Monday Morning QB 13.11.1

Wow!

My last blog post was 2.13.09...

There is a whole lot to go over and I am certainly not going to be able to do it all in one day– I have work to do. But I do realize how important writing is on so many levels so I am really determined to get back into it. My plan, going forward, is to publish three original posts per week and a repost on Throwback Thursdays. We will do the old Monday Morning QB (obviously) on Mondays and Things We Like/Let's Roll on Fridays with another cool feature on Tuesday or Wednesday. How does that sound?

I need to explain all the changes that have gone on in our life over the last four years but, as I said, it may take some time to go ever all of it.

• I have gone into business for myself- The biggest single thing and reason for me not having time to post is A Skeetz Production, LLC. It has been a tremendous challenge but a gigantic blessing at the same time. I will write about the experience and so many things that I have learned that I want to make others aware of in the near future but as difficult as it can be, it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

• We have Guy- I have never thought it best for my family to publish the names of my boys but I have two of the best young men that seem to grow up so fast every day. I love them more than I could have ever imagined and if I wasn't so old, I would have a half dozen more. I'm sure that I will have a lot to write about those experiences too.

• Facebook- and such... I was just getting into Facebook, LinkedIn and then Twitter when I stopped writing in the Blog. I actually have a draft with a bunch of notes that I had on the new technology from over four years ago. I have lots to say about social media and how it has become such a huge part of our lives.

• Other Stuff- In addition to the big stuff I have a ton of thoughts on other stuff that I can't wait to share! So much stuff that I can't even think of it all but some if it includes:
• House Guests- I have become an expert on this
• Business Networking- I want to do a weekly feature with guest contributors
• Duck Dynasty- and other hillbillies taking over pop culture
• Plus- my usual stuff: sports, music, God, trivia, movies, TV, T-shirts, friends and fun...

I will quickly try to figure out how to incorporate the Blog with all the other social media that I am involved with. I would like to invite you all to follow this Blog by subscribing at the top of the right column and to check out other articles listed by topic further down in that column.

Peace.

Designs We Like 1.02

The December blog exchange features The Copy Editor-- All About Style. To be completely honest, I have never been overly fond of Copy Editors in my professional life. I have always thought that they thought to much of words while, as an artist, I know that the picture was more important.

The same holds true for this cafepress shop but, although the designs offered here are lacking in the graphics department, it more than makes up for it with some of the funniest stuff I have seen on the Internet. The category named headline bloopers features product with real headlines found in national or international newspapers. It may sound simple, but with double entendres such as Police: Crack Found in Man's Buttocks, One-Arm Man Applauds the Kindness of Strangers and Iraqi Head Seeks Arms as well as over a dozen other hilarious clunkers you have to wonder if these headline writers didn't know exactly what they were doing.

This shop is full of other fun stuff in categories like Language at Large, Unsung Heroes, Journos, The Copy Desk and Dept. of Corrections with lots of cool products to choose from including T-shirts, bags, caps and desk accessories, as well as a large selection of value Tees. Overall... a lot of neat designs that you should make it a point to check out as soon as possible.

Now, to get this published, all I have to do is run it past my copy editor. Wish me luck!

This blog is part of a crossover blog. Other Participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

http://beflip.blogspot.com/

Read this. Buy T-shirts. Peace.

Designs We Like 1.03

Uh-ohhh!

I am a little bit behind schedule for the November Designs We Like feature as, I think, we are supposed to publish on the third Wednesday of the month. It's not that I have been slacking that much because I actually started researching my current assignment a couple of weeks ago but the cafepress shop, Be Shirt Happy, has so many nice designs to choose from that I had a hard time narrowing down the one that I would write about.

After much thought and inner-debate, I decided to go with the shop Current Featured Product, the Terrible Thing to Waste T-shirt. Although, instead of a mind being a terrible thing to waste, this cute design plays on the words to remind the public that A Mime is a Terrible Thing to Waste! You just can't go wrong with mime humor... can you? And, believe it or not, there are more than several other mime designs.

A T-shirt or other available item with the imprinted mime designs would make a unique, custom gift for everyone on you list for the upcoming holidays. There is something for the young to the young at heart and gifts for your friends to man's best friend (including yourself). Design categories include Ninjas, Penguins, Careers, Sports and Human Beans as well as Holiday, Maternity, Kids and Adult sections and a Mommy and Me Collection of matching garment for Baby and Mama!

Be sure to visit the Be Shirt Happy for your holiday shopping this year as the Website declares: If you can't find a design you like here, you won't find it anywhere... and who am I to argue?

Buy Shirts. Be Happy. Be Shirt Happy.

This blog is part of a crossover blog. Other Participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

http://beflip.blogspot.com/

Read this. Buy T-shirts. Peace.

Designs We Like 1.02

This month's Designs We Like: Crossover Blog features at ease tees, a cafepress shop infused with a uplifting Christian message.

There is something special about the innocence and openness of a child. As little time as three-years ago I would've had a different attitude about it but, since being so close to M3S while he has been growing up, it seems that every day I'm filled with amazement at something he does.

I was drawn to this month's Designs We Like entry not because of it's superior artistic techniques or a witty saying, but by the simplicity of how a young lady graphically interprets God's word. This "Hearts Belong" design features eight colorful heart-shaped balloons floating along above the text, "Let your hearts belong to Jesus"-- a reminder that, as Christians, we should reflect Christ in our hearts and live our lives in accordance with the truth of the scriptures. When we are saved, we belong to Christ, and are His.

Though it is obvious that the artwork was done by a child, it is a very talented child with a design sense way beyond her years, making this a great design that is appropriate for individuals of any age. The design is available for imprint on a variety of Men's, Women's and Children's apparel and gift items including T-shirts, outerwear, caps, buttons, bags, mugs and even a little teddy bear. In addition, there is a fine selection of printed materials like greeting cards, calendars and posters that would make for a unique, custom gift for loved ones.

There are also other designs from the same artist in this collection called "Boog's Corner" at the family-friendly cafepress shop, at ease tees, where the father of the talented nine-year old has a large selection of Christian inspired designs ready to be imprinted on over 100 items. With shop sections such as Joyful Noise, Arrows, Vision, Truth and Gospel Magic, you are sure to find something for everyone on your gift list.

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:
http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/ http://www.blogbydonna.com/
http://mindinfestation.blogspot.com http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com http://shagtees.blogspot.com http://www.nanwrightart.com
http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/ http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/
http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/ http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

Let's Roll! 1.04

In case anyone cares (Cox and Steepo) I am writing Friday's post late Thursday night so I can attend to the very important task of having the bowling team shirts embroidered at lunch tomorrow. Its doesn't really matter because I have a hard time falling asleep on the nights that I bowl in the league. It must be all of the pent up stress to do well for my team. The way things are going, I'm surprised I'm still a member. That's why I haven't gotten the shirts done yet-- once I hand them over they will be able to cut me.

I'm getting pretty good at this blog thing. This week, alone, I have figured out how to add hyperlinks to the stories and how to schedule drafts to be posted at a later time. This allows me to write when I have time and publish on a regular basis. It did take me a little while to figure out, exactly how to do it though, so yesterday's post was missed by most. If you didn't get to read it, make sure you check it out now as it is, by far, my favorite article I have done up to this point.

Top five keywords that resulted in visits to SkeetzTeez or SkeetzTeez Blog:

5. fantasy football

4. schweddy balls

3. land of the lost

2. shopkeeper designs

1. suck for a buck

Top five designs sold at SkeetzTeez

5. Coming Soon Maternity T-shirt

4. Suck It Trebek

3. I'm Cute Kids' T-shirt

2. McCain/Palin (McMaverick/Sarahcuda)

1. Big Brother (Sister) '09

The Big Brother and Big Sister designs took back the top spot this week. I guess as we get closer to the election, people start to lose interest. That's the problem with kids today. Let's Roll:

shopkeeperdesigns.com

A month or so ago, I think I mentioned that I had joined a blog exchange or crossover blog. The concept is pretty simple in that each member does one story per month in their own blog about a design in another shopkeeper's cafepress collection. They finally got it up and running and there is, definitely, a bunch of talented people involved. In fact, I am considering buying a shirt for MLW from the shopkeeper that I was assigned this month and wrote about in the Designs We Like article this week.

As you can see from the Statcounter report, the exchange drove a lot of hits to my sites this week. I thought I would do the group a solid and mention it for a second time this week in this forum. If you can't find what you are looking for in SkeetzTeez, maybe you can find it in one of the other shops. 

But remember: any time you have an idea for a design or want a certain concept drawn up, let me know via the comment section or one of my other portals. I can complete T-shirts just for you or if I create the design and sell it I will give you a portion of the profits.

teeblr.com

Another place to find talented artists and some wicked-cool T-shirts is Teeblr.com. As far as T-shirt ranking Websites go this is, by no means, the biggest but the quality more than makes up for the lack of quantity. I think there is only a few designers submitting shirts, at this time, although, by most similar sites' standards they are "smarter than the average sportswear".

Several SkeetzTeez are ranked as the Top Teeblr shirts, in fact the idea submitted by Maverick has been number one for a few days now. I don't want to stuff the ballot box so I'm not going to mention what designs are mine but, if you have a minute and want to check out some decent tees, visit and vote for your favorites.

squidoo.com/urbanprankster

Urban Prankster is hot. I'm not sure what is driving it but this Squidoo Lens is flying up the ranked charts. UPN is a spin off of the highly popular, and overexposed, New York group, Improv Everywhere. You've probably seen some of the public "scenes" they have orchestrated, accomplished, filmed and submitted to YouTube. Grand Central Station Freeze, New York City Subway Human Mirror, Best Game Ever and Food Court Musical are some of the more successful missions. 

Urban Prankster is coordinating similar networks in cities around the globe and you can participate in your community's next prank. This lens features classified links showing how to join as well as covert tools you can acquire to start you on your new clandestine secret agent journey and underground, undisclosed YouTube videos to give you an idea of what to expect of the undercover, confidential operations in your future. Virtual, invisible ink prevents non-members from compromising concealed information, but the encoded solution can be revealed with a stealth hand and sharp mind.

I'd tell you more, but I'd have to... well... you know. 

rickroll

You've been Rick Rolled. This is too, too weird to explain. If you want to waste another 3:31 of your life read the official wikipedia or urban dictionary definition.

Have a good weekend. I'm going to bed. Buy T-shirts. Peace.

Designs We Like 1.01

I recently joined a blog exchange in which each member writes about another's designs in their blog once a month. I was fortunate enough in the first month to draw, i design tees, a shop with some very nice designs that will easy to write about. I as looked further into the shop, however, I realized that it was not going to be that easy because there are so many designs I liked, I was having a difficult time choosing one to write about!

I eventually decided on the Operation: Save 2nd Base Breast Cancer Awareness design. I chose this one for several reasons but none of them because of anything to do with baseball, or breast cancer-- or even breasts:

First, of which, is it made me laugh. It is a rare occurrence that you are browsing the Internet and you run across something that makes you laugh out loud-- especially something that main intention is to raise awareness for a good cause. This is not always easy to do-- get your message out to people in a fun and entertaining way, but when you find a way to make it happen it is always better than just being fun or just being informative.

Second, it is different. I don't know, but I don't think the artist originally made up the slogan Operation: Save 2nd Base but you can tell it was done with some thought put behind it. Like all of the designs on i design tees the graphics are strong, with a good use of fonts and color. In addition, there are many designs featuring retro-style or grunge-style designs-- both hot in today's market. In particular, the grunge technique used by this artist is one of the best I have seen recently.

Third. and most importantly, I just plain like it. It reminds me of a time when things were simpler, when "second base" was a big deal. You don't hear a lot about second base anymore because they are so common in today's pop culture! You can't go anywhere without breasts (excuse the expression) being in your face! Catching a bit of cleavage from a woman used to send off alarms but with what women are wearing now, there is much more exposed. Boob-job has been accepted into Webster's and it is not uncommon at all to see totally naked women with (very small) vital parts blurred out on TV!

I like this design enough that I am pretty sure that I would wear it on a T-shirt! I think a lot of men would!

Please visit i design tees and check out all of the cool designs including a wide variety of popular themed shirts for men, women and children and the exclusive Deathwish Motorsports extreme T-shirts.

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://mindinfestation.blogspot.com

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://shagtees.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/