July Goals

June was a very good month - I accomplished quite a bit.

1. Choose four design styles to remove from shop. Done
2. Contact 4 blogs for shop feature write-up – this was changed to 2 blogs to allow bloggers to return feedback.
3. Design a freebie for Modish – got an invitation to design a freebie – YEAH!!!!!! Done
4. Start reading “The Secret” – my daughter told me about this book, says it will help me become more successful, she should know because she certainly is! Done

I was very excited to get an invitation from Jena Coray at Modish to design a special freebie for her blog and so I designed Sunflower Bird Note Card + envelope. The reader response was very, very good.

In fact, I received another invitation from Ann Martin of “All Things Paper” who wanted to design a version of the Sunflower Note Card in the filigree style. Check out Ann’s version of Sunflower Bird Note Card on my blog. It’s absolutely fabulous!!!

Anyway, my July Goals are as follows:

1. Find new outlets to market my children’s products outside of Etsy.
2. Launch 2 new baby/children products. I am introducing pdf templates for primary aged children.
3. Read all of my Etsy emails for promotions and tips, etc. – get organized here.
4. I have a lot of views, a lot of window shopping. I need to turn these views into sales and get at least 15 sales for July.
5. Need to still streamline my products – to have a stronger, streamlined look. I think my shop has too many of different styles, customers may be overwhelmed.
6. To create two new calling cards designs.
7. Oh yes, reading The Secret has helped me to relax and have more confidence. Still reading and practicing my visualizations. Great mental yoga!

I have a log of goals for July, and I am looking forward to increasing the awareness of my business and to having more sales!!!!

Thanks again to Jena at Modish for helping us to stay focused on our business goals and achievements!

Summertime Creative Projects for Youngsters

Keep your kids busy this summer with printable Numbers 1-10 Coloring Cards. Make learning numbers 1-10 fun and easy with these printable numbers coloring cards. There are circles to be colored to help learn adding and a balloon for a reward.

Use these printable numbers 1-10 coloring cards as:

• Favors at birthday parties and holiday get-togethers
• For the stay-at-home moms/dads, learning time also becomes fun time.
• Parents, bring these cards with you to help keep youngsters busy and to keep boredom at bay. Especially on those long car trips!

Complete set of pdf templates to download Numbers 1-10 Coloring Cards, available at my Etsy shop.

I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful paper designer, Ann Martin. She does these fabulous designs in a style called "filigree." The skill of designing with strips of paper creates a 3 dimensional art piece. Look what Ann created with my Sunflower Bird note card:







Hello . . . is Ann fabulous or what!!!

Check out Ann's blog "All Things Paper", you will discover other fabulous filigree paper designs!

I am giving away a Summer FREEBIE - Sunflower Bird Note Card pdf template - Visit the fabulous Modish Blog to download your free note card set.

Thank You Printable Note Cards in Red, White and Blue

For the festivities and parties for the coming summer - send a fun Thank You note card to all those people who included you on their guests lists. This printable pdf template makes it economical and a quick solution to show your appreciation.

June Goals:

The accomplishments of my May goals were uh . . .

OK, I have to admit, I became discombobulated during the end of May and at the beginning of this month as well. I seem to be frozen in a state of confusion because I am trying to get my shop to have a strong brand look. The problem is that I like to create whatever I dream up, but the result is that my shop has too many different styles. I am having a hard time creating a distinct design style that will brand my shop. So, what this confusion is producing is non-action, or maybe I should say I am still thinking.

Alright, let me at least put down something . . .

1. Choose four design styles to remove from shop.
2. Contact 4 blogs for shop feature write-up
3. Design a freebie for Modish – got an invitation to design a freebie – YEAH!!!!!!
4. Start reading “The Secret” – my daughter told me about this book, says it will help me become more successful, she should know because she certainly is!



Update on April Goals:

1. Design 8 stationery sets for my Etsy shop, Deer Sweetheart Studio. - Done
2. To contact 4 blogs to have my shop written about in their blogs. - Done
3. To finish the layout for my own blog. - Done
4. To purchase one ad on a blog. - Done
5. Do a freebie for Modish.

Well, I accomplished 4 out of 5 of my April goals. Trying to accomplish my goals is really a challenge as I have too many pots on the stove. What I have noticed though is that if I make a “to do list” at the beginning of the day, I am able to accomplish all of the items on the list. When I try to accomplish goals by just keeping them in my head, I get more overwhelmed. So obviously, it is best to make a “to do list” everyday. It’s like feng shui, very orderly and neat.

I did not accomplish April goal #5, making a freebie for Modish because a freebie has to be an invitation. So that is something for the future.

May Goals:

1. To re-list products throughout the day.
2. To upload three new designs a week – need to get more products in shop.
3. To make a chart for advertising – cost vs. hits – which blog ad is more cost
effective.
4. To contact 4 blogs for shop feature write-up.
5. To weed out designs in shop that are not getting a certain number of views.

What has been achieved by listing products throughout the day - I have been featured in three Treasuries to date. That makes me feel that re-listing does achieve recognition of my shop, so this activity is productive.

My focus for May is to just increase designs in shop that produce strong interest in my visitors. I know that sales will follow once my shop has a consistent brand look, with desirable products that customers find a need to purchase.

Thanks again to Modish for helping us keep focused on our goals!

Personalized Baby Stroller Note Cards

These pink or blue personalized Baby Note Cards will make fabulous gifts for the new mom or for a baby shower gift.

Personalized Baby Favor Tags

I have started to introduce designs for my new product line - baby favor tags and note cards. New babies always bring a level of excitement into people's lives and gift giving is never ending.

This is one fabulous perspective of the Calder Flamingo sculpture here in Chicago. My wonderful "brother-in-law" Foster is a fellow photographer. I am completely in awe of his work. One of the reasons I admire his work is because, I will photograph a subject and he will photograph the same subject and his image totally blasts me out of the water.

This of course, encourages me to see differently, to stop seeing straight on and to look up, under and around. Anywhere, but not to look straight on. Very impressed with his work, it encourages me to work harder and to see differently as a photographer.

Take a look at his work here: http://www.garvinphotographix.net

Modish - Monthly Goal Meetup for May

Update on April Goals:

1. Design 8 stationery sets for my Etsy shop, Deer Sweetheart Studio. - Done
2. To contact 4 blogs to have my shop written about in their blogs. - Done
3. To finish the layout for my own blog. - Done
4. To purchase one ad on a blog. - Done
5. Do a freebie for Modish.

Well, I accomplished 4 out of 5 of my April goals. Trying to accomplish my goals is really a challenge as I have too many pots on the stove. What I have noticed though is that if I make a “to do list” at the beginning of the day, I am able to accomplish all of the items on the list. When I try to accomplish goals by just keeping them in my head, I get more overwhelmed. So obviously, it is best to make a “to do list” everyday. It’s like feng shui, very orderly and neat.

I did not accomplish April goal #5, making a freebie for Modish because a freebie has to be an invitation. So that is something for the future.

May Goals:

1. To re-list products throughout the day.
2. To upload three new designs a week – need to get more products in shop.
3. To make a chart for advertising – cost vs. hits – which blog ad is more cost
effective.
4. To contact 4 blogs for shop feature write-up.
5. To weed out designs in shop that are not getting a certain number of views.

What has been achieved by listing products throughout the day - I have been featured in three Treasuries to date. That makes me feel that re-listing does achieve recognition of my shop, so this activity is productive.

My focus for May is to just increase designs in shop that produce strong interest in my visitors. I know that sales will follow once my shop has a consistent brand look, with desirable products that customers find a need to purchase.

Thanks again to Modish for helping us keep focused on our goals!

Happy Mother's Day

Isn't this a very beautiful image to represent the beauty of our Mothers?

Lemony Yellow Daisies Calling Cards

I started a new line of designs in my Etsy shop, calling cards. Sometimes when we meet someone new in a personal situation or a more business-like situation, giving out a personal calling card seems like the easy solution. No more writing down our numbers on a scrap piece of paper, hunting down a pen at the bottom of our purse or pockets. Blam - here you go, simple, easy, chic and fashionable.





Check it out at my Etsy Shop!

Zoo Animals Personalized Note Card Set

I just love, love, love going to the zoo and have designed a set of personalized note cards of some of my favorite animals.

Modern Dots Thank You Note Card Set

New arrivals in Etsy shop:

Set of 8 Thank You flat note cards with matching envelopes. Printed on smooth white eco-friendly card stock.

My Favorite Etsy Knitters

There is something so magical about beautiful hand-knitted clothing. The skill and craftsmanship of the knitters is just mesmerizing. Here are three designers at Etsy where I just absolutely love their designs.

I am a deep fan of fine chocolate, in food and fashion. Designed by Elena of Tickled Pink Knits, her Rococco Shawl makes such a beautiful statement:



Another lovely piece designed by Bernadette of Berniolie. A wool white Capelet Cowl is definitely a show stopper.



What a beautiful sweater created by Nihan of Design by Nihan. Look at that collar, it will definitely keep the chill away here in Chicago.

Blue Daisies - Perfect Gift for Mother's Day

New modern, contemporary daisies were recently presented in my shop . . .


I think Blue Daisies would make a great Mother's Day gift!

The Cheesecake Factory

Now here is a place that has a menu to satisfy everyone's taste buds. After sight seeing and shopping up and down Michigan Avenue - that Magnificant Mile, finish your mile walk by stopping at The Cheesecake Factory, located in the John Hancock building.

Crocuses Are Popping Up All Over

We were all ready to bring out the lawn furniture thinking that winter was finally over. But old man winter gave us a bit of another snow storm a week ago, making us pout a little bit longer. Too bad, old man winter, those crocuses are not going to be bullied about and instead have popped their way through for all to see their springtime beauty.

Things I Love About Chicago

Chicago is a city of love and hate. The weather for instance. I mean, in the summer the beaches and the lakefront make you want to call in sick that day at work. And you do only to find your boss at the beach that day too. Summers are the best, best time in Chicago. The winter - oh no!!!! Winds so strong, a little person like me needs to hold on tight to somebody or I could be blown into the street!

Anyway, spring is coming soon and people are coming out again in, crowding the sidewalks and enjoying the sights, architecture, sounds and the beauty of Chicago in bloom.

I will include photographs that capture the essence of Chicago, what makes Chicago so special! Do you love architecture and art. Well I sure in the heck do, a lot. Chicago is full of new art, the Millenium Park, new Skyscrapers - thank you Mr. Trump and good old Buckingham Fountain is up and running again.

Below is Flamingo by Alexander Calder, standing 53 feet tall in front of the Federal Building since 1974.

April Goals - Design

Design #1: Three Daisies Note Card Set, with a chocolate envelope lined in dark red.

April Goals

Jena at Modish Biz Tips wrote an email about setting goals, not just our ourselves, but to put our goals out there for others to see. I like this idea because it is like having someone else looking over our shoulders and making us feel guilty and/or to help us stay focused on accomplishing our goals. I am a goal setter, but I know that I really accomplish a goal when someone else is watching!

So here goes:

I will set four goals for April, here they are:

1. Design 8 stationery sets for my Etsy shop Deer Sweetheart Studio
2. To contact 4 blogs to have my shop written about in their blogs
3. To finish the layout for my own blog
4. To purchase 1 ad on a blog
5. Do a freebie for Modish
   

Right now, I am growing my business. I have impatience, fear, eagerness, but most of all, I have fortitude and perseverance.

I have to focus my thoughts and make some final decisions as to how I want to develop this blog. Some of my ideas are about featuring fabulous Etsy shops, yoga, eating healthy, travel spots to visit and of course art and photography.

Let me think . . .