Friday, April 20, 2012

Business Cards! and an update, too

I ordered some business cards.

In many, many colours.  As has become my way.

This is what a box full of Christie Zimmer Journal Design business cards looks like:

That box.  It makes me smile.

This is what my new cards look like when placed, checkerboard-like, on our well-loved, well-scratched, well-drawn-upon, well-dented coffee table:

(Notice how I have strategically covered up all of the scratches and dents with business cards?)

This is what they look like up close, so that you can see the front and the back:

I have decided that, if at all possible, every single piece of paper you ever receive from me will have a spot for you to take a moment and write something on it.

Because that is what we do.

And there is more to come.  I am nearing the end, I think, of the process of listing my pocket journals.

Yesterday, I spent hours and hours taking photographs to go with the listing.  After at least a zillion shots, I decided that I hated each and every last picture.  I really despised them.  All of them.  And my lovely children, who are lovely, and my lovely husband, who is unflinchingly supportive of my every endeavour, had to listen to a long list of reasons why it would never work, this particular endeavour of selling simple pocket journals.  Never work, I say.  And don't even try to tell me that I might be overreacting.  Because I am the very essence of a rational thinker.

Looking back on the photo fiasco, I know that I set an impossible standard.  I knew that yesterday, even as I was struggling to meet it.  Exceedingly perfect was the standard.  Simple, yet sophisticated.  Uncluttered, but warm.  With angelic light and brilliant colour and perfect clarity.  And I wanted it to come together magically in my happy, but recently neglected, home.  Oh, and in a couple of hours, while the girls were at school.  And when school was finished, but I wasn't, I was left grappling with fading light and tired, hungry children, and my focus was gone and it pretty much went downhill from there.  To the dark places, where I suck at everything and I'm failing everyone.  Which is hogwash.  And definitely signals the moment at which an adult-strength timeout is required.

Anyhoo, I had a light bulb moment today and I think I may have figured out how to take those diabolical photos.  So wish me luck.  :)

This weekend is crammed full of schedule-busting, non-journal-related commitments, but I'll be back at it every moment that isn't already taken and with any luck, next week will be the week.

Happy weekend to you!

hugs,
Christie

22 comments:

  1. Gorgeous - and i can't wait for your listings!

    My thought - the photos above work for me and make me want a business card even, so if the others you took are similar we will love them too - i promise!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deb! Thank you so much for your support. I think I might post a trial shot tomorrow, just for fun. Stay tuned! :)

      Delete
  2. There are probably a whole bunch of us who would buy the pocket journal even without seeing amazing photos. Just saying. LOL The business cards are awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susan! Thanks so much; you are too kind. :) Glad you like the business cards!

      Delete
  3. Oh I love that you were honest!!!!!!

    I'm a way logical, rational thinker too and it bugs me soo badly to not be perfect - when inside of my own brain/head.

    Stick with it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Naomi! Stick with it is exactly the advice I need. Eventually we figure it out, right? Sometimes it's just a crazy ride. :)

      Delete
  4. My guess is it's all amazing! Breathe - it will all be fine - you're not on a deadline - we're here whenever you're ready! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy! Breathe, also great advice. :) Sometimes I totally forget to stop and breathe. Thanks so much!

      Delete
  5. Good luck -- because I'm dying to buy a few of these pocket journals!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kate! Thanks so much for stopping by. Soon, I promise. :)

      Delete
  6. I'm so excited about the pocket journals and can't wait to purchase.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terry! Thanks so much! Looking forward to hearing what you think. :)

      Delete
  7. Enjoy the weekend Rational Thinker! That thing you do will still be here next week, just like the rest of us.

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Scribbler! You're totally right, I know. So glad you stopped by to remind me. :) Hugs!

      Delete
  8. These are so perfect! I love them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Barbara! Thanks so much! Can't wait for you to see it. :)

      Delete
  9. I LOVE how your business cards are "interactive"! That is so perfect for you! Good luck getting your photos, that's something I struggle with too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura! Thanks so much for your feedback. Taking the photos is almost always the thing that holds me back. Oh well; it's a good chance to keeping learning. :)

      Delete
  10. Those business card are sheet genius!!! You amaze me how you make art from everything you touch!!! Please don't judge yourself so harshly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maggie! Thanks so much! I'm working on it, I promise. :)

      Delete
  11. So very, very beautiful and fun!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.