Photo of the Day: And all you need is

Spotted during Summer Streets, August 20, 2011

Auntie Nettie's Attic - New Header

Just a quick blog shout-out to Sarah at OrdinarySarah.com for the sweet new blog header.

Thanks to the wonders of social networking, I found out about a special offer to do header design. A couple of e-mails later, a few questions, some tweaks, and a Paypal entry, and viola.

I've done some minor readjusting to side-bars and colors, but doesn't it look so much better? It only took four years and some futile hinting to the Bloggysphere.

Thanks again Sarah.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Logo v.1 2010

After 15 years of self-marketing merchandise and a few years of the blogging, the later of which I have used to send hints out to the universe (to no avail), I finally took the bull by the horns ... er ... so to speak. More like mouse to Word drop-down design graphics, and then a pencil and a pen to paper.

I'm no artist; fine or graphic or whatever. I'm also poor and don't have any design budget. By doing it myself, I finally got it done and got it done on my budget. Let me stress ... FINE---A --- Leeeeeeeeeeeee!

Introducing Auntie Nettie's Attic new merchandising logo!

I know. I know. It's rough. HELLO?

NOT.AN.ARTIST! FED.UP.WITH.HINTING!

If certain brothers of mine think they can do better ... please, by allllll means, go ahead. I await with bated breath/in-box!

Birthday Wishes

Dear Birthday Fairy:

I know it's silly to be asking you for stuff for my birthday, so early -- but it's not really. It's in about four weeks, plus people have been asking me what I want. So, I thought I'd write you a Wish List to put the ideas "out there" for folks:

First let me say, I don't need much. All of these ideas are just little goofy things that would be nice to have, but I certainly don't need them.

A. That logo for Auntie Nettie's Attic that I asked Santa for all those months ago.

B. A New Library Book bag -- kind of like this one from the @your library.com folks. Hopefully it's out for sale now. I like it.

C. Not that I'm a culinary whiz, but this one puts books and food in the same place:

Literary Feast: The Famous Authors Cookbook, with recipes from David Baldacci, Adriana Trigiani, and the model for the Shushing Librarian herself, Nancy Pearl. Bios on the authors, lists of published works, and backstories about the recipes? What else would be greater? (Now on sale from Classic Day Publishing, though some major retailers.)

[2/2010 Editors note, again ... THANKS JANE. Cookies from Rick Steves and other culinary tidbits will be shared later!)

But seriously, Birthday Fairy, please tell people that I don't need anything. If people want to get me anything, I would suggest that they donate to one of three places:
1. Friends of Maddie. Families of children in NICU certainly need support and nurturing more than I do right now. I have been blessed. Help me pass on some love. Read about Maddie, Donate here, or purchase a pack for a family in need.

[1/16/10 Editor's note: Apparently there is some debate whether the American Samoas actually need these books ... Send aid to Haiti via the Red Cross for now, with aid for the libraries to follow once immediate humanitarian aid efforts have made a dent in the recovery.] 2. The children in American Samoa are suffering because a tsunami destroyed four of their libraries in September. The schools are seeking donations of materials to rebuild their collections. Children's books in new or good condition may be sent to:

Cheryl Morales Polataivao
Feleti Barstow Pulbic Library
PO Box 997687
Pago Pago, American Somoa 96799

(If someone wants to pay for my airfare and a trip, I'll fly down to Pago Pago to hand deliver the books!)

and finally,

3. Caramoor -- because I just can't say enough about the place or the wonderful people who work there.

Thanks for helping me spread the word,

Auntie Nettie

A Graphic Letter to Santa*

Dear Santa,

It may seem to be a tad early to be starting my annual Christmas requests, but then I realized that I was one of those people who has started (and in some cases finished) my shopping. Plus, I started having hysterics from the first holiday travel spot accompanied by Christmas music I saw on television this weekend. I think I scared the neighbors, I was screaming so loudly. (Advertisers, please note: IT IS TOOO SOON!)

Anyway Santa, I would like to see if one of your graphic design inclined elves can design me a logo for Auntie Nettie’s Attic – one that I can use on the blog, the business cards, and over on the oft-mentioned, but not quite there yet etsy.com site.

If the elf was to ask, I’m hoping that it could incorporate my love of books, yarn, a crochet hook**, craft projects, photography, cooking, and travel, etc. How you can work in the Attic setting is up to you. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. In fact, simpler is probably better. Some kind of black and white, pen and ink line drawing would be fine, ala The Toy Society.

I know it seems like a lot to ask Santa. However, my one design guy is busy to the nth degree with his own little elves and taking and teaching lots of classes. I managed to get myself on his Naughty list with some pirated materials, too, so I can’t really hope for a Christmas present this year. I assure you, aside from that transgression, I think I’m on the Nice list. You can check with Grandma Mary and Grumpa Max if you want to be sure.

Many thanks for your consideration of this request. All my best to Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and the elves.

Hugs and Kisses,

Auntie Nettie

* Please! This is a family friendly site. What kind of graphic were you expecting?
** This is important. Knitting needles and crochet hooks are NOT the same. Just ask Mrs. Claus.