Planning for an Early Christmas Here

I'm feeling a little short on time this year with holiday preparations. We scheduled our vacation for the beginning of December, so I really need to have everything mostly finished and ready before we leave, including cards in the mail. Instead of handcrafting my cards this year, I've decided to use holiday photo cards from Shutterfly. I've always been impressed w/ the quality of their prints and my share site through Shutterfly, so I plan to use their holiday photo cards.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

I'm still deciding between a flat or folded card, but here are a few of my favorites (along with my daughter's favorites):

This card is her favorite (I'm sure due to the pink), and I love how colorful and non-traditional it is for holiday cards. I think it's definitely fitting for a family with a preschool daughter.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/celebrate-family-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93491

This is my personal favorite. I love the classic look of the holly branch w/ the modern look of the black and the text box at the bottom. Pretty sure, I'll go with this one for at least part of them. It's really hard to choose, but I know that any design I pick will go beautifully with our family photos that we had taken in October.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/golly-holly-jolly-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93491

If you're looking for holiday cards for your family, Shutterfly is currently running a promotion for 20% off all holiday cards. Go here to check them out for yourself:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

I hope I've saved you some time this holiday season! Don't forget that they also have matching address labels, gift tags, and even Christmas birth announcements!
http://www.shutterfly.com/

Two New Artfire Collections!

I've been in quite a few Artfire collections lately since updating to a pro account. The latest two feature my Pumpkin placemats and my Origami tree card for Christmas. All details are on my facebook fan page since I'm not able to copy and paste links here. Thanks!

Two New Cards Featuring CutCardstock!

I recently accepted a custom order from cutcardstock.com to create 2 new cards featuring their papers, cards, and envelopes. I jumped at the chance to try new scrapbooking supplies, and it was well worth it. Their papers arrived quickly and are gorgeous!

http://www.cutcardstock.com/

Here are the two cards that I created:

--fall-themed card using their white blank notecard along with matted layers of Red Lacquer, Cognac, and Serpentine metallic cardstocks. I then used leaf diecuts in the various colors above plus Olive and Antique Gold to create this classic, elegant fall card. These pictures really do not do justice to this beautiful metallic paper. The sheen really dresses up the card, and I think it could be perfect for fall-themed wedding cards. It's finished off with a ribbon by Stampin' Up.

--spring/ summer handstamped butterfly card using the white blank notecard from cutcardstock.com along with matted layers of Hot Chocolate and Blue Raspberry cardstocks. I then handstamped butterflies using various spring/ summer ink colors onto their white cardstock before punching the butterflies out w/ a square punch and adhering them to the matted layers. The card is completed with a polka dot ribbon from Stampin' Up and a birthday sentiment.'

I absolutely loved working with this company and creating a few items using their cardstock. To learn more, please visit http://www.cutcardstock.com/

Thanks!

Valentine's Day Cut-off Date

My Valentine's Day cut-off date is next Saturday, February 6th to ensure delivery for classroom parties. If you need to order classroom valentine cards, please do so in the next week. Thanks!

It's World CardMaking Day!

Today is world cardmaking day! Take a few minutes to create a handmade card or two, or even start on your holiday greeting cards to celebrate the day.

Looking for inspiration? Here are some great new card sketches courtesy of www.pagemaps.com

http://www.pagemaps.com/sept09cardmaps.htm

Enjoy!

Friday's Featured Etsy Seller--GiDu!!

I'm a few hours late in posting this today, but Friday's Featured Etsy Seller is GiDu! She has really cute cards, wedding invites and save the date cards, pendants, and more. I personally love her Save the Date cards, but don't know of anyone getting married soon. Check out her Friday Happy Hour Special!

SPECIALS - Friday Happy Hour************************************Every Friday, from 4pm to 8pm (Central Time) all items are 20% off! All buyers must write "Happy Hour" in their Notes to Seller at checkout! What a great deal!

What is your shop name and URL?

- My shop's name is GiDu and the URL is http://gidu.etsy.com

Tell me two (or more!) interesting things about you. (Hobbies, achievements, favorite something-or-other, family situation, jobs, etc)

- I am an experienced full time graphic designer with a passion for creating arts and crafts. I love trying new crafts and I find myself dabbling in a kinds of things. I am a self taught knitter.

What do you sell in your Etsy shop?

- I sell a variety of items - jewelry, paper crafts, designs for wedding invitations.

To which Etsy Street Teams do you belong (if any)?

- I don't belong to any Street Teams at the moment.

What inspires your creations?

- I get inspired by my daily graphic design work, checking out people's blogs, reading craft books. I really love to see what other people are creating. I am always scoping out my surroundings for interesting design.

-What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)?

- My favorite item in my shop has to be my soldered pendants. They are so customizable and cute, they are my favorites. They can be vintage looking or modern, depending on the style. I have made a few for myself with old photos of my grandmother when she was young, on her wedding day. I love them.

- Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11375979

What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?

- Fun, Artistic, Determined

What do you like about Etsy?

- I love etsy because I love to be part of a community of artists. I think it's a wonderful way to get your work out online and it's a great resource.

What makes your shop unique?

- My shop is unique because I handmake everything myself. I am not selling mass produced items and I take a lot of care in the creation. I think that customer service is really important in running my shop.

What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

- Have a blog or other website outside of etsy. It's a great way to promote. I have my etsy mini on my website and my blog so that if a customer wants to purchase an item, it goes right to the etsy shop. I also think its good to promote often and relist items as much as possible.

Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations (please include a link)?

- I have my own website (which I designed myself!): http://ginadust.com and I also have a blog: http://gidudesign.blogspot.com

Friday's Featured Etsy Seller--Vintage Scraps!

This will be my last Friday's Featured Etsy Seller post until after the holidays, then I've got some great shops already lined up for the new year! Enjoy the great vintage finds here!

-What is your shop name and URL?

Vintage Scraps http://VintageScraps.etsy.com/

-Tell me two (or more!) interesting things about you. (Hobbies, achievements, favorite something-or-other, family situation, jobs, etc)

Last Spring, I was one of the 20 finalists for Country Living Magazine's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year!

-What do you sell in your Etsy shop?

I create vintage, usable collage art- journals, cards, and home decor.

-To which Etsy Street Teams do you belong (if any)?

A local team, NCTriangle, and to the bbest team.

-What inspires your creations?

The antiques themselves.

-Tell me a bit about your creative process and/or how you learned to do what you do.

I found some old ads tucked into in my grandmother's cookbook, and thought, "This would make a hilarous card" and then it snowballed from there.

-What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)?

My Paris Flea Market assemblage is a favorite.

-Why is it your favorite? (Please provide a link)

I love France and flea markets.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17454008

-What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?

I'm a fun, sarcastic, lover of God.

-What do you like about Etsy?

I love having my own store that I can run while in my pajamas, drinking coffee.

-What makes your shop unique?

The vintage graphics I use are copies of all the originals I own, not reproductions, and each piece includes at least one original graphic.

-What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

It takes a little time to get it going, but it's worth doing!

-Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations (please include a link)?http://VintageScrapsbyMeg.blogspot.com/

My really cool Christmas Cards this year!

I love to learn new things, so I was able to combine this new technique w/ my love of a certain designer's paper to make these AMY BUTLER 3-D CHRISTMAS TREE CARDS!!! Can you tell that I love them?

I learned the technique of making origami 3-d Christmas trees here:

http://www.theartofinking.com/my_weblog/2008/11/quick-origami-tree-tutorial.html

Then, I changed up the card design to make it my own creation, and Voila! I do plan on learning more origami creations like this for the future and selling them in my Etsy shop.