busy busy bee…

holidayshop

Wow, I see that I’ve taken a whole 5 days off from posting…I know! Bad blogger! I’ve been working on the Shop and the Hub (the blog and shop website) these past few nights. I’ve also been wondering if I’m some kind of a lunatic for creating all this extra work for myself. But, I’ve gotten some really positive feedback lately which tells me that the effort is worth it. Besides, it’s either projects like the Shop and the Hub or it’s projects like laundry, yech!

I’ve got a whole two-week break from the Look Up Series to focus on my little creative babies (shop and hub…shub?). I will give you a peek of what I’ve been up to soon enough. It’s christmassy of course with a dash of cute and pinch of pretty. I want the items I create to inspire others to get creative (wow, blog theme tie-in, hehe) while also being user and budget friendly. Everything I design for the Shop has to follow that “formula” in addition to having room for embellishments so that the fabulous craftistas out there (I’m talking to you!) can add their own touches. I imagine I will be up to my eyebrows in glitter and pop-dots at some point this month but that’s what life is all about…right?

Check back this week for a special Etsy Love post I’ve been coveting for 5 whole days! I think it might be my most favorite feature yet!  There will be more FREE printables this month and (EEK!) another giveaway! I’ll throw in some of my favorite cookie recipes as we near December and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my live evergreen wreath so that I can decorate and share it  you. Ever wonder how they make those really fluffy bows? Well, I’ll show you! (wink)

Here’s a little holiday sparkle to get you in the mood:

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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twice as nice :: The Brightside Project

TheBrightSideProject

Can it be? Can The Brightside Project get any brighter??? Well the answer is a resounding YES! The Brightside Project hosts a giveaway daily…you read that right…daily. Each month is themed and this month’s theme is The List. As in, the list of special people for whom you buy gifts and create joy for (because you rock it like that). Basically, with each giveaway you answer a specific question, by way of leaving a comment. The winners are announced on Wednesdays. That’s all, just read, comment, wish, and you may win! November is extra special though…The List is a one for them and one for you…that’s right, double the gifts! How can you not go there right now and participate? Why, it would be irresponsible of you not to, and un-American!! (too much? ok, sorry, I got carried away)

BREATHE

You can thank Miss B. and Miss K. by spreading the word about The Brightside Project through Facebook, Twitter, your blog or just leave them a comment and tell them how awesome they are. They work extraordinarily hard to brighten our days, they deserve some love!

[images from The Brightside Project]

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found :: nice package

nice

I’m becoming a bit obsessed with packaging…probably my Etsy addiction along with my shop and the anticipation of my first order is to blame. I want everything to be just right. Cute, smart, fresh. A big thanks goes to Lushlee for posting about this new shop Nice Package. I was delighted to learn that this enterprise is the collaboration of two of my favorite bloggers Marichelle Burdman (formerly of Heart Handmade, currently of Wunderlust and Lifeflix) and Ez Pudewa (of Wren & Chikadee and Creature Comforts). I love, love, love their new venture and, of course, the site design rocks (clean, fresh, smart). Both ladies are experienced Etsyians and I really admire their success (along with their friendship, sweet photo!).

sweet

nice package

Montage

If you want a fresh look in packaging this year (gift giving or selling) check out Nice Package. The photo styling alone is worth the click! I’m definitely adding them to my inspiration page.

[images from Nice Package]

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creativitae series :: look up {10}

reflect

That’s right, I’ve been at this for 10 weeks (counting this post!). In case you are new to Creativitae, here’s a quote from the first look up post:

My thought with this series is that if we can get the nonconstructive (or destructive) behaviors, that are within our control to change, out of the way then we will be more free to express ourselves creatively, and in turn we will be happier, which benefits not only us but everyone around us.

Much has happened in the last two months that I can honestly say I did not expect. Bad stress and good stress, bad news, worse news, surprising news. Writing this series each week has helped me with my perspective on life and how I deal with the stressors. Life is fluid and you have to learn how to ride out the stormy parts. Topic #10 is along those lines.

Reflect.

It’s true that we have to look back to where we were to see how far we’ve come. I am loving the fact that a year ago this month I didn’t even know what a “blog” was. I was surfing around one day and I wanted a “vintage” look for a charity ball I was to attend (wow, that sounds way more glamourous than it actually is). I came across a wedding blog and from that day forward I knew I had found something…an outlet…a tool to create a world for myself (outside of my own mind) a creative space to connect with other artists. The learning curve has been immense, the connections profound, the flood of creative inspiration at times overwhelming but wonderful all at once. If you ever feel like you’re not getting anywhere, try thinking about where you were a year ago, if that doesn’t do it then go further back. It’s not about thinking “it could be worse” it’s about thinking how it is better. I’m going to take a 2 week break with this series. It will return with 10 more weeks of topics! (yay, and the crown goes wild!).

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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my first pumpkin

I carved my first pumpkin lastnight. My friend, Chris, helped me with the harder parts; getting the guts out and making sure the top fits right. Then I carved the face and we toasted the seeds and then lit Junior (the pumpkin) up. We ate all the seeds (ok, I ate all the seeds) then called it a night. I took some pics, which I will share below. Bailey had a great time, but Kitty : not so much.

pumpkin

Chris did the dirty work, while Kitty supervised.

 

pumpkin2

he made a very small mess

 

seeds

soon-to-be yummy seeds

 

bailey

Bailey has no idea what is going on, but is still having a great time.

 

toastingseeds

into the oven…Muwahaaaaa!

 

kitty

Kitty is still not amused.

 

junior2

I knew my pumpkin would be a cutie. I don’t do scary.

 

junior

A  great time was had by all…uh, except Kitty, he’s still pissed.

[images by Me]

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this is halloween…

technical difficulties

technicaldifficulties

We are experiencing technical difficulties.

For some reason I am unable to link any images so that means I can’t post on Creativitae right now and I really wanted to get my Etsy love feature up before Halloween. (sigh) I even tried to link the images at “the day job” hoping it was just a system issue. It appears to be a WordPress issue. I’ve emailed tech support. They emailed back and asked the exact steps I was taking to link my images…nuff said. 

It’s not really that big a deal where my other blog is concerned because that space is all about me (so why would you ever need to leave, right? Whoops, did I forget to tell you I created another WordPress blog?) But Creativitae is all about other people, places and things. So until I am able to link things to other things, I’ll be compiling images, writing content, goofing off on FB and perfecting my plot to take over the world. I really hope WordPress support has a solution soon, for all our sakes (wink).

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen 2009]

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it’s almost time…

cuteoverload

 

…to get outta work! If you want more cuteness like this visit CuteOverload.com!

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creativitae series :: look up {9}

get up

Hey there Sunshine! I’m glad to be back on track with the Look Up series! After two weeks of helping a friend recover from surgery I’ve got a new topic for you. Our previous topic (#8) was Be Well, so it should be no surprise that this topic follows along those lines.

Get Up!

That’s right, I said it! It’s not enough to eat right, get enough sleep and be kind to yourself. You’ve got to get up, get moving, and yes, I’m going for it “shake what your momma gave ya”. I’ve been running myself ragged the last two weeks and all the while I was thinking to myself: “You know, this would be a lot easier if you were more fit, more together”. Also, I must say that my friend has been recovering from his surgery so well that I have to conclude it has everything to do with the fact that he is such a fit person.

Exercise (EEK! Don’t be scared!) is also a major stress reliever my friends. (less stress = happier you = more creative you!) My goal is to work 30 minutes of activity into each day for the rest of the year (yes, house cleaning and dog washing counts!) I’ve put together a fill-in calendar so that I can keep track and give myself a much deserved reward when I reach my goal. Like the Be Well schedule, I’ve set this form off to the right of the page since I will be 3-hole punching the sheets and putting them in a 1.5″ three-ring binder. Right click the link to download (Macs: option click) if you care to do the same.

get-up

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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who won? is it you?

CreativitaeCal

CreativitaeCalendar

 

winnerLucky commentor #25 is the winner! Congratulations Cyberdelia (Sara), you’ve won the 14-Month CD Desk Calendar. Thanks so much for visiting the Halloween Party post and entering to win. I will email you to get your deets for shipping out the calendar.

So, you may have been wondering where I have been? Well, I’ve been partying all week! Ok, actually that’s not true. I’ve been helping a friend out that had knee surgery and slacked off on my posts a little (do you forgive me?). I had a constructive morning though. I posted new product shots in the shop of the calendar and christmas cards. I’m excited to start posting more items this weekend. Oh, and did you hear about the new series on decor8? Starting Nov. 2 Holly has a new column! It’s called Talk it Out! You submit the question and Holly gives us her answer then we all contribute (by way of comments). I’m giddy over the sense of community that I know this new series will foster. I started Creativitae almost a year ago and I really enjoyed participating in Holly’s Creativity Series: Just Do It! I met many kindred spirits. I feel I owe a lot of my creative growth over the past year to that series and the people I met along the way. Much gratitude Holly!

My Creativitae Series, Look Up, took a tiny 2-week vacation (And All I Got Was This Lousy T-shirt…haha but seriously) it’s back this Monday with a new topic (#9) and another free printable for you!

I’m in full “Etsy Shop” mode this weekend. I’ll update you on any developments as they occur [wink].

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen 2009]

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