Falling It

October is around the corner. I'm beginning to get my act together...finally! I found myself spring cleaning yesterday after I saw the clock say 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon and all I had accomplished was walking the poochies and dicing potatoes for a nice side for the families breakfast. (I just had a few bites!) and purging unmentionables from my dresser drawers! Anyway, as we have all experienced and learned along the way, omitting clutter is a cleansing thing. Mostly, though, I emit clutter. Polar opposites. I long to be one of those clean artists. One who abides by the "touch once" rule. I'm a Sagittarius, I am not good with rules. I don't know about you all, but I can handle only one room at a a time. Same with the business; I need to get one card done, one bag tag done, one design done.. no assembly line for me in my studio..or apparently in my home...save for dinner. Adapting is good. I think growing up in a four season state is a good thing. You must adapt to the weather, the different clothes for that weather and the different personalities that emerge during those changes in weather!
SooBoo Designs is adaptable with your personalized orders. If the end product is for a person with high energy, the SooBoo style can go right along with that. Maybe the fun & funky style would be perfect. Maybe it's for a young boy... so a spike style or blended colors would be appropriate. I can add different things to the backs of diaper/luggage/bag tags like fish, flowers or frogs. I can add so many different things for boys, girls, men or women. That is the beauty of these designs; they're adaptable. And that's what personalizing really is. It's well, I just went to my college thesaurus (ooo! I spelled it right!) and I found these words synonymous with "personal."
Individualistic, defined, singular, and distinct to name a few. My delightfully optimistic Californian friend, Marianne, reminded me of how people liked to hear their own name. Here is the quote from Dale Carnegie.

“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”

Don't forget this when looking for a gift. SooBoo Designs brings you a bunch of fun, vibrant and appealing selections from which to choose.

Recently, an adorable girl wrote me and asked if I could do something pirate like for a bachelorette party. I thought that was something I will never do again and of course, I said, "Yes!" She had something particular in mind, so with that, we came up with this.

I had started creating one which was totally different; one without the place to place map feeling. I knew it wasn't what she was looking for, so we talked some more and I adapted to her desires for this little invitation and it worked. We were both happy with the results. Another client needed some calling cards for her recently graduated son. He's into the Rastafarian thing, so she suggested incorporating the colors they use into the calling cards. This is what happened.

I know these are not in typical SooBoo form, but a business must conform to what it's public desires. I really enjoy graphics, especially placement of graphics vs. copy. For some reason, I've always been drawn to that and enjoy piecing these together to make the best visual.

This landscaping business has apparently been in business for many years...without a business card! I was so pleased that they chose me to create their first business card. Who knew? Tom & Mar... you must give these out to potential customers. Conform to the norm!

Ok... as many of you know, I went off to Austin, Texas on of all days, September 11! I know! Our other girlfriend and I decided that was the day we were going to travel. As it turns out, it was great. Even though it was the weekend of the great Hurricane IKE, Austin didn't get a drop of rain. We could not have asked for better weather. At the same time, we were worried about our Houston friends, who got hit pretty hard and turns out, were out of power for way over a week, yet were safe!
Anyhow, my hostess with the mostess girlfriend, whom I deemed "Queen" during our last days in college, got this medium sized notepad made especially for her by me, of course! Could this be any cuter? It's terribly apropos because, HER word is the ONLY word. Trust me!

So, you can see for yourself what can be done if you become creative. Imagine, just one of your ideas might evolve into an invitation, calling card, luggage tag, personalized notepad or personalized note card!
The fun holidays are creeping up on us! If you're interested in having some fun with friends and family this season but don't see what you had your eye on, email or call me . My name is Susie, aka SooBoo and I'm adaptable.

email: susie@sooboodesigns.com
or call the number on the home page of www.soooboodesigns.com

Sometimes we all need to stop and think, "What can I do to adapt to this situation?"
see you soon!

Susie

Fixin' for School

Oh boy! It's been a while since I've had a chance to write and even more so, something to say that might be interesting.
A lot has happened since I last posted a blog. We went to All State Honors Band and I just about cried throughout the entire middle school performance. It was an unforgettable day. The music was astounding and resounding and I could have listened all day to these young people coming together and in two days making these beautiful pieces of music sound professional.
I was so moved, in fact, that I was compelled to write all three conductors from that day. I let them know my appreciation for what I heard, and to the middle school conductor, a special thanks for doing such a great service to my child and all the other kids in his band. I was especially tickled when i got a short note back from him. In turn, he wrote things which made me feel good. He let me know the clarinet section came eager, prepared and interested and that his joy was greater than all the band's joy put together!. But then he wrote this, "You are a very special person to take the time to write regarding the performance." This is where life can take you, if you take the time to show appreciation for hard work done well. That one line from him allowed me to realize that everyone feels special when you write them a heartfelt thank you. That's all it takes. If I had his address, I would have hand written the note. I might have sent him this freehand note card as it has the feeling of strong wind ensemble music!


I know, I know! You're saying, "I can do that! I did that in grade school!" Yes, you most surely probably did. The difference is, that when I did my black india ink straw blown art, my Mom not only saved it, but years later framed it in a pretty rounded silver frame...yes, special ordered since it was about 20" long and only about 6" or 7" wide. It hung in our finished paneled basement for years. It was a reminder that what I made was lovely and worth framing. So, I thought, I have all these gorgeous inks in my studio.. get out the straw and get to it! I love these straw blown ink drawings. It's not as simple as it looks, try it some time, and if you do, SEND it to someone you love or to someone who did something nice or even wonderful for you in the recent past or long, long ago. Or, just buy mine online!
Recently, my good friend, great customer and all around great MOM of three and her devoted husband, made a very heavy decision. They are sending their eldest child to a private all girls school. My friend is making the best of this and asked for me to come up with, in my SooBoo designing way, special ordered stationery for her daughter. Because of privacy reasons, I will just show the flat note card I came up with displaying the school's name and using the school's colors.


I also made a notepad with the school's name, note cards with her name in wavy stripes, and luggage/bag tags with her name on one side and the schools name on the back to attach to her backpack and maybe even her instrument case. I was so pleased my friend asked me to do this for her. It makes the transition more exciting for all of them and will let her daughter know how thrilling it is to be on her own, creating new best friends and understanding who she is a bit earlier than she anticipated! I am proud to be their friends and am happy that I have a small little talent that she shares for all the world to see!

I just got an order for a Michigan folding note card! When I printed these out, they were even more true to the colors than I thought. The modulations in the ink/watercolor, really make the difference here.
I cannot wait for this Californian to get these! She will be out of her mind excited. I know they'll make the perfect graduation gift.
I just have to show you one item from another order I had recently. All of the items this customer ordered were adorable. She and her daughter chose the colors and the SooBoo styles and this is just one of them. It's slated for a luggage/bag tag. These tags have vibrant coordinating grosgrain ribbon attached as well as it coming with a vinyl loop. Another graduation gift!

Aren't these colors just fabulous? It's so bright and fun.

I am off to get notepads glued, purchase more ink and groceries while I'm out.. save gas!
Oh, Rommel is the same. Although, he's getting scabby in places. I read online that one of the meds he's on can cause sores. Wouldn't you know, with his past skin issues, this would catch up with him?

Peace out~

Susie