Envelopes? Really?

It's been a while since I've written anything.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I write every. single. day...just not for fun.  I am at the tail end of my degree in Graphics Design and am cramming in a triple work load to get it all done before Halloween.  It's insane and I find myself sitting down at my laptop just wishing I could do cool things like update my blog or email friends.  But, alas, I am writing critiques or endless ad campaigns for companies I might one day try to work for.

A postcard I made up for a fictitious scholarship I wish I had won.

In the meantime, something funny has been happening and I am wondering if it is a sign or just a silly coincidence.  I have an Etsy shop.  I put all sorts of stuff in there.  I started off with scrapbooking embellishments, branched into baby items, and now have boutique clothing.  Recently, I listed some envelopes and wouldn't you know it - they are the big seller.  No kidding.  I giggle with glee every time my phone goes cha ching because I know someone else bought some envelopes.

The very envelopes that keep me giggling...and thinking...

This was not my intended direction for my shop, but I am wondering if there is a need that I could meet with my graphics skills.  Perhaps personalized invitations, stationery, business cards, web templates, etc. are what I can contribute.  I can't help but enjoy the thought of having yards and yards of baker's twine and little monogrammed envelope seals and ooooohhhhh washi tape!!!  Do you think Mr. B. will support this addiction - ahem - business plan?

An example of some neato things you can do with graphics and paper straws

xoxo

b.

shooting, shooting, shooting

Yay!  Creativity has struck and I have been at it for a few days now!  There's nothing like art flowing through your veins again.  There has been a warm kick in North Dakota and I think it has encouraged us all to get out of the house and enjoy the clear blue skies and bright sunshine. 

As you all know, I am in art school and have been taking photography courses.  This term I am taking an image management class that is all about how to keep your files organized.  In the past, I must say, I have not been the best at this.  I tend to label folders and hodge-podge the rest.  I am learning to use Photoshop Lightroom and the more I use it, the more I like it.  It's a little complicated at first - especially if you are used to programs like Picasa, but it can do some pretty amazing things.  For instance, did you know Lr lets you key word your images?  Yep, you can add as many keywords as you want and later if you are looking for all the pictures of one of your kids, you can find them in a snap.  Also, you can color code your images, add star ratings, flag, and even add them to a quick set.  In addition, you can make simple or more in depth adjustments to your photos all at once.  It's great!  Oh - and Lr 3 was just released and Adobe is letting people try it out for free!

Okay, so enough of selling you all on Lr.  Now to the art.  I selected four categories for this class that I thought would stretch me and make me think outside of the box.  Great idea right?  Yeah I thought so too, but now I'm not so sure.  I spent the last two days out and about in downtown Grand Forks shooting for:  color, texture, line, and architecture.  I thought that there would be a lot of crossover activity and that I would be able to use some images for more than one category.  Turns out I can, but I still have to submit at least 40 usable images.  Sheesh!  I found out that architecture is pretty difficult to shoot.  At first, I had leaning buildings, blown out skies, and uninteresting shots.  It took some work, but I think I might be on my way.  One thing that concerns me though is that there really aren't a whole lot of interesting buildings in GF.  I hope I didn't use up all the buildings in the first week's assignment!

My homework is turned in and now I await the critiques of my professor and peers.  In the meantime, check out my photos on my Flickr page and leave a comment!  Cheers!

october...sheesh!

I know, I know.  It's October and my last post was in August!  Whew!  There has been quite a lot of change going on in our lives and this post is a recap.

1. Kevin and I packed the house in GA into two storage units.
2. We parted ways at the end of August to make our way to New Mexico and North Dakota.
3. The kids and I moved in with my mom in ND for the duration of Kev's TDY.
4. Kev started flight school in NM.
5. Kristjan started Pre-K.
6. I started art school full time.
6.5 The van started kachunking.
6.5b The estimate is scary.
7. Kids started AWANA program at church.  Now I have my homework and theirs!
8. Jenn - my sis in law- had a baby boy (cute as can be!)
9. I realized that I lost my mind somewhere between GA and ND and am running in circles.
10. My new Holga camera arrived and I shot my very first roll of 120 film.  :)
11. I am impatiently awaiting the 15th of October when Kevin is going to surprise the kids with a visit.

Okay - so when I write it down, it's not that bad.  Well, aside from the transmission in the van.  I signed up for a card class to get the creative juices flowing again.  Also, having that Holga arrive in the mail today was a life saver.  It was seriously the first time I have felt really creative in over two months.  It seems as if life is getting in the way of my art and I'm not sure how to re-balance it all.  (As always, any suggestions are appreciated!)

This semester I have a shooting class, which will help with the creativity thing...I hope.  I have to turn in 40 usable images a week and bulk up my stock portfolio.  Life will not slow down, I guess I just have to speed up.

I need a mantra....

I think I can, I think I can, just isn't cutting it anymore!