Scattered

I must admit, my dears, that I'm feeling rather scattered as of late. Things have been askew since last September when I, having decided that I did not want to subject myself nor my darling feline companion, Mischa, to the hellacious heat and misery that was to follow in the wake of Hurricane Ike, decided to evacuate while the getting was good. Rather than return to Houston where the failing economy was causing problems for my massage therapy practice, I decided to head towards the Ozarks where my loving family lives. I do not regret the decision by any means. I have met some wonderful people, made some new friends and met my amazing fiance. I am, however, finding the job market absolutely impossible to navigate. Having to give up my practice and career and start anew (Arkansas doesn't offer reciprocity for my massage license ~grumble grumble~) is frustrating enough, but when jobs are hard to come by it becomes quite maddening. I'm sure some of you out there are in (or know someone who is in) a similar situation. I know it drives you up a wall, but it's times like these that it is most important to be thankful for what you have and pay less attention to that which you lack. Though I am not normally a list maker, I think today it would be a nice idea for me to count my blessings.

I am thankful for:

1)my awesome and supportive family

2)my loving fiance who never fails to make me laugh like a woman possessed.

3)my feline partner in crime, Mischa…he has nothing but love to give and he gives it freely…we could all learn a lesson or two from him.

4)the beauty of nature…there is the loveliest thunderstorm right now…a perfect summer rain…nature always calms my nerves.

5)my health

6)life's mysteries…it is rare that a day goes by where I don't find myself at least mildly surprised by some little odd cog in the universal machine.

7)my hair. What can I say…I love it…I'm a natural redhead with natural curls to boot…it was the bane of my existence as a child, but as an adult I adore it and its unruly, rebellious ways.

Now it's your turn…what are you thankful for today?

Wishing you a fantastic weekend,

Xxx

Ps: don't forget to enter the "Color Me Crazy" Coloring Contest for your chance to win a free print courtesy of Down & Dirty Designs and Le Coeur Rouge Photography.

Gals with Gas Masks and So Much More

I know I haven't been posting much of my original work lately, but I have been a bit distracted. I got engaged this past Saturday and have been dealing with all it entails, so please forgive me. I have, however, just listed some of my previously unavailable pieces for sale in my etsy shop, Down & Dirty Designs. Below lies a little sample…I will, however, be adding more pieces throughout the day, so feel free to check back to see what eye candy has been added. I hope you have an absolutely outstanding Thursday!

xxx

ps- don't forget to enter the "Color Me Crazy" Coloring Contest! The deadline's getting closer! There's a small flickr widget with samples of the prizes in the sidebar...feel free to take a gander!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade downanddirty.etsy.com

Trivia Tuesday

It was on this day in 1870 that Charles Dickens passed away at his home in Kent, England. I just thought you might like to know. For those of you who have never read Dickens I would like to recommend "Bleak House." It's completely brilliant. Have a smashing evening.

xxx

Photo Friday

I know, I know…it's Saturday, not Friday.

Sorry.

What can I say…it was a busy day yesterday.

On a completely unrelated note, I just thought I'd let you know that I despise looking for things…any and all manner of things…looking for work, looking for that (evidently magical and now invisible) tube of lipstick that you know you put in your bag, matching socks, apartments, the roll of film from your last holiday that really needs to be developed…they all drive me completely bonkers. (Can you tell what I've been doing this morning?)But I digress…

Without further ado, please allow me to present to you, photo Friday.

(and don't forget to enter the "Color Me Crazy" coloring contest!)

Have an absolutely glorious weekend. Try not to get into too much trouble.

xxx

"Paris, France - The great lady's confectioner"
by: YannPendaries.etsy.com

"Old Town"
by: AliciaBock.etsy.com"everything that was good"
by: AliciaBock.etsy.com


"The Red Windmill"
by: jerseymaids.etsy.com

Color Me Crazy Coloring Contest Now Open!

Alrighty, ladies and gents, it's time to flex your creative muscles!
Down & Dirty Design's "Color Me Crazy" coloring contest
is officially open.
How does it work?
Well here are the instructions:
1)save the image to your computer
2)print it
3)decorate the daylights out of it
4)email your submission to:
downanddirtydesigns at gmail dot com

It's that easy!
I'll post the submissions here for everyone to enjoy.
The winner will be notified via email and will then get to select the
Le Coeur Rouge Photography/Down & Dirty Designs
print of their choice.
So get those creative juices flowing and let's see what
crazy, awesome, stunning, funny works of
brilliance you create!
If this goes well, there will be more coloring contests in the future.
This contest will end July 3, 2009.
All the boring rules are below the coloring sheet.
Please make sure to read them.
Enjoy!
xxx
rules:
*limit 2 entries per person.
*1 prize will be awarded. prize is one photographic print not to exceed 8x10" in size
*winner will be chosen by a panel of 3 judges (myself, a swell fella by the name of Brian and a complete goofball by the name of Chris).
*contest is open to everyone, everywhere...I doubt this will be the case, but should any taxes be due at customs they are the sole responsibility of the winner.
*you may use whatever medium (digital included) you choose in your entry, so go nuts!
*please keep it clean...i am all for freedom of expression, but since people of all ages can view this blog I have to ask that there by no pornography or graphic violence depicted in your submission. Entries that do not follow this guideline will not be considered for judging.
*Contest ends July 3, 2009.
*The winner will be announced no later than July 10, 2009.
*please email submissions or any questions you have to downanddirtydesigns at gmail dot com
*now here's the most important rule of all:
HAVE FUN!!!

ps- prize options can now be seen here!

F-stop Magazine Feature

Well, ladies and gents, I am pleased as punch to announce that two
of my photos ("girl with horse" and "jack's") are currently featured in the
group exhibit of F-stop Magazine's issue #35.
Woohoo!
I would love it if you stopped by and took a peek
at all the talented artists' amazing photos.
I am indeed quite pleased.
*insert little happy dance here*