Sometimes I am working. and it looks different than when you are working. I mean. What do we all do anyways.

I drink hot beverages. and think. 

You?

I often feel stressed. That is because I work for myself which means... I dont relax super well on the weekends. 

Sometimes I'm like... 

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And while I am up to what I am up to, I feverishly check emails and lists...

It is a blessing and a curse to be involved in several amazing projects that I am passionate about.

Because they never leave my mind. or heart.
and my mind is full

way over capacity. 

There is a really angry fire marshal somewhere.

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So. with that.

Let me show you something.

I have been doing a lot of this:

AND THIS.

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and framing.

many of these guys below are ready to go to a good home this holiday season. if they aren't sold already. I will let you know.

 if interested, contact: abernathy.parade@gmail.com


I was hoping my redesigned website would be available before the holidays. But it is looking like it is going to be:
New Year New Site.

woot.


as always. for your orders and interest. and general kind disposition...

THANK YOU.

It should bring you great comfort to know little creatures of mine are traveling around this holiday season. I cut air holes in the envelopes. and boxes.


Last minute ideas? email the business address (abernathy.parade@gmail.com). It is worth asking.

because in the mind set of Thanksgiving dinner, what's one more side dish when you already have a 2 story plate of food happening?...
just ask.

oh, look. an original ink and thread. this little guy is sort of the best.

12" x 12" framed illustration print- $85.00.

12" x 12" framed illustration print- $85.00.

11" x 14" custom framed fine art print- $150.00

12" x 12" framed illustration print- $85.00.

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and while work is picking up. So is the holiday love from family and friends.

I take decking the halls very seriously.

and. in conclusion. there's this:

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Hearts can be very heavy. 12-14-12

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Thinking of the sweet little babies who went to school on Friday. with big trusting hearts.

and praying that we don't forget how beautiful that kind of spirit is.

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"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping'. To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." 

- Mister Rogers

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"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

-Mother Teresa


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Shards of Garland.

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The other day beads just flew off my arm. literally. and I thought. So appropriate. and just left them scattered about. Because they wanted to be set free. 

I am a mess around this time of year. Don't even try and tell me you aren't.

Maybe I am an exception. I mean I know at least a few people who are crazed about the holidays like me. I know some scrooges too. but they humor my view of the holidays anyways because their bah humbug is kind of necessary.

THERE WOULD BE NO HALLMARK MOVIES WITHOUT CHANGES OF HEART.

someone has to play the "christmas aint my thing" card. I'm not saying that isn't an honest feeling.

 i mean some people dont feel the need to walk by motion sensor lights that sing. all. day. repetitively.
in their own kitchen.
 and that is perfectly fine.

Also. I understand we dont all celebrate Christmas.
And that is fine too. but it's the whole hope. life. light. love thing that I get wrapped up in.

And whatever brings family closer together is ok with me too.




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I feel the need to report back to the world about the Christmas movies on TV. because. well.
I watch all of them. There may be some I have not seen. That is because they are on my DVR and I haven't gotten to them yet. 

I tend to watch them. and if I realize they are terrible. I still finish them. I have to. I am compelled to. 

I think there are a couple I have not finished. But that is rare. 

Most of the Hallmark or Lifetime plots:
small town USA. Single mom arrives. meets hot sheriff. and saves a local business right in time for Christmas Day. give or take a side plot in the North Pole or a sick family member. and guess what .... I WATCH ALL OF THESE. 

once I watched too many in one day.


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Right now. As we speak. I am rushing to get some Christmas orders taken care of.  meeting with project teams. working collaboratively on neat things. and designing my new website - OMG it is coming so soon. MY ARM HAS A TWITCH THAT FRIGHTENS ME. because I have been logging in every piece of my art. in a repetitive motion. I feel like I am writing a final paper for a class and the bibliography is 5432 pages.

no really. I cant use my right hand very well lately. it has checked out.
everyone says this is ok...so lets go with that.

I am about to chuck punctuation marks at the screen and let them land where they wish.
wait. hm. dont I do that. already?

I am fighting the urge to stop working on my site. I woke up folded in half over my computer muffling the sound of my Manheim Steamroller Pandora Station. 

That describes my current state of things. 

More later.

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Remember- Live Art? 
(Live Art is an all inclusive theater arts program that rules at putting people first...through art.  powered by art. and we all just watch and smilecry.. you know that feeling right?)

... well season 2 has started. officially... classes start in the New Year. BUT we got together with the students in a couple of workshops. and I can barely even type it...

THEY PLAYED UKULELES.

and sang. and played drums.

and it was a quick workshop. just to see everyone and to warm up with some new students.. .

and AS USUAL.

it was beautiful.

WATCH.

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P.S. When my site comes back out. and is alive again...

(and I am talking about a new website. this blog will stay the same and just be linked to it.) 

...I will announce it on here and then SCREAM MY BRAINS OUT. because yall. its sort of awesome looking. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.

so. in conclusion:

everything always happens at once.

new things can be scary. 

and 

pass the candy corn.

wait. is that season over?.....

i miss my bed.

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"It's hard to dance. with the Devil on your back. 
So shake him off."

-Florence and the Machine.

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It's a good. season.

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iphone cover designs! and a BLACKFRIDAYSALE!!

SALE CONTINUES THROUGH MONDAY!

iphone designs will be 100.00 through monday.

Because all the other internet people are doing it. 

consider it peer pressure :) 

and also. I want you to have these, give them as gifts. or carry one yourself!

see information below. and email me your order- abernathy.parade@gmail.com

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So. I am joining the world in the shopping craze. 

except I am selling something you can't get anywhere else but HERE.

WOOOOO, my new iphone covers are available today for a SALE PRICE.

They will also be around after today. totally get one. or 7.

but the cool thing about today is their price:

$100!

(thats 15.00 off.) 

GUYS. my illustrations on iphone cases. 

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Here is how to order:

Email: abernathy.parade@gmail.com

~ list these things ~ 

1. Which Illustration? ( choose Ready., Dare., or Watch.) 

2. Which iphone do you own? (3, 4, 4s, 5) 

3. Which case would you like? ( a)sleek and lightweight: BARELY THERE or b) slightly more protection: VIBE)

4. What is your mailing address?

*the three choice illustrations can be seen at the end of this post :) they are specially made to be carried with you. and close to you. 

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When we receive your email order,

you will get a reply with paypal information. VERY EASY.

And you will get your case in the mail ASAP.

remember. This is a small little magic shop. but your case will be on the way once I get your order. I am pretty fast.
actually, I am very fast. because I panic when I get orders like I am playing a game of hot potato... and I'm real competitive. 

So.

you'll be texting someone before you know it. 

with a drawing in your hands. 

and your friends will be like. um

....now I am certain... you are officially the greatest.

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Here are the 3 illustrations available now on your very own iphone case. to hold every day. close by.

1. Ready.

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2. Dare.

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3. Watch.

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*

*

*

* 

* 

*

carry one with you.

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and remember

Email: abernathy.parade@gmail.com

~ list these things ~ 

1. Which Illustration? ( choose Ready., Dare., or Watch.) 

2. Which iphone do you own? (3, 4, 4s, 5) 

3. Which case would you like? ( a)sleek and lightweight: BARELY THERE or b) slightly more protection: VIBE)

4. What is your mailing address?

***get your email in before MIDNIGHT tonight. for the $100.00 sale. 

otherwise. after today. cases are available for $115.00 (no additional shipping unless ordering outside of the US)

QUICKDRAW 1- Full of Thanks

I have this new idea. for when I am busy. and overwhelmed. but need to post something.

because this blog is like a baby of mine. and if you leave a baby alone for a while it can self destruct. or get into your stuff.

and you can walk back in and it would be covered in blush, glue, and glitter. 

what? you carry that too right?

so 

consider this me checking in every now and then to make sure this blog hasn't fallen into the fireplace or say....crushed goldfish into the entire den carpet. 

no. Im not a mom. I just have zillions of cousins. 2 nephews who fell out of the sky with wings on. and I nanny a lot. So I am familiar with crushed goldfish. yogurt hands. and drips of milk.

Anyways.

I AM LIKE ONE GIANT TANGENT WAITING TO PERFORM MY 4 HOUR MONOLOGUE.

but.

Im busy.  My website is on the brink of existing. and so while I am working on that. and some new drawings for iphone cases ( yay. coming on FRIDAYYYYY... for a sale :) keep watch!) 

I will start what I am going to call 

QUICKDRAW.

Where I draw something I need to draw. 

in under 10 minutes. 

heres the 1st. 

So if you see QUICKDRAW.  you cant really judge me. 

too much. because it took under 10 minutes.

QUICKDRAW-1- Full of Thanks.

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING YOU GUYS!

I hope you are thankful. Despite what is going on in your life. 

I know it can be awful. but it can also be awesome. 

at the same strange time. 

Let it be.

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Watch this. Is it weird that it almost made me cry? 

More later. 

......and i thought this was going to be quick. 

I think I am incapable of that......

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Better Late Than Boring.

Halloween Recap. 

Better late than Boring.

I feel a certain amount of pressure when costumes are involved. 

Once I gave 200 percent to a costume 

and now. for the rest of my life. I feel the need to keep doing that. 

When I was 7 yrs old I wanted to be a nutcracker.  I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like. I gave my mom specific instructions.

and we got gold fringe stuff. and I thought. 

Yes. This is it.

She humored me. and did exactly what I dreamed of. 

You guys. 

I was a nutcracker!

I wanted to be.

not Clara. no. 

a nutcracker.

In high school I was Rainbow Brite. and I wore rainbow painted dryer vent things on my arms all day. 

I knew then that it was always going to be- go big or go home. 

But I even knew before that.

When I was really small we made up plays and shows and then performed them for our parents or aunts or whoever was over that night. and there was a demerit system. My cousin and brothers would give us demerits for who knows what. but you went along with it because THIS WAS A SERIOUS PERFORMANCE PEOPLE.

there was a backstage area at my Great Aunt Lolly's house in North Carolina and you could see the stage (screen porch) from the backstage (bedroom) window.

it was real.

Anyways.

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I am swamped with neat projects and career things. 

but I dont really believe in excuses for why I would show up on Halloween half- hearted. 

I tried even. But the day of a party I was like.

THIS IS NOT ME. 

so I made something.

I got the materials a week before. when I had the intention of making time to sew something.

our house turns into a circus on Halloween. LITERALLY.

Last year we were people. 

This year. Animals.

Lion. and Tiger. and Bear. 

(pssssssst:  that was a white tiger in that shopping cart.)

But then I felt like the most important thing to do was make tissue paper ghosts. and fill our apartment with them.

the shadows. made me inappropriately happy.

Then it became clear that a circus awning took priority.

And who would not want to stay in every second if it felt like this.

but the reality is that. we have millions of trick or treaters.

umm. THIS GUY. I gave him extra candy.

We live on a street that believes in going overboard. So... theres a history here. of trekking out to our street on Halloween. 

Naturally. This is where I belong. 

on a road like this.

This year. Twizzlers were the best deal.

see. this is just a snapshot of the amount of people that fly through. for hours.

And the day I needed a costume. I got an iced coffee and locked myself to my sewing machine. 

It got Project Runway up in here real fast.

I was going to wear it with some things I already had, but before I knew it. I made an entire outfit.

I was really focused. and just kept sewing.

"Make it work." - Tim Gunn 

(I love that guy. too much)

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Whew.

ok. I have a year til next time right?






but I'm not naive. Something crazy will come up before then... I know this.

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we arent the same.

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