Birthday Party Vignette...

Well, James and I did indeed 'build' the light box. We sort of modified it a bit in that I chose not to glue it together so I could change the length of the legs depending on what I'm shooting. I need lots of practice and I've discovered too that I need much brighter lighting, but Victoria and I had fun playing with different shots.

I did 3 different vignettes that I'll post over the next few days. The main purpose is to feature the Art Stickers I offer in my Etsy Shop... I love it when sellers add pictures in listings of their items in use, so I wanted to create my own suggested ideas for the use of my stickers.


Here's the Birthday Party Vignette using the Shades of Blue Butterflies Art Stickers. Victoria set it up and took the pictures, I think she did a great job. Funny how ♥pink♥ always plays a big part too, lol.



I just received treasures in the post, scrumptious colors of vintage seam binding and glorious other ribbons... sigh, I'm in my happy place! Off to finish some tags now ;o)

Hope you all are having a lovely day♥ xo

I've been Featured!...

Oh my goodness, 2 posts in 1 day? Something must be going on here... Yuppers!!! I got a message through my Etsy shop that my Upper Lane Personalized Labels have been featured along with some beautiful labels made by other fellow Etsians, at FoundHandMade.com Yippee! Click here to see my feature.



Here's the Site I've been featured on... click the banner and it will take you there. It looks like a wonderful venue featuring many artists and shop owners that sell hand made or vintage. Have a good look around while you're visiting, they offer some other information categories to peruse too. Particularly interesting to me, was their page of Alexa Traffic Ranking stats on lots of different on-line places where hand made is sold - all on one page for easy reference. Very informative.

Happy Sigh... ok, back to work I go now ;o) ♥xo

Make a Light Box for Great Photos...

Well, I've been a busy girl lately doing digital art for my Labels and Art Stickers for my Etsy Shop. I've also been doing some Art Cards and Gift Tags to add as well, but since I've mostly done digital on the computer for quite awhile now, I'd forgotten how tricky it is to get the 'perfect' shot of an item close up. So, I've been playing around with light, different locations in my house to shoot, set up, etc. I finally decided that perhaps a Photo Box or Tent would be in order because I just am not happy with the results I'm getting.

I decided to do a search on line to price one out or learn how to make one myself. Now, I've seen lots of suggestions on making these before, but I haven't been inspired enough to try it as the directions are not very clear and I just can't find the 'stuff' to build one.

I found this link today and am absolutely thrilled, so I thought I would share it with you♥

Bill Huber has done an amazing job with detailed instructions and photographs on how to make an excellent, inexpensive light box. He's even given examples of photos taken in the finished box with different backdrops and lighting, etc. Click here to go to his instructions.

On that page, there's yet another link to Kevin Criscione who has also done this light box and offers even more suggestions and photo taking tips. Click here to go to his instructions. Once there, just click on the Welcome button to get the tutorial started.

I can totally see this as a plausible project and it sure beats spending big moola for a professional tent! So... I hope James doesn't mind giving me a hand this weekend, cuz I have a light box to build with a whole lot of pictures waiting to be taken! ;o)

Maybe you take amazing shots already, or have done this research yourself and built your own... but if you're like me, *pulling hair out - trying to find just the right lighting, just the right setting, etc., etc.* then perhaps this little bit of info may be useful for you.

Have a wonderful weekend lovely Sweets! ♥xo

Yay, A Blog Party!...

Blog Parties are so much fun - it's great meeting new lovelies♥ from Bloggieland too!

I'm taking part in the Etsy Cottage Style Blog Blue Party. What's it all about? The yummy color Blue of course ;o) Participants are asked to simply post about anything related to the color blue. One of the suggestions was to share some of our latest creations. Since I haven't had time to prepare anything else for you (the real deal - my camera battery is dead and it's late and there's no way I'm going to capture some Sweet Blue images for you at this time of night anyway, lol ;0), I'm going to share some of my latest creations.

I've added a new line of Personalized Labels in my Etsy Shop and these are among my favorites.






This one is called Upper Lane. Lots of scrolly lovelies on this one.









LOVE this poshy one, that's why I called it Truly Posh.









This one has Blue in it and I call it Cottage Chic, so I thought it would qualify ;o)











How about some more Blue... Heather Blue Scroll






I guess it's pretty obvious that I like the color blue, it's such a lovely color with all of it's varying shades. Even my Blog Banner is full of blue!

You know what's funny? I always thought I loved the color Pink the very most. But, when I look at a lot of the digital collage work I've done, I have more Blue than any other color.

Ok, I think I've covered my fair share of Blue here, lol. My goodness - I think most of my entire Blog set-up is Blue! Sheeesh - It's true - Blue has replaced my Pink... sigh.

Thanks so much for visiting and I'll be popping in to your Bloggieland homes to see your lovely Blues too. xo♥

PS: While you're here, please help yourself to any of the images I've posted in past posts - they're labeled 'Free Image'. Perhaps you'll find a little something you'd like to have♥

Sweet Bloggieland Awards...

A while ago, my sweet friend from "Mana Moon" gave me a Karma Award. Then just recently, another lovley from "Shhh...Confessions of an Artist: Lunatiger" gave me a Sisterhood Award. Isn't Bloggieland a wonderful place? I am so honored that these ladies chose to give me these awards and I thank you both very much.

The rules for these awards were very similar, so I decided to just post the ones that came with the Sisterhood Award.


The rules for this award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.


So I have chosen to pass on the ♥love♥ to:


LuLu from LuLu Kellogg (aka Coastal Sisters)
Catherine from La Perle Jewellery
Sharon from Mana Moon Studios
Angie from Art Angel Studio
Abbie from Down Abbie's Road


Go have a look at the blogs of the incredible ladies I've listed above♥

So Sweets, pass on whichever or both of these awards you want to. If doing so isn't your thing, then no worries - just wanted you to know I think you're wonderful!

The truth is, I've come to love Bloggieland and have read some fantastic blogs. I'm also grateful for all of you lovelies that follow me here, so here's some big "Karma" and "Sisterhood" Love from me to you too♥ xo

Happy Easter Sweet Friends...

Happy Easter! However you spend your day today, I hope it's wonderful for you. ♥

Can you believe my girls still love an Easter Egg Hunt? Yup, they certainly do. They told the Easter Bunny that now that they're older, he could take them off his list under one condition... that he would pass on a few Egg Hunt secrets to Mom so she could carry on hiding yummies for them.

So that's exactly what I do! It's quite fun - I make riddles and clues and they have to solve each one to find the next. Our favorite treats include; Reese's Peanut Butter Cup minis, Robbin Eggs, Cadbury Mini Eggs and yummy flavored Jelly Beans. Of course, the treasure at the end of the hunt always includes a solid Bunny. Yum.

Hmmmm... I think I hear the stirrings of waking family upstairs. I'm off to have some fun ;o)

Will you have some treats today? If you were here, I'd share mine with you♥ xo

It went too fast...

Spring Break is almost over - the girls are back in school tomorrow... sigh. We had such a wonderful time together! James took the girls skiing, they had such fun. We have enjoyed Mini Golf, a movie at the theater, shopping, Wii, looking through old family pictures, and crafting among other things.

I was looking at my last post and laughed as I had hoped to accomplish some things around the house as well. Not one single thing on that list was even thought of, lol! Oh well, the basement and sorting, etc. will still be there to do. A week off with the girls was way more fun!

Back to routine tomorrow and a whirl wind of work to do to list new goodies for my Etsy Shop. I need to catch up with my Bloggieland list and visit all of you lovelies too! ;o) See you soon xo♥

On Vacation... Sort of ;o)

Spring is coming; the sweet little birdies outside are growing in numbers and chirping their pretty little songs. We still have a little snow outside too, but it's quickly melting in the bright sun - Yay!

My girls have Spring Break holiday for 1 week - time off from school! I LOVE having them home.

I'd love to write that we'll be jet-setting off to somewhere fabulous... hmmm... Paris would be nice, or maybe somewhere tropical like the Bahamas. NOT! That would be nice, but it's not to be.

So what will we do? Well, we're trying to get our basement developed so the girls can have their own space to hang out with their friends. I did hire someone to do it, but his health issues have prevented him from coming very often, so things get done in little spurts - then nothing for a long while - sigh. All that being said, there are definitely a few things that we can do down there that are manageable, so that's on the agenda.

Spring around our house usually brings that feeling of wanting to re-organize and change things up a bit, as well as getting brave and finally purging all of those 'maybe I'll use this one day' things that we haven't even looked at in the last year, hehe.

So, doesn't all that sound exciting and fun? LOL

Actually, we do have some fun things planned too. James is taking the girls skiing for a day; they all love it - me? Nope - I just can't get used to the idea of putting slippery sticks on my feet and charging down a steep mountain. I tried it a few times and I'll probably give it another go at some point, but for now I'm quite content to wish them fun on their ski day together minus me!

There is much to do and see in our city and we plan to be 'tourist' for a day or two and enjoy some attractions. The 3 of us girls will probably do some shopping too, they grow like crazy and new spring lines are calling their names at the mall!

Have any of you ever seen the movie "Christmas in Wonderland" with Patrick Swayze, Carmen Electra among others? Not the greatest, lol - but it was filmed in our mall and the girls and I got to be extras in it. We were Christmas shoppers - we're in a couple of scenes, but if you blink - you'd miss us! AMAZING experience - we had sooooo much fun! Anyway, the mall is considered to be one of the world's largest with several indoor attractions such as a massive waterpark with numerous slides, wave pool and bunjee jumping. Also there's an amusement park that has rides and games you'd typically find at an outdoor seasonal fair. There are movie theatres, mini golf, bowling alleys, arcades, under-water sea world, skating rink - the list is endless. Of course, the shopping there is amazing too. So you see, there's lots of fun to be had.

I've taken all of my listings out of my shop and posted there that I'm on vacation. Since we're not going far, I'll be checking my emails daily and I'll probably post here at some point too.

My shop will be open again on Tuesday, April 7 and I'll be launching my new line of personalized labels and paper goods at that time.

Hope you all are seeing signs of spring where you are, see you soon! ;o) xoxo

PS: Help yourself to the images I've included in this post; they remind me of beautiful spring.

A Few of My Favorite Things... on Etsy

My 'Favorite' today is one that I am personally attached to. It's our new Team Shop on Etsy:

Inspiration Avenue

The shop consists of artistic creations that our sweet members donate. Proceeds go towards charities as well as operations of running the shop. I'm working on a digital art collage to list there in the next few days. You can find these lovelies following the current 'Sea Theme' in our shop right now.

Go have a look and 'heart' us as one of your favorites ;o) Then go back and check in often, because the ladies in this group are so talented and they each create such wonderful things!

Ok, I know - this one's been a bit of a 'shameless plug', lol - but I just couldn't help myself - I LOVE Inspiration Avenue!

For more eye candy, check out our Team Members Shops ;o)

http://www.angiekellydesigns.etsy.com
http://www.artangel.etsy.com
http://www.CoastalSisters.etsy.com
http://www.Coralseas.etsy.com
http://www.harmonyquestdesigns.etsy.com
http://www.LauraLeesTastyTreats.etsy.com
http://www.manamoon.etsy.com


Have a wonderful week everyone! ;o)

Graceful Wings of Butterflies...

I was going through all of my image files, pulling things from here and there to incorporate in to my new label line today. I am always drawn to my Butterfly file because I just love the beauty, elegance and gracefulness of them. There are so many stunning shapes and sizes of Butterflies and I am completely addicted to altering and collaging their graceful wings.

I thought I would share this little pretty with you; I created it some time ago and thought you might like it to incorporate in to your own lovely creations.

Do you have some time to create this weekend? I hope you do - me? Yes, I plan to make some time to create with my hands this weekend. Lots of time has been spent on the computer lately and I'm looking forward to playing with lovely bits and bobbles ;o)

Have a wonderful weekend full of what makes you happiest! xxoo

Monday's are 'A Few of My Favorite Things... on Etsy'...

Monday's... sigh, the weekend is over and it's the start of a new week. I like to spend some time on Monday mornings surfing around Etsy to see what kind of yummy things that catch my eye. I find it's a great way to get me in both a creative and business mode to start my week as I peruse all of the talent and wonderful things presented there.

I want to share with you one of my favorites each Monday.


Today I'd like to show you some beautiful findings and charms from Terri at:

Dime Store Emporium

I have purchased some pieces from her to create jewelry and assemblage treasures for my girls and me. I LOVE her selection; this is definitely a shop that I spend time looking at every listings page because I don't want to miss a thing!


A snip-it of Terri's Shop Announcement reads:

"I am always on the hunt for the most unique items, I have some great sources. Because of this, I am always updating my shoppe so please stop by often, I promise you won't be disappointed."


She keeps her promise... I've never been disappointed and even when I'm just being a looky-loo to see what's new, I'm always treated to lovely eye candy in her shop!




Go have a visit, her findings are a 10 out of 10 on my "Yummy" scale! ;o)




Etsy Shop Address: www.dimestoreemporium.etsy.com
Web Site Address: www.dimestoredaze.com
Blog Address: www.dimestoedaze.typepad.com

I have a question for you...

As I mentioned in the previous post, I will be adding Personalized Labels / Stickers to my Etsy Shop within the next couple of weeks. I have lots of different designs in the works, this label is just a mock-up sample. My mind is running around in circles as to how I should offer them; digital download or printed?

So if I may ask you clever sweets to think about this with me for just a moment:

If you were a potential customer wanting labels, would you prefer a digital download of them personalized for you so you could print them out on your own sticker sheets, etc. printing as many as you want, any time you want?

Or, would you prefer to purchase them printed from my color laser printer in which case you would be purchasing by the sheet with 20 or so per sheet?

I must admit, I am very fond of selling digital downloads as there is no shipping cost to the purchaser and it's as fast as a few clicks of a button. But, I'm also aware that there are lots of people who don't have quality printers that produce images, etc. that they're happy with.

Hmmmm, what to do, what to do. Perhaps the obvious answer is to offer both options.

Just thought I'd put this little question out there to see what you think, thanks so much for taking the time to answer. ;o)

Yummy Scroll Designs...

I just can't get enough of the ornate scroll designs of yesteryear. They are amazing to incorporate in to Digital Collage or just about anything else you create with.


I am working on a new line of Personalized Labels / Stickers that will be introduced in to my Etsy Shop within the next couple of weeks. I'm having so much fun creating them - lots of scrolly and poshy designs.

I was organizing my picture files and came across this little pretty I altered some time ago, I thought you might like to use it for your card making or scrapbooking, etc.

Hope you're having a wonderful week ;o)

Donation has been made...

A donation has been made to the Cruz family in honor of their sweet Zachary that included proceeds from sales of some of my listings as well as a little extra on my own behalf.

Listings have ended now. Thank you so much to those of you who purchased through these listings and please know that your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.

To the Cruz family: Our thoughts are with you.