Eventful Week!

So as you can see I haven't kept up with my hopes of blogging every week but at least I have had good intentions AND I am here now, right?? :)

Things have been good, but busy of course. I've been working on a few different projects these days and had some deadlines that needed to be kept. But I'm very happy it's the weekend and I'm starting to see some time to get working on some NEW projects!

One thing that I've been working a lot on lately are beer tap labels for The Gamble Mill. I've actually been able to help Mike out on a few mini projects for the Mill like creating a place mat for their samplers and a Brewer's Club Card. The labels have been pretty intense though. They first started as having just the name of the beer because legally they needed to display the name on the taps. However, after the first draft of those we all realized that they looked pretty boring and should be jazzed up a bit. I started drawing pictures to go with the beers. I've been struggling though because they are NOT papercuttings. I initially thought about doing cuttings for them but through different tries and debating I ended up going with straight drawings. The problem is that even though I do a bit of drawing for my papercuttings, my drawings are VERY sketchy and usually look very different than a final "cut." So I've been slightly stressed out drawing and having that be the final result! But I FINISHED! A nice relief for sure to have that done. Maybe if you head out to the Mill you'll get to see the final product. I did the originals in color but I think they might end up using a black and white version.


Other big news - I filed my first round of sales taxes! This is a huge accomplishment for me because I feel like I really own my own business! It may be small and I move slowly, but it is happening and it's pretty awesome! Something I haven't really made too public yet is that I do have a website: www.originalpapercuttings.com. It's still very much in it's beginning stages, I have a ton more pictures to add and I might even revamp some of the look as well. I am doing it all on my own though so it's taking a long time. I'm also going to be able to sell things right on it too. So stay tuned to see progress on that as well!

Something else I accomplished this past week was making a design to submit into a t-shirt contest for ORION. This is a program through Shaver's Creek for incoming freshman at Penn State. Students go on a week-long backpacking trip in small groups of 12. At the end of the week they either participate in a high-ropes course or a day of canoeing. It gives them the opportunity to get to know new people, form bonds that often last through their entire college experience, challenge themselves physically and emotionally, and just an awesome way to start out in college. I got to work with ORION for 2 years when I was in college. One year as a trip leader and the following year as a logistics organizer. It was a great experience and as a result I have always had a special place in my heart for ORION. So when I heard that they were going to do a t-shirt contest I was excited to participate.

This is the design I came up with. I had a ton of fun creating it, and it was especially rewarding since I haven't been cutting for so long. Look closely and you will see 12 hikers, 2 tents, binoculars, a screech owl, the sun & moon, canoeing and a high ropes course.
The contest will begin on Monday I believe so I'll try and post where you can vote!

I also was able to go to a girls Crafty Night last night, which was so much fun. I've always wanted to have a craft group to go to but somehow have never really found one. I'm so excited to now know so many people who also like to create! It was a great evening and I actually was able to complete a new scarf for Teagan. She really needs one for playing in the snow. Although after making it I realized it's not the warmest thing so it might turn into more of a boa instead of a scarf. Luckily she likes it!!


Blowing kisses like a movie star :)

Drawing with her new scarf :)


AND, now the most exciting news...Teagan has begun her potty training journey!! It was really a distant thought in my mind just a few weeks ago, but she has taken the lead on this one! We have a potty book that we read every once in awhile, but about 2 weeks ago we were reading it and all of a sudden she jumped up and ran to the bathroom. Started pointing to the toilet and opening the lid and pretending to flush and everything. So I thought...maybe we should get her a potty soon. So we did and she LOVED it! She was so interested and has spent probably hours so far just exploring it. I wasn't sure if we were close to having her actually use it but it happened the other night - #2! (Sorry for the detail but I'm so excited!) and then again last night for Mike while I was out at crafty night! I am still in so much shock and am so excited about it! Still no #1, which I think is a little strange, but hey, we'll take what we can get! It's just so crazy - 18 months old! I'm so proud of her!!

I'll spare you and her the awkwardness of posting pictures of her really "using" it! :)