June 2025 Reading Challenge: Complimentary Colors

This June, I'm visiting the color wheel since I have yellow and blue book covers sitting tip-top on my TBR pile. It just so happens they're complimentary. I'm staying in the blue/yellow range for the month with an assortment of genres (AMZ links included):

1.) Murder Your Darlings by Roy Peter Clark - Writing, Non-fiction

2.) The Housemaid by Freida McFadden - Psychological Thriller

3.) Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam - Apocalyptical Suspense

4.) Swear to Howdy by Wendelin Van Draanen - Middle Grade

June Reading Challenge

Complimentary Colors

"Little by little one travels far."

Big heart corner-bookmark

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Color Fidget

by The Gray Muse on Etsy

Goodbye Little Etsy Shop

Things change, and that's just the way of life. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's not. After some thought, I've decided the latest change by Etsy is a sign for me to simplify my life. Today the EpialDesign shop is closing the Etsy door. Maybe it's for good or maybe a door will open somewhere else. Who knows? If you'd like to inquire about my wares--young adult reads, greeting cards, crafts, blackout poetry pages, book bags, bookmarks--feel free to email me! Until then, adieu to you!

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Etsy Sellers Demand Reversal of "Train Wreck" Policy: The company is asking users to verify their bank details via Plaid, a fintech company that recently settled a privacy class action lawsuit - by Hyperallergic

 

 

 

 

New at the ESPIALdesign Etsy Shop

The ESPIALdesign Etsy shop has had a busy 2021 so far, shipping orders to Eastern Washington, Alaska, Virginia, and Arizona! The support for my art and my little shop really means a lot, so thanks again, and know that the proceeds will go to funding my next book with editing and proofreading costs. I have to draw, cut, and glue so I can keep writing. A rough life, I know.

Now, it's time to stock those shelves. I had to think twice about selling the alien blackout-poem originals because they're some of my absolute favorites. But then, why keep 'em when they're published in my first book collection, Sounds Complicated? So, I made them a bundle to keep them together and included pictures below. Check them out and stay tuned! There's more to come.

 

Blackout Poetry Bundle

Aliens (set of 4)

 

 Preparedness 101

 

"He'd forgotten how to keep his head from popping off in outer space.

Why was he here again?"

 

 

My Space

"It meant something good when it was over.

I need my space."

 

Contaminated

 

"Careful. Something was in the air...something pitter-pattering like a heart."

 

 

It's Complicated

"He ordered a large side of feeling and the avoidance maneuver roll

since they were sharing a can of love."

On the Production Line: BIG heart corner-bookmarks!

Packaging Completed!

Top: "Just My Type" and "Happiness is Coffee"

Bottom: "Love Bees" and "Adventure Awaits"

The corner-bookmark factory of one--that's me, thankyouverymuch--is back in production mode! The Doodlebug Design paper and die cuts I ordered arrived and did their trick. I was inspired by the cuteness overload. So in between writing, camping, and worrying about everyone's health in my family (a quagmire of cancer, congestive heart failure, hip replacement surgery, and even the common cold), I decided to find some kind of outlet. Picking at my fingernails and staring at the floor doesn't really accomplish much as it turns out. Plus, the fingernails are in short supply--pun intended. So...paper therapy.

As the stash of heart corner-bookmarks grows, I'll list them on Etsy, hide them in Little Free Libraries, or tuck them here and there...whatever. Wherever! Just going to have fun and see what happens, letting my true Sagittarius nature reign.

Here's the latest:

"Just My Type"

"Happiness is Coffee"

"Love Bees"

"Adventure Awaits"

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"You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down." ~ Charlie Chaplin (Sagittarius)

Business Card Stamp

I decided to make a business card stamp so I could use it to on various papers and incorporate my information into handcrafted corner bookmarks, which I will do *someday* soon. I went to Etsy and found SayaBell Stamps where the transaction couldn't have been easier. It shipped pretty quickly, too. 

Stacia Leigh

Teen stories with flirt, grit, and small town fun

www.stacialeigh.com

Say what?

SayaBell Stamps

The stamp details are engraved in the wood "handle" and came in a cloth pouch. Just wonderful. A great experience all around.

For a quick stamp test and photo shoot, I cut a couple of old Dealing with Blue proof covers down into 3.5 x 2" cards and stamped away. I love the recycled aspect of these cards! They have a nice feel to them as well.

ESPIALdesign on ETSY: Heart Bookmarks in Shades of Green!

Today, I took a break from writing to work through some mental kinks by crafting some BIG, heart corner-bookmarks. Being March, I dipped into my green paper stash, which came from the Western Washington Scrapbook Retreat a couple years ago. See why you can't throw anything away? You never know when it'll come in handy.

Shamrock of Corner-Bookmarks

Theme: Green Adventure

I also had enough little bees (paper recycled from a German gift bag) to make four more bee themed bookmarks. Check out the new stuff at ESPIALdesign on Etsy. Unfortunately, my window lighting was typical Seattle weather...so the colors look a bit cold. The background paper used below may not look it, but it's a dark teal.

Theme: Bees and Love

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"Craftiness is happiness." ~ Unknown

Week 2: 2018 Heart Art Challenge

Oh, happy Monday, the Heart Art Challenge continues! Here is the second week of February, and my dedication to all things love and hearty:

5.) Made a list of things sold this year from ESPIALdesign's Etsy shop where 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association in November.

6.) Snapshot! Found a heart in nature.

"Some buggy loves you!"

7.) My heart feels sentimental right now. I hung my late grandma's cuckoo clock on my wall today and WOW... that thing is a beast. When it was handed down to me a couple months ago nothing on it worked. I took it to a clock shop, who at first quoted me a base price of $750, but then called to say there were no parts made for its age and size. I had them turn it into a battery-operated clock instead. The music no longer plays, the people no longer dance, and the cuckoo has been removed, but it still tells the time. Waiting for #happyhour

A BIG souvenir from Grandma's Travels

Germany, 1979

8.) This evening I cooked up some heart-shaped blueberry pancakes. Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner? Scrumptious! Recipe called Fluffy Pancakes (serves 8) at allrecipes.com. The only adjustment I made to the batter was to use less baking powder: 1-1/2 teaspoons instead of two.

I Heart Pancakes

9.) Fresh from the ESPIALdesign studio: Four big bookmarks that are all heart, inspired by these phrases: "Spread our wings" and "Live our dreams" and "Let's go be adventurers."

Heart Corner-Bookmarks: Front

"Live for Adventure"

These four gems are packaged together and are available on Etsy for book lovers, Valentines, or anyone who likes to leave love notes. Inexpensive, full of good vibes, and half the proceeds go to the American Heart Association. They're fun to make while I cogitate about writing.

Heart Corner-Bookmarks: Back

Love Notes

10.) Thought I'd share a few pictures from our Köln trip last summer where we walked along the bridge of love and locks.

"40,000 padlocks hang on the bridge to date – a shocking number considering that the tradition only started in 2008. That means 40,000 couples – 80,000 individuals in all – have participated in this fast-growing, spontaneous collection. The padlocks have added over 2 tons of weight to the bridge, causing local officials to question how long the practice can be sustained." ~ AtlasObscura.com

Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge 2017

 Cologne, Germany

11.) Recycled an old Valentine card into a new one and am going to mail it tomorrow to friends in Colorado. Ending this week and starting the next with good vibes. Happy Valentines Week!

"Know what makes this Valentine sweet?"

You!

2018 ESPIALdesign's Art for Heart Donations

Last year's donation (2017) to the American Heart Association from ESPIALdesign's Etsy shop was $26.00. Below is the running tally for the 2018 donation...gearing up for #GivingTuesday in November.

NARWHAL

I'm spreading wonder

With one word.

Sold!

1.) 4-Pack Heart Corner-bookmarks "I love coffee"
2.) 4-Pack Heart Corner-bookmarks "I love bees"
3.) Renew Blackout Poem
4.) Narwhal Blackout Poem
5.) 4-Pack Heart Corner-bookmarks "Love and Hearts"
6.) 4-Pack Heart Corner-bookmarks "I love bees"
7.) 4-Pack Heart Corner-bookmarks "Live for Adventure"

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Total: $14.00

Big Hearted Bookmarks at Etsy

Fresh from the ESPIALdesign studio: Four big bookmarks that are all heart, giving new meaning to the phrase "My weekend is all booked."

Heart Corner Bookmarks - Front

Love and Hearts Theme

These four gems are packaged together and are available at Etsy for book lovers, Valentines, or anyone who likes to leave love notes. Inexpensive, full of good vibes, and half the proceeds go to the American Heart Association. It's all about love!

Heart Corner Bookmarks - Back

Love Notes

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"Reading is dreaming with open eyes." ~ Anonymous

ESPIALdesign Shop on Holiday

Espial Design's Etsy shop is taking a holiday break until the beginning of the New Year. There will be skiing and sledding, reading and writing, and maybe even a little blackout poem-ing by the fireside. Please, check back in early January to see what's new.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on the uber-happy white baticorn...

SPIN IT

Spin a meaningful look into a chance.

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"Merry everything and a happy always." ~ Unknown

New Stuff in the Shop!

I've posted new stuff on Etsy! I'm busy, busy in my little workshop these days, making notecards--now 25% off on Etsy until December 1st--and BIG heart-shaped corner bookmarks. They'll make great accessories for the book lovers in your life or really cute gift tags.

BIG Corner Heart Bookmarks

"I Love Coffee"

Jester Notecards with Envelopes

Inside and Out

Jester Notecards with Envelopes

Set of Six

Even though I made this blackout poem a month or so ago, it's new on Etsy and ready for a new home. It has a "good vibe" message sure to inspire!

With Vision

Under his feet,

The trail grew plentiful

With vision.

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"It's not happy people who are thankful. 

It's thankful people who are happy!" ~ Alex DaPiata

Blackout Poems on the Fly

Thanks to Etsy, the interesting duo below are getting prepped and ready to make their journey to Australia where their new owner awaits. Both blackout poems were made in Bulgaria this last summer, so they're getting quite a bit of travel in.

CARRIED AWAY

I like to sleep and

imagine a world carried away.

DEEP ROOT

A strong connection was a deep root

all tangled inside.

Half the proceeds will be going to the American Heart Association. You can see the tally here.

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“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” ~ Anita Desai