Monday, June 30, 2008

Birthday Mnemonics

Well! I thought this Summer was going to be easygoing... I just remembered I've got photos from birthday celebrations, however quiet.

Birthday French Toast


The weekend before my birthday, we had friends Marina & Jimbob over for a long overdue dinner. Too busy talking about the business of art, we never did get a chance to to talk about their recent honeymoon adventures to Sweden. However, she did bring us Asiago Cheese bread that we turned into French Toast the next morning. Yes, I know it sounds strange, but imagine, cheese + cinnamon + maple syrup = not a bad combination. I can never have too much cinnamon and sugar!!

Later that week, I sent Amy a note wishing her a happy birthday (the day before mine) and asked her if I could get her a new paint by number set since I know she has difficulty remembering her complementary colors. She wasn't real pleased because she was still reeling from the 'make your own greeting card' kit I bought for her at Tuesday Morning last year. Hahahahahaha. Perhaps I should have picked up a color wheel for her instead...

In any case, Amy was much more gracious the next morning as she called to invite me to celebrate our birthdays together. We chose the NC Art Museum for lunch and naturally, I had to have the Artist Palette Salad complete with ceramic palette -hole and all!

*Sigh* I wish I had brought my camera.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

My Givewaways Aren't for Scavengers

"For every lock, there's a locksmith" I always say, and I'm becoming increasingly annoyed at the fact that there are bottom feeders who turn a sweet incentive for true enthusiasts into a circus for scavengers.

I'm watching my blog stats and I'm capable of seeing where folks come from and how they get here. I'm noticing a deluge of folks coming from a particular site (redhotsweeps.com) that is strictly dedicated to post Giveaways for said bottom feeders.

I'm an artist who wants to give back to her supporters as a thank you and now you've turn this into form of entertainment where you also have 'Bragging Corner' & 'Member Brag Pages'. How Nice.

My Web site & blog is dedicated to and specifically for enthusiasts of my artwork. I don't punch a clock for 'the man' which translates to: I work hard every day (and I mean every day) on my designs and products to make them gorgeous for my collectors. While I've been inspired by larger companies who host giveaways for their customers I must say, giveaways are simply expensive for me.

Please be kind.
I don't have time to devise a better strategy to keep vultures from picking at my time. Larger companies hire people specifically to keep the gates locked, I do not.

All entries received from redhotsweeps.com or any other similar site will be ineligible for the giveaway.

Please take my Giveaway entries off your forum.

PS. I'm sorry I had to get ugly in front of my genuine supporters. Thank you so much for your warmth and graciousness.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Whatever Chablis Shall Be Wine Coaster Giveaway!

Wine Down Your Day with Wine Malapropism Coasters
A Wine Coaster Giveaway!

****
We have a winner! See end of post.
*****

Is your Life a Cabernet? Or do you Que Syrah Syrah your day? Perhaps Whatever Chablis Shall Be fits your mood... After all is said and done, You Had Me at Merlot.

You thirst for these, don't you? Andrew and I have already squirrelled our preferred coasters near our favorite chairs and you should do the same.




Wine Coaster Deets
Set of 4 Mixed Absorbent Coasters
Cork-backed to protect furniture
Large surface area (4.25 inches square) to catch more drips
Designed by ECStewart (that's me!)
Printed and packaged in the USA by Thirstystone.

Not So Sticky Rules:
Please read as they've been modified as of June 26th.
_______________________________________________________
UPDATE -June 26:
My Web site & blog is dedicated to and specifically for enthusiasts of Elizabeth C Stewart's artwork. All entries received from redhotsweeps.com or any other similar site will be ineligible for the giveaway.

For more info, please read: My Giveaways Are Not for Scavengers.
_______________________________________________________

1. One has to respond to this blog entry to qualify
2. I'd like you to be at least 18.
3. Contest Ends Wednesday, July 9, 6:00pm (EST)
4. Free shipping for US Residents (lower 48)
5. Shipping outside US/48 may have to help defray costs
6. Andrew and I will use the online number generator to ID the winner.
7. You must confirm your prize within one week or you forfeit and another winner will be chosen.
8. You can't be related to me -even thru marriage. Besides, you get all kinds of cool stuff from me anyway, right?
10. (New) You must be reachable so that we can contact you. You must have more than just an established 'blog account' to be eligible. If I cannot verify your ID or reach you via email, learn that you've come from a 'Sweeps' forum, I will disqualify your posts.

Send your friends and good luck!

PS. I'm sorry I had to get ugly in front of my genuine supporters. Thank you so much for your warmth and graciousness.
***
Can't wait? Available for pre-order thru my Web site!

****
UPDATE: The contest is now closed and I want to thank you all for your participation! Using the random.org number generator, the winner is...

Hawk!!

Hawk, you'll want to send me a note (creativegoddess at ecstewart dot com) to let me know your snail mail address so that I can send out your Wine Coasters pronto! I need your response by the end of the week.

For All: I will provide free shipping to those who want to order the Wine Coasters. Just let me know!

Getting Structured

I'm getting behind on my blog entries because I feel like I'm getting behind on a secret project that I continue to nurse this month, so some of this may just seem out-of-sync to those of you local folk. Just add one week to this post. ;)

Summer's first heat wave has washed across the SE like an old electric blanket. Smoke residual from the forest fires in the East and the urban heat are beginning to take a toll.

Regimen
My morning walks with my neighbor and her new baby continue for the second week, er, third week. Last Tuesday was beautiful, but by the time Friday rolled around, we were already lathered by the 2nd lap around the canopied neighborhood. Each morning, the 3 of us walk at least 3 miles at a rather quick pace. My wedding rings have now been pushed to the 'traditional setting' because of swelling, regardless of how much water intake.

Nice time to start a regimen, eh?

What's also remarkable about this little daily constitutional is that what ever issues I have plaguing me, seem to work themselves out; I've heard the same about yoga. Meditation is very much the same -if you've got an issue, make it known to oneself and after the session, it should resolve itself. I'll be resuming that once I can make my physical exercise a mainstay and when I can be confident the pussycats won't disturb me with their feline fiascoes.

J, like any new mom, is eager to step on the scale after sweating her butt off and typically disappointed. And... why is it guys can sneeze and lose 10 lbs? I feel a personal guilt toward my body. I punished my body by not returning to the gym (after the honeymoon) because I didn't lose 1 single pound after 5 weeks of heavy, thorough exercise. After 3 weeks of consistent exercise, I refuse to step on the scale for at least another 6 weeks. I also refuse to punish my body for not responding the way I think it should -after all, I am 7 years older than my last personal training experience.

The Pact
Additionally, Andrew & I have made a pact to push each other but I'm not sure he'll actually use his voice of doom I've taught him. He won't use it on the boyz, so why am I expecting him to use it on me? Returning to our exercise regimen, thus far, is going well. Hitting the cardio and weights 3x a week is feeling rather good.

Last night, I did 40+ sit ups on an incline bench without breaking a sweat. I lost count because I got bored, so I stopped doing the sit ups. Yes, I am goofy. So I continued working on my abs thru other sources -then I felt the pain. I am elated that my rubberband is back!!

The Personal ReOrg
As far as the structure, well, I've redesigned my own agenda. I've never been a person that adhered to 'factory instituted structure' as schools are run today. I also very much enjoyed working late into the night, but now I really enjoy knowing just how much I've accomplished before 10am. Imagine that!

I guess time is just relative.

Getting up in the morning has never been a problem for me, neither has working hard -I just liked the idea of 'setting my own hours,' even if that meant working until 2am. The real challenge laid in the hours between 5-7pm when it was dinner time and I just wanted to finish a few loose ends; unfortunately, the family had other ideals. Dinner... Pftsth!

Some people get it right away, for others, like myself, it takes a while longer. Design my life around the most important goal: Me.

The question always asked of me was, "What do you want to do?" Heh! That part was easy. The real question should have been, "How do you see yourself fitting into your own life?"

One day, I might actually retire (who retires from illustrating, really?) and my body will always be here, gliding one day to the next, month-to-month, year-to-year. Hopefully, when I'm 85, I'll be proud to walk upright into the gym, lifting free-weights like the boomers and geezers today knowing exactly how I fit into my own life.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Giving Girls Presents

It's my birthday today. Years ago I deemed my birthday a national holiday, just as long as you address me as Queen Elizabeth.

I found a great dialog that befits today by Charles Schultz:

Lucy: Beethoven's birthday is December 16th Shermy! Have you decided what you're going to get me?
Shermy: Yes! I'm not going to get you anything!
Lucy: What kind of a holiday is it where you don't give girls presents?


Chardonnay: He's a guy, but he plays all the girl parts.

Andrew, to my great fortune, is nothing like Shermy, he always makes me feel like every day is my birthday. He's always on the lookout for the most thoughtful gift, object that will bring me the greatest joy. I usually ask that it bring me the greatest production joy so that I can actually perfect my use and become a money making venture. So, this year he asks, "What would you like?" casually during a Jeopardy commercial break. I shrug my shoulders and really can't think of anything I need that would allow me to make a few extra bucks.

"Uh, how about a pair of earrings? I know it sounds completely selfish and I usually make most of what I wear, but I can't make diamonds."

His retort? "I was thinking a zoom lens for your SLR."

Needless to say, the diamonds were a passing phase as I was all over that lens he suggested. After deciding I needed a zoom lens, Andrew decided I needed a new SLR kit to go along with it but it was becoming increasingly expensive to shop ala carte.

I'll give you one guess where he went. Yup. Costco.
Update: I had been remiss and didn't provide a link so I went back to search for it, and they have no more.

My man is the most product conscious researcher next to yours truly, and found a comprehensive Canon Rebel XTi outfit for me saving $600. I know he just wanted to get his hands on my Canon Rebel XT that gave us so much thrill during our honeymoon.

I will find time to have fun with my new toy -even if that means procrastinating on other projects.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Quiet Down, Cobwebs

I can't take it anymore!!!!!!!

After Mayhem May, I've been able to effectively re-evaluate my home studio. I enjoy creating products for my customers and unfortunately, the production & manufacturing is overriding my studio space -my cockpit desktop can no longer take the demands of my prototyping.

Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries by the Royal Philharmonic play in the background as we clear our former home theater-turned-exercise space-turned inventory stash. The stationery bike & treadmill got expedited thru Craigslist last week -yay- and now I eagerly photo more great stuff for sale. I'll post a note when I finally get around to uploading the goods (old TIVO, DVD multi players, CD players...).

The next transformation: ECStewart Manufacturing & Production Area.

Costco cashed in a great deal of our paycheck as we bought 4 chrome mobile shelving units from them this weekend. After the first 2, I realized my inventory hadn't moved, only the inventory from Andrew's office. So, back to Costco on Saturday we went for another 2 sets. Man! After erecting the recent units plus the others we have in the house, we could probably win a race.

Stay tuned for the final reveal!!

Shelving Hint for the Vexed:
When affixing casters to the bottom of the units, wedge something useless under the frame to allow for rotation -say, a 5lb weight. Using one's toes is only good for the first round of casters -they begin to put up a fight if you ask for more.


Reasons Why I Can't Return to Corporate USA

Andrew just sent this to me and I'm laffin' my ass off!

50 Office Speak Phrases You'll Love to Hate

I hurt. I need to go forward designing more secret holiday imagery... perhaps I'll loop back because I'm on the strategic staircase creating a holistic, cradle-to-grave approach.

Got your own?

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Paisley Poll

It looks like there are a number of folks who love paisley and I don't want to deny you. So please feel free to vote on the current paisley poll (one can do this anonymously) and if you've got further ideas, we'd love to hear them here.

Vote now!

Upcoming Poll:
Your Colorway Favorites.


Update:

From our recent poll, here are the stats. Remember, each category has the potential of 100%.

50% voted for Fashion (Pendants)
30% voted for Home Decor (Pillows)
10% voted for Wall Decor
50% voted for PaperGoods (stationery)
10% voted for Other (Wallpaper, by anonymous)

Can you think of additional categories for this new design? I'd love to hear them.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Giveaway: Paisley Coasters

Pattern your Summer with Pink Taffy Paisley
A Pink Taffy Paisley Coaster Giveaway!

Note: We have a winner!!

Remember those days at the lake when you'd walk up to the hut in your sand-filled, wet suit to seek some shade and find yourself amidst all the glorious candy? The striped ribbon of various colors on taffy didn't need fancy packaging, they just needed time spent with you in the sun pulled into strings as your dog watched with fascination.

That same great pink taffy has grown up. Pattern your Summer with pink taffy paisley and enjoy the sounds of the lake as you sip punch in the shade.


Pink Taffy Paisley Coasters
Specs:
Set of 4 Absorbent Coasters
Cork-backed to protect furniture
Large surface area (4.5 inches in diameter) to catch more drips
Designed by ECStewart (that's me!)
Printed and packaged in the USA by Thirstystone.

Update: Available for pre-order thru my Web site!
Update 2: Please vote on the poll and/or idea comment on our paisley poll.
Update 3: Contest has been extended to Monday, June16 (due to Operator Error.) Sorry!

Not So Sticky Rules:

1. One has to respond to this blog entry to qualify
2. I'd like you to be at least 18.
3. Contest Ends Monday, June 16, 6:00pm (EST)
4. Free shipping for US Residents (lower 48)
5. Shipping outside US/48 may have to help defray costs
6. Andrew and I will use the online number generator to ID the winner.
7. You must be reachable so that we can contact you.
8. You must confirm your prize within one week or you forfeit and another winner will be chosen.
9. You can't be related to me -even thru marriage. Besides, you get all kinds of cool stuff from me anyway, right?

Send your friends and good luck!

****
UPDATE: The contest is now closed and I want to thank you all for your participation! Using the random.org number generator, the winner is...

Curatrix!!

Curatrix, you'll want to send me a note (creativegoddess at ecstewart dot com) to let me know your snail mail address so that I can send out your Taffy Paisley Coasters pronto! I need your response by the end of the week.

For All: I will provide free shipping to those who want to order the Taffy Paisley Coasters. Just let me know!

PS. Another Giveaway is right around the corner!!