Crickets Chirping...

Sorry it's been quiet around here. I have been busy filling orders and with my day job. Also I have sorta drawn a blank with regards to this blog.

I want it to be fun, creative, informative and useful. But I am not really sure how to get that across. Sometimes I think I have a neat post and then when I got to write it I lose focus and it ends up not being what I want. Plus my body had been tired too and sometimes the thought of bloggy seems like a chore. I started blogging when I became preggo with my munchkin almost three years ago. I had never really read blogs or anything but when I started a whole new world was opened to me.

I never had a shortage of energy to blog when it came to blogging about my life. But since munchkin landed and I've been back to work my personal blog has pretty much became random picture updates and such, because its too hard with everything else to get to do that (especially since my fam read it for the pictures and most of them are on my facebook page so they see the pics anyway).

I have seen some people abandon their blogs for facebook fan pages. I can see the appeal of that because its a quicker way of getting your point across. I have been mulling over that but I am not sure if I want to do that. Hmmm....

Mondays Around the Shop

I hope everyone had a nice weekend! My munchkin turned 18 months...so close to two it's crazy. It so funny she watches me working on items for the shop and aside from coordination issues she pretty much understands what each tool does or at least how to use the tools. She loves to mimic mommy.

I managed to add the new patterns to the shop. I still have to update a few items but I like how the new patterns turned out.

can be found here

can be found here

can be found here

As I was working on some other things, I ended making these fun little guys.

can be found here

can be found here

They came together rather quickly and I love how they turned out. I am working on a little something to add to them to make them really pop. Hopefully I will at least have the samples finished by the end of the week so I can update the pics.

HAPPY MONDAY!

FOOD!!!

I blame one of my friends and my mother-in-law #1 for my current cravings.

If you need two yummy, filling and relatively easy recipes to whip up this weekend or really any night try these!

LOCO MOCO


It's an easy dish super popular in Hawaii (learned about it from one of my friends who is from Hawaii)...it's just rice, a ground beef patty (I use ground turkey), fried egg (usually over easy but I do over hard because I don't like runny eggs) and brown gravy. DONE!!!

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN COBB SALAD


A little time consuming as far as cutting up everything (plus I don't use the pre-cooked chicken, instead i just take some chicken breasts, coat with some Fiesta Ranch powder and bake till done), but still really easy and filling. My hubby's mother made Cobb salad as part of his birthday dinner. I hadn't had it in a long time and it just makes me want to make this weekend!

HAPPY FRIDAY

With Envy Wednesday

*click on image for optimal viewing

Today is my hubby's bday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HON!!! My hubby loves his guns, alcohol, video games and anything pickled. So in honor of him here are some fun items I think my hubs would love!

a) Packman Cufflinks by dedalo
b) Shot Glass by ofminedesign (combines two of his favs!)
c) Homemade Garlic Dill Halves by Thymesquare
d) Pro Gun Liberty T-shirt by Prime9tees (ordered for my hubs..can't wait to get it!)

In addition to the gun t-shirt I also got him this...

International Spice Blends Kit by cookoutsidethebox

He is a very good cook and finds random recipes to make...he cooks more now so I thought it would be fun to have some different spice blends.

ENJOY!!!

Express Your Self!

I have been on the fence about some of the pattern choices for my stationery. I came up with some new patterns. I am at the point where I am having consistent sales so I haven't "retired" anything. I hope that the right customer will come along and buy whatever has been sitting around in my shop. So I have a hard time figuring out whether to switch out the patterns I'm on the fence about or just add the news that I came up with. This is where you guys (the 2 people that read this blog) come in. I need to know whether I should just add the new patterns to my options, or replace some options.

Please express your opinion by voting on to your right. Thank you!!!

Coming Soon...

Working on a new item(s) for the shop this week. It's taking longer than I thought but I'm planning to add it to the shop by the end of the week.

Here's part of my inspiration for the photos.




Also check back tomorrow. I need your opinion/help with refreshing the shop (maybe one day I will be satisfied)

HAPPY SUNDAY!!

Credits:
Photo #1
Photo #2
Photo #3

Check Out This Giveaway!

Want to win a super cute tank or tee from Modern Frills? Enter to win over at TomKat Studio blog...giveaway ends April 21st.

If I won I would get this tank I think...


Hey I have to reward my "little helper" for being so much fun!

*she normally isn't allowed by the paper cutter..which she is fascinated by.

With Envy Wednesday

I am switching it up this week. I have been trying to get Mother's day gifts in order (1 mom and 2 mother-in-laws). Which got me to thinking about what I want for Mother's day. I either have one specific thing I want or I have no idea what I want for most gift-giving holidays. I also tend to me a person who doesn't necessarily want a tangible gift but more like a service. This Mother's day I told my hubby that I wanted our office cleared out and then organized with my stationery items. That way I will have a real studio to work in. But I also told him if he didn't want to do that (our office is the place where every random piece of paper, craft, and item goes to die) he could get me anything from one of these places. We'll see come Mother's day what I get :)





AtelierBB pottery I love the vibrant colors and lacy texture. I already showed them to my hubby while batting my eyelashes and pouting :)






Kinies handbags. These purses are so much fun...love the big bows and the ruffles!











Esoterica Bazaar jewelry. I am in love with the items and the photos!






Out of Line clothing. I really love the simplicity of the clothing and they look so comfy! They would fit nicely into my wardrobe.

In Honor Of...

GRASS!!!

Yes that's right, I am honoring the yummy goodness that rests beneath our feet!

Why am I so head over heels for grass, you might wonder? Well, grass with the help of the sun (first runner up) have allowed me to accomplish what I had originally wanted for my shop photos.

When I first started I wanted to put my items on some kind of background the incorporated green...because of my shop name and fav color! Well my attempts just didn't seem to work and took away from the item. So I gave up and went with the wood background which i really like. I didn't want plain white, I wanted something with some texture and depth but wouldn't draw attention away from the item.

As much as I love the wood, I struggle with lighting and sometimes it just doesn't make the work POP!

About a month or so ago I was photographing invitations and decided to go outside for a few shots and I loved the way they turned out. But it was still technically winter and nice days were few and far between so I continued with my wood background.

I was reading this article on Oh My! Handmade Goodness. And it got me to thinking about lighting and taking better pictures to more accurately reflect the colors of my work. I know natural light is best but the set up and getting nice sunny days (or just days without clouds and rain in Oregon) was tough.

This weekend I started the process of updating my photos. I decided to do a couple outside just to switch it up. I originally only picked the items that related to the outdoors...like my Garden Friends notecards. I was totally smitten by the outcome and decided I would try to do at least one of each product outside.

As I was uploading photos last night I realized that the grass and sun accomplished all I wanted in a background...Texture, depth, and it doesn't take away from the item. It really does do a great job of showcasing my items. Now I just have to take advantage of the sunny days to get all my shots done.

Grass I could kiss you....but I won't :)

Say Hello To My Little Friends...

I have been busy this weekend with the beauties below...I'm really excited about spring and summer. My munchkin loves animals and has no fear (I think she thinks all animals are like our very passive cat). I can't wait to take her to the zoo now that she is a bit older (we went when she was a baby but she was more interested in the other kids).

I love how these notecards turned out and I hope everyone else loves them too :) As you can see I added a few new friends to my illustration choices. They helped complete my "Friends" collection. I think they turned out super cute!


"Garden Friends" set can be found here.

"Water Friends" set can be found here.

"Jungle Friends" set can be found here.

"Farm Friends" set can be found here.

ENJOY YOUR YOUR DAY!!!

Changes Coming...

I have not been blogging or tweeting or facebooking much lately. I really want to full participate with these social media sites. It's fun to meet new people and to my shop out there but trying to juggle it all is difficult.

I am going to sit down this weekend and figure out a way to get accomplished but not overwhelm myself to the point where it's not fun anymore.

So stay tuned for the changes...oh and some new items in the shop...I have been a busy bee (stayed up WAY to late at night working on items)

With Envy Wednesday

*click on picture for optimal viewing

Easter just came and went and spring is trying to stick around. So whats on my mind with all of this...PASTELS!!! I love that pastels can be calming but also lots of fun. Here are some fun and creative items from fellow Etsians..ENJOY!

a) Sparkling Ice Pearl baubble beaded braclet by JunqueJules
b) Baby Booties by Monarchdancer (etsy project embrace...100 % of this sale will be donated to the American Cancer Society in support of fellow etsian)
c) Ripple Bowl in Flowing Blue by StudioElan
d) LOVE BIRDS V006 by onceuponapaper
e) 12 Millalove Paper Flower Cupcake Toppers by millalove
f) Goat's Milk Soap-Black Raspberry and Vanilla Scented by KcSoapsNmore

Happy Easter!

Sign, Sealed, Delivered...

Since I opened my shop I have changed up my packaging a lot...basically every order that went out had a different packaging because I wasn't really sure what I wanted. Pretty much every thing in my shop goes into a cello bag. The problem I had was the labeling of the products. I just wasn't satisfied ever.

Then came this article on one of my favorite blogs Oh My! Handmade Goodness. It was totally inspiring. I thought about the suggests from other shop owners and I finally came up with a way to package my items that I feel is simple but cute and reflects me.

Each item is packaged in some type of cello bag with a simple adhesive label indicating what the product is. Then the items are wrapped in yummy green tissue paper and tied with a green ribbon. I placed a tag with my shop info on it which is attached to the green ribbon. I also tuck a nice handwritten note on top of the package (and I slip the packing slip underneath the note).

I am so please with how it looks and I hope my customers enjoy it too.

Being Happy With Reality...

I will admit it, I'm a dreamer. Most days when I pass the Powerball billboard on my way to work I find myself daydreaming about how I would spend my winnings. Even though I know the reality that the likelihood of winning is slim to none (especially if you rarely play) there is still a little part of me that thinks I could really win one day.

When I was in the planning stages of my shop I envisioned that it would be an instant success and I would be overwhelmed with orders and then I could quit my day job. When I finally got my shop up and running I had no doubt everyone would be flocking to put in orders because I loved my products so everyone else would too, of course.

I opened my shop right before Thanksgiving. I offered free shipping for Black Friday through Cyber Monday and I thought I would just sit back and watch the orders pour in. Well I didn't get any sales during that period of time. That was my first reality check.

I have learned so much since starting this shop and I am still learning. I am finally super happy with the look of my shop. I am getting orders here and there and I still get excited each time I see I sold something or some sends me a convo.

I realized last night as I was working on a proof for a customer that even though I would love to have orders pouring in all the time (heck who wouldn't love that kind of success) I am actually really happy with the way things are now. I know the reality is that especially given the economy people aren't spending as much on non-essentials so to get business at all is a good thing. Plus I step back and think I have a very demanding/draining day job plus a high energy toddler at home, so I am not able to put as much time into marketing as I would like. So to be able to still make sales is a plus!

I believe it will only get better and either way I'm enjoying the ride :)