Pay it Forward: Handmade 2011 Facebook Status

Did you or any of your friends post a Facebook status at the beginning of the year stating:

Pay It Forward 2011. I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who comment here. They in turn, must repost this on their status and send to their first 5 “commenters”. The rules are simple: it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 friends in 2011

Well, I did. Sounds like fun, right? I decided to make it just a bit more fun. So here is what I did.

Step 1: Message the 5 recipients with these questions:

Favorite color
Favorite animal
Favorite flower

Shoe Size
hat size
ring size

Living room colors
Bathroom Colors
Bedroom Colors

Not that everything I am making will need all this info...but I needed some of it, and some was to throw them off course :)

Step 2:  Pick your poison..

I posted the image below on Facebook, tagging the recipients. With these instructions:

Here is the deal...My Handmade recipients get to pick from discarded items that I will then turn into handmade gifts. (You know the 5 that commented on the status about a week ago)

*For those that can't see image:
A: Beer bottle cap
B: Cap'n crunch box (small)
C: Natural Light bottle box (empty)
D: Discarded T-shirts
E: A tin can

*Rule: Choice goes in order of the original comments.

Now we wait for the responses, so that I can start to work on them :)

Bonus: I will send a completed item to 1 random person that comments on this post between now and 11:59pm (CST) January 22, 2011. So get to commenting and sharing :)

Oh, and I need a way to contact you...so link to your e-mail or website that has contact option would be great. Oops, one more thing...offer available to US only.

Series Saturday: 1/15

I actually snuck in a bit quality time with Lishy today. My dad came to pick up the youngest two kids, and my oldest went to spend the night with a friend. I decided this would be a great time to break in my little list book.

This week's topic is: Book series that I have read. In keeping with the 7 in 11 theme (read lishy linky above if this confuses you ;) I realized that I have read exactly 7 book series. If that sounds pathetic to you, check out how many books are in R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms books...yeah, I've read all but the last trilogy.


So here is my page:

I kinda got a little sloppy, lazy, and ran out of room...but hey, this is just for fun, right?  

Here's a question for you...What series do you suggest I read next? 

 

Resolution Problem Resolved

Instead of making resolutions this year, I decided I would make a one word theme of "Progress". This led to the Mantra of: Do this More; Do that Less; Don't Do that; Do this Better: More or Less Do Better!

 

Of course we all know that you can't have progress without a little planning. Or at-least a way to jot down challenges and celebrations. This is where my Progress book comes in. This is the place that I plan on writing down goals, ideas, and of course celebrations.

Meet Lishy

On a side note, the 7-N-11 goes along with the Fly Lady's mantra this year of 7 in 11...Doing things in 7's in 2011. Originally I created this book as a "list book". In keeping with the 7 in 11 idea I came up with a topic for each of the 7 days:

Sunday- Soul Searchin' Sunday

   This day I give to The Lord...Prayers, Blessings, and Opportunities

Monday: Menu Monday 

    Planning the menu for the following week.

Tuesday: To-Do Tuesday

    Big to-do life lists, kinda like bucket lists...if that makes sense?

Wednesday- Work Wednesday

    The Short and Long term business plans

Thursday- Thumpin' Thursdays

    The things that I want to do, and need to do. Like the big home projects.

Friday- Finance Fridays

    Ugg....budget, and goals listing

Saturday- Series Saturday

   All things that come in a series: movies; books; art and crafts (both by others and that I want to do)

I still plan on having my lists in this, but I'm not going to pigeon hole the little guy into that specific of a use. If I did that, I'd have to have 10 to 12 of these little things for different uses with me all the time. Progress should be simple, not more complicated.

So this little guy will be my planner/list keeper/idea jotter/etc.  How is that for general?

Inspiration credits for the ideas in this post:

• One word theme: Mari Smith's article "My One-Word Theme For 2011: Commitment"
• 7 in 2011: Marla Cilley aka Flylady Motto: "Let's Go for Seven in 2011"
•  List Book:  Aimee @ Artsyville: "List it Tuesday Series"

Blog Mash-up

I'm racking my brain trying to decide if I want to keep my personal blog and this blog separate or combined  them. Sometimes I post things on that blog that I just want to share here, and vice-versa. I do; however post things that feel a bit too personal for a full public notice. The other blog is mainly just viewed by my facebook friends. For today, while I am still indecisive, I will just post a re-post here... so here goes:

Believe You, Me

11 01 2011 In the last couple of days there has been a theme popping up everywhere I look. In books I read, and in status messages from friends. The gist of it is to “Believe in yourself”. The first encounter was a line in the book that I am reading for this month’s book club, “The Opposite of Fate” by Amy Tan, the line goes:


 “And now you see, it’s your belief in yourself that enables you to do what you wish.”

Upon reading that line I immediately had to share it with my husband.

Evidently, though it was  poignant enough, that didn’t get the point across. The very next day (yesterday morning) I was reading “Getting Things Done” by David Allen and came across another little nugget. This version was:

“Outcome thinking is one of the most effective means available for making wishes come true.”

Okay, so it’s not exactly the same point. While one is about perception, the other is more-or-less preparation. Then again, you need both to succeed in any endeavor, right? It does; however, have the “wish” theme going on. I prefer to use the term goal or dream. I don’t know, there is such a stigma on “wish”. Maybe I will delve deeper in that topic later.

This makes me think of a quote I grew up hearing, “pray as if you never planned, and plan as if you never prayed”. Hmm, isn’t that belief (perception) and outcome thinking (planning, or preparation)?
This brings me to the final of the three. Again, that is three in a 24 hour period. The face-book status was a “Status shuffle” from an old friend (not old in the sense of age, of course!):

“Only when you take the time to believe in yourself will others take the time to believe in you”.

There you go, point hit on the head. Typical Laura modus operandi…when you don’t believe in yourself, get conformation of value from someone else. Or as dear husband calls it “fishing for compliments”. It looks like this little lady needs to work on believing in herself a bit more…but common, is that really breaking news. I mean, really!?!

December Facebook Fan Gift

It's been a few months since I have provided a desktop background fan gift. What can I say, I have always been fond of "May/December" relationships. Okay, fine...it was a coincidence.

I've added an iPhone image to the mix. I don't have a smart phone, but I'm hoping that the size will be correct for all touch screen versions. 

Let me know if you need a specific size. In addition, if you would like the original .psd file to add your personal schedule on it, let me know. I'll be happy to send the correct size in an e-mail.

*Just LEFT click on the image and "Save Image As".

A: 800x600

 B: 1024x786

C:  1280x800

D: iPhone

Last but not least...The big boy (my monitor) weighing in at 1920x1200

Happy Holidays from LMD Studio. I hope you have a safe and blessed month. ~ Laura

Motif, Pattern, and Project

I have been sketching a lot of motifs' lately. This weekend I took a couple of my favorite sketches and turned them into patterns for a current project I am working on. Not all of these will be used, but I wanted to see the effect of the very different styles placed together with only the color scheme as the common factor.

 

LMD Studio has had the privilege of creating the brand identity for this business, and is currently working on building the website.

New Address, Same Blog

I changed the URL for this blog from "creativebees.blogspot.com" to "lmdstudio.blogspot.com". The blog has evolved over the years and the original URL didn't quite fit. I'm sure there will be some cons for doing this, but I hope in time it will be worth it.

I also hope to have some more substantial content added soon.

Sketch2Sketch #4 - The Squatter

I stood in line at Chipotle waiting to give my order when I noticed the man I passed on the way in at the drink station sitting with friends. Noticing not really that he was sitting with friends, but that he was squatting in his chair. Yes, squatting. His black sandaled feet were on the chair while black nylon pants covered long legs were folded up against his slim torso with his knees coming up almost to his chin. He wore a charcoal gray long sleeved t-shirt that covered his lanky arms down past his wrists. He smiled at his friends while talking. Coffee colored stubble speckled the lower half of his elongated oval face while matching long layered hair covered the rest of his face.

S2S #3: A Mother And Her Baby

Sorry to take so long with this S2S. It has been all crazy up in here. I have to say, the baby was much cuter before I messed with the color. Oh, and by himself. The proportion relationship between him and mom are just not where I would like them to be. Oh well, chalk it up to learning and practice.

A Mother And Her Baby

She stands quietly at the counter waiting for her drink order, arms wrapped around her plump baby boy perched on her left hip. The handles of a pink paper shopping bag from a nearby boutique hangs from her clasped hands. Her dark sandy bob is held back from her face by her rounded black sunglasses that fit snugly around the top of her head. A long nose sits between brown eyes on her oval face. Her lips sit flat like her affect and her color choices of a taupish-gray deep v-neck t-shirt and slate gray shorts. Black leather straps from her slippers cover her feet in a v-formation. Her baby looks around the coffee shop from under his white bucket hat with his arms dropped to his side. His clothes are slightly mismatched with a white polo shirt bearing one red and blue horizontal stripe with some white in between across his chest and white and light green horizontal striped cotton pants.

S2S #2: Hanging On

S2S #2: Hanging On

I decided to work this one in ink and watercolor pencils. He was pretty challenging to visualize. I love a good challenge. I hope I did him well :)

Attitudes Poster from Zazzle.com

Attitudes Poster from Zazzle.com

Funny Story

My husband and I were playing on our computers in the office. Here it is after 11pm and I had my play-list blaring. I decided to set my "Woody" (that's what our son calls my wooden artist model) to the specifications of the S2S: Holding On. Just then my husband looks up and goes, "What the heck?" all the while cracking up.

I proceeded to read the character sketch aloud to him. Explaining that this is why I had the model with arms, and legs, in the upward most position. He then let me in on the true nature of the position inquisition. Well, you see, I was positioning Woody this way, as we were listening to "Believe it or Not" by Joey Scarbury.

Yeah babe, the song inspired me to place "Woody" into take off position. Laughing my abs off! Yeah, I totally snorted :)


Listen Here:

Sketch2Sketch: Hanging On

The sandwich shop was quiet and he stepped from behind the counter to the opening that led to the kitchen. He jumped up and grabbed on to the ledge above the opening. He pulled his legs out in front of him so they were parallel to the floor. He kept his feet in his black tennis shoes flexed so the toes were pointing towards the ceiling. His baggy jeans hung low on his hips, almost sagging despite the worn brown leather belt he wore. A white work apron covered most of his black t-shirt and ended at his knees. His arm muscles revealed themselves from his effort to hold himself in this position. His short scraggly beard didn't quite fill the lower half of his face, either telling of his youth or that he would not be able to grow a full beard. He formed his pinkish lips into an O shape as he started to whistle. His nearly beak-like nose that wasn't quite so rounded sat between his dark sapphire eyes. A black cap with red "JJ" lettering outlined in white covered his short dark chocolate hair on an oval head.

The Student in the Coffee Shop

Here he is. Yes I need a LOT of practice. I really messed up on the face. Sure I could have corrected that in Photoshop, but that would defeat the purpose of this project.

 He was a pretty quick sketch with Sharpie Ultra Fine and some Prismcolor Art-Markers (the few colors I have).

I have dedicated this little 3.5in by 5.5 inch leather bound Mead journal for this project.

*I think I should have had the backpack sticking out from the back. My new rule...(No Re-doing is allowed) Let's bite this perfectionism off, and learn in the most humbling way :)

Sketch2Sketch #1 - The Student In The Coffee Shop

We're trying something new as Laura mentioned in the last blog post. This is an exercise for both of us to hone our skills and keep in practice. I welcome constructive criticism as I learn from suggestions as how to make things more polished. Without further ado....

The Student In The Coffee Shop

He walked into the coffee shop. "Hey man." he said to the barista as he approached the low black counter and engaged in small talk. Walnut brown hair sat short and clean around the back of his rounded head while the slightly longer hair on top was styled metrosexual unkempt. Day and a half old stubble framed the bottom half of his face. Reddish brown metallic framed glasses that his brown eyes peered through, sat atop his perfectly straight and average nose. He wore a dingy white LaCoste polo shirt with a heathered gray t-shirt layered underneath despite the 102 degree weather outside. His kept his thumbs hooked under the straps of his charcoal backpack with the rest of his hand lying softly over the top of the straps. His bare toes peeked out from under the frayed hem of his dirty wash jeans that hid the slippers he wore.

sketch2sketch

My great friend Debi Smith and I were hanging out at the Productivity Pad (our little group family on skype, where we encourage each other to get to productivating.) Well, she is an author and was describing her last character sketch outing to me.

We got to thinking it would be really fun (if we lived closer) to go to the coffee shop together and I could sketch as she described. Then we realized we could do that through the distance. This brings us to our new project. sketch2sketch.

Debi will write a character sketch, and I will attempt to create an illustrative sketch of the character.

I'm not amazing with people, especially faces...so bear with me here :)

May Fan Gift

To all of my Facebook Fans, Here is your May gift. A desktop background created just for you! The image was taken by Daniel McDowell, LMD's Photographer.



800x600
Instructions: Just click on the image that best fits your resolution needs and either "save image as" or "set as desktop background". If you need a resolution that is not available here, don't hesitate to send me a message on FB.






1024x768
















1280x800
















And the big boy: 1920x1200


















If you are not a fan on Facebook, join now :) LMD Studio Fan Page

When Time Gets Ahead

I was visiting with some friends this evening and realized that this is the last week of April. Then it hit me, I only have 3 days to complete 2 websites. Wow, if I can do this...I can do anything.

The saving factor is that I am still waiting on images and information for one of the websites. It is still a bit disconcerting that I have such little time to complete such large tasks. I have always felt that I worked best under pressure. Maybe this realization will get me back on task and help me to buckle down and getter' done over the next couple of days.

Here goes...

I'm Alive, I Promise!

Wow, it's been a long time since I have posted on my poor neglected blog. I had started a wordpress blog for the personal areas of my life. I wanted to keep them separate because the >Preoccupied is mainly meant to help me through the struggles of health and emotional issues that started a couple of years ago.

Originally I was blogging daily. I did really well at first. Then I got busy getting my business up and running. A business that I technically started two years ago, but just started "working" last month.

Right now I am extremely busy on two websites, and in dire need of updating my official website. It would be nice to be so busy on projects (paid ones that is) that I wouldn't have time to think. Well, that's not really the case. Obviously I am posting this blog. So I'm thinking...yeah, not busy enough :)

Going forward I am going to try to post all things art, design, and photography related in this blog. Maybe some general business info. here and there. I will have some new greeting cards posted in the near future, as well as items in my Zazzle store.

Until next time...lets productivate!