A New Design (online) is Open

Yes, you can now visit A New Design to shop online! Please visit the web site. Click on "Shop" to enter into the shopping component. Feel free to browse and shop. Let me know what you think (or if anything does not work)! I have been working on this project for months now, so I can only imagine that I may have overlooked something! This is a work-in-progress! I plan on adding new items to the site every week, so be sure to bookmark the page and check it frequently! You may customized greetings for in stock cards or still request custom orders! There are a few other items too that are now available.

I have no paper art to show today, well because this is enough news for the day!

Sneak Peek @ the new "Shoppe"

For all of my blog readers, I decided to give you a sneak peek at the new web site to open on July 1! Most of you have probably seen the "entry" page pictured left. It simulates my online storefront and gives you the option to find out about us, shop, or blog. The about and shop links will be available on July 1! The blog link is already active and takes you here! It also matches my online store design.



This is the shopping homepage. It features a flash picture viewer of various supplies I use to create my paper art. All photos are courtesy of Bold Lifestyle Photography. The "Shoppe" gives you the option to view several categories of projects from cards to scrapbooks. Please visit the Shoppe often as items will be added each week.





Pictured left is a screen shot of how the cards shoppe looks. You have the option to select various sub-categories of types of cards. This picture is for birthday cards. It gives you a short abstract about each item and allows you to add it to your cart. You also can click on each product for a single review.



The web site allows you to write reviews about items purchased and sign up as a customer. You must use PayPal to make a purchase. You do not have to have a PayPal account to make a purchase via PayPal. Shipping will be by USPS at the lowest cost, unless specified by a customer for faster shipment in the 'special notes.' There are a bunch of other neat options on the site, so on Tuesday, make sure you go and browse around! Until then, you can see before everyone else!

A New Design has a New Design

That's right...I have a new blog look! If you are viewing this post via your e-mail or by some other RSS feed, click here to view my new blog look! It is a custom design by Girly by Design, who has designed my entire web marketing scheme. My shopping site will go live very soon as I test a few options to make sure everything works properly. I hope July 1 will mark the Grand Opening date!

Send me a comment...let me know what you think so far! Have a good weekend!

Live...Laugh...Love

I made this card with limited supplies, so to be honest...I don't like it! It looks unfinished, so I will re-post it with more to it later. I think I am going to add brads or flowers to the empty space on the right! I'm just not your average "Plain Jane" and neither are my cards, so this one bothers me!

The stamp set is great and by a new company called October Afternoon. I have a calendar stamp set by them as well to make desktop calendars! Their stamps are of good quality and stamp well.

My Goodies
Stamp: October Afternoon (Night Owl)
Ink: Brown
Paper: PTI summer sunrise; brown, vanilla
Accessories: NONE and SCREAMING TO ADD MORE!
Technique: Stamped


This was a special request for the blue/brown lover! I stamped the birds - to make them kiss - in brown ink on vanilla cardstock. The edges are distressed. I popped off of a blue/brown pattern paper and placed on brown card base. I added clear dew dots on the right side of the card.

My Goodies
Stamp: Verve Visual (Anniversary Birds)
Ink: Brown
Paper: brown, vanilla, (scrap pattern paper)
Accessories: dew dots
Technique: Stamped

To end this post, I'll leave you with "Live...Laugh...Love" for the weekend. It's important to be grateful for the 'free' stuff we all have. So, have fun and love one another!

Web Site Update
My shopping web site is basically complete. I have some kinks to straighten out, but I have products and everything! As soon as my blog design is transformed and I create some more products and 'test' out everything, I will go live! So, look for a "Grand Opening" next month!!!

Beyond Your Wildest Expectations

This card is a special request for a special person! This card is for a college graduate who is pursuing a medical career! I customized it to fit her future by stamping a stethoscope and some syringes. I also included her name on the card! The sentiment is popped of of the card for added dimension.

Web Site Update
If you have not checked already, the first step of my new web site is now published. You may view it by clicking here! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! The About and Shop links are not yet active, but will be once the full web site is launched. However, you can access my blog via www.anewdesignonline.com.

My Goodies
Stamp: Madison Avenue Stamps - Doctor Doctor; Verve Visual Great Expectations
Ink: CTMH Black
Paper: white card stock; Bazzill Basics black card stock; Archiver's pre-scored card
Accessories: MM 5th Avenue blossoms; K&Co adhesive pearls; rhinestones; JoAnn ScrapEssentials circle alphabet clips; black thread; Janome Sew Mini
Technique: Stamped; Stiched
Card Size: 5" x 5"

Birthday Wishes...for a Guy

This "birthday wishes" card was created last week during what I know now as my "allergy attack!" I have never had allergies before, but I guess I have a small case of them now. It seems to be cleared up now, but I'll take my meds for another month or so to make sure! As for the card, it was a simple 10-minute card between watery and burning eyes and head full of pressure! Papertrey Ink's Out on a Limb stamp set is easier to use now than ever. I really like the tree limbs and the options of the leaves or buds! The motto, "practice makes perfect" really does fit in the paper art area, so it's never too late to jump on in and start paper crafting! Although there is never a perfect, there is a fun and creative process. Does this card look masculine? Well, I tried to make it as masculine as I could, which is a challenge that I have all of the time!

As an update on my "shopping" web site...the design is coming along nicely! I have seen and approved some great proofs and cannot wait for it to be completed!! I hope everyone will like it as much as I do! The site should be completed later this month with products (cards and other paper art) for sale by a June grand opening date!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!


My Goodies
Stamp: PTI Out on a Limb
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip; CTMH Garden Green
Paper: K & Co pre-scored card; Pattern Paper - Father Knows Best (PTI); Lemon Tart card stock (PTI); Summer Sunrise (PTI); brown card stock
Accessories: Hodgepodge Eyelets; Satin Ribbon
Technique: Stamped; Crop-a-Dile
Card Size: 9.25" x 3.75"

Sympathetic Flowers

This card was made for a customer as a 'rush order' due to the circumstances of death in a family. I created this card in about 5 minutes. I decided simplicity was the best, so I used an easy rub-on, matted on a patterned paper, and adorned with a variety of flowers of different shades, patterns, and textures.

Today is a special day because my shopping web site construction begins! You may notice some changes to the site. I will continue to post on this blog to keep you updated on the progress. Tomorrow, I will post one of my Mother's Day card designs that you may order this season! I will post a few other design options you may choose later this week as well.

Supplies

Paper: BoBunny Mint Dot pattern paper; Recollections black pre-scored card
Accessories: Deja Views Rub-on; MM 5th Avenue blossoms; MM brads
Card Size: 5" x 7"

Paper Source: A Review

Sorry I did not post anything yesterday, but I was having a 'fun day.' Among a few other things, I visited Paper Source in Georgetown (picture courtesy of Paper Source). I've heard so much about the store and probably walked passed it hundreds of times since I frequently visit Georgetown having grown up about 30 minutes away. I'm sure I looked into the storefront and probably thought, "they have nothing for me." Little did I know, it would be one of the most fascinating paper art stores I've ever visited! It is located right off of M Street, near 3oth Street. They have another location in Alexandria too! Click here for a list of their locations.

The handmade paper they carry is absolutely fabulous! I purchased a couple of sheets and tried to limit myself since it was my first visit! Their ribbon and its packaging is great! On the upper level, they carry a wide variety of envelopes and paper/pre-scored cards. I really like this feature since Recollections closed. As opposed to Recollections, they offer a broader selection of colors and styles of envelopes/paper. I tend to stick with the neutrals (white, cream, khaki) or light colors because sometimes mailing a black envelope is not the best idea! On darker color envelopes, you would have to use a light mailing sticker, which may take away from the color. If I am hand delivering a card, I may use a darker color because it allows me to use a white or metallic marker to address the outer envelope. Speaking of envelopes, their designs are cute and allow you to line the inner envelope, perhaps to match the card! They offer a tutorial of this process, along with numerous others, on their web site!!

The staff was helpful, but apprehensive about customers destroying the paper. There were signs everywhere about handling the handmade paper. So, I warn you, handle the handmade paper carefully and ask for help if you are short like me and can't reach the top! They offer a wide selection of rubber stamps. Many of the stamps are unique; whereas, some are the typical alphabet or numbers for the bride-to-be who makes everything with her new initials! This store also includes many creative ideas for the mom-to-be. Their selection of embossing powders is grand! They offer every color imaginable.

Paper Source offers great inspiration and creative ideas for those who want to create and design their own handmade invitations or use their special printing service. During my visit, I noticed a couple visiting with a Paper Source representative. So, they provide special attention, so your invitation is something creative.

On another note, I am currently working on Mother's Day projects, so please e-mail me early if you are interested! I just got a new shipment of stamps for Mother's and Father's Day, as well as great new embellishments and other bold and new ideas to add to my paper creations! As an update on my web site, it is due to start at the end of the month. Hopefully, it will be complete in May or at the latest, June! I'll provide updates as it is coming along. This week, I'll post some great shots of our fun weekend from a scholarship gala to the cherry blossoms, along with some inspirational cards! Enjoy the remainder of the weekend and I'll 'see' you tomorrow!

My First Confession!

A New Design Online...COMING SOON!

Finally! A New Design Online is coming along! I am currently working on the 'shopping' part of my website (www.anewdesignonline.com). Thank you to all who have frequently visited the site and asked me about it! You each have motivated and encouraged me to continue to achieve my goal! This is a long, but rewarding process and I hope you will enjoy it...that is...when I finally finish! I've been very busy fulfilling card requests and making creative gifts for friends, so the web site debut is taking a little longer than I anticipated.

I have started a blog, which will include my ventures as a paper artist, such as conventions I attend or any experiences I have. I will also display some tips of the trade here to inspire others to start the paper art hobby! Eventually, I hope to post daily card creations for everyone to see my new creativity boiling! My mind has not been able to stop recently with all of those creative juices flowing...it's a good lack of sleep!

Recently, I have made it a goal of mine to visit a scrapbooking store wherever I travel. I have visited two new scrapbook stores in the past few months and here is my review!

• Archiver's - Raleigh, NC
• www.archiversonline.com
  
  In January, I traveled to Raleigh, NC and visited Archiver's. This was a very nice store. It is a chain that offers many classes and crops and great assistance if needed. The store is designed nicely and organized well. I would categorize Archiver's as your Saks Fifth Avenue of scrapbook stores. However, since it is not your 'mom and pop', they do not offer special attention. For example, I inquired about special ordering invitations (ordered over the phone and shipped to me). The manager confirmed that you must order the invitations in the store and the store can ship the items to you. This is a slight speed bump for those avid paper artists who do not have a local Archiver's. Rest assured when you travel to 18 different states, because they have 40 stores...just hope one is nearby you!
  
  
• The Stamping & Scrapbooking Room - Greensboro, NC
• www.stampandscrapbookroom.com
  

  In December, I traveled to Greensboro, NC, where I lived for four years and visit frequently and stopped by the Stamping and Scrapbook Room. This scrapbook supplier store is your local owned 'mom and pop' with everything you could possibily need. Don't let the storefront fool you! Betty, the owner, greeted me and assisted me with my shopping. I must add a word of caution to be careful if you go because she can influence you to buy more! Betty was extremely helpful and even offered specialized service to me as an out of town shopper. She offers over the phone/internet ordering and shipping to my home! This is great special treatment for those hard-to-find items. While here, I purchased great prima flowers in glass jars with the stands! She offered them for a great price and provided their original packaging for handling back to Viriginia. Later, I called Betty about my prima flowers and inquired about the buds (stamens) that I inadvertently forgot to buy. She let me know she had some in stock and could ship. I decided to wait until my next visit to Greensboro to browse and buy more! This store also offers crops and some classes.
  

Thanks for stopping by and please check my site (www.anewdesignonline.com) daily as I plan to add items very often.