It's late at night... between the time when I've finished my work for the day and decide to go to bed. I have been so behind since returning from Chicago. I did manage to get payroll finished at PPF... big lingering, looming task. Thank GOODNESS I have actually found someone to hire that job out to. Delegate, delegate, delegate.

In all the haste of trying to catch up and get things done, I think I am coming to a crossroads. I have been unable to spend any time designing, and even less time scrapbooking- which is really what my passion is. I'm learning that delegation is a beautiful and wonderful thing. I am overwhelmed. I am tired. I am missing simplicity. At the same time, I love every aspect of my career. Something is on the horizon... I just can't put my finger on what it is.

I did finally get a few pictures posted in my photo gallery here from CHA. I had a wonderful time. I'm still catching up on sleep, I think. I have developed friends in the industry, and I'm finding that I enjoy these shows more and more, if not for anything else than just to have a chance to see them. I know I am there to work and promote myself, the book line, all my products, and Design Originals. But, I can't help but be grateful to have found friends in this industry. It's just filled with genuinely good people... which I'm assuming is kind of a rare thing. We see other conferences going on when we are traveling. It's not often you see a bunch of crazy hugging people like us crafters. It's strange and terrific. There were noticeable people missing from the Summer show, though. I really can't wait until the Winter show to be able to see them. Yes, that means you Angie and Anna!

And, this is my shameless plug of the day. I have decided to run for the CHA Board of Directors. Yes, I am a little bit insane. I have been working closely with CHA for the last two shows, and decided I truly believe in what they are doing. I want to be a part of it, and help. So, if you get a chance (and you think I might be a good representative), I'd really appreciate your nomination. I will post a link for the form as soon as I can find it. :)

I suppose that's it for tonight. I'm way tired and have a busy day tomorrow. More soon.... A

I have learned the value of a fast Internet connection. However nice the Chicago Rosemont Hyatt is, the connection was soooooo slow I eventually gave up. So, I had over 300 Email's waiting for me upon arriving home. Please forgive me if you have written and it takes me a little while to get back to you. I promise I will. :)

CHA was so wonderful (as always). It's a crafter's haven, and I was right at home. This was my 5th CHA, and the first I was actually able to walk and enjoy. Working the booth is always a blast, but walking... seeing all the new things, and meeting people was truly priceless. I was able to put faces with phone voices and tie up some lose ends I had been working on. But, best of all, we were able to once again move mountains for the digital industry. I don't want to divulge too much... but I can say, we have added several new manufacturing partners to the GetDigiWithIt.com site. I can't wait for the Grand Opening, which has been pushed back to give everyone a chance to populate their stores before-hand.

A funny thing kept showing up all over the show floor. It wasn't a new crafter's product, or an exhibitor at the show... it was Flip cameras! I hadn't heard of them, but I actually received one for a promo I'm working on with Wacom. I was armed with it at the show, and apparently so was everyone else. A Flip camera is actually a camcorder that looks like a point and shoot digital camera. It's compact, easy to use, and takes great videos. Needless to say, everything got captured this trip. I posted a few videos to my Photobucket account.... but the funniest, I have to say, was when Renee Pearson and I were "Flipping" each other! Click Here To Watch

I'll post more later on the show. Nicholas is having two teeth pulled tomorrow, so I have a feeling it's going to be a long day.

More soon..... Amanda

I'm nearly packed and ready to head out to the Windy City for Summer CHA '08. I can't wait to see everyone! It's like a big bi-annual reunion. Wish I had more to post today... but I'm just excited about the trip. I'll post pics from the road! Hope to see you there!!

Amanda

I got a big kick out of it today when someone told me they thought I must be a Disney character. Complete with little woodland creatures  following me. I didn't have to ask why. I have a sunny disposition. It really annoys my friend Kristy.

I have a philosophy... and it's simple. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Now, don't get me wrong. I've been known to be a "bitch" at times. It does happen, believe me. It really does bother me, though, when people around me are negative. I know we all have our moments, but to me, it's always easier to smile at a stranger than give them the "What are YOU looking at?" look. We all have to share the space in this world, and more often than not, it's just easier to let things roll.

If there's a problem, I don't focus on who caused it. I focus on how to fix it. Fix it, make sure it doesn't happen again, and move on. Don't fester or gripe about it... just move on. I went through enough years of my life thinking that the glass was always half empty. Now, keeping it half full does help.

So, if I am a Disney character- I do have to disagree with being Snow White. Yes, I'm white as can be. But, I don't live in a house with 7 little men (just 3- HELLO!!), and I don't have jet black hair.  I would steer more towards Arial from The Little Mermaid. However, since I don't swim... my best friend isn't a flounder, and I don't own a snarfblat, I have to move on. If I were a Disney princess, I'm sure I would be Gizelle from Enchanted. Gizelle is kind of a trainwreck with a sunny disposition (which is definatley me). She's crafty (she can make her clothes from drapes in about 30 seconds), which is definately me. She has bright red hair (another thing we have in common). And, she has her Patrick Dempsey. Paul is my McDreamy (although I have to admit that waking up next to Patrick Dempsey every day couldn't be a bad thing- sorry honey).

So... I could live with being compared to Gizelle. And, I do like to sing. :)

More soon... Amanda

Oh... and incidentally... that's a 3 million dollar dress. SOOOO my style. :)

I am really getting super-excited about the upcoming trade show! The new CD and DVD have been sent off to be dubbed and replicated (thanks Wes), and I'm happy as a clam. Also, www.AmandaDykan.com is fully up and operational. Thanks to the lovely and talented Sarah Laming, my previews are all getting done and product is getting uploaded. I went a little crazy last night packaging up a few new goodies that have been waiting here for you guys.... And that's just the start of it! There's a new feltmaker action and a couple more goodies I have up my sleeve.

I leave a week from Wednesday, and hope to have some great and fun new things to report back from Chicago. Maybe I'll even get to see my brother while I'm there (who knows...).

Off to do a little July 4th cooking.... be safe tonight!!

More soon ~ Amanda 

My friend Catherine posted a little interview for me at PurplePaperFlowers.com... and I have to thank her! It was so fun!! You can check it out HERE.

Texas Summer SUX!!!! It's hot and sticky and yuck. I'm staying inside as much as humanly possible. Got to get out and go to the store today... but darnit- it's HOT!!!

I have a bit of exciting news, though. I have my own little home online... completely my own! www.amandadykan.com is now up! It's just a little place just for me... but I love it. The silly, geeky things I do. Thanks honey. :)

I recently found out the two Heathers in my life are expecting mothers!! Wow... and yay!!! For one, this is her first. For the other... this is her FOURTH!! Holy Cow Batman!!!

I am back to work full time, and gearing up for the CHA trip to Chicago in just three short weeks. Thank HEAVENS... I also got a new laptop. This one is more compact and powerful- and will be much easier to travel with than my 17" monster (even though I love you, big girl!!). The new model is 15.4" of silver lustre. She's a Sony Vaio with 4G of RAM and 250G of memory. The memory could be more... but she's great to run Photoshop... and that's mostly what she'll be used for. I can't wait to take her to a crop for the first time and show her off.

So, let's recap. The girls are beginning to call me a spoiled brat. I think I now see why. In the last 2 months there has been the following additions to my family:

an "un-boob" job

a new laptop

a phone replacement (with a custom skin I just HAD to make)

and a new website. Am I missing anything? Man, oh man. I think I'm geeked out for a while.

Guess I need to get on the ball and put these new goodies to use... well- except for the first on the list (lol).

I think I'm babbling now, so I'm going to wrap this up. There is a fruit salad and banana pudding in there just waiting to be mixed up. Gotta love summer.... NOT.

More soon..... A

I've always thought of myself as pretty drama-free. An easy friend.... well, at least in the last couple of years anyway. But, today my world has been one big trainwreck. From the van not starting this morning, to losing a really important file on my computer, to the fridge leaking water all over the kitchen and hallway.... and lastly, to leaving the most important bag I purchased in the check-out stand at Wal-Mart. The rather important file that crashed is one that is due tomorrow, so I've been all day at the computer re-creating it.... no easy task, let me tell you.

Poor Paul has been in the kitchen most of the evening trying to fix the fridge. And, thank God for Robbie- my dear Andrea's husband- who is getting the van fixed even as we speak. Now I have a moment to savor the good things and let the bad things of today drift away. I'm miles from getting caught up, but I am definately trying.

Tomorrow is a new day... thank Heavens. Something really funny did happen tonight, though. In giving Ben a bath, Max the dog decided to jump right in with him. Imagine what a scene that was. They both got scrubbed from stem to stern.... and the bathwater was a nasty brown by the time it was all finished. Now, boy and puppy are both curled up side by side together snoozing on Ben's bed. What a happy little pair.

I also have to thank those of you that commented on my last post. Your words mean so much to me, and they really touched me. It's been a bittersweet week.

More soon..... Amanda

This week has been a tough one. Two years ago on June 16th, my dear Uncle Ricky died at 56 of advanced Alzheimer's Disease. Monday afternoon, June 16th, I got the call that my grandmother, Martha Crumpler, had taken a turn for the worse. She is now with her maker, and at home with her husband, brothers, and many other loved ones who have gone before. She was not quite 80, and died of complications from advanced Alzheimer's Disease. Thursday and Friday, I spent the majority of the day, night, and day, compiling a slide show of old photographs to celebrate her life, and show the happiness of the times she had before she became sick. I promised friends and family that I would post the slide show here. So, if you wish to view it, you can download it HERE.  This week has been unbelievably difficult, but through these pictures, I was able to remember the wonderful woman she was before she was taken with the terrible illness. I will be home Monday evening. Until then... signing off.

  It's often so sad that it takes events like this to put us back in touch with people who meant so much to us in our past. I want to thank the members of Kilgo United Methadist Church, and friends of my dear grandmother. It was so kind of you all to be a part of our celebration of her life.

To the friends and family I was able to see again, thank you so much for being there. It was so terrific to see you all, even though the circumstances were not those of what we had wished.

In loving memory of Martha "Memaw" Crumpler. We love you and miss you.

It's soooo way past bed time. But, I was so excited to get a few new things done today that I had to post. The 3rd Illustrator tutorial is up, for those following. Yahoo! There is  a new brush set freebie in the Bud Club.... and I have been busy creating today! Here's the latest to add to the collection... called Pretty Things

It's not up at GetDigiWithIt.com yet, but it is up at PurplePaperFlowers.

Kristy got to come by for a visit today. It was so nice to spend some time with her.

Then, after she left, I drove for the first time. Took the boys out to get happy meals! Baby steps...

Hurt like the dickens this afternoon- but not so much now. Definately time for bed, though. Will write more soon.

Huggles~  Amanda