Original Ink: A New Year - off and running

Well to those of you who were worried about me during this recent Holiday CRUSH of business... I did survive! But, I determined that next year I would have to be cloned or at least employ more help.

My daughter and husband were life savers. Anna took all of the assembly projects and layered, glittered, punched holes and tied ribbons on over 3000 Christmas cards. Larry became Mr. Mom and did the grocery shopping, house cleaning, laundry and then gently woke me up and sent me to bed when I fell asleep over my laptop... often after midnight. (a few of you may have noticed that you were getting proofs emailed to you at midnight or 1:00 in the morning ... CRAZY). So next year there will be changes for the better.

I did close the shop from Christmas Eve to the Monday after New Years day, but still went to the shop to do CHICKEN chores, draw new artwork and meet with clients.

Wedding invitations have started coming in as Christmas time engagements are announced. I am designing some very pretty invitations and working on a VERY COOL wedding reception card that I hope to feature soon. It has the vintage poster look with lots of complimentary but varied typestyles.

Valentines Day is always a fun opportunity to do some cute Valentine Cards for the little ones.. I try to do a new design group each year. The first year was the "Beatrix Potter" designs, then there was the simple graphic "Sweet Hearts" designs. Last year I did my favorites to date that were the "Baby Farm Animals".... as I told you... can't get the farmgirl outta me. This year I have a series called "Fashionista Valentines" that feature clothing ... humm you are asking yourself... how would that work???... well ... check it out..... (Valentine designs are to the left)
And one more new series this year with more cute animals...
"The Happy Animals" designs.
So ORDER NOW for original and unique Valentine Cards for your children and grandchildren. (Or maybe for yourself!!!)

As for news from the ORIGINAL FARMVILLE.. the Original Chics are doing well. The rooster boys have come into thier own... chasing the girls all around and crowing... at least ONE rooster is crowing. He is the macho man and I call him ROOSEVELT... the other rooster boy is a bit geeky and does not crow and definately is not the ALPHA male. I am calling him "GIRLY MAN". I know that is not politically correct but it certainly fits. Each of my little flock has their own personality. ROSIE the mother hen is sedate and maternal.... always on guard .... clucking loudly if a cat or dog approaches. Then there is BLUEBELL... named by one of my young customers. Bluebell is a dutiful little hen. She minds her own business and lays a pretty little cream colored egg every couple of days. Then there is DITZY CHICK. She is so silly... she litterly wouldn't know to come in out of the rain. When all the others are making their way into the coop at dusk (which is instinctual - that is a chicken fact... you've heard of going to roost... that is what they do as the sun sets every evening)... there is Ditzy Chick pacing outside of the fence unable to figure out where the gate is, which is always open and she frantically runs along the fence until she finally finds the opening and awarkwardly clammors up the little ramp into the coop. SILLY GIRL!

Spring will be on its way sooner than you think and by Valentine's day the first daffodils will be peeking out of the ground. After that, Easter will be around the corner, so think ahead and if you are wanting to order Easter stickers, greeting cards or are having a neigborhood Easter Egg Hunt that you'd like to send invitations for...just let me know and I'll fix up something just perfect for you.
I also have a neat little sprial bound book of "Table Graces"... it is a collection of prayers for the dinner table... 31 different prayers or "graces" to say before the meal. It has a different prayer for each day of the month and then you can repeat them every month. The book is $19.95 and comes in a litte carrying bag with a bow. Order yours now... they make great Easter gifts for friends or grandchildren.

Come and see me if you are out my way. My little shed is warm and cozy and I will serve you a cup of hot tea, coffee or cocoa.

Well that's about all for now but I have lots of exciting things in the works and hope to share more soon.

Meanwhile enjoy some of the new designs and I'll post more soon.

Kathyn
***The Valentines Series sampled are just 2 of the 4 design for each series
Ask if you'd like to see the others in a series. The price is $1.00 each for the children's Valentines and $1.20 each for the Teacher Valentines... no extra for personalizing with your child's name