So, I've decided to STOP buying cards. Actually, my husband and I quit buying commercialized cards a couple of years ago for Each Other. It all started when my mom IM'd me saying, hey guess what dad and I did for our anniversary? We went to the local walgreens and picked out cards for each other - and I thought, wow, that seems pretty ordinary, what's so great about that? but then she continued on to say - we picked them out, then I gave him his and he gave me mine, we teared up, said Awh, that's so sweet, hugged, kissed and then put the damn cards back on the shelf!!
Well, I was shocked. Really? You read them and then put them back and didn't buy them? why? Why didn't you buy them?
Mom said - because we got Just As Much enjoyment out of them and didn't spend $3.99 per card.
Hmmm. I had never thought about it. But then my husband and I tried it and it was wonderul. Of course, you can't do that with the whole family - Imagine taking a family field trip to Walgreens for your brother-in-laws birthday and picking out a card and then putting it back.... wouldn't go over so well.
A few weeks ago, my husband came home for lunch and waited for me to get the mail. Usually, he gets the mail on his way into the house, but instead he casually hung back and let me get it. In the mail was an envelope addressed to me. I ripped it open - it was a card - not just any card, but a handmade scrapbooked card that my husband picked up at this little cafe he visits at the courthouse across from his office. it was simple, beautiful and had his own words in it. I teared up pretty good over it.
And it got me to thinking - when we are children, we make everything. So proud to show off our coloring skills, to write those letters on the page, and as parents, we are always excited to get one of those handmade cards from our kids and we keep them. We never throw them away.
So.. why not go back to making them by hand as adults? it's not that hard. I picked up a package of recycled card stock at walmart with envelopes for a few dollars. For fathers day I did a sketch of a giraffe on a card for my husband, then used some scrapbook materials I had, the recycled cardstock and the drawing to make him a card. I then made another one for my father in law with a pop up sticker of a man fishing in a boat and put a father's day poem in it for him. For my dad I drew a Hummingbird in flight on the cover of the card, added some cut out floral shape from some scrapbook paper and hand wrote a message on the inside.
and you know, I don't have that empty feeling inside after giving these cards. They came from my heart and I know that that means more to my family than any $5 card I could ever buy in the store.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Server died, new one being installed
My development server died today - this is where I put all the projects I'm working on so my clients can view them. Also, when it dies I can't check email or access the internet, so today was not a good day. I'm actually posting this from my phone - new server to be installed this weekend and then I can update everyone and send you links to view your products. thank you!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sometimes, Timing gets Messed up
There's just not enough hours in my day.
As a Work-at-home-mom, a full time worker outside the home, a wife, a business owner, and all the things that entail being a wife and mother, I need more hours in my day!! I have absolutely no idea how some people wear so many hats and manage to keep everyone happy without going completely insane. I'm a little worn out.
On that note, I apologize if your project is going a bit farther out than what was planned. I, unfortunately, had a custom project that just went on and on and on with revisions and then more revisions. However, after all that work, the site is amazing, my customer is thrilled, and I'll be excited to share it with you once my customer is ready to share it with the world.
I'd like to point out that I am not available on the weekends at all, not even via email. So please do not get upset if you are emailing me Friday Night and don't hear from me until Monday morning.
It is very important that I spend Saturdays with my family and stay away from the computer. Sundays I am usually working at the other job.
As a Work-at-home-mom, a full time worker outside the home, a wife, a business owner, and all the things that entail being a wife and mother, I need more hours in my day!! I have absolutely no idea how some people wear so many hats and manage to keep everyone happy without going completely insane. I'm a little worn out.
On that note, I apologize if your project is going a bit farther out than what was planned. I, unfortunately, had a custom project that just went on and on and on with revisions and then more revisions. However, after all that work, the site is amazing, my customer is thrilled, and I'll be excited to share it with you once my customer is ready to share it with the world.
I'd like to point out that I am not available on the weekends at all, not even via email. So please do not get upset if you are emailing me Friday Night and don't hear from me until Monday morning.
It is very important that I spend Saturdays with my family and stay away from the computer. Sundays I am usually working at the other job.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Custom Design Services are Staying!
I've decided to keep custom design services available at SpiffyBoutiques.com. I've had a great deal of feedback from my customers and interested parties concerning my former decision to remove custom design services and stick with templates.
Therefore, I will keep offering them, however - there are going to be some changes! Right now I have a great sale for a single custom design package for $299.00. On June 1st, I will update my site with a fresh look and I will be offering completely NEW custom design packages - and I should forwarn you the prices will be quite a bit higher than in the past.
Therefore, I will keep offering them, however - there are going to be some changes! Right now I have a great sale for a single custom design package for $299.00. On June 1st, I will update my site with a fresh look and I will be offering completely NEW custom design packages - and I should forwarn you the prices will be quite a bit higher than in the past.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
New Exclusive Boutique Designs Added
Today I took a few moments to add a few new Exclusive Boutique Designs to SpiffyBoutiques.com. I've decided to steer away from flowers for a bit after today. I really didn't know how into them I was until I flipped through the site and saw all of the flower designs. Sorry about that!! They are just so easy to work with.
One of the designs I added is called "Vintage Couture". I'm not sure if the title for it makes sense or even fits the layout, but it was stuck in my head so I went wiith it. The other is called Little Lucy.
I currently have a handful of custom orders that I'm working on endlessly - which reminds me to remind you once again that if you want a Spiffy Boutiques Custom design created for your online shop, you'll need to place your order before June 1st. After that date I will take no more custom orders for Templates, Blogs, Logos, etc. Everything will be Premades only and available in my store.
There are so many ideas I have, and I look forward to having the time to keep my shop well stocked with great designs at affordable prices. Not only for the exclusives, but also for limited and unlimited layouts as well. There is sure to be something for everyone and every occasion.
Stop by SpiffyBoutiques.com and check out the latest designs - they are always available right on the home page!
One of the designs I added is called "Vintage Couture". I'm not sure if the title for it makes sense or even fits the layout, but it was stuck in my head so I went wiith it. The other is called Little Lucy.
I currently have a handful of custom orders that I'm working on endlessly - which reminds me to remind you once again that if you want a Spiffy Boutiques Custom design created for your online shop, you'll need to place your order before June 1st. After that date I will take no more custom orders for Templates, Blogs, Logos, etc. Everything will be Premades only and available in my store.
There are so many ideas I have, and I look forward to having the time to keep my shop well stocked with great designs at affordable prices. Not only for the exclusives, but also for limited and unlimited layouts as well. There is sure to be something for everyone and every occasion.
Stop by SpiffyBoutiques.com and check out the latest designs - they are always available right on the home page!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday Shock - something I never thought I'd read
As usual this morning, I grab my cup of ice cold water, head down to my computer after waking the kiddos - turn on my google homepage to read the latest CNN headlines - and right away, SHOCK and dismay. I have read a headline that I had thought to never read in my lifetime - something one might have read ages ago.
"Witch" Children Beaten and Tortured.
Wide awake and outraged I am.
Children throughout the world in places such as Nepal, Nigeria and Gambia have been charged by their familes has being child witches. They are beaten, starved and neglected for days, often weeks while their families and communities demand their confession. A child may have a medical condition such as epilepsy, or a learning disability or simply stubborness to be given such a name as "witch".
In fact, their are Christian Reverands in these countries that will point out a child as a witch for free if the child is brought to them for viewing. Based on the child's behaviors or body marks they may be branded the name and it will last for their entire lifetime.
Officials in the countries say that they do not have a problem with the belief system, or that the children are being called witches, the problem is that the children are being neglected and beaten. You think?
Children - dependent upon the care of the adults they are born into or left to for food, care and nurturing. Their voices are tiny and they need to be heard.
There was apparently a documentary broadcast last year, "Saving Africa's Witch Children," which I did not catch. I'd like to see it now.
I urge you to read the story and follow up on the efforts being made by Stepping Stones Nigeria and the United Nations.
There are so many problems in the world, including here that we need to be aware of and we need to do what we can to help. Blogging about it, is one way to raise awareness.
http://tinyurl.com/o69wyx
"Witch" Children Beaten and Tortured.
Wide awake and outraged I am.
Children throughout the world in places such as Nepal, Nigeria and Gambia have been charged by their familes has being child witches. They are beaten, starved and neglected for days, often weeks while their families and communities demand their confession. A child may have a medical condition such as epilepsy, or a learning disability or simply stubborness to be given such a name as "witch".
In fact, their are Christian Reverands in these countries that will point out a child as a witch for free if the child is brought to them for viewing. Based on the child's behaviors or body marks they may be branded the name and it will last for their entire lifetime.
Officials in the countries say that they do not have a problem with the belief system, or that the children are being called witches, the problem is that the children are being neglected and beaten. You think?
Children - dependent upon the care of the adults they are born into or left to for food, care and nurturing. Their voices are tiny and they need to be heard.
There was apparently a documentary broadcast last year, "Saving Africa's Witch Children," which I did not catch. I'd like to see it now.
I urge you to read the story and follow up on the efforts being made by Stepping Stones Nigeria and the United Nations.
There are so many problems in the world, including here that we need to be aware of and we need to do what we can to help. Blogging about it, is one way to raise awareness.
http://tinyurl.com/o69wyx
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Email Glitches
I seem to be having some email issues, so I thought I'd post this. Several of my clients have claimed that I haven't been communicating with them as promised on custom projects - which is a surprise to me because I've been emailing and emailing and I have been thinking everyone must be on some awesome vacations or something to not be responding to me!!!
I haven't received any "undeliverable" notices when emailing (except to one customer), so I haven't had a clue that you aren't getting my emails. So, if you are concerned that you have emailed me and I haven't responded, or if you haven't heard from me, please come here and email through my contact form, or you can email me at another address justspiffyweb AT gmail and you know the ending to that.
Please also check your SPAM folder to ensure that my emails aren't going there. I promise you, I check my email very frequently, and respond almost immediately to new email messages (unless they are Spam).
Sorry for any confusion!!
I haven't received any "undeliverable" notices when emailing (except to one customer), so I haven't had a clue that you aren't getting my emails. So, if you are concerned that you have emailed me and I haven't responded, or if you haven't heard from me, please come here and email through my contact form, or you can email me at another address justspiffyweb AT gmail and you know the ending to that.
Please also check your SPAM folder to ensure that my emails aren't going there. I promise you, I check my email very frequently, and respond almost immediately to new email messages (unless they are Spam).
Sorry for any confusion!!
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