I'm Hooked!

ACEOs are so much fun! I have always loved little things and have an extensive miniature collection. Making ACEOs fits right in with that collection but I can add buttons and ribbons and beads,oh my! They also may tell a story or evoke a mood.

Here's my latest but I must start by giving credit to BellaColle, a wonderful artist who created the paper I used and allowed it to be copied for free. She's a doll! The mother of pearl rose heart was purchased from CraftDiner and the fabulous dotted boot is from HighPie...so cute! It is listed in the shop.

Printer Update

Well, dear husband insisted on 'researching' the latest and greatest printers, online, Consumer Reports, blah,blah,blah. I did want a multi-function since our fax is on its last legs and I wanted a new scanner. He said a particular Canon was great but hard to find and I was leaning towards the HP. I won!!! We found a highly rated model that had a $30 rebate and I had a $30 off coupon so the price was more than fair. We're a bit stumped with the fax set-up but he'll work on it when he gets home. The print quality is great. Thanks all for your input. I definitely took it all to heart and now I'm techno problem free.....for the minute! Maybe now I can work on a new business card for etsy.

Time for a change?

The change I'd REALLY like would include a trip to the beach. It hit 102 yesterday but it seems the time has come for me to get a new printer instead.

Are these factors telling me to replace my machine?

1-A light you never noticed flashes constantly?

2-The print comes out reversed-mirror image?

3-You set the printer for 20 copies and 75 are spit out?

4-The book you go to for troubleshooting says it is compatible with Windows 98 ?

5-You have a deadline for 120 copies of something and all of the above is happening?

6-Your husband needs business cards yesterday and it won't turn on?

7-Obviously sometimes I can get it to work but not NOW!!!!!!

Ugh, after just replacing the computer this was not an option I wanted to face so soon after that installation. Thank goodness all my etsy materials are printed (business cards,thank yous,etc.) so I'm covered there. I'm thinking about an all-in-one machine. I have been an HP user for years and the 4-in-ones seem to be better lately. Anyone have any input?

Street Teams & ACEOs

Etsy has a concept that was unknown to me called Street Teams. Groups of like minded artists/crafters join up either for a cause and/or for promotional purposes and friendship. The concept is a positive one but yet another reason to stay fixed at the computer. I really can't give it too much time but I have joined 2 groups. One is the South Carolina Street Team which is obviously for those in this state. The other is HOST-Helping Others Street Team. Members donate items to be sold in the HOST shop and the money goes to deserving members who need a little financial boost.

The HOST group asked members to create an ACEO to be donated to the shop for sale. For those unknowing (and that was me!) ACEO stands for art cards, editions and originals. It is interchangeable with ATC-artist trading card. It is not an Etsy phenomenom but an explosive artistic genre. This site tells more.

Anyway, the concept always intrigued me as I love little things and this fits right in. An art card must be 2.5" by 3.5" and can be of any medium. Many are collages which I love so I took the plunge and made my first one. I happen to have wood rectangles of the exact size and that was the base. I will donate this one to HOST but I may have a new affliction/addiction!

Bling Scarf

Today's post will be short. The new computer is great and I love sitting here but I must get into the studio and create/work.

Anyway, just finished this cutie scarf. The yarn is so soft with a bit of silver going through it and it works on an adult or a child. A bit of bling in a winter scarf. Winter? It's 95 out now! Phew! Like my model?

We're Up and Running!

Yay! The new computer is working. I was concerned about VISTA and problems I've heard about but so far, so good. The techie is coming on Thursday to do a data transfer and install an external hard drive for automatic back ups. Until then I can't access any of my documents or stored pictures but that's okay. Don't I sound like I know what I'm talking about?! Anyway, it's great not getting those threatening and warning messages.

I did accomplish a major re-haul of the studio this weekend. Re-organized (again) and labeled and stored and stashed and worked myself to exhaustion. Now I don't want to go up there and mess it up!
I found this clock that is really too big to have ever been lost. I call it Basket of Silver Clock....not terribly original but that's what it is. I listed it today. I also found tons of yarn and thread. I thought I had de-stashed...hmmm, think again!

The Hand Writing on The Wall

Sometimes cliches say it best and if we don't "read the hand writing on the wall" we may have consequences to pay. In computer years, my machine is 'old' -almost 5. It has been sending me strange messages like "your virtual memory is low" and and I have "insufficient system resources". Now, I am old and I know my memory is not the best but to have that flashed on a screen in front of you is really insulting. Actually, there have been more serious issues like not starting and a singing tone coming from the tower, not a tune you'd want to hum along with either!

We finally decided to get a new one and it is currently sitting on the floor behind me waiting for DH to connect. I just spent over 3 hours deleting files and pictures that aren't needed. I also reduced the numbers of pictures which mysteriously had triplicated themselves. So now we're hopefully ready to do a transfer and join the 2008 computer world before the year ends! Just like with our bodies, when there's an ache or a pain, pay attention. Read the handwriting!

I am pretty proud of me, though, since I am largely self-taught regarding the computer. I figured out the internet, blogging, etsy, e-mail,etc. with no direction from a higher up. But if you don't hear from me for a bit, know that while we read the hand writing on the wall and we wanted to listen, the wall talked back and we're paying the consequences!