Lovely Cruise

this and that

 
Image from Impress Stamps

I don't remember when I first saw these scissors on the Impress website, but I remember wanting to buy them.  I didn't because I honestly didn't know how I would use them, that normally doesn't stop me but this time I used some restraint.  Then last week I read this post by Maya of maya*made.  I love these flowers.  And now I must have a pair of those scissors! 

 
I'm taking this online class and we're only in week one, but I can tell already that this class is going to be awesome for me and my business.  I highly recommend it.  Not sure when the next one is, but if you're starting a business you should consider taking this class.  Last week we had to write business plans which put me in such a tizzy that I had several dreams that I was getting my PhD and commuting to KU.  Yikes.  I did get a business plan written, it needs work and is pretty simple since I don't need financing, but it does feel good to get a formal plan on paper.    

 
Image from Martha Stewart

I think this carnation centerpiece is so charming and would be fun to do at the cabin this summer.  Aah, summer...  Doesn't seem like spring is possible with all of the snow on the ground, let alone summer, but I have faith.  Stupid groundhog...

 
Today I started gluing and playing with these die-cuts before I picked Ella up from school.  On the 3 minute drive to her school there was a story on NPR about a woman who was out of work and how upset her young daughter was about it.  I didn't get to hear much of the story, but it made me stop for a moment and think about how lucky I am to have a husband with not only a job, but a good job.  And even though he is incredibly busy right now and out of town a lot, I am grateful. 

And finally, I love this.  So true and I never thought of this saying this way.  And that's what I love about this writer. 

you might get lucky

 
Donna Downey is spotlighting Mothball Charlie today on her blog and giving away one of my custom one little word paintings.  There is still time to enter.  Go here, leave a comment before 10 PM EST and you might get lucky. 

More thank you cards

This weekend I made a card with my chair die-cut and for some reason I thought it would be cute with a butterfly stamped on it.  

I then wished I had some of Martha Stewart's adorable butterfly punches to add to the back of my chair, but since I didn't I made my own die-cut butterfly.  I drew one, scanned it, and then imported it into SCAL.  Now sure, I could have cut these by hand, but they wouldn't all be the same and they wouldn't be perfect.  I designed two different butterflies, but only worked with this one. 
 I am having so much fun making these die-cuts and now I am almost done with making my thank you cards.  Now all I have to do is write them.    
These are my three favorite thank you stamps.  The top two are from Impress and the bottom one is from Cat's Life Press.

pola love*Friday

 
Orange you glad I didn't say banana?  Sorry I couldn't resist...

This bridge

 
photo by Willy Johnson 
I'm not going to lie, there are times when I miss this bridge and this city.  Luckily my brother lives in San Francisco and takes amazing photographs of one of my favorite places on this planet.  Keep it up, little brother.  Your photographs are truly blowing me away, even if they make me a little homesick for my second home.  Check out more of my brother's work here.

Happy Friday!  We have no big plans this weekend, except for a couple of ball games, a trip to the Y, and a little super bowl party.  And that will be plenty.  

Har det godt.

thank you thank you

I love crafty tools.  I have a whole collection, some I use a lot, some I will probably never take out of the box (can you say Kajinker?), but let's not go there.  Anyway, I recently acquired a new tool, or should I say a new machine.  It is a Cricut die-cutting machine and it is pretty awesome.  I have wanted one since they first came out about three years ago or so.  I resisted because the cartridges are expensive and I just didn't know if I would use it.  My incredibly enabling cousin recently got one and said I should get one too, ok it didn't take much convincing, but it did cause me to look into getting one again.  I then discovered that there is software available that allows you to cut any font from your computer and it gives you the ability to create your own designs.  That was it, I was sold.  And when I found out that Kelly had one and loved it, I was even more sold.  After some confusion with getting the wrong machine and having to send it back, and then ordering another one (and this time I bought the big mama size) I finally got it up and running this week.  I thought I would have to learn how to make my own picture files, but I then read on a blog that "Sure cuts a lot" (the program that allows you to cut your own stuff) has a feature where you can import pictures.  So I imported my chair drawing and EUREKA!, it worked.  I am having so much fun die-cutting my own designs.  Here are some examples of what I've made so far, some very simple thank you cards for my very tardy thank yous. 

 
 
 
 

Maui

The perfect Mai Tai:

 
Hula girls:

 
The reason for the trip (the bride and groom):

 
And the cutest souvenir:

 
Along with lots of warm sun, time with friends, whales, whales, and more whales made for a great trip. 

Aloha

 
**Did I mention I was going to Hawaii?  I couldn't be more excited.  We have good friends who are getting married in Maui and we could not decline the invitation.  David and I leave Wednesday morning.  Goodbye snow, hello Mr. Mai Tai, I mean sun...  

 
**I am nominated for a Poppy award for Favorite Affordable Art Artist.  If you are so inclined you can vote for me here.  Thanks Poppy Talk and my dear friend Kelly for the nomination and my dear friends who have voted for me and spread the word.  Love you all.  

 
**Mom and I went shopping last week for my trip, you know the one to Hawaii, and I found so much great stuff at Old Navy.  Including this floral dress, which I am going to wear to the wedding.  It's fun to buy warm weather clothes, when it's, well not so warm. 

 

[Photo from Emersonmade]

**I honestly can't remember how I found Emersonmade, Design*Sponge maybe, but I am crazy for their stuff, crazy for their styling and photos.  Amazing.  I now know what I'm going to buy with my Christmas money and I am wishing I would have found them sooner so I could have my flower for my trip.  Oh well it will be boost for the gray days left of winter when we return. 

 

[potential new print]

**And in honor of my trip and because I won't be shipping orders until next week, if you order between today and February 1st, shipping is on me.  Just enter ALOHA in the "comments to sender" section in etsy checkout.  Also, this is the last week to order my 2010 calendar.  I'm officially retiring it after this week.  I will be offering some of the paintings from the calendar as prints.  I did a test print last week and was very happy with the results. 

**Have a great week!  And Aloha! 

pola love*Friday (a little late)

 
  Happy weekend! 

Ike

 

Meet Ike.  My scanner did weird things to the color on this one, but oh well.  I'm liking these simpler backgrounds.  In other shop news I am participating in this month's exhibition at papernstitch.  Lots of great shops to discover this month and every month! 

Check out these amazing birthday gifts Kelly made me and Miss Ella.  Ella wore her apron all day yesterday.  I'm so mad I didn't get a photo, but I will soon.  And I love my "decide" garland.  Can't wait to hang it in my studio.  Thanks Kelly! 

David and I leave for Hawaii a week from today.  I'm trying not to panic about all of the stuff I need to get done before we leave.  My mother-in-law is coming to watch the little people, and my mom will be around when she can to help out.  We are leaving them in good and very capable hands, but there's just a lot to do.  And then there's the whole problem of not having a dress to wear to the wedding will be attending while we are there (the main reason for the trip).  I still haven't made it shopping.  I still have lots of time, right?  Right...