BuildASign Archives - Words To Run By

Finally Friday and the Big 1-0-0

Welcome to the weekend – the Long. Holiday. Weekend.

I’m starting this weekend off with a B–A–N–G and a few of my favorite happenings!

Red, White & Boom 2009

It’s the Fourth of July!!! For those of you who don’t know, this is my favorite holiday – I. LOVE. IT. I have a lot of good memories of this holiday. Ever since I was a child I enjoyed watching fireworks, burning sparklers, camping, cooking out and being with the dearest friends and family. I love summertime and it is the perfect summertime holiday. My husband and I went on our first date on the 4th to see the fireworks in 2003 (Wow!? Have we been together that long, for real!?!). And he asked me to marry him under the same fireworks in 2006. We got married on 07/07/07 – I was on a continuous high that week from all of the excitement! I am thankful for the principles and beliefs our country was founded on and the people that have perished throughout history to preserve those beliefs. My wish for today is that we, as a nation and as individuals, do not take for granted what the founding fathers stood for and that we uphold the Constitution and it’s principles in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

Fourth of July 2009

Thank YOU followers! There are 100 of you now! Wow! I remember whining to my husband when I started this blog about who would follow me? He said “give it some time and see what happens.” I’m sure glad I did! I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for joining me on this journey. I am so grateful for the love, support, kindness, encouragement and advice I have found from the online running and blogging community. I think of you guys often and you have a special place in my heart – runners and bloggers are special folks! 😉 And just to say thanks, I am putting together an awesome giveaway, as promised, so stay tuned for details coming soon!!

Um, no holiday is complete without a RACE! I’ll be running in the local Westerville Rotary 5K on the 4th with my sister and a bunch of the Lucky 13’s. I’m not sure if I can handle running and my favorite holiday and fireworks all in one day! It’s going to be awesome so stay tuned for a full race report.

Mom, Me & Dad after the Rotary 5K 2009

Nothing to do once the excitement dies down? Check out these new and upcoming BLOGS from some of my dear friends for running fun, great stories, tips and pictures. Show these ladies some of the blogland love you have already shown me!

Running on Words by [the other] Sarah – I’m a 20-something first-time blogger trying to cope with the uncertainty by running.
The Adventures of the Little Running Bohemian by Judi – I don’t run to win. I run to finish. There’s something quite insane about running 13.1 miles to find the path to my own peace….or just to be able to say that I did something that most don’t.
Running for Two by Mandy- The bottom line – can you run while pregnant? ABSOLUTELY! Different things will be sore after runs then pre-pregnancy though.
Finish Strong by Amy – Finish Strong no matter what running throws at you! I just finished running my first half marathon and will be training for another one in October. I am also training for a sprint triathlon in June.
Manic Murray on the run by Jenn – twin mama. crafter. wife. sister. niece. daughter. runner. protector. land agent. friend. check her out.
One Girl One Dog Running by Wendy – I’m a runner, skier, snowboarder and all-around athlete and lover of life. I recently picked up and moved from Columbus, OH to Salt Lake City, UT to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle.
My Running Journal by LeDawn – New to running, mom of 3 teens. Likes to play racquetball, run, bike, journal in Moleskine & yes even knit. I also love technology & reading via my latest cool gadget – a kindle3!
Runner Moose by Deb – I’m a newbie runner in Columbus OH, training with MIT.
Running My Life by Heather – Run a Marathon Change your life? Catchy little slogan right, but it has proven true for me. This is my little corner of the blog world to share about my training and my life.
Jessica’s Training Blog by Jessica – I’m a journalist and new-found jogger in Central Ohio. Just another running blog? I don’t think so!
My Thoughts on Everything by Keri – Adventures of my kids (because I know you all want to know how awesome they are); the wiener-beagle, because, let’s face it, you never know what she’s gonna do next; and running and the triathlon training because that what keeps me sane.
From Twins to Thin by Sara – No more excuses. No more daydreaming about getting fit. No more thinking I am fit (until the mirror shows me the real truth) – this is a blog about my journey to get back to the old me. Healthy. Thinner. And maybe picking up a new hobby or two along the way (wait, I can run now???).

The lovely Deb, LeDawn, Sarah, Amy & Mandy

Happy Fourth Everyone!!

Until the next mile marker,

Run to Easy Canvas Prints (your heart will follow)!

Once again, I was contacted by the lovely Megan at BuildASign to try out a custom canvas print on their recently launched website Easy Canvas Prints. I was so impressed with my Stickers to Run By (there’s still time to get yours today!) that I jumped at the chance to create a canvas print.

Easy Canvas Prints offers high quality, gallery-ready prints at an affordable price. My head was spinning with ideas – Easy Canvas Prints also offers an extensive idea gallery – a wedding picture, a beach picture from our Honeymoon to St. John, a picture of the pups or a nice family photo. The possibilities are endless. I knew I wanted to keep my canvas running related, but I didn’t have a race photo worthy enough to be blown-up and cast onto fine-art canvas. After all, I would be all sweaty.

I decided to make an Expressions canvas and I must say, Megan helped me a lot with the design. The customer service at BuildASign is unmatched, in my opinion. I knew what I wanted it to say and look like, but needed a little help putting it all together (enter: Megan, she’s good at that). I was hesitant about how words and computer graphics would look on a canvas material (I almost considered going back to a photo), but I am completely amazed at how it turned out. I love it!

It looks so professional and looks like it was actually painted on the canvas. My favorite part of the canvas is the red edging:

The colors are vibrant and eye-catching. It literally looks like something I would purchase from an art store. I have never owned any type of artwork with words or sayings on it, but I can tell you now, I am hooked thanks to Easy Canvas Prints. My canvas even became the focal point of my (redesigned) office:

The canvas is high quality and once again, came pristinely packaged in less than a week after I placed my order. The canvas material Easy Canvas Prints uses is archival quality and has a specifically designed coating for superior color gamut and resolution. Canvases are only intended for indoor use, but even in display of direct window light should still last for decades to come if cared for properly, per their website. If using a photo of your own, Easy Canvas Prints also offers a variety of enhancements including Black and White or Sepia Conversion, Retouching, and Photo Collages. Take a look – these would make awesome, personal, and affordable gifts, especially for something like an anniversary or special occasion!

I love being in my office now and when I look up from my computer screen, I am reminded of my motivation – running is what I enjoy the most:

As you can see, I also added my own motivational/goal board:

It has some special things on it: a picture of me, my mom, and Bart Yasso; my stickers; favorite blog stickers, pictures of me running my first half marathon, and my future business card, among other things. I love it!

I also added a second board for upcoming races, training schedules, coaching questions, and things I need to remember: