It's Over!!!

The ice storm is finally over and everything is getting back to normal! I'm currently trying to catch up on all of my orders... Thanks for everyone's patience while I get up and running again! :)

I hope to have more pictures up soon.. but in the meantime, here are some photos taken by my friend Erik of my street just after the storm. He sent these in to BBC News and were featured on their site! I'm glad its over... Now only two more months of winter to go......

Be Merry! :)

I hope all your Christmas wishes come true! Happy Holidays!

P.S. We still have no Internet, phone, or cable here but we're hopeful it will be soon. There are lots of new ideas for cards, art, and other fun stuff coming in the new year! Be on the lookout ;)

Ice storm

well, I'm sending this from my iphone... (thank you iPhone!!!!!!) We had an ice storm start on last Thursday night. The power went out, and it might be another week before it comes back on! So many trees and powerlines went down in the whole state (of MA), NH too.. The crews are having a hard time clearing the debris to get the lines working again. We were able to get a generator from a friend, so now we have heat, hotwater, a fridge, and some lamps! We also have our woodstoves, which give heat and we've been using it to cook! We've heard it might be another 4-5 days before the power is back. I can't wait to post some photos! I can't do it from my iPhone... (boo) my online stores are also closed temporarily, as I can't use my computer, and we don't have lights in my workspace. We heard it's going to be snowy and icy again tonight or tomorrow.... Hope it doesn't slow down the efforts of the work crews! (thank you workers!!!!!! Can't wait till you get here!) :) So that's about it from here. The sun just went down... Too bad our holiday lights are dark in the windows! Take care all... ~Kelly

Flat Notecards

I recently had a customer request some handpainted postcards from me. I couldn't really come up with a way that would keep the cards safe through the mail with no protection (like an envelope.)

So, I tried my hand at making some flat notecards, with envelopes. I think they came out nice! It was actually harder to make them than regular cards (much to my surprise!)... When I glued them together, I had nowhere to put my hands to hold it down (since anywhere I would hold it was covered with the watercolor paper.) I ended up getting glue all over me! (which I can't stand LOL eww)

Anyway, here's a look! I like how they turned out ;)

stART at the Station - 12.07.08

stART at the Station was at the renovated Union Station, in downtown Worcester. It is truly one of my favorite buildings.. Its so beautiful! The show was a blast, and my dad and I had a great time! Thanks to everyone who stopped by! :)

Yummy!

I just entered the "Lollishops and Gingerbread" challenge put on by Lollishops.com Those who entered were asked to create a gingerbread house using any medium... There will be voting and a winner too! I think I was too late on my entry, but there might be a second round *keeping fingers crossed*



SEE THE OTHER FABULOUS ENTRIES HERE!!! (On Flickr)

I also just opened my NEW STORE ON LOLLISHOPS this week! I haven't had a chance to see how all the details work, but I have a few new items listed there. I actually created a whole new line of cards for my lollishop... Very detailed with patterns and layers of colors... and of course.. Cuteness! ;)

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Win! Win! Win! (and an interview)

I've been featured in a mini-interview on the blog of Cinnamon Sticks Boutique! Canela, of Cinnamon Sticks is having a SUPER HUGE giveaway on her blog... You should check it out to see the 12 days of prizes you can win.. along with smaller giveaways every day for the next few days! Totally amazing, and beautiful handmade stuff!!

You can't win if you don't enter!! Go visit her blog.. I hope you win! ;D

Shrinky Dink Fun!

Whenever I do a craft fair, I like to have something fun to display on my table, besides the cards. This year I tried my hand at some necklaces made of shrinkable plastic!
If you've never tried it, I highly recommend playing around with some! I felt like I was six again... cheering as I watched them curl and shrink in the oven ;)
You can still find it at major craft stores, like Michael's. Have fun! :)

conversation birds and clam chowdah...

I will be a vendor at the Essex Clamfest (Essex, MA), this Saturday Oct. 25! The craft area will be behind the town hall from 11am-4pm. Hope to see you there! ;D
Chowdah......... Mmmmmmm.....

Mission Soldier Support - holiday edition

I am participating for the second time in a wonderful project started by Rachel Wright of Captured Time Books. In Mission Soldier Support, blank handmade cards will be sent to troops overseas. The soldiers will write in the cards and send them back home to loved ones.



I am so proud to participate in this project! All you have to do is go to any participating MSS shop, now through Nov. 7 (so the cards have time to get to the troops and back home to the families). Purchase a card, and put "MSS" in the "message to seller" box at checkout! To see the participating shops search MSS on etsy.com, or CLICK HERE.



The cards will be sent to Rachel of Captured Time Books, and she will mail them to military units stationed in Iraq.

***I will be matching donations from anyone who purchases a card from my shop for this event! Visit Rachel's blog to learn more about this fantastic event, and to see the cards that have been donated: http://capturedtimebooks.blogspot.com/***

Custom Paintings - Final!

The custom paintings I've been working on are finally finished... Yipee!!!
Here are some close-ups. This was also my first attempt at "leopard print." ;)

Bye Bye...

My goodies bags are finally ready to go.. and, in keeping in line with my usual self, I've run out of packing tape! (I'll buy some on the way to the post office.. these ARE going out today!!!) ;)

Goodies...

I'm frantically getting my promo bags ready to send in to Sadie Lou Who of Lollishops. She is attending the Silver Bella 2008 event to promote the opening of Lollishops. Read more about the event, and Sadie Lou on HER BLOG!

The theme is to put your items in "treat bags". I, of course, bought the wrong size (I couldn't tie them with the items inside! Cards take up more room than I thought!)... so I still have to go out and get the bigger ones. D'oh!

I've created ten new card designs which will be sold only in my Lollishop store. Also, some really sweet handpainted magnets! Here's a peek at what I'm including...

Getting Ready for Lollishops!

If you haven't heard, there is a new online marketplace opening up for all things handmade and cute! Its called Lollishops and it will be opening soon! Check out their website for more information, and sign up to be notified of the grand opening! (hooray!)

I'm creating a whole new line of cards and fun stuff to put in my shop there... Very cutesy and sweet! Here's a sneak peek of some things I've been working on.
Enjoy!

Custom Work in Progress 2

Ths customer also asked me to make a little girl with a leopard print outfit! Something I've never tried... These are the rough color sketches. I'm waiting word from the customer to approve these and then I'll get started on the paintings! (fun)

Custom Work in Progress...

The customer is asking for a boy with balloons and a girl with bees! These will be made into 8" x 10" paintings... I'll keep you posted on how they turn out (I'm curious to see myself!) :)

The Process...