front of me is, well....
...cute and heartwarming. And such a reminder that I need new face cream.
Hi everyone, just popping in to say we're having our semi-annual Warehouse Kit sale going on now - for $35, you will receive at least $100 worth of FontWerks products - plus, buy 5 and get 1 free - that's another $100 worth of products - free! We've got a pile of these warehouse kits packaged and ready to go, you can't beat the price and value - and we can't wait to get these deals to you!
Here's the link - Happy Shopping!
I'm also trying to get used to the mac system - if you have any tips, links to tutorials, etc - hook a sister up, would you? I'd love to get any kind of help navigating this system. Thanks!
