i want to tell you about my latest offering: the world of story.

have you ever wished you could step inside a story? i certainly have.

the idea behind the world of story is that it lets you do just that. the best way i can describe it is to say that it’s like entering a snow globe.

the world of story will take you on a journey. first, a story will arrive in your mailbox. then, every few weeks, a postcard will arrive in your mail. each postcard will give you another glimpse of the world behind the story – in image and in word.

in this series, you will be entering the world of the girl with the kaleidoscope eyes.

the world of story starts in october and there are still some spots available if you’d like to sign up.

i am so looking forward to this journey.

whenever we are at the pet store and atlas is trying to eat all the pig ears – i do not love to buy them; while he finds them delectable, i find them smelly – i tease him by saying that he should make his own money so he can buy himself all the pig ears he wants.

(once, after saying this, one of the regulars tried to slip atlas $10. he told atlas that if he earned enough money, he wouldn’t need my approval and he could adopt his own kitty. atlas just licked the bill. either he wasn’t listening or he thinks everything is edible until proven otherwise.)

it turns out that he must listen to me, because i have been informed that he is going to do a thing. as far as i can tell, it is a year with atlas – stories and photos in your email every monday. he is working on the page now. i have a feeling that i am going to be involved somehow; i don’t know how he will implement his idea without me, being that he doesn’t have opposable thumbs. (i am already writing the page for him. due to the no opposable thumbs, of course. they really are useful.)

he really is a sweetheart, so i am excited to see what he wants to do.

(i am also a little sorry that i told him he could buy all the pig ears he wants. i hope he only wants one. or maybe two.)

isn’t it lovely!

i am hoping to get some new photos because i have been wanting to make a “wish you were here” card set for either the upper peninsula or lake superior since i started my shop. maybe this will be the year it finally happens.

speaking of cards, i want to remind anyone who’s interested that the end of summer sale on everything in my etsy shop ends on monday.

enter endofsummer as the coupon code at checkout for 17% off your purchase.

click here to visit the shop!

in other news, if you like art and stories and mail, i have a new offering! it’s called the world of story and it begins in october. (in case you are keeping track of such things, i did introduce the world of story earlier this summer, but i had an inspired idea last week and changed it up a little.)

while i’m away, i thought it would be fun to have an end of summer sale on everything in my etsy shop.

enter endofsummer as the coupon code at checkout for 17% off your purchase.

the sale ends on the 10th. items will ship on the 12th.

now might be a good time to replenish your card supply!

the cards also work as miniature art prints – the card acts like a mat – in case you’re looking for an easy way to add more beauty to your home.

click here to visit the shop!

i know conventional wisdom says that prices generally go up, not down.

apparently i am living in the land of opposites because instead, i just had a flash of inspiration to lower my price for the pause – a way to rest and recharge and renew.

i am not entirely sure why i feel so inspired; mostly it just feels like a lovely thing to do. so, as of today, the price is $62.

if you (or someone you know) are looking for a way to retreat from the chaos of daily life for a while, all in the comfort of your own home, maybe a pause would be right for you.

(if you haven’t noticed, i am fond of numbers that add up to 8. i like the number 8. it reminds me of infinity and the interplay between giving and receiving.)

i had an idea!

if you are the parent or close relative of a child who will be in the hospital for a while, and you want them to receive more mail while they’re there, i invite you to send me their information and address. i would be happy to send them a little note and one of my stories.

i was in the hospital for a long time when i was little, so i know what it’s like, and i am very good at sending random mail. if my experience means i now have the opportunity to make another child’s hospital stay just a little bit brighter, then i will count it a blessing.

consider this an open invitation.

please feel free to share it with anyone you think would benefit.

(that being said, may you never need it.)

p.s. just for fun, i used the healing brush on this photo, to clean up some of the lens flare on the left. it seemed so appropriate!

i am popping in to remind you that there is still time to take advantage of my midsummer special on the pause. it might be the perfect way for you to rest and recharge and renew – all in the comfort of your own home.

in case you’re wondering what the experience might be like, the lovely maryann devine wrote the most beautiful description of her experience, and she gave me permission to share it with you.

The first time I experienced Elizabeth’s Pause, it felt like it was unlocking that part of me that actually could relax. It was like opening up a door to a room I didn’t know was there. Which was huge.

if you’ve been wanting a way to put down your to-do lists and take some time for yourself, do check it out. the special is good through the end of july.

hello, hello!

july feels like the perfect time of year to rest and relax, even if it’s just for an hour.

to that end, i was inspired to have a midsummer special on the pause. the pause is a way to rest and recharge and renew – in the comfort of your own home.

if you’ve been wanting a way to put down your to-do lists and take some time for yourself, do check it out. the special is good through the end of july.

if you’re wondering what the experience might be like, i can tell you that it will be unique to you. and, a client recently gave me permission to share her experience, so here is one person’s story.

My cardiologist wants me to take [my blood pressure readings] at different times. This morning at 3:45 am – 194/86, pulse 62. This morning at 6:15 am – 209/89, pulse 61. After the session – 174/80, pulse 52 (that sounds high to you probably. And it is. But for me it’s wonderful!)

I was very relaxed. I sat in my wicker chair with my feet on an ottoman. First I felt a very distinct warmth in my heart, then my head. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but I was glad for the breeze. Then about five or ten minutes later I just sobbed. It came from nowhere. I wasn’t sad that I knew of. But I cried and cried. It only lasted a few seconds but I cried hard. Some kind of weight or release I guess. I meditate, but have never had that happen in it. I wiped my eyes with my hands and continued to sit. I felt very heavy. At one point I think I did fall asleep, but not for long. I then felt lighter. A lightness throughout. I never felt any tingling or anything, but I did feel different. I’m forever grateful to have had this reiki healing from you.

are you in need of time to pause?

if you read yesterday’s post, you know that it’s time to replace my beloved camera.

(sniffle. this feels a little like saying goodbye to a very dear friend. all the memories! sniffle.)

since i need to replace it, i really want to do so in a way that feels like i am inviting other people in, instead of going off and doing something on my own, as i am prone to do. besides, this is really all about you!

if you enjoy my work and want to be a part of this, i put together an offer.

you’ll receive presents, some now and some after a photo walk with a new camera.
in exchange, i’ll use your money to help fund my new camera.

what you’ll receive now:
a surprise assortment of 5 art cards, perfect for sending to loved ones or keeping for yourself

what you’ll receive later:
a card or postcard that will arrive in your mailbox with love and a wish for you
an image that you can use for a computer background or screensaver (or for any purpose, really)

cost: $25

sound wonderful?!

easy peasy. just click yes please and complete your payment.

–> this offering is no longer available

in case i haven’t mentioned it lately, i have things for sale! yay! in case you are in the mood for some shopping, i thought i’d mention a few of them.

you should buy a set of my cards! they are such a lovely way to tell someone you love that you’re thinking of them. think about how you felt the last time you received a piece of mail that wasn’t junk mail or a bill, a piece of delightful and wonderful mail that was meant just for you. now, just imagine how you’ll feel when you’re writing and sending the cards, knowing how they’ll brighten someone’s day.

if there is a particular set of cards that calls to you, you could also frame one or more of the cards. some people have done just that. it is an easy way to add a dash of beauty and art to your home.

remember the secret garden? my 2012 patron program that is full of happy surprise, delight, and gleeful anticipation? in honor of my new website, i added a few more openings. registration closes on june 15.

why should you become a patron? as one patron said when she got her card set, “this is why you should be a patron, people! presents! i had forgotten all about the cards so this was the best surprise! i love this one the most! and this one!”

you can also buy images to go! these are images that you can use for pretty much any purpose under the sun: art projects, computer backgrounds, business cards, website, holiday cards, t-shirts, presentations .. you name it. the options are endless.

i rotate the collection of images whenever i feel inspired to do so.