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Archive for the 'Mental Illness and Creativity' Category

Feb 26 2009

GIGIF It’s Friday!

Yesterday, I went to my med doc appointment. She wants me to try Folic Acid in capsule form. So, I went to K-Mart and found that they don’t carry Folic Acid in capsule form, only tablets. She says that Folic Acid helps to enhance the process of generating those feel good chemicals in the brain. If I have that correct. Now, I’m on the hunt for FA in capsule form.

Here are a few of my newest designs…

irish-couple.jpg irishroad.jpg

No, I did not break any copyright laws with these. There were in my ‘Clip Art 950,00′ by Broderbund program that I have. It’s an old one, but a goodie. Oh, I do have another one…

stpatsday.jpg These designs can be found on several different products at Miller Creations at the link given to your right. I am having a blast making these unique designs and images! It’s keeping my creative juices flowing. Here is yet another…

cloudedirish.jpg I’m not to crazy about this one. As it is enlarged, the lettering becomes less readable. I defended this one to my brother saying ‘I did that on purpose so that it would attract attention. People will want to lean in to see what it says. People for the most part are curious about hidden things. It’s akin to a whisper. If you want to grab someones attention, whisper. Maybe it’ll work, maybe it won’t.  What do you think?

I had my 3 seconds of fame yesterday. I handsome news reporter from KREM 2 News interviewed me about these dirty snow berms all around Spokane.  It was quite thrilling to see me on TV. :) Yes, I was a bit nervous! It was my very first time on TV.

The Obama speech to the Congress was filled with hope and promises that I truly hope he will deliver. I can’t see how he is going to do it, but I hope he will be able to. A few days ago, I met a lady at a bus stop who believes that Obama is the Antichrist. She has the right to her opinions, but I don’t think she is correct. Besides, the Bible says that the Antichrist will come from the East. And Obama comes from  Hawaii. And if my map is correct, that is not from the East. At least not for us in the US. Unless you go around the earth the long way. :)

Yet, another day without work. I’ve been ‘without work’ for this past week. They are really going trough a slow period at GPA (Group Photographers Association). That gives me more time to work on Zazzle and looking for a ‘job’. In my perfect world I would prefer to work at home doing what I love to do, designing.  So, if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I am doing online surveys, this blog, two Cafe Press stores and of course my beloved Zazzle store, in hopes to generate some income.

Here’s a cute Irish quote I found by Daryl Strout:
Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? You don’t want to press your luck.

And here is a cutie….

kitten404_04.jpg Courtesy of thedailykitten.com

Till next time Take really good care of yourself!!

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Feb 07 2009

I’m working~

Hello! Yes that’s true! I am back working at my seasonal job as a cropper!!

But, that’s not what I want to share with you today! What I do want to tell you about is this fantastic book I’ve been reading. I rarely  read a book from cover to cover, unless it holds my interest all the way though. “Mary’s Message to the World” did! Here is a picture of the cover…

Mary’s Message to the World It is an inspirational look at what 2012 may be like.

It is about this woman who is channeled from Mary, the mother of Jesus. Annie Kirkwood, at first was sceptical about the ‘Mary’, but in time she was convinced. I won’t tell the whole tale, but I assure you, that if you have an open mind and are spritiual this book will glue you to your seat! I bought it at my Church’s’ annual book sale! I am SO glad I bought it!  It sure has me thinking about how I’m living my life, treating others and our earth!

I am glad that I’m at last bringing in some money to this small family! It does feel really good to be productive. I’m not a morning person, but I will get up if/when I HAVE to! I’ve found that once I am committed to something, I am like a pit bull. I grab hold and DON”T let it go!! That goes for ANYthing I commit to (marriage, friendships, projects, school, work that I enjoy, etc…) BUT, if I see that there is no hope for improvement, progress, interest, not enough challenge, growth, etc..) I do let go, eventually. For instance, my last marriage, it took me two years to admit to myself that there was no hope for progress, improvement, growth so I left him. For one year, we were separated (the last time). I wanted to take that time to see if he was sincere about his love for me and us. About 3-4 months into that separation, he was seeing another lady. So, I knew it was over. I moved to the west side of the state, a year later divorce proceedings started (thus the emotional ‘letting go’). Now, eight years later, I am a much happier single woman who has accomplished 2 things I wanted to when I left him. I graduated from a college program that I LOVE, I am sustaining my self without to much help from outside sources. I am proud of my accomplishments!! 

I was telling my co-workers about my Zazzle store and after one visited it, she said that I have talent. A part of me wouldn’t believe it or didn’t put any value to it. Like it was no big deal of what she said. I thought to myself, where does that come from? I reflected to my childhood. I remember my father telling me not to get a big head over the praise of other people! And..’Don’t tell people that you’re good at anything, they’ll think you are conceded.’ And that the same time, he tells me, ‘You’ll never amount to anything!’ In other words, I don’t do anything right or good! That’s what my child mind interpreted his words to mean. So, I’ve spent a LOT to re-record those tapes to the positive, that I AM GOOD! I do GOOD things! I AM good at a lot of things!! I AM WORTHY!!   A LOT of work on my self! And I am NOT done! There are still times, those tapes play and I get down on my self and I STILL have to delete them over and over and over. Someday, I KNOW they will no longer play, ever again!

Here are a couple of designs I’ve done recently...

giveget.jpg                    graphicdesign2.jpg

                                                                                     I don’t have any idea what to name this design. I have been given the suggestion of naming this design, ‘Running Sap’ or ‘Ice Shades’. I’d like to put that to you as a poll. How many of you like ‘Running Sap’ and/or ‘Ice Shades’ or another suggestion.                 

 So, instead of a quote and a cute picture I am giving you a poll of “Name the Design”.

Looking forward to your replies and suggestions.

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Feb 02 2009

Happy February 1st!

Just got over the ‘bug’…well at least most of it! Today was Super Sunday (Super Bowl Game)! All I was interested in was who wins. I sided with the Steelers (the winners) because in a Digital Design class I accidentally submitted their logo as an example of color coordination. I caught the last 50 seconds and my team won! <yeah> I’ll let you be the judge…..

steelerlooklike.jpg       steelers-logo.gif

A fellow student asked me if I was a Steelers fan! I had no idea that my design was so similar to the logo. Go figure!

I wish I could be a life-time student (scholastic student, that is)! I love learning!! I know life is a school, but sometimes I think I’d rather drop-out of this school! But, since I can’t, I mind as well stick to it! As a Digital Design student I made the Deans List! I can hardly believe it, even now, a year later! I’ve never made any list, except for the ‘one most likely not to succeed’ list! BUT, where has it gotten me?! I am still looking for that design job I went to school for!

My seasonal job as a photo editor - a fancy name for a cropper. All I do for 8 hours is cropping photos on the computer! I’ve been doing this for the past 1 1/2 years. Don’t get me wrong I am VERY thankful that I have a job…any job! But, I still want that design position that’s looking for me right now!

Now for another design I made at Zazzle….

somepeople.jpg   Well, it’s not exactly a design! It’s a saying what most people feel after a divorce or a woman on PMS or menopause or just someone who is mad! I have this on several products I have in my store!

It’s time for bed! I’ll leave you with this Love Tip, since February is Love month!

 Send your love anonymous love letters on little pieces of scented paper,

and tell him/her to meet you somewhere romantic…like the place you meant maybe.

Blindfold them and gently kiss them all over their face…SOFTLY like an Angel.

                                     You can find this tip and others at     http://www.romanticideas.com/love_letters.html

And here is a beautiful pic….

surf-at-sunset.jpg  Good night!

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Jan 26 2009

A flash panel for you!

make custom gifts at Zazzle

I hope this works! Above should be a photo video of my latest designs/products. Good! It worked.

Today, Monday (1-26-09), I went to my medication doctor and she upped my morning med. Now I have to take one pill in the morning and 1 1/2 pills at night. I forgot to ask her, ‘If this pill is to give me energy, then why do I need it at night, when I don’t need the energy. I need to rest and sleep!’ Oh well, I’ve got to go back to the pharmacy tomorrow and get them.

Earlier in my journey with this….’challenge’, I hated the thought of having to depend on pills to live and coping with life! Depending on any chemical, medicine to deal with life, just makes me squirm! So, after a time (a few years), I have finally come to terms with this….THING… and submit to it! I’ll have to take these pills for the rest of my life!  I keep looking for ‘cures’ or alternative treatments to help me be ‘happy’! I don’t want happy pills, but I do want to feel more positive, more less down everyday! Creating these designs is my ‘godsend’ is my therapy, but it can be my escape from reality and stay at it all day long, if I allow myself to. Some days I have to tear myself away from this thing and make myself to eat, get up and stretch and do other things other than computer stuff!  For the last few days I’ve been having a ‘bad hair’ day! Also, I’m fighting off another bug! :( I HATE colds!!

Well, that’s all for today! No quotes, no cute pictures today!

Till next time, Take good care of your selves! Don’t forget to respond to the poll I have in the post below! Thanks!

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Jan 26 2009

Design of the Day

Hi everyone! I’ve been having a blast custom designing cards for a friend of mine from Zazzle! I won’t show you the whole card but I will show you the basic design of it! I was following a tutorial on how to make space vortex’s. When I come to a place where I know I can put my own touch on it, I do! This happens to me with the majority of the designs I make. So, without further ado, here is my Red Vortex design…

red-votex1.jpg I didn’t use this for a card, but I did make some other products with this design on them at my Zazzle store (link on the right).

Here is the one I used for a card...

puple-vortex2.jpg

Which one is your favorite? And yes all my designs are copyrighted!

My moods have been going up and down for the past few days! Today started out pretty blue, then after I started on my designs my mood got really good! I was SO Pumped after I made this vortex design, I sent it to my brother and he said, ‘Do you ever eat or exercise? My response? ‘Eat? Exercise? What a concept! I’ll try those someday!’ LOL! Honestly, when my stomach starts growling at me and when my joints start getting stiff, then I get up and do something about it! Really I do practically live on this computer! I saw a cartoon somewhere where this person was sitting on the toilet with a referator and a microwave oven on one side and a computer in front of her/him. That would be DD’s perfect world! :)

How has your world been? Please feel free to leave any comments/questions for me at the bottom of each of my posts! I will answer all!  I think I’ll start a poll in attempt to start a conversation with you! And within one week I’ll post the results.

What position do you like to sleep in?  A-Back  B-Right side C-Left side D-Stomach E-Stomach/side

Now for a cutie picture…

dogs-and-cats.jpg Till next time, take good care of yourselves!

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Jan 22 2009

A New Era

Wasn’t that inauguration awesome?? Here is my favorite picture from it…

4406_17680851.jpg The pride in the girls faces! I know you can’t see to much from this size, but it is wonderful!!

I feel as if that night was New Years Eve! Everything is new now! And when Bush flew over the Capital it felt like the old year is gone! There is SO much Hope in this man, Obama! Everything I’ve heard, seen and felt about this man is positive! HOWEVER, he is a politician and we all have heard good things from other Presidents before they were elected. The color of his skin, to me, has no barring on the kind of person he is and what he will do for us! I will sit back and watch what changes do happen and if he lives up to what he says, then I will be on his bandwagon! I have my hope in him too! I voted for him, as well! I bet everything I value that if McCain (the other guy) had won, us Americans would NOT have responded to him as we have with Obama!!! 

On to other things! My computer has been acting up lately, so I haven’t had any chance to do anything! So, now that it seems to be okay, I will be doing more, like responding to email, making more designs for my Zazzle store, ect…

For most of the day, I’ve been feeling a bit scattered brained, not remembering what I need to do today. I knew I had a few business phone calls to make, but for about 5 hours I just couldn’t remember. Then when I did, I had to hurry up and make them. 5pm was coming up quick! Now at 11pm, I am feeling better! I’m listening to news and all of it is negative…well at least most of it is!

Hey, what about that US Airways plane in NY? What GOOD news that was!!! The very first thought I had, ‘Oh no, not another terrorist attack’!!  Did you have that thought too! Wow! That whole crew was Awesome!! I do believe that there were angels helping out too!

Well, that’s it for today! Here is a good quote for you…

‘To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.’ -President Barack Obama Inauguration  January 20, 2009

And here is a cute picture…

slide_865_15139_large.jpg One of my favorite pictures of the girls!

Till next time, take good care of yourselves!

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Jan 17 2009

Saturday night at DD’s

I don’t really want to write anything today! But, as long as I’m here anyway, mind as well!

 With Mona on my lap and me staring into this bright screen, I’m feeling down! Why? I have no idea!! My girlfriend said last Sunday that we’d go and do something next Saturday (today). I tried to call her 2 times yesterday and again today! Since I don’t have a phone, I have to be the one to make the calls out! (I use the neighbors phone)  And still me without a job, I’m feeling pretty down.

I did make a really nice Valentines Day design for my Zazzle store. Wanna see it? okay, I’ll see if I can get it out to show you. Wait a moment!  What do you think? Now you have to go to my Zazzle store to see it on the products.   www.zazzle.com/miller_creations. T-shirts are on sale now! “All Shirts are $4.50 off” And there is even a store that sells everything Obama! The link is on my site! There are so many wonderfully talented artists at Zazzle! I am so proud to be a part of them! I’m making so many friends from all over the world through Zazzle! I think they are a part of my saving grace during and after these down times! 

colorlve1.jpg

 I think I know why my friend is not answering her phone, when I call. Last Sunday she and her partner graciously took me home from church. I had asked, if it wasn’t an imposition, if we could stop at Safeway, I needed just milk and bananas. Her partner said that there is a Safeway right on way to my place. My friend said that they were on their way to see her partners mother. I did say that if it was going to be a problem that I could go some other time. Since then shes been cold towards me. I don’t see anything that I did that could have caused her to be cold towards me.  I guess I am sensitive to others feelings! I like to think that I am ‘tougher’ than that. I don’t like it when my friends don’t like something I did or didn’t do. WOW! I am so down!! And it does bother me! Yuck!! That’s why sometimes I’d rather be alone than to deal with other peoples ‘garbage’, moods, stuff! With my cats, I have unconditional love and acceptance no matter what I do…except not feeding them and cleaning their potty. 

I don’t think I’ll go to church tomorrow! Last week, I was happier than I am today! But, there is a magazine I want to get! Maybe sometime during the week, I’ll go! I am beginning to hate taking the bus everywhere I go. And to get to the church, I have to take 2 bus’s. And all that waiting! Yuck! It’s just not worth it…most of the time!   I gave her a book I knew she’d like, for a belated Christmas gift! Yes, she did like it…a lot! Having been snubbed by my best friend of 15 years (J), recently,  I am pretty gun shy with getting close to anybody..female or male!  But, at the same time, I hunger for that female bonding! I don’t have an older sister, nor a mother anymore! I know she’s in my heart and I can talk to her anytime I want, but it’s just not the same with a real life, in person! 

So, please excuse me for not having any quotes or cute pictures for you today! I’ll talk to you again later! 

OH…Before I sign off…I’d like to say that I have a whole bunch of Hope in Obama. But, being skeptical about politicians, I will be sitting by and SEE what he does for us! Not putting him on any pedestal -yet-, like so many others have! You bet I’ll be watching the inauguration next Tuesday! 

And one other thing…I believe there were angels helping that pilot bring that plane down in NYC, yesterday!

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Jan 14 2009

2010 Census Opportunity

I went to be tested for a position with the 2010 Census Bureau. When I lived over in Seattle in 1999, I was a census taker. So, perhaps I will be eligible for a raise in pay!

For those of you that may be interested in a position with the 2010 Census (yes they are still taking applicants) where is their web sits address   http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/index.php  It is a temporary job, but it’s worth it!

I have some new designs/products at my Zazzle store. Here is a couple of them…


starheart.jpgvalentine1.jpg

Also there is my Love Line that I posted in a previous post. “You are Loved”, “I Am Loved”"Mommy Loves Me”, etc….  All for Valentines Day gifts!

I’m also starting on St. Patrick’s Day designs. If any of you have any ideas for me, let me know in the comments section.  Also, I do personalized designs for individuals!  I know Birthdays, Anniversaries and Weddings are some common events to make designs for too.

 I was talking with a friend on the phone today and we were talking about how to keep from getting down. The one thing that both of us agreed on was ‘Keeping busy doing anything…preferably something productive and affirmative for you. 

 Here’s a nice quote I found at…    http://www.midnightangel308.com/love_quote.htm  by Amy Carmichael

You can give without loving,
but you cannot love without giving

  I made a new friend at Zazzle who lives in Australia. This photo is a ‘thinking of you’ for you, AuntieBluebear!

koala.jpg

 Good night, everyone! Take good care of yourselves! 

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Jan 10 2009

An act of Love

Hi Everybody!

Our Internet connection had been compromised for awhile. All is well now!

I got my uncles tribute (photo video) done! It is a success! At first I wasn’t able to send it via email, then after a bit of research and self-learning, I successfully sent it to my brother and he reports that he was impressed! It’s like I just ‘knew’ what to do while I created it. I knew the right song, the right sequence and choice of pictures the transitions, everything. When I do these ‘memorial tributes’ I feel as if they are inspired from within my spirit! I have so much love for these people that I think of while I do these, that that love just flows from my spirit to my heart to my mind to my hands/eyes. I feel so honored and humbled by having the privilege and skill to do these! The second part will be a hard-copy of the same pictures (thou not all) that are in the video, along with (I hope) a short paragraph from each of us kids (4) of a special memory or a lesson our uncle gave each of us.

Shortly after my Dad’s wife (my step-mother) died, I made a collage of pictures (that I had available) of their life together and a newsletter type tribute to Dad from his kids. I feel as though I ‘had’ to do this as a milepost or a symbol of my love and forgiveness of all the pain he caused me in my childhood and early adulthood, and as a forgiveness of myself of the pain I caused him! I was not an easy child to raise!! Both Mom and Dad deserve an award for doing their best (and in my opinion) they did a pretty good job!!

I plan to make one for my Mom/Dad and Grandparents! I have a lot of pictures I got from some photo albums that Dad saved. Also I think this is my way of keeping my memory of them alive! Because to me they are, just on a different plane. A while back I was accused of ‘living in the past too much’. Sometimes, my dear brother, that is an asset! I want to keep my memories of them alive, till I go home to see them again!

It looks like I’ll be helping the Census Bureau again this year (Spring ‘09). I was a census taker last time they did it (1999) when I was in Seattle. That was an interesting experience! But, this time I’d like to try my hand at being in the clerical part.

I don’t remember if I told you but, I made 4 sales over the holidays (3 from Miller Creations at Zazzle and 1 from Miller Images at Cafe Press)! Yes, I am very happy about that! Though I haven’t seen any royalties yet. They will be sent to my PP account someday soon!  You ought drop by every once in awhile. I am making changes every few days!

I have a T-shirt with a saying on it that I think everyone would like. I put it on a cup also.

Oh, by the way, the jar of vinegar with holes in the lid tip I gave you last post…well it works there are millions of dead gnats in that jar now! And I think the word is out too all the other gnats. The population is minimal now! :)

Well, I guess that’s all for tonight! I’ll leave you with another quote from a woman I admire, Eleanor Roosevelt,

‘It is better to light a candle then to curse the darkness.’  

kittenheart.jpg Here’s a couple of cuties I found!

Till next time Take good care of yourselves!

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Jan 06 2009

Lemonade Award and Memories

My thanks to Roxie for the nomination for the Lemonade Award. I am humbly honored and grateful!

 lemonade-award1.jpg

I think I’ve won probably 3 awards in my life that I can recall, anyway!  Nice artwork by the way!

When I was a youngster living in Alaska, I remember someone coming by with a pony and gave rides to us kids on Rocky Road! That’s when and where my love for horses began! Later, my family and I moved onto my Grandfathers farm - where which he was born on in 1901 - my love for horses grew. I’ve had the privilege of knowing and loving 8 horses and 3 of my own in my lifetime…thus far. I remember going around to our neighbors who didn’t have horses and giving them rides, supervised of course. So much fun was had by all! 

SO many fond memories living on that farm! I’m so glad I have them and a lot of pictures! Speaking of pictures, I made a wonderful photo video tribute to my uncle who passed away recently. However, I won’t be sharing it here or anywhere on the Internet without my siblings permission. But, I can tell you it turned out FANTASTIC!!

That’s all for today!

Here’s an interesting fact I found about cats….                                                                                                                                                   Cats act reserved because their ancestors hunted and lived alone. They did not live in packs and therefore depend less on others. 

It goes to show that Dogs have owners and Cats have staff! 

Till next time, take care!

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