My Christmas Poem

The greatest gift given to me
Was the babe in a manger
For all the world to see


Herald as the coming Savior
For the sake of mankind
Because of his behavior


Such a gift to have received

   Year in and onward to beyond
For man has been deceived


To spend and spend
When all He did was exist
God in man was the blend


No flat screen TV
Nor a phone of droid
Did this gift come to be


No glitter of lights adorned
Save the guiding star shining
 To He who was born


That miracle happened but once
And has never stopped giving.
Love such love, the gift of sustenance

Time stands still for no man

Appreciation comes and settles

Sun rises and too the moon can

Matter not what I think or feel

But this award above you see

To me is really a big big deal

Thank you Poetry Palace for this award

My nomination goes to Bupinder Singh http://bupinder21.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/addiction/

I am linking this to Thursday Poets Rally 

over at The Poetry Palace 

No Title

I'm not sure where this one is headed but I'm throwing stuff on the wall to see what sticks. 


Yesterday I was feeling awful...just bad awful. I thought I was gonna puke but that never happened, so I had to deal with the other end. I was actually feeling fine early on, I had some fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls and not long after that it was all down hill. Those things stayed on my stomach for hours....churning, not digesting. All I could do was lay down and sleep. I had crackers and ginger ale later in the afternoon...I had all of two crackers.


As the evening wore on, I was feeling a little better but still unable to eat anything of substance. I was due back at work today and I could tell that I wasn't going to be 100 percent but I got through with crackers and ginger ale. By 2:00 I could tell the end was about there. I stopped on the way home to get chicken noodle soup to start the system slowly...along with crackers and ginger ale. 


See?...told ya. I don't have much. 


Hey, take a look at one of my latest designs. Don't laugh at my house, I drew it myself.

Yes, it's on the website but I'm think I'm going to take the background away for the t-shirts. If you hop over there you'll see what I mean.

Mr Fix-it

I had featured this mini rocker on Memories & Magic January 5th of this year.

Well, one day Ave strolls into what use to be my ManCave and says PeePaw, I need you to fix my chair for me...I think I was too heavy for it.  

After surveying the damage, I decided to remove the long staples that supported the seat before.

It was obvious to me at this point I was not using the same type of fasteners to support the seat. 

So my choice was to use these small
nails with a twist.

It was really an easy fix, but the look on her face made it even more satisfying.


#whatruworkinon

My How Time Flies!

It's hard to believe it's been over a month since my last post. Hmmmm....it takes me back to a time when I said I wouldn't allow myself to have long lapses between posts....i guess I was wrong. 


I'm sort of mixed concerning how I feel about going so long without a post. Actually, I have a couple in draft that I probably won't post...I was venting very heavily. I also wrote a poem...in draft...also venting. Doing that has helped me to deal with a few things. All of this happening while I was busy getting designs done and uploaded to my new online store, Designs by Reglandus. 


It is a lot of work coming up with designs and getting them on the site...more work than I originally thought it would be. But you know what?....I'm really lovin' it. Sometimes I'll spend hours tweaking a design and even after it's uploaded I may make a change or two like I did with this one.

Before

After

After uploading the first design, I noticed the text seemed to be too small and TheQuesMark was ok but I decided to "chain" it and as you can see, I wanted to add some oomph! I think moving the lower arrow to the front added depth to the entire design. I'm still currently replacing the old design with the new one on the website.


I also have freehand designs that I mess around with. Currently, the design at the top (below) is on the website in a different color and the one below that is also there in a different flavor.

I have several designs in different colors and other stuff that I have yet to upload. I could upload what I have so far and let it ride, but new ideas keep coming and I keep going at it.


As far as blogging goes, I'm making no promises but I have missed this....more than I realize. 

A Vintage Collection

While working one day this summer, the owner of these vintage classics allowed me to photograph his collection.

1923 Ford Model T
Convertible 1 door

1937 Pontiac Coupe

Chevy BelAir

1969
Chevy Camaro

I forgot the year and model of this one he was
currently #workinon

Mercedes Benz

#whatruworkinon

Refreshed

This is what it kinda feels like right now. I had talks with I believe are some key people very recently. I was able to be candid and straight forward. I couldn't believe how much better I felt when I was finished after each conversation.

Apparently this was long overdue. 

I don't know what the end result will be when all is said and done, but what I do know....I feel as if I can now really move forward....no matter what happens.  

I have my sights set on other key changes/additions that I am sure will help to bring me to a state of even more stability and the want to continue in a positive direction.

Are you still with me?......I sure hope so.

The Spider

This nice size spider had taken refuge in the back of the house and has a grasshopper to boot.

I was amazed at how large this spider was.

I Remember When

There once was a time when I was firm in what I believe in....I still do but it seems as if the conviction has been missing.


Yesterday I was sent to a man, or a man sent to me. He is a young man under 30 years of age and going places. He was a Art teacher in I believe he said High School. I told him he looked like he was supposed to be sitting in class taking lessons himself instead of teaching them. 


The path he had chosen for himself, concerning artwork did not change, but took a different turn. He was fortunate enough to have someone suggest to him that he should pursue tattooing after they saw his work. I think that started while he was teaching. 


As I listened to him, I was feeling a spark...a renewing...refreshed. It was this young man who ignited the flame that I thought was burning. Listening to his story was invigorating and hopeful. I hadn't realized how much I had receded from my original goals. Sure I have had some life changing experiences and I have struggled but before I met this young man, I thought I had been bitten by a revived spirit. Just goes to show how deep some wounds can be as they truly will take time to heal.


My faith in God has never wavered and I have been prayerful. I'm thankful for this answered prayer, coming from a stranger, a young man blessed himself with an opportunity which has blossomed....a story to tell. 


His name is Marshall Sinclair and here is his website www.marshallsinclair.com. He said they never duplicate a tattoo. He showed me a picture of one he had done the night before...it was fantastic!....he really is a good artist. I wish him much success.


One thing for sure....you never know when, where, what, or who, God will send in answer to prayer....you just never know....

Back To Basics

After realizing I'm putting myself through more than needed right now, I have decided to get back to basics. I'm going to discontinue the meme and concentrate on what I do....just be me. Maybe some place down the road I will revive the meme on a monthly basis, but now I must concentrate on what is at hand.


I'm not as far ahead as I would like to be designing my T-shirts and other products, but I am making progress.

~~~~~~~~~

  

I finally retrieved the pictures from my camera which means I can finally share them. 

~~~~~~~~~

Time management is my biggest problem right now. I have time to get things done but in the end, I'm out of time with little done in certain areas. Once I get that in order things should be getting easier and less stressful for me.

~~~~~~~~~

I can't believe I went this long without posting something. This won't happen again.

Better Late Than Never?

This was supposed to be the meme post that I didn't finish and it was also to be the post for the one I accidentally posted yesterday. 

OK...so I've been #workinon my designs and making headway in my attempts at transferring them to my new software. I like the new look and you may also see new designs coming.

As I wanted from the very beginning, I will be able to accomplish the product line I believe will be appealing to many. Calendars, cards, T-shirts, maternity, baby, mugs and so on. 

Below is an old design of The Bottomless Heart.

Copyright WhatrUWorkinOn.com
2010-2011

This is the new look.

Copyright WhatrUWorkinOn.com
2010-2011

I will be making changes to my core logo design but the #QuestionMark will remain. Below is a sample.

Copyright WhatrUWorkinOn.com
2010-2011

I'll be adding a dot on the bottom of the #QuestionMark.

Those are some of the things I've been #workinon around here.

#whatruworkinon

More

Oops...my bad. I'm not sure what happened here. I was preparing a post yesterday and early on must have tapped a wrong key....like maybe the enter key. 


I had no idea I had posted without content until this morning.


Funny thing is I was finishing what I had started and had quite a bit of info and now I have nothing......aaahhh yes. Now I know. I was in update mode and didn't realize it. Looking now at the toolbar I see no save option but there is an update which I should have clicked.


Again I say...oops....my bad.

Hey MahoganyMama!

I just wanna say

It's your birthday

I just wanna say

It is today

I hope it's a good one

Even if you don't see the sun

I hope you have fun

When it's all said and done

Nope it's not here either

Don't even look in the freezer

I can't pretend

This will come to an end

At some point or other

I'd much rather drother

Be there right now

I'd give you a bow

To show some love

As tight as a glove

That goes on a hand

As sure as you stand

New Designs

I love working with the software I use to create my designs. It is older software and I recently purchased an upgraded version of the software. Honestly?....I like the older one better. But, saving the file in a format other than that strictly for the software, renders the printed copy jagged around the edges...fonts included.


I have copies printed in the format from the software and thought I could scan them, upload them and save them in different formats to see what I get.


One problem...after upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium, my scanner is dead in the sea. I even tried compatibility mode under several different flavors without success. 


I tried copying the clip art from the old to the new before editing but after performing even the smallest re-size, it starts to distort. I'm messing around with designing another logo with the newer software, but I'm not happy with the arrow selection and the fact that I can't edit the color as with the older one. Using the newer software, I lose the question mark from this design.


What makes this design unique in my eyes IS the question mark. The ability to edit the arrows is a very big plus.


I have a few more ideas but it requires the use of a scanner.


Hmmmmm.....

WhatrUWorkinOn-Friday Set 5

Welcome back! This is 1 of 2 designs for the meme with more to come.

Well, let's get right to it....

Me

Investing can be tricky business...even if you are simply investing in yourself. Whether it involves money or time. It can also be very rewarding. With all I have been going through lately, deciding to put time and money into me is something I feel good about and find it necessary. 

Working for someone else is done by millions everyday. The companies that employ us expect something in return for their "investment"....as well they should....but, they don't own us. 

Nowadays, many companies , with the economy in turmoil use scare tactics to get employees to "shape up". In some cases it works and in others, some don't fall for it. Bottom line is it can be stressful to say the least.

So I have decided to invest in myself and throw in a few scare tactics of my own. I keep telling myself that my current situation will be the status quo if I choose to do nothing but what I have done for a very long time. I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to look forward to and a lot to work for. Don't get me wrong....I have been investing in me for some time...like my whole life, but the sense of urgency has kicked in. 

I have never really been satisfied with "the way things are". I believe I have always striven to be better than what I am but not sure if I have invested in myself the way I see it today. Ever since my brother passed away, I have been searching deep within and see the need to be more than what I am. Even if I am not successful in my endeavors, I would have to say that my investment was well spent and time used wisely. 

I believe in me and in what I can do. I believe that my efforts pay off in some form, shape and fashion. 

So as I have said before, I am designing and hope that my products will be pleasing to many. I know it won't be easy and I know that failure is an option (although I hate to say it) but I'm not afraid to try. 

It won't be long before I have a few items ready but I'm still trying to get some of my previous stuff off of my defunct hard drive...but in the mean time, new stuff is rolling off the presses.

That's it for now...

#whatruworkinon 

Why?

The past few days I have been doing some T-shirt designs and I have come to realize that I like my older software more that I like the new. What I miss more is the artwork. The new one is good and loaded with clip art. 

~~~~~~~~~~

 I'm not gonna get this finished....

When I got home from work, DaddyCharles was on his way to the hospital with Ava because of her breathing. A friend of MahoganyMama not long ago, came  by to take her and Kiah and Samuel because they too were having trouble breathing. 

It takes me back to when Darcel (MahoganyMama) was their age and TheWife and I did what they are now doing. I'm sure they wish the Grands could have been spared the anguish they go through, but they know the important thing is to see that they get the treatments needed.

It's gonna be a long night for them.... 

WhatrUWorkinOn-Friday Set 4

Yes it's that time again....Link-in with your project.

Looking Up From Here

I know I haven't been steady and on time with the meme, but I am staying committed to making a run of this. I'm still clearing my plate of unwanted and unneeded this and that. 


I'm going to design a meme header...maybe that's something I can do this rainy weekend. 


Speaking of designs...I'm definitely getting back into that and have a real good shot at getting my product line on the market. I'm still looking into the details, but all looks promising. I'll be posting some items that will be on the website and I'll be getting back into some giveaways. 


It's been awhile since I've written poetry and with what I'm going to be doing, that just may get me back into it.


Reflecting back....I still know that I have a ways to go, but feeling the way I do now is a welcomed addition.