And the Award Goes to...

As many of you may already know, Pantone recently unveiled their Color of the Year for 2010. I've heard nothing but excitement from fellow artists and crafters as the word spread that the award for Color of the Year goes to the luscious, bold, and cheerful turquoise! What fun as we begin to think of lovely project ideas for the year.

I'm already eager to see the gorgeous items that will be produced this summer with the color, and better yet, how it will be beautifully incorporated into the natural, warm tones of Fall!

And just imagine the beautiful destination weddings that will be taking place all over the world with lovely turquoise findings.

I, personally, do not use many shades of blue in my designs (not sure why, I just tend to migrate towards warmer tones, I suppose!), so I am excited to challenge myself in 2010 to use this lovely color, and hopefully expand my color palette even more outside my typical design comfort zone.

I'd love to keep track of all the turquoise items everyone works on throughout the year! If I get enough images in my email I will do periodic turquoise features, so email your turquoise items to me as you get them completed and listed at dawncorrespondence@gmail.com.

Have fun creating with this lovely color!

xoxo,

ELECTRIC ENERGY

One of my goals for 2010 is to really hone in on my ideas and expand them to be the best they can possibly be. In 2009 I would take a design and run with it. Create a couple of cards, and move on. Mainly because I would have so many ideas swimming in my head I just had to get them on paper.

This year, though, I'd like to really nurture my ideas. My very first idea of 2010 was to create some items inspired by energy. You'll notice some of my new images on my blog and in my shop are chock full of color and energetic lines. This is just the beginning of my energy line of paper goodies. Now I am really allowing myself to wrap my head around the true idea I want to convey and the feelings I want the recipient to have as they pull the card out of the envelope. I'd also like to expand the line to other products (think: journals, to do lists, gift tags, gift items, etc.). I've also been playing with the idea of having a variety of "energetic" items that aren't necessarily matchy, but that coordinate. Because, really, energy is not constant. It has ups and downs and peaks and valleys.

I'm really excited to work on this line, and once it is completed to move onto the next line that comes to mind, in a similar fashion.

Here is a small glimpse at a section of the inspiration board I have been using to create my ELECTRIC ENERGY line.

I truly hope you are as excited to see this line as I am to work on it! I hope to have the line completed by the end of January. Hmm...am I sensing a giveaway??

xoxo,

25 Goals

Isn't it fun how January automatically brings along with it a sense of renewal and energy? It's almost as if the universe is allowing us to start fresh, and be the best person we can possibly be. I, for one, actually enjoy getting back into the routine of daily living. The holidays are a nice time of family, food, and relaxation, but I end up craving the day-to-day activities. I am certainly a Routine Girl at heart.

The past few years I have sort of boycotted "New Year's Resolutions." To me, they seemed like a waste. The novelty of the resolutions fade after only a couple of weeks. This year, though, I have found a way to continue my resolutions throughout the entire year. Well, let's call them goals, not resolutions. I have decided to set the bar fairly high for my New Year's Goals. I accomplished more than I thought possible in 2009, and would like to look back next year at this time, in even more awe than I am of my reflections on 2009. Isn't it amazing what the human mind and body can accomplish when our heart is in it? That being said, this year's goals will be things I am passionate about and things I can quantify. I will also be checking in with you folks right back here on a weekly basis to discuss my progress including accomplishments, failures, and outside influences. While the ultimate challenge is to achieve each and every goal successfully, I have set them up so that if I "slip" I can get right back on track.

Let's make 2010 the best year yet! And without further ado, here are my 25 Goals for 2010:

1. List 5 new items a week in my Etsy shop.
2. Remain 1 month ahead of the season with my products.
3. Have my website up and running by March 31, 2010.
4. Blog 3 times weekly.
5. Meet my sales goal at this year's National Stationery Show. (Note: This number is quantifiable, yet private).
6. Read 1 book for fun every other month.
7. Engage in some sort of physical activity 3 times per week. (Note: I did not say gym here, because I don't want to confine myself only to doing a workout at the gym).
8. Treat myself once per month. (This could include a pedicure, massage, quiet time in the park, etc.)
9. Participate in 4 local craft shows.
   
10. Begin selling my products in 2 new stores.
    
11. Put my sketchbook or notebook to use once per week.
    
12. Enjoy the clutter of a loving home once per week. (This is big for me - I am a neat freak, and get discouraged by a "mess." I'd like to learn to let go of worrying about having an extra shirt or cup out all the time).
13. Allow myself time to paint once every other month.
    
14. Try a new recipe 2 times a month.
    
15. Spend some quality (I mean, QUALITY. You pet lovers know what I am talking about!) playtime with the pups for 30 minutes a day.
    
16. Photograph my life and surroundings 4 times per month.
    
17. Put the computer out of sight one evening (4 hours) a week.
    
18. Have a girls night once per month.
    
19. Finalize and publish one children's book I've been working on.
    
20. Replace one cup of coffee with a glass of water daily.
    
21. Reach 100 Etsy sales by my 1 year anniversary (March 15).
    
22. Reach 200 Etsy sales by December 31, 2010.
    
23. Write 1 heartfelt article per month.
    
24. Do something to make someone say "thank you" every day.
    
25. Participate in 2 charitable events.

It's possible this list will grow extensively as the days and months pass, and we get further into 2010. For now, these are the things I am passionate about and want to continue or expand. As I mentioned, I'll keep you posted on my whereabouts of the goal timeline on a weekly basis!

Now it's your turn...what are your big goals you'd like to accomplish this year? Feel free to list as many as you'd like - I love getting inspired by other people's ambitions and goals!

I hope the first weekend of 2010 is treating you well, and I look forward to sharing this next year with all of you!

xoxo,

Exciting News for 2010!

I can't believe it, but 2010 is literally just around the corner! My, how fast 2009 went by! And what a great year it was. I "met" many of you lovely folks, who have made me laugh, pushed me through the busy times, and inspired me on a daily basis! I participated in my first Richmond Handmade Holiday - a juried, local show. I began selling on Etsy in March and already have 90 sales! I can't wait to reach the 100 mark and beyond in 2010. And more importantly, I cannot wait to see what amazing offerings all you talented sellers come up with this year! It's going to be a great one, isn't it?

Now for some exciting news that I pondered for probably the entire last quarter of 2009....
This year has made me realize just how passionate I am about designing, creativity, and stationery. That being said, I decided to take my business to the next level. In May of 2010 I will be participating in the National Stationery Show in New York City! It still gives me goose bumps to say it! I spent many hours on the phone with the lovely Kelly, a sales manager of the show. While I am quite nervous to say the least, I am also extremely excited about the opportunities that abound for 2010. I certainly have my work cut out for me, but I couldn't be more excited about it!

In addition, I'll be adding some new products early this year (starting this weekend!) and throughout the year. I'll be adding some new products for the bride, children, and general stationery lines. Here is just a hint of some new items I will be offering this year!

Wedding Reception Seating Chart

And be sure to check out my shop throughout the new year weekend, as I will be adding new products daily! And, this weekend only (now through January 3, 2010) I'm offering 10% off with the code BLOGBDAY for my birthday weekend! You can purchase and wait for a refund, or convo me with the items you'd like to purchase and I will revise the listing for you!

Happy New Year to all of you!

xoxo

Stockings Were Hung on the Chimney with Care...

I was a little late getting on the Christmas decorating bandwagon this year, but at least I hopped on before it was over, right?! I finally got my lovely stockings from rikrak hung* this weekend and I absolutely love them! They are so adorable! I took extra care to choose stockings that complemented each other well, and they certainly do! I've been enjoying all my little handmade holidaying this year - it's the first year I've made an extra effort to purchase only handmade products for the holidays, and the warmth, love, and care that enter the home just from purchasing these products is incredible! There's nothing better than a handmade holiday! I hope you all are enjoying your lovely holiday season just as much as we are in (oddly) snowy Virginia!

*"hung" = hanging of the stockings from the greenery. I couldn't wait for the boys to hang them the proper way, so I hung them the best way I knew how!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

For those of you who may not live on the East Coast, you probably don't realize the so-called blizzard we got hit with over the weekend. While many of you are quite familiar with seeing mounds of snow, we, in Virginia, are not. In fact, this past weekend tops the list of the most amount of snow I have seen at any given time in my whole life. There are one or two other incidents that come to mind, but it's a close call.

I got a few quick snapshots of the snow I thought I'd share with you all. I didn't spend much time in it because, frankly, I am not a huge fan of snow. Instead, I spent the day Saturday curled under a warm blanket, with a couple of good movies, and took a nap for the first time in ages. It couldn't have come at a better time - I put my shop on vacation to relax and spend some time with my family for the holidays, so it was nice to have a "snow day" with an excuse to do absolutely nothing.


I hope all you East Coasters, and anyone else who may have gotten some snow, stayed safe and warm! Now, let the hustle and bustle of Christmas week begin!

xoxo

Craft Show Success!

Well, folks, all my hard work for last weekend's Handmade Holiday certainly paid off! The show was a huge success, and I had a great time! There were some amazingly talented vendors there, and the traffic coming through the show was crazy! I can honestly say there was not a lull in the day even once. Now that's a sign of a successful show! I hope to get accepted to the Spring show this Spring after such a successful show!

My top sellers were boxed stationery sets (most people were buying them for Christmas gifts), and gift tags (of course!). I'm glad I spent some extra time on those two items prior to the show, because I almost sold out of both of them!

Here are a few photos of my display. I'd love to know your thoughts, and if you think any changes should be made for upcoming shows!

The full display! I was hoping to put the sign on the wall, but I don't think that was allowed.

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Also, I've put my shop on vacation for a week or so, but I'm still as busy as ever! I am working on new products for 2010 that I will be introducing when the shop reopens, so be on the lookout for some fresh items!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Be There or Be Square

If you live in Richmond, I certainly hope you will be at Richmond's Handmade Holiday, because it has been chosen as one of the TOP FIVE events of the weekend! There will be 40 amazingly talented vendors there, so you'll have plenty of choices to finish up your holiday shopping!

See you there!

xoxo

Thank You, Etsy

Etsy has been good to me this week with the Front Page features. I hope the joy of being on the FP never gets old. They seem to like my Coffee Lover Boxed Stationery!

Thank you, Etsy! Keep 'em coming!

I hope to be blogging with these FP features more this week!

xoxo

Everyone Needs a Pair of Purple Heels...Right?

Indulge me here. Purple heels are a necessity. Every girl needs them. They are one of those timeless staples. Right?....RIGHT? That's what I told myself to justify purchasing these beauties! And better yet, they are actually comfortable! Who would have thought??

In all seriousness, I had been looking for the perfect pair of purple heels for a couple of months. I walked into my closet one day to get dressed, and I thought to myself, "MAN! A purple pair of heels would go great with this outfit!" Since that day I have obsessed over finding a pair of purple pumps. I wasn't going to let it go. So naturally, when I saw these, and they didn't have my size, I was devastated. Until I heard the voice behind me wake me up from my nightmare saying, "You know, we can order those for you...free shipping." "Really?!" I asked. "Well...I don't know when I will be here again and live a little far away...that probably wouldn't work..." "Oh no worries, ma'am [yes, she called me ma'am, but I let it go after the rest of her comment]. We can ship them directly to your home."

Voila! I have a brand new pair of necessary, all-time, classic, comfortable purple pumps with a special little place in my closet! Right in between the necessary teal pumps and fuschia pumps....