Good news- dotandjim.com is complete! It is brand spanking new and I’m pretty excited about it. The past few weeks have been dedicated to cranking out a few new cards and working on designing the site with web designer Hope Wallace. Also I’ll be blogging from here now. This site will still remain my portfolio site. Cheers!

Here are three new cards I’ve been working on. The first one was inspired by a certain special gentleman. Number 2 is simply a collage of thoughts- My shoes went along without a sound. And the third is just a little note to say thanks!

New Savannah paint chips for shopSCAD.

The above designs will be featured on the scrapbooking site, Prima Marketing. Each set is the front/back design for its own scrapbook page. My personal favorite is “Love letter” which is the original letter Jim wrote me about how he and Dot met. Enjoy!

At the end of July, I’ll be moving back to the deep south. As sad as I am to bid farewell to all my close friends here in Lakewood, I’m looking forward to seeing the lowcountry and drinking sweet tea again. Come visit!

On June 12th, my grandpa (Jim of dot+jim) ended his battle with cancer. I thought I’d take the time to pay tribute to such a wonderful grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, father, brother, and hero.

My grandpa was the quintessential Cajun gent. Living most of his life in ‘Nawlins, “Pappy” (as his grandkids called him) could charm the socks off of anyone. He, in fact, sweeped my grandmother off her feet many years ago by taking a bet from one of his buddies. That bet ended in 57 years of love and happiness. (Pretty sure it was the best gamble he’d ever made:)

There a few things I fondly remember about my grandpa. For starters, the man knew how to eat…especially sweets. I think he always knew we both shared an unconditional love for ice cream. I first figured that out when I caught him reaching for the Butter Pecan one night at exactly the same time I was. I remember when I would spend the night with he and Nanny (the Dot of dot+jim), he would always sacrifice the spot right next to her. He knew how I wanted to be as close as I possibly could to her. Pap would hug most everyone he met. And maybe even give them a kiss on the cheek if they were lucky. And how he could dance. Sometimes I would catch he and my grandma “jitterbugging” in the kitchen. It reminds me of that scene in The Notebook when Allie and Noah dance in the street.  I use to love those times when he took my brother and I fishing on McGill’s pier in Pensacola. He would sit on that dock for hours just staring out into the blue, smiling away. And boy did he have a great smile. Each wrinkle on his face accounted for years and years of a life well lived. And now he is off to see his Dot. Hope there is plenty of Bread Puddin’ up there, Pappy.

(My brother, grandpa, and I looking out over the bayou in New Orleans)

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
Youll see the sun come shining through, if you just smile

Below are two French-themed paint chips I was asked to create for shopSCAD in Lacoste. Note that these paint chips are not real swatches- the names are made up:)

My personal line has now launched on paper-moments.com! Click here to browse.

take a peek at a few new spring paint chips! the first 6 or so are the newbies.

I’ve been cranking out cards right and left these days. Good tunes always help the process. Here are a few discs I’m currently spinning.