Blessing and a Curse

We all have our passions - our true talents - that are undeniably part of who we are. And though it takes most of us a lifetime to hone them, we are always aware that they constantly call to us. On-lookers make envious comments like, "Oh, you're so lucky to be so talented in that way." But those who have a calling, a passion, know that it is both a blessing and a curse. Creativity seldom sleeps, so when she is so moved to move you...you move! It is not a thing to pencil into one's Day Runner, but rather a breath of life breathed into your days causing fury and madness and wonderful fulfillment. So, when life becomes more about other people (especially small, needy people) than yourself, creativity becomes a burden of sorts to bare until a time comes when all the needs of all the others are satisfied and you can devote yourself to your own calling to creativity. This is why the song below, "Just for Now" is my new "theme song". It's the feeling that I have when I get to work on Amy's Own projects or any myriad of other perpetual art projects stashed in my mind and in my art bins - the feeling of escaping to my own time, my own space...just for now...not forever (nor even for very long), but just for now. Don't get me wrong...I'm exactly where I want to be, doing what I want to be doing; but I do a great balancing act to keep things that way. I bet you do, too.

My new theme song

Imogen Heap "Just for Now"

Write or Wrong

As with all things I create, there is currently a need for this item at my house right now. I created these "Writing Boards" as a way to make it fun for my Preschool son to practice writing his own name (over & over!). The flip side has a cute & fun alphabet I designed with corresponding objects to their letter sound to reinforce the letter sounds and remind him what the letters are actually supposed to look like. He has used his for about six months and still likes it, so I began giving these as gifts to friends' children. They have been such a hit that several people have requested to purchase their own to give as gifts to other preschool kids. They remind me of the old-timey slate boards Mary & Laura Ingles used on Little House on the Prairie, except those sweet girls probably had to share one; and to have a wipe off one in cool colors with their own names on them would have totally blown that little Walnut Grove Schoolhouse away! But oh, the joy of making Nelly Olson jealous...! Whoa, okay, back to reality.... So, yeah, these Writing Boards are way hip & totally cool for kids and for parents who don't like wasting paper, too!

Doin' What I Love...

After 2 hours of wrestling my 4 1/2 year old over "Rest Hour"at mid-day for about the 1,044th time, this afternoon I finally implemented the Daily Duties Chart that I've been conjuring up in my mind for the past year. Some people refer to this charting of tasks as Chore Charts, but I just can't bring myself to use the word "chore" for tasks like brushing your teeth. I still have some tweaking to do on it, but today it worked like magic! He got to place a tiny sticker on each completed square to see how he was doing, and it wasn't good as of 3:30; but he kicked it in high gear, like filling a chart with tiny stickers was the climax of Man's Achievement on this earth. He filled every last square for the day and was thrilled about it! So, I think I've found a new product. If every child responds as positively to this Daily Duties Chart as mine does, I might have solved every challenge of parenting single-handedly...at least for one afternoon.

Lovin' What I Do!

As a stay-at-home mom with a small business, I stay REALLY busy. But who doesn't, right? The great thing about my busy-ness is that I love it! I get to be at home with my small children and also create paper treats for a living...how lucky am I?! Another aspect that I love about what I do is getting to create new designs and products everyday. This week's exciting new product is MOMMY CARDS! ...what the heck is a Mommy Card, you ask? Well, it is a calling card (or business card) for the most important job in the world: Mommy-hood! Now, I have to admit, I, personally, have never handed out my own Mommy Card to a stranger I've befriended on a playground. However, if a new-found mommy friend whipped out her swanky Mommy Card to pass on her contact information, you'd better believe I would be QUITE impressed, not to mention a tad bit jealous. AND I would definitely keep that thing and call her! So, I'm nipping that jealousy in the bud and printing up some for myself...I'd recommend you get some, too!

Amy's Own

Wow! Amy's Own designs now has a BLOG spot! Now I can ramble on & on as much as I want about ART! Love it! Happy reading!