Sunday, December 23, 2012

Just popping in to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

It's been a wonderful year, my daughter started preschool, I started this wonderful new venture in my life called Print Smitten and I can't wait to see what next year brings us.

Before I sign off, I wanted to share a last minute gift idea from the kids. Because I've had the pleasure of being home more with them this season, I decided to do a fun and easy craft with them. I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures of the process but here is the final product, applesauce cinnamon Christmas ornaments!

Mix all together in a bowl until blended and let sit for 1 hour
Roll dough out on the counter I about 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes or so what I did and sit your tots on the counter while you use a skewer to trace their hands! Don't forget to use a straw to make holes where you want to string your ornaments.
I actually had to make two batches of this dough, the recipe does not make that much.

I then used some red and white bakers twine to string a tag and some bells and voila! Pretty and oh so smelly good Christmas ornaments. This is the perfect keepsake for grandparents.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Hello all my lovies! I've been diligently stocking shop with more girt wrapping goodies and I just wanted to pop in to share what I've been up to. Print Smitten is a full service graphic design shop that specializes in web graphics and stationary.

Since it's conception in August of 2013, we've gone through branding changes, and even some product changes. As I grow this business and learn along the way I'm discovering what I enjoy doing the most. Creating pretty a packaging, beautiful invitations and cards is what I find to be the most gratifying for me. So with all that said, 2013 is going to bring big changes to the shop and business. While web graphics will always be a part of the business, I am going to focus more of my attention on printed goodies from, cards, gift tags, invitations, party favors etc., all printed in my home studio and sent straight to your door!

Below are some new goodies I have available in the shop now. I have plenty more up my sleeve. Stay tuned in 2013 for
more goodies like these!

Below are some lovely images I've captured using my trusty iPhone. All products below are available in my shop now!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Good things are happening at Print Smitten and I want to spread some love and holiday cheer. First up, free social media icons! YAH! I plan to offer up a new set of freebie icons every quarter with a different color scheme to match the current trends of the season. Instantly download as many as you like and mix and match colors for a fun, fresh, look to your blog or website. And of course if you don't like these, I have a ton of custom icons in my shop to browse through as well!

If you need some help understanding how to install these buttons on your blog, I'm not going to reinvent the wheel here and do another tutorial on the process ( which is so easy, you could do it while sleeping ). A quick Google search for " installing social icons on blog" will bring a ton of blogs that have given you screen shots and step by step instructions on the process. I promise, you won't be pulling your hair out. It's a fun, easy, and cheap way to snazzy up your online space.

And of course, I have my own personal favorites from the color trend list too below.

Don't forget to bookmark and follow Print Smitten on Pinterest and Facebook for the latest freebies,downloads and special promos that I have coming very shortly :)

So, enough chatting and more downloading right? Click on the ribbon link below and you will be directed to a public Photobucket album with all the icon images free for the taking. All you have to do is either right click and save or you can grab the code that is listed under each image. These icons are 64px and are set to a transparent background.

I would love to hear your feedback on these icons and once you get them installed, please comment below with a link to your blog or site so I can take a look! As always, you can see a ton of other social icons offerings in my shop too!

Boring Disclaimer: These icons are for PERSONAL USE only. They are not to be resold as your own and are not to be used for commercial use. Thank you for complying :) Contact me for additional question and if you are interested in an extended license.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Some more goodies in the shop today. I designed these, well, out if necessity. You see, my printer and I don't get along very well and today it just decided it wasn't going to print any color for me. Fine then! Ill still make you work. So in went Kraft card stock and out came these awesome modern text tags in bold type with holiday cheer sayings. I win!

In my love for all things pretty and paper and detailed, I created fun little kit to assemble your own customized party flags. Fun right?

Every good party host knows that it's all about the details. These party flags a.k.a straw flags or cupcake toppers are all the rage now in the party scene. Below is a set I had just completed and shipping out today for a bridal shower.

These flags are laser printed on heavy smooth cardstock and come in sets of 12 with 12 toothpicks for sticking in cupcakes, appetizers etc. or glue around your favorite straws. Customize your font and colors and sayings too! Have fun and be creative.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

today was one of those days where I just wouldn't be satisfied unless I had a new listing in my shop. The problem was, I had a packed schedule full of events to attend with my 3yr in tow. How was I going to get this done? I'll tell you how.

I have an iPhone 4s. Etsy recently did an update to the Etsy app that allows you to now upload pictures from your phone to create new listings yah! I decided to give it a go this morning and here are thoughts.

I'm in love, addicted, and cannot wait to list more once the sun comes back up tomorrow. I can list while taking care of business ( I know, too much info. ) or while waiting at the doctors office. I'm just so thrilled I can't hardly stand it.

Last night, I was working on a new product ( see image below ) and I was so excited about these cute little envelopes that I couldn't wait to share them with the world. I'm fortunate to have a sliding glass door in my kitchen which leaves in the best natural light. While my daughter was getting dresses this morning, I had to take some pictures. I just had to. On a side note, I often take quick shots with my camera just to look at and critique before I take the "real" picture with my crappy Nikon Coolpix that's about the have it's 5th birthday.

Anyways, this morning, I grabbed some scrapbooking paper, laid out my cute new envelopes and started snapping next to the door with the natural light. I did several shots all in about 5 minutes time. Below, you can see the results of the completely unedited iPhone pictures I took this morning. Not bad huh!

I didn't have time to create the listing right then and there, so While we were waiting in line, at several stores today and while at the doctors office, I was able to get the listing completely done and published to Etsy. Yah for time management and the Etsy app.

The moral of this post is this, you don't need a fancy DSLR to take great shots. You don't need a full photo setup with special lights and tents etc. These shots were taking in natural light from the glass door, a piece of scrapbook paper, a pencil and some bakers twine. That's it!

I challenge you and your phone's camera skills for your next photo shoot!

These cute cards can now be found in the Print Smitten Etsy shop :)
PS. tutorial coming soon on how to make these. And of course all photos will be shot with my phone. Yipee!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Oh me oh my how I am so bad a blogging. I wish I was the kind of person that was so organized and had my little blog schedule all written out in a nice cute notebook. Well, I can keep dreaming as long as Im attached to my 9 to 5.

I'm popping in today to share what I've been up to in the shop lately. I've focused my attention more on prints, invitations and wall art. I have been meaning to expand my shop with a better variety of printables and finally have the time to do so.

Below is an invitation that I did last week. I wish I had a need for it! But maybe you do? The colors and wording are fully customizable. More invitations are coming as quickly as I can make them so stay tuned :)