MUSIC

I've been developing a deep like for retro music lately! I recently downloaded a couple of albums by Chuck Girard (I believe he was popular in the 70's). I have a new favorite though: There is a Christian-Canadian group called NEWWORLDSON. Now, you may think I'm crazy but I love them! They have an old-school, blues, reggae sound. Check them out....

http://www.newworldson.com/newworldson/index.htm

Furniture

I'm in the process of moving so I'm keeping my eye open for nice but inexpensive furniture. That's how I came across this phenomenon....Cardboard Furniture!?!?! I know it's hard to imagine, so I included a picture:

I  don't think I have the skill or patience to try this.... but you have to agree that it looks very cool! I am also told that it is very sturdy and durable due to the protective coatings that are used. ¡Hasta la vista!

Quote from Mary Higgins Clark

An inspirational quote from a Mary Higgins Clark book 'Two Little Girls in Blue"

Waiting does not seem so long once it's accomplished.

Decorating with Paint Chips

I'm looking for ideas to decorate my design studio. I'm currently intriguited by the idea of using paint chips to decorate. So I found this website called Handmade Detroit and they had a cool idea about creating a paint chip wreath. This one was for Valentine's Day.


I also found another idea about creating wall art with paint chips.Looks like fun!

And for those really creative people... a paint chip pixel painting...



I think this is an idea that could be crafted into some very cool and inexpensive wall art for my studio. If I come up with anything, I'll post...

Another one bites the dust.... :)

New Furniture!

Bought some pieces for my house Saturday. All of it is in storage, so I'll post pictures in a couple of weeks.

Indaba Music

So, I was browsing through a magazine called "Gourmet" today at the library and I saw an ad for the my touch cell phone by T-Mobile. One of the people they used was Daniel Zaccagnino the CEO and co-founder of Indaba Music, a web platform that enables musicians all over the world to create music together in online recording sessions. Isn't that cool? Anyway, I signed up......so check it out.

http://www.indabamusic.com/

Dream

NEW Website!

Our new mdesigns site is up and running. Please check it out:

NEW! mdesigns website

We are available for all of your design needs. Please recommend us to your friends and family.

Melody@mdesigns

e. melody@wedergren.com

Website

I'm currently working on the winter version of my graphic design website. We change the theme for each season. As you probably know, today was the first day of winter. Here is the current header, it's always subject to change.......

We'll be doing a big marketing campaign and I'll post a link when it's up and running.

Merry Christmas!
Melody@mdesigns

The Most Beautiful Christmas Tree Ever

by
William Theron Yates

The Christmas tree stood in a corner of the room, decorated from tip to floor with lights and tinsel and garlands and ornaments and a star shining down from the top. It was a beautiful tree. The family had spent many hours decorating it. Boxes of things from Christmas past had been pulled out of hidden places in overstuffed closets and the dusty attic. Cries of "Oh, remember this one?" and "Didn't Grandma make this decoration?" and "Where's my little toy soldier?" and the rustle of wrapping paper filled the air. Music of the season flowed from the stereo and the intoxicating scent of cinnamon and gingerbread filled the air as Mother baked Christmas cookies in the kitchen.

Gradually the tree had been transformed from a somewhat scraggly and slightly lopsided piece of greenery into a joyous symbol of Christmas. "Isn't this the most beautiful Christmas tree we ever had, Daddy?", a young voice asked. "No", cried another, "it's the most beautiful Christmas tree ever!"

As all pairs of eyes in the room turned to me, awaiting confirmation of this most excellent judgment, my mind suddenly filled with trees -- a veritable forest of evergreens and elms, oaks and maples, sycamores and cypresses -- and one certain tree. Before I quite knew what I was saying, I replied, "No. This is not the most beautiful Christmas tree ever." Cries of "What?" and "Yes, it is!" assaulted my ears. "Hush!" I said, "Shall I tell you of the most beautiful Christmas tree ever?"

"Oh, yes, Daddy, please tell us!" they chorused.

"Well, a long time ago, long before the very first Christmas, God said, 'One day, I will send My Son to the world, and He will show all people how to live and how to worship Me. He will give them a never-ending life with Me in Heaven where they will be happy forever. All they have to do is to be repent for doing things their own way instead of My better way and to be baptized and receive My Spirit.' "

"Long years passed and it was time for Jesus to be born. This is what we celebrate as Christmas."

"Yeah, there were shepherds and angels and wise men," said one. "And Joseph and Mary, His mother," replied another.

"Yes. You all know the story of Christmas. But do you know the story of the first Christmas tree?"

"No, tell us! Tell us!"

"There was no tree at the first Christmas. In fact, the first Christmas tree didn't even come at Christmas!"

"What do you mean?"

"How could it be a Christmas tree if it wasn't at Christmas?"

"Well, Jesus grew up and told everyone about salvation and that they could live forever with Him in Heaven. And many people believed. But some people did not want to change the way they were living. And they were very powerful people. And they got together and arrested Jesus and sentenced Him to die."

"Yeah, they nailed Him on a cross", said a sad, small voice.

"Yes. That cross was the First Christmas Tree! We hang ornaments and decorations on our tree to make it look beautiful, don't we?"

Heads nodded.

"Well, when they hung Jesus on the cross, they hung the most beautiful ornament ever! He had a wreath -- of thorns -- and garlands -- of the blood He shed for us so we could go to Heaven. Those were the most priceless decorations ever. Because Jesus, God's greatest gift to us, died for us nailed to that tree, it really is The Most Beautiful Christmas Tree Ever!"

And all agreed.

Comic Relief

FEAR

Fear is the perception that there's no one who can control the chaos.

A Christmas Card to you...

May the joy of this CHRISTMAS make your heart MERRY!

My Christmas Wreath

I made this Christmas wreath at Melrose (Antebellum Home) Christmas open house today. It is made of all real materials. It was a festive experience! My door is now adorned for the season!

Wreaths have been used as a decorative sign of Christmas for hundreds and hundreds of years. Christmas wreaths can adorn any part of your home, inside or out. In many homes, this symbol of growth and everlasting life can be found both inside and out. It is common to find a number of wreaths on doors, over the mantle, or hung in windows. 

The wreath is made of evergreens, most often pine branches or holly. They can be real or artificial. But, an artificial one just doesn't smell the same as a real wreath. It is decorated wit a variety of items including pine cones, holly berries, fruits, and just about anything you can imagine. 

The wreath has significant meaning for the season. It's circular shape represents eternity, for it has no beginning and no end. From a christian religious perspective, it represents an unending circle of life. The evergreen, most frequently used in making wreathes, symbolizes growth and everlasting life. Holly branches have thorns. When used in a wreath it represents the thorn on Jesus' crown when he was crucified. Bright red holly berries symbolize Jesus' blood that was shed for us. 

Today, it is sometimes hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas. We get all caught up in the hype of Santa and his arrival. The wreath over the hearth brings a warmth to our hearts as we stop to reflect upon the true meaning of this very special day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS one and all!

Another Class Completed!

Advances Selections was a very needed class! These are professional Graphic Designer techniques. I'm excited to try this stuff out! It takes a lot of time. This is why advertising costs so much!

Baby Taylor: One of my goals!

Many of you will probably be very surprised to know that one of my goals is to play the guitar, specifically a Baby Taylor. It won't be my primary instrument, but I want to know just enough to be dangerous! If I can play basic I, ii, IV, vi, V chords; I can play almost any song and might be able to write songs using the guitar.

I recently heard a great songwriter say that the best way to become versatile and write songs for various genres is to learn to play different instruments. The acoustic guitar could go 3 ways: contemporary p&w, southern gospel or even some ballad type black gospel songs like Kirk Franklin's 'Without You'. (Check it out on the playlist below)

Finished another class!

Finished a VERY DETAILED 2 hour Dreamweaver class today. My brain hurts, the information was overwhelming. Someday I'm going to put it all together! Kudos to the Creativetechs team & Eric Fadiman! So if you need a website, I'm becoming qualified. Actually at the Art Institute I studied the actually wiring of building a site, now I'm learning the easy way to do it!

Now I'm off to study Spanish... ¡Hasta la vista!