mavora art and design

guess what....

...this week I registered for The Portland Marathon!! I'm a bit nervous, but I have a feeling I can do it! And it's nice to feel you can do big things. Really nice.

new baby store!

This weekend on my "free time" I'm starting up www.mavoracards.etsy.com again. It is officially my new baby store! I know all these beautiful brides now that are in new territory - baby territory! I've been getting so many requests that I figured I should just get in all the way. And besides, I LOVE making new baby stationery! So I only have a few things up right now but I expect to open for reals on Valentine's day! If anyone has special requests go ahead and throw them my way! I'm designing NOW.

Check it out - "Spot the Bird" is already in a treasury by Lingeriecorner! 

And look how big my baby bird is getting!! I really do love little people!

project 365 - dec 29

Tim and I are still doing project 365. This is my picture for Dec 29th. An unexpected present from my Dad. I'm sorry I just made you jealous!

I'm pinteresting!

Check me out! I'm Pinteresting! I've already got some great home ideas and cooking ideas. Feel free to follow me, if you can find me. I guess I'm Abby Morton when it comes to Pinterest. And all you sellers out there be sure to be taking GREAT pictures for us Pinterest fans!

Happy DECEMBER!

ViVOchic

I had an interview last week with ViVO Chic. You can read it here. And check out her great candles, small business advice, and beautiful tips and products from earth friendly artists! So many women are blazing a path in the arts. Support them! Buy Etsy this Christmas! 

vote abby

Hey clients who love me - vote for me on our fall challenge over at the Etsy Wedding Team Blog! It's also a great resource for creative products and ideas.

Go now!

Thanks!!!

the recipe killer

Okay I just picked up more work at my church and added a new blog to my life. I may be really busy the rest of this month sorting this out but at least I'm trying new things right?!? My schedule is also almost booked up right now for wedding clients so grab the spots while you can! 

In your web browsing time this week jump over to The Recipe Killer and say hi!

Pin It

365 pictures

Three days ago I decided I wanted to do the "picture every day for a year" thing - better known as Project 365 I suppose. This frog hand sanitizer gave me the inspiration. I know, I'm weird, it's like I'm a mom or something.... the thing is there are many moments in my life as my kids are growing and my business is rolling that I want to remember; random things, everyday things. This is not a project I'm putting online, everyday I plan to take a picture and print a 4x6 for an album I'll keep. My husband has decided to join me too! I'll send you a sneak peek every so often. Wish me luck!!!

here it is...

...even shorter hair!

an interview

 My interview with the Etsy Wedding Team has posted on their fabulous blog! Here's a piece of it:

 

This weeks interview features Abby from Mavora. Abby is located in Reno, Nevada.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a mom for 2 and I’m taking on paying the bills with my creative talents while my husband goes for his Pharmacy Degree. I design wedding invitations and I also work for my church in the communications and design realm. I LOVE volleyball and play indoors or outdoors any chance I get. In fact I currently have a finger with a torn ligament for that very reason. My faith in God is very important to me and I live day by day in His good grace. He has taught me that it is really all about love.

What special things do you create for weddings?
I make invitations, save the dates, wedding day stationery, and magnets.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
I originally started in photography but experimenting with photoshop and looking at items on Etsy I fell in love with invitations and weddings are just the best! I’m a Romantic.

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Almost all of my designs started as a photograph of a place I’ve loved. Everything is completely original and special because of it!

Read more here....

 

sport-tastic weekend

Friday night was a 5k trail run in the dark and Sunday was a volleyball tourney in Tahoe. Now THAT was a sport-tastic weekend!

 

If you're bored you can read this except from my personal blog:

"Last night was my first trail run, yes, last night. I'd classify it as a mild trail run except that we did half of it in the dark and in painfully hard rain - these were quarter size drops that I swear started a mile up and gained speed the entire way down until slamming into me. Once in my exhausted, jumbled brain, I thought - what is making all that noise? It was the rain hitting my bib number, making the sound of hail on a tin roof! It wasn't rain that you'd willfully stand in that's for sure."

"Near the end there was a very curvy paved section but the rain had soaked the path too much to run it with my slippery toe shoes so I took the thick grass next to it with the squirrel holes and a tree branch clean swept my sunglasses off the top of my head in the sprint. I slowed slightly for two steps and then thought....nah I'm not wasting 30 seconds on this issue, I have enough to worry about here. And why was I wearing sunglasses for a night run? Because the wind gusts before we started were throwing LARGE amounts of painful dirt in our eyes! That was right before lightning hit the hill above us and started it on fire."

"I finished a little ahead of my comrades, 32:01 and 11th in my age group out of 61 runners. For the training I put in and the course conditions I'm very happy with that time."

13.1

I did it! I ran my second half marathon yesterday and it went really well! My friend and I conquered it in 2:35 and that's what we trained for. Now on to the next run?? I don't love running but it's been good for my mind and body so you might be hearing of another race soon. But today I think I'll take a rest.