Jenny Doh

POWER OF THE PEN

Did you know that when we write a letter to our legislators, that a hand-written letter is considered infinitely more important than a typed letter? If you think about it, it's the same in our personal lives. A hand-written note has infinitely more impact than an e-mail or computer-generated note. Because they feel more from the heart. More authentic. More sincere.

Recently, there is a topic that has caused my daughter, Monica, to become so passionate that she has hand written her first set of letters that she is sending to her legislators. 

 

Through the efforts of the good people at Invisible Children, Monica has learned of the horrors of what is happening to children in Uganda — where children are being abducted to fight in wars. And killed if they refuse to fight in wars.

 

 

I am so proud of Monica. Because she wants to help. And because she has already learned one of the most important lessons of all, which is that the pen is mightier than the sword.

{PS: The bracelet you see in the first photo is one we purchased, along with a video that profiles the story of a Ugandan child named Emmy. An amazing story of an amazing family.}

WARMTH OF WORDS

When I was in 7th grade, after everyone turned in a major writing assignment, my teacher selected just one that she read aloud to the entire class. As soon as she started reading, I realized that she was reading my essay. I sat in my seat completely shocked. How could the one she selected be the one that I wrote?  

After class, she pulled me aside and said to me, "Jenny you're a great writer. You know how to write. You need to continue writing."

Over the years, these kind words have stayed with me. And it's true. The words have warmed me for years and motivated me through uncertain times. I wonder ... if my teacher had not said those words to me, whether I would have had the confidence to continue writing. I'm not sure. But what I am sure of is that if we have something encouraging to say to someone ... compliments that we really mean ... we shouldn't hold back. We should say the words. Because you just never know how deeply such words can positively impact people's lives.

THE ACCIDENTAL SPELL

It's always great fun when Ruth Rae and Kristen Robinson stop by the office.

But during their recent visit, the fun multiplied as we added The Accidental Crafter into the mix.

So much fun we had goofing around together. 

And after the shots, we were able to get deep into the mind of The Accidental Crafter as he revealed how he creates with resin, how his words resonate, and how he wishes his editor would leave his words alone. 

DOOHDLED STATIONERY

I love making my own customized stationery. And recently, I made a whole new batch by utilizing my line of Doohdles rubber stamps.

I first computer-generated all the info I want onto a piece of regular paper. Then I used black ColorBox chalk inkpad by Clearsnap to stamp little designs. I also cut strips of sheet music and used a bit of glue stick to attach.

Here's how it looks up close at the top. (The buttons and string are placed in these photos so that I don't announce my home address to the entire public.) And "somebody's weirdO' is the best title I could come up for myself. After all, aside from the roles we all play, everybody is somebody's weirdo, right?

I also used the Doohdles and sheet music to create the second page of my stationery, for those occasions when I'm feeling extremely verbose.

They I copied my composed pages onto my very favorite paper in the whole wide world: Desert Storm by Neenahpaper. This paper also comes in cardstock weight and also corresponding envelopes. I have both the cardstock and writing weights and envelopes stocked in my studio at all times. The store where I stock up on this paper is at Kelly Paper.


And this is how I stamped my envelopes to coordinate with the pages ...

There you have it. Customized stationery in no time flat. Easy peasy. Because after all, who wants to send letters on boring paper?

1st YEAR OF SODA SOBRIETY

I can't believe it's been a year. A year that I've lived completely free from my addiction to sodas. That's right. I haven't consumed a single drop of soda for a full year. This is quite a feat, considering how much I used to drink in the past. (Diet Coke was my beverage of choice.)

You may remember my sharing with you here when I started this journey about how difficult it was in the beginning, but how it was starting to get easier along the way. Some people have asked me what the benefits have been with my sobriety from sodas. Here they are:

1. My body feels healthier and cleaner.

2. The money I used to spend on sodas has, for a year, stayed in my wallet.

3. I no longer have the burden of lugging those giant liter bottles or the 12-packs from the store into the car and then into the house.

I still get cravings now and then but remind myself to stay focused. And what do you know. Here I am entering my second year of soda sobriety. Wish me luck.

BethDay ARRIVES EARLY

Hmmm ... I wonder why Beth is wearing her pink tiara again ... because BethDay isn't until December. (You might remember last year's BethDay from here.)

Actually, BethDay seems to have arrived a tad bit early this year, as Beth and one of the magazines that she manages — Altered Couture — have caught the eye of Alison Feldmann and all the good people at Etsy. It's no surprise ... because everyone at Stampington headquarters {hearts} Etsy.

Beth Livesay, Managing Editor of Altered Couture, has been invited to be Guest Curator for Etsy's official blog. As Guest Curator, Beth will write a post that includes her 12 picks of her favorite items on Etsy ... which I'm sure will reflect the totally hot style that Altered Couture is known for. Check out Beth's official blog post on Wednesday, November 11th by clicking here. (That's the day after tomorrow.) 

Major props to Beth for working hard, and for always working with great style.

EDIT: This just in. Beth would like everyone to remember her upcoming submission deadline for Altered Couture, which is December 15th. If you want to join in on the Altered Couture fun, you gotta get your altered items here by the deadline. If you have any questions or want to bounce ideas, Beth welcomes your e-mails at blivesay@stampington.com.

WE CAME, WE SHOPPED, WE CONQUERED

We came (and became fast friends) ...

We shopped (with great-looking carts) ...

We conquered (the Rose Bowl flea market) ...

... and had a whole lot of fun in the process. More details to come but I wanted to send a quick thank-you to everyone who came out and also a special shout-out to Heather, Pam, and Amy to say: "Yipee, we did it!"

Stay tuned as we think up ideas for more fun in the future. :)

80/20

Love this message. Because in life, it's important to play it safe, and to play by the rules. Most of the time. But there are times when you need to know when to take a risk, perhaps break a rule, and just go for it.

And I think the poster has it just right ... with an 80 percent safe/20 percent risk ratio. 

I never want to be 100 percent about playing it safe, because I don't want lose out on the brilliance of life that can only be had when a bit of edge is involved. And I certainly don't want to be 100 percent about "winging it" and "risking it" because I don't want to lose out on the depths of a life that can only be had with proper education, preparation, and discipline.

 

BEST DAYS

To prepare for the upcoming special event at the Rose Bowl flea market with Pam, Heather, and Amy, I've been busy making my contribution to the limited number of goody bags that we are preparing for the first people to greet us at the front gates ... crocheted wreath necklaces.

Here's how they look individually packaged with a little touch of Doohdles stamped on a shipping tag.

So fun, don't you think? If you want the full tutorial on how to make these necklaces, you'll want to tune into our new publication titled All Things String. 

Earlier tonight, I had great fun working with Pam, Amy, and Heather as we assembled the goody bags and surprises in anticipation for our Sunday event. After coming home tonight, I dug up this fun photo (one of my favorites) of me and Amy and Pam from a few years back when we took a road trip together. 

 

And here's a photo of me and my Monica when we attended Heather's lovely holiday event.

Road trips, special events, flea markets, crocheted necklaces. Surely and undoubtedly, these are the best days of our lives. Hope to see you on Sunday as we create memories from what will most certainly be remembered as one of the best days of our lives.

TEARS & LAUGHTER

By now you should know that I love to laugh. I love it when something in life makes me laugh so hard that my belly hurts. There's nothing like it. And as I get older, I really appreciate finding as many opportunities that will allow me that great feeling of laughing uncontrollably and out loud. 

I don't cry much.

But sometimes, I do. It's rare. But I do. And every time I do, I realize how much I need the cry. It happens once or twice a year where I let it all out. And it feels good, you know? Like my body and soul really need to get it all out. Makes me wonder, though ... if the reason I cry so infrequently is because I laugh so frequently. Either way, I think it's true ... there's nothing like a good laugh or a good cry to cleanse the soul.