I've Moved~

I have moved my blog here:

http://myartfilledlife.wordpress.com/

BUILD YOUR OWN COLORFUL ORNAMENT

This year Kyle added a swimming design and we immediately began getting orders. She really tries to have something for everyone. When I complained about not being able to find a rowing ornament for my daughter - she designed one! It was very successful so this year she looked at other sports not represented and added lacrosse, yoga, gymnastics, bowling and ballroom dancing.

We also started something else new this year - build your own ornament. This allows people to customize with their team, school or organization colors.

Today we sent out a lacrosse ornament with navy and green. My daughter's rowing team colors are red and blue. My son's school mascot is the sea otter and school colors are green and gold. My youngest just completed try outs for the school soccer team, so I could make one in her school colors of purple and gold.

The really nice thing about this option is it can be used with any of our over 200 designs - not just the sports - so you can make an ornament for your knitting group, the book club, your trainer, the doctor who delivered your baby, the teacher, the hairdresser, your lawyer or your mom.

MEANINGFUL GIFTS - PART 1

I have said before that I like to give gifts which celebrate an occasion, a trip, a hobby or event. I just consider them more meaningful. We have seen a lot of people choose gifts to celebrate "firsts."

Realtors have given gifts to new home owners to celebrate their first home. Friends and family members have celebrated first Christmas, and first anniversary.

Other occasions to celebrate might be losing a tooth or retirement. Someone's first cruise or piano recital. Commerate a graduation and a first job. A new pet or a prize winning hobby and award winning team. All of our designs can be added to all of our products - so you could choose a business card case or a pill box or even a Christmas tree ornament. This year I plan to give a pink ribbon gift to my sister to celebrate her 10th year cancer free!

Today we sent out 13 flask sets, each with a different design all engraved "Haiti 2007". I think they must have been to celebrate a family reunion or something.

We have sent out many gifts which have been engraved to make the items more personal. A birth date, a wedding or anniversary date. A nice phrase or even a monogram add a lot to a gift.

WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT PEACE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

The title of this blog comes from a song by Elvis Costello. I like the song and the sentiment. We have a lot of gifts for the peaceful. This nice tree ornament includes engraving - which could be Peace on Earth 2008.

We also have the Chinese character for peace, happiness, love, harmony and dream.

Which add up to understanding.

SHY SHARK AT THE AQUARIUM

We went to Monterey this weekend to visit our son at school. He attends CSUMB, the home of the Otters. We went to take a look at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which we have not visited in years. I have scrapbooks full of the kids at various ages at the Aquarium - they especially loved the hands on exhibits - reaching into the water to touch the starfish and the manta rays.

The Aquarium has expanded since we were there and they have the only great white shark in captivity. It was being shy and we didn't get a great look at it- but some of the fish and the sea turtles we saw are equally fascinating. Huge, graceful and mesmerizing to watch.

The sea otters always have a huge crowd, we tried to find a place to watch the feeding - but gave up and went to see the jellyfish. The Penguin exhibit is still in construction, I will defintly go back to see those wonderful little creatures.

We walked through other exhibits, saw a whale skeleton and octopus tanks. We had lunch in the cafe and sat out in the warm sun watching the kayaks and sea birds and breathing in the salty air.

20 YEARS OLD - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Today my twins are 20 years old. They are my Double Happiness - symbolized in the design at right. They are no longer teens, but as their younger sister points out - it doesn't really change anything! Another year before they enjoy the freedoms surrounding alcohol. Though being "under age" has not slowed them much. M would like to be able to go to the dance clubs and Z would like to be able to purchase his own beer. So far they have not gotten a fake id like their mother did at their age!

So now they celebrate their birthdays with friends I have never met at a distance from their mom and dad. They usually want a check, but I try to send something I can wrap. I think they miss the fuss and the homemade cake, but I am sure that their friends will shower them with attention. I still call and sing to them,
I know that they "appreciate" that!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big grown-up kids!

CRAZY FOR ANIMAL GIFTS

In the dog vs. cat camps I am totally a dog person. I have always had an aversion to cats. but I know that there are those of you who dote on your kitties and we sell lot's and lot's of cat designs.

People find our dog designs and ask about doing specific breeds - but Kyle was very resistant to "go there" - I guess because everyone would want their breed represented. I assured her that doing a darling little dachshund
would be very popular - but no - when she decided to create another dog design, she chooses the hip, celebrity endorsed dog. The dog of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. She chose the Chihuahua. Not my dog of choice, but it does make a cute gift for Chihuahua lovers - and I know there are a lot of you out there!

Kyle has actually gone a little animal crazy this year. She has added 14 to our menagerie of designs. We now have lots of jungle creatures like a tiger, zebra, rhino, monkey and alligator. We have some additional barnyard animals like rooster, sheep, bull and cow. Pesty things like snakes and mice. Endangered things like sharks and polar bears and some peaceful doves.

All of our designs can be applied to most of our items - so we can help you
create wonderful personalized gifts for everyone you know. Take a look at our animal and pets page.