Carolyn Braden's Eskie: He Loves to Model

Here's my amazingly talented and smart American Eskimo, Vegas. He was on a Hallmark card a couple of years ago and hasn't stopped modeling for my camera since. He actually gets excited to work with me. I love my Hipstamatic app. Here's some pics from our recent photo shoot.

Carolyn Braden asks "Patterns Anyone?"

I have a friend that has been doing some of the same things as I have been lately.  She's trying to move onto the next step in her life like I am and I just finished sending her an e-mail.  After typing it, it seemed like a blog entry I needed to post here.  Here's an excerpt from the e-mail.  It's about not giving up hope even though it seems the world keeps telling you to.  

"Just hang in there.  It's so hard to wait for something when it is your life that is the matter.  I feel like it's been an eternity that I've been waiting to move onto a more artistic career.  You are right to keep the hope.  It's so hard sometimes and I get so mad every once in a while that a run on the treadmill is the only thing that gets rid of the anger.  It usually does the trick.  I usually only get mad when I've worked so hard on something for a while and then it doesn't go my way.  It makes me feel a little bit like a failure.  I yell that I will give up and the failure must have meant I was supposed to give up.  Then after the anger from the failure feelings pass, I know I didn't fail.  I just remember that it wasn't the right opportunity and hopefully another chance will come again soon.  The hope returns, and then I move onto my next project. This seems to be the pattern for me.  :)  Do you notice a pattern in anything that you are doing in the process of starting your new life?

I read Kelly Cutrone's book recently (the owner of People's Revolution that was on The Hills and The City).  It was such a great read because she described a lot of the things that I've felt or gone through on my "journey".  She said when she got her first big artistic career, it was like finding her tribe.  The tribe of people that kept her motivated and inspired.  People that are just like her and felt just like her.  That was a "whoa!" moment for me. 

Keep me updated on everything career wise." 

I know there are other people out there that feel like they are failing on a daily basis.  Either they just lost their job, have been out of work for a while and can't find another job, or something else in their life just isn't adding up.  I only hope that they realize that they aren't alone.  There are so many people on their last leg of hope out there and must be encouraged to keep on going.  If you know anyone that needs a little hope in their life, please call them or go visit them.  If you let them know that you've seen them struggle and tell them to keep on going because someone will say "yes" to them soon, it will shine a light upon them and give them just that little bit of encouragement they were seeking but didn't know it.  

I have a sparkling snow globe with these characters in it from Hallmark.  My husband gave it to me.  Encouragement gifts are so wonderful!  Give them to your kids too!

Carolyn Braden says "My Hallmark card is in stores now!"

My Hallmark card is for sale on-line and is now in stores! Go to a
Walgreen's or a Hallmark store, go to the birthday cards section and
look for a card in black and white with a white dog with glasses on
the front. My name and city and state is on the card divider above my
cards. My picture and bio is on the back of the cards. The card is
in the "anyone" category. I saw it in a Walgreen's during a recent
trip to Florida, so I know it's out there nationwide!
Sent from my iPhone

Carolyn Braden: Hallmark Card Store Winner!

I just wanted to post that Hallmark e-mailed me last week and notified me I am now an in-store winner!  My card will not only be sold on-line, but also in stores!  It will be in stores on June 21st, 2010.  I really hoped and prayed my card would make it to stores.  To think, I will be able to go into a Hallmark card store and see my dog Vegas on the front of a card!  He is such a wonderful dog.  :)

Go here to view the card: 

http://www.hallmarkcontests.com/page/WINNERS/sub/Gallery/Contest/BirthdayYourWay

Speaking of animals, I am so sad to report that our beloved Maine Coon mix cat, Phoebe, passed away on March 5, 2010.  She was such a wonderful cat.  She was always the life of the party.  We had to always make sure there was a chair for her to sit on at any party we had because she loved being around everyone and being a part of the party.  The vet believed she had feline leukemia, a blood disease.   Her body was attacking itself and it was such a hard decision to make to put her to sleep.  She became secluded from everyone, lost a ton of weight, and just was suffering.  We couldn't let pain happen to her.  

On the same day Phoebe passed, another little kitten was born.  Our soon to be new kitten, Monica, will be her legacy.  We pick her up very soon and she is adorable.  She is a Maine Coon.  She will make our Phoebe proud.  

Carolyn Braden: Hallmark Card Winner!

Well, another contest entered, another contest won.

I entered the Hallmark birthday card contest last month and my card was a winner!  My dog, Vegas, was the inspiration for my entry.  The outside of the card is the image above.  I took it one day just on a whim.  I love taking photos of my animals.  William Wegman is an inspiration for me doing this.  The inside of the card says "They say the first to go are the eyes.  Happy Birthday."  My husband, Tommy, came up with the words.  Vegas won some cash and his card will go on sale on Hallmark's website in March.  The card will then be up for the chance to be a card made for stores.  

So now, Phoebe, my cat has been on HGTV and Vegas is on a Hallmark card.  It's now Joey and Reno's turn.  I wonder what they can do........

--Carolyn