Holiday Shopping and You!

I'm going to say something that isn't too much of a surprise here. The holidays are riding roughshod already, and there's nowhere to hide. And since that's the case, you'll fare better if you have gifts waiting for them when they come for you. I make this sound a little scary for a reason. Fear has a way of lighting a fire under... well... you know.

I don't have anything clever to say (do i ever?), nor exciting to announce. I'm just here, adding my two cents to the blog-o-sphere. And what i want to say is that, although i have nothing mind-boggling to share, i have been working steadily, daily, on creating and adding new, unique designs. Some ribald, others uproariously funny, still others thought-provoking. And i do it just for you, my faithful audience.

Here is where i need to announce once more that i also offer digital photo restoration and repair for a wonderful price. Old photos, or newer, damaged, dog-eared, cracked, split, scraped, faded, etc. can be professionally restored. You need more information? Please go to my (very basic) website. It gives you, i think, most of the information you might need. It includes samples, some background information, and some interesting ideas, too. Don't be afraid to try it, at least.

My holiday blog wouldn't be complete without wishing all of you and yours a very, very meaningful and enjoyable season. I know that's not possible for everyone, and i wish them the best that the season can offer. The holidays will come and go faster than anyone can imagine, and soon we will be looking 2011 straight in the eye. The good thing is that, even if the holidays will be gone, my designs and the products they are printed on will always be good gifts, and fun ideas for the entire year. In the meantime, please stay safe. And buy my stuff!

Bill

Warming Up to Summer!

I stick my head into the designing mode, and the next thing i know, it's the middle of June and the birds outside are laughing at the old man at the window (that's me.) What happened to Spring? A lot of rain and wind and even some late snow, but it came and went so fast! I know i'll be saying the same kind of thing this Autumn, but i'll worry about that then.

First, there's not a lot of changes here at Bakktalk, which i suppose has its good & bad points. Just more and more designing as usual. Hopefully, they are improving as we attempt to

improve ourselves. We are, though, creating a new website that'll blow your sox off once it's done. And i have no idea when that's going to happen, since i'm not the one working that item.

One thing that i do want to direct your attention to is a little promotional video that i produced and posted on YouTube. It's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cAI0Wx7t_8,

more commonly known as "Bakktalk on YouTube". It's short and sweet; just the way i like them. I hope you take a minute to watch it. It's had very few views since we put it up; surprising when you consider that it's only one of about a billion other vids there *sigh* If you have any suggestions or comments, please pass them on. We always appreciate your input.

I personally very much hate the hot and humid weather, but Summer comes either way. I do enjoy that which comes with Summer; baseball, picnics, cool breezes, the song of the tree frogs at night, water battles, etc. I hope that you enjoy the pleasures that Summer brings to you and that you focus your attention on the here and now. And enjoy it as much as you can. Time goes too forward fast (PA Dutch) for one to ignore the present.

Until the next time, here's hoping that you all stay safe!

Bill

Not Just Another Pretty Face...

Bakktalk Online Gifts is growing steadily with more designs being added weekly. If i were you, (imagine that...) i'd stop in on a fairly regular basis. I've just begun a "Lobbyist" design series . A lobbyist is a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest, like the oil or tobacco or corn industry. My series presents a humorous twist on the subject of lobbyists. For instance, would you like to be an Ice Cream Lobbyist, or how about a Meatloaf Lobbyist, or a Lima Bean Lobbyist. Ok... Some ideas are better than others, but you get the idea. And, speaking of ideas, e-mail me with an idea for a lobbyist design. Feel free to e-mail me at bladimz@dejazzd.com with your suggestions; if your design is used in the series, you will receive a design of your choice.

So, one of the other things i wanted to pass on to you, dear reader, is that i am announcing my new Photo Restoration Website, complete with many samples, pricing, and other pertinent information. And since you asked, the link to that site is:

http://sites.google.com/site/mypicphix/

It's certainly not the prettiest site (i'm not a web designer...) but i hope it makes my point. And the point is that my image restoration services are always available. Just e-mail me at the above address with any questions you may have. I'm here 24/7!

Please have a very safe and memorable Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. It can be a very intense time for some, a very sad time for others and an extremely demanding time for others still. Treat each other with a little extra compassion and understanding at this time of year. It may well be the best gift that person receives this season.

Later!

Bakktalk Photo & Document Repair Services...

There... I've even designed a promotional flyer for this service. This means I'm serious about the whole thing. There are so many cherished photos (and documents) that have suffered the effects that age and conditions can inflict: discoloration, stains from the kitchen table, spills, cracks and tears, tragic fading from over-exposure to light. The list goes on. And this goes for those old documents, also. Great grandparents' birth certificates, marriage licenses, old newspaper articles, family letters, etc.

All of the above can be digitally restored, sometimes to a condition better even than the original originally was, if you follow that. And it's affordable and reasonably priced, when one considers that the battered and weary original is usually the only one left. It's loss would be a tragic one.

I've been restoring photos and documents for the last ten years at this point. It's challenging and creative. The customer's satisfaction gives me a great deal of the same; I have had many repeat clients. Now that my skills have grown, it is time for me to offer my services to a broader market.

If you do have any photos or documents in need of restoration of any kind, contact me at bladimz@dejazzd.com. I would be happy to discuss your project with you, give you a free quote and approximate time frame. It won't hurt to ask, but it might hurt not to.

In addition, consider that once your old photo has been revived, you can not only get multiple prints, plus the option to purchase the digital retouch on disk for your future use. You can also have that image placed on any of the available products here at CafePress. Consider the potential for special birthday, holiday and anniversary gifts, just for starters. Use your imagination; you'll be surprised at all the possibilities!

Bill