Isn't cleaning up fun children?! Does't it just make you squeal with delight?? Nope. Me neither. But every once in a while I suppose it has to be done, and my room is no exception. Unfortunately I just adore holding on to stupid little momentos I pick up through life and my "just a couple of hours cleanup" turns into a week-long rediscovery of awesome knick-knacks I didn't even remember keeping (or why I kept them! I'm sure they would be useful one day...) and reminiscing of old school memories.

You know, it's funny - I was always told to appreciate my time at school "...because once you get to my age, time starts passing by faster and you'll wish you were back there...". Of course like most know-it-all kids I scoffed at it all, who would ever want to come back to school??! I tell you what though - it wasn't even that long ago and I'm already beginning to understand what they meant. Of course I still don't classify as old enough to ever admit that to the people who once told me so (I am a Gen Y! People expect me to be defiant!)....but between you and me....I get it now. I've spent days going through my "treasures" - some of which is just utter crap, but some is quality stuff!

I even flicked through some of my old sketchbooks and thought I'd revive some of the old, half-done, not-quite-finished-yet works that have never even seen the light of day since I drew them. Here's a small glimpse at my "Pre Artemiss" days....

I may even re-do or finish some of them! Because believe me, there's plenty more where they came from! But until then, it's off to bed for me. I think I can feel a severe case of Mondayitis coming on....

Oh yeah! We hit a few speedbumps along the way, but the correct envelopes eventually got delivered safe-and-sound, which means....

WiCrds are now available to purchase online! Hooray!

Check out the online shop (or just click here if you're too lazy to search like me --> WiCrds Online) and have a looksie. There are currently only 5 designs, but I am working on more as we speak. Type. Whatever. If you've got any word suggestions plz feel free to post them in the comments - it's very likely I've forgotten to add some good ones to my "to do" list! (currently I'm still working through "omg", "kthx", "O hai !", "Orly?" and of course, "lol".)

In particular I thought I'd point out this one, I <3 U because, well, it is almost Valentines day and I guess it's really quite appropriate for that! Or if you've done something wrong and you're trying to cover for it before someone finds out. Very useful for that too...

Only $4(AU) each, people! FOUR! That's bargain in any language. Even mine. Get clicking!

So here I am, sitting here doing my usual act of staring aimlessly around the room until inspiration smacks me hard straight in the face, when suddenly my eyes focus on my calender. February?! 2 days until February??! Clearly there has been some sort of mistake. You see, it's only just been New Year - it can't be a new month already. Is anyone else experiencing this warp speed too? It's beginning to scare me!

But I suppose if it is to be a new month already, and February in particular, we had better start preparing for that wonderful holiday - Valentines Day. Now I personally have never been particularly fussed about Valentines Day myself....but then I never really have anyone special to spend it with. Most of the time I get to celebrate it by rolling my eyes and hiding from my mushy "attached" friends who seem to love nothing more than looking at me pitifully like a lost little puppy and offering advice on how to snare a man because it's (apparently) so awful to be without one. Right.

Well, I beg to differ. I don't need advice - what I need is a love potion!! Seriously, where's the harm in a little gentle persuasion? Honestly though, the only thing I miss about not having someone to share Valentines day with is the gifts.... so no, I'm not looking for a fella this year but I certainly wouldn't say no to an anonymous, surprise box of minty chocolate! *wink, nudge* I swear I'll act surprised.

Luckily, in exchange, I do have a handful of these awesome Valentine inspired eco bags to share with you all in time for the big day (see, I'm not anti-romance!) - just head on over to the online store to grab one for yourself (or your one true love, perhaps?). Click here for a direct link.

Hugs and lots and lots of kisses and mushy stuff,

Good news people, it's the New Year! 2010 is here at last! Wait....what? You already knew? It happened weeks ago? I see. Well it would seem quite a shame to break habits now. Like most of you, I came up with my completely unrealistic resolutions. I think I hit a record this year - Day 2 saw me fall foul as I walked past a particularly lonely looking box of Lindt chocolates...

But seriously, what's the deal with all of these resolutions anyway? 17 days into the New Year and I bet all of my readers have failed at least once already....don't worry, I won't tell! It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one! Anyway, I find it's the spontaneous stuff that works out quite well. For instance, I decided to come up with some brand new products to see 2010 in (and you all thought I was sitting on my butt watching telly all day. Shame on you. It was only 75% of the time - what do you take me for?!). It wasn't done in time, BUT it wasn't an official resolution so therefore no rules broken and no guilty feelings! Fantastic.

I've applied for more markets already this year too so it's really a win-win situation - new products, more outlets, no stress. 2010 is shaping up to be quite a good year! I've even given it a theme. This year, Artemiss is venturing into "IRL" territory....as in, "in real life". Let me explain....

We all know facebook is the best thing since....well, myspace actually. "like" is the new pat on the back, "pokes" are dished out more frequently than a friendly smile and inviting your online "friends" (I use the term lightly...) to events is a breeze. Just hit the "not attending" button and you've successfully got out of a situation guilt free, without having to bat an eyelid. It's great, I'll admit it....I do love my FB account - it's become a part of my daily routine. All except for one thing. I don't get letters anymore. Nothing! Just bills. I'm beginning to wonder if I have any use for my postbox anymore. I've lost that tiny little thrill of getting an envelope in the post addressed to me, wondering who it's from and what it is. I've lost human contact! It has to stop! And it will....

This is where IRL comes in. Although I wouldn't consider it a resolution, I did have an idea (odd, I know). I would combine the best of both worlds! Take that ease and convenience of online existance and texting, mix it up with some paper goods and bring it into the real world! Genius. So I present to you the start of TwentyTenIRL - WiCrds (wireless cards) and "Let's catch up..." invitations.

For the WiCrds, this is just a small sample. There are plenty more designs to come, and they will be available for purchase quite soon! The "Catch up" invites will also be available very soon.... they're dead easy to use, with multiple choice options on the front and plenty of space on the back to add all of your details. Who says you need a special occassion to post out invites and see friends? Imagine the delight they'll get receiving one of these in the post, instead of a quick status update on FB.

So come on everyone, let's make 2010 the year of real social interaction. Let's make it fun and thoughtful. Now, I'm off to update my status - people out there need to know what I just had for lunch....