Things N Stuff

It's Friday, but in my free-lance world that means very little. I've always logged a few weekend hours in the studio without grumbling because A. if the phone rings, it's probably someone wanting to go out to dinner with us and B. there is often a "Real Housewives of Somewhere" marathon on Bravo. And it's totally embarrassing to be watching something like that when a client calls or our office manager needs my attention. Of course during the week, I only listen to Public Radio so I can appear to be super smart, but most people know better, particuarly the Real Housewives.

Reading the Refrigerator

These are some of the ultra fun magnets (there are 32 of them!) I designed for Leanin' Tree Greeting Cards---part of the Real Women, Real Funny by My Friend Ronnie greeting card collection that was introduced in January.

I have always loved reading refrigerators. From the choice of magnets, which coupons have been clipped (really? you need to save a quarter on anti-itch cream?), photos and calendars , you can really learn a lot about a person. Families with kids have complicated schedules posted with stickers, post it notes and pretty multi-colored markers to keep track of which kid needs to be where when. It's so relaxing to know that I do not have to go to soccer, hockey, basketball, Spanish, dance, religion, or karate---unless of course I feel the urge. Shopping lists are fun too---oh, sure the usual things show up...milk, bread, eggs but it's a bonus when there are items like "tequila" and "glitter glue". I do like seeing a well placed magnet but mostly I like it when the fridge is completely encrusted in them---with a theme! Holstein cows, famous motels, felt and sequined crafty things from the senior center craft and bake sale are my favorites. On my fridge? A few well placed "inspirational" messages, holding Sunday's menu and a couple of My Friend Ronnie magnets, but I keep all the juicy information on the side you can't see right away---I'm not letting my refrigerator blab all my secrets!

How fun is this?

We have some really fun personalized products with Personal Creations! You can order a wall print, trinket box or mug with My Friend Ronnie girls---up to six on each item. And you can change their hair and skin color and add names---just like playing with Barbie! Oooh, and just in time for Mother's Day, or Bridal showers, maybe a girl's trip...

On the radio...sort of!

I had a great opportunity last week to be interviewed on blogtalkradio.com. Rick Tocquigny, a client of mine, hosts a show called "Life Lessons" and he invited me to be a part of the show. I've never done anything like that before and thought it would be a good experience---and it was! The questions were challenging and helped me to "go deep" as opposed to my usual day to day frivolous (yet hilarious) thoughts. You can listen to me at www.blogtalk.com/search/ronnie-walter. You might want to grab a beverage or a snack as it's about 30 minutes---which is about as long as I can go without either of those things. Let me know what you think!

Let's start from the beginning...

When I was a little girl, all I wanted to do was draw. My dream was to have a sketchbook all to myself and paper to draw on that didn't have a letter from an insurance company on the other side of it, or the envelop it came in. I also hated drawing on notebook paper as I knew "real artists" didn't use that kind. But I drew anyway. All the time. I wish I still had my notebooks from jr. high through college as I suspect there were some pretty good ideas doodled in those margins. That's the only time I liked drawing on blue-lined paper and it sure beat listening in class. From the time I was a kid, I loved illustrators like Joan Walsh Anglund, Robert McCloskey and Lois Lensky. I studied the drawings as much as the stories.

I was educated, but just barely. I went to Catholic grade school so I know a lot about the parts of speech and diagramming sentences but very little about science or math. I went to a vocational high school (in the art program)so I learned to draw really well, but again...science and math eluded me. The academic program was geared a tad on the low side so I got straight A's but I couldn't tell a marsupial from a metatarsal. I managed to graduate from college, with 2 years at the Columbus College of Art and Design (where I really learned to draw)and 2 or so years at a state university in Minnesota. Funny, science and math eluded me again. Thankfully I come from a smart family with parents who read (a lot) and my 6 sisters and I are all voracious readers. So I guess it all worked out and I can carry on a charming conversation as long as the topics stay away from science and math! But I still love to draw, some things were just meant to be.

Really...I'll be writing soon

I know! I know! I know I should be sharing all the fun, wonderful behind the scenes stuff that I'm working on to bring My Friend Ronnie(tm) to the marketplace, and really I will! Our super fabulous card line debuted at the Atlanta Gift Show with Leanin' Tree Greeting Cards (www.leanintree.com) in January, and the gift line debuted with Westland Giftware as well (www.westlandgiftware.com)! The card line has it's own dedicated spinner with cards, really funny magnets and organizer pads that are unlike any you've seen so far. The gift line includes mugs, figurines and snow globes! Snow Globes! They are so cool! And now, back to the drawing board...