40 Reasons to Love Stephanie

On February 17, a very special person had a very special day.

My best friend hit a milestone birthday!

I had to think of a gift fitting of a woman who is one of the kindest, most generous people I know. She's always going above and beyond for me when it's my birthday. And while I always try to do something great, I knew this year had to be really great.

This is an insight...into my mind. My crazy, crafty, jumbled up, full of ideas mind.

Initially I came up with the idea of "40 Reasons to Love Stephanie" to do as a card. I would come up with 40 reasons and list them on, and in, the card. I started a list of reasons. When it comes to Stephanie, it's easy to think of reasons to love her. The more I thought about it though, the more I didn't like that idea. I'd need more room than just a typical card size. 40 Reasons needed to be a gift, not a card.

But what could I do? 

My first thought - write out all of the reasons on individual pieces of paper and fill a clear glass jar with them. Stephanie could reach in and pull out a reason whenever she needed a smile or pick-me-up.

But I have horrible handwriting. Ok, I'll type out the reasons, cut them up and toss them in the jar. I went window shopping, looking at all types of jars. Twist off lid? Or flip top lid? Round? Square? Tall? Short? I put WAY too much thought into it and stressed myself out.

Next thought - Oh! Hey! What if I make this about more than just my relationship with Stephanie? We have a bunch of mutual friends! Why not ask for their input? They could make this an even greater gift. I sent out a message to our mutual friends asking if they would be willing to give me a (fully credited) reason why they love Stephanie. They didn't know how their Reasons would be used, but there were definitely some willing participants. I started getting some great responses and I knew this was the way to go.

While trying to find cute papers that would make good Reason paper, and look good in a glass jar, I saw some scrapbooking paper that had a road map design. Eureka! That was it! I was getting Reasons from friends all over the U.S. I even had Reasons from Canada and Greece. I would put these Reasons on maps. Not just any maps, though. I took maps from each city/area our friends lived. Voila! It was perfect!

But. Oh, there's the BUT again. 

I still didn't have a vessel to put these reasons in.

Well, you're doing maps, I thought to myself. You need a globe! Or at least a round bowl/container/something. I bought a thick, almost card stock paper in blue and green with craft paper brown veins through them. In a clear glass container, it would be like looking at the land and water of a globe.

I typed out each reason on each map - using different colors and fonts. 

I printed them out and cut them into rectangles.

I used a heavy duty crafting glue stick to bond the maps to the thick blue and green paper. 

I folded each into little cards.

They were ready to go!

But here comes another but.

I couldn't find anything to put the cards in. I went to craft stores. I went to home stores. I went to department stores. I went to little bit of everything stores. I started to give up. 3 more stores in one evening with nothing that fit my vision. I quit. For the night at least. 

My husband and I ran to a grocery store for a few groceries before heading home. I was grabbing some fruit when my husband, staring at the floral department, suggested they might have something there. Oh, sure, let's get a container at a grocery store. Nothing says love quite like that. My frustration was getting the better of me.

He was taking awhile, so I walked over there to see him holding it. The perfect "it". The perfect vessel. And the perfect 'so far out of my thought process' item I could have ever hoped for. The floral department had these amazing mini travel trunk looking boxes. There were two sizes. The larger one was way too large for my 40 little cards. But the smaller one? The smaller box was IT! Excitedly I bought that box and went home with a renewed sense of purpose. I emptied the bag full of Reasons into the box and it was kismet. They fit perfectly. And the colors of the cards worked with the color of the box. 

I quickly jumped on my computer and created a vintage postcard design to complete the travel theme I had started with the maps. It was like a suitcase that had been around the world collecting stickers of all the places it had seen. I loved it so much. 

The only problem? Having to wait for Stephanie to arrive home from a much deserved vacation the week of her birthday. The wait, however, was worth it as the gift resulted in her being "a speechless puddle of happy tears."

 

Happy Birthday my friend! And here's to many more days and many more Reasons to love you!

 

Kenna - Taking a Journey With Songs For Flight

Once upon a time, I discovered a singer by the name of Kenna. I formed an instant love for the music that this man made. 12+ years later, I still have a deep and intense love of his music, his talent, his words, his meaning, and his cause.

With a new album in the works, I considered doing a Throwback Thursday-type post about Kenna's first two albums, "New Sacred Cow" (2003) and "Make Sure They See My Face" (2007). These are both incredible albums that mean a lot to me. I could write an analysis of each album, of the songs, and why they matter. Instead, I encourage you to find them, listen to them, and form your own opinions. While you're at it, check out the "Land 2 Air Chronicles" series and singles. In the meantime, I'm going to focus on the NOW in Kenna's musical and personal journey.

Kenna's goal is to become the first One For One Artist.

A One For One Artist? What is a One For One Artist?

From Kenna.com:
"The spirit of being One-For-One is about being a person who is for the well being of themselves and others. We are all one and as brothers and sisters we can look out for each other. 

A “One-For-One Artist” is an artist of any genre who agrees with the above statement and makes a commitment to improving the world through the daily sales and business of music.

I am committed to give up to 50% of the money I personally make to the causes and social issues that my fans and I care about." 

While writing and recording new music for the upcoming album "Songs For Flight" Kenna is giving his fans an insight into his world and his processes. He's also crowd funding to help support the making of the album.

I could continue on, but I'd like you to hear about the mission from Kenna himself. I kindly ask all of you out there to please visit Kenna.com. Read. Listen. Get Involved. Share. Spread The Word.
You can also follow Kenna on Facebook & Twitter.

Thank you for reading.

2014 - My Year In Review

2014, like every year prior, was a year of highs and lows. We saw this as a country, and as a world. And it was the same for me personally. I'd like to close out 2014 on a positive note with a look back at some of my personal highs. 

2014 started off with a stellar Seattle Seahawks football season coming to a close. A regular season record of 13-3, and a NFC championship won in spectacular fashion led to something Seahawks fans had been dreaming of for nearly 40 years ~ on February 2nd we won the Super Bowl! I've watched this team through good and bad since I was a young girl. To see the city finally welcome a football championship was incredible. Now to get a baseball championship to follow in 2015...Let's go M's!

When my husband and I put our minds to something, we can usually achieve it. 2014 took us on a journey to home ownership. When we moved back home to Washington after 5+ years in Colorado, we knew we wanted a house; we wanted to establish new roots at home. And that's what we did. At the end of May we got the keys to our new home. Home ownership can be a scary thing, but to have our own home again is amazing.

In June, I participated in what I thought would just be a fun challenge. It was to create a design for Derrick Coleman's (fullback for the Seattle Seahawks) No Excuses Foundation. He challenged his Facebook followers to submit a design. The winning entry would be turned into a t-shirt to be added to the selections he had on his foundation website. My design won. It was an overwhelming moment for me. Fast forward to mid-July when I received an email from Derrick's mother informing me that they were going to incorporate my design into their foundation further by making it their logo. That email came on my birthday. What a birthday present that was!
For more information about the logo and Derrick's Foundation, please see my blog post about it here:
All Heart/No Excuses

Another July birthday treat was getting to see one of my favorite bands of all time live for the first time, thanks to two of my favorite people of all time. My dear friends Stephanie and Dale took me to see New Order on July 6th for an early birthday night out. What a night! And one I still think of whenever I hear a New Order song now. I will never be able to thank my friends enough for that incredible night.
For my original thoughts, please see my blog post: Bucket List Band - New Order 

September is a always a special month for my husband and I, as it's the month we got married. In 2014, however, it was a little more special as it found us celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. 20 years!?! How did that happen? It has been a quick 20 years. And it has been an absolute honor being married to my best friend for so long. We have our differences now and then, sure. But to be able to call this man my husband, to have him as the father of our son, it's a journey I wouldn't have wanted to taken with anyone else.

When we moved back to Washington in 2013, we decided that I wasn't going to get a job - at least not right away. With the money I make from Zazzle, we knew we'd be ok, not great, but ok financially if I chose to be a stay at home mom. Yes, we've been ok. But 2014 was tougher on us financially than we expected, especially after we bought our house. I started looking here and there for a job. But because of certain restraints we set, jobs are not easy to come by around here. I end 2014 now as an employed person (though I don't officially start my new gig until January). I was recently hired to be an agent assistant - at the same office I worked at for 6 1/2 years prior to moving to Colorado! I'm going home again and it feels great. I can't wait to get started!

That pretty much sums up the big moments in my year. There have been other milestones here and there (my son hit the double digits when he turned 10 in March), along with other positive notes and events. There were also lows ~ financially, in my family when we lost my Aunt in March, and personally (friendships ending, stress, depression, etc). But overall, this was a good year and one I can look back on fondly.

As 2015 approaches, I look forward to seeing what the universe has in store. I am excited to start my job. We are in the very early stages of planning a family vacation (our first since the summer of 2012 and much needed) that, fingers crossed, will take us to the happiest place on earth. I love watching my son grow physically, emotionally, and personally. And who knows, maybe a few other dreams will find the light of day. I also look forward to some peace and healing in this world of ours. Mother Earth and her children could use it. 

Thank you 2014. And welcome 2015!

Thank you for reading.

Bucket List Band - New Order

I love New Order. I love Joy Division.
I was only 7 when Ian Curtis died, so ever getting to see Joy Division live was not an option. New Order, on the other hand, was an option, it just never came to be. You know, those bands and moments that just don't line up and for one reason or another you don't get the opportunity to see live? For me, that ended on Sunday, July 6, 2014, when I saw New Order in concert at The Paramount Theater in Seattle.
I won't bore you with my back story with this band. How they came to be a part of my musical world. How I grew to love them more in my 20s and beyond than I did in my teens. I will jump to the point at hand - THE SHOW!

First ~ I was given the great honor of attending this show by my dear friends Stephanie & Dale. They graciously took me to this show as an early birthday present/celebration. If it weren't for them, this incredible night would not have happened. So a quick THANK YOU to them for sharing and spending this special night with me.

The Paramount is such a beautiful venue. I've never been to a General Admission show there, however, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But we were able to get in and stake our spots on the floor - pretty much dead center, 3 people away from the rail. Umm, YEAH!

The opening act was a band called Run Run Run, out of Los Angeles. They came on at 8pm and put on what seemed like a good show. I say "seemed like" because their instruments were so loud, we couldn't hear the vocals. I'm not sure if it was just our being so close, or if the vocals were hard to hear for everyone else as well. I will say, the music was great! And I will definitely check them out to see if the vocals are just as good.

Just before 9pm, New Order took the stage. The energy from the crowd as the band walked out was electric. And it didn't lighten up. Opening up with "Elegia" turned into an emotional experience for me. We were seeing New Order, sure. And that in itself was magical. But as I watched Bernard Sumner playing his guitar, my eyes gazed back upon Stephen Morris at his drum kit and the reality of what, or rather WHO, I was looking at hit me. Here were 2 of the 4 members of Joy Division, right in front of me. These men who once backed up Ian Curtis. That realization, along with the beauty of the song, brought tears to my eyes.
Or course they were joined by the incredible Gillian Gilbert, along with Phil Cunningham and Tom Chapman.

Throughout the show, the band were ON. They sounded great ~ vocally, instrumentally, they were on point all night. They had video screens behind them that showed, at times, short movies made to go along with songs, as well as, clips from the videos for songs they were performing.

The crowd cheered along, clapped along, and sang along. The big hits, like "True Faith," "Blue Monday," "Bizarre Love Triangle," along with some others brought the biggest cheers and crowd participation. Once they broke into Joy Division songs for the encore, the crowd once again erupted, particularly during the closer, "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

For me, the highest points of the night were "Elegia," "Ceremony," "Your Silent Face" (the performance and the video that accompanied it, which mentioned amFAR), "True Faith," "Temptation," and watching Bernard Sumner dance. The Joy Division high was when they performed "Atmosphere." That song is my all-time favorite JD song. It is amongst my all time favorite songs from any band. It can put me in tears if I'm in the right mood, and hearing it live - even if it wasn't Ian singing (Bernard is an incredibly close second if someone else is going to sing it) put me in that teary mood. I. LOVED. IT.

Performing a mix of big hits, cult classics, and even something new, New Order came to entertain, and entertain they did. I, personally, could not have asked for a better night. I don't go to many live shows anymore, so when I do, they are always pretty special. I have to say, though, that this show was one of the greatest I've ever been to. I don't know that I will ever see New Order live again and I'm ok with that. This show was the perfect introduction to NO live and will always stay with me as the perfect little package it was.

Thank you again to the wonderful friends I got to share this moment with. And thank you to New Order for giving me a night to remember.

Here is the official setlist:
Elegia
Crystal
Regret
Singularity
Ceremony
Age of Consent
Your Silent Face
Californian Grass
Bizarre Love Triangle
5 8 6
Plasic
True Faith
The Perfect Kiss
Blue Monday
Temptation

Encore (all Joy Division songs):
Transmission
Atmospere
Love Will Tear Us Apart

Thank you for reading.

All Heart/No Excuses

As a (nearly) lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan, I follow my favorite players on Facebook and Twitter. I keep up with charities and foundations they find and support. I "Like" and "Share" photos and stories the men on my team post. I am a 12 through and through.

One of my favorite current players is Derrick Coleman. If you're not familiar with him, he's  #40 on the roster. He's a fullback out of UCLA. And he's also the only legally deaf player in the NFL. Through his Derrick Coleman No Excuses Foundation, he brings awareness to the need of hearing aids for children, and adults alike, as well as bullying prevention for the deaf and hard of hearing.

On June 1, 2014, a post made on Derrick's Facebook page caught my eye. It read:
"I have a challenge for the creative people
Would anyone like to donate your time and create the design for my next T-Shirt. All the proceeds will good to fund the hearing aid portion of the foundation or the bullying portion of the foundation.
Our Facebook family will select the winner
The winner will be able to choose where he or she would like the funds allocated.
If you are interested in submitting your design please inbox me your willingness to participate no later than 5 pm on tomorrow (Monday June 2, 2014) for more details
Thank you in advance"

As a creative artist type, I could not pass up this opportunity. Not only would it get my design wheels turning, but it would be an opportunity to create something to potentially help a really good cause. I inboxed my interest and waited for the next step. Once I found out the deadline, I went to work. Surprisingly, my idea came to me fairly quickly. I sketched out the first thing that came to mind - half of an ear with half of a heart. I got on my computer and started to play with my design. Colors. Fonts. A different color. A different font. Save. Submit. 

On Saturday, June 7th, voting began on Derrick's Facebook page. It was fast and furious. There were 10 designs. There were 5 rounds of 2 designs against each other. After those rounds were done, the 5 winners went up against each other in round after round, each with the top vote-getters moving on to the next round. As my design continued to get vote after vote and continued to move on from round to round, my emotions and nerves started to get the best of me. This, to me, was exceptionally overwhelming. People, STRANGERS, were adamantly voting for my design over and over again. 
After the final round of voting, it was announced that my design, MY design, had won! My design was going to be turned into a t-shirt to benefit Derrick Coleman's foundation. How incredible and surreal is that???

And now it's here. My All Heart/No Excuses design is on a variety of shirts, available for purchase, through Derrick Coleman's website. I ask you to please take a look and consider purchasing a t-shirt, or hoodie, for yourself or your loved one. You don't even have to choose the design I created. Just purchase something you like and help out a really great cause! 
For the record, I did not, and will not be paid for this. I have no personal financial reason for having done this design or for promoting it. It is a matter of love and of compassion for a good cause. My reward in this is a great boost of confidence for me and my abilities, along with the knowledge that people enjoyed my work and will be buying it to help out Derrick Coleman and his foundation.

No Excuses Shop

Thank you for reading!

Must Love Dogs?

There is a meme that has gone around Facebook a few hundred times that says "I don't trust a person that doesn't like dogs, but I trust a dog that doesn't like people" (and other variations).
You hear vets, pet shop owners and workers, professional dog walkers, dog owners, and others talk about how wonderful these fuzzy four-legged creatures are and who wouldn't love a dog? Everyone loves dogs. You have to love dogs.

But what if you don't love dogs? What if there are people out there that genuinely do not like your, or any other, fuzzy four-legged companions? What if? Now, I'm not talking about cat owners who say they aren't really dog people, but they still love dogs. I mean straight up, couldn't be clearer, I DON'T LIKE DOGS people. How could people like that possibly walk this earth? Do they actually exist?

YES. They do exist. And I am one of them.

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate that people love dogs. I can looks at pictures of little puppies and think of it as an adorable little puffball. I mourn for friends that lose their beloved four-legged family member. And I would never wish harm upon a dog. But I don't like dogs.

I don't like barking, licking, sniffing, being rubbed up against, or being jumped on.

I also don't like the fear that comes along with some of those actions. Yes, fear. I'm not afraid of all dogs. But I am afraid of some dogs. Certain breeds and actions can cause me paralyzing and tear-inducing fear. Irrational fears, perhaps. But fear all the same. Telling me, or people like me, how friendly your dog is does nothing to alleviate that fear. Please think about that when your "happy" pet is bounding down the sidewalk coming my direction. Please think about that when your "friendly" dog is trying to show me how friendly they really are by jumping on me or sniffing me. They say dogs smell fear. If that's the case, fear is the only thing they will be able to smell until I am safely out of range.

But do you know what's almost worse than the fear? The reaction I get if I say "I don't like dogs." That single phrase gives me looks of shock. It gives me looks of disappointment. It gives me looks of confusion. It gives me looks as if I've just kicked their dog in the head (that is the worst because I would NEVER cause harm to an animal unless it was a matter of life or death for me or a loved one).

I don't get it.

I don't hate your dog. I don't hate dogs in general. I don't want or need you to defend your dog to me. They just aren't my thing. It's as easy as that. I don't like chocolate either. And while that still generates a strong reaction, it's nowhere near the negative feedback I get from not liking dogs.
I love Depeche Mode. But if someone says they don't, I don't look down on them. It's a matter of taste, and we all have people, things, foods, beverages, and more that we either like or don't. It doesn't make anyone a bad person if they don't like something someone else does. It just makes us human.

There you have it.

Thank you for reading.

A Harry Potter Birthday - Wand Tutorial

My son is celebrating hitting double digits and turning 10 years old by having a Harry Potter theme birthday party. He's watched the movies over the years, and recently began reading the books. Over the last 6 months, or so, he's read the first 4 books and is currently about 1/2 way through book 5. He got the box set of all the movies for Christmas. And he's really become quite obsessed with Harry Potter.
We normally have a theme for his birthdays, even if it's just for the cake design and treats. This year, not to our surprise at all, he chose Harry Potter for his theme. One of the things we decided to do for his party was make wands for the kids. Thanks to a tutorial passed along from a friend, found HERE, and another tutorial, found HERE, we were on our way to magical wand madness!

Here is a how we melded the two tutorials, along with our own ideas, and ended up with 8 wands for the big day.

Materials:
Sticks
Hot Glue
Beads
Paint

The sticks we found were from the beach, so they were already clean and smooth (unlike the sticks we originally gathered from our yard). My husband cut them to size and sanded one end on each down to a bit of a wand-like point.
Using the hot glue gun, we applied glue to the sticks, in a random fashion, to give them each a unique, knotty look. We made some with glue only. Others we put glue on and then applied assorted size beads for more texture. Even though I wanted perfection in the bead placement, I had to be reminded that perfection was not necessary since we'd be painting OVER the beads and glue. Ultimately, I left my husband to design the glue and bead designs.
Once they were all dry, I took over for the painting process. I used basic acrylic paints from the craft store in different shades of brown, from light to dark, to finish the wands off.

Here is a photo tutorial:

 

And there you have it!

Thanks for reading!