Please don't make me twitch.

Ok - I'm new at the blog thing, we know that... I think it is rather obvious.

But, what I am not new to is creating graphics for the web. I've been doing that since 1995. And for you younguns out there, yes, the web has been around that long.

I've got a favor for you out there in blog land... PLEASE don't upload graphics to your blog that are HUGE. They take forever to display, choke my connection and make it very difficult to visit ya'll on my lunch hour.

Especially for your core blog graphics like your background, header, buttons and such. If any of them are over 100k - you need to change your file type, your resolution, your optimization... something... anything to get that sucker below 100k. I ran into a graphic the other day that was 800k. On a slowish cable connection that is going to take almost a full minute to display, even a best case with a fast connection I'm still waiting 10 seconds or more.

I like to use bigger pictures for my projects to people can click on them and see them in more detail and I appreciate it when others do the same... but even those shouldn't go over 300k.

So please... don't make me twitch, and if you need help optimizing your graphics let me know.

Hobby Lobby Envy - Part 2

My Hobby Lobby Envy has reached new heights.

It was bad enough when I just had to read on various blogs about the wonders of Hobby Lobby. Over Thanksgiving I got a chance to visit one, in Syracuse NY of all places... can someone PLEASE tell me why Syracuse NY has a Hobby Lobby and Northern Virginia does not???

Look... look at this place!!!

 

Look at all this paper. Seriously, if you combine all the craft paper in Northern Virginia it wouldn't amount to this selection.

They've got everything, paper, fabric, home decor, frames, furniture, you name it... they've got it.

Just not in Northern Virginia.

We interrupt this blog...

To bring you my trade show.

Ok, so it isn't MY trade show. It is the trade show for the association that I work for. And it is just about a week away, which means I have NO time.

I leave in 4 days, and will be gone for 8.

Hopefully to return fresh, energized and ready to tackle the my new kitchen table, the kitchen benches, the bathroom mirror, the bathroom floor, the bathroom cabinets and all kinds of other things.

I do have a few photos of some projects that I've done recently, an adorable sign for our bedroom and some Halloween projects. We'll see if I can get to those before I leave.

Hobby Lobby Envy

I've got major Hobby Lobby envy... For some reason it seems like every other creative blog I visit is singing the praises, bragging and rubbing in my face that they get to go to Hobby Lobby.

Ok, so maybe they are just mentioning Hobby Lobby and not so much "rubbing it in my face."

Maybe.

I like my local craft stores well enough, we've got AC Moore, Micheal and JoAnns, plus G Street Fabrics for when I don't feel like sticking to a budget. It just seems like all the stuff I see people post from Hobby Lobby is so much cuter. Plus they seems to have it all, crafts, home accents, fabric, paper crafting stuff and a whole lot more, all in one place. (I could watch their virtual tour all day http://www.hobbylobby.com/stores/tour.cfm)

I'm jealous. Maybe even bitter.

Yeah, I'm bitter.

The nearest Hobby Lobby is 4 hours and 18 minutes away. That would be one hell of a road trip.

On a side note, my husband and our budget are very happy that we do NOT have a Hobby Lobby nearby.