Although I am in my senior years, I still want to be “doing things” and want to use my time for in a worthwhile and balanced way – so time for work, time to read & relax, time to help others at least in a small way. I was browsing quotes & found this one that summed up my current way of thinking.
This image made with The Graphics Creator from Laughingbird Software. I’ve been using it for more than 10 years & it’s probably my go-to for quick blog or social media posts.
Just upload an image, go to the Patterns Tab, choose a Tiling Option the move your cursor to select the area to create amazingly attractive patterns. Lots of tiles to choose from, both seamless & seamed & several Effects to get even more types of patterns.
Seamless patterns work well as backgrounds because it means that the image elements on the edges of your image need to match up with what is next to it, so when put together you can’t tell where one ends and another begins.
Here are some examples of my recent work. The starting image is one I created using the AI Art creator NightCafe Studio:
Using Patterns to decorate physical products:
Print on Demand is a printing process where the customer can order any product they want, and it will be printed and delivered to them as soon as possible.
This is a new way of printing that has been made possible by digital printing technologies. It has seen a rise in popularity in recent years because it allows for the production of customized products without the need for inventory storage or large-scale production.
Print on demand is also known as “short run” or “on demand” printing, which means that the customer can print one copy at a time.
It’s very popular with clothing companies because they don’t have to keep many different sizes in stock.
The images below show how my designs would look used on Mugs, pillows/cushions, T-shirtsor make a scarf:
This time of year seems to be stressful for everyone. Whether you are celebrating, Christmas, Hanukah, or Ramadan, there are special meals, guests and Stress!
Here are some ways to manage.
1. Don’t overspend. Don’t use credit cards unless you can pay them off in January. If you do, you will spread December stress into the New Year. If you have already extended your credit, resolve not to do so next year. You can open a Christmas Club account at your bank and save whatever your credit card payment was each month so that you will have the money set aside for next year.
2. Don’t have unrealistic expectations. Something is sure to go wrong. Don’t let it ruin your celebration. It will only be ruined if you allow it to be.
3. Give to charity. If you can afford it, give money/and or gifts to reputable organizations such as Salvation Army, Angel tree, Toys for Tots, church food and/or toy drives, Red Cross, or local women’s shelter. If you can’t afford to give money or gifts, give time. Volunteer to sort and/or wrap donations, deliver packages to recipients, staff a selection/drop-off center, serve a meal to a shelter. Giving makes you feel good as well as benefitting the recipient.
4. Share. Invite someone who can’t be with family to share your celebration.
5. Exercise. One of the best stress busters around!!
6. Allow yourself to be sad that loved ones can’t be present, whether they have passed away or can’t make the trip. After allowing yourself some time to be sad, focus on the positive, like all the holidays you did get to share with them or the future holidays you expect to have. Take time to relax.
7. Delegate. Let other family members bring dishes, use pre-made food, and ask others to help with the set-up and/or clean up.
8. Be flexible. Compromise when necessary.
9. Don’t overindulge in alcohol. If you do, use a designated driver, call a cab, or don’t leave until you’ve sobered up.
Doing these things should help you have a safer, more pleasant holiday season. Enjoy!!
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day here in Australia & in many other parts of the world, though sometimes it has other names, such as Mothering Sunday (US).
More countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day on the 2nd Sunday in May than any other day, many in March on the same days as International Women’s Day, but others have their own dates. Norway’s is on the 2nd Sunday in February, many Middle Eastern countries use 21st March (the spring equinox) and others celebrate the day on the last Sunday of May or for some, including France, the first Sunday of June if the last Sunday of May s Pentecost. ater in the year there are other dates for single countries, for example, the last Sunday of November for Russia.
The modern holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. St Andrew’s Methodist Church now holds the International Mother’s Day Shrine. Her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother by continuing the work she started and to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”.
We all need a little bit of encouragement to help stay positive in our CoVid-19 world. Little things help others who live alone & can’t go out, a phone call, a message on Facebook or other social media, links to funny things a laughing raises our vibrations. I’m mainly just ringing my friends who are alone and they ring me too. I’ve also been lucky to receive an early Easter goodies gift dropped off by a lovely friend, no not Easter eggs, but healthy things, a couple of avocados, some delicious Frankfurt sausages & some biscuits. Very much appreciated.
