Monday, October 5, 2020

2020 is one for the books...

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say this year has sure been a doozy; the Covid 19 virus has really played havoc on everything.  It's sad to think that everyone's lives have been turned up-side-down and to know that things will probably never be back to like it was at the beginning of the year.  And at the present time there doesn't seem to be an end in site.  

2020 was hard on conventions of all kinds.  There are 2 annual pop culture conventions I attend each year:  Lexington ComicCon in the spring and ScareFest in the fall.  However, this year the coronavirus caused the ComicCon to be rescheduled twice then completely canceled.  Then in August it was announced that ScareFest had to be canceled because of the convention center it was to be held at was no where near completion due to said virus.

Like most places, school was very much affected.  The started date for our local school district was delayed, then the school system came up with a "hybrid" schedule with parents being given the choice of either sending the kids in-person 2 days a week or letting them do virtual classes.  My daughter chose to send the boys in-person.  Then on September 28, kids were allowed to attend full-time.  For those who homeschool full-time, I have admire and respect you very much; I have no idea how you do it, much less have the patience for it.  The husband and I babysit the grandkids and had to help with their NTI work and it was a pain to get the kids to do it.

And to the families who have lost loved ones to this virus, I am so sorry.  My family, so far, has not been affected by it and I am thankful.  I pray each night for those suffering from all illnesses, their families and the caretakers who look after them. 

Each of us should pray that this virus ends soon so that our lives can get back to some type of normalcy soon.  I can only imagine what this year has done to those who are suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental issues.  Hang in there, please...there are people like myself who are praying for you daily.  Please seek help if you need it.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

ScareFest CyberCon...

 

2020 has really played havoc on conventions of all kinds, with most having to cancel this year.  One convention I try to attend each March had to postpone twice this year, then ultimately had to completely cancel altogether.  These cancellations can be hard on vendors who depend on conventions for a big portion of their income.  This is one of the many advantages of a virtual convention.  Plus, convention goes can still get their convention "fix" by interacting online with both their favorite stars and the vendors.

On Saturday, August 29, 2020, ScareFest will launch its inaugural virtual convention, CyberCon with more dates planned in the future.  CyberCon will start at 12 noon and last until 7 p.m.  Not only will there be super guest stars, but awesome vendors and artists, Q&As and other panels and a virtual ghost hunt with none other than Patti Starr, the founder of ScareFest.

Some of the guest stars include Kristina Klebe (Halloween, Hellboy), Lar Park-Lincoln (Friday the 13th Part 7) and Paul T. Taylor (Hellraiser Judgment).  Vendors include The Phoenix Quill and Izzy's Little Creatures.  Some of the speakers are Richard Estep, John & Stacy Edwards and Kyl Cobb.  Terrance Muncy and Eric Puckett are among the artists attending.
 
Tickets are on sale for $5 each at ScareFest.AntFarm.tv.  You can also keep up with info by watching ScareFest Television on Friday nights at 9:00 pm.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Grand opening....

Kentucky Basketball
We are pleased to announce that our newest Etsy store is now live.  The picture to the left is a sample of what you will find offered at The Purple Gnome Studio, which features shirts with sublimation designs heat pressed onto them.  More choices will be added as time goes on.  We would be honored if you dropped by to visit The Purple Gnome Studio, as well as our other store, A Family Affair Boutique.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Still working on new ideas...

We are still working on new ideas for our sublimation line.  At the present time, our heat transfer vinyl (htv) designs are offered through our Etsy store, A Family Affair Boutique.  The sublimation line will be offered via The Purple Gnome Studio, which is not set up yet.  The picture on the left is a sample of what will be offered in our sublimation line.  Also, we are always adding new designs to A Family Affair Boutique.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.


 

Sunday, July 5, 2020

New items added....

I hope each of you are enjoying your 4th of July weekend.  If your neighborhood was anything like mine, there were lots of fireworks to watch.  There were at least 4 different firework displays going off near my homestead that I could see from my porch.

Each week I try to add a few new designs to A Family Affair Boutique.  This week's designs included sports mascots in a stacked design.  We have more mascots coming, but if you want something now that you don't see listed, feel free to contact us and we will see what we can do for you.  

If you want something done in sublimation,
check out our A Family Affair Boutique's FaceBook page.  We also have an album dedicated to shirts we have already done.  Please remember, the sublimated designs will be placed on light colored shirts with a minimum of 50% polyester.  The more polyester the shirt contains, the brighter the design.  That being said, the designs will have a vintage (faded) look about them.

Again...if you would like something done either with heat transfer vinyl or sublimation, please don't hesitate to contact us.  We would love to work with you.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

A Family Affair Boutique...

If you're not aware, I own an Etsy shop located at A Family Affair Boutique, which we offer customized apparel for men, women and children.  Some of our designs include University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, movie superheroes and villains, and sports, just to name a few.  Come on over and visit us anytime. 

At the present time, our designs are made with heat transfer vinyl, but we are looking into adding sublimation designs.  The design to the right is one of the ones we are looking to offer.  If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see us offer, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

It's a rough world right now...

As everyone is aware, the coronavirus is playing havoc on the world right now.  Some countries, businesses and people are suffering the consequences more than others.  The panic it has created has caused people to swamp stores buying up all the essentials they can find as though the world was coming to an end an hour from now.  There are others who are buying up everything so that they can make a profit off the less fortunate.  Then there are those who are physically fighting over stuff.  Get a grip, people!  I hear stories on FaceBook and the news of people who desperately need just the essentials not being able to find anything because of the above mentioned people.  

We need to relax, take a deep breath and not worry so much.  If you are a Christian like I am, you know the Bible says to not worry about anything...to leave it all up to the Lord.  What good is worrying going to do you anyway?  Am I worried?  No.  Am I concerned?  Yes.  I am lucky enough to have my mom still with me; she will be celebrating her 92nd birthday at the end of this month and I don't want her to get sick.

Please be kind to others.  If you have plenty of essentials, consider sharing them with those less fortunate you are.  That's the right thing to do!  Follow all the guidelines the CDC and other health services are asking us to follow.  Also, support the small businesses in your area.  They could very well have to permanently close their doors because of this.  There are people out there who may wind up losing their jobs if this happens.   A lot of them have families to take care of. 

BE A GOOD PERSON, please!

Saturday, February 29, 2020

ScareFest looking for volunteers...

Do you love "pop culture" conventions?  Do you love horror/thriller movies?  Have you ever considered volunteering to work a convention?  If you answer yes to any of these questions, why not consider volunteering to work the ScareFest convention, to be held the weekend of October 23-25, 2020, at the Central Bank Center, located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky.  They are looking for people to work in several areas, such as the street team, stars row, vendor check-in, information booth, media checking, photography (just to name a few).  So far guest announcements include Tony Todd (Candyman), Clive Barker (award winning author, actor, producer, director and visual artist), Barbie Wilde (best known as the female cenobite in Hellbound:HellraiserII), Nicholas Vince (known for his role as the chatterer cenobite in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and Hellbound:Hellraiser I) and Kane Hodder (best known for his legendary portrayal of Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th VII: The New Blood, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday and Jason X) and the cast from The Blair Witch Project.  For more information, go to https://thescarefest.com/volunteers/, and you can see in detail what is expected and the perks for volunteering.  You can also fill out the application while there.

FYI...ScareFest is the premier convention for all things horror and paranormal.  The convention, founded in 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky, is an annual convention bridging both the horror and paranormal genres with people coming from all over the world to meet some of their favorite actors, writers and stars of their favorite movies and tv shows.  This event, run by fans for fans, loves to promote the independent filmmakers by showcasing their work.

If you have never been but love the idea of getting to meet some of your "heroes" from the realm of horror and/or paranormal, we would love to have you attend.

ScareFest - https://thescarefest.com

Friday, January 3, 2020

Happy Anniversary...

Two years ago today I was in the hospital having a life-changing surgery...gastric sleeve. Though I've not lost all the weight I had hoped to lose, I DO NOT regret having it.  I must admit that I did get somewhat burnt out on my food choices...I'll be the first to admit I'm a picky eater.  This lifestyle may be easy for some people, but not for others.  When having to decide whether or not to have any type of gastric surgery, one must remember that this is for the rest of your life.  This type of lifestyle CAN BE maintained if you want it bad enough, and I want it bad enough.

I need to get about 20 more pounds off then my surgeon will hopefully approve me for skin removal.  It's so embarrassing to have this loose skin and the health issues it can cause.  However, I am determined to get the weight off, hopefully ASAP. 

The goal for this year is to work on that remaining weight. I've got a partner now (my daughter), who though she didn't have the surgery, she's working on getting some weight off too. My biggest drawback is I absolutely HATE to exercise, but I know I'm gonna have to if I am to succeed.  My daughter works during the day and has 2 little boys, so our getting together will be hard to set in stone...it will have to be whenever we can.

If you are considering some type of weight lose surgery, don't let anyone talk you out of it if you need it done to save your life.  I was told I could die during the surgery...but that can happen with ANY surgery you have, no matter what type of surgery.  Do this for you!  I did it for several reasons:

1)  I wanted to be healthier and to get rid of the pain in my back and joints.
2)  I didn't like the way I looked.
3)  I couldn't find any clothes I liked that would fit me.
4)  My husband/kids/caregiver...in the event I became bedridden or wheelchair bound, the lighter I was the easier it would be on their bodies if they had to help me move around.

Here's to losing the rest of the weight I need to get off and a healthier rest of my life!