2013 Where Blogger's Create

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far! 

I will be taking a placement test so I may pursue a college degree in Graphic Design.  

I have not been to school in over 23+ years so I am a little anxious and definitely worried about the Math portion. 

I am not great with Algebra, and the College level math has symbols and equations I have never even seen.....lol.

So please wish me luck and send good vibes my way.....I need all the help I can get!!

Now, I want to help spread the word about the 5th Annual Blog Party "Where Bloggers Create 2013". This event is hosted by the amazing Karen Valentine of the blogs My Desert Cottage, and Valentine Designs.

This will be my first year participating in this event. My space is very tiny but hey, it is all mine....lol 

Tons of bloggers all over take pictures of their Studio/Workspace and then Karen will have a master list of tons of wonderful blogs to visit so you can see where their creative side comes out and hopefully find some inspiration for yourself!

Mark your Calendar!! The even takes place on July 12, 2013. 

That gives us slackers plenty of time to hide everything ......lol.

If you would like to jazz up your blog a bit for this event now is an excellent time to do so. Head over to Valentine Desings where Karen is offering 15% off to anyone participating. (She just did my new blog signature and I LOVE it!!)

Hope to see you there!

Until Next Time, Happy Sales 

My New Blog Signature

This is just a quick post to show off my new Signature. 

I really hope you guys like it...I just LOVE it!!

I love the way Karen did the fairy and butterflies. It is so me...lol

You can get a blog signature of your own as well.

Just visit Karen of "Valentine Design"

Somehow the original code for my signature is lost. 

(Yes, I saved it before I made any changes!)

I have to manually center my image each time I create a new post even though the code says to center it.

My html is just wrong and unfortunately I do not know how to fix it without causing more problems. (Times like these I miss my Computer Guru)!!

Until Next Time, Happy Sales

Happy Mother's Day and a New Giveaway

I just wanted to wish all those wonderful Mothers out there a "Happy Mother's Day"!!

I also want to let everyone know I am having another Giveaway.  

Full Details on Monday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoys this lovely photo by Janet, from the blog ShabbyFuFu

Until Next Time, Happy Sales

A Heartbreaking Story - Life isn't Fair

There are no pictures today. No funny jokes or wonderful new creations to show off.

Today I am sharing what I think is a horrible injustice to a regular family through no fault of their own.

Lisa, of the Blog What a Beautiful Mess is fighting a battle to keep her home. This battle is not one she was prepared for, nor is it one she should be fighting in the first place.

This battle has been going on for three years. (Totally ridiculous) The enemy: Bank of America!

If you have been a home owner you know at times Mortgage Companies sell your mortgage to other companies. This is when Lisa's battle began. You can read her nightmare/story here

My heart aches for Lisa and her family and really I wish I could do something to change the horrible reality they are currently living.

Why one Bank can have so much power to ruin a persons' life is beyond me.

I am angry on her behalf and trying to spread the word the only way I know how....through social media.

It is my intention to gain as much attention as possible to this situation against such a common enemy and hopefully a resolution for Lisa and her family will not be far behind.

Please take a few moments out of your day to read Lisa's Heartbreaking Story.

The sad truth is it could easily happen to you.

Until Next Time

My First Scrapbook Page

I am totally new to the paper crafting world. I have no clue what most of the lingo is, equipment and items I need, or even how to use them. 

So I did what anyone would do....I purchased a kit...lol. If you follow my blog you will remember I bought the "Remember the Tomorrows" kit of the month from Flying Unicorn.

 There are so many pretty papers and things I had no clue what to do with. Add the fact I am not one for picture taking I was really stumped for something I could "Scrap"....hahaha

This is what I came up with. My best friend and companion Merlin. He no longer owns me, I had to give him away to a good home a few years ago. This picture is one of my total favorites. He LOVED BoJangles Biscuits!!!

I used a plain piece of green card stock paper, then added a piece of paper from the "Remember the Tomorrows" Kit of the Month. I also used the flowers that were in the kit as well. (You can NEVER have too many flowers...lol).  I then used some lace and pearls from my own stash to dress it up a bit. I also Then I used the black sticky letters from the kit to spell his name on the side.

I think for my very first scrapbook page it turned out pretty cool. (Definitely need to get more flowers!!!)

Until Next Time, Happy Sales

Flying Unicorn's Kit of the Month

I have just ordered my very first Scrapbook Kit of the Month from "Flying Unicorn". (you can check out a previous feature post on the Flying Unicorn here)

I have seen so many beautiful scrap pages, journals, tags, cards, and so much more I wanted to try my hand creating something as well.

For a beginner, or in my case, The One Who Has No Clue, the Kit of the Month by Flying Unicorn is a great way to get your "newbie" feet wet.

This Month's Kit "Remember the Tomorrows" is a gorgeous collection I am salivating over, counting the days until it arrives.

Remember the Tomorrows Kit of the Month

There are also "Add Ons" to the collection that are just as delectable.

Remember the Tomorrows Flower Add On

Remember the Tomorrows Embellishment Add On

 Until Next Time, Happy Sales

Attention Crafters and Scrappers

Today I want to introduce a magical place full of crafty goodness. A place where you can go to be inspired, learn, meet wonderful artists, and blow your bank account on all the beautiful pretties they have for your own craft making.

This place is called "Flying Unicorn"...even the name is magical.

 

This amazing place is not only a blog, or a shop, but a community of very talented artists.

I have not been a member very long, just a few weeks. Though in this short time I can tell you everyone has been extremely friendly and welcoming. 

I am new to this side of crafting, and instead of laughing at me for my ignorance, I am met with supportive answers and encouragement.

If you have not heard of this magical place, I highly recommend a visit. You won't be disappointed.

Until Next Time, Happy Sales

Where Bloggers Create 2012

Today is the day I have been waiting forever for it seems like. My Desert Cottage's 4th annual Where Bloggers Create 2012 begins Today!!!

Once you see the awesome place Karen gets to work and play you will find a list about midway down of other participating blogs to visit.

If you want to find me, I am lost in all these beautiful studios and work rooms, drooling over all the pretties and finding inspiration for my own small work area.

Why don't you grab a snack and a drink and join me. There are so many magical places to visit!!!

Until Next Time, Happy Sales

My Blog Make-Over

My "Blog" has undergone a HUGE transformation. I have changed everything, (ok, not me per say, but my Money did....lol).

I want to thank Sharon of Plumerose Lane for helping create such a beautiful platform for my "New" "Old" Blog. I totally LOVE the way it has turned out!!!!

Sharon is one of the most patient, talented, ready to please artists I have ever worked with. She did not once communicate her frustration at all the little details that we had to go back and forth with. (She might have thought them, haha, but she kept it to herself!!)

I also love how she seemed to understand what I was asking for based on unintelligible input.....something like....I want that purple thingie, where the other stuff is....hahahaha.

CUSTOM BLOG THEMES AND WEBSITES

 

Seriously, I admire Sharon and her amazing work. I went with a more whimsical theme since I love Purple Roses, but she has a huge Portfolio of other work she has done. You should check it out.

Sharon does all kinds of digital graphics. She can even give your Shop a "Makeover"! Need a business card to match your blog...hey, she can do that too.

CUSTOM ORDER SHOP THEME SET

BUSINESS CARDS

Check out her Etsy Shop for ALL the amazing services she provides. She is running a 25% OFF SALE now through July 8th at Midnight. Remember to use the Code "July4th2012" to get the discount.

Also join her Blog. She has beautiful FREE pre-made Blog Themes and other goodies.

LOVE'S ELIXER

A FONDNESS

ROSE GARDEN

I hope everyone likes my new Blog as much as I do.  Thank you again Sharon!!!!

Until Next Time, Happy Sales

The Beauty of Friendship

Sometimes friends do the craziest, loveliest, things to brighten our day and make us smile.

My friend Xanna Pittman, of Xanna's Jewelry Box, did so for me by curating an awesome Purple and Roses Treasury called "Tracie's Passion" on Etsy.

I was so moved by this. Not only did it bring a smile to my face, it brightened my whole day,

So, thank you Xanna for being such a terrific friend, and taking the time to make another friend feel on top of  the world!!!!

On Line Lab meets Real World

I know there are a lot of Etsy Sellers out there in cyberspace somewhere. Maybe even a few attended the on-line lab last night a 7:00pm entitled "How to Price for Profit". 

I heard all sorts of things any motivational speaker would say and then some.

One particular word I heard over and over again was "Value". "Your work has value". (Yes, I know my work has value, who cares about the value if the buyer doesn't see it). For example, my work is currently featured in 5 different Etsy Treasuries, I have ad space on a very active sight, I participate in banner exchanges, I am active in numerous teams and groups, I use LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, and I have my stuff on Pinterest. (All this and still Nada!)

The only explanation I received for this was to get a new group of followers that are more high end. (Ok, sure, where do I find them? The few I know want nothing to do with me. I am the Chevy to their Porshe!)  

 (What about the other shop that sells a similar item for $2.00?, Why would a potential customer pay $15 when they could pay $2) According to the Workshop, "Value". 

You are not competing with the other shop. Customers that want to buy something for nothing are not the type of customers you want....(Ok, AGAIN, where am I supposed to find these magical people who do not care how much they spend on an item?)

I heard so many ideas on how to charge for your work, how to add in labor, overhead, set goals for the future, yet HOW to implement them was not really addressed.

Yes, I want my business to be a profitable one. I just do not want to be laughed out of cyberspace for charging my customers, (you know, the magical ones I do not have yet), what I think the value of my work is.

There is also that pesky little thing called "Supply and Demand". What kind of value is your work worth if there is no demand for it? You have to make your item valuable. ....(how to do this was not exactly addressed in the  workshop). 

It is said the definition of "Insanity" is repeating the same task over and over again expecting a different result.  

My question then is this: How do you stop the insanity?

Comments and Suggestions are Welcome!