Debra Mason Designs

Oops

I had really hoped to post the first edition of Inside Walle's Toy Box, in which this little guy

 

takes a look at toys and how they hold up. These will be video logs of his romp with toys. HOWEVER...I'm awaiting assistance in posting the video so it doesn't chop off whilst resting in the center column of this here blog. And since part of this blog is about the process of design I figured I would share with you the frustration that can happen now that we've all gone so high tech. After a few infuriating hours yesterday, I realized I needed a time out (and I might have dropped the "F" bomb...I was here alone, folks...the cats were sleeping...husband at work...so the only tender ears injured would be my own). Have you noticed if you try and force things they just don't work out.? SO. BREATHE. I did find somewhat of a solution this a.m. but am waiting to hear back from typepad on their ideas.

In the meantime, I have been continuing on with several ecourses and books on advertising, marketing, etc. for blogs and small biz. Sigh. So much to do. It's a challenge. AND I have to keep the money coming in.

I'll leave you with a look at Rudy. He is such a funny, beautiful cat.

A succulent kind of day...

The biggest blank canvas I have had to address to date is our 1/4 acre yard. That's big for Southern California, folks. AND...since water is the new gold, we don't want to have to pay a gigantic water bill nor use water needlessly. Along comes the cactus, the rocks, the flagstone and the succulents. Click on ye old photo below to get a better look.

The folks at Heritage Succulents had a display in Historic Downtown Oxnard this last weekend. FAB-U-LOS-ITY. All the photos above are their handiwork. By the way, fabulosity is a word I learned on HGTV this last week. I groaned when I heard it but I have to say, it makes me laugh.

I also have to thank Cathy Miller over at Rags to Riches Cat Rescue in North Carolina for giving me some great advice on doo-dads to spiff up my photos for my blog. And for ways to protect my images. Thank you, Cathy! Also, check out Cathy's animal photographs here. She needs to do this professionally!!!

Stay tuned everyone because I'll be posting Walle's 2nd toy review and you won't want to miss it. It will be the official launch of INSIDE WALLE'S TOYBOX. Fabulosity in abundance! You can check out his first review here.

A little discouraged...

...about blogging. I'm so busy that I haven't taken the time to increase traffic or publicize my blog. I can tell somebody else how to publicize themselves but when it comes to me...moi...well...hahahaha. But I think that is true of most artists. SO. I am going to be purchasing an e-book from another artist who has walked in my footsteps a number of years back. I'll post my feelings about the e-book once I've done the deed. By the way, Mom, thank you for being my number one fan. Mom's are great that way! She pours over my blog like it's the coolest thing since sliced bread.

Been working on textures for my photographs. I love texture and layers, so it was only a matter of time before I started playing with my photos. Go ahead and click on the photos and I'll make them magically come up larger.

That is one moody cornfield!

This is the coolest old country store outside of Ashland, Nebraska. I slapped a couple layers on it to give the feel of a memory piece AND the hot day it actually was!

I think part of what is odd for me with my blog is that I'm rather "out there" and am controlling myself (eh-hem) for fear of scaring off clients or having the straight-jacket appear at my front door. Okay...so I'm not a complete, slobbering looney. I'm safe looney. (My husband might beg to differ on some days.) But hey...I can always let it rip under a pseudonym on a different blog. Hmmmmmmmm.

Walle's First Review

Yes...I'm a designer. HOWEVER...anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about cats (well...all animals, actually but cats most especially). Sooooo...my youngest cat Walle and his brothers are going to review cat toys from time to time.

Here's Walle:

Walle's name could actually be Butch because he's very tough and rambunctious. If a toy can be broken, he'll break it. I've spoken of Walle here and here and here. Oh yes, and here.

First toy is: UNDERCOVER MOUSE by Panic Mouse

Depending upon where you buy it, it can be a little pricey...anywhere from $15 - $30..ON SALE! Its original price is listed at mega bucks more than that. We got ours on clearance at the pet store for $10.

Two paws up for the box it came in! AND, Walle loved the paper with the instructions and basically everything that came out of the box even though he had no clue what it was or what it could do.

Walle decided to help my husband put the toy together. Thank heavens cats don't understand four letter words because his help was NOT appreciated.

Not wanting to use up any lives unnecessarily, he decided to wait patiently. And then...

TA DA! A word about how this toy operates. There's a round fabric circle you place over a battery operated motor that has a wand attached to it. This wand has a little red tail hanging from it. The wand goes round and round under the fabric with the red tail sticking out (at different speeds depending on how you set it) and basically drives your cat nuts.

 

I've got to say, even Opie (on the left in above picture), who is often a little "above" playing with toys, found this toy pretty amazing. Rudy, the redhead, is equally entranced.

Bottom line. Walle loves this toy. AND about a week into playing with it, he broke it. If a cat could cry, he did. Let me tell you...whew. Soooooo...I got some duct tape and taped the wand back together and we're still going strong three weeks after purchase. Thank heavens for duct tape. By the way, we don't leave the toy down all the time...I notice other reviewers mentioned their cats got sick of it. It's a once a day treat for about a half hour.

Enjoyment factor: 4 paws up

Durability: 1 paw up

Walle says: "buy this toy along with some duct tape"

Debra says: "if you have to pay full price ($30 or more) don't get it...your cat won't mourn what he doesn't know exists. If your cat is hard on toys and you're willing to repair it, then go for it."

So, grab it on a good sale over at Amazon. Or google it and find an even better price. Then go buy some duct tape and watch your cat have some fun.

 

Bloom True

via florabowley.typepad.com

I am a huge fan of Flora Bowley's work. When I saw this peaceful retreat she created while she attended the Burning Man Festival I fell in love with it. My friends and family all know I have a "thing" for little hideouts and cabanas and such. I've created a few in my day but I have to say Flora's takes the prize. I LOVE this.

Please take the time to go to her blog and check out her paintings. So exciting and unique!

I Spy...

...my stuff in the store! (The 3 glass bottles on the left).

AND...it's selling very well!! Woohoooooo. These were the last pieces left on the shelf. There were 3 other designs but they were nowhere to be found. Don't you just love how the dang price tag was slapped right over the middle one? And yes, I am a dweeb for taking pictures of it on the shelf. By the way, there were also matching 10 oz. bars of soap but I didn't see them.

You can click on the photo above and make out some of the foil on the labels. Really nice. I'll have to snag samples from my client so I can post the rest of the pieces in this group. I believe that some storage boxes with the women will be hitting the stores soon, too.

Today I upload more designs for this client as he's heading over to China to guide the things through the printing process. The new stuff is really pretty and I'll post when I can!

The winds of change

Okay...I'm new to blogging. Very new. AND I am a work in progress. Aren't we all...at least we should be! My life became more "sensible" a little over a year ago. I had fought a move to the suburbs for so long...thinking I was a city girl. Then the city started wearing thin. Some of my city adventures wouldn't be believed if I wrote a play about them.

My husband and I moved to a beautiful, hilly (& mountainous) community just up the coast from Los Angeles. It does NOT feel like the suburbs...at least not to the new me. I can think more clearly in our new environment. I've been revisiting old hopes and dreams and they are now feeling like a possibility instead of too much work. So...I'm clarifying a bit of a new direction for me...one that I've wanted to follow for quite some time. I'll fill you in over the days to come and take you on that journey with me.

In the meantime, I still have to make money! The mortgages out here in California are giganticnormous. I'm currently working on vintage package designs using Shanghai Calender girl images.

Wish I could post the backgrounds I've been working on for these girls but I need to respect client privacy for the time being. I'll post details when they are released in the marketplace.