letters are our friends

If you know me IRL you know I am somewhat of a font freak - typography is so fascinating...certain styles of letters can totally change the feel of a document.  

I think that is cool, because the content is still the same!

Anyway, while perusing the old blogosphere I was looking at Design*Sponge and came across this cool montage of unique type. 

I do not know the original sources of these, but they are posted over at D*S.  

(Cool site for all things design...remodels, DIYs, art, etc.)

Those books are awesome and the rocks are insane!

I mean, who find rocks that look like letters???  

.....

.....

.....

No, seriously, does anyone know?

Well, if you find out, I'd love to know.

Speaking of font and typography...although I have not updated my Etsy in stinkin' months...I do still have my Country Text photos and actually have a couple of orders to fill right now.  If you are interested in seeing how I see type in the everyday surroundings where I live, I'll be happy to share! :)

Ima doofus

...for so many reasons, but today mainly because I realize I've spent all this time on my little "blog makeover" and never went back to fix some of pages I made.

You'll notice right below my banner that I have new static pages with much of the information that I had before on the side.  This is nice because it allows a little more flexibility.  I hope to keep these pages updated and current, but right off I realize I never even linked my Etsy...upon further investigation I realized that I have not even updated my Etsy since Christmas!    GEEZ.

See, Ima doofus!

Here is one of the customized Country Text frames that I did for a lady around Christmas.  I love these with the barnwood frames.  

(nevermind my reflection or the plastic wrapped around the frame for protection)

I also have not been a very faithful blogger lately.

Yet again: doofus!

I hope to get some of this remedied this weekend.

Meantime, how do you feel about the new Google produce: Google Buzz?
Jury is still out for me on this.  I have Twitter and Facebook and am not quite sure I can reprogram myself at this point.

Cyber Monday Free Shipping

So in honor of Cyber Monday tomorrow, I'm offering free shipping on my JOY notecards through midnight tomorrow (Central time). 

Country Text

There is also time to order prints for Christmas, but time in ticking on these if you want custom framing.

Let me know ASAP if you want a quote or if you want to order prints and get your own frame (recommended in lieu of trying to ship a large frame).

I encourage you to buy handmade for your gift giving!  There are lots of Cyber Monday sales over at Etsy.  I'm truly amazed at the quality and craftsmanship that I have found on Etsy.  It is truly a place to find that one of a kind gift for everyone on your list!

Christmas ideas

Okay, so I'll admit this post is one hundred percent self promotion, but just roll with it.

I am really excited about the interest I've had so far from friends & colleagues in my Country Text prints & notecards for the Christmas season.  

I just thought I'd shamelessly plug them here on my blog for my two or three readers who might need a unique Christmas gift idea.  HA ;)

I am taking orders right now for JOY notecards (who wouldn't love to get a unique, one-of-a-kind Christmas card in the mail?), letter prints to take and frame yourself, or framed words, where I'll take care of the framing for you.  

 

After some time and lots of "ciphering" I've got pricing for some standard framing.  I'm using a local frame shop and have been very pleased with their work.  The pricing depends on the number of letters, so unfortunately in your name is Featherstonehaugh (1996 Guiness World Book's longest last name), it will cost much more than my friends who have the last name of Orr!  

You can go through my Etsy shop (linked up over there in the top right hand corner) --------->

or just shoot me an email at kwhitten at gmail dot com and let me know what you would like. 

Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled blogginess! =) 

Country Text

so I took down my Country Text Etsy widget for a while.
It seemed a little outdated, what with the holiday JOY stuff still up.

I had actually planned to spread some LOVE for Valentine's Day, but it really just "snuck" up on me and I didn't get it done.

I have some other ideas for new stuff floating around my head for Country Text, but for now it will just be idle and quiet.

I was very happy with how things went for Christmas and hope to expand on that next year as well as holidays in between.

I thank all my friends & family for supporting my efforts and encouraging my work both past, present and future!

AREtsy Team Member

So my first Etsy sale was perfect.
The prints reached my buyer, *who is also a seller BTW*
She left me awesome feedback,
I left her awesome feedback.
All is good for that - my first transaction.

Now, I've taken the next step and joined an Etsy team.
Team ARETsy = Etsy sellers from Arkansas.

Seems there are quite a few sellers in the group.
I have posted the typical "Hi, I'm a newbie" to the group message board set up through Yahoo.

They even have a blog, AREtsy.blogspot.com.

I'm all about buying local and supporting artists.
I encourage any of my readers to do the same.
Check out the many Etsy stores.
I'm talking some awesome Christmas gifts,
no driving, no lines, and better quality.
Love CurlyRed's jewelry
And this nice lady at Arts of the Ozarks who just moved from my neck of the woods.
Her notecards which feature beautiful photos=Stunning!
(they are all taken in Arkansas too!)
Of course these pictures are supercalafragilistically unique and would make really nice gifts for your friends and loved ones and while you're at it, pick one up for yourself.
You DEFINITELY should check that one out. (insert cheesy grin here)

Seriously, if you have not looked around Etsy
you are missing out on something truly unique and special.
From vintage, like one of my fave bloggers Mandi
and her shop: HalfCaf,
to cool handmade bags and paper supplies like Madame Cupcake.
There is really something for everyone.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program....

Look who else wants JOY

That's right, Angus wants JOY too! Of course he is a dog and already full of JOY, but everyone could use a little extra, right?!

This is the other one I have for sale that I discussed in this post below. It is for sale for $27, plus shipping. I have distressed this frame for a more rustic feel and this one has black and white pictures. You can purchase it through Etsy, or simply contact me!


Also I wanted to show the Family piece I made for Deltha. I actually did two of these for her for two different events she is attending. I think one will be given away as a door prize and the other will be a gift.
I was a little concerned about how these would turn out, but I really like them...the mix of the modern looking frame with the naturalness of the photos is pretty cool. I had these printed as 4x7's because of the size of the frame. The prints fits between two pieces of glass and then fit into the frame.

On another subject, I'm feeling a real need
to scrapbook! what? did I say scrapbook?
Yes, scrapbooking seems so foreign to me right now.
It's been a couple of months since I've even made an ATC.
I really should get back into my thankful cards.
I was so much more appreciative for the little things
when I was doing those.
I'm thinking a challenge might be in order to crank
up the mojo.
Maybe this one in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

Oh yet another subject: I'm a little sad that Korto didn't win Project Runway.
I finally watched the finale on YouTube this weekend. I am however glad it was Leanne and not
that crazed, hateful Kenley. I actually didn't mind her too much until she was rude to Tim Gunn...I mean "Hello" it's Tim Gunn, and he is the most nice, polite man! How dare she!
Anyway, I just loved Korto's attitude and her designs were awesome. Plus she's a fellow Arkansan!

Off to enjoy the last few precious minutes of the weekend.

over and out.

updates from my world

Whew, what a week it has been!
I cannot believe one week ago I was hanging out with these chicks again - 20 years sure goes by quickly. I am truly blessed to have such a great group of girls that I can call my friends and although it there has been a lot of years since some of us have seen each other, it still felt like real friendships. I love that! (photo credit to Becky Norris)

I keep thinking of the old Girl Scout song:
Make new friends,
But keep the old,
One is silver
And the other is gold.

I'm not sure if old friends are meant to be the silver or the gold, but nonetheless they are each a treasure in my heart. ( If you know the answer to the silver/gold thing, please let me in on that.thanks)

I truly wish I could have spent more time with each of them and their kiddos.

Like these cutie patooties:
Riley and Mary Claire

Mary Claire and her little sister and my new bff, Caroline.
She does her own hair and everything! She's a hoot and I feel instantly in love with her!

I would show you the elusive little brother to Riley, Mr. Hayden, but he wasn't really into me or my camera.
Just like a man!

I also enjoyed seeing some of the mothers of my friends. Each one of them still looks stunning and they are all as sweet as I remember.

I am so appreciative of Jane & Pat for hosting such a great little gathering.

I just wish I could have spent more time.

I left from this event to drive north to Rogers for the Arkansas Association of Two Year College conference. It was a great event in a most gorgeous new John Q. Hammons Convention Center. WOW, that Embassy Suites is the bomb! I was completely exhausted by Tuesday, but it was awesome to be a part of something so great. This was my last year to serve on the board of directors and it has been a wonderful learning and growing experience.

That bring me to today, yet another Friday!
Today I am excited to report my first Etsy sell!
The lady who bought some of my prints is giving them as a wedding gift next weekend.
She is also an Etsy seller and has some beautiful handmade jewelry. I encourage you to check out meero. Her stuff rocks.
I'm thinking I might need this piece or maybe this one.

Anyway, I'm thrilled to have some interest in my stuff.
I could never sell another thing and be satisfied with that one sell.
(not really, but it sounds good right?)

I currently have two of the JOY framed prints for sale for $32 each.
These are in a brown frame and the prints are sepia tone. I also have another one that is a little smaller, simpler and more rustic looking frame that I need to get listed. I will be selling it for $27.00.

I am putting together a frame tonight with the word FAMILY which is going to a conference as a giveaway this weekend. I'll post it once it's together and photographed.
This one is a little different and I'm anxious to see how it will turn out.
I hope it will look okay!

A big THANKS to my friend Deltha(also my co-worker) for having me make two of these for her. BTW, Deltha is another old friend who could be silver... could be gold. Who knows!? Please do let me in on the answer to this burning question if you know!

over and out...

I've got JOY

and so can you!A little something I will be adding to my Etsy, just in time for Christmas decorating or gift giving.

Give someone some JOY this year!

Yes, it is just like yours Judy!!!! ;)