Summers End

Summer is coming to an end and I am sad to see it go. I love the longer days, the hot steamy weather and the calm lazy evenings swinging on my back porch with a good book. The summer evenings are my favorite, just watching my kids play in the yard and the sun set over the fields around my house. So much in life keeps me busy and confined indoors I feel like most of the time I miss out on the simple beauty of nature and the peacefulness it can bring. A couple of weeks ago there was a flock of geese that decided to land in the recently harvested corn field next door and I quickly ran in to get my camera.

After that, the geese made a regular appearance in the corn field for several days looking for an easy meal. Their visits got me thinking about taking more photos of the simple beauty of nature right here in my yard.

My butterfly bush is usually full of butterflies this time of year and I rarely take the time to notice. But after the visit from the geese, I was paying more attention during one of my evenings outside and I got a great close up of a butterfly. I'm so glad I thought to photograph these images now because I know that winter will be here way too soon for my taste.

Ok, so this summer I have been slacking a bit on my business. I haven't listed more than 2 new items in my Etsy shop, and my advertising and networking have dwindled to maybe once a week (Shame on me!) In my own defense, I have had a few recent off internet sales that were very cool.

The first: I got the opportunity to help a co-worker and local veteran with a project he's been working towards for several years. He's erected a Veteran's Memorial in the town of Grandview (where I work) for all veterans of the county. My late grandfather and his brother both have engraved bricks at the memorial, so I was glad to be a part (although a very small one) of it's creation. I have taken orders for the engraved bricks for the last year or two and most recently, I got the job of designing and ordering the 3 ft x 4 ft aluminum sign for the memorial. Now although the completed sign is not up yet, I have to add a pic of the design.

Hopefully it will be finished soon and I can add a pic of the entire memorial.

The second: I also got the opportunity to create a brochure for the new library in my hometown. It was a bit of a rush job (I only had 6 days to get an approved finished design) But it worked out great. The client was easy to work with and I had no trouble coming up with ideas!

I love it when things run smoothly and my work is well liked and appreciated. It makes all the hard work and weeks without orders worth the effort when I get a happy client.

Just this weekend, I also got the chance to come up with a couple of new designs for my Wall Expressions. I've been slacking in this department all summer and it's time to get back at it. I've already listed one of the new designs in my shop here. The other I designed for a baby shower gift and I cannot show you here or now or... maybe I will, just after the shower! (That was a sad excuse for a hint!). But it is really cute!!

I think I have crammed enough info into this end of summer post (just like I've crammed several last minute things into my last days of summer) so it's time to get back to work! Stop by my shop often over the next few weeks, I'm planning on adding more new wall expressions and some really cool photo decals!