Avacado Green?!!

I have been told a few times that my shop has a retro feel to it. It's hard for me to sit back and look at my own shop and be able to describe the look or feel! Now that I have been told that though, I can see it. It's nothing that I tried to do. It must just be my style at the moment. When I go to get new paper for cards, I buy what catches my eye...and hope there are others out there that like the same things I do! ;)

This really sealed the deal for the retro look. I made this card and thought, wow. That's good old avacado green! When I first got married I had an old avacado green wash machine with a matching dryer, and boy did I think they were ugly! Not that I really miss the things, or would I go out and buy that color appliances again, I do like the color green- in almost all the hues.

What about you? Do you like this color...just for a card?! Tell me what you think!

P.S. Another snowstorm has hit our area...Spring? Where is it?!!

I've Been Tagged!

I was tagged by craftyhandbags with Seven Random Facts so here goes!

Here are the rules:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

(Word of warning: this just could be really hard for me...hopefully it's not too boring!)

1. I used to have braces as a kid, but you wouldn't know it by looking at me. I am seriously close to getting them put back on. If only they wouldn't cost so much.

2. When I moved to Iowa I said I would never marry a farmer. I'm married to a farmer.

3. I am a somewhat slobby person. I have a hard time keeping my bedroom neat, but I love a clean house! Once I get my mind set to it, I can get it done, but my bedroom is always last! (And I wonder where my kids get this from?!)

4. My favorite smell is the smell of fresh cut grass. (I even have a candle that smells like that!) I also love to mow the lawn, unfortunately, you just can't seem to get the full effect of the smell when you are the one mowing!

5. I am a shy person. When I was little I was one of those kids who would hide behind my mom when someone said anything to me. Of course, I am much better than that now, but I can still "talk" better to people via email!

6. I love to shop! Not such a weird fact, but a fact nonetheless! The problem is I never seem to have the "right" clothes for my life. Better go shopping again!

7. I love chocolate. A lot. That's why I may never, ever buy oreos. ;)

I am tagging these 7 people. I love to read their blogs, and so I think it might be interesting what they have to say! ;)

1. katelynjane

2. christydekoning

3. backwoodsophisticate

4. bagsbymelanie

5. jpat

6. itybity

7. ricracsally

Phew! That was hard work! Hope they will all be ok with the fun! ;)

Views

Today I noticed that I have 1,065 on my Flickr account! I thought that was pretty exciting. I have 105 photos uploaded there.

In my shop I have 44 items...trying really hard to get it up to 75. Right now that looks like a lofty goal! Just checked my views there and that number is 843! And I am almost to my goal of 300 hearts! The number today is 292...getting so close! Just gotta love Majaba! http://www.majaba.org/ Check it out so you can see at a glance what your views are and how many hearts you have, who they are from and when they hearted you...and other cool and interesting things!

I also wanted to show you my latest card. It's another "Get Well Soon" card. I love the three colors together! This past week my mom and I put a tin together using these exact papers! It turned out super cute, and now she has a new recipe box that can sit out in her kitchen. This card is now in my shop...hopefully not for long! ;)

A Recap and Update!

For those of you who were wondering, I thought I'd give an update on the Mocomarket deal. First a recap- I was asked to consign my cards at a store called Mocomarket in Madison, WI. I decided to go ahead with it, even though it meant that I was going to be getting less money for my cards. I am viewing it as more of a promotional deal. I sent out 10 cards to be sold there at the store.

Anyway! I have sold 3 cards there already, and maybe that doesn't sound like too many to some of you...I am very happy with that! Now I am getting another shipment ready to head out the door sometime this weekend. So I have to get busy with that!

Here is my latest card. I listed it yesterday in my shop, but so far it hasn't gotten a lot of views. Wondering if it's my "wonderful" photography that's doing it?! Maybe I should retake the photos? This one I labeled "anniversary," but I think it could be easily used as a birthday card too. I really like the yellow and blue, with a touch of green in there!

A new design

I made a pocket card! I love the paper that I used, agian with the paper fetish! ;) The blues, and the browns, then the touch of red...love at first site!

Instead of writing your message on the inside of the card, there is a pull out tag to write on. And, if you are long winded, there is room on the back of the card to continue writing!

Check it out...it's for sale in my shop!

American Girl Doll Sweaters are Back!

At least I have one of them in my shop! This one is cream and a little fancier than the last one that my Mom made. It has more detail on the bottom of the sleeves and the bottom of the sweater. There are 5 buttons on the front. Check it out! It's a fun thing to give to a girl who has an American Girl Doll. My girls have one and they love it!

I just have to tell what I bought last week!

I just got in the mail 2 baby bibs from Lababee http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5067594 and they are the cutest bibs that I have ever seen! She uses fun material...material that is not commonly seen! The backs of them are made with chenille. I had 2 baby boys born in my family, and I wanted something different for them. And for something different, to Etsy I go! ;) It's hard to find really cute items for boys, but this seller does it! Check her out...look what I bought from her!

I'll be adding soon!

I just received a shipment of blank canvases! Well, ok, white lunchbox tins, sitting here ready to be mod podged, covered with beautiful papers, ribbons, flowers, buttons, and whatever else I might want to cover them with. I am looking forward to creating one, and I think I will be doing so as soon as my company leaves.

And, since I have company, there are no new cards or any new pictures to post today. I actually made a new one...baby boy card, but I didn't have any time to take any decent photos.

Looking forward to getting back to normal- thanks for waiting! ;)

I can't believe it

Yup, those of you who voted before, probably saw that I had a word spelled wrong. *covering my face* I just couldn't leave it there staring at me like that so I removed it and started over. Sorry about that! Please vote again! ;)

A little help from a friend

I got a convo from a friend yesterday who had the guts to tell me that my photos, well, just arn't that great at all! I have improved much from when I first opened my shop, but a lot of that is the camera I have to admit. When I first started I read up everything I could about taking photos of products, and even built myself a light box.

Well, Christy showed me the light. And I am here admiting that my pictures are kinda dull! Here is an example of the photos that I have uploaded in my shop at the moment, and the same photo that I brightened up a bit just usuing Picasa.

It's super amazing the difference, isn't it? Wow! Look for a brighter, better shop in the weeks to come! (Remember the company? :) Thank you Christy!

And since she had the guts to tell me about my problem, I am posting her link again in this blog...check her out- please! Her work is great!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5541697

A little break?

I have family over for a week so I am not sure what time I will find to get new postings on here! It's been only 2 days and already I am missing my computer! ;) What does that say about how much time I spend on here?!!

I will share my newest that I will hopefully get into my shop tomorrow. Just a peek!

This old...now new card!

I made this card quite a while ago, but never listed it. I thought it was too boring! That's when I decided to alter it a little. I loved the stamp that I used, so I redid it on another piece of black cardstock, just like the background. Then I cut out a piece of whate cardstock, added that to the card, then put the stamped image on the white again. I think it turned out pretty cool! It's more elegant than most of my other cards, but I love it!

Two hour late start?!

That's the news this morning. School is 2 hours late because of the new snow that we got over night. I should be used to it, March is usually the snowiest month! The fun thing about March snow is that it's usually packing snow, and the snow usually melts pretty fast!

This is the newest card that I have in my shop. It can be used for a couple of things. Celebrate is a word that can describe an anniversary, or a birthday! I love the color combo in this one, of course, since it is red and teal! The red seems a little creamy, if you know what I mean! It's not a pure red, more like a watermelon red.

There must be something about this!

What is the deal? Is this tin too plain? Ugly? I know it's one thing...it's still in my house! Nobody wants it! It's just about to expire, so I am facing the dilema: renew or not to renew.

A few weeks ago I took better photos of it so that it might attract more attention. Then I decided that I would put it as a featured item along with other "boy" items. There is still is! Looking at me everytime I go into my shop! Making me ask the question over and over...what shall I do with this thing?!!

I'll just feature it here and in a few days make the big decistion!

Oh happy day!

Isn't that what all girls think when it's their birthday? Well, maybe the younger ones for sure! But I dare bet that most of us, even when we are older, still think of our birthday as a special day! It's hard not to isn't it?! This card says it right on it. I loved this paper as soon as I saw it, but I struggled with an idea. The light pink cardstock looked great with it, and the pale blue ribbon really pulled it together.

So what's your first reaction to this one? Sometimes I start to wonder...are these cards good enough? Or is what I make just something that I like? Am I fishing for compliments...not really, just need reassurance sometimes! ;)

Fancy fancy!

I was looking at this paper the other day, and an idea popped in my head. I have to stitch that one! And right in this spot!

Now, I do not sew. Hate it, and at the same time, wish I had the skills! So there is no sewing machine in our house! There are times that I really wish that I had one for different looks on the cards that I make, even for a few scrapbook pages. But for this one, it was just a matter of getting out the needle and thread.

Now, I used to do a lot of crosstitching so I have quite a collection of thread. When you crosstitch, you get your threads, wind them up on a tiny piece of cardboard and put them in order by number. Since I have quit crosstitching, I put the threads in a much different order...by color. As a scrapper, it's much easier that way!

It was fun seeing this card turn out! I really do like the way it looks, it just takes more time. So enjoy! It might be awhile before I make another! Some Mother just might be very happy to get this card!

Spring...and a new Card

I am so looking forward to walking barefoot in the grass, digging in the dirt, hearing the birds chirping, seeing the flowers coming up! I know, I have to take each day as it comes. One good thing though...I saw my first robin today!! I had heard that they were around, but I haven't seen one until today.

Thought I would show you the newest card that I made. It's in my shop already...I'm still working on my quest to get about 100 items in my shop!

I used some of the new paper that I just bought. And again, it seemed to turn out in the way most of my cards do...geared toward younger girls. (Well, I guess not super young, I was thinking that I would send it to someone I know who is going to be 15. But the word "young" takes on new meaning when I just keep getting older! ;) Just like clothing, the girl stuff is always cuter, there is more of it, and I am drawn to it!

This card is made with a great color combo- light blue and brown- love it!

Oooh I get to play!

I just made a recent trip to my local scrapbook store. I tell ya, it's really hard not to just grab 2 of every single paper there!! I try an hold off going...I know how much money I would spend if I go more often. ;) There is an advantage though. When I finally do get there, I see a whole new sets of paper that I just have to have! Ooooh Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, Crate Paper, PebblesInc, and oooh, what's that? DreamStreetPapers, never heard of it, but love it! It's like a kid in a candy store!

So here is a sample of some of the lovely paper that I picked up. I am itching to get to my table and have some fun! Looking for that spare time...well, ok, I admit, I'll find time! Even if it's not "spare!" ;)

Baby card

I just wanted to give a peak at one of the cards that I sent to WI (Mocomarket) I am really happy with it...love the colors! It's the orange that got me! What do you think?

Ok, so maybe it's my computer...

but for some reason I cannot get a screen shot from Thumbalizr today! I'll just give the link of my newest Treasury...check it out! It's called "Tranquility"
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=3637

If I happen to get one later, I will add it!
Yay!! Finally. Now for whatever reason (grrr.) I cannot get it uploaded to Flickr!! Oh well, it's almost done now anyway!

Same paper...different looks

I was playing around with some new cards today when I found some cute flowered paper that I had tucked into my selection of green cardstock just because I loved the 2 together. I'm not sure how long I've had this paper, but long enough that I forgot where it was! And, it just goes to show how often I get to the back of the pack of green paper that I have. (Hmmm, does that mean that I have too much?!)

I wanted to show you here today what I ended up doing with this paper. The first card I made was a simple design...flowered paper on green cardstock, and then I added a "Happy Birthday" whick made it look like the card was for a younger girl.

Then I brought out the inks. Distressing the edges of the flowered paper and the cardstock really made a difference in what the card looked like! There was no way that I wanted to use the same stamp for Happy Birthday, it just didn't fit in any more!
For the third card I inked the entire flowered paper and it turned out looking like it was tea dyed! Then I inked the edges. Now, the flowered paper had changed so much, the green cardstock was out of the question. So black it is. I inked the black cardstock also. I love how each one of these turned out! So much fun!

Step Two

So today I went ahead and sent the 10 cards out to Moco! (The postman questioned the "twiddlestix" that I had written on the envelope. ;) A little explaination was necessary!) The cards in the picture are the ones that I sent out. They look a little blurry, but that is because they are all in cello bags, ready to get put in the package! According to the owner, I have the option to sell the same cards in my Etsy shop. As you can see from the photo, I have most of these cards in my shop already. Not sure if that was a great idea or not. I just sent what I thought were some of my best work.

I want to thank the readers who have gave me encouragement with the consignment. I love reading the comments, and I need the happy thoughts! Thanks!!

I'm taking the plunge

I was asked about a week ago if I would be willing to consign my cards. After the initial excitement that, woohoo! someone wants my cards!!, I was a little taken back. There seemed to be numerous threads in the forums that stated different horror stories about consigning their craft.

Well, after asking a bunch of questions, and even finding another Etsy seller that was also going to get into the same deal, talking it over with my hubby, I decided to give it a whirl!

The store name is Mocomarket, and it's in Madison, WI. The owner, Megan Ramey, is going to be on TV talking about her new idea for the store next week. She is devoting part of the store to Etsy sellers. Just another way the word will get out about Etsy! This afternoon I am going to send them 10 cards. I am pretty excited about the deal as of right now! I will keep you posted on how things work out for me!

Also, I wanted to tell you about my favorite customer! christydekoning...find her here at Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5541697 ...bought a few cards from me, gave me raving reviews, helped me out with various other things, has now decided to write my shop name and URL on the back of the cards she bought before sending them out to her friends and family! She does gorgous watercolor paintings...so check out her shop! She is a truely wonderful person.

Finally, some Mother's day cards...

and this is my first one! Tell me what you think!

It's in my shop today.

A little secret?

There was an interesting thought last night on the forums. Tagsonbags says...

"Could THIS be the Secret to Etsy Success?
I've notice that most of the top sellers on etsy have many, many items listed in their shops - typically around 100 - and many up around 200 to 300+ items. (even those that aren't selling supplies)
...could it be that simply listing around 100+ items is the secret to etsy success?"

And then, JaredKS says,
"I too have had more sales after having a lot of options, but I think it might be the many sales resulting in lots of listings, rather than the other way around."

Either way, I think it is worth a try. Now 100 items in my shop seems a little daunting to me at the moment, but I see the wisdom in listing a lot...the views have to come up! And I am not thinking that I have to have exactly 100 items in my shop...just filling it up a little more. I used to be somewhat afraid that the last pages won't be seen, and that is still a possibility.

I have to add what subu said here also...
"I do believe that a fully stocked store looks better and shows to me that this is more of a business than a hobby..."

Look for more items in my shop starting today! ;) And. in case you want to read this thread for yourself, here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5501639

Made another sale!!

When I hit the 30 days of design a day, I decided that I was not going to continue. The main reason was because of the photos I had to take all the time. But...I miss it!! Maybe I should start up again?!

Today I am going to show you the latest addition to my "Cowboy Up" series. These cards are really fun. They are somewhat different than what I have already made and sold in my shop, so we will see what comes of it. I will have to say that these cards seem to have quite a few views though, so that's encouraging! Maybe I will have to get into making some of the same style of the other cards that I have sold for awhile. Mother's Day is coming up soon and I really need to get my butt in gear.

That being said, I made another sale last night. Still fun!! Still get the rediculous goofy grin! Cofygirl is an awesome crafter...and now the owner of some of my cards, and a set of korker bows!! My sister will be so happy to hear the news! I'm waiting for her to get home to call and shout in her ear!

(Groan...I was waiting for the treasury to open up and I waited a little too long. At least I got this done I guess!) Please take a sec to vote on the side...let me know how you found me!

The poll...

is something that I saw on Suzy's blog http://www.susyjack.blogspot.com/ and loved it! So I am trying it out for myself. Just thought I would give credit where it is due! Thanks Suzy!

Favorite Sellers

Just the other day I decided to take a good look at my favorite sellers. Wow what a list!! Pages and pages of them. It was reconfirmed that there are a lot of really great sellers on Etsy. What I am going to do is let you know a couple of shops that have caught my eye in the short 4 months that I have been here at Etsy.

The very first shop that I hearted was dragonflies. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=82937 What first drew my eye to her shop were these very magnets.

I loved the look of them! She has since sold many, many sets of magnets, as well as button bouquets. Just browsing in her shop there are so many other magnets sets that I would love to purchase! She uses great color combinations and fun patterns!

The last shop that I have hearted was Prettyinposies. This seller has the most adorable felt hair assesories! I just love how they look! This spring I plan on buying up a couple for my girls. Chech out her shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5532095 and take a quick peak at one of her designs.

These 2 are just a sample of what awesome crafters there are on Etsy!

And while you are browsing Etsy...please take a look at my shop! ;)

Phew...I made it!

I made 30 days in the design a day! Yay! I thought I might continue, I really like to make new items, but the pressure of getting photos in on time and all that...well, it might make me reconsider. Whatever I decide to do, I probably will not be posting on here the days anymore. Maybe I will continue on Flickr.

The card for the 30th day is another one of the Cowboy Up series. I had so much fun with these, and was happy with the results. (The only downside with that is it seems that whenever that happens, those are the cards that sit and sit in my shop! ;) This one says "giddy up." I think they would be great for a boy's birthday...or even a man's. It's much harder to make a male card!

I have a busy weekend ahead...lots of food to be made. I will see you all on Monday! Happy March!