Monday, October 30, 2006

Back!


Hello! We're back from our trip to Washington DC. I truly enjoyed seeing everything. I've never walked so far and for so long in my life!!! I took a zillion photos and posted just a few of my favorites on my flickr site. A few are, of course, here as well. The Holocaust Museum was a highlight as well as the Vietnam Memorial (my Dad fought in the war, so it was a must-see). I loved the American Museum of Art and Portraiture as well. That had all the Presidential portraits from Washington to now. Amazing! We had a great time taking in all the history and learning. The area is so rich with our culture and so heavy with burden. Everywhere we went had a tinge of sadness and loss to it; everything seemed to be a memorial or a rememberance of some kind. The place definitely makes you think, that's for sure. The Museum of American History is closed until 2008, so I didn't get to see all the cool memorabilia from pop culture; so we'll have to go back then. Now, I'm just trying to get back into the swing of things here at home as I fight off a head cold. Good times! Time to get geared up for the holidays! I don't want to wait until the last minute like I usually do. Hope everyone is well today!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Happy Tuesday!


Not much new going on today. Been doing some work for a client and I also just finished this silo portrait commission. It was fun to work on. In travel news, we're going to DC soon for several days to see the sights and visit fam and friends...I've never been there! There's so much I want to see and am very excited. I'll be sure to post my favorite things when I return. For a fun link, here's a blog from a friend of a friend. He posts a photo and entry EVERY single day...and has been doing it for many years. I learned of the blog through former cooworkers who had worked with him once upon a time. And the chain grows on. Happy Tuesday!

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Pearl is here!



We picked up my letterpress today!!! A huge thanks to my brother, J., for coming down from Maine to help move it. Couldn't have done it without him! And a special thanks to my husband for nearly breaking his back trying to bring it in, and then toiling for a while putting it all back together again. He's such a trooper and a sweetie!!! I appreciate it soooo very much, Thank you both! She's a "Pearl Improved Number 11" and she's got all her working parts. I have a lot to learn and am so excited to get started. She's in our basement in my little corner for "messy art things..." (You know, the stuff you don't want to ruin your floor with, so you use it somewhere "safe.") We all got pretty greasy with all the oiled parts when we were moving her in and putting her together, but we had our "work clothes" on so no damage done. Chris made sure to get a photo of me with her...our first portrait. It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship! And I promise to take good care of her. Hope everyone is doing well and happy weekend!!

Friday, October 13, 2006

Happy Anniversary!







(Photos all by Michele Stapleton...a glorious photographer. She's got 2 sites...www.michelestapleton.com and www.maineweddingphotographer.com)
Wow. This Sunday marks our 1 year wedding anniversary. A year ago that day we stood in an old, warm church filled with character and love and exchanged our vows in front of our closest friends and family...and it has been bliss ever since. It rained and rained and rained and caused flooding all that following week. I love you Chris! This is just the beginning; our story is beginning to unfold.

Oh boy!


(Image shown is from Briar Press's website...has a great online museum!) I'm very excited today because tomorrow we are picking up my antique letterpress! It's a "Pearl Improved Number 11" and is full of character and history. She's a beaut! It will be a while still before I get to print with her since I still need to get some starter accessories, but it won't be long now! The man who sold her to me is soooo nice. And he's taken such good care of her. He spent several hours with me teaching me how to use it...which was just so nice...I feel like this important baton has been handed to me and now it's up to me to carry on the tradition and add to the history of this press. I have a lot to learn but have found the people in the letterpress community to be so nice and welcoming and helpful! Anyway, I look forward to getting to know "Pearl" and I hope she likes me. I promise to take good care of her.
And I've got lots of good arty ideas in the works and am just itching to start cranking them out. All in due time!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Where to now?


Do you ever find yourself sitting there and wondering "what next?" That's how I feel right now. I'm in the middle of figuring out exactly what I want out of my career and what it is I want to spend my time focusing on. I'm having a hard time deciding which thing I want to focus on and that ends up confusing me; thus DE-motivating me. It's this stupid endless cycle of planning and thinking...thinking and planning. Yet I can't motivate myself to move forward and get into action. I know it's because I take it all too seriously. My Dad would probably tell me "Lighten up Louise!" And it's true. Anyway, I think I'm finally coming to some conclusions that will guide me through at least the near future and that's all I can ask, right? But don't get me wrong; I'm not melancholy about this. I'm just........quiet. Hopeful. Eager. I'm glad I do have a bit of design work for clients that helps keep my mind busy when I get tired of thinking and thinking and thinking.

On another note, my 10 year high school reunion was this past weekend. I have to say I'm glad I went. I ended up having a lot of fun and saw a lot of people I wanted to see again. It felt warm. It felt weird. But it felt happy. And then I blinked and it was all over...so quick! But I'm relieved it's over with now. (I didn't LOVE high school. I was just sort of going through the motions while I counted down the days until I could move to the next step and just sort of coasted along as if in a blur). There were many amusing people and some people haven't seemed to change a bit (for the worse). Such is the way of life I guess. All I can say to sum it up is it was weird and fun. So, where to now???? What next???? And so it goes.....
(feel free to share any of your own reunion stories or career ponderings)

Thursday, October 05, 2006

New Cards!



My new cards are for sale on my etsy shop!
Both are hand screen printed and drawn by me. Limited edition!
It's another beautiful sunny day outside today here. Hope all is well for everyon
e!

Monday, October 02, 2006

Happy Fall!


Hello All! Well, fall is really here. I mourn the summer, but fall is always so invigorating and refreshing. Been working on freelance work and gocco stuff on the career front. Here is my gocco project in progress. Hopefully soon I will make an announcement for when it is on sale at my esty shop.


Chris and I went apple picking this weekend. View my favorite photos here.
It felt nice to be out in the fresh air and sunshine...a busy work week lies ahead complete with my 10 year high school reunion on Saturday. eek.
Ok. Off to get some work done!!