Yay, pictures!

I can't believe I'm actually posting 2 days in a row! I made good on my promise of showing some pictures of the goods so I hope all is forgiven. The top photo is how I'm imagining my layout at tomorrow's Holiday Boutique (in Mission Viejo, remember?). It's the partial layout, anyhow. I still have to plan a spot for a few other non-holiday cards. You'll also see my very favorite card of the season ("Star of Wonder...") and a "purse" gift card holder.

Below us I've posted a couple of my favorite non-holiday wares, just so you can see what else I've been up to. All told, I have over 300 products to sell tomorrow (or anytime if anyone's interested...!!!). I told you I haven't just been hangin' out watching Desperate Housewives! I've been a busy girl but I have had SO much fun making things! I love the big flower card and gift card slider (below). The stamp is from Stampin' Up! and it pops in Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss on a Going Gray background. The color inspiration for these two came from a fun pair of shoes I got a few months ago! The other card is for a new baby. Note to my New York people: Deer are very in right now so be aware. You thought I was crazy with the chandeliers and you probably think I'm crazy with my deer-talk right now--but you'll see.

Well, I still have a lot to do to get ready for tomorrow but I promise this will not be my last post for a long time. My lofty goal for the next week is to set up a page for people to see ALL of my inventory with prices and ordering information. Still working on logistics with that, but at least you caught a glimpse of what I've been working on over the last couple of months.

Until next time...

Where Have I Been?

So, yeah, I know, it's been almost a month since I promised to post new pictures. That's not nice of me but please accept my sincerest apologies. In my defense there has been A LOT going on! Craft fairs, open houses, about 46 birthdays, orders to fulfill, Thanksgiving, a Christmas season in full swing, and trying not to alienate friends or family when I keep having to say "I'm so busy". I'm sure that gets fairly annoying. Plus, random things happen that prevent me from working--a loud-snoring dog, a touch of vertigo (honestly, it was really more than a touch), and an urge to write a story about a haunted house in Big Sur! What?! Yeah, random. That said, this entry will be short. It's just so I can let you know I haven't forgotten about the blog and I am taking pictures this afternoon to edit tonight and post tomorrow.

I will be in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 6th, with my girl Gayle (of Little AM Designs) at The Learning Experience Holiday Boutique. We'll be there from 8am to 3pm hawking our awesome cards, gift tags, and gift card holders so check it out if you're in the area. It will be a great opportunity to do a little holiday shopping and get one-of-a-kind gifts for all of your favorite people! I hope to see you Saturday!

Finally!!

Yay! It's finally here! An update--complete with pictures! The last couple of weeks have been crazy. I've been spending about 12 hours a day in my craft room--thanks to my in-laws and Arvin for helping me set it all up! I'm getting ready for a holiday craft fair tomorrow (Saturday) and have another coming up in December, plus I have some actual orders (!!!) for greeting cards and an Open House next weekend. Crazy, crazy, hectic but I'm so GRATEFUL for every single one of these opportunities.

Arvin and I took some pictures last night of the products I'm taking to the craft fair tomorrow and, unfortunately, the lighting wasn't very good so very few of the photos we took actually came out. But we salvaged these--which were the ones I wanted to post anyhow. I decorated a little tree with these pretty Christmas tags. They are embossed with "Peace" and "Joy" and the other has snowflakes on it. I used stamps from Papertrey Ink; the red and moss cardstock is from Paper Source, as is the moss ribbon; the kraft cardstock and white embossing powder are from Stampin' Up; and the white ribbon is Offray. I made a few different cards and some gift card holders but you'll have to wait to see those as their pictures weren't so great. We will re-take them and I will get them posted in a few days.

I have much more to do for tomorrow so I need to get back to work, but wanted to at least put a little something up today like I promised. There are so many things I want you all to see that I have been working on so be sure to check back at the beginning of next week.

Just one more thing before I go--Mom, you won't believe it, but I actually busted out the Christmas music 2 days ago! I've been making holiday things and it's gotten me really excited about Christmas. A little backstory: My mom LOVES Christmas but too bad for her, my birthday is November 25 and I used to be a Scrooge! I wouldn't allow her to put up anything Christmasy until after my birthday. Yet now, here I am, making Christmas cards, listening to Christmas music, burning Christmas candles, and decorating Christmas trees and we're barely into November. I will say, though, that the music I've been playing is about Christmas, but it's not exactly traditional Christmas music. I'm listening to Hawksley Workman who is AWESOME and he put out a Christmas album a few years ago called Almost A Full Moon. With songs like "Common Cold", "First Snow of the Year", and "3 Generations", he's got a fun take on Christmas and I love it! If you find yourself in a festive spirit as I have been, definitely check him out! And check out his website http://www.hawksleyworkman.com/ where you can hear a few songs from his new albums. ("Piano Blink" is my favorite!)

Update Coming Soon!!

Hello Everyone!
So I know this page hasn't been updated in sooo long, but I promise a new post, new photos, and maybe even a new layout by next week! Please, please, please check back next week to see what Casual Friday has been up to. I swear I haven't just been sitting around doing nothing but watching Desperate Housewives for 2 months. I'm actually pretty busy right now and am very excited about the next couple of months. I can't wait to show you all what's coming up!

Back from visiting the family in New York--upstate, NOT the city! While I was gone, my hubby/photographer/IT guy had a chance to post some of my Casual Friday designs on Picasa.

Check it out!
picasaweb.google.com/arjo.rica/CasualFridayDesignsWeb?authkey=c_EnooKf4nY#











I LOVE NY!