Not about stamps

People like to make fun of my hometown of San Francisco.

We are a small town, really. Just 42 square yards, we are an eclectic, tolerate town that swells to 2 million on an average work week.

When I graduated from college, I was lucky enough to land a job at a small ad firm in Los Gatos, CA. It was run by a teacher at San Jose State, George Coakley. He had already founded one of the most successful agencies in Silicon Valley and even was one of Gary Dahl's partners when he launched the Pet Rock.

He filled his new firm with eager new graduates from San Jose State. Of course, being fresh out of school we didn't know diddly. But we did a little bit of everything at the agency.

One day I was answering phones and the gentleman asked to speak to George "about our tennis date". It was Bill Walsh. BILL WALSH. George was quite amused at my wonder. (Turns out Bill and George used to be college roommates at SJSU and there were lots of stories about their hi-jinx...)

For years, growing up in San Francisco, people would make fun of our sports teams. Panty-wastes. Fairies. Our football team was especially abysmal. Each year, after a losing season, we would shake our heads and sigh. Resolutely, putting on a brave face. "Next year," we would say, year after year "Next year".

Then, this svelte, dashing, grey haired man became coach.

He would pick up players that were talented, but passed by by other teams. These players were like San Franciso, we thought, not looked at seriously, but they had a lot of heart.

And then, at last, because of this man and his players "Next year" became this year. Finally, we were winners. And we kept winning. All because of this man and his vision. I remember one unbelievable playoff game, Jerry Rice caught a pass and ran down the sideline with seconds to go to win the game. Bill Walsh actually skipped off the field.

When we won our first Superbowl crowds flowed out onto the streets and cars stopped on the roads. We all danced in the streets and no one cared. The city in all its quirkiness and quirky people celebrated. For just a few bright shiny moments we weren't Panty-wastes or Fairies. We were winners.

So much joy. So much excitement. So much pride. So much. So much. And it all started when a
svelte, dashing, grey haired man became coach.

Brunch with Tracy

Yesterday I had brunch with Tracy. Tracy has been a member on TCP design team since it started and believe you me, I feel so lucky to have her.

She has so much energy, just a fruit punch will get her going. She's been a stamper forever and her designs are always so tight and clean.

Here is just one example of how talented she is.
This card uses so many of our new Summer Design, but still comes across as simple.

Lucky, no? Lucky, yes?

Thank you!

Thank you for all your kind comments about my brother. He is doing fine. Taking his meds, though not adjusting to the other part of the prescription, exercise and watching what he eats. I'm working on that part.

Finished up my taxes and Harry Potter. Twice. Okay, I read it 2 and a half times. I had to hand it over to Anthony to read so I could at least have someone to talk to about it. If only he would read faster.

Somehow

Just checking in. So many things happening. Doing a bit of "housekeeping" over here at TCP. Working on a new web page, retiring stamps, making up sample stamps for the DT. Going full speed ahead.

But, everything came to a full stop last Tuesday. Last Tuesday, my brother had a heart attack. After a 3 day stay in the hospital they told him he had a weak heart muscle, needed to exercise more, eat better.

My brother is 13 months older than I. Though we were close when we were young, we ran in different circles. He is smart, smart. So he skipped a grade and went to schools that could teach to his smartness.

Let's just say...I wasn't so smart. I was an artiste. I hung out with friends and rebelled against the establishment. I almost became a punk, but couldn't fathom why you would pierce a cheek with a safety pin.

I knew he was always there. A bit of stability. Solid. And now I know he his is not so solid. Somewhere along the way he got old. We got old. How did that happen?

Like Butter

In my lifetime I have gone through many a paper cutter.

First, and oldtime wood guillotine that shifted the paper I was cutting, so I would never get a square cut.

Then a flurry of paper cutters, some rotary, some trimmers. A few Fiskars were tried. Then a bright green Cutterpede. All had me running back to my old Exacto and ruler.

My current favorite is the Dahl Vantage Trimmer. A guillotine, yes. But not just any old guillotine. An updated fancy schmancy one that can actually cut a square cut.

What is your favorite, and why do you like it?

Gayle to the rescue!

Check out this oh-so cute card by Gayle, the newest member of our design team. This was one of the samples she did for the Ventura Convention. It was this card that made did it for me. I knew I had to have her join the team.

She used the Sakura glaze pens to color the stamped image (Relaxing). Cut out the image and used foam tape to mount it atop Memory Box paper. She used a clip punch to make the "sunbursts" and added them to the corners.

The white swirl is actually a rub-on. I love how she stamped the "Ring of Flowers" and then placed "Hot Stuff" onto two lines. Cut out and ribbon added, this makes a cute tag to finish off the card.

Nice work, Gayle!

Chili Cheese Dogs, here I come!

I got sooo much done today, and it's not even 1:00 yet. I love when that happens. Finished pricing and creating the labels for the Holiday stamp designs.

Now, as a treat, we are going to get some chili cheese dogs and fries. When we lived in SoCal we could make the trek to Pink's. If the need for chili cheese dogs and fries was bad and we were on a budget, we settled for Weinerschnitzel. Since we moved to SF we have been in dire need of a good fix. So we are going to Nation's. Lacking in the Pink's atmosphere, and Weinerschnitzel pricing structure, but you still get lots and lots of goop on your dog and it's so much closer! Yum! And we are off.

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth!

Gayle Smith did this wonderful card featuring some of our Summer Designs. I thought it was perfect to share for the 4th of July Holiday. What is a 4th of July without Barbecue?

This card just cracks me up! I love that she stamped out the Chef's hat and added it to the Dancing mustard container. She used Sakura Stardust Pens for that extra shimmer that you see on the buns.

When I was designing the Dancing Food I must have redrawn the design 20-30 times. I couldn't decide what type of food to use, which should be boys or girls, what type of expressions they should have. So many decisions. Originally the mustard girl was an onion. Cute, but it just didn't work in the design. I kept the image though. She may come up again in another collection.