Just Amazing!

Just Amazing

https://www.getpersonas.com/en-US/persona/451152

Desktop Wallpaper

Brand Thunder Theme
http://gallery.brandthunder.com/en-US/theme/93aea433-e3bc-42ab-86f1-5769d82956f1

Hi again and welcome new followers. I am not very good at checking in often like most blogger's do, so I am hopeful you will have patience with me. I just get so involved in designing the wallpapers and themes that I run out of time! You would not believe how many hours a day I work...or maybe you would, I don't know. I used to sew the same way, just lose time...sometimes it is worth it and sometimes not.

The design I am displaying today is one that got popular very quick. I knew I liked it, but you never know if others will or not. I have posted the link for the Mozilla Firefox site, wallpaper and Brand Thunder site. I have noticed that some designs I submitted in 2009 are getting a lot of use all of a sudden so I wonder if it is from some of the followers that are beginning to know me and my work.

We just got through a terrible week of weather. Snow, freezing, northeast wind...you mention it, we had it. It was 11 degrees here for several days with that horrible northeast wind so with the wind factor, was much colder.  There are still drifts in our yard but almost gone. We had gotten in to town the Saturday before it started so didn't need anything so stayed home. AND WORKED! 

Our New Years day turned out to be not a good start for the year. We were robbed that night. Someone or more than one got into our shop and went through everything and stole a lot of things. It is quite a shock to get up in the morning and look out the window to see a shop door open when you know it was closed and locked the night before. It has taken my husband days to go through things and try to find what is missing. He works hard and helps people out that don't have much money to keep their vehicles running for them and to have someone come in and steal tools, etc. that lets him help people is really disgusting. That is not the kind of world I want to live in but it seems to be the way it is now. So I advise any and all of you to go through things and make sure you have serial numbers, etc.  If you have a camera, take a photo of the serial numbers on items as that is almost easier than writing down a ton of numbers, put the photos on a disc or flash drive and keep them somewhere safe. I learned this a little late! So don't be like me and close the barn door after the horses got out!


I am working on Valentine Day themes right now but already getting tired of them! And it isn't even February. I enjoy making the nature ones with forests, trees, etc. best. So don't think I will make too many Valentine ones, but do have some graphics I want to use so will make some more. 


I am going to sign off for today. But I happened to check the blog the other day and saw I had a couple more followers and wanted to welcome them and hope they check in more often than I do!


Thanks for using my work. That is why I keep doing it. 


Have a great week and hope you are all warm and cozy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Years Celebration

https://www.getpersonas.com/en-US/persona/447741

I hope you all had a nice Christmas or whatever you celebrate at this time of year. I loved having toddlers around for Christmas Eve. What is more fun than watching little kids open gifts, eating too much and celebrating the season with the family you love? But honestly I am glad it is all over. It seems like I worked on Christmas designs for months. Actually I didn't but it seemed like it.

I have a lot of designs on Brand Thunder now and they seem to be quite popular. I am afraid I got too involved in the contest. I wish they hadn't shown the running results. I think we would have all been happier if they hadn't but I knew by early the last evening I didn't have a chance of winning because the competition was getting a lot of last minute interest. I was told by many they like my design much better and couldn't figure out what his was. But apparently a lot of people liked it because he won. I am a traditionalist and like the old standby. That is probably an age thing!

I just wanted to check in and wish you all a Happy New Year and hope for a great 2012.

Didn't Win

Just real quickly thought I would let you all know I didn't win the theme contest, but Perfect Christmas Eve came in 2nd. So I did some research a bit ago and it looks like the guy that won is a pro...so this old great grandma doesn't feel too bad. I can't say I wasn't disappointed because I am a tad competitive. And I had tons of people tell me that Perfect Christmas Eve was much more "Christmas" than the one that won, so thanks to all of you. 


And to all a Merry Christmas.

NEED VOTES

I have said before that I don't seem to have a grasp on what people like. Apparently it is an age thing! I am a traditionalist when it comes to holidays, especially Christmas. I thought my design "Perfect Christmas Eve" would gain more votes than it is. So, if you have time to do me a favor, please go to: http://brandthunder.com/2011/announcing-best-holiday-browser-theme-finalists-vote-for-your-favorite/  and place a vote for Perfect Christmas Eve. You can vote every day through Dec. 22nd.

I had decided I was done making Christmas wallpapers and Personas but ended up and made a bunch more today. I should save them till next year because I am pretty sure everyone is busy and not changing things on their computers. 

I am really looking forward to Christmas Eve this year. It will be so much fun with all 3 great grandsons here, all 3 kids and most all of the grandkids. Can't wait to see them open their presents. I always try to make sure I spend the same amount on each child, but the problem is you find something for one that is a bit more than the other, so you have to buy a bit more for that one, etc. etc. But I am done! All but one wrapped.  We only give the little ones gifts anymore. It just gets too costly.

I hope you all can be with family this holiday and enjoy your time with them. Time is so short and everyone has so much to do, but you don't want to say someday, "I wish I had spent more time with.....or told someone you loved them and didn't. So if you can't be with them, call...you won't regret it.

Merry Christmas to all out there and a Happy healthy 2012. Just think of all the political commercials we have to look forward to!

I AM A SEMI FINALIST IN BRAND THUNDER CONTEST

 

Perfect Christmas Eve

Hi, all...I don't  think I mentioned that I was entering some holiday themes in Brand Thunders contest. Today they announced the 5 semi finalists. and I actually have two that are semi finalists. One is  Perfect Christmas Eve, which is my favorite and the other one is called A Year to Celebrate. Actually having 2 in puts me at a disadvantage because I can't ask you to vote for just one!

I don't do Facebook, etc. so don't have a social network except for family and the fans who happen to read this. But I am going to ask you to go to:  http://brandthunder.com/2011/announcing-best-holiday-browser-theme-finalists-vote-for-your-favorite/ 
and vote for one of my designs.  You can vote every day through December 22nd.

I included a shot at the top of the one I like best and hope you check out Brand Thunder, vote, and tell your friends. Thanks one and all and  a Very Merry Christmas. And thanks to Brand Thunder for getting me involved.  


I will check in on the 23rd of December and let you know if I should happen to win.

Brand Thunder

I just wanted to report that I now have quite a few designs on Brand Thunder and they are being used. The designs they have can be used on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Firefox, so anyone that doesn't use Firefox can now fancy up their browser. If you are interested, you can find their site at: http://gallery.brandthunder.com/en-US/ 

I got my 2012 calenders finished for the family and also got our Christmas cards designed and printed out. Now just have to get  the letters written to go with them. Then I have to start getting Christmas decorations up. I don't put up as much as I used to. Putting them up isn't so bad, but taking them all down is a big job.

I doubt if I get back on before Christmas so I will wish you all a Happy Holiday. Call the ones you love that you won't be seeing!

December, December

A Purple Christmas Delight

 https://www.getpersonas.com/en-US/persona/445900

It is really hard to believe but the last month of 2011 is here. Where has the year gone? I have worked so hard on Christmas and winter designs and have a bunch more made to submit so I should quit making them, but I still have some good ideas and will probably work up until Christmas eve. I have more spirit for Christmas this year and it will be so much more fun with toddlers around. I had a great time doing some shopping for them this year. I personally do not like going to town to shop so love Amazon. The things come right to me and I don't have to get frustrated with crowds!

I have made quite a few designs for Brand Thunder and they are being used, too. I think I mentioned that they were going to feature me on their site and I was so surprised that they actually did. The link to see it if you are interested is: http://brandthunder.com/2011/theme-spotlight-firefox-personas-theme-designer-madonna/  So many places say they are going to do something and never do, so I was kind of pleased. Brand Thunder is having a contest for the best browser theme and the winner gets an IPad. Wow, I would love to win, but I don't have the social networking it takes to get the word out. I had to sign up for Twitter to submit the designs so I do have a Twitter account but my sis is the only follower, so it isn't too popular. I really wouldn't know what to tweet anyway!

There are so many good designers anymore and I am amazed at some of their work when I have time to look which isn't often. I did notice that animated designs are becoming the big thing. I doubt if I ever try to make one, though. If it comes to the point where that is all users want, MaDonna will retire! Again!

My favorite thing to make, though is the wallpapers. They are so much easier to really get all the graphics into because of space. And I am getting so many fans it makes me feel very good. For this old lady it is kind of neat. I got to thinking the other day about designing and came to the conclusion you have to have an imagination to design anything.  And I have always had an imagination, ever since I was a little kid.

Well, I am going to sign off for today. I don't have much new to report so will say good bye and if I don't get on before Christmas, have a merry one. But I will  try to get on before, I swear.

Have a good night everyone and thanks for writing.