Designs for Father's Day, my Dad's Know; series and more!

This project helped me shake off my little funk and start moving with my inspirations. I got creative and, as things will happen when I'm in "the zone", I got very productive! We humans often operate on a pattern similar where creativity often follows a depressive episode.

Gee and wasn't there a full moon just Thursday? Ha Ha! As if on cue I put together 15 designs for Father's Day cards, plus a few fun & customizable "I Heart My Dad" items that will be released tomorrow! Check out my card designs at Zazzle. Don't be shy to rate them! Leave a comment if you're inclined. I would truly appreciate the feedback!

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

Of course the above zazzle widget also shows some of my other work in addition to the Father's Day items, 

enjoy & explore if you dare!

We lost Dad to a bizarre shingles side effect about 18 months ago and I'll admit it's been a tough haul since then. The Dad's Know; series has been very helpful for me - as I review my image stocks and recall some of Dad's quirky ways and connect an idea with an image I get to laugh and remember

With love,
...from the garden

HA HA; Hope Always Helps, Actually!

Depression is one of the strangest states of imbalance in a person's mental health. Getting a handle on how it affects my day to day experiences is a constant learning endeavor. I know laughter helps me cope considerably and that got me thinking. "Ha Ha, there's hope...", and then I realized; Hope Always Helps Actually! Perhaps this is why people search so for answers to the questions; why are we here, what's the point of this human existence. It's why organized religions, despite their shortcomings, have had such a hold on the human psyche. Hope seems to be an elixir for us all in our day to day lives, helping us see beyond challenges and pitfalls to the potential that is inherent in our life experiences. Hope says we have the potential to realize our dreams and to grow beyond any current situation. People who feel life is hopeless, or believe there is no hope of overcoming something negative or unpleasant in their lives can find themselves dissatisfied and disenchanted with the life they are living. The sensations, if prolonged and unaddressed can become dibilitating and can even lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, obesity and premature aging. Laughing in the face of perceived danger may seem foolhardy and yet if a danger is only perceived but not an actual threat then it may be the very best remedy by far! Laughter releases chemicals that help the body relieve stress, fear, even pain. Laughter puts us on a different playing field, where anything just might be possible or where our imagination can ahke up new ideas and connections. Laughter even makes a person more approachable, as everyone knows a good belly laugh is infectious! We all enjoy laughter, at least everyone I know does. I use laughter where I work to help diffuse tense situations and to assist my customers by uplifting their moods, at 5:30 in the morning I think my customers appreciate the fact I have a smile on my face and a pleasant greeting for them! Well I'm hope-full this is help-full to anyone else in a similar situation!