New for Military Mommies: Baby's PCS Date

Attention, all personnel! All mothers-to-be should be aware that the newest troop has a PCS date coming up soon. -- At least within the next nine months.

Yes, incredible though it may sound, you aren't going to be pregnant forever. That tiny recruit will have a permanent change of station . And that's a good thing, because your maternity gear just ain't gonna be big enough for the two of you forever, no matter how snug that little soldier may seem now.

Time to make plans, prepare to mobilize the troops. Let everyone know when you're expecting this military maneuver to take place. There's a selection of comfy women's tops and more with the Baby's PCS Date design at AmeriColors.
You can choose the month that corresponds with your due date.

Give the gift of a Keepsake Box

Keepsake boxes -- even more beautiful than before!

Artist at Work's keepsake boxes are beautifully crafted from hardwood, in either in black or mahogany high-gloss lacquer finishes. The inside is fully lined with velvet, the bottom protected with felt.

These 5.5" x 5.5" x 2.25" keepsake boxes can hold jewelry and mementos, or can be enjoyed as art themselves, with a 4.25" x 4.25" ceramic tile in the lid.



Choose from a variety of designs at Artist at Work.
These will make wonderful gifts for anyone on your list.

RAH, RAH, school sports!

Forget the fact that it's 90+ degrees outside, and that the football field turf is a lovely shade of brown. Time to return to school! We are so excited.

In this great land of ours, team sports have always been a popular form of entertainment. Millions of dollars are spent on football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, and other competitive pastimes each year.
Teams with names like Warriors, Tigers, Indians, Lions, Vikings, Dragons, Senators, and various other scary people or animals, meet on a field or court to knock the stuffing out of each other.

But all good things must come to an end.
There is a new trend toward instilling in our youth the idea that good competition is clean, wholesome, and non-violent. Certain war-like names are quickly dropping out of vogue.

One of the first new teams is Daisy Meadows High School's Butterflies.
P.L. is pleased to show her support of this team this year. You, too, can support non-violent contact sports (and other pastimes) by wearing , carrying, or giving away (as gifts) these mementos of these courageous folks.
Makes your heart swell up with pride, doesn't it?

Did they say the horses are coming...?

Where are the horses?
They aren't here yet, but it's only a month until....
the horses are coming to Kentucky Downs!

Lanie and Bree are waiting for the horses, but they are anything but patient, as you might guess.
In the meantime, they're stylin' in Horses Around t-shirts.
Lanie is wearing the Somebody Went Horsing Around kids tee in white. Bree chose the Feeling My Oats kids tee in red.

While you're waiting for September 15th, you might want to check out the limited edition Kentucky Downs Thoroughbred racing gear at Horses Around. These shirts will be disappearing soon.

If you're passing through south-central Kentucky, drop in and see the horses for yourself. There's nothing like it for excitement!

Happy Birthday, America

We aren't just America, of course, but the United States of America. I know we often gripe about our beloved nation, just like kids grumbling, riding together in the car:
Don't push... You're on my half... Mom, she's touching me!

But we are family, and we all matter. And no matter where we roam, this is home, the place that we love. I'm celebrating by rounding up some of the designs that show this patriotic spirit, including this new spin on one of my old favorites.

From everyone at Lorilei's Artist at Work, have a great July 4th!

Harry Potter and the Final Chapter

No, that isn't the name of the upcoming book. A good thing, too, as that sounds so very -- final. Yes, it's the end of an era.
P.L. has been waiting in agony for the publication of book seven. She needs to know how it will end, but she desperately wants it never to be over....

Will the Trio survive? Will Voldemort (oh, stop, Ron!) be vanquished? What about Malfoy -- will his be the next death?
And, of course, there's the matter of Severus Snape.
What a sniveling, sneaky, two-faced, evil sorcerer he is. But Dumbledore trusted him implicitly, so that should be good enough for us....

As we look back on our good times, reading all the books in this series, we have several favorite moments.
One of our favorite bits came from one of the movies, rather than the books, when Ron makes the observation that Hermione "needs to sort out her priorities."
Hermione had just made a statement that was a bit over the top in itself, but Ron's was a classic. After all, how many boys think that girls have a tremendously skewed perspective on life? If they're smart, they eventually realize that girls pretty much have a handle on reality and what matters most.

Then there's a big black dog that we miss greatly -- Snuffles, more commonly known as Sirius Black. We think he's gone, but we're not sure. (And didn't Luna think she heard him, too?)

Everywhere we go, we still expect to see him. And, taking into account the mysterious ways of the magical world, would we be surprised if we saw him again someday?


In the fifth year, we met a teacher we might actually have detested worse than Snape. The so-called "Professor" Dolores Umbridge was a real joke, politics interfering with education at its very worst. She tried to coerce and brainwash students, punishing independent thought and action, forcing the government's agenda on everyone in the school. When Harry rebelled against her propaganda, he was called a liar. The mark he wore on his hand branded him in more ways than one: I must not tell lies. Instead of an admonition, it became his mantra. He must represent truth, fighting the lies and misconceptions.



In book six, the truth about Voldemort became widespread. Amidst the fear and unrest, rumors circulated about Harry. Was Harry the Chosen One, the wizard who would end Voldemort's reign of terror? We know the truth of the prophecy. We despair over the obstacles that must be overcome if Harry is to rid the world of this mass murderer. How will he find the Horcruxes he needs in order to break the dark magic spell? What will be sacrificed -- and who will make those sacrifices? Dumbledore was so very right... "dark and difficult times...."



Throughout it all, we love reading about Harry and his friends, whether they are happy, sad, triumphant, or grumpy. He has become one of our best friends, too. And as long as we have him on our bookshelves, we'll never have to tell him goodbye.


This July, be sure to get a copy of J.K. Rowling's book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Don't miss the excitement of the concluding book. The series may finish, but the adventure will never end.

And don't forget to visit the Cupboard Under the Stairs....

T-Shirts for Every Body

Aha! They're here! T-shirts for everybody. Well, almost every body. We won't get too grandiose with our promises, but we will keep trying.

P.L. wears adult sizes now, but she is still delighted by the colors we've added to our kids' cotton apparel. Sizes range from 6 months to 4T in the infant/toddler shirts, and S-M-L in youth/kid tees (up to the adult sizes).

There are also new Plus sizes for women in black or white, with the choice of a scoop neck or v-neck. They are available in sizes from 16/18 to 32/34, in comfortable 100% ring-spun cotton. (Oooh, cozy.)

There are murmurings of more styles to arrive soon. Listen... can you hear them?...
Keep watching here, then. We'll let you know when new styles, sizes, and colors arrive.

Want to earn 20% of Artist at Work sales through your own website? Click here to sign up, and affiliate our great gifts and apparel.

A wonderful world of COLOR

They're here! First, into the masses of white tees at Artist at Work came black tees, followed by more dark colors -- and now an even greater variety of colors!



Women's t-shirts come in a fitted (but not snug) style, with round necklines, in the following colors:
white
light pink
light blue
light yellow
black
red
carribean blue
violet

Additionally, there are three women's v-neck tees in white, heather grey, and black.




As always, we carry a unisex shirt with a crew neck, appropriate for the masculine figure as well. Colors include the following:
white
natural
ash grey
light blue
black
cardinal red
navy blue
military green
charcoal grey
red
brown
royal blue

Additionally, there's a new ringer tee in white with red trim.

Now you can find your favorite designs, printed on tees in a rainbow of colors. But it doesn't end there.
Stay tuned for more sizes, more colors, more styles.

Want to earn 20% of Artist at Work sales through your own website? Click here to sign up, and affiliate our great gifts and apparel.

My monster is bigger than your monster

Phillip is still in the dog house for this one.

A few years ago, when he was still in college, Phillip gave his niece P.L. a cute, fluffy, fuzzy toy as a gift. She carried it everywhere. He was like a protector from unidentified sounds in the middle of the night.

She called him her Baby Monster.
Yeah, that's his picture. Go ahead, laugh. Yeah, Baby Monster does look a lot like the dreaded Cthulhu.

But P.L. maintains the innocence of this critter's character. He helped give her comfort when she had trouble going to sleep. No monsters dared to skulk behind furniture, in the shadows of night, when Baby Monster was on the watch.


















Okay, he is kind of -- fluffy. And pink. (P.L. disdainfully ignores this pink quality, no matter how much others may point it out to her.)

Now, thanks to P.L.'s generosity, Baby Monster can protect you from unknown scary stuff.
Got gremlins under your bed? Is that dripping faucet starting to sound like the tapping of menacing little feet? Or even worse -- is that much-dreaded test coming up tomorrow?

Never fear, the baby monster is on your side. So rest assured, whatever monsters are lurking, watching you, they're even more afraid of this guy than you are of them.


Here's the baby monster, dressed in blue,
with a little monster we call Fuzzball.
They're both available, too, with the phrase
"My monster is bigger than your monster."



If you'd like to affiliate Baby Monster at
Artist at Work, click here for details. You can
earn 20% of sales coming through your own website.
(Don't be afraid! It's only money.)

Don't tie me kangaroo down, sport

P.L. doesn't really like everyone to know she has a soft side. She doesn't understand why I feel the need to inform the world, either, but I think someday she'll understand.

One of P.L.'s admitted soft spots is for animals. Not just fluffy kittens and wiggle-nosed bunnies, but animals she's never actually gotten to touch. Koalas, dolphins, penguins, tigers, kangaroos.... ooh, kangaroos. That particular love goes back a long way, even before visits to the zoo, back to the flannel pajamas she used to love to wear as a tot. They came with a kangaroo cap and a pouch/pocket to carry an adorable toy joey.

We recently saw a picture of a road sign that tickled her fancy. It reminded me of our Tank Xing design at AmeriColors. But instead of warning of deer crossing, falling rocks, children crossing, or even tanks crossing, this photo showed a kangaroo crossing sign.
P.L. loved it. She even wants one in her bedroom. I reminded her that it's illegal to swipe road signs, and it's inconvenient to go to Australia to do so. And it won't help the kangaroos, either. She had to concede on that point.

So we decided it was time for a sign. We created our own, along with the words, "I brake for kangaroos."







P.L. now has in requests for even more kangaroo designs. I'm trying it with different colors, but I know that there will be more detailed illustrations of these fascinating marsupials in my near future.

And when it gets to be a little warmer, maybe we'll even go visit some kangaroos and their friends and relations, at Kentucky Down Under.
I haven't been there yet, but I think it'll be a terrific place to draw.

For now, though, maybe P.L. will be happy with this t-shirt.



If you would like to affiliate this design through CafePress.com, and earn 20% of sales, click here to sign up, and link to great gifts and apparel from your website.

Lorilei's Palette: the News from Painters Bluff ~ the newsletter

In This Issue:

1. Valentine's Day Shipping Special
2. New Designs at Artist at Work
3. New Styles and Colors
4. Painters Bluff Blog
5. Coming Soon...

Only a few days remain before Valentine's Day arrives. Whether you love the Big V Day or hate it, you'll find something fun to give or get at Lorilei's Artist at Work. And from now through February 14, there's free basic shipping for most orders $50 or more. Use the coupon code VDAYSHIP when you check out.

Link: http://www.cafepress.com/lorilei/6860

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New Designs at Artist at Work

* Pro-Valentines -
"I Love You With All My Heart"
"How Do I Love You?" (for more mature Valentines)

* Anti-Valentines -
"Out of Order"
"Valentine Blues"

* Animals -
"Would You Please Be Sirius"
"Penguins On Ice!"
"Who's Your Crawdaddy?"

* For Fun -
"The Pickle Conspiracy"
"You're Not the Boss of Me"
"In a Handbasket"
"The Artist at Work Shop"

Link: http://www.cafepress.com/lorilei/2406220

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New Styles and Colors

Recently added products include more dark t-shirts! In addition to the classic black unisex tee, we now offer a ladies-cut black t-shirt, long-sleeved uni-sex tees in navy and black, long-sleeved ladies-cut tees in cocoa brown and black, and short-sleeved uni-sex tees in cardinal red, military green, and navy blue.

A stylish long-sleeved white tee for ladies has also arrived. These classy tees look very nice worn to work or school.
Our fleecy pullover sweatshirts (hooded and crew-neck) are now offered in both ash grey and white, ready to keep you cozy until the days become long and warm.

Link: http://www.cafepress.com/lorilei/2368201

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Painters Bluff Blog

Our intrepid assistant and fashion model P.L. lives in the quaint little village of Painters Bluff. (A view of the town square can be seen in the header at the top of the shop.) You can now read about small town life at Lorilei's new blog, PaintersBluff.com. P.L. has agreed to add her perspective from time to time. This journal joins our other shop-related work, Lorilei's Tees & other artistic endeavors, which chronicles Lorilei's designs of interest, sales specials, and related arty ideas. Remember to bookmark these blogs, or add them to your Google or Yahoo pages with Feedburner.

Link: http://paintersbluff.com

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Coming Soon...

Dark T-Shirts: Red, Royal, Brown, Charcoal
Light T-Shirts: Natural, Light-Blue
Women's Dark T-Shirts: True Red, Teal, Violet
Women's Light T-Shirts: Light Yellow, Light Blue, Light Pink
Women's V-Neck Tshirt: White
Women's Dark V-Neck Tshirts: Black, Heather Grey

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Thanks for reading the newsletter for Artist at Work, the shop for gifts for your Inner Child.

Let's all get Sirius for a moment....

One thing P.L. and I share is a love for J.K. Rowling's novels.

What starts out as a fun kid's story, a kind of magical "Leave It to Beaver Goes to Boarding School," turns into something more. More intricate. More compelling. More heartrending. With each successive year at the fantastical castle, it becomes more apparent that it may not end, "and they lived happily ever after."

The characters become our family. We adore both Ron and Hermione. And Harry is part of us, our soul and our spirit. We see the world through his eyes.

Likewise, we suffer their emotional ups and downs. The last three books have sent P.L. into rounds of ecstactic joy and grief. I will try not to spoil the story plots for anyone who has not read them.



"Rosebud."


Sorry -- I couldn't resist. (See the movie "Citizen Kane" for clarification.)

One of P.L.'s favorite characters is the lovable Sirius Black. The black sheep in a family steeped in Pureblood tradition, Sirius was Harry's father's best friend from childhood. At school, he became a Gryffindor instead of a Slytherin, a fact which disturbed his parents, but delights the reader.

As an adult, Sirius was falsely blamed for horrible crimes he did not commit. Without granting him his right to a trial, a Ministry of Magic official banished him to Azkaban, the wizarding prison. For twelve years, he lived stranded somewhere on a rock in the North Sea, imprisoned in a cell with bars, by the creatures who kept watch, the spectral Dementors.

After an amazing escape, he was finally reunited with his godson, Harry, but was forced to remain in hiding. The only way he could hide was by using his Animagus talents to transform into a huge black dog.

Though Harry's Patronus is a silver stag (his Animagus father's animal alter-ego), our guardian protector is a great black dog with intelligent eyes. Loyal, brave, loving, he will be there for us at all costs.


(Does this big fella deserve a hug, or what?)

If you would like to affiliate Would You Please be Sirius? (or any of our other Valentine and Anti-Valentine designs) through CafePress.com, and earn 20% of sales, click here to sign up, and link to great gifts and apparel.

Valentine's Day Promotion ~ Super Shipping Savings

Buying a Valentine's Day t-shirt for someone you love? Or maybe a snuggly sweatshirt, or a ceramic tiled-adorned wooden keepsake box. With so many nice gifts from which to choose, it's nice to know that there's a shipping special to make it even easier to give gifts from Artist at Work.

From January 14 through February 14, 2007: Free Super Saver Shipping on orders over $50 (before tax and shipping)
Coupon code: VDAYSHIP

Just copy and paste the coupon code when you check out. Don't forget to check our other shops, since this code is valid for purchases in any of them. Hurry! There's only one month until Valentine's Day is here. Have you chosen gifts for your loved one yet?

Valentine Blues

Ah, young love.

You've heard the saying, "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
Regardless of the eternal truth of that sentiment, we know young P.L. thinks it's a lot of hooey.

When you're young, a lot of the wisdom of the world sounds like something that only applies to someone else. That is so wrong!
Sure, the cutest boy in your class has been sitting next to you on the bus, and behind you in history class, all year. He even laughed at your jokes.

But then he asked that spoiled brat Deidre to the school Valentine's dance. And he thinks you should be pleased about it! What does he think you are, one of the guys? -- Oh, that's right. He has pretty much thought that, ever since you rubbed his nose in the dirt after school in the second grade, when he called you a sissy.

But that was so long ago....
Time will pass, and this will, too. But for now, it just really, really... stinks.

Love stinks. It's definitely for the birds.



















If you would like to affiliate Love is for the Birds (or any of our other Valentine and Anti-Valentine designs) through CafePress.com, and earn 20% of sales, click here to sign up, and link to great gifts and apparel.