Day 3 -Prep for Christmas @ thepapersac - I need another good idea ?

Hi anyone
have been busy again with family things all day - including an amazing surfing party at a swimming pool. My family time has stopped me getting the pics up for Day 3 so far but am working on it and  its ready : its a printed paper gift pocket - (3 actually). There are two sizes here but I can make smaller or larger - these pockets are ideal for jewellery or a small gift and look great with the tags from yesterday. The pockets come flat packed with tissue paper included.

this could be yours

Still no comments for the 'List It Tool' - ?
will need to re think how to get people to comment. Will get a bright idea overnight  and share
tomorrow ?

Bye for now

Day 2 christmas prep @thepapersac

Hi anyone
a bit of a grey day today - damp would describe it better ! Still , warmish again (for November).

Its Day 2 of Prep for Christmas @thepapersac - so here it is - more tags. These items are quire small and are based on the artwork produced (by me) for the 'List It' Tool (still up for grabs - make a comment and it could be yours FREE). Thes tags are plain on the reverse - so you can write your message. There will be 9 in a pack. I've been trying out ways of using tags for christmas decorations and will certainly be using some.

idea for using tags to decorate

 Here are a few pics ton show what I mean. Over the next few da ys I will explore other ways of using these tags - come back and check out some ideas.

 Close look at hanging the tags around a picture frame - almost like a streamer.

star pegs used to attach tag

using little pegs to attach to twine

reverse of the tag with a little white snowlflake linked through the string

Don't forget to make a comment.
Bye for now.

The SUN and Day 1 Christmas Prep @ thepapersac

Hi everyone
weather brilliant today - wonderful blue sky and bright sunshine - not been out yet so don't know about temperature ?
I'm energised about photography again - will get there I'm determined..... but not today - had a dreadful attempt with the sun winning out.

 We have a very large glass 'almost  wall' area in the body of the house - I tend to paint and work there - its a great spot for looking out into the garden and watching (whatever ?), very relaxing and a good place to be. Its not, however, a great place for taking pics as the sun is so bright and everything seems to be white and reflecting - so I have lots of unwanted shadows. Will work on it.

 Never the less, I've been trying to get images of day1 christmas prep - here are some initial shots - items will go into the shop from the 17th November. Thats today.

I did want to use an existing frame on my wall to show each day as each item is added to the collection - with the frame building up to holding all 12 'prep items' -  great idea (I thought) but need to find another wall because of the afore mentioned sun and shadow issues ! See what I mean !!!!!!



Still, at least the sun is shining - I'll find a solution to enjoy it.

Bye for now.

Taking photos without a real camera !! = ETSY help

Hi anyone

here is my sky - using my phone

funny sort of light today - almost like a snowy sky but much too warm - its dry too.

When I looked out I thought immediately its a good day for photographs. 'Taking pics', as I call them,  is often a bit challenge for me. I'm always looking for the perfect tool (camera) to do the job (without the perfect budget of course). So I'm stuck with my phone !! embarrassing - so, I don't usually mention it !
I do have access to a couple of camera's - old point and shoot things but I tend to use my camera phone because the process and quality is better and I do tend to use the computer to improve them. However, having said all that, some of my pics are not so bad and I'm working on it. I'm always looking for tips and advise on how to improve. I've just come across (purely by chance) a great session on Etsy and I've spent some time, this morning, watching a Live Lab  (on line session) - absolutely fantastic and so encouraging - the tutor/speaker makes it sound so easy, which in turn, makes me believe I can do it ! - only time will tell.
Today, getting back to work, I need to finish off lots of things - will aim to show my efforts here. Call back again today and I will get a few pics up - hopefully using my new skills (from the Live Lab lesson).

bit of glare on the right but only artifical light available here

close up of same scene

Its much later than expected (10.30pm) but I've taken a few pics based on the information from Live Lab - I've used artificial light (its black outside) which was given a 'no no' from the lesson -there is a bit of glare and quite a few did'nt work at all but I have learned from the talk - thanks ETSY !  These are the items for Day 1 of the 12 days of prep @ thepapersac Christmas. Almost ready to start.

Bye for now

Creativity is called for .......

Hi anyone
bit of a dull day today - yet again very mild for November.
Have been busy with charity work today but have also done a little more christmas stuff - am working on another colour theme today (not the red/white) its an evolving process and although I have the broad colours (rich purple,pink,orange,green) and textures etc - its a bit of an unknown.

Over time, I have learned that its good to decide on a few materials/choices and stick with it - more imaginative, it's there quickly and much better work. And I'm using creativity rather than relying on ready made stuff! ...  and I do my best work.
When I have lots of resources to choose from, I tend to mess about a bit, change my mind, have a coffee etc. It takes me forever.
I also feel pressure -  because my creativity is not being called upon and its an uncomfortable feeling. Self doubt creeps in and confidence goes. Feel better having got that out - had a bit of a panic generally about what to do next. Here are a few bits of card that have been cut and shaped into christmas things - I hope now to use paint to bring them together - colours will be the rich purples etc and I may loose some images - we will see how it goe. Would love to hear from anyone else about how they feel inspired. Please comment and we can get a discussion going.


Will update progress tomorrow on how my picture develops.


We are getting close to the launch if the 12 days of christmas prep - still no comments on this blog to win the List It tool - make a comment and you go into the draw - no tricks or any money involved. Just leave a comment - any comment and you may win.

Bye for now.