Knock Knock Knockin' on Heaven's Door

"OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW."

Even though Steve Jobs' death was a huge blow to the world, at least we know from Mona Simpson's beautiful Eulogy to her brother that Steve was insanely impressed with Heaven when the Pearly Gates opened up to him.

I created this illustration as a tribute to him on October 5th when I heard he died...and I think it is fitting to include it here. You just know Steve is up there making Heaven a little more perfect for the rest of us, for when it's our time to join him.

Li'l Buttercup

We got a kitten on Thursday so I have to share pictures of her, because she is the cutest kitten in the whole world. :) My nephew, Brady, came up with the name Buttercup, but I added the Li'l (and we'll actually probably call her Lilly for short). And I especially want to thank my brother, Tim, for helping me find her. :)

The first picture was when we were bringing her home in the box. I couldn't resist taking her picture immediately. The rest are various images of her (mostly sleeping, and sleeping on books seems to be her favorite place). Make sure you read about the last picture at the bottom. :)

The last one is my favorite because she's a funny pun. :) She's napping on a napkin. Get it? She's a napkin-napper (kind of like a kidnapper, except she snatched a napkin). LOL!!!

Late Update: Li'l Buttercup is a boy, so we've renamed him, Louie. :)

Vector Tutorials

Here are two cool vector tutorials by Vector Tuts Plus that I hope to try out in the near future. :)

The first one shows us how to create a stethoscope.


and the second one teaches us how to create a glossy, colorful text effect.


And here is Tech Drive-In's list of some great Inkscape tutorials that I hope to dive into soon. :)

Free High Quality Vectors!

Yes, you read right...free HIGH QUALITY vectors!  Creative Nerds' list of fifteen of the best sites for finding them.

http://creativenerds.co.uk/articles/15-best-sites-for-finding-free-high-quality-vector-graphics/

Cancer Blogging...

I recently participated in a Cancer Blog Event since this is Cancer Awareness month. Here are all the participants with links to their very moving stories.

Pets and Wildlife Cancer
“One area of cancer research we do not often hear about, cancer in pets and wildlife, which is also on the rise…”
Blessing Art Cards, Sharon Fernleaf

Breast Cancer Awareness and Pink Ribbon Cards & Gifts
“Believe in the power of the pink ribbon...”
Creative Paradise, Tanitu

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“I cannot remember a time when when there wasn’t a dear friend or family member battling cancer...”
Cards from the Heart, Lisa Charlton

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“My mother had breast cancer as well as lung cancer...”
Eliz Designs, Elizabeth Eells

Ways to be Supportive, Helpful and Encouraging for Cancer Patients
“This post is in honor of our friends, colleagues and family members who are currently battling this dreadful disease…”
Heart to Art, Sri Devi

Breast Cancer Awareness
“There are several things you should look for when doing a self exam…”
Sheryl Kasper Card Store, Sheryl Kasper

Barbara’s Story
“Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Barbara has battled breast cancer since 1997, what better time to tell Barbara's story?”
Rycky Creations, Robin Chaffin

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“Most advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50...”
Janet Lee Designs, Janet Palaggi

Cancer Bummer
“I was diagnosed with cancer about 12 years ago.”
I Love Cuttables, Cindy Johns

October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“Cancer is cruel, cancer makes no exceptions…”
At Sparky’s, Antoinette Van Kleef

Canine & Feline Cancer
“I’ve seen much too much cancer in the lives of my beloved pets over the years…”
Salon of Art, Doreen Erhardt

A Sobering Subject
“I think, today, how cancer has impacted my life...”
Warm Traditions, Candace J. Hardy

My Cards Have Gone International!

I made my first international sale today! To a wonderful person from Waipa, New Zealand. :) This is the card they chose.

Thank you for the purchase, customer from New Zealand! :)

Speaking of Cancer . . . It has claimed another life way too soon.

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011). :,( One of the Great Ones of our time.

His poignant 2005 Standford Commencement speech.

Updated October 30, 2011: Here is a beautiful and very moving Eulogy from his sister, Mona Simpson

Cancer. Bummer.

I was diagnosed with cancer about 12 years ago. I guess since I'm still here I'm a survivor. Celebrate with me by giving Paper Greeting Cards for Cancer Patients.

I don't really want to write about cancer today, even though it is the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But what I will do is give you a link to my story about how the chemo did a real number on my brain and memory. The article is from a special time that I DO remember, and that was when I was asked by Corrie Kuipers to share one of my greeting cards in GCUCommunity's Design Spotlight.

I'm also going to include three poignant XKCD comic strips, because they express what I feel better than I can. These comics really hit home for me; but the last one because it's just so funny...and when you can laugh about cancer, you're going to get through it ok.

* * * * *

* * * * *

Okay, if you've stayed with me this long... I'll share one more thing with you just for shitz and giggles. This is a picture of me when I was bald from the Chemo back in May of 1999. Made me cry a lot back then, but I can finally laugh about it now. :) Besides, I have a head full of gorgeous, natural curly hair now. :)

Update: When I started writing this I forgot what year I was diagnosed (my chemo brain gets me every time). It was 1998 rather than 1999, so it's been about 13 years instead of 12.

Later update: A poignant card that I made to give encouragement to people with cancer was chosen as Greeting Card Universe's Design of the Day for October 3rd, 2011. I am so very honored and humbled. Here it is (and also thank you, XKCD, because I got the idea from one of your comic strips).