michelle ward

It's been a year....and it's been a year!

Literally, it has been a year since I blogged.  But what a year it's been.  I'm pleased to be finally set up in my studio. In the previous house I had all my books, my business, my computer, and my art supplies all in one space.  In this house I have an office for my computer and business, a library for all our books, and a studio that is just a studio.  Took a while to get everything organized but I'M WORKING IN THERE!!!  I'm a lucky girl.

Whether there was an imposed quarantine or not, being home it just the ticket for me on any given day.  My plan for 2020 was to get back on here and become a regular poster.  It's mid-March and I've finally carved out a few minutes.  At least it's still Winter, though only for a couple more days.  You'd never guess it....our flowering trees are blooming, the sunny days are gorgeous.  It's 50-something now and will be in the 70s this week.  

Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

I always like to say:  Be Well and Behave.  Now I really really mean it....behave so you can be well.

See you again soon.  XOXO

checking in and catching up

My last post was Halloween?  Next week is New Years?  My oh my how time has flown.  It's not like I've been slacking....the past two months have been a whirlwind.  Let me catch up by saying a belated Happy Thanksgiving, a belated Happy Birthday to my favorite rock star (I post every year here), and a belated Merry Christmas.  We'll be sending out cards late this year - but we have a good excuse. The news from here is that we are in the process of buying a home in south Jersey.  Graham started a new job and has been commuting home on weekends or we visit him at his temporary digs.  If all goes as planned we will be leaving this home that we've loved for twenty years and will begin adventures at a new address.  It will be our sixth move as a family - while still stressful it is so much easier now that the kids are grown - they've been a terrific help in packing and prepping this home for a sale.  

A big step in our process is getting my studio contents into storage.  That happens next week.  Ack!!!  So I have to put Green Pepper Press on vacation mode for a few months.  Anticipated reopening is February.  It's likely you won't hear much from me until then.  I've got a lot to do!  I'll say it now, a little early, so I can cross one more thing off my to-do list:  Happy New Year and cheers to a wonderful 2019!!

 

stencils + stencils!

So how cool is this?  A few months ago Lorna from Martha Stewart Living inquired about my Frond Collection stencils.  I've been waiting to hear about the results of the upcoming feature and found a copy of the magazine this week. (July/August issue).  It was such a thrill to see my own stencil line (GreenPepperPress.com) along with Mary Beth's (StencilGirlProducts.com) in the article.  The spread is also featured on the Martha Stewart website under DIY, see HERE.  It's so nice that on the site, and in the magazine, all sources are listed WITH the project - unlike the old days where you had to read the fine print in the back pages to find contact info.  

Thanks Lorna + Martha!  Cool projects!

 

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And in more stencil news - it's Mary Beth Shaw's birthday and she's throwing a party where you get to enjoy 14% off your stencil purchases today through Sunday (July 6, 7 8).  

All designs are on sale - you can find my designs HERE.

Receive 14% OFF all StencilGirl stencil designs - Use code:  MBS14

$100+ orders** CHOOSE 1 FREE Large STENCIL***
***You MUST put the L### in the comment box at checkout. Sorry, no exceptions.

**6 of the same size 10% discount is applied first! $100+ orders post-discount.
*Sale does not apply to wholesale accounts or StencilClub membership.

The stencil sale begins July 6th and ends July 8th at 11:59 p.m. CST 

almost there.....

 

The + Artists For Artists + fundraiser is nearly complete - we are at the finish line!  There are a handful of sets left and I'd really like to sell out to maximize our total donation.  If you've been meaning to jump in, now is your chance!  We really appreciate all the support - it's such a great cause. UPDATE:  ONLY 20 LEFT OF THIS LIMITED EDITION OFFERING.  EDIT:  SOLD OUT!!!!

SHOP HERE:  ETSY - GRNPEP

In a few days all the funds will transfer from Etsy to my bank, then I will turn around and submit back to them on the Etsy Advocacy page, where they will match us dollar for dollar, to benefit Cerf+, making the safety net for artists a little bit bigger.  With a total sell out we will contribute, with Etsy, $8000+.  HOW COOL IS THAT?

This is by far the biggest project I've ever embarked on - a real learning experience.  It's not a comfortable place for me - asking for donations.  I never even did well selling Girl Scout cookies, but this project has become really important to me.  Thank you again for hearing and responding to the promotions by the whole team, and for helping to spread the word.  WE ARE NEARLY DONE!

 

 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Just about five years ago we were getting prepared for SuperStorm Sandy to arrive in New Jersey.  Who knew that hurricanes, or their remnants could affect us in the middle of the state?  We have had a flooded basement more than once due to hurricanes!  Luckily, with Sandy, our home and yard were spared any damage but we were without power for nine days.  It was dark and cold - the day being even shorter because candles and flashlights don't make a big difference in November.  We had filled our gas tanks, which was a blessing as there were issues with getting some after the storm.  Our only warmth came from sitting in the car, motor running in the driveway, so we could listen to the radio to get caught up on news, and recharge our phones.  One of us would run down to the corner store for hot coffee - never tasted so good.  Once the power was back on, and the refrigerator restocked, life was nearly back to normal.  

I simply couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose everything like so many have in recent tragedies.  Hurricane, flood, fire, earthquake.  At a time when one might want to turn to creativity to process the loss and escape from reality, or to continue making stuff because that's how you support your family, and all your resources are gone, Cerf+ is a resource that can help.

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remembering England's Rose

We were having a birthday party.  Peter was turning seven on that August 31, 1997.  We had a house full of friends when a call came to turn on the tv.  The next week was a media infused haze.  And just as I had done sixteen years earlier for the Royal Wedding - an early morning alarm clock was set to be awake to witness the coverage of the funeral.  Those gonging bells during the cortege procession are still haunting, revisited this month on many tribute shows (I've been watching all of them).  In the small town where we lived at the time, a local reporter, who was an acquaintance, interviewed Graham with inquiry about how his family back in England were responding to the devastating news.  I can imagine it was similar to what people felt when JFK died - although I can't completely compare since I hadn't been born yet when he passed in 1963.  

She was a beautiful soul, teaching us how important it is to make a difference.  "You were the grace that placed itself,
Where lives were torn apart".

 

 

Thinking this week about how we can make a difference in Texas from our comfortable positions in safe homes.  Prayers, certainly. Positive vibes, of course.  Donations, done.  There has to be more we can do.....think with me.  

more purpose

Happy May Day

The day is almost over, but the month has just begun.  A very full schedule ahead.  My lilacs are fragrant, bursting open yesterday.  I found my first four leaf clover of the season.  I didn't get a ding-dong and flower basket (like we did as kids on May Day) but the mailman did ring the bell to deliver a big package of merchandise with the new HIM cd!!!  Mini-tour has started, I get to see them soon after a very long dry spell.  Bags and bins are packed and ready for my departure tomorrow morning - to Far Away Places - a workshop with my friend Lynne.  Looking forward to riding in the van with my band, not literally of course.  A road trip is the perfect way to become immersed with a new album.  I will report in on the weekend after I get back.  The first batch of pre-orders from The Gothic Collection will go out tomorrow too.  Thank you so much for the enthusiastic response.   My manufacturers pulled off a fast turn around.  Life is good!

 

 

The first video....

 

 

 

*waves, and blows kisses*

p.s.  Gabriele, I got your lovely envelope, and clipping on the collection.  I ordered it...should be here anyday.  Thanks for thinking of me.  It was a super fun thing to get in the mail.  <3

HOLD THIS SPOT

I missed posting this at 12:12 AM so I scheduled it for 12:12 PM.  I was going to call it "hold this space" but opted for "hold this spot"....the difference?  The latter is twelve letters, of course!  As I was preparing the graphic this morning I observed that 12.12.12, 12:12 PM is also twelve characters.  Since I posted an essay, Ode to the Eleventh Hour on 11.11.11 last year I wanted to acknowledge today's date in a post about the Midnight Hour (twelve letters!), but I haven't had the time to complete it...therefore, I'm holding the spot and will edit later.

 

As I was reviewing my to-do list, I noticed how many things could be described in twelve letters.  Luckily I'm on the winning side of the tasks...and there are still twelve days until Christmas Eve, when it better all be done! 

1. Move the sofas
2. Bring up boxes
3. Set out stable
4. Decorate tree
5. Light the tree
6. Shop for gifts
7. Wrap the gifts
8. Mail Packages
9. Send out cards
10. Do the laundry
11. Get groceries
12. Let us rejoice

Speaking of 12, does it bug you (the way it bugs me) that retailers talk about the twelve days of Christmas as though it starts on December 1st, or December 13th?  It actually begins on Christmas and sees us through to the eve of the Epiphany. 

However long your list is, I hope you are managing, moving along with grace, and taking time to enjoy it.

bookended by floods

Hello!  Alot has happened since we last met nearly three weeks ago!  I didn't get a chance to say goodbye because we were without power for nine days.  Luckily we had no real damage from superstorm Sandy - losing electricity was enough of a challenge.  We usually have flooding issues so we feel very blessed to have stayed dry with this hurricane.  I am thankful for smart phones as a means of staying in touch with the outside world - taking several respites in the parked car to warm up, charge our batteries, and hear the news on the radio.   By day three our still-electrified neighbor loaned us an outlet through a series of cords over the backyard fence.  It was such a nice gesture, and a thrill to be able to plug in a lamp, stretching out our days. Our community lost hundreds of trees - it looks like a disaster here but nothing compared to other locations in New Jersey and New York.  Like I said, we are blessed.

The stars were aligned and the airport opened just in time for Fallon and I to fly off to England and Italy, leaving the boys at home with Dad and lots of candles.  It truly was a spectacular experience....visiting Birmingham and London, and finally getting to Venice.  I will be sharing photos in the next few posts...still trying to get my inner clock adjusted to the time zone I'm in.  Thanks to all of you who piped in on facebook as I attempted to share photos from my phone for the first time.  And many thanks to those of you who checked in on us following the storm in NJ, and the news of the Acqua Alta conditions in Venice - yes, we got caught in it!  But...we were on the way to the airport the morning the sirens went off so it didn't put a damper on our trip - just soaked our suitcases!  What a way to end it!!  More soon!

good news bad news

I was going to say, "here is what's going down", but that's not a nice reference as tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  Here's what is also not so nice:  I've been a victim of identity theft.  Someone has been impersonating me online by leaving rude and inappropriate comments on blogs.  Think about it, it's easy to do.  You can leave a name and an URL without verification in most places.  We trust that people use their own name and address, right?  The thing is - you leave a trail with your IP address.  I have learned of several instances of this occuring and luckily I was able to confirm it wasn't me because the IP addresses differ.  I'm not sure why someone would choose my identity to do this, and I'm not sure why they chose to be mean to the bloggers who were targeted on the receiving end.  Both of these gracious women are bloggers I have never met or corresponded with prior to these events.  I hate to think of how many other times this may have happened that I don't know about.  I do know where the person works and hope to resolve it.  Do me a favor, if you can search your comment database for IP address 64.55.153.216 please let me know.  (Easy to do on typepad, not sure how other platforms operate.)  I'm hoping this person has slipped up and used their own name somewhere.  Thanks for your help. EDIT:  the issue has been resolved, perpetrator found.

EDIT:  Impersonating someone online is illegal.  Perpetrator is from California, breaking this law:  SB 1411  This bill would provide that any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another actual person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means, as specified, for
purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Now that the bad news is out of the way, the good news is that both of the anticipated shipments have arrived.  The stamps and the stencils are here!  Pre-orders will go out Monday and the rates on the products will change back to standard pricing by Monday too. 

 

When I mentioned the bad news affair on facebook I got so much support and I really appreciate my friends circling around with kind words.  For some reason the post disappeared, which is so frustrating but I thank all of you who came by in friendship. 

good news, more news, and nests

Guess what arrived today?  The new rubber!  I am packing with wild energy - so fun to see the new images, love sealing up the envelopes, and checking off the pre-order list.  Thank you for your patience dear customers.  Packages will depart first thing in the morning.

For locals, or those willing to travel, the CREATE Mixed Media Retreat in New Jersey site went live today!  Wow - lots of terrific classes and instructors.  There will be a vendor night too.  I'm teaching Friday (7/20)and Saturday (7/21).  There is alot to scroll through on the Create site.  If you want a quick look at my classes you click over HERE. 

Registration begins Thursday, February 16th at 2pm Eastern Time.  Hope to see you there!  For all the details, click HERE.

 

The current Somerset Studio issue is January/February 2012.  My column, Make It Your Own, is about altering items we find in a craft store becuase we can, and because we feel like being creative.  The supply lists and brief project descriptions were omitted so I am posting here. 

If you look at the magazine it appears the red egg nest is larger or the same size as the turquoise egg nest but actually it is way way smaller.  Looks super cool next to my crows and ravens that are set out at Halloween.

The next crusade was going to be posted today but I'm busy packing rubber so I will get it up tomorrow.

scary costume

feedreaders:  click through to see some cool graphics and scroll down for a give-away.

If you saw this sinister dude walk up to your door this weekend you might hand him some candy.  However, if he was nearby a few hundred years ago you might fear impending doom.  I came across this character on Wikipedia.  Clever beak usage.  Don't you think?  Are you dressing up as something scary or something silly for Halloween?  The Today show said 50% of all adults buy or make costumes for themselves.  Tell tell....

Don't forget to enter in the drawing for Mingle in the post below.  I will pull a name from the top hat on Friday.

 

 

boys who love girls

Every Sunday (and Monday night) from opening game through the Super Bowl we are a football watching family.  As we know, October is breast cancer awareness month.  Have you scheduled your exam?  I am struck by the message these big burly men are helping to spread by wearing pink.  This month I see them not just as players who battle it out on the field, but as boys who love girls.  Men who love women.  Males who have females in their lives:  sisters, and mothers, and daughters, relatives, friends, neighbors...and they want them to be safe from this disease.  I find it so moving.  Regardless of what team you cheer for, or if you don't even follow the sport, you gotta love these boys supporting the cause.

 

 

Bravo to the NFL.  And bravo to all of you who have taken up the torch to raise funds and awareness. 

To each of you who has faced breast cancer, as a warrior, or as a cheerleader for a loved one, we huddle around you with genuine team spirit.

XO

 

nine ten

 

A few weeks ago Fallon and I stayed in the city.  This was our view.  At the time I didn't know the World Trade Center footprints would be waterfalls, with the names of those lost etched in bronze surrounding the perimeter.  Haunting, yet beautiful.  See more about it HERE.

See my post edit below for a Tim Holtz product giveaway.  Leave a comment to win.

we ARE doing this!

 

Arrivals!  A huge box of socks from our new friend Barb in Massachusetts.  Two checks from friends and Crusaders, Jane and Chris.  I really appreciate all the support offered here and by email, and I thank those of you who have helped spread the word about SocksForJapan.com.  I encourage you to collect and send boxes directly, details at the site.  I've been following Jason's account of receiving hundreds of socks so far, and the tremendous and generous efforts to get them delivered.  What a very cool thing!

 

 

Gotta love Target!  Their socks are cute and cheap - even better when you can stretch your dollar by getting some on clearance.  I tend to buy two or three of the same kind of sock for myself.  Makes sorting laundry easy, and if I lose one I can still find a match.  I'm stuffing my bags in pairs of pairs.

 

There have been some questions about what to send and how to go about it.  They need socks of every size -for men, women, teens, children, and babies.   Jason says packaging in plastic helps them out.  (I'm using ziplock sandwich bags with sticker labels).  If they are properly labeled with the note tucked inside then they won't have to open them up.  Remove all tags and packaging to make more room. 

 
Thank you again for cheering us on, joining our collection, or taking up the cause in your community.  As you know, I have a soft spot in my heart for pink socks....so how cool is it that the first box contained a yummy, fuzzy, cozy pair of pink polka dot socks from Barb.  I'd love to have a tracking device on that pair to see what special lady gets them.  I'm sure the love will be felt.  *happy dance*

it's thursday - a french toast day

img: can you see me now?

 
 

 

I grew up in Minnesota where snow days like this were not uncommon.  We made the most of it - sledding, skating and skiing.  We also had snowmobiles.  I remember that we would have a snowfence - temporarily installed along the driveway to prevent snow from drifting across.  We would wrap our feet in Wonder Bread bags before inserting in our boots, then spend hours outside.  Our wrists would be chapped from where the wet snow met our tender skin.  We lived in a court, and all the snow from the road would be piled in the middle of the circle in what felt like a huge snow mountain.  Who would be king of the hill?  After Minnesota I lived in Boston, then Chicago, Traverse City (MI), and now here (NJ).  Snow has been part of all my winters.  In 46 years I never heard this phrase:  It's a French Toast Day.  Graham mentioned it last snow storm (a few days ago).  Do you know this one? 

Most people freak at the prospect of being snowed in when a storm is on the way so they rush to the stores to gather up supplies.  The first to get emptied off the shelves - milk, bread, and eggs.  French Toast!  *grin*

No school AGAIN today.   Soon we will dig out...it's getting harder and harder to clear the snow as we have to lift it higher and higher.  But oh boy!  It is sure pretty! 

I will check on my syrup reserves....might have to whip up some FT before I put on my boots.

 

to you and yours

 

With all the muchness that this holiday brings, I wish for you some peaceful moments to reflect on how much we have already.  Family, friends, full hearts, warm homes and health.   

I hope it goes without saying, that if you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a happy whatever-it-is-you-honor.  xoxo

20_-_Trans-Siberian_Orchestra_-_Christmas_Canon

(my favorite track this year)

 

gah!! and gobble

Mom is here - she and Fallon and I are heading into the city tomorrow to see The Addams Family on Broadway (starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth)....but before that we are making an annual visit to see the BG windows.  In past years, a Thanksgiving weekend visit to the city couldn't guarantee that you'd see the display *finished*.....but even better, you might get to see the windows being tweaked, primped, an installation-in-progess.  We do know that everything has launched early this year....even my local radio station has gone 24/7 xmas tunes.  Come on....THAT is nuts!  However, while Christmas has invaded Thanksgiving's territory, I won't complain that the windows have been unveiled.  You can see some terrific photos on the BG blog - (seriously, go see) plus this awesome behind-the-scenes video!  GAH!!

 

 

In case I don't get back on here before Thursday, gobble gobble...........Have a Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo

eleven twenty-two

 

Hyvää Syntymäpäivää Ville!

i took the pledge

 
grab the banner and re-blog ....

join the movement, take the pledge, support the mission

temple and saints

Set your tivo, or tune in beginning Saturday to HBO for a two hour special on Temple Grandin.  I had the pleasure of hearing her speak more than ten years ago at the release of her book Thinking In Pictures.  She's a genius.  This is going to be good!

And have I mentioned....I'm a Saints fan?  Go Saints!

  

add that to the ta-da list!

 

  

Yesterday afternoon the new rubber arrived, and in a few minutes I will lug the box of packages to the post office.  I am ready for a beer!  *Cheers* to all of you who participated in the fundraiser.  Later I will be heading to Hot Topic for gifts cards for Paula's family.  I'm hoping to hear back from the corporate headquarters of the store where I am requesting they match part of our donation.  Wouldn't that rock?  That would make a double ta-da!  Thanks again everyone.  *blows kisses*