Today It's All About You! Show Us What You're Made Of!

Today, I have taxes and family on the brain - as well as a few other things. So it wasn't easy to come up with something for today's post...

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So, I referred to my list of blog post ideas (if I don't keep one...well, you've seen how it can go here in the past with erratic posting)...and remembered, that I'm very very interested in YOU, friends.

If you're anything like me (and the simple fact that you are here, indicates a high likelihood you are) - you are also on the constant lookout for interesting blogs (and handicrafts).

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There's just something about blogging...

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But if you have a blog (or handmade product, tutorial, etc.), then you know, that promoting it can be a bitch. And I had this idea: 

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There's a lot of us in this wee space called the EVA Blog at this point. And we have a lot of similar interests, ideas, talents, and aesthetics. Why not promote and share your blogs and whatnots here today - in the comments?!

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And this way, all of the readers here can see your blog, thing-a-ma-jig, tutorial, and what-nots; and you can spend the day enjoying it with less time devoted to work.

Sound good? I hope so.

Best,

Tara

Want versus Need

About a week or so ago, I decided to have a look-see at my favorite antique store in town. Mostly I prefer thrift stores to antique stores, because of the true reward that comes with finding a diamond in the rough. You really have to sift through countless amounts of useless, and sometimes smelly funky stuff in order to find an actual vintage gem. But I guess I was feeling 'lazy' the other day, and just wanted to be surrounded by gems, funk not included. A world of treasures was there to gaze upon, but there was one item that truly captured my heart: a 1924 L.C. Smith & Corona No.4 typewriter.

Here's a picture of one I found on Flickr, so you can understand why I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. But the one I discovered is even better than that little lovely up there. How? you might be asking, could it get any better? Because the one I stumbled upon is purple! I've already secretly begun calling her Lilac actually. I woefully walked away from this little machine, because I couldn't justify buying an antique typewriter at this point.

But it's quickly become an obsession. I started asking Jeff, my pseudo-hubbie, if he thought buying an antique typewriter was foolish. To my surprise, he quickly responded that using an old typewriter is, in his opinion, the secret to the Great American Novel. He has no idea how much trouble that little nugget of information may get him into...about $350 dollars of trouble if I have my way! I went to visit Lilac again today...just to see if she still gives me butterflies. It's definitely love. I want to have her, or is it need? Maybe I'll write the next Great American Novel. Or maybe, I'll just use Lilac to write the daily posts of the Great American Blog. Either way, I really think I have to have her.

Give Them What They Want

I love this little blog. It's a wonderful outlet for me creatively, socially, and intellectually. Sometimes, I'm a bit uncertain though, about how much some of you enjoy it? It can be hard to be objective about something one creates, and I'd love a bit of feedback from you, my beloved readers, so that I can make this blog a daily destination for all of you. It is a goal of mine this year to write at least 5 days a week -- but sometimes, I just run out of ideas.

Please leave a comment for me, about what type of posts, information, and tutorials you would be interested in ~ and as always, just a reminder: If you decide to purchase something from my Etsy shop, as a beloved reader - you are entitled to 15% off your order! Just mention: "beloved reader" in the comments to seller section of shopping cart.

Love,

Tara

New Year's Resolutions & Planning

Lucky Bee Press' Letterpress New Year's Resolution Coaster Set

It's that time of year again, to begin thinking about improvements: self-improvements, home improvements, etcetera. I always find myself thinking about all the leaves I'd like to turn right around Thanksgiving - it seems to be an appropriate marker of shifts in attitudes. It's the one day of the year where being grateful is inescapable and contagious. I've got so much to be grateful for, proud of, and to work on.

Some of my resolutions are the same every year, and every year get put-off until the following Thanksgiving:

• Get Fit: Regular exercise, take up running, take up yoga, take daily vitamins daily, eat healthier.
• Be Nice: Make more friends, be kinder to strangers, manage stress and anger better, volunteer for a worthy cause
• Learn More: Take up a class, master a new skill, share and receive wisdom from others.

In 2009, I have certainly accomplished a lot of my regular Resolutions - but let's face it - these are the kind of improvements that are a work-in-progress, an ongoing effort. They will all make my list for 2010, because while I've made more friends, been kinder to strangers, eaten healthier, and shared and received wisdom - I need a reminder to continue in that vein.

Cabin + Cub 2010 Desktop Calendar

Now that I'm a business owner - I've got a whole new set of Resolutions for 2010. I've stumbled upon some really helpful sources to make these Resolutions easier to achieve - and would love to share:

• Clarify my brand and product vision
• Plan and strategize for the year before it begins
• Learn the wacky ways of SEO
• Open up a second shop on Etsy
• Learn more about Marketing
• Blog smarter

I'm sure there are plenty of improvements I'm not considering, that need to happen. Fortunately, I've got the rest of the year to think about them. Got any ideas about how I can improve my business - I'd love your feedback!