Terri Conrad Designs

Terri Conrad Designs' Webster's Pages paper crafting kit give away!

Hello Friends,

It has been quite a few weeks - and I am feeling a need for some laughter, joy and frivolity!  Are you?  BIG stuff has been going on in the Conrad household . . .our new puppy and sleepless nights; our water heater burst and flooded our garage and kitchen - and in the midst of the dry down it was discovered that mold was present.  It was determined that this mold was pre-existing, and therefore not covered by insurance.  Our kitchen, laundry room and garage are torn apart and "contained" with industrial plastic and hepa filters.  It's noisy and unsightly.  But, it is life, for now, for today - and for several more days to come until restoration is complete.

Do you remember those Calgon commercials?  The stressed out woman calling out, "Calgon, take me away!"  That's me this morning.  My "calgon" would be a long, luxurious warm stone massage, and equally long & luxurious facial, a good hot steam, then shower and a dinner date with my husband, and a fine glass of wine.

What's your "calgon?"   Leave a comment here and you could win my oh so fun Webster's Pages paper crafting kit : OMG!  included is a delish 6.5x20" piece of painted bead board, my Pink Lemonade stickers, Pink Lemonade accordian album, a complete collection of my Pink Lemonade designer papers, my Sweet Charity rub ons, chip board, and a little bit of ephemera to add some shimmer & shine.

On Sunday eve I will post the lucky lady!

You can purchase more kits like this one on my web site at Terri Conrad Designs.

I'm still trying to reorganize my studio, but thought I'd share a few pics reflecting how it's shaping up:

Tucked in this cabinet is Jo Packham's book, "Where Women Create."  What a lovely and inspiring book.  I believe the second one is soon to be released.

My hand painted bead board frames and art, and of course, some fresh twiggery.

and finally, just a peek at the result of some play time on Wednesday. 

And all posted just in time - 9:01 to be exact!  The family is awake, so off I go to be momma and wife for a bit.  Hopefully, I will find some time to laugh, feel some joy, and engage in a bit of frivolity today.

Hope you do too friends

squishy hugs,

Terri

Celebrate life! each and every moment you are blessed with it

"Our dearest Suzanne . . . She was always the most beautiful flower in the bunch and so obviously stood out from the rest"

August 7, 1970 - July 15, 2008

 

On Monday I watched as my friend, Suzy Smith, was layed to rest following her courageous fight with cancer.  I have faced many, many challenges in my life that have called upon my faith to hope in tomorrow and my courage to face the day - refusing to be defined by my circumstances. However, it is only now that cancer has touched my life and caused my heart to ache due to the seemingly unfair, random attack of this disease. While I know intellectually that my friend, Suzy, is at peace and with God, I am so deeply moved for her young children who remain, deserve and need their mommy. 

I am only one, but I am still one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.  Helen Keller

Helen Keller's quote is so poignant, as it reflects the fact that we all possess the ability, the capacity to do one thing, to do something.  As we each step forward and initiate one thing to effect change, we become the change we wish to see.

I am so grateful that I have the ability to create art and that I am given the opportunity to put a voice to my art, to encourage, nurture and inspire the unique beauty, beloved spirit and unlimited possibilities in others.

Suzy's husband, Mike spoke of Suzy as "the most beautiful flower in the bunch."  It is my priviledge to rename and dedicate the above watercolor Bella Fleur in honor of the fragrant offering Suzy's life represented.

A Limited Edition, signed and numbered lithograph print is available for purchase here .  Proceeds from the first 100 prints sold (retail and/or wholesale) will be donated to the Smith family.  Thereafter, all proceeeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

It has been my desire to offer a planned giving product thru my licensees, and something I will be actively pursuing this year.  For now, this is a small gesture on the part of my business Terri Conrad Designs - but it is something . . .it is one thing I can offer personally and professionally to impact the change I wish to see.

What is the one thing you can do?

For additional opportunities to support the  American Cancer Society please visit gina k designs.

Please live your life today with purpose, express your love and gratitude and begin to be the change you wish to see.

May miracles sprinkle on your garden today -

Terri

Oohs and Ahhs for Terri Conrad Designs' new paper crafting product from Webster's Pages

 

I am oh-so-so fortunate to have Melissa Phillips' uber talented touch on my Webster's Pages product. Melissa created this darling card using my new Reflections of Nature papers.  Everything Melissa designs is immediately recognizable - a true artisan.  When all the hoopla from CHA simmers down we will be inviting M over for a more "fabulous" and formal feature.  I want to be sure you all see her little pretties. 

Speaking of seeing, just wait til you see, touch and create with the rich jewel tones of Reflections of Nature.  I see possibilities with this collection of art all throughout my home.

Oh my my - listen to what's being said about Terri Conrad Designs and her two new paper crafting collections from licensee Webster's Pages:

  by Anna Sigga "I really love these"

  by Amy Tara "Heavenly.  Can't wait."

  by kimmie "Oh, this is beautiful."

  by Julie "Love it.  Want it!"

  by Audrey Pettit "I agreed with everybody.  These are fabulous!!!"

  by Amy Tara "Absolutely MUST HAVES for me!  I must have these."

  by CoreyW "I just LOVE both collections - the colors are perfect for me . . .wonderful work!!!"

and finally, by Sara at Craft Critique "Lovely designs by Terri Conrad for Webster's Pages...so pretty!"

  Thank you all - a couple more sneak peaks today, and more later . . .

Orders for my paper crafting product may be placed directly with Webster's Pages

Please be sure to visit Sara, and her DT at Craft Critique for links to lots of pre show previews!

Squishy Hugs everyone!

Terri

Grateful . . .for the good, the bad, and the Puppy!

 

          So we are on day 4, and (sleepless) night 5 with Terra (which means Earth btw).  Oh my!  I am a CA-RAZEEE WOMAN!  She is so darned adorable, but so much darned work.  We've been bitten; arms, hands and toes have been pierced with her razor sharp teeth; kissed; smittened; and completely overcome by this little creature.  Because we are crate training her, and keeping her crate in the family room, which is close proximity to the back door, I am sleeping on our sofa, and waking every two hours to her precious little cries with a need to "go potty outside." What a smart little girl.  I am tired - however, we are very grateful for all this little bundle has brought with her.

           Many family discussions have ensued as a result of her addition to our family.  Have we done the right thing, were we impulsive, how do we proceed?  My girls are learning to better express themselves, to cooperate with each other, to be more helpful with mom, and to accept more responsibility than they are accustom to, all b/c of a little pup we call Terra.

            I've used this experience to teach them that we are all faced with challenges, and that we can choose to be grateful for all our challenges because with them come the opportunity to learn and to grow.  We can avoid a challenge, or we can meet it, rise to the occasion and become stronger because of it.  I think they kinda liked that.

          The other good to be grateful for today is the receipt of a new licensing contract with Highland Graphics.  They produce beautiful ceramic and tumbled stone products and  voted the #1 functional gift company by GiftBeat magazine (Jan 08 issue).  The new contract is for tumbled stone wall clocks featuring my Feather Your Nest art.  This pic shows one of my Coco Collection coasters (the vintage step stool is a hand crafted design I did some time ago with my PearBlossom paper from Webster's Pages).

More coasters with my Coco Collection...and below,  from my Bella Collection.

I cannot wait to have and to hold and to hang my new stone clocks on my walls.  How about you?  As soon as I have pics, I will be sure to share. 

We still have a few Creativi-T paper crafting kits available to purchase on my web site and more will be added in the next day or two. Some are one of a kind, like the Sweet Life vintage rolling pin, others are in limited number - so place your order today!

 

Til then, have you expressed gratitude for someone or something today?  Enjoy - it is indeed a sweet life!

 

Blessings,

Terri

Congratulations Deb at Say it With Letters! You are Terri Conrad Designs' "Inspired" winner.  We know you'll create some wonderful paepr crafting designs with our Pink Lemonade, Rasberry Truffle, and Sweet Charity paper collections and your wonderful product.  Do show us the end result. Send us an email with your address and we'll ship your goodies to you. Hope you're Inspired!

I'm trying to post pictures I just know you're going to love, but with all the recent typepad updates, it simply isn't happing.  Anyone else experiencing this?  Oh, and these are must see pics.  We welcomed a new family member into our home last night . . .Terra.  My daughters and I were walking thru Target, saw a young guy walking down the aisle with a little one bundled in his arms, and I promptly said, "Oh, we must pet."  As I held the little fellow (the pup, not the young man!) a dozen people immediately stopped and began asking me about the puppy.  With each question, I looked to Chad (the young man) to determine if he wanted to answer.  It was so funny.  Well, one thing led to another, Chad, his father, and two pups came to visit our home last night, and one darling, precious little fem fatale stayed.

Oh Happy Day!  It loaded.  Just goes to show the value to try, try again :o)  Isn't she adorable?  And here I anticipated having all the time in the world to paint and play in my newly reorganized studio this week and next while my agents are at the Atlanta Gift Show.  Looks like play time will be puppy patrol.  Speaking of which, it's mom's turn for the 30 minute watch.  I've given my girls' each 30 minute puppy patrol responsibility, and so far (8 hours into this concept) it's actually working.

Short & sweet today.  Hope Terra brought a smile your way.  Happy day everyone.

hugs,

Terri