Why would you choose the hand written note over instant electronic communication? I find that taking the time to sit and put pen to paper helps me collect my thoughts and more clearly express myself. Getting a piece of snail mail can be like getting a little gift. Make someone’s day with your little present. When your piece of mail arrives on a pretty piece of stationery or note card, the images you choose, add to the words that you send. A hand written note conveys to the other person that they are worthy of the extra time and attention given to them by the sender of the letter.There are times that you want the person receiving the note to have something tangible, that they can hold in their hand. Maybe this note will be saved for later reading and will bring a smile to the recipient’s face once more.
I find it helpful to have a stash of a variety of note cards on hand, so that when the need arises, I can find one that complements the message that I plan to send. I carry several sets of note cards that allow you to express yourself with a variety of images. These images are original and photographic art prints that I have created. They are available in my shops EDCCollective and EclecticSkeptic. Many of my other photographic art images are also available as note cards. Contact me if you are interested in checking on the availability of other images.So, next time you are about to dash a note to someone by e-mail, think for a second. Do you have to get the message to them immediately, or would your message be better a couple of days from now, as a little surprise present wrapped in a note card waiting in the recipient’s mailbox?
There are many options to choose from such as vinyl, masonry, stone and composite fencing. You might even opt for a combination of wrought iron and landscaping to mitigate the impact of the traffic on your yard. While all of these materials have pros and cons, I’d like to share the solution that I chose for a side yard project recently. This choice was less costly than masonry or stone (both really good choices for sound mitigation and longevity), a bit more expensive than vinyl (to me, most look fake and don’t seem dense enough to mitigate the sound well.), and needed less room, maintenance and time for plant growth than a wrought iron and landscape option.
As for how the project turned out, everyone involved considers it a huge success. The pictures in this post are of the project just after completion. The traffic noise outdoors and inside (especially noticeable improvement in the bedrooms that are on that side of the house) was greatly reduced. The side yard actually became usable again from the definition and privacy that the fencing provided and the patio area was once again something that could be enjoyed without feeling like being in a fishbowl. 
After I received the iPod from my customer, I had to take it apart to see what was available to become part of the pendant. I took photos of the pieces(#1) and sent them to my customer to see if there was anything that especially caught her eye. The only real imperative at this point was to incorporate the custom engraving and to have an open backed frame in a dark wood color, so I mocked up a few frame and circuit board embellishments for us to contemplate(#2). The aspect ratio of the pendant mock ups kept bothering me though. I didn’t like that the pendant would be wider than it was tall. I started to think about how I might make a rounded frame. Inspiration struck and I sliced some sections off a small, cured sycamore branch and cut out an opening. I sent a photo of this to my customer and after some minor adjustments, it was a winning idea.(#3)
customer could attach her pendant to a necklace and send off photos for final approval from my customer.(#’s 5 & 6) I’m happy to say that she thought the pendant was beautiful and loved the way that it turned out. It is rewarding to be able to rise to a challenge like this and successfully turn someone’s idea into reality.
