Ahh the weekend

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This will be me this weekend...well minus the sewing, fancy hairdo, dress and apron (insert bandanna and sweats). But I am very happy to get some much needed cleaning done. I have kind of neglected the house this last couple of weeks.

Hopefully I will have enough energy to work on some blog post for next week too.

Have a GREAT weekend!!

With Envy Wednesday-Honeysuckle

Ok I will admit it, I have never been a pink person (well maybe when I was little, like most girls but I still don't remember really liking pink). I have tended to go as far as purple on the "girly" color spectrum. But pink has always been a negative for me. I have always resented the idea that girls should like pink and wear pink and play with dolls...blah, blah. But slowly over the last couple of years pink has crept it's way into my heart. I'm not sure when it happened...maybe after I had my daughter (it definitely wasn't before b/c i remember people being nervous to get me pink baby clothes...i still laugh about it now).

But I find myself picking out pink outfits for Jossie and even pink jewelry for myself. I even managed to purchase a pink and grey plaid shirt and really wanted to but some pink heels to match. Not sure what's gotten into me.


So then I learn that Pantone has named Honeysuckle as the Color of the Year for 2011(they knew I was starting to like it so they thought they should help further that cause :D)


This week I pulled together some super cute honeysuckle colored items to kick off the first "With Envy Wednesday" of the new year. Take a look, even make a purchase...you won't be disappointed. ENJOY!!

click image for optimal viewing

a)Fuchsia Ruffled Silk Ring by bstudio $16



b)cotton candy little amigurumi bird by sabahnur $15



c)Honeysuckle Pink Blown Glass Wall Art by wolfartglass $150



d) Handmade Storage Basket by bedesisters $25



e) Windswept Honeysuckle Pink Hand Embroidered by Waterrose $78



f) Love Birds - a Valentine gift by lauratrevey $38

PS...I really love doing the "With Envy Wednesday" features because it introduces me to so many new shops to love that I don't think I would otherwise know.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

Feeling Productive

As promised some new things and some new new things (kind of reminds me of when I use to say "like" versus "like like"). Anywho...

I have been wanting to add new illustrations and patterns to the shop this year. In my 2011 Desk Calendar-Patterns I featured two new patterns "Burst" "Zigzag". I finally got around to adding one item each with that pattern. I will slowly be adding those patterns to the options in the shop.

available here

available here

I have to be the right mood to make new illustrations if its not a request by a customer. For some reason I felt artsy this weekend (hmmm maybe after focusing on pee and poop one needs a little creative outlet...) and I whipped up 3 new illustrations and I added these newer ones to actual products. I updated the listings with the new photos which I think turned out really well.

available here

available here

available here

I think my favorite illustration is the Robot...he turned out so darn cute! The dinosaur is a close second.

I felt pretty productive this weekend (I'm counting Monday in my weekend since I was off and everyone was home so it felt like the weekend...or maybe it felt that way because I didn't get out of my pjs all day).

I am trying to bring back "With Envy Wednesday" so hopefully there will be one up on Wednesday...I make no promises :)

Packaging Makes the "Man"

Even though I have spent the whole weekend fairly focused on potty training, I have managed to work on some shop stuff. Hoping to post and list these things later today...so be on the look out for a double post (probably late).

As I have been working on new items I have been thinking about branding and packaging. I have tweeked my packaging a few times since starting Green With Envy Studios and I think I'm finally happy with it. But I plan on offering a little packaging upgrade in the near future that I'm super excited about.

One of my favorite stores Bath and Body Works has also tweeked their packaging and I love every evolution. This is the one product that I truly believe their packaging totally draws me to the product...it's whats inside that keeps me coming back though :) Here are some pics of their packaging evolution.

Not sure if this is their original label or not but its from a few years ago.

Sleeker more fresh!

WAPAM!! Totally eye catching and glamorous (oh and i came up with wapam myself...working on a patent :D )

photo found here

A fancier pic of the new packaging.

I told you I liked them...ok I'm totally obsessed (I also have a bunch in the other bathroom too) :)

On a side note....after two full days of potty training we had a ton of pee in the potty successes versus accidents. The problem is she really doesn't want to actually go to the potty. I don't want to force her and scare her but once she does it she is so happy to flush the toilet, put her undies back on, get her sticker and brag. We're working on her telling me before she actually wets herself...my least favorite part of parenting thus far.

My Treat For You!

Ok I admit it I'm a little obsessed with candy wraps and stickers right now. I never made them until I created my two Christmas printable parties. Ever since then I just can't stop. They are just so darn cute (I think the hubs get sick of me giggling to myself about how cute they are). And even better they are a SUPER easy way to add a special touch to party treats.


So since I can't seem to stop myself I created a cute set of Valentine's Day PRINTABLE mini candy bar wraps...oh did I mention that F-R-E-E!!!


FREE Valentine's Day Mini Candy Bar Wraps by Green With Envy Studios

14 mini candy bar wraps measuring 1.5"x2.5"

My treat to you!! Stay tuned for some new additions to the shop and a cute way I'm making V-day fun for my kiddo.


HAPPY THURSDAY!!

New Comers Welcome!

I still working on being more consistent with my blog. Good thing is I have totally wanted to blog I just haven't had time since I have been filling orders and working on new items. I have a VERY long list of things I need to get done but I'm trying to be patient and do what I can each day. But I thought I would introduce you to a couple of new illustrations I have done. I am still working on a few more but I have had these for a couple of months and I haven't update yet....and still haven't updated my shop listings to include these (I'm working on it).

I made these little construction themed illustrations by request and just think they turned out sooo cute!

I made this little rocket for my Valentine's Day-Illustrations Mini Folded Cards.

I love all my illustrations but I get nervous to create new ones because I'm always worried how they will turn out and I get worried that I won't be able to make them nice enough to fit the look of my other ones. But some how it just comes together.

Are there any illustrations you would like to see?

100 SALES

Today was a wonderful day! I reach 100 SALES!!! YIPPEEE...happy dance time! Perfect way to start off the year.

Thank you to all my WONDERFUL customers who made this possible and to my fam and friends who have supported me as I have gotten this business up and going. Thank you CheyAnne for being my 100th customer, I'm so excited to work with you!!!

I hope everyone has an equally fabulous day!

{NEW KID ON THE BLOCK} Valentine's Day

It's funny I totally hate going into stores around Christmas and see them setting up for Valentine's Day. Yet this year that was me...working on Valentine's day items while still finishing up my Christmas shopping :)

To say I am happy with these items is an understatement. I really love how they look photographed too.

I decided to incorporate more than just the usual pinks and reds. I wanted something more gender neutral (although its still pretty girly but if you used more green or blue accessories/decor it will make it more neutral).

Seriously how cute are the mini candy bar wraps and Hershey kiss stickers. These are my favorite part of the collection...I think I'm actually a little obsession with them :) They just make me smile.

The 2" Party circles are so versatile. They can be used as cupcake toppers, napkin rings, favor tags, drink tags, and decor like above (my daughter thought I was hanging ornaments).

Speaking of my daughter...she loves to "help" me when I'm photographing items for the shop. This time I thought it would be neat to try and photograph her with some of the items. Wow was it difficult but she cracked me up the whole time. She really didn't cooperate at all...I did manage to use one of the photos though....

I managed to also photograph and list my Mini Folded Valentine's Day Cards (loving these!!)

Currently my Valentine's Day Printable Party Set is 50% OFF!!! Get them while they're HOT!!

Welcome 2011

Happy New Year!!! I can’t believe 2010 is over already, I feel like it went by crazy fast. Last year was a rough year for me personally but I feel like it’s slowly looking up. So I’m excited for what 2011 has in store…I think it can only get better.

2010 was the first full year of running Green With Envy Studios and boy did I learn a lot and I still have a ton to learn.

I do make resolutions and it’s hit or miss whether I stick with them but I decided to make some goals for my shop for 2011.

1) Get Organized. Mainly I need to do a better job of tracking expenses and sales. I have all the info from all my sales organized in a filing cabinet but I haven’t consistently plugged the info into any type of spreadsheet. My goal is to get a more accurate picture of how much I earn from this business and where I can spend or need to cut cost.

2) Develop a marketing plan. I struggle with this one every day. I know this is the biggest reason why I don’t have the exposure I want. I have a very hard time putting myself and this business out there. Mainly due to fear of not being received well, but I know I need to get over it and just do it. I have already started gathering information on ways to better market my business so I hope I will really make some strides in this area in 2011.

3) To expand my product line to include some non-paper goods. I already have some products in mind and can’t wait until they are a reality. Also would love to hear what you guys would like to see in the shop!

4) Make better use of social media. Not so much as a market tool but simply I would like to get to know the people that like my products and I want them to know me.

5) One of my biggest goals is to make Green With Envy Studios in a business that is making a consistent income that my family can rely on. So hopefully with all the work I will be putting into it this year that will be the end result.

Now I have more short term, specific goals for myself but in general these are the big themes. I also sat down and did a list of personal goals too. I think it really helps to have things written down and tangible. Not just because I forget really easily but because it helps me stay focused and driven.

What are some things you guys would like to accomplish this year for yourselves or your businesses?

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