Zazzle.com Collection: We've Moved New Address Labels

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Got Something to Share, Burst It Out!

How is your business marketing working for you? Have you found some great websites where you can promote your business, products or services? I wanted to share this exciting new website that I recently came across, have you heard of ‘Netleeks’, this is a really cool site where you can create unique and professional looking webpages very quickly. Even those who consider themselves non-techies like myself can figure this out no problem. This website has a unique tool they call a ‘burst tool’ that allows you to put out creative webpages about interesting topics, products and pretty much any gadget you want to promote. Each ‘burst’ can contain 5 links to pages that relate to the title that you have chosen for your page. There are step by step instructions on how to proceed and publish your ‘burst’. Add tags and once it’s published share it with one of the many social network buttons to further promote it. You can create a profile page with your business and other links and add friends too! There is also a public facebook page where you can meet others on this site and get some great tips to help you make better ‘bursts’. It’s so easy and I think it may be addicting once you get going too. There is also the opportunity to make some money if someone purchases a product through one of your pages. So come on, you should check this site out, don’t you think!  Netleeks

Well here are some of the latest designs I’ve been busy creating, a few summer theme designs as well as some fun robots that I came up with. Hope you enjoy, stop by my store to see more Designs by Shell.

Beach Days T Shirt

 
Beach Scene Canvas Bag

 
Nautical Baby Shower Invitation

 
Camping Birthday Party Invitation

 
Robot with Funny Sayings Post Cards

 
Three Cool Robots Mousepads

 

Friday, July 20, 2012

Learn to Draw Cartoon Animals

Have you always wanted to learn how to draw? Drawing is actually a skill that pretty much anyone can learn. Perhaps you started out spending time doodling or doing creative drawings when you were a child. That’s where most people leave it and don’t press on to develop their abilities further. Learning to draw helps us develop our imaginations and be able to visualize different ideas and ways of looking at things.

Drawing is a skill that can be beneficial to many careers. It’s good to be able to creatively think and then be able to draw or sketch out an idea to develop it further. This is a great tool to have in your back pocket.  There are many types and styles of drawing, with time and practice you’ll come to find your niche and what type you are best at. Once you discover your style and taste you can develop it further by taking some drawing lessons, find an artist who’s style you like and learn from them or just practice, practice, practice.  It’s like learning an instrument at first when you pick up a guitar it seems like you’ll never be able to play a song but as you spend hours practicing you get increasingly better. The same goes for drawing.

I was always interested in art and drawing. I remember signing out library books from school as a child on drawing and cartooning. It wasn’t until a few years ago, though that I returned to drawing and unleashed my creative spirit in this art. Now I love to draw especially cartoon animals, as you’ve probably noticed I have many on products in my store. I encourage you to give drawing a try, maybe it’ll turn into a career for you! Thanks for reading and feel free to leave me a comment, I’d love it!

Here are some cartoon animals that I’ve recently added to my store.

Sea Lion Greeting Card

 
Sea Lion with a Beach Ball Fridge Magnet

 
Walrus Cartoon Post Card

 
Cartoon Porcupine Mugs

 
I love Hedgehogs Tee Shirt

 
Cartoon Green Turtle Cases For The Ipod Touch

 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Photography in the Neighborhood

A couple of days ago I woke up before 6 am and decided to take my camera and go for a ‘walk about’ in my neighborhood. At this time there are not many people up and on a beautiful sunny morning I found it the perfect opportunity to capture some awesome pictures. I love to take photos of nature and flowers and my neighborhood boasts many varieties and colors of plants and shrubs at this time of year. I even went into a few front yards to get closer to some flowers that I was interested in capturing. I’m sure most people don’t mind but if someone happened to come out while I was taking a picture, I would kindly ask them if it was alright but that didn’t happen.

Over the last few years that I’ve been taking floral pictures I’ve learned how to vary the level of my viewpoint and shoot at different angles to get just the picture I’m looking for. Observe the lighting on your flowers as sunlight or backlighting will give them a pretty glow. Certain times of the day will give you a different look, shooting early in the morning and then in an evening or a cloudy day will change the lighting in your picture. Experimenting is one way to improve your skills but most of all just have fun and try different things.

Here is a sampling of some of the flowers I took on this particular morning. I have already uploaded them to items in my store and they are ready for sale. Hope you like them! To see more of my designs stop by Designs by Shell.

     
     

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Summer Time is Picnic Time

Summer is here and it’s time to get outdoors enjoy some sunshine and have a picnic. With the busy lives everyone leads summer is the perfect time to get the family or friends together for a fun unstressed picnic. The great thing about picnics is that they can be impromptu, informal and no fuss get togethers.  Grab lawn chairs, a blanket or two and load up the cooler. Throw in a lawn game, some toys for the kids and you’ll be set.  Here are a few simple picnic food ideas that are not too much work.

Potato Salad (this could be bought at your local deli)

Buns with cold cuts, sliced cheeses

Veggies and dip

Fresh fruit ( watermelon, grapes, cherries)

Pasta Salad or Tabbouleh 

Fried chicken (buy at your favourite fast food chicken place)

Sandwiches or wraps (homemade)

Potato Chips ( what’s a picnic without these?) Get the healthiest variety you can!

Chocolate Cake ( make ahead)

Drinks – bottled water, lemonade, ice tea, juice boxes for the kids

Well I hope you’re in the mood for a fun picnic now…

Here are some cool designs I’ve been working on and a few beach themed items as well… have a great week, enjoy the sunshine!