tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11626413977370575362024-02-07T04:13:38.846-05:00Grafik ExpressionsMy designs are expressions of art from my heart and reflect my vision of the world, as it should be. Grafik Expressions has a wonderful shop featuring beautiful papers, stationery, cards and gifts.Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-70391354968421530352008-07-16T22:55:00.001-04:002008-07-16T22:57:39.679-04:00I Never Thought It Was Possible ....<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" width="384" height="304"><param name="movie" value="http://www.paltalk.com/marketing/media/vanksen/main.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="flashvars" value="firstname=Lori&lastname=Levine&urlfin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news3online.com%2Fspread.php"><param name="BGCOLOR" value="#000000"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.paltalk.com/marketing/media/vanksen/main.swf" quality="high" width="384" height="304" align="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="firstname=Lori&lastname=Levine&urlfin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news3online.com%2Fspread.php" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" bgcolor="#000000" allowscriptaccess="ALWAYS"></embed></object>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-80973907603269807172008-07-13T12:59:00.002-04:002008-12-08T19:59:37.148-05:00Welcome to the World<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I've had many requests to design birth announcements, but I am particularly thrilled to have been asked to design this one as it is my niece. Welcome to the family Alexa Nicole.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODf3iw8cxTb-eYyOlenPFDum8zu1DBGeovSYmQDiQMXq29p1OZpDoDFBD8wU7NAZxWTWh5pbINrzKSaM0PkaGHH_cVZX_SOfQdfWT85qTYU7iLSzkwBWYs6rcL17VMEEiqd00GF0Cal7u/s1600-h/Alexa+announcement+5+x+4.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODf3iw8cxTb-eYyOlenPFDum8zu1DBGeovSYmQDiQMXq29p1OZpDoDFBD8wU7NAZxWTWh5pbINrzKSaM0PkaGHH_cVZX_SOfQdfWT85qTYU7iLSzkwBWYs6rcL17VMEEiqd00GF0Cal7u/s400/Alexa+announcement+5+x+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222545834178117250" border="0" /></a>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-75058923827288101382008-05-09T15:48:00.003-04:002008-12-08T19:59:37.250-05:00All I am, I owe to my mother<p style="font-style: italic;">A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.<br />- Washington Irving</p><br /><br /><p> </p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0JR2Ir85eZvK7yuF_SzWZUW14q9NsW1ywpxIRblYa-fwjl1w4sCZiq84j6B556n72aV4aJ_sCzqFnQeE3TwfD6hWlb29ZWig494exJwk_va9agvYONCaIt82FYUrV3an2ntN-hnx5AG7/s1600-h/for+all+that+you+are.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0JR2Ir85eZvK7yuF_SzWZUW14q9NsW1ywpxIRblYa-fwjl1w4sCZiq84j6B556n72aV4aJ_sCzqFnQeE3TwfD6hWlb29ZWig494exJwk_va9agvYONCaIt82FYUrV3an2ntN-hnx5AG7/s400/for+all+that+you+are.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198510623675743106" border="0" /></a></p><br />This card and several others are available in our <a href="http://www.grafikexpressions.net/">shop</a>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-68106332362381126292008-02-29T10:32:00.020-05:002008-12-08T19:59:37.460-05:00Artisan. No, Writer. Writer. No, Artisan. . .<span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><div style="text-align: right;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking out the window with her coffee in hand,<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Julia had a sudden urge to go outside.<br />The sun shone warmly and the dew<br />was evaporating right before her eyes.<br />Spring seemed everywhere today.<br />She glanced back at her computer-<br />work was piled up and the curser was blinking expectantly.<br />"Work can wait" she thought as she ran upstairs to change.<br />Pulling on jeans and a v-neck sweater, she glanced in the mirror.<br />It had been a tough winter-she had been feeling </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >overworked and<br />overwhelmed-and it was beginning to show on her face.<br />She needed something new to keep her feeling alive.<br />"This will do it" she thought as she reached for<br />the new dragonfly necklace she purchased on Etsy.<br />As she headed out the door she was lost in thought-<br />fingering the pendant,it symbolized a fresh start:<br />warmer weather, some freedom, new beginnings.<br />Her feet carried her out to her mailbox where she promptly<br />crashed into someone-"oh sorry!" she began, looking up<br />for the first time in</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >to a set of perfect teeth in a sheepish,<br />grinning tanned face. "No, I'm sorry," he said,<br />"I saw you coming and should have said something.<br />I'm Sean, your new Postman. Nice necklace."<br /><br />This might just be a very very good spring, she mused.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3o6s0MGAzitYsEBxXHDpS_VWhlH9nJiOjWRJXPWLKD8Tqk0GcaYxGYUuSwcLsf4mKHCIm7ftIgbA9UIHLU55LbvNUujgc09MiTEdXMp4isgLrOIfPmeBL_ZwUdcskGPNNr5VUYGneqvq3/s1600-h/Industrial+Poppy+dragonfly+pendant+il_430xN.20165652.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3o6s0MGAzitYsEBxXHDpS_VWhlH9nJiOjWRJXPWLKD8Tqk0GcaYxGYUuSwcLsf4mKHCIm7ftIgbA9UIHLU55LbvNUujgc09MiTEdXMp4isgLrOIfPmeBL_ZwUdcskGPNNr5VUYGneqvq3/s320/Industrial+Poppy+dragonfly+pendant+il_430xN.20165652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172439545022113170" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Julia held up her long brown hair in a ponytail,<br />away from her face. “Maybe I should do something<br />with my hair, maybe I should cut it short”.<br />She let it fall. “What do you think, Harry?”<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Harry, who had been gazing at her, cocked his head<br />and placed a paw over his nose. “Hmmm, maybe you’re right,<br />maybe I should leave it for now". Harry barked, relieved.<br />“It’s just that it’s spring-wouldn’t it be nice<br />to change things up for spring?<br />No? How ‘bout a walk then?”<br />Harry‘s toenails clattered across the floor<br />as he took off to get his leash.<br />She put on her favorite necklace-<br />a beautiful suspended copper butterfly<br />that she bought on Etsy,<br />and turned back and forth in the mirror,<br />admiring the way the light refracted from it.<br />Pulling her hair into a ponytail and securing it, she frowned.<br />“I wouldn’t look that bad in short hair , would I?”<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnBeX3EjW-XSZRYT1V0mC0iqsVz2umOTZ1faanIX9dMY4FjPZoLTLVGblN724-6VSxqw8KAu6ZUz19KZbdzBIYNpk2PhZe1pgzmzIjQDDvHP1nw3HXqmJZz3X4SSdEMRaLpeEbXdVUYA2/s1600-h/Industrial+Poppy+Butterfly+Necklace+il_430xN.20411515.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnBeX3EjW-XSZRYT1V0mC0iqsVz2umOTZ1faanIX9dMY4FjPZoLTLVGblN724-6VSxqw8KAu6ZUz19KZbdzBIYNpk2PhZe1pgzmzIjQDDvHP1nw3HXqmJZz3X4SSdEMRaLpeEbXdVUYA2/s320/Industrial+Poppy+Butterfly+Necklace+il_430xN.20411515.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172441280188900770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Artisan handmade jewelry is prized for its uniqueness, variety and often unsurpassed beauty. Writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images, whether fiction or non-fiction.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Leanne (aka <a href="http://www.industrialpoppy.etsy.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Industrial Poppy</a>) has combined both skills so beautifully. I wait, with baited breath, to read the next chapter of Julia's life. More importantly, to view the amazing art which will portray that chapter.</span><br /></span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-1111057348008941312008-02-10T12:13:00.001-05:002008-12-08T19:59:38.044-05:00BFF - Best Friends Forever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzttaIQcV-ydBEDjqV_ZAAbh58m2g0ni4KlRsFjKgU4ApIYlfS_D3yuSJdRFrB8dN_tUT-no1IeXi1XDF6z8I46qu-y7FAZmKt87xYRvmWyXoWpldgNX9e_ugYxwTiyWKlEJLBnDKdfbk/s1600-h/mikiep+lionel+and+il_fullxfull.18221710.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzttaIQcV-ydBEDjqV_ZAAbh58m2g0ni4KlRsFjKgU4ApIYlfS_D3yuSJdRFrB8dN_tUT-no1IeXi1XDF6z8I46qu-y7FAZmKt87xYRvmWyXoWpldgNX9e_ugYxwTiyWKlEJLBnDKdfbk/s320/mikiep+lionel+and+il_fullxfull.18221710.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165400987694446546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >Milton and Lionel - BFF</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is Milton, the Abominable Lovable Jackalope<br />who was lost from his family in a terrible snow storm.<br /><br />During his search for his family, Milton finds comfort<br />in a new friend named Lionel, a sad and lonely firefly.<br /><br />Together they continue the search<br />and learn a bit about each other along the way....<br /><br /><br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;">The moment I saw this illustration, I was in love. So much so, I purchased it. <a href="http://mikiep.etsy.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mikiep</a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </span>hopes to make this an animated film someday. I'm in his corner rooting for him all the way!<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana; font-size:100%;" >But his talent doesn't stop there. He's taken being a superhero to a whole new level. Look at what he has illustrated to inspire children to be heroes saving the world.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGoWpluQYBUW9aKc68PoFG3mPKRYPJJUXcOIlztJmw_uEzNJFOGsuVgcwVOva0JgZLEWVXmUVX-A85RcK18abJRf8Ot6iKhvf46PbgZa1GYBuoH_QiKmia1LiqOUV4ezCYyu-efWg-zyy/s1600-h/mikiep+il_430xN.18887573.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGoWpluQYBUW9aKc68PoFG3mPKRYPJJUXcOIlztJmw_uEzNJFOGsuVgcwVOva0JgZLEWVXmUVX-A85RcK18abJRf8Ot6iKhvf46PbgZa1GYBuoH_QiKmia1LiqOUV4ezCYyu-efWg-zyy/s320/mikiep+il_430xN.18887573.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165405458755401714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://mikiep.etsy.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mikiep</a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'s</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">delightful, whimsical and extraordinary illustrations should be an inspiration to us all!</span></span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-9381593129379167822008-01-08T11:06:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:38.211-05:00IT'S UNIVERSAL LETTER WRITING WEEK<span style=";font-family:verdana,helvetica,arial;font-size:100%;" >What we are missing today are letters so dear that we will carry them in our wallets so that on quiet moments we may take them out, read them again, and reflect on the words and the good person who took time to write them.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana,helvetica,arial;font-size:100%;" >With junk mail, e-mail, IM and texting, most of us don't receive personal letters in the mail anymore. We often forget what a simple pleasure it is, at the end of th</span><span style=";font-family:verdana,helvetica,arial;font-size:100%;" >e day, to sit with our feet up, sipping a warm cup of tea, and reading a personal note from a friend or loved-one.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana,helvetica,arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />If we think long and hard, I'm sure there is one person in our lives to whom we could write a letter. Even a note or a postcard would be a wonderful surprise to find in our mailbox. It doesn't need to be long and gushy or filled with trials and tribulations of your life. Just simply share your thoughts and feelings for the day. Don't strive for perfect, just for heartfelt.<br /><br />Of course, I, along with my team </span><span style=";font-family:verdana,helvetica,arial;font-size:100%;" >members of <a href="http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">ETSY Greetings</a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">,</span> would want you to write your letter on one of our fancy and beautiful papers or note cards. But honestly, the recipient will love it even if it's written on the back of a napkin.<br /><br />It is still possible to brighten someone's day - simply send them a handwritten letter. And who knows, maybe you'll receive one in return. Won't you feel special then?<br /><br />Here's one of our <a style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8031862" style="text-decoration: none">personalized note cards</a>, available in our shop, which you might like to purchase for your next snail mail greeting:<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQM7_XpKnzlKUibJSBhrxdz-iiLNMTUzDzffJ7Pn_ICgnmbaTDzotOxM4fZoeZb1UQeAfarU1-SzR4zwRbW37KXurlk8L0rLGZ3eBIfrr6mXh62TLizIRdKXg9q9gCrMPLJkct3Ch0kiN/s1600-h/love+is+like+a+rose+-+monogrammed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQM7_XpKnzlKUibJSBhrxdz-iiLNMTUzDzffJ7Pn_ICgnmbaTDzotOxM4fZoeZb1UQeAfarU1-SzR4zwRbW37KXurlk8L0rLGZ3eBIfrr6mXh62TLizIRdKXg9q9gCrMPLJkct3Ch0kiN/s320/love+is+like+a+rose+-+monogrammed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153204709858334194" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-53815833022874824782008-01-01T10:46:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:38.432-05:00New beginnings<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >From small beginnings come great things<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It's a new year and new beginnings. Nothing is more appropriate for this theme than the birth of a child. Several of my family members are looking forward to additions to their families this year and that has inspired me to design many new birth announcements which can be found in my <a href="http://www.grafikexpressions.net/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">shop</a>.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZkIlZ2Wu8OiQPTb0XBd-xw9Q48UeyuQIs2v9qZ3Wikg_Y8-qzLn8EMIQXoxdtT4I1AgrBE1Tj3ETvGbPRnUIIc-Ce_qjhlGzGxFNcHAgUT4HGgMrFS2ZqJNx0yuY1by7U8zmeDYjrmmS/s1600-h/Abigail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZkIlZ2Wu8OiQPTb0XBd-xw9Q48UeyuQIs2v9qZ3Wikg_Y8-qzLn8EMIQXoxdtT4I1AgrBE1Tj3ETvGbPRnUIIc-Ce_qjhlGzGxFNcHAgUT4HGgMrFS2ZqJNx0yuY1by7U8zmeDYjrmmS/s320/Abigail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150538866607379634" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have created almost all of the announcements so they can be used for a girl or a boy. Now, if you have twins (one of each), I'll have to rethink the whole idea :) Hmm, that has stirred up the pot for some new ideas.<br /><br />As always, any of my designs will be customized for you and your family.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuT44GJUSHKVUjMHOh41FipkONETHDtkPvyWI9-jHY_YQYM04XLOK_CkGxqr0UhklnrijY-mGGwk_LufzyAGwqB1RtfCHZzVmXAP-rM2vLZ-L62nYUYeuHiiJPDZxYE0LFrm967RSZ6vu/s1600-h/Adam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuT44GJUSHKVUjMHOh41FipkONETHDtkPvyWI9-jHY_YQYM04XLOK_CkGxqr0UhklnrijY-mGGwk_LufzyAGwqB1RtfCHZzVmXAP-rM2vLZ-L62nYUYeuHiiJPDZxYE0LFrm967RSZ6vu/s320/Adam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150539270334305474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-39494313653614811362007-12-30T23:03:00.000-05:002007-12-30T23:20:34.248-05:00My New Year's Wish For You<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This was a poem written twenty years ago by Sandra Sturtz Hauss. For me, it is the most beautiful way to express my hopes and wishes for all of you for the New Year.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">MAY YOU ALWAYS FEEL LOVED<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May you find serenity and tranquility in a world </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">you may not always understand.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May the pain you have known and conflict you have experienced </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">give you the strength to walk through life </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">facing each new situation with courage and optimism.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Always know that there are those whose love and understanding </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">will always be there, even when you feel most alone.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May you discover enough goodness in others </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to believe in a world of peace.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">every day of your life, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and may you give these gifts as well as receive them.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Teach love to those who know hate, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and let that love embrace you as you go into the world.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May the teaching of those you admire become part of you, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">so that you may call upon them.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Remember, those whose lives you have touched </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and who have touched yours are always a part of you, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is the content of the encounter that is more important than its form.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May you not become too concerned with material matters, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Realize that each person has limitless abilities, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">but each of us is different in our own way. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What you may feel you lack in one regard </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">may be more than compensated for in another. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What you feel you lack in the present </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">may become one of your strengths in the future.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and not be dependent on another’s judgment of your accomplishments.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May you always feel loved. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-56829130835657653832007-12-19T21:30:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:38.751-05:00Fathers and SonsThe moment I saw these photographs in <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://barbaragordon.etsy.com/">Barbara Gordon's</a> shop on ETSY, I knew I had to feature them as part of this month's theme.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ibm_FB8TPNykAFzPmWk-bKyJKdtc_U6TuUfJJN0NuByRc0BEV6hl9WQV_SfJfDYkgbAG5AsLt24s6fS4LqIBdCVLfrkeIC3HsbDoZkBeI_fVJiPu9h9s3cpAL2yASQD1w5u31FVy80ls/s1600-h/barbara+gordon+photography+on+etsy+il_430xN.16214752.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ibm_FB8TPNykAFzPmWk-bKyJKdtc_U6TuUfJJN0NuByRc0BEV6hl9WQV_SfJfDYkgbAG5AsLt24s6fS4LqIBdCVLfrkeIC3HsbDoZkBeI_fVJiPu9h9s3cpAL2yASQD1w5u31FVy80ls/s320/barbara+gordon+photography+on+etsy+il_430xN.16214752.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145878693947233394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ></span></span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Until you have a son of your own . . . you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son. And you will never know the heartbreak of the fathers who are haunted by the personal demons that keep them from being the men they want their sons to be.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >- Kent Nerburn 1917- from Letters to My Son</span></span><br /></div></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDDqRxPjGayQ4trmXCJRmCUsAZpYPQg5kDFNxRj4aWyXWvJnnSvOufSsAfelzl-NcgGpMJrxyTp196oSpvngSLh3vcu-GJddf7oUVa1jUrJ_YrMHSWCRn3gCH22yI-PPp2FQGo83rC3eW/s1600-h/barbara+gordon+photography+on+etsy+il_430xN.16214605.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDDqRxPjGayQ4trmXCJRmCUsAZpYPQg5kDFNxRj4aWyXWvJnnSvOufSsAfelzl-NcgGpMJrxyTp196oSpvngSLh3vcu-GJddf7oUVa1jUrJ_YrMHSWCRn3gCH22yI-PPp2FQGo83rC3eW/s320/barbara+gordon+photography+on+etsy+il_430xN.16214605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145877418341946466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There is something very special about the love between a father and son and I believe the quote and the photographs truly reflect that love.<br /><br />You can view more of Barbara's beautiful work either in her shop on <a href="http://barbaragordon.etsy.com/">ETSY</a> or on her <a href="http://barbaragordonphotography.com/">website</a>.Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-47551244378536040532007-12-17T21:56:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:38.927-05:00Spanning tradition over 3 generations<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5286212">The Colorful Ewe</a> is a collaboration of a mother, daughter and 13 year old granddaughter. <br /><br />Take a look at their exquisite hand dyed yarns. This one called "Earth" reflects the beautiful colors of the earth as seen from the satellites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AscArxx1r2Lm5RqXkNpndGzZBNOCUBPeYFIkpgJ8bXnkvRHCFbSMOw3vmanaoRwNVrjIaEsG-0gGCeNx5VUNn0x6w4egBPj9Ebh6Of4Lhwyvfu8xBe5oqS0WK75xHsg_MPhT8S7GS8Nb/s1600-h/the+colorful+ewe+il_430xN.14658477.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AscArxx1r2Lm5RqXkNpndGzZBNOCUBPeYFIkpgJ8bXnkvRHCFbSMOw3vmanaoRwNVrjIaEsG-0gGCeNx5VUNn0x6w4egBPj9Ebh6Of4Lhwyvfu8xBe5oqS0WK75xHsg_MPhT8S7GS8Nb/s320/the+colorful+ewe+il_430xN.14658477.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145155795116741714" /></a><br /><br /><br />The colors are rich blues, vibrant greens, and an array of browns.<br /><br /><br /><br />A true family business, they hand-dye all their yarns one at a time, with care and attention to detail. <br /><br />Each hank of yarn comes with a matching stitch marker as a free gift to you! <br /><br />Want something completely different to call your own? They'll make it for you.Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-56823574929790157272007-12-16T22:06:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:39.087-05:00The Best of All GiftsThis was one of the nicest cards I've ever designed so I'm sharing it with you. I believe the quote says it all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4FEiIeitKiKmaLV3JmtxtIhj6HHSYLKqOvdv3ZhMyJmITcegu9IkH57t_gqG5dULJRcFWF2ZgRu1r8NvGD7iEKrxnzMj2W2F7NFBxhhnRitXl6f-A_92OcCAqOLlVKtP7SWVb-YIi6S2/s1600-h/shulman+family+3B+SOLD.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4FEiIeitKiKmaLV3JmtxtIhj6HHSYLKqOvdv3ZhMyJmITcegu9IkH57t_gqG5dULJRcFWF2ZgRu1r8NvGD7iEKrxnzMj2W2F7NFBxhhnRitXl6f-A_92OcCAqOLlVKtP7SWVb-YIi6S2/s320/shulman+family+3B+SOLD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144773238084719682" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis</span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-64067512968523345712007-12-16T00:26:00.000-05:002007-12-16T00:29:09.619-05:00Inspirational Family QuoteI came across this quote today. I hope you find it as meaningful as I did.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">""Let your eyes light up when your children are around. Laugh more. Tell them how empty and quiet it is when they’re not there. Enjoy the things they bring to your life. Attend their activities, not as if they were compulsory for parents, but throw yourself into their lives."<br /><br />--Valerie Bell, Getting Out of your Kids’ Faces and into Their Hearts</span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-70845617347413888522007-12-13T19:20:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:39.196-05:00Featured Artist - December 13, 2007<a href="http://hollystott.etsy.com">Holly Stott</a>, another ETSY artist, has a personalized necklace and pendant available in her shop. What better way to keep a dear one close to your heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOXdWAl8DCggmpHM-guJ98FjzzUIwom3AAJ3NMGHRXMUzTwuKbesbq3jHhg9b-XisyugDU3Rbn1rSJBnyoA7uBguS3Lt0VekEz-Lqmg8kQQ4uOxPwFIJhnA_E3B3fHwV0PVGHt2lQ6g00/s1600-h/Holly+Stott+at+ETSY+++il_430xN.14640976.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOXdWAl8DCggmpHM-guJ98FjzzUIwom3AAJ3NMGHRXMUzTwuKbesbq3jHhg9b-XisyugDU3Rbn1rSJBnyoA7uBguS3Lt0VekEz-Lqmg8kQQ4uOxPwFIJhnA_E3B3fHwV0PVGHt2lQ6g00/s320/Holly+Stott+at+ETSY+++il_430xN.14640976.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143617246635136258" /></a><br /><br />Send her your photo and she'll turn it into a black and white sketch which is then made into a plastic pendant affixed to a black leather cord. This would make a spectacular gift for that someone special on your holiday shopping list.Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-87329443311097615292007-12-11T15:02:00.000-05:002008-12-08T19:59:39.719-05:00<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grafik Expressions' blog will feature not only its own designs but creations from other artists that remind me how beautiful life can be.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During the holiday se</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ason we tend to look back and reflect on wonderful memories in our lives. For the next few weeks I will be featuring items that reflect the beauty of loving family and treasured friends.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is one of my favorites for treasured friends. It is available as a note card from my shop </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7345313">http://www.etsy.com</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7345313">/view_listing.p</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7345313">hp?listing_id=7345313</a><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9wrza3VBYxkEeT6c6A91tgi1CyhnlhAatG3HwS1rx6BUAw7XoAxlM-6kmwDbI9jiqf8iRQWrzmcTLEXPtaLbYRsceoTkVQRfzAamN-jsBHKpvJ4F9XbssbqyS1sNNhT_e_elePB_RWGZ/s1600-h/a+single+flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9wrza3VBYxkEeT6c6A91tgi1CyhnlhAatG3HwS1rx6BUAw7XoAxlM-6kmwDbI9jiqf8iRQWrzmcTLEXPtaLbYRsceoTkVQRfzAamN-jsBHKpvJ4F9XbssbqyS1sNNhT_e_elePB_RWGZ/s320/a+single+flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142809200078001202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you have or know of an it</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">em which you believe would fit into this category, feel free to email me at </span><a style="color: maroon; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="mailto:grafikexpressions@gmail.com">grafikexpressions@gmail.co</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: maroon; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="mailto:grafikexpressions@gmail.com">m</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I will try to feature it here during the coming weeks.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah. For those who are celebrating, may this Festival of Lights bring blessings upon you and your loved ones for happiness and health.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our first featured artist is <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" href="http://daringdivas.etsy.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daring Divas at Etsy</span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span><br /><br /></span></span>According to Daring Divas' profile on ETSY<br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We have been creating art individually for many years. If you combine those years….lets just say it would be staggering!<br /></span> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We currently sell our art at local galleries as individuals.<br /></span> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But we get such a hoot out of being together and doing art…so we decided to collaborate and sell our creations online.<br /></span> </div> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> <div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We both live in cabins and in the woods with critters running amuck!<br />Loud music, good food and loads of laughter…that’s how these little works of art were created.<br /></span> </div> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They have a beautiful 8x10 mixed media on canvas in their shop entitled Life Love Joy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMDod8HCR5sSMyhRRyVuTMcrwl0tHr-goSP_sLtuuO0TF0h7lDF0I4mmg4D47UYjQPSKL7Wi_wAl0xtE0nJ8Zh_cqLZKrMdnpYvxkEbPkIg4Ihd6EM0gIdtCKv3RcYM3BGR8HyzvDTe99/s1600-h/Daring+divas+at+Etsy+-++Life+Love+Joy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMDod8HCR5sSMyhRRyVuTMcrwl0tHr-goSP_sLtuuO0TF0h7lDF0I4mmg4D47UYjQPSKL7Wi_wAl0xtE0nJ8Zh_cqLZKrMdnpYvxkEbPkIg4Ihd6EM0gIdtCKv3RcYM3BGR8HyzvDTe99/s320/Daring+divas+at+Etsy+-++Life+Love+Joy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143279696565409010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span>Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162641397737057536.post-44703489326698138862007-12-11T14:57:00.000-05:002007-12-13T18:57:11.409-05:00Welcome to <a href="http://grafikexpressions.webs.com">Grafik Expressions.</a> I sincerely hope you will enjoy your visit.Lori @ Grafik Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295536440875078171noreply@blogger.com0