Well, I sort of fell out of blogging after the Gaithersburg Book Festival way back in May. (Truthfully it seems like a few weeks ago not a few months!) So here's a recap of the madness...
the Paper Pear news
1. Gaithersburg Book Festival - Not a booming business day, much to my disappointment. Good crowd, fun people in the neighboring tents (more on that later), tons of wonderful author events, but I think the festival layout didn't benefit the exhibitors. On the fence if I will return...but I think it has potential. And I also experimented with a new tablescape, utilitzing the tent and stringing up the prints with a jute clothesline worked out really well.
2. I mistakenly thought summer would be a very productive time as far as working on wholesale marketing. I was wrong. So this fall, my focus will be on getting the prints out to small local gift shops. I'd be interested in any suggestions you have, dear friends. My first customer is a fun little shop near the kids' school Sisters' Sandwiches.
3. Here is a sneak peek of the latest designs.
Anne of Green Gables
Schoolhouse
The plan is to add new stuff more regularly, as I am bursting with ideas. I'm also experimenting a bit more with original collage and paint...trying to see if I can teach myself to make what I see in my mind.
And as you already know there's a sale - use code PPSCHOOL for 25% off through September 20.
24 Classics
1. Ball dropped. Possibly stretching it to a 2 or 3 year plan. What can I say? I'm not a goal oriented girl apparently. I think I will stop making bold pronouncements and return to my comfort zone of doing whatever whenever when it comes to reading. But I am committed to reading those books!
Evie & her boys (and me)
1.Travels - Evie and I went on a quick weekend girls' trip at the beginning of summer. Our family prefers non-summer vacations so we did a couple day trips. My mom had her knee replaced and is recovering nicely. My dad suffers from Alzheimers and her surgery provided the impetus for him to be moved to a specialized memory care facility. It has been especially hard on her, so we covet your prayers for the continued transition. Even when you know something like this is coming, the arrival doesn't lessen the impact. Just because something is a good decision doesn't mean it is easy.One of the few people he recognizes and knows by name is Evie, which I find to be a particular grace from God. I feel like I grew up this summer in many ways.
2. The boys went to many camps - baseball, soccer, VBS, and a neighborhood camp. It may look like a lot but trust me, they were home plenty! And it worked well for us - we don't travel in the summer and they need lots of outside time. LOTS. Particularly since we have no yard or driveway the heavy camp schedule seemed necessary for everyone's sanity. Ahem.
(Evie on the first day of school - not her school, the boys' school. She packed her backpack with her plastic cell phone, plastic laptop, and blanket.)
3. Evie turned 2 quietly. Well, the celebration was quiet...she doesn't stop talking. We can't interpret all of what she says, but it includes demands, tattling, and the word yesh. All while standing with her hand on her hip or in her fockets (pockets). I can't imagine where that came from :). She loves Baylub (Caleb), Owie, and Kaka (Karl)- she calls for Baylub first thing every morning since he gets her out of bed. And I am happy to report she is a mini bookworm. "Sit and read" or "sitta me" she'll say, and she stacks the to-be-read and the finished books in separate piles. (There's also "helpa me", It is awesome to have 3 other available readers around during the day! She is still baby crazy, carrying dolls around and insisting we bring them everywhere. (I'm not used to worrying about my child's accessories - boys don't have them.) And will happily drink 40 juice boxes a day if we let her. Singing and dancing are also high on the list.
4. I had a minor skin cancer scare (thankfully just a scare). Turns out I had a pyogenic granuloma - which grew quickly and bled daily for about 8 weeks until it was kindly removed by my Dr. In the days before having a diagnosis, I unwisely consulted the internet which only convinced me it was something more serious, and I'm not typically an alarmist. So there is much relief here. Exhaling.
5. Our oldest son KWB continues to grow - he is now 5'7" wearing a size 10 shoe, and not quite 13 yet. I continue to be shocked with every upward lurch - he is my first baby! What is going on?! It also hits me hard while we search for a home....that he will potentially only be living with us another 6 years. Huh? Okay enough of that...I can't go there for long. This would be a good place to put a picture of him, but as anyone else with a middle schooler can tell you, it's not happening.
6. And for those who have been around here for awhile, you may remember Owen and his trauma teeth. He lost both front teeth in two different incidents and had a toothless grin for five of his seven years. I am happy to report during the summer - they're here! Since there was a chance those teeth were harmed we wondered if he would get 'em - and he did in a BIG way. :)
I'm working on a Summer Book Highlights post inspired by the delightful Wendy Smedley. (Yes,I realize it's fall now.) But I'm interested in hearing about your last few months. I haven't caught up yet on all my normal blogs and blog friends, I blame Pinterest for taking most of my online time. (If you'd like to follow my boards I'm litchickcafe.) Do tell...
The End.
PS: Everyone who commented with their favorite Paper Pear print will be getting one. Hooray!