Handmade with LOVE

Welcome to my blog!

I'm a card maker!

I create greeting cards.... and all sorts of crafty fun stuff!

to Brighten your day!!!

or

to Brighten Someone's Day

who is special in your life.

You can check out any of the card categories to the left of this blog post to see what I make.  Most cards are doodles (drawn by me) or they are a mix of stamped images, embellishments, computer clip art, water colored... pretty much anything!!!

I can recreate something or be uniquely original and whimsical just for you!

You just have to think slightly ahead to get my cards.  But I promise the special people in your life who love hand made, heartfelt and unique things.... know that you really thought of them when you got one of my cards!!

Contact me @ prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

Brighten Someone's Day

Be a Unicorn

Good Day to you!

I hear it happening more and more... but it's not every day that people meet new friends on the internet, hit it off, and then actually get together and meet each other in person.

That's me, Peggy Sue on the left and Claudia is in the middle.  Cindy is to the right in the picture. 

About 9 years ago  a neighbor here in Illinois told me about this cute site her friend was starting called HiLowAha ... it was out of the Dallas Texas area. Blogs were just starting (way back then)  and I found the creative content, the uplifting spirit, the fun stories and the purpose to SHINE really resonated with me and where I was in my day to day life as a mom.   Fast forward to today, after coming home from a visit to the actual House of Shine.... I have been a 'lifer' ever since... the site changed its' name and is now the  House of Shine with an LLC after it.  I have met up with Claudia and the House of Shine three times now ... I want to spread the word, and Spread Shine!

Cindy has her own story too. Claudia was Cindy's RA (college Residential Assistant in their dorm) when they attended Arizona State University a 'few' years back.    The two C's reconnected through Facebook. Cindy is a mom to four and a wonderful photographer in New Jersey, you can check her out here  Cindy Robbins and she even met her husband on-line.  So... the internet can create a good match for some things!

Cindy and I had the awesome fortune to meet each other recently, all because of Claudia.  She certainly knows how to bring out the best in others.  We actually were Claudia's little elves, helping her with a project or two... getting the word to the world about being present, keeping perspective and using our strengths. (Those are just a few principles of SHINE)

With my unique whimsical twist on sharing life, I can write a short story what finding like minded people who share their SHINE are all about.  I'll be honest, it's a lot of hard work... and it costs a bit of money... but if you are relentlessly passionate to spread SHINE, you do what it takes. In my corner of the world... I'm a little elf, a worker Bee, a huge supporter, a lifer, a fan and one who tries to daily realize the impact of little things.

Lessons from the House of Shine...
Create
Be Accountable
Spread Shine

And in my corner of the world... I am a cardmaker, a doodler... a creater... and I want to Brighten Someone's Day!

I can't help but think of this cute little unicorn.  Don't you see them everywhere now?? (no, not in your mind... but on mugs and posters and memes?)

Lessons from a unicorn...
There's magic inside you
Anything is possible
Dreams can come true
You don't need wings to fly
It's okay to be different
and
Always believe in yourself if nobody else does.

Today I am going to get moving and spread some shine!

A unicorn doesn't stand around and worry about other unicorns think of it... it just sparkles!  Or in the case... it Just Shines!!!!



***shameless plug**** seriously, I make cute greeting cards.... easy to order and reasonable little pieces of artwork.... contact me at prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net (just put Greeting Cards in the subject line)

Behind Door Number One

Can you relate?

When one door closes, another opens

What if you aren't in the right room when that happens???

I always heard, Shut the door, were you born in a barn?

Talent will get you in the door, but character will keep you in the room.

I think this time of year a lot of people take a deep breath and reflect on what has happened over the last 11-1/2 months.   Right now, there is a constant buzz outside the door... with people holiday shopping, parties, family get together, stress of completing a  job/task by December 31, cold weather, glistening snow, joyous music, wrapping paper and everything else.  For some... multiply this noise times 10.  It can be very stressful!

Today is the perfect day for opening a new door.... it may lead you some place that you never expected.

Truly, I am waiting for opportunity to knock!  

Although I still actively seek it (opportunity).... I'm less and less afraid of what is behind the door.  Of course I am speaking with metaphors here.... but in reality, when something new comes my way, because it happens infrequently in my life... I try to embrace the situation.

So, with 2016 quickly coming to a close... I am looking forward to the new beginnings of 2017, because when life shuts a door... open it again, it's a door, that's how it works!!!

And as always... I am a cardmaker! I am an artist and a crafter.  If what I show you here on my blog resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out and contact me... I would love to create something for you or someone special in your life!!! Come and knock on my door!  prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

I Make Greeting Cards!

Welcome to my blog!

If you are here to see what kinds of cards I create, you are at the right place.  Click on any of the categories to the left<--- a="" and="" cards="" i="" in="" it="" made="" of="" p="" past.="" take="" the="" to="" variety="" ve="" will="" you="">
Some cards could still be in stock.  But in most cases, since each card is individually crafted, doodled, drawn or stamped (or a mix of everything) I can create or re-create anything.

For gifting, I package up a variety pack of cards.. 4,6, 10 cards... including but not limited to Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Just a note, Get Well, Congratulations... holidays, personalized colors, themes...

Contact me for further information and pricing... prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net.  I mail pretty much anywhere... with the most economical shipping cost attached to your order.

I See London

Before the year is over, I need to go back through our European vacation pictures and 'scrap' them. Take them literally off my phone and document them in some sort of book!  Chatbook, Scrapbook... something!!!!

It seems like it could be a chore, but there are so many ways to document adventures now a days via apps... finding an excuse not to do it would take you longer than  actually NOT doing it.

I will start out small and post a few pictures here from London.

There was something about Big Ben the iconic tower in the middle of London that I love.  Big Ben,

which is the nickname of the great bell of the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster, it is officially known as Elizabeth Tower after the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012. 

I could see the Tower from our hotel lobby and we would walk by it at least 4 times each of the days we were in London.... I was in awe.  It was beautiful.  I was drawn to it! Ben, is my friend!

I am not really a tea drinker.  I love iced tea, and flavored iced tea, sweet tea.... but taking time to stop for 'Tea'... is quite unusual for me.  But how can you NOT stop at a street corner cafe in the middle of Wimbledon and not have tea/coffee and sweets and most of all.... people watch. I think we shared a latte here.... the company was great... stopping to take a break is the best part of tea time!

Auck!  Is that Big Ben in the upper left corner???  When a tourist be... you have to play with the red London Call Box, right???  It would have been so fun to photo bomb so many people taking pictures around these.

There will be more to come.  Recapping our European Vacation.  I had such a great time!  I love that I can find the SHINE wherever we go!

Words with Meaning

Do you ever stumble across a word that you have used, but you really don't know the meaning of the word?

There are so many new ways (let me restate that, new to me) to look up words with all the new techie stuff that has come to this world.  I can be reading a book on my electronic device and a word in the sentence of the story comes up... all I have to do is touch the word and the definition will come up.

I just recently created this card for someone special.  They are a fan of Shakespeare.  Throughout the years I have heard the saying 'et tu, brute?' and could always relate it to Shakespeare, but never gave it a thought of what it means... Et tu, Brute is a Latin phrase meaning "and you, Brutus?" or "you too, Brutus?", purportedly as the last words of the Roman dictator Julius Caesar to his friend just before he stabbed him ... 

Urban Dictionary: to question a good friend's loyalty. 

it took me 0.42 seconds to get a Google search of 463,000 results! What??

When I was a kid, (in the old days ha ha...)  if we didn't know the meaning of a word we had to figure it out by the context of which is was used in the sentence.  Or, we would have to find a dictionary.   And of course, a foreign phrase like the one above, would not be in a regular dictionary... we would have to find an encyclopedia. Who has encyclopedias laying around?  Furthermore, if that was a task, we would have to do dexterity research with the library card catalog.

Which is it?  Was life simpler then?  

That seems like a lot of steps just to find the meaning of a few words.  

Or, is life simpler now, that with the touch of a button (or a few keystrokes) and 0.42 seconds later... the definition appears. 

Obviously!!!!!

As one of my many mantras, I like pretty things

and clever words... and then I like to combine them. 

I like to think I'm pretty clever.

With technology and practiced ability...this is one of my favorite things to do, ... create a greeting card from the heART.  

A few words with meaning and a little doodle ....I believe this simple activity can brighten my day and I can share my SHINE and send it on to someone else... to brighten their day.

Our language is a curious thing. How many people say things they don't mean?  How many people say things that are mean?  Mean what you say and say what you mean. I find it fascinating to learn about words and their meanings.  

However, I can overthink what I am doing and I will create a tizzy around all of this... especially when I have too much time on my hands.  

So, today's twist on life... according to my blog post subtitle....I truly need to go back to a simpler look at the meaning behind some words and realize to stay true....

One kind word can change someone's entire day.

And with that, I challenge you to change someone's day!!!

Be kind

and

Shine on!

Fallish

Hello!
Welcome to my blog, where I like to show off my creativity and share a bit of SHINE in my corner of the world!

It certainly is Fall in the Midwest. Waking up to temperatures in the low 40s.

Not complaining, just observing.

We actually had a long and hot summer. I think most of July and August we had the air conditioning running constantly.  Mainly due to the high humidity.  I jotted down plenty of times in my daily journal about beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures. And not that beautiful weather gets tiresome... more so,.. when a new season begins... we welcome the change.

I don't know if you realize, but I create greeting cards!  Yup.... I have a passion for creating and a gratification of making whimsical cards that I can sell or give away.  If you like my style you can contact me prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net and I can get you some unique and one of a kind greeting cards.  Not in the mood for cards today?  That's fine... I appreciate you stopping by to see what is happening in my corner of the world.

Has Fall made it to your home?  It's a change of wardrobe here.  Long pants and socks.  Gone are the flip flops and tank tops.  Decorations with orange and yellow are dabbled throughout the entryway with scarecrows and sunflowers and pumpkins. And hot water bubbles through the Keurig making way for spiced Chai lattes!  Oh, and don't forget about the leaves.... soon on my list are hours of raking!!! Yup, I love fall.

See you back here, soon!

Nothing can dim the light that SHINES from within.

Write On!

Hey there!

I'm glad you stopped by!

I don't want to stump you with a silly question, but is writing an art?  And is there a difference from telling a story and writing it down, and drawing beautiful characters for letters to create a beautiful message to be put on display? 

WRITING:  is a medium of human communication that creates language and through the inscription or recording of signs, symbols, characters and letters. In most ...

ART: Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the author's imaginative or technical skill, ...

I am so excited when I create something and it turns out how I wanted.  

So, am I doing writing, or am I doing art?

I practice... a lot... I certainly now know how to manipulate (in a good way) what I create... I don't want to say there are NO MISTAKES.... and I'm not reaching for PERFECTIONISM.... but if a creative opportunity  (an oopsie! drawing outside the line, a wiggle, wonky shape) comes along... I can 'hide' it or make it part of what I'm creating.... because when I practice... it's no big deal to continue on!!!

Check out my YouTube video creating a happy birthday doodle....

And then this is how it turned out.

You do know that you can pretty much write on anything, right???  I've shown this before, but chalkboard art decorations in your home are very popular.  I just watched a home improvement show they other day, and new home renovations actually have an entire wall painted with chalkboard paint... so the family can write little notes to each other!   Yeah, right!!!!  My chalkboard is a thrift find and I love practicing my hand lettering to create a fun seasonal sign.

So, sometimes I do use the computer to create a hand writing look.  I used lots of different art mediums to create a mixed media sign. This one is art, right?

I have found it somewhat confusing lately, that there are so many similar words being used to describe just ordinary things.  

Handwriting is writing created by a person with a writing utensil such as a pen or pencil. Handwriting includes both printing and cursive styles and is separate from formal calligraphy or typeface

For instance, handwriting is considered the art of creating letters and character by hand.... what comes to mind is calligraphy: decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering.

I guess any way you put a 'twist' on it.... practicing your handwriting is a really good thing for your mind and dexterity.  A Facebook friend mentioned that she was on a quest and had purposely practiced her handwriting for 600 days straight.  To some newbie that might seem overwhelming... some people really are naturals at some things.... but most of us need to practice.... not to seek perfection ... but to make it seem effortless and natural.  Seriously, anyone can doodle, draw, create.... some just have to practice more!

How many different things can you see to write on when you look above your computer screen ?!!!

Shine On

Doodle On

Write On

Right On!

Do You Attend Craft Fairs?

Happy Fall Y'all

It's a beautiful partly cloudy fall day here in the mid-west.  I'll take partly cloudy versus rain and mostly clouds.... any day.... just love to get the bits of sunSHINE!!!

A few weeks ago, I participated in my first craft fair!

If you go through my past blog posts, or get know me in person..... I would never admit that I am 'that' really positive person!  But I have spunk, I'm a realist, I try certain things over and over again, failure is not often in my vocabulary and I don't give up easily if I believe in something!!! I'm not generally a outgoing positive person, but I don't think I'm a negative depressed person either.  So...Go ahead, try to put me in a category!!!!!

Unfortunately, I'm sad to admit that my first craft fair was not at all a success! wah wah!!! Sad face :(

My partner MK and I, think we had a very cute booth!!  We had a beautiful wide variety of hand crafted items and we came prepared... with plenty of change, business cards, repair kits (for the just in case) snacks and a good attitude!

However, being my first craft fair and MK's 3rd.... we think the sponsor was 

1. New

2. Didn't advertise

3. There were other 'bigger' fairs going on in the area

We estimated that there were about 20 booths.... if... 125 people attended and maybe 25 people wondered into our booth!

I covered my portion of the cost of the booth with my one and only sale!  And if you think about it... I also lost a bit of money, because we were not informed that we needed to donate up to a $10 gift that was given away during the first hour of the event.

To say the least, I was disappointed.  My husband will ask me all the time.... are you doing this 'artsy thing' to make money?  Or,  are you having fun?

MK and I came up with a few reasons for our unsuccessful event.... 

•  We heard that there was a 'more' popular fair going on in the area, our booth was $40, this other event charges $350 a booth (What??)
• I guess we missed the boat on the sponsors 'packet of info'... so we don't know who or if they advertised this event, we didn't know we needed to donate a prize and a few other things (MK copied me on numerous emails she sent to the organizer asking questions that went unanswered)
•   My husband saw no signage to direct him into the high school where the event was taking place
•  The average age of the attendees was over 55... so craft fairs don't attract a younger age group?
•  Younger people are not into 'country' or homemade crafts like they used to be, they would rather buy new or on-line
•  A few quilts sold in the booth  next to us, she was charging $40-50 for small baby blankets... but our $5 greeting cards and other paper crafts didn't draw much attention, other than the disbelief that I can draw so well.

Will I do another craft fair?  

I don't know if I will do another craft fair. Wrong place, wrong time!  Right? I can't take it personally.... there wasn't enough activity to think the worst, that 'my stuff' was crap.  Seriously.... I get that! Selling at a craft fair is not the way to sell my products.  The fair was highly disappointing. But, I'll never say never again.

Will I stop creating paper crafts?

No, I love the challenge and satisfaction of what I create.  I honestly think (unless all of you have been lying to me!) that friends and family LOVE to get my cards as 'gifts' that they can pass on to others. My cards do truly.... Brighten Someone's Day

Will I become a famous artist or crafter?

No.  But maybe all this practice in creating, is helping me get to my next purpose.

Should you support local artists?

Yes!  If you see something you like. I think we all should continue a movement to support the little guy.  Buy from your local artists.  Buy gifts that come from the heART. Give gifts from the heART

I tried selling at a craft fair. No for me.   Let's see, what is next???

Stay tuned!!!

and

Shine On!

A little TWIST on SHINE

I've said this many times throughout my life... I love pretty things and clever words.

And what makes that statement soooo good, is when I find a connection and it works putting the two together!!!

I think that's why card making is so enjoyable for me.  I can combine the two and create something that makes my heart sing.

To stay connected... we all get involved in groups where we hope to find other like minded people.  If you scroll down or hop on to any blog post that is labeled with SHINE, you will see that for almost the past 8 years, I've had something to do with the House of Shine

To SHINE, resonates with me.  Although it's not always easy to do.... I enjoy doing it.... it brings me joy to: create, bring out the best in others, be present, use my strengths, keep perspective, realize the little things, reject mediocrity  be accountable, be relentlessly passionate and spread shine

And the best thing of all, is when I can combine 'all' of these things and feel like I really accomplished something that is so true to my soul.

As one of my personal challenges, I help to facilitate the DO52 Facebook page. I pull a verb each week from a special set made up for those participating and I welcome the word into my week.  Here is what I wrote about today....

WEEK ????.... something.... ha ha~

Aren't all the weeks, days starting to blend together. In the beginning of a new year, everything seems FRESH, new, exciting and now with FALL/Autumn here in parts of the country where the temperatures dip into the 40s and frost starts to cover the pumpkins... it's totally like what week is it? And WHAT? how many days until Christmas???

ARISE
:to begin to occur or exist

What I found interesting about this weeks DO52 word is that if you rearrange the letters, you get ARIES.... which is my astrological sign. Which is the first astrological sun sign, and a personality trait is "get something started and lead the way

Not to put a 'spin' on it (well, really I think that's part of the challenge) .... but the signs are always there, especially if you look for them. DO52 is an awesome way to open your thinking.... if you follow the House of Shine.... they have a program called RISE & SHINE... there is no reason not to re-start my existence..... I take on the challenge to get up and give forth with light!!!

Can you put a TWIST on something in your life today??

Brighten Someone's Day!

SHINE ON!!

I Create

Hello Friends!

Welcome to my blog!

If you are here for the first time... I'm glad you found me!!!!!

I'm a paper crafter.  

I love to create!  

I do A LOT of different things.

I am an artist!!!

Acrylic Painted Clip Board

I love to re-purpose, recycle & reuse all different kinds of artsty stuff. 

It's not that hard to get in touch with me.... if you like what I create!

Browse through my different card labels to the left here on the blog.  These are just some of the items I have created!  I do a lot of custom orders.  That is... you have something in mind?  I can create it for you!! Custom made, unique and one of a kind!

Character Personalized Doodle Card

All of this can be overwhelming!  But once you contact me, I can help you figure out what you like, especially if you like to find unique items for extra-ordinary people in your life!

Handwritten Canvas

My mantra is... Brighten Someone's Day!

Digital Doodle on the IPad

Contact me at: prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

What can I create for you???

Matters of the Heart

Have you ever done anything that tugs at your heart strings?

Or, do you wake up in the morning with so much feeling of love pumping through your veins, routed in and out of your heart, and spreading through the rest of your body?

This happens to me often.... on most days, I think!

And then my brain gets involved with all this love ...and I become emotional.

I will give myself a bit of slack for being so emotional.  I am in a period of mourning... I'm grieving and feeling very vulnerable.

I lost my father George (84) on August 3. It was sudden, the day he died was sudden, but he had been fighting  Pulmonary Fibrosis for a few years (is one of a family of related diseases called interstitial lung diseases that can result in lung scarring. As the lung tissue becomes scarred, it interferes with a person's ability to breathe.) along with Pneumonia (Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick. You may cough, run a fever, and have a hard time breathing.). He had been in the hospital for over a month.

It was difficult for all of the family, because other than trying to make him comfortable, there was nothing we could do.

It is somewhat similar to my artistic analogy... bare with me!

..... his heart couldn't  pump the healing through his veins, the air had great difficulty spreading through his lungs... it was too much of a struggle for the rest of his body...  his mind was clear and it kept spinning through  all the things he needed to do before his final day.

Thinking too much, matters of the heart versus matters of the brain. Gut feeling versus mathematical logic stimulation.  Mind over matter.  I can't help it, as a self diagnosed introvert, my brain is wired this way... to think, think, think and think.

Sometimes, I just need to go with the flow.  What does my heart say?  Forget that silly 'off wired ' serotonin brain.  Create and make art through the heart.  Push it through.  Breathe it through... it is a struggle, but keep trying.... slow the mind and work out from the heart.

My dad was my rock and I will miss him greatly!   He was my cheerleader and encouraged me to create, and he was the bond that kept me solid to the ground.. He did a great job!  He was a wonderful dad.  And I am very lucky to have good memories of our relationship.

So, with matters of the heart....act on instinct and intuition. Work harder from the heart.  Keep that muscle going. Make it stronger than the day before.  Share your heart...

Be relentlessly passionate and Spread Shine.... and I intend to do that with my whole heart!

Shine on Friends

Hello Blog Friend!

I've been missing in action!!! 

Thanks for stopping in.  I need to blog more...

Life has happened around here, and it's just easier to post to Instagram.... which I have a hashtag of #createeveryday  and I just started a new one #peggysueart.  Please check me out... there as well.

I doodle creative greetings.... cards you wont find in the grocery store... but guess what?  You need to think ahead ... look at your calendar and decide who is deserving of a special greeting!!!! My cards are unique, whimsical, one of kind and just for you.... each one is made with love, from my heart!!! Order from me and have the cards on hand!!!!

Support an artist!  My cards start out at $3.50 each.... but we can always make a deal!  

If you would like to see what my heART looks like.... click on one of the cards on the left side of this blog page and it will take you to that type of card....  lots of cards in stock.... USPS shipping within days of the receipt of payment.

I also make short videos and graphic designs for posters, fliers.... lots of 'stuff'....

Thank you for stopping in....

Brighten Someone's Day!

Don't Just be Taken for a Ride

Trust the journey!

I love to doodle, I love puns and I love a challenge.  Wrap that all together and you get a fun card!

Hello!  Welcome to my blog.  I share my creative greetings here with my twist on life.

Greeting cards are for sale! 

My cards are unique and in most ALL cases, ONE OF A KIND (I do make duplicates upon request)

I'm working on a movement.... snail mail --> FuN MaiL

Brighten Someone's Day!!!

Just Relax!

Where do you like to spend your FREE time?

 On the beach with the sand in your toes and the salty wind in your hair??

Or, could it be with your head in the clouds in a wonderful castle in the sky?

I can doodle a card for any occasion, ..whimsical fun! These cards were part of a word challenge... and I love a good challenge.

What can I create for you?

Help a small business will you?

Your friends will  love how thoughtful you are!

Have questions, contact me at prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

Dance Like No One is Watching

Well, in this case.... Tucker is watching...

maybe he is actually singing Dog Tunes!!

Ever have one of those days.... just a ruff one,... things don't seem to be going right?

In all honesty, only your loved ones care.... and (sad to say) that's debatable....

Just shake it off!!!!!

Think about it though..... if you have friends and family.... for a moment you can bring a smile to their face..... sending snail mail.... or as I call it FuN MaiL..... is a special way to let someone know you are thinking about them!!!!

No peeking!  I just might be dancing around the house searching for my muse.... and creating a card you didn't even know you needed!!!!

Now go and brighten someone's day!!!

Feelin Blue

I've been part of a challenge.  

And when prompted with an idea, I create a prdesigns creative greetings card!  

The idea here, started with an Umbrella theme.... then I came up with the rest.  

The way I do it.... come up with the rest?  I do a google search and go on Pinterest and look up quotes on Umbrellas, or look up umbrella doodles or images..... and I combine all my research and use my characters or slightly alter what I see..... and I doodle the imagine, color it in, add a sentiment and create a card....

So, from looking up UMBRELLA.... I doodled my dogs Cooper & Tucker and found a sentiment and then realized it would become a 'get well' card.

As always.... I make all kinds of cards and you can find them under the categories to the left over here <---- .="" p="">

Check back or keep clicking on different links to see all my creativity!!!