graphically challenged

I really hate to admit defeat...or partial defeat at least.  I am saying it outloud...I am graphically challenged when it comes to digital scrapbooking, etc.  I've been trying all day to create a new header.  I found a cute leader that matches the page pretty much.  I inserted my photo...okay I don't get the transparancy thing, but I added one anyway.  I added my text.  Next, it was saved as a JPEG and GIF formats, they looked clear.   I uploaded to my blog and.....the lettering is blurry...again.  What gives?!  Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

new year...new job

I used to work at this adorable shop called Lollipops & Roses several years ago.  It was full of wonderful gifts geared towards women, babys, flowers and homemade treats and goodie baskets.  However; as the economy started to waiver, they made cut backs and I volunteered to leave so one of the other girls wouldn't be cut. 

As the economy worsened, tough decisions had to be made.  The adorable shop of 5000 square feet was to be no more.   Their current florist sub-leased the store from the orginal owner and was moved to a smaller location down the street to just 1200 square feet. I never went into the new store....until......

It's a sad, ugly story...but the outcome is the old owner has returned and taken the store back.  I received a frantic call just 9 days before Christmas asking me to come and be her florist and try to pick up what pieces could be found.  Sooo, that's where I've been since December 17th. 

Now, I have to tell you...I did think about looking for part time work to fill in the holes around here.  I have to admit...I'm tired of just squeaking by.  (Fortunately, my hubby has a great job, it's just getting hard to get by on one income anymore.) I even filled out applications for JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby.  Guess they didn't call me for a reason. 

These flowers went to a 90 years young gal last week for her birthday.  It was gorgeous!  I sure hope she enjoyed them.  It was a real pleasure to create this arrangement for her.   Just glad I wasn't the one to deliver it, it was heavy and tall (45") and filled with 90 roses. 

Please help us spread the word, Lollipops & Roses will be coming back to it's former glory (although smaller scale).  If you need flowers, white chocolate popcorn or a gift for someone special please visit us in Las Vegas at the corner of Sunset Road and Annie Oakley.  Look for us on Facebook, like us, and watch for us to rise from the ashes.  :0)

You'll probably find some of my creations there are well.

A new beginning...

Don't you just love this time of year?  A fresh start...a new beginning...a new outlook on life...
As much as I love Christmas, its so nice to put it all away and have a cleaner, uncluttered house if even for just a little while.  I pull down my old calendar, post important dates in the new one and put it up.  There is much to do this time of year...most of it cleaning, sorting and organizing.  Hey, why do you think Walmart fills the enitre garden department with storage bins...lol.
Last year, I spent most of January cleaning, purging, and organizing my paint room.  Costco has oversized shoe boxes and large totes...all clear... that I used along with some really sturdy metal kitchen style shelving.  I am pleased to say, it's stayed organized and has been easy to keep clean and neat. 
This year, I am planning on taking inventory of finished product, box it up by category, and put it away nice and neat.  Currently, it seems to be in several places so I really don't know what I have.  Of course...there will be purging invovled.  I've vowed to remove inventory that hasn't sold well and donate it away. 
I've begun working at a floral and gift shop I used to work for so I know my time is more limited than it used to be.  I need to focus, stay organized, and still manage to get things done for shows.  My plan is to do fewer but bigger shows so I'm not killing myself come October-December.  That's the plan at least.