More ipod Art, Haste Makes Waste and a Present

I find art so relaxing. I love to create and since finding an ipod application recently I've been given a medium which works for me in ways that some traditional media has not. For instance - it goes with me wherever I go and so even if I have a few moments I can simply start the application up and add a few bits to a work. I've been so very busy lately and waking in the middle of the night and its not strange for Mr. to find me 'painting' in bed beside him at 3 a.m. Here's my latest little work simply entitled "Kitty". I took snapshots all along its creation to share with you. I started using a grid at first. Isn't it amazing what one can do on an ipod?

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I've been working on a project with some friends and we have completed the first leg of it. It has been very exciting and a huge learning curve for all of us - but nothing gained, nothing ventured. During the first course of it I made a rather LARGE mistake - the sort that when you realize it you take a big GULP and wish you could turn the clock back a week ... the kind that you are going to totally deny is happening until the evidence proves its so. The sort that if you were a kid you would probably be tempted to hide from your parents. Yes, THAT sort of an error.

I realized it was so for me about an hour before we had the evidence it was so in my hands - too late to change anything. I was not sure if it was simply a software glitch or? So, sucking up my courage I simply and calmly confessed to the lady I am working with and...

She was amazing. She had every right to be hard on me. With no effort on her part she could have had me squirming {I was squirming to start with - with shock!} But instead, SHE comforted ME. I'm still in awe of how she handled the situation. How she treated me ministered to me in a way I will never ever forget. The way she took it all in stride and even brought me to a place where we could use it as a learning tool and even have a few laughs about it - well, I certainly will take a page out of her book!

How she treated me makes me want to be how she is. I want to be an encouragement when someone makes a mistake. I want to step in and LOVE them exactly when they 'deserve' something else. This is not to say that if someone has deliberately done something wrong to hurt someone or someone's property. But if someone has made a mistake I want to be able to 'let them off the hook' - for I now know what that meant to me - how beautiful it felt. And really, we have ALL made mistakes and will continue to make them. We are, after all, very human. What power we hold in not only forgiveness, but in embracing people when they fail. How much a few kind words mean instead of a punishment.

One thing is for certain, I am so encouraged by my friend that I will now go 'the extra mile' for her in the project. I want the final product to be absolutely perfect and am willing to work hard to that end to make it happen. And now, I'm going to RELAX on the last leg of it. AFTER our vacation.

I found this small poem which really sums it up:

STOP! Take time to read this -

Take time to think;

It is the source of power.

Take time to play;

It is the secret to perpetual youth.

Take time to read;

It is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to pray;

It is the greatest power on earth.

Take time to love and be loved;

It is a God-given privilege.

Take time to laugh;

It is the music of the soul.

Take time to give;

It is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to work;

It is the price of success.

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Yes, before this poem I mention the word VACATION. Yes, the Mr. and I and our VW Sebastian are going on a grand adventure. In one week. We have been busy arranging house-sitters and packing. I'm so intent on details that I tink our house sitters will be HAPPY when we've left and I stop reminding them of things to do! LOL! We have a bazillion things to do in this next week, including hosting a concert with our friend Penny at our church {setting up, making 100's of gourmet cupcakes etc} and the graduation at my Mr's school. Ah, but we will get through it all and I can already see the picture in my mind of Mr. and me around the campfire the first night with nothing more than cricket noise in our eardrums. Ahhhh!

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I found a most BEAUTIFUL comment on my blog last entry - it moved me to tears.

"I had to put scrapping on the back burner as life just got so very busy. Even though I don't scrap very often now, I don't let more then a month or 2 go by without coming to your blog to see what you are/have been up to. You have come a long way! I usually come to your blog eager to read your uplifting tales and recipes.

With Canada's big holiday approaching I am looking up the Canadian designers I used to frequent their blogs and stores but sadly I can't find many of them. I am on a search for Canadian.

You are on the top of my list! I think of you when ever I walk into a Sally's as I take a quick glance around to see if anyone is taking pictures of little treasures lol! I have a page of some of your words and quotes posted on the door that has yellowed and a little torn. You have given to the world in ways that you probably will never know. Your freebies are great but still only material things. (Is digi material when you can't physically touch it? lol) I appreciate your blogging!"

This anonymous commenter was asking me if I might have a list of Canadian designers which I might post. Unfortunately I don't have a list - and I wish I had time to compile one, but I simply don't - especially this chaotic week. I do know that my friend Kristin Cronin-Barrow is Canadian, and Kristine - both wonderful, talented designers - but for the rest, I'm not certain.

My apologies to you for not knowing off my head who more are (and forgive those of you who are and I'm not recalling), but thank you SO much for your encouraging words, anonymous commenter. They came EXACTLY when I needed them and I appreciate it so much. THANK YOU for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Sometimes its the very thing which keeps me blogging!

Also, perhaps if someone is reading this and you are a Canadian designer, or know of a Canadian designer you could leave a comment here so I CAN make a list at some point!

At any rate, since I'm not designing anymore (officially) I have not had time to make anything new for a while, I'm going to give you all my Digital Dad kit - for FREE. I designed it when I sold at the Sophia Sarducci shop where I was known as Olivia Dorazio. The shoppe is no more, but this way my kit will live on! I hope you can use it - personal use only, please. It was used for the following two layouts - so you can see the possibilities. I also will post the add on frame again in a day or two.

And forgive me also to all my blog friends as I've not had any time at all to go blog hopping. I miss you all very much!

Layout by KimB of her son Nathan!

(Kim is NOT Canadian but she ALWAYS has a goodie or two at her blog!)

My Mr. who turned me into the geek i am today!

Barb's Digital Dad kit - Personal Use!

Click on the image to download

PS - I would love to see how you use my kit! Why not send me a small jpg of your layout and I will post it here on my blog. Just sent it to me at lalaime {at} hotmail [dot] com