During the month of July, I worked on a Christmas-themed story and submitted holiday or winter-related projects to several craft/jewelry magazines. It's been a month of snowflakes, greens and reds, and 90° days.
For some reason, this "thinking cold when it's hot" part of working for magazines has always been difficult. It's easier for me to design summery projects or write summer-themed stories in the dead of winter. I think that's because in the winter I want summer to come, but the reverse is not true. I'm not looking forward to shoveling snow or spending ten minutes layering myself with sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, and boots before I take out the trash or get the mail.
There is one benefit to my summer holiday work: I no longer feel that stores place their holiday merchandise out too soon. It's August and I've moved onto Valentine's Day. Where are those conversation hearts when you need them?