Being in love is really a nice place to be, it can be intense, overwhelming, exciting but sometimes it can just be funny. One of the things I like about being in love, being married, especially being married for over 10 years now is the freedom and comfort to just be me. The problem is that this same comfort also shows on your face, in your eyes, in your reactions without really thinking about it. In my case, I have found myself talking to my husband and finding that 'look' on his face. What look you ask? The look of him deciding if I have lost my mind or not. That is what inspired this print. You think I would be offended by the look but honestly, I do have some 'quirky' moments and some 'lofty' ideas. He is the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground while my head is in the clouds, the voice of reason and no matter what, my biggest believer and supporter…so I don't take offence to the look. In fact I am grateful to have someone I can be so true and free with. That is why I love him, love him like crazy… Have you seen this look from your partner before? Or are you the one who has had this look on your own face? Please tell me I not the only one ;) K.
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Every new year, we take the last day of our Christmas vacation to do one big final house re-org. This includes taking down Christmas decorations, taking older toys out of circulation/prepping them for the donation bin and putting up my new calendar. Also, every year I say I will have my calendar up at home and on here earlier but it just doesn't 'feel' right until I am officially at the end of vacation mode. So why fight it! The calendar I created for this year is a little different than what I usual do...I went bigger (legal), portrait and most definitely more colourful. If you like it and still need a 2014 Calendar, feel free to print off a copy for yourself. Friendly Reminder: Designs are by Karen Jansen/inkanddirtdesigns.com.
Images/files are for personal use only and are not to be altered, sold or used commercially Thank you to my family, my friends online and off, my wonderful customers and
everyone who has believed in me and supported me this year. I truly love and appreciate you all and I wish you all the very best for 2014.
Everyone has good days and bad days. On those bad days a good stiff drink helps, maybe a box of chocolates... truth be told, my go to comfort is really my Faith. On the good days my Faith reminds me to stop and give thanks for the goodness in our lives and on the tough days it reminds me that it is alright to feel beat up and take comfort in that same goodness. Another truth is not everyone has the same faith but I think everyone has something or someone that reminds them about the good in the world and the good in themselves. That is a cherished gift no matter the name it has or the form it takes. So I will always find comfort and strength in my faith, my family.... and only occasionally in a stiff drink or box of chocolates :) Where do you find your comfort on those rough days? Kids, Dog, Chocolate, Cupcakes? I'd like to know. Is it the end of January already? You know what that means right...Valentines Day is just around the corner! Now I admit that I am a sucker for the day of love, however, the truth is love isn't always a sweet venture nor does it always lay a simple path before you. But I am a 'glass half full' type of girl and that is what inspired this years Valentines Day Print. Many of us have made mistakes or have made wrong choices when presented with the phenomenon called love or especially in our youth with what we thought was love. However, it is these mistakes that help us learn who we are, show us what we like, show us what we don't like, what we will accept and most importantly what we will not tolerate. In the end, despite the wrong turns we often find ourselves stronger, wiser, happier and for some us looking back, we realize that those few wrong turns are what led us to that special someone. Speaking of that special someone...I'll be working on some special treats and sweets next week. The ice cream hearts I made last year were a big hit with the kids so I believe I have my work cut out for me on topping those. How about you...planning anything sweet for your love, kids or yourself? From the bottom of my heart...may tonight be filled with moments of remembrance, thankfulness and excitement for the possibilities of what this new year may bring. I am spending a quiet night with my favourite person in the world while our precious children sleep upstairs. I am thankful for them and for all of you. Cheers to you and your loved ones and Happy New Year! It's been an exciting year of highs, lows, smiles and tears. Looking back, all these moments bring one prominent feeling to surface and this is that I am grateful. Grateful for my husband who changed my life, is my biggest fan and supporter. My kids who drive me crazy sometimes but of whom I am tremendously proud of. My parents who make me warm and fuzzy knowing that they are proud of me. The rest of my family and friends who love and care for me as much as I do them. Last but most certainly not least, my customers. I have connected with so many people this year via simple emails or working on custom pieces, birth announcements and anniversary prints. I have enjoyed learning about their stories, their loves, their passions and I mean it when I say that I am honoured to have worked on their pieces. I have received such positive feedback and warm emails about my work, that words alone can not say thank you enough...but thank you, all of you, for your support, love, positive words and inspiration. To all of you, Merry Christmas! May you enjoy your time with your family, your loved ones, sitting around the table, eating, drinking and being merry. May you be blessed to end the year surround with love, laughter, love and may you be blessed to start the year with even more of the same! XOXOXOXO Karen It's December and the count down officially begins. As the month rolls by, time seems to tick faster and the next thing you know it's office parties, kids parties, schools out and you are scrambling about to get the little things done. In such times it can be easy to jump out and buy 'whatever' at 'whatever' cost. Handmade may not be your first thought but handmade doesn't necessarily mean time consuming, sometimes it can done relatively quickly and at a low cost. These little packages contain homemade chocolate cookies, wrapped in wax paper, packed into brown paper bags, embelished with ribbon and mini ornaments. They tasted good (you have to taste test them don't you), looked good and the total wrapping costs was $5.00. There you go, exhibit A on handmade done pretty quickly and at a low cost. These were made with co-workers in mind. What do you think, would you like them? I've been asked a few times where I purchased the storage bins in my studio. The truth is that most of the bins are from the Dollar store. Take these for example, great little containers...6 of these babies for $2! They are frosted, stackable and the lids are white, which is my preference in my studio. Perfect indeed, especially for those small left over craft supplies that can end up pilling up or getting stuffed into a drawer and forgotten. Take those perfect, affordable containers, add my trusty label maker and I keep those little supplies organized, identifiable and easy to find.
Ahhhh....I love structure and order....now if only I could structure and order my toddlers! |
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THE SMALL PRINTAll images, designs and content, unless noted otherwise, are ©Karen Gonzalez-Jansen. |