Cowboy Up!

I have a new set of cards that I made out of Cosmo Cricket paper. I am very excited about them, because I love how they turned out! The big question is... whether I should sell them as a set or if they would do better individually. Something to ponder! The first one that I am showing you all is my personal favorite. Enjoy! And stay tuned for more of the same look!

My daughter got a new dress...

...and my other daughter, a new shirt. And I only bought one thing!! Check out Amybugsoriginalstyle at Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5409906) and see what I am talking about! I bought the ice cream sundae dress for my youngest, and my older daughter is going to wear it as a shirt. I love Amy's designs, they are colorful and, like her store name states, original! Most likely, no other little girl will have the same look as my daughters!

Amy also sent the cutest bow to match the outfit! I noticed that she has the same one available in her shop.

28...Spring Card

Not enough time to post today due to laundry, baking cookies and cleaning this house! Hope you enjoy my creation for today!

Day 27

So I made these cute invitations! I think they are adorable anyway, just not sure if they are sellable?! These invites are the same size as the other cards that I make- 5.5" x 4"

No sales so far today! It will probably follow the normal trend that I seem to have going...2 week breaks between sales. It's just that every time I have a sale I think- maybe this time the ball will continue to roll in a some what steady motion! I have to remember that I do not sell a product that people need and use everyday.

Have a great day!

I am on cloud nine today!

And yes, it has a lot to do with the fact that I sold 8 (no that is not a typo!!) of my cards last night! Yay! That is such a good feeling! And then, of course, I gave myself a bonus- bought some earrings from bibelots last night too! Aren't they pretty?And the reason that I am excited is that I bought a Wii today. It has been a run around deal for me since November 15 of last year. I thought I would buy one for my kids for Christmas, but by that time already there has been a major shortage. I have been told a lot of different things by the Walmart employees, and have done a lot of calling to various places of business to see if they had any in yet. Needless to say, my kids didn't get anything for Christmas, except for the second remote to a Wii! (A bit like getting batteries with no toy to put them in! ;) I even had my friends on the look out for me! So today is a good day for my kids also!

And then on to yet another subject! I have family members that are vacationing in a nice warm place this week, so I made them a cute card that they will get when they get home. Isn't it fun?! I just love how it turned out! Look at my Flickr site to see the inside of the card. Day 26! ;)

Oh I'm getting so close!!

Day 25! I can hardly believe that I have been doing this for so long! Here is the card for today-

I have rediscovered this paper pack that I have had for quite awhile now. I am having so much fun with it, so there will be many more cards coming in the next couple of days with it!

So what do you think? Should there be words on the front? If so, what do you think this card should say? Help!!

Finally!! ;) Day 21, 22, & 23...and for good measure, 24!

Yup, I finally took some pictures!! I am working on an Anniversary series of cards. So, that's what a few of them are, and then there is the birthday card, of course. (I really should start doing Mother's Day cards...soon!) Please- Let me know what you think of these! If not here, then on Flickr! I'd love the feedback!When I made this one, I thought of Ricracsally- I think they would love this card!

Again, I realize the importance of Etsy Friends

I decided to cheer myself up I would talk in the coffee time thread this morning. Wow! That helped so much! Seriously! There are so many super nice people on Etsy, and they were there to give me encouragement this morning. Thanks so much!!

I am sharing with you the Treasury that I made this morning. I think it also helped cheer me- the bright colors and fun items!! Check it out! Leave a comment and do some clickety clicking!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=30165

Here is a list of those talented people who are included in this treasury:

clearpink- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5587991

acrudele- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5238259

bode22- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5454933

monaslampwork- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5237207

mustkeepknitting- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5413600

everyjotandtittle- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5015388

lil922- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5065427

floradorainc- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5338941

jayteedoubleyou- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5041498

afterfivejewelry- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5605792

amybugsoriginalstyle- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5409906

mudandmint- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5207158

Is this the time to throw in the towel?

I admit, I have been up and down, back and forth with my shop twiddlestix. I love the name of it, I love the cards that I have for sale, I love the Etsy community. There is nothing quite like making a sale.

Then there are the days that nothing sells, the views are so low it hardly makes a change. The time and effort that I have put in so far is bordering on awful. The hours that I have spent! Just sitting here!

I have been, and will continue to be, committed to the design a day. Every day I make something new, take photos, post here and on Flickr. Most have been cards, some are orders. But here sits my shop full of cards that no one wants.

That is the reason for my question. Am I getting no joy our of the wonderful craft that I usually have so much fun making?

I have been taking a break from my shop and forums. I thought possibly that way I would make a few sales. Or maybe I should get back on there and talk to my friends...see what happens.

Another day...

Ah, I am tired today! I am coming down with a cold, however, I am glad it's just a cold. There is influenza going around here at the moment. It could be worse! I also had to do some work at my kids' school today so that tires me out.

I am showing you the 2 newest photos of the things that I made. The tin is an order for my sister. I was thinking of giving this one for her birthday, but she chose a different one that I made. (pretty sure that one had been photographed for an earlier design a day.) The card is one that I made up for someone who just had a baby. Made 2 of them so I can sell one...that's the plan anyway!

Speaking of selling- my shop is overflowing! I started a third page, which kinda scares me because how often do people look at tha third page? But along with the design a day comes a lot of merchandise! And, of course, it doesn't help that I haven't been getting the sales! ;)

So here are the photos for days 19 and 20.

Hello!

I admit, I just plain didn't feel like taking pictures today for day 19! I really do have a card made, I had to make a couple of baby cards so I made an extra for Etsy. I will take photos tomorrow!

It's really sad that I make tons of cards and attempt to sell them to other people, but I find myself forgetting to send out cards for people's birthday's! Yikes! I have to get on top of this game!

What I have been doing is a little remodel project. I am painting...again. It seems like there is always something to be done in this house! Now it's my sons room, and picking the actuall color is always the hard part!

That's all for now! Be back tomorrow...

Day 17 & 18

Not too much to say today. ;) I just wanted to show the cards that I made for the last 2 days. I'd love to hear what you think of them!

Nothing too exciting...

...but here is day 16.

Yes, it's 12:30 in the morning for me. I am, just now, getting tired.

But I was so wide awake so I thought I would get some things done now! Why not? The whole house is sleeping, and it's really quiet here. Nobody is asking to use the computer. Nobody wants anything from this mom! Plus, this will save time in the morning!

I had to make a few birthday cards. In my family there seems to be quite a few birthdays in February. Usually, in years past, I have all these cards made up long before I need them. That was before I sold on Etsy! Now when I make a card I think- I should list this! This time, I made a couple of some cards so I could give one...and list one!

Enjoy!

Here's to Jujuw...and my coffee chat friends

I came up with this idea last night and was very excited to try it! I am not sure if this card is sellable, but like every thing else, I can only try it and see once.

Every morning Jujuw starts a coffee time thread, and I have "met" and made some good friends there. I have talked about this before on this blog, but it goes with the card I made, and some of you might have missed it the first time! They take the time to really look at my shop, and everyone else's that happens to show up. I really enjoy getting to know them. We come from all over, and are all different ages, but yet we still have fun!

If you have seen the thread, but haven't entered- don't be shy! These are some really great people! Join us!

Etsy people are the reason that I stay there...at the moment I cannot say it's my sales! I have too much fun talking to people there, more than I ever thought I would. This type of thing was totally foreign to me just a few short months ago.

So, you know who you are! Love you guys! (I guess I should have written this yesterday for Valentines day! ;)

This card is for my design a day # 15! The outside of the card says, "I'm so glad..." and the inside says, "we're friends."

Day 14 of Design a Day!

I'm getting there! Almost half way through a month. This card is like the Thank You cards that I already have in my shop, but these are larger. I like how the 2 papers coordinate! The red paper is something that I bought only one sheet of because I was not sure if I liked it or not! It was fun to work with, and I am glad that I found other fun papers to go with it.

If you would like this card, or any other card you see on this site, and you cannot find it at my Esty shop- just contact me through here or my shop! I am pretty sure that I can get it done for you!

Here is something exciting...

I have 19 sales in my Etsy shop! So I am having a little give-away! The 20th sale will receive a free card! The card that I will be giving away will be a female birthday card. Would you like to see a photo? Or should it be kept a secret? Hmmm...!

The card that goes in for my 14th day of design a day is this awesome thank you card! I just love the way it turned out! The colors are pretty cool I think!

Have a great day all- and thanks for reading up!

Here is what I have been working on!

This design a day is hard- like I knew it would be. But it is also fun to see what comes out of it! My shop should be filled to the brim by the end of the month! I have sold a couple of things so that helps! I did notice that my 3rd page had no views the other day though. Maybe it doesn't help to get it so full? Then again, I think that every time I list, my name gets out there, and my cards get up to the top!

The cards that I have today are for days 12 and 13. Yesterday was a very snowy day, and I couldn't get any good pictures. I think the worst of this challenge has been taking the photos! The easy part has been the creating for me.

The first photo is a card that I made for Jpat. She ordered 4 girly birthday cards. The fun part was that she was not picky about what they looked like- she said she trusted me to come up with something cute! I got them done last night and sent them out to her today. She hasn't even seen this one yet...so here's to a sneak peak!

The second one is another birthday card. It is different than my usualy style. I really like it though, and think it turned out pretty nice!

Makin' cookies...and cards

On Saturday, my kids and I decided to make the old favorite cut out cookies. I really don't like to make them, but if I am in the mood, even just a little, I better get to it! They had so much fun decorating them- putting on the frosting, the sprinkles, and more frosting! It was worth it! I am afraid that they will all be gone by Valentines Day though!

And now on to design a day- day 11 (already!) My cards have not been selling that well lately, so I thought I would go with a different style. The cards that I usually make are a little busier, with lots of patterned paper. This newest creation is very simple and done in a great color- green! Let me know what you think!

What's with all the birds?

And why do I like them so much? My sister thinks it's funny that I do, that I want to buy bird items to decorate my house with. But everywhere you turn there are birds! Even shopping in the shops of Etsy you will find plenty of birds.

I didn't listen to my sister...I still bought some birds. (See photos) And now I have a bird card to share with you all. This is my creation for day number 9.

So, what is your opinion on birds? Do you like them? Decorate your house with them? Bought something from Etsy lately with a bird on it? Have one?!!

Or if you are reading this you can give your opinion on the latest card that I just made.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Photos for Day 6,7, & 8!

So here it is, Friday already!! I truely have been working! I'm designing every day! So what's my excuse you ask? One day I put off taking photos until it was too late, and yesterday it was cloudy and there was no good spot to take a photo. Today though, the sun is out and I am ready to post some photos! Yay!

Still cloudy...but I managed to take a half way decent photo! Here they are! I have been working away. What do you think of my newest altered tins? I just love the way they turn out.

You might think I have quit already?!

The truth is, I forgot to take photos! Yikes! I will have to take them tomorrow and post them along with day 7.

As for Etsy, I have found yet another distraction! There is a thread right now called "Who Cares??" and I found there are some really great people on that thread! Here are a few that I talked to last night:

myspringpeaandme- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5371720 She is the one who started the thread.

cardwear- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5328604

Amybugsoriginalstyle- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5409906

and Kreativethoughts- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5535068

There were more, and I will be naming more later! These are some fun people and they have great shops! Check them out!

It's Day 5...

...and I have something made, I just don't feel like taking the photos! How can photographing cards be so difficult? When I first started selling on Esty, my photos were awful. I can see that now when I look back at them. Two things have helped in the improvement of my photos: a way better digital camera, and new techniques that I have learned.

Whenever there is a thread in the forums about taking photos of items, I try to "listen up!" When they said "no flash" that's what I did. "Use the macro," so I do. I even made myself a "lightbox." Those are the few things that have improved my photos a lot! I really like the pictures that I see of items that have a little "scene" around it. That draws my eye, but at the same time, I really like the white, fresh backgrounds too. I guess I will stick with that! Cards don't have much of a "scene!"

So anyway, I am off to take some photos of my newest card! I will post a photo later.

Here it is! Just a peek! To see the rest, check out my shop tomorrow- that's when I am going to list it!

I must be in a thankful mood! Day 4

That's right! Or maybe I'm hoping that there are many other people out there that really want to send thank you notes out! If you are one of them, check out my last 2 cards that I have made, both posted in here, and buy 'em up at my Etsy shop.

I really liked this paper that I used for these cards. Like I have mentioned before, I like teal and red together! And I think the yellow adds to it too.

Day Three Creation

I don't want to blog on Sunday, so I will do 2 of them today. Here is the card that I made for Day 3 of Design a Day.

These are a set of 2, and I will be adding them to my Etsy store today. Turquise with red, and with orange are my favorite color combinations!

Yay! A Treasury!

I got one today! It is called "Brighten Your Day." Here is the link...come check it out, click on a few of the great items! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=26864

I will get a screenshot of it later and add it to this post!

Here it is...I added the photo! Will you give me a favor and give it a little love? Thanks! ;)

Day 2

So how many of you checked it out? I noticed that there are 140 members of design a day right now on Flickr, I'll keep a watch on the numbers.

Here is my creation for today! I am still using the same paper as I did the first day because I really like it!

And, just a reminder...Valentines Day is just around the corner! Do you have a card yet? If you are still looking, I still have some available in my shop. Just click on the blue, round "Etsy" symbol on the sidebar and it will take you right to my shop to check them out! Have a great day!

Design-A-Day

So, there has been a lot of talk about Gemmafactrix (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=12140) "Design A Day" idea. I read about it on Contrariwise's blog http://akacontrariwise.blogspot.com/ and then saw it on Flickr and desided to join the group! Here is what Gemma wrote,

"Your challenge is this: make something new every day for a month. You can continue on for longer, of course, but the idea is to create a new design, however simple, every day for a month. Often I get so caught up in selling my work - taking photos, packaging, shipping, updating my website - that I forget to just enjoy creating. Hopefully this group will help me - and you - do that. :) " http://www.flickr.com/groups/designaday/ - here is the link to the Flickr page if you would like to see it for yourself!

So, this is day one! And here is my creation for this day! We will see how long I can keep this going!

New paper

I think I'm in love! This paper really caught my eye, and I think it's really great to see how things turn out with it. There are 2 coordinating papers - one has stripes, one polka-dots, and the other has flowers. The card photo is what I made out of it so far. I have started on an altered tin using the same paper...maybe I can post a photo of it when it is finished! With the projects that I have in my head that I want to use this paper for, I guess I better go back and buy more!

So what do you think of it? Good paper? We will see how well it sells in my shop!