New designs

I have been playing with the idea of making the "chalkboard " on my personalized lunch totes smaller and adding more design work on them.
Here is an original:

Here are some new ones I should have finished in a few days.

 

  

  

I am also designing a new drawstring bag. The finishing touches are always a huge decision. So many choices!

 

                                                                                                           Should I add this?

or this....






                     or this?

Any opinions would be very helpful!! Sometimes I need a little help from my friends.. Thanks for sharing!

Ode to My daughter

My daughter and son-in-law  spent  a week with us during Christmas. Its always wonderful when the kids get to come home. But this is a very special visit. It will be the last time they visit alone. She is expecting their first child in March. My Grandson, my daughter's child. My baby's baby! It all seems so surreal  right now.  What a wonderful new year this is going to be!! My studio is set up in her old bedroom. It is an inspiration every time I go in there to work. She is my best friend. I miss her alot since she got married and moved to Portland. No more shopping trips,or stops at our favorite coffee shops at a moments notice. Change is BAD, change is GOOD. The start of a new generation in our family is a very exciting prospect!
I am going to visit them for a weekend in  February, one more time " before baby". Then, I'll be back in March for the birth! I can hardly wait to be a grandma.
I had a book when the kids were little. It is " Love you Forever". I have never been able to read it aloud without choking up into tears. The line that got me every time was this:
"I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be."
  My daughter used to think it was funny that I couldn't read it without crying! Until I gave it to her for Christmas. I dared her not to cry.... And she couldn't help herself. She is definitely a mother! My baby....... I'll love you forever!!

My "Baby" and Me 1984

Finally watched -" Slumdog Millionaire"

I don't usually review movies. I'm not even an avid movie watcher (as my family will attest to). All I wanted to do was take a nice leisurely Sunday afternoon nap. So I laid down on my comfy sofa, turned on the tube, nothing, out of 4 zillion channels you would think I could find some lighthearted, no nothing, fall asleep to, show. Then I came across "Slumdog Millionaire". A movie I have been avoiding for a few years now. For some reason I decided to force myself to watch it, good reviews, awards and all that. FORCE- is the operative word. It took at least half and hour to get totally sucked in. It is a little hard to catch all of the dialog, very hard to watch the heart breaking scenes of poverty and utter callousness of people. You absolutely fall in love with Jamal and root for him through out the movie. I would become emotionally drained and had to take numerous breaks! It was an amazing life's journey of one young man.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend taking the emotional roller coaster ride through to the great end! Loved the dancing and music during the credits!
Have you seen it? What did you think??