Valentines Day

Valentines Day is next month and will be here before you know it. If you haven't noticed the link to my CafePress store is gone from my sidebar and that is because I have closed it. 

I'm focusing my efforts now into my Etsy Shop which is now open. I currently have three items and working on another as of this moment but stopped so I could get this message out. I will do my best to keep you updated when new items are added. I will add a link to my Etsy Shop on the sidebar soon.

As mentioned earlier, Valentines Day is approaching and many of you are familiar with The Bottomless Heart I designed a couple of years ago. That is the first card in my shop for Valentines Day but can be given for other occasions as well such as anniversary, birthday or just because. 

I made some changes from the original design which are more simplistic. It still features the story line behind the design of the heart which is your expression of love and time shared together, with the one you love.

Here is a photo of the card's front. Please visit my Etsy Shop to see the rest.

  

Still At It

I'm still at it as far as my clocks are concerned and my latest is a custom design for a co-worker, Ken who bought it for his uncle who is a Minnesota Vikings fan. 

Ken wanted to know if I could do an official NFL design and I told him that was not possible because of copyrights and licensing. I told him I could come up with something I think he would like.

After the initial design was complete I sent it to him to see what he thought and what he would like to change. All he wanted changed was moving a few things around. He was totally happy with the design itself.

I wanted to get some feedback on the finished product so I took it to work and everyone that saw it was really pleased with it. Nothing definite but I may have two more orders coming because they liked what they saw.

I know everyone won't like it but I am happy with the response I got so far.  

The clock face on this one is 8.5 x 11 landscape.

I always print a draft copy of the original so I can have something to work with
while the frame is being finished as you can see in the background

A Blogger's Pic In Poetry 4

Hello everyone and thank you for your interest in the series

A Blogger's Pic In Poetry 

This is number 4 in the series and another photograph by Daniel Plumer

What stands out for me in this photo?...the fire and ice look, each giving the other their due respect in opposites, creating a union of beauty.  

Two Beautiful


A fire travels above the cool quench below in sight

Consuming not to destroy, but to give wondrous light

The coolness below touched not by its red hot glare

Seems they two admonish, their beauty declared

Photograph by Daniel Plumer 

Poem by me

Back At It

I'm happy to report that I am back to working on past and future projects, and getting myself on a schedule that will work for me....not easy. Most of the graphic designing is done late evenings into the wee hours of the mornings, so my daytime is mostly frame work...cutting, glue, testing to see what works and making necessary changes.

A new project I have is another custom 8x8 shadow box clock. This is a digital clock design that should be done soon...the clock is currently in shipment to me. Once it's here it won't take long to finalize everything. As you can see in the picture below, the facial molding is being put in place. 

Once the moldings are in place and secure, I will cut the glass for the front of the clock. The frame won't be painted until the glass is cut.

Yes, I cut glass too

I'll be working on this and other frames I have in waiting. They will not all be clocks. 

If you remember, I had sold two 8x8 shadow box clocks but didn't post any pictures because one was a gift item and I was waiting for permission to post the pictures trying not to spoil the surprise. But one of them was another Rise Above design.

Rise Above 8x8 Shadow Box Clock

The one on the right is the gift clock

I'm going to get an update on the status of the gift clock because I really would like for you to see it.

I'm also updating my website as I go along and will soon have clocks for sale and please don't forget to visit my online store.

If you have any questions or comments...I'm all ears!

It Just Takes One

It's funny sometimes how things work out or just plain Divine intervention...a wake up so to speak. Any number of people can tell you the same thing over time but when one person speaks it, you finally hear it. You actually stop to breath, and it feels so fresh. It puts things into perspective again. That happened today. So that coupled with what I have and haven't been doing brings a welcomed collision. 

What I haven't been doing is finishing some projects I started, but that did give me time to take the time to review what I have been doing with my designs and some other things I could be doing. So that got me started.

I have been busy coming up with some new designs and was in the process of putting products on the site when the server crashed. I did get a few items up but not what I really wanted because I didn't have the images in my basket on the site yet. 

So I'm actually pecking this out instead doing that. But this is one of those things I haven't been doing and has bothered me more than I should have let it. One of those things that I have struggled with the past few weeks. I haven't felt like writing or doing much of anything on the social network (which I have trouble with anyway), discouragement settling in and getting a pretty good grip.

Then out of nowhere, the words come to light and they shook me. A much needed breath of fresh air. So thankful that it finally clicked. It just took one.

A Needed Break

I had taken an unannounced break from writing and it actually felt pretty good...it wasn't even planned, but I guess I needed it.

Although I haven't been writing, I have been busy doing other things. I'm trying to keep my website and blog distinct from each other, making this one personal and the other strictly business...that shouldn't be too hard huh? Of course after a little thought, this was my launching pad for where I am today. I'm sure I can come up with a good balance. 

Here are three frames I put together and I'm pretty sure I know what is going in each one....they may not even be clocks.... 

Not counting the frames above, I'm about to start a custom clock for someone.

On another note, my veggies are coming along rather well...the bell peppers are getting huge and I've had a few tomatoes and they are pretty tasty. I'll have to get updated pics soon.

That's all I have for now....WhatrUWorkinOn?

On This Father's Day

I almost decided not to do this post but changed my mind again. I am reminded by events that brings perspective to what I'm doing with my life right now. The death of my brother sucked the air right out of me and it took awhile the start breathing again.


My nephew, my only sister's oldest son had a stroke last year. He was fortunate to have someone with him at the time. His stroke was bad, but he is currently recovering. He is walking on his own and takes morning walks by himself. He stutters when he speaks and keeps apologizing whenever we talk...I keep telling him that he doesn't have to do that. I really find joy when we do talk because he continues to make progress.


I talked to my sister today and find out that he has an aneurysm and will be having surgery. 


For whatever reason I didn't find out until three days after the fact, that my third oldest brother suffered a stroke this past Wednesday and he too happened to not be alone. Although his was not as severe as our nephew's, it is a stroke nonetheless. He was at home yesterday but will be off of work for at least 4 weeks. 


I can't help but to think about myself and my family....what can I do for them. What can I do now that will be of benefit to them in the future. Life insurance?...sure. What more can I do? Some may say that insurance is enough. Not me. 


These aforementioned events have touched that nerve...you know the one. That is why what I do is so important for me. I value my life and all that God has given me. My abilities, my desires, my love for those that have come into this life behind me. For me, it's not just a matter of raising your children, but helping them to reach and to achieve, to realize they too have goals that can be reached. 


So I continue to show my love by doing what I do in hopes that will be of substance to them in their future. Utilizing my time to build on the foundation that was started in my mind, many years ago...never giving up on that dream. 


With that, I'd like to say that my second clock sold this past Friday. Some of you may have seen the prototype. 


Here is the final design of the 8 x 8 clock...Rise Above...

MyQuesMark Rise Above Clock Design

Here it is in the shadow box I made for either wall mount or desktop
complete with painted frame

Here is Darcy holding his brand new clock...I wonder if he realizes he's holding the only clock of its kind (as per design)
I would venture to say in all the world.
Thanks Darcy!


If it all stops here and now, in my heart I have succeeded....I don't know how much time I have left and if I ask God, he wouldn't tell....besides, I don't want to know. I want to continue to work this time that I have because things are put into perspective,
On This Father's Day

This Was My Today

Today is not as busy as it was yesterday. I was able to get some things done online that I had on the table. I have been in my 'design studio' making some changes. I think I'm going to make a broad change on some designs and take some off the board altogether....although TheQuesMark will still remain the focal point.

I'm #workinon something that may be of interest to some. 

June is my date to bring everything into the public eye. I hope to have some fun with the 'thing' of interest. Getting to where I know I need to be on June 1st will take a lot of work.

  

It was really wet here today.

So what is now done on the van, is good it was done yesterday.

 Reg brought half of a chicken home from work today at The Cheesecake Factory. The Rice a Roni was already here so I was in the kitchen about to get dinner on the table.

About a half an hour or so and we were eating....no veggies....bummer.

I think I may stay up late tonight and get into my 'design studio'. I'm feelin' it tonight.

Reggie

Here's The Revised Edition

I wasn't able to sit and work on my new video like I thought I would but I finally got it finished tonight and although it still isn't what I really wanted concerning the speed of the heart growing, I'm happy with the video. 


The border in the image is my own hand doodle design in 3D of course. You'll be seeing more of those. 


I had new ideas come to me while finishing this one and I'm gonna get busy starting it before I turn in.


I hope you enjoy the video.....and the audio is my own mix.

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. 

More of Me Post

I remember a time during my preteen years, After Mom And Dad moved all of us to Cleveland, OH. That was in '65 so I guess it could have been into my very early teenage years even. 


Anyway, I've told you before how I've always like to make and build things. I can't remember why, but for some reason I was into puppets at the time. Maybe it was something I was watching on TV. I would look for old material around the house and ask Mom if I could use it to make something. White material was ideal.


I would trace my hand on the material with the thumb in the widest position from my other fingers as possible (this was accomplished through trial and error). Then I would draw the shape for my pinky afterward. 


I would cut out the shape from the two pieces of material, get needle and thread, and sew them together. When I had finished with the stitching, I would squeeze my hand into the finished product which was now my hand puppet. Now it was ready for a face. Sometimes it was a face cut out from paper of a comic figure, glued on,  or a face drawn with magic marker. 


Then I would have my very own puppet shows. It was fun...something I put together with my own hands and creating my own silly dialog. It didn't matter what anybody else thought, I knew that I was happy. The puppet thing didn't last long, but the experience will always be with me.


Looking back, I can see the development of what is now something I have always had. A desire to imagine, and then to see my imagination come to life. It's God's gift to me.


The things I put together don't have to be perfect, although if I chose to go that route I think I could make a living at it. I'm talking about a lot of things I have concocted over the years that have actually been useful....hmmmm....maybe later. 




  

A Break and More of Me

I have decided that I needed a break. I need to stop for a moment and gather my thoughts and give my mind and body time to rest.
I have had a lot going on these past few weeks but I did promise to reveal some things about me. So here we go.

I am currently separated from a marriage of 31 years; now into our second year of separation. Without first consulting her on mentioning her name, for now she will be my estranged wife. We are still under good terms, which makes things easier. I will say that she is currently living with our son, Reg. I wish I had pictures of him. 

I am working a job that I have done for about 35 years now. I've been with this company for 4 years. I don't like to talk about my job. I like what I do. I get to meet people and see areas that are new to me. 

I think I'm still making the adjustment to the Virginia Beach area....I guess what I mean is this part of the country. It's not a bad experience by any means. I've always lived farther north. I love not having to deal with the very harsh winters anymore. 

In 1972 I graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland, OH. I ran track during my freshman year, but that class was too fast for me. I did that because I ran track in Junior High and thought I would continue into High School. 

I had no desire for college and that is because I like learning, but I feel confined when I have to deal with text books. That's why I liked Printing, Woodwork, Photography, and I also took Architectural Drafting during Jr and High School.

I've always liked interactive types of things, whether it's just throwing something together or taking time on a project. I wish I could show you some of the things I made when I was a kid. My gosh....looking back on that, those were some rough looking cars, and jewelry boxes with drawers, you name it I just knew I could put it together. 

I'm no decorator by any means, but I'd like to show you something I put together.

The next 2 photos are the same, just different lighting. It is a small fruit crate that my wife got from her job. She would bring home a couple on occasion. I knew I would find uses for them. The net on the front I had purchased in a package along with some shells. The lighthouses in the background is leftover wall paper crown I had in my home office in Dayton, OH., the ship in the bottle and the lighthouse I purchased from a Walmart in Dayton, OH years ago. This is hanging on the wall in my room.

 

This one is a bonus I was just about to close and post when I thought to lift the net. I like it.  

I guess that'll do for now. I have to same some for later.