Are Mustaches Out?

I have to say, I was really happy with the sales of Valentine's Day cards this year! I don't remember selling more than a handful in years past and this year's sales were pretty nice.

 

One thing I noticed was that my popular mustache card from years past wasn't nearly as popular this year. In fact, I only sold one. And then I got to thinking that I hadn't sold very many mustache cuff links recently either. It makes me wonder if the mustache trend is finally over?

I am happy to report that my new Moon and Back design did really well. And now I need to get a sample made for 5th anniversary cards as I think this design will do well for anniversary cards as well.

What trends have you noticed fading or taking the spotlight recently?

Friday Features - Last Minute Valentine

If you're like me, I tend to leave Valentine's Day gifts to the last minute! Which is why these fun printable Valentines come in so handy with only 2 days left to do our shopping! Anything to do with wine and coffee and you have my attention. Anything to do with beer and you've got Jesse's :) We're both pretty big fans of Netflix, so these cards would all be perfect!

Wine / Beer / Netflix / Coffee & Donut

 

Which is your favorite?

Valentine's Day Readiness

While I still feel like the holidays just ended, it's already time to start thinking ahead to Valentine's Day. I'd had a couple of custom requests for Valentine's cards in my shop and realized that my listings from last year were still deactivated. My brain wasn't ready for the next holiday I guess! But alas, we are already at the end of January and it's time to start planning ahead.

Upon relisting my cards from last year, I've already had several orders for them. So I'm telling you, get those Valentine items listed...now. Buyers are out there and ready to shop!

 

Over the last couple of years, I've added a couple new designs to my shop each year. One of the custom requests I got this year was for a popular quote "I love you to the moon and back". I thought it was the perfect design to add to this year's offerings.

Is your shop ready for Valentine's Day?

Friday Features - ♥

I can't believe this is the last full week of January and next week already brings us February! Which means that Valentine's Day is creeping even closer! Today I went in search of some items that I thought would make great Valentine's Day gifts, but that can be worn all year long. Enjoy :)

Clockwise from top left:
Custom Large Heart Fingerprint Necklace
 Valentines Day Sale heart necklace, personalized necklace
 Rough Pale Pink Kunzite Heart Ring Silver Valentine Love - Rosenwasser
 Open Heart Sterling Silver Helix Earrings

Which is your favorite?
What are you hoping to receive for Valentine's Day this year?

Valentine's Day - Just Around the Corner!

Wow, I'm just now starting to get caught up from holiday orders and it's already time to start thinking about Valentine's Day! I still have a post planned about everything I learned from my busiest holiday season ever, but wanted to get this post up since Valentine's Day is less than a month away! (how did that happen!)

 

Last year I had 3 designs available for purchase in my wooden card collection. And this year I'm adding two more designs.

I'm so glad I'm starting to get caught up because that allowed me time over the weekend to actually work on new designs! I love coming up with fun new themes and expanding existing lines. First up is the ever-popular tandem bike design. This design still does very well for wedding items and cuff links. This design is a little different from my other tandem bikes as it has a basket on the front full of hearts spilling into the air. I thought it added that right amount of "cute" to the card :)

And I've always enjoyed this LOVE design based on the sculpture by Robert Indiana. I recreated the design in my software program and added a simple sentiment to the bottom. All of these cards can be customized with any wording of the buyer's choice.

Look for these new designs in the shop soon. I got them created and engraved, but haven't had a chance to photograph them quite yet.

Are you working on any new items in your shop for Valentine's Day?

Wordless Wednesday - My Valentine's Rose

DIY Valentine's Party

I was recently asked by Mia of Mossy JoJo to participate in a Valentine's Day themed DIY party. As I'm sure you can tell from many projects on my blog, I'm all about DIY, so I was excited to participate!

Here's the rundown:

Summary:

Theme: Valentine

Challenge: Use up to 4 materials

I decided to make a fun bunting to hang in my house to spread the love :)

Materials used:

1. 2 pieces of material in different colors (I chose red acrylic for the hearts and wood for the letters)

2. Adhesive (I used glue dots)

3. Twine or Ribbon for hanging

4. Cutting tool such as a kraft knife or scissors (I used my laser)

I want to point out that while I used my laser for this project, many other materials could be substituted for this project. Scrapbook paper and letter stickers would make a super cute and super easy banner. Or pink cardstock for the hearts and kraft cardstock for the letters! The options are limitless!

What I did:

 I cut out the hearts and the letters.

Then adhered the letters using the glue dots

I strung the hearts on the twine and tied a loop on each end.

(Yup...it's that easy!)

I hung the bunting in our living room. I found this empty frame and thought it added as nice touch and helped the bunting stand out :)

Please stop by and see the other Valentine's DIYs from Mia and Marieken!

Mia of MossyJojo

DIY Pop Up Card

Marieken of Always Wear Your Invisible Crown

Heart Confetti Garland

Also linking up with these gals:

Valentine's Day...Already?

I don't know about you, but didn't we just get done with Christmas! My gosh, I can't believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner! I relisted some of my wooden cards from last year and I've already sold several. Which told me I better get my butt in gear and get the rest of my items listed! Shoppers are on top of their game this year.

 From last year, I've relisted the Double Heart Card, Deer Card and Mustache Card...all of which are doing well again this year :)

And just last night I got a few more items listed like this Love Is...You and Me photo album. This can also be personalized.

I'm also working on a Valentine's Day DIY using some red acrylic and thought some red heart earrings and cuff links would make fun Valentine's Day accessories.

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Are you still stuck in December like I am?

Friday Features - BBA Love

Earlier this week I blogged about some new Valentine's items I've added to my shop. I'm excited to say that my Mustache Card has done so well already! And we still have a couple weeks to go!

This got me in the mood to go searching for other awesome Valentine finds. I didn't have to look any further than my own Etsy team, the Blogging Business Artisans. This team is full of creativity and awesomeness! Check it out...

Heart Charms Set - Set of Two (2) - One (1) Glass Charm, (1) One Metal Charm

by randomcreative

Cupid's Arrow Necklace - Valentine's Day, heart, love, gold, brass, charm, vintage inspired

 by OhNostalgiaDesigns 

HEART T shirt, short sleeve, cotton, hand dyed, children, youth, tie dye, pink, hot pink, light pink

 by SplendidLittleStars

Shabby Chic Decorative Red Gingham, Polka Dot, Floral Hanging Hearts, Christmas Ornament, Satin Roses, Valentine, Trio

 by PeriDotbyDuni

♥Spread Some Love♥

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Jesse and I don't celebrate much, but I'm still having tons of fun making cute and humorous items for my shop :)

I started out with a couple fun/pun cards:

For my Deer

Mustache Valentine

I also listed these cute Post Heart Earrings

and I'll be listing these soon as well

I couldn't help but make a pair of each of these earrings for myself :)

 Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Are you getting your shop ready for the holiday?

Friday Features - Valentine's Humor

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Do you have a gift for your special someone yet?

Jesse and I aren't really the mushy, lovey-dovey kind so we don't do much celebrating on Valentine's Day. (though I wouldn't complain if he came home with flowers and chocolates!)

I thought it would be fun to go looking for Valentine's gifts and cards that were on the humorous side :) Enjoy my finds and a laugh...

Humorous Valentine's Day Card - "You Might Drive Me Nuts, But I Love You Anyway"

by meganbergman

Funny Valentine Card for Sweetheart - Roses are Red...

by KardsbyKaylee (ps...I love her shop motto: "Don't just give a card; give a keepsake")

My Sarcastic Valentine - Printable Valentine's Day Cards

by

britneyleighs

Funny Valentine's Card

by

spiffylittlethings

Friday Features-Love is in the Air

Though Jesse and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, that doesn't mean it's not a day for love :) Everyday should be a day for love! That's why I've chosen love-themed items for today instead of Valentine items. These would be great for all year long :)

LOVE Word Album Handmade

by memoriesforlifesb

Love One Another Deeply From the Heart Word Blocks

by PunkinSeedProduction

Handmade Love-Stitched Mini Felt Pillow

by nalliebowtique

LOVE ROCK - Home decor pebble - engraved rock

by sjengraving

Have a love-ly day :)

OWOH Giveaway Reminder!!!

First of all...Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I hope your sweetie got you something good :)

And if you don't have a sweetie...I hope you got yourself something good...You deserve it!

Secondly...Today is the last day to enter my OWOH Giveaway!!!

And thanks to everyone who has already left comments on my gift certificates. They are now in my shop :)

I have had so much fun flying around on this magic carpet ride called One World One Heart! I am excited to pick a winner tomorrow! And I'm excited to see if I won any goodies myself :)

Have a great Sunday :)

Friday Features-Valentine's Day

Though Valentine's Day may not be a holiday that Jesse and I really celebrate...it's always fun to look at all the pink and red goodies that come with the holiday :)

And who knows...maybe he'll surprise me with a gift this year...LOL!

I decided to go with a bird theme for all my VDay finds today :) Birds and owls are so cute and so popular...I loved finding such great items on Etsy!!!

Shocking Pink and White Love Birds Tweet Needlefelted Wedding Cake Topper

by feltmeupdesigns

Owls in Love Valentine Ring

by dillondesigns

Love Bird hand stamped sterling silver layered and soldered necklace

by cinnamonsticks

Love Birds (handmade button set of 7)

by TessaAnn

(And she's a fellow scrapbooker too!!!)

What a Week!!!

I've been MIA this week...what a busy one it has been! Now that I've finally got a little free time...I thought I'd fill you in on my week. Sunday: We had to replace the hot water heater! Then do dishes and laundry like crazy to get caught up because the hot water heater actually went out Saturday morning. Note to self: Cold showers are not fun!!! Then I had a meeting with a scrapbooking client. She brought me an entire tote full of newspaper articles of her daughter...freshman through senior year! I have to cut, organize, spray with acid-free spray, and put in a book...all by May! Monday: Work. Doctor's appointment. Shot and ear drops...which aren't helping by the way! So I'm sure I'll be going back to figure out what's up with my ears! I hate feeling yucky and not knowing why! I did manage to come home and jog and do my pilates though! That made me feel good :) To bed early so I can go into work early. Tuesday: Work 10 hours. Jog and pilates :) Finished getting tax papers together and business taxes updated. To bed early again so I can go into work early...again! Wednesday: Work 10 hours. Tax appointment...Hour and a half! But I got a refund :) So it was worth it! Gotta love money back! No ambition to jog...barely enough to check email when I got home. Cooked a quick lunch and went to bed...you guessed it...early again for work early! Thursday: Work 10 hours. Appointment with a scrapbooking client. 12 layouts to do for her by next Wednesday! Holy cow! Took a nice long, hot bath...I so needed that! And a shower and then got to work. I finished up three more word albums that I'll be adding to my shop tomorrow. Still need to get some pics of them though. Now I'm getting caught up on some cleaning and organizing and taking a quick coffee break. I need my afternoon boost. No work tomorrow...Yea :) So hopefully I'll be able to work all day and get everything on my to do list accomplished! How has your week been? Hectic, productive, slow? Leave me a comment :) And don't forget 14% off my Valentine Albums and my February Giveaway!

♥♥♥Blog Sale...Feel the Love♥♥♥

With Valentine's Day only 10 days away...I thought I would offer my wonderful readers a special sale :) I love Valentine's and I love my readers...so what better idea! Now through Feb. 14 get 14% off these FOUR albums. Just type in "bloglove" in the message to seller and I will refund your money through Paypal :) Now...don't you feel loved :)

Valentine's Giveaway-Creating from the Heart

WooHoo...another giveaway :) Who doesn't like winning free stuff, right! How about REALLY COOL free stuff! Hop on over to http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/ and check out all the cool stuff you can win :) Here's wishing everyone Good Luck :)

Show Your Love :)

One more album to show your love this Valentine's Day :)

Check it out here...along with two other Love-ly albums :)