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happy....

birthday to me!

Operation Write Home

Last week I discovered Operation Write Home through a post from Stationery Trends Magazine on facebook. Operation Write Home's mission is to support our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards for them to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. They've sent hundreds of thousands of cards to the heroes who are serving our country.

Well, I just think this is fabulous, so of course, Artful Sentiments will be participating! I am looking forward to sending a bundle of my hand block printed cards, and proud that I am able to support our troops in this little way.

Sneak peek....

.... at one of my favorite projects each year - Artful Sentiments calendar! I love the challenge of creating a design for each month of the year, with a cohesive feel and color story. I actually designed the 2011 calendar back in January and February, but I thought I'd wait until the first half of the year was over to give you a peek at what I came up with.

The 2011 calendar will be in the shop in September, and is currently available for my lovely wholesale customers (e-mail for wholesale information).

(Now, it's time to get inspired to design some new Valentines - I know, crazy schedule!)

Happy Independence Day!

Celebrate and Enjoy!

Welcome Summer!

Ah, the first day of summer! The arrival brings back so many fabulous memories - simpler times when every day was filled with bike rides and lemonade and beaches.

I spent summers at the beach when I was a child - those days were the best of simple living. I get nostalgic for those joyous summers every year when the weather warms. I cherish my memories of those days, when my bicycle was my main form of transportation - my bicycle with only one speed, a bell and a basket to fill with little treasures, like flowers or shells, collected in my travels. I rode my bike to the beach almost every day, on adventures with my cousins, to movie night with all the kids. And I rode, well, just for the fun of it, with no destination in mind.

Since I don't have a bike any more, I think I'll take a walk today, and celebrate this first day of summer. A walk, just for the fun of it, with no destination in mind. And I may bring a basket along to fill with treasures I find along the way.

Happy Father's Day....

... to all the wonderful dads out there!

(me and my dad, when I was about 6 months old)