I love summer.

I have to say the last few cards I have designed really reflect the summer that just started a few days ago. On the other hand it feels as though it's been here for over a month. Not complaining. So I decided to design some really summer feeling cards. Hope you enjoy.

God Bless everyone who wants to be. For you others...have a nice day.
Carol

Another new card.

I forgot that I didn't show my new puppy boy card. What can I say, see I am working too hard. However it's more love for me than work.

Really I'm working....

Most of you wonder where I have been. Well, I have been working really hard on my new line of cards. The pet line, they include sympathy, new puppy, new kitten. I showed you the new kitten card and now I am unveiling my new puppy girl card. I am proud of the creations and wanted to share them with you.

Look whats new in my studio

Not many words needed. I am really having fun now. This card is for the new kitten owner. I also have a new puppy card on my etsy page.

This card has three pages. Sure to make the new kitty owner feel the love.

You know what day this is....

Oh no.....

I truly put my sisters birthday aside. Or did I? The truth is that I decided to make her the best card ever, you ask why? Because she is also a very creative card designer also. I was going to do a pop up card. Now let me tell you that I was going to be on time with the card for her birthday. However, I couldn't get it right. Three tries and not right yet. The fourth time was successful and I got the card sent the day after her birthday. When she received it, she knew I cared and loved her. I just misplaced her birthday. Happy Birthday Sis.

Love to my family, and God Bless.

Carol

It's my turn.

While Austin is enjoying and often falling off his perch, I am designing my Valentine's Day cards. And loving every minute. I can't show you everything but I love this one. Don't you just love when you step out of your comfort zone and do something you love. This card incorporates the paper lace doily. Yummm. I also venture into pop up cards. I might show you one of those if Austin will give me back my keyboard.

Happy Blessing from the designer in the house.

Carol

No words needed.

Send love for pet loss.

Yesterday I spent time designing a dog sympathy card, while John was out in the back digging more holes. Tomorrow I am going to post an updated picture of the work going on in the back yard. However, it's a long way from done.

But today is sympathy card day. I am proud of this piece, mostly because often while designing, I loose my way and find myself wondering how the card will be finished. The point is always the finishing mark on each card.

The main piece here are the hearts. One heart didn't do it. After about an hour and may heart tries, I did two hearts and it made the card. Just thought you would like to know even creative people get stumped. But the will to create a great card always wins and I never quit.

Have a great weekend

Carol

Halloween Already?

Not for most of the country, but for a graphic designer making designs for her up and coming greeting card sales, it has started. I wanted you to see my first one for 2010.

What do you think, is it a keeper. I say I can even do better.

Carol

So much fun....

I was so privileged to create wedding money cards for Brittney of PA. She ordered seven cards to give to the service people helping her make her day perfect. I can't tell you how wonderful that felt to be a special contributor to her wedding. I thought you might enjoy what it looked like after done. By the way...don't laugh at the one dollar bill, it's all I had to show the card off.

I know Brittney will give a better gift to her vendors.

Carol

When reality drives you to Dunkin Donuts

Tuesday morning, the week after Father's Day, I picked up my cards from a really cute little gift store. This is always a tense thing for me because I know the sales of my cards are going to be slight. I'm not a negative person but realize the death of greeting card sending or even giving is upon us.

Now you might say, what took you so long....well it's not that it took me so long to figure this out, it was my hope that sending a beautiful card to someone was not a thing of the past.

When I get a card from a friend or family member I place in a special place so I can see it everyday. It's takes me weeks to take it down because to me, that extra time it takes to buy it and send it means I am not a last minute thought. I am considered worth the effort.

Today I decided to close my little business, not making cards but selling them in many stores. I have a great shop in Minnesota that will continue to get my cards. The owners are not only good friends but strong supporters of my creativity. I will also stay in Etsy for the fun of it.

So, you say what does a Dunkin Donut have to do with it? I try not to eat too much fun foods. However, I always find myself going to a donut when I really need to food hug. What's your vice, let me know.

After eating this delightful fritter, I am feeling better, maybe it's because this wasn't a decision made today but the closing of a chapter in my life. But look out, I never quit I just improve.

God Bless

Carol

Great Grandfather Card

This is something ordered by a dear friend. This first time great grandfather deserved a card to let him know he is thought of. Card was done with a male look. Let me know how you like it.

Have a great Tuesday. I am still getting used to my part time job. So a little slow at adding posts. We will call this card day. Giggle.

Carol

Father to be....

I wanted to show you a new design for Father's Day. I was ask last year if I could design a card that didn't say happy father's day but say, you are going to be a father. I designed one for last year it sold right away. But this year I wanted to make it lighter in color. Did I go too far? I am sorry it's so soft looking but the card is soft. Yiks, what was I thinking. Tomorrow I will put my last years picture on the site.

Have a great Saturday

Carol

Easter Greetings

Easter Wishes to all who follow my little blog. Today is time for church and family. Love goes out to my family in Minnesota. Miss you guys.

Carol

Whaaat.....

I have designed money cards over the last two years. Tweaking the design, reworking the template. I designed my own template so tweaking was a slow process, always saving it on the computer, I have used this layout feeling secure that all I had to do was change the words, save and print. This is what happened yesterday. I know it's hard to see but the total card is truly one quarter off from top to bottom. Money cards have to hold cash or checks so size is important.

I am sharing this with you because I want you to laugh. It seems the harder we try to make life easy, the harder it is to be to be perfect. Yes I said perfect. I am a real fan of perfection, and know too well that I'm not. But I love my allusion and will strive to stay there.

Got to go, back to the proverbial drawing board. Giggle.

Have a great day.

Carol

Vintage Easter

I loved this piece of vintage art and wanted to make a card that resembled the era in which this artwork was common. My mom would have loved it.

Hope you like it.
Carol

Wedding Gift

I love designing cards for weddings, and placing a gift card or money before closing. Last week I designed a wedding card shown here. It seems to me that it's my best yet. Often when I finish a card I find myself patting me on my back, which is pretty hard to do.

But the best part was when they opened it, the bride spent time looking at it, feeling the texture, admiring the colors. I knew then that the card was a gift onto its self. This felt good and makes creating so important and standing in front of my drawing table even more satisfying.

Wanted to share this moment with you.

Carol

Aren't the colors wonderful.

When I design I most of time have an idea what the end product is to look like. But this card was different. As I started with a look in front of me, I realized it needed more. However, that is often a problem when you have already started the layout. By the time I was done, I had so many layers on the front of the card that I was totally in love with the end product and felt the extra paper and time was worth it. I just wanted to toot my own horn this morning. Giggle.

God Bless those who visit my site and my heart.

Carol

This felt so good.

This last week I made a decision to stop talking about expanding my card sale and doing something about it. I new that the fear of approaching store owners was the weak link in my success. Marketing to small gift stores was definitely important. The few store I have my cards in are showing me my cards have value.

I want to make it work, but the fear was huge. I called Dobsons with a request to see them about my cards. The owner was not sure she would carry them. But I felt that I presented myself over the phone with strength of conviction. Was this enough, I got an appointment for a week later, being yesterday.

I ask if she wanted a sample of the cards and a price list before we met. She said yes. This was such a great start and the effort was successful. Now I had to wait for a meeting with her a week later. I told myself that I had presented myself well over the phone and now I prayed to do the same when I saw her.

To keep this short, she said my cards were really lovely and she would love to sell them. I wanted to hug her but decided that would have to wait. Mostly because she just might think I am crazy.

I wanted to share this with all that read my little blog. If you fear you fail. If you try, you may just be surprised that you can succeed. This in my mind was success. Thanks to God, I told him I knew he was putting this challenge in front of me. I hope him proud.

God Bless those who spend time in this little world of mine

Carol