a march give-away

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with the small company with whom I will be working with on the re-release of my address files. We went over and approved samples, talked numbers and dates, took a look at their work and discussed my own products and new ideas.

I am so incredibly excited to be able to have my address files, all beautiful, made sustainably, and in both maple and black walnut woods, available again within the next 2-3 months. Right now I am awaiting one more sample from them, and once approved I shall be able to make my address files once more for my wonderful customers!

I will be going through my address files wait-list over the next few weeks, sorting through it and contacting people to check on in with them. If you are wanting to order an address file from me, please send your information to me at Sharilyn AT lovelydesign DOT com!

But this excitement and anticipation also comes with anxiety and fear. I have actually been having nightmares, in which others steal my work and ideas and I helplessly stand by like a fool. And in these dreams when I speak up all I hear is: "It's your own damn fault. You did nothing." 

But how am I ever going to manage? I am so excited and I really am inspired to re-launch my little lovelydesign company fully, with all sorts of new products that I have been dreaming up and working on. I am still setting up my new studio space and it is beginning to feel cozy and inspiring. But without help or resources, I literally can't do this when I have Adelaide with me full-time. There is just no way I can properly do both.

Which left me considering child-care options today. There is a daycare right across the lane from our home, but (of course) it is not cheap and the wait-list is years long. I looked up childcare on craigslist and I felt like I was going to throw-up. I know people do it everyday, but leaving Addie with strangers... I just don't know if I can ever do it. 

It feels so unfair.. that just I can't seem to have both.

But I feel positive and inspired. I will try to find a solution, so I can have both. Maybe I can just work on Saturdays. Maybe I can find a great nanny who will love Addie so much and will take care of her one day a week. I don't know. But I'm gonna try.

I've missed my projects, and blogging the past few weeks, while I try to sort all of these things out, and so this afternoon I decided to have another giveaway here, to thank you all for your amazing support, and to cheer up and give myself a little bit of hope!

For one of you now, I have this address file that I've put together with a hopeful heart. It is practically perfect, except that it is of unfinished maple. I've decided to leave the wood untouched, but if you wish you can rub a little beeswax or such on it. Or you can simply leave it plain, it is kind of nice that way. It is filled with well over 200 (3.5" stacked) hand cut cards, most from recycled stock such as old library cards and ledgers. There are also many patterned cards which I've designed myself and had printed on recycled paper. It is made with a lot of love!

My wish is that it will find its way to a good home. If you would like to have it, please leave me a comment and I will randomly draw a winner in a week or so.

note: If you sign in as anonymous, please leave a name in your comment so I can identify you.