Summer Tote Giveaway

Summer Tote Giveaway 

Summer is almost here and this tote will be your go to bag!
 It's big enough to carry everything you need for a day at the beach, a trip to the store or park and did I mention it 

can  be yours for FREE!!

Starting tomorrow, TODAY- May 21st, follow me on Instagram and/or sign up for my Newsletter. 

(you'll receive one entry for each) 

The cross over tote is designed in an all over floral print 

in 100% cotton fabric. The strap is wide for extra comfort. 

It is fully lined with two pockets on the inside. 

It has a hidden magnetic closure and retails for $55. 

Giveaway runs from May 21 and ending on midnight on May 25 (PST)
winner will be announced on May 26th.

Sugar cookies with Jello icing

http://www.elginharvest.ca/1/post/2013/02/rainbow-heart-sugar-cookies-with-jell-o-icing.html

Cindy Bircham over at Elgin Harvest Preserves & Baking Co. 

has a wonderful recipe for sugar cookies 

and she includes how to color 

your icing with Jell-O powder crystals.

Aren't they pretty? 

"Let Them Eat Cake" wedding keepsake

This adorable plate is the first in a new line of ceramic accessories 

that will be in the shop soon. 

"Let them eat cake" says it all. How special to have a keepsake from your wedding reception to remind you of your special day. After you've shared your first slice of cake together you can use it in your home as decor, hang it on a wall, tuck it into to bookcase. You can use it again on your anniversary or maybe your babies first birthday !!

Queen Bee Market

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to be a vendor at the wonderful Queen Bee Market in Oceanside. 
The QBM has a range of creative vendors selling accessories, home decor, jewelry and more. It has been described as "Etsy come to life". The Market is an eclectic group of current, on trend, fun and unique products. 

If you missed it here are some photos of 

just a few of the pretty booths. 

And mark your calendars for the next Queen Bee Market 

it's a two day event Nov. 1 & 2 

                           

PaperFlora 

                 

Earth Cookie 

 

It's not that complicated-

Dove Real Beauty Sketches

For quite a few years Dove has been deliberately challenging both our society and women in general to think differently about what a woman "should" look like. They've used normal size women in their commercials, shown women of all sizes in their underwear and more. Here is their latest add about self image. 



Leave a comment and tell me what you think. 

101 Simple Handmade Wedding Ideas

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2012/03/101-simple-handmade-wedding-ideas/

Kim over at Everything Etsy has the most wonderful 

selection of "101 list ideas" ever! 

Including: 

• 101 Handmade Gifts for Her 
• 101 Simple Handmade Gift Tutorials 
• 101 Pretty free Printables 
• 101 Sewing Tutorials for Summer.... just to name a few

Go check them out you'll be amazed at how many ideas there are. 

Pinterest is anti-social!

Those in control of Pinterest have made som BIG changes 

and this may be the dumbest idea yet. 

Let's take a Social Media and make it unsociable! 

What are you thinking?

It's my lucky day...AGAIN!!

This week my clutches are featured on the ETSY Blog! 

My friend Chrissy the author and creator of the beautiful site  The Perfect Palette was asked to be Etsy's 'Guest Pinner' on Pinterest, and she choose my gray, white and yellow clutches to be featured!!

If you've never visited The Perfect Palette you are missing the most gorgeous eye candy around. You don't have to be planning a wedding to use the beautiful color combinations Chrissy has curated. Do you need to pick a color palette for decorating a room, picking out a special outfit, designing a business logo? You'll find color combinations that will work beautifully and they're all on one amazing site.

Check out the pinterest board she's selected, each day more items are added so check back all week.
http://pinterest.com/etsy/guest-pinner-the-perfect-palette/

You can read more about it on the Etsy Blog
https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/guest-pinner-the-perfect-palette/#comments

And don't forget to visit The Perfect Palette and stay contacted with Chrissy through

http://www.theperfectpalette.com/

https://twitter.com/perfectpalette

https://www.facebook.com/theperfectpalette

Thank you again Chrissy for including my clutches in your pretty collection!

I've been featured...it's my lucky day!!

I'm so excited to share that my clutches have been featured and reviewed on Richmom Business 

I mentioned in an earlier blog post that Renae Christine of Richmom Business has been just the push I've needed to take my business to the next level. Her site is full of helps, tips, tools, networking, freebies...to expand your home based business. 
Now go watch the video, like it, leave a comment, join Richmom and then come back and tell me what you think! 
(that last line is called a CTA "a call to action" learned that on Richmom!) 

Boot makeover ...you won't stop at boots!

This adorable boot makeover is featured on Cathie and Steve's blog You won't want to miss their great how to...

How to take this 

photos from Cathie and Steve's Blog 

And make this 

Don't forget to get the details here on Cathie and Steve's Blog 

These are not pictures of me they are constructed!

Craftcation

I know I've mentioned this before but it's finally here Craftcation in Ventura CA. 


Craftcation is an indie business and DIY workshop conference. This 4 day event is a retreat to inspire, network and build upon the independent craft business. 

I'f you'd like to see what it going on all weekend follow me on Twitter I'll be tweeting the highlights all weekend and blogging about it when I get back. 
I'm excited to meet some new like minded friends as well as learn some new skills and business helps. 

Am I getting enough done?

Marie Forleo has a lot of  great "helps" to motivate you, get you out of slumps, lots of business tips & and how to prioritize your life, your career the universe, well not the universe, but pretty close. 

2013 Kindness Challenge Winner - Hannah Brencher, More Love Letters

Just watch...and then go get some stationary!! 

This Looks Like Fun!!

Sign up for all the pretty fun!

Richmom Business

I'm not a big proponent of "New Year's Resolutions" I don't need the pressure.
BUT this year was different I decided this was the year I was going to take my business to the next level. My shop has been growing steadily for the past 2 years but I really wanted to "go big!"

Now how do I do that? I know there are a lot of business tools and helpful sites out there and I've looked into a lot of them. None of them being quite what I was looking for UNTIL I found Richmom Business   Now don't let the name scare you, you don't have to be a mom, or rich, heck you don't even have to be a woman to be a part of this community.

Renae Christine is the smart woman behind Richmom Business. Here you will find so much info, tools, helps, tutorials, videos and did I say information you'll be amazed.
She makes a daily YouTube video which you can watch at your convenience as many times as you want. Here is her latest.


You can be a part of the Community for a minimal fee and you won't be sorry. There's so much info on the site about SEO and adding a shopping cart to your site, oscommerce or how to make a YouTube video....it goes on and on.
Right now she is having an introductory price to become a member...go do it! The price is minimal for what you are getting in return.

NOW she is kinda crazy and has a silly high voice, which doesn't bother me at all but if it bothers you just sit tight and turn the volume down but pay attention to all the wonderful tools and freebies that you have at your fingertips.

Now go and sign up because this price won't last long-
Tell her I sent you!!

Looks Amazing

I was a little hesitant about wanting to see the new movie Oz the Great and Powerful. I mean really, can they do any better than the original?
BUT I saw this trailer and it really peaked my interest. What do you think?

The Top New Craft Product from CHA - Mod Melts

If you are not familiar with CHA the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show in Anaheim, Ca. It's where all the new Craft Products, fabric lines, design, manufacture and retail sales introduced what's new for the coming year.  One new product that was introduced is called  Mod Melts by Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza at the Plaid Booth.

You can read all about it on Karen's blog The Graphics Fairy 

And where has this been all my crafting life? 

Do you know how many fingertips I could have saved by now?  

Finger Caps

Try a grilled cheese party!

photo from A Beautiful Mess 

Elsie and Emma over at A Beautiful Mess have a great idea for an easy do it yourself party menu. So break out the Panini press you got for Christmas and grill on! 

And here is a tip on how to get your sandwich press nice and clean again! 

                        I'm attending Craftcation and I'm very excited. One of my goals this year is to build and grow my business. And attending this conference is going to help me do that! 

Listen to the entire interview here

Craftcation is a four day indie business & diy workshop conference. it’s a retreat to inspire, network and build upon the independent craft business community. our objective is to ignite the entrepenurerial business spirit, strengthen skills and abilities of both seasoned business owners and newcomers to indie craft business. this is an opportunity to network, communicate and share with your peers.incorporating both business and fun craftcation features industry professionals leading attendees in diy and indie business workshops, panel discussions and q & a sessions. 

There's still time to register. Visit the website and get inspired! 

New Styles and Colors

I finally got a chance to design some new clutch styles and colors. I have had all the supplies ready and waiting. I just had to find a few hours to myself to create, that was the hard part!

Ivory Silk Clutch with Blush Fabric Flowers 

Natural Cotton with lace 

Burlap and Lace 

Ivory Silk Clutch with Blush flowers (med) 

Mod Podge Prints

Erin over at How to Nest for Less has a great post and "how to" make these beautiful canvas prints. They are really easy and you'll be surprised at  how wonderful they look. Go check her blog out and get started!

Setting Up for the BIG Day!

IMG_3773, a photo by PaperFlora on Flickr.

Working on setting up my booth for the Penelope Lane Boutique this weekend.
What do you think so far?

7 days and counting...

Next Saturday is the Penelope Lane Boutique and I am busy, busy trying to get everything made, tagged, listed, displayed, packed, labeled, packaged, organized...well you get the idea.

This is my first show with Penelope Lane Boutique and it has been a great experience.

I am expanding my line of totes and adding some new items too. Here is a sneak peek. Let me know what you think.

 

                      AND don't forget if you are in Southern California come by the boutique

Penelope Lane Boutique

It's official...I'm going to be a vendor at the 

Penelope Lane Boutique 

in Seal Beach CA. on Saturday December 1st. 

 I'm more than excited about it. Here is all the info so mark your calendars and bring your checkbooks! 

Don't forget to visit the website to get a sneak peak of all the talented vendors http://www.penelopelaneboutique.blogspot.com/

Support your favorite small business.

This November 24th is Small Business Saturday®, a day to celebrate and

support the local small businesses that boost the economy and invigorate

neighborhoods across the country.

PaperFlora is proud to take part in Small Business Saturday, and we’re

encouraging everyone to Shop Small® here on November 24th.

Plus, we’re having a special Small Business Saturday offer! Purchase anything 

in the shop on November 24th and you’ll get FREE SHIPPING.

Most importantly, get out there, Shop Small, and let’s make this 

November 24th the biggest day of the year for small business.

To learn more, visit ShopSmall.com.

Disney Princesses go "hipster"

Hipster- it's a word that is thrown out to cover a lot of personal styles. 

Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter...The "effortless cool" urban bohemian look of a hipster is exemplified in Urban Outfitters and American Apparel ads which cater towards the hipster demographic. Despite misconceptions based on their aesthetic tastes, hipsters tend to be well educated and often have liberal arts degrees, or degrees in maths and sciences, which also require certain creative analytical thinking abilities.  -Urban Dictionary All that to say no matter what generation you are from each had it's own "hipster" type. You just used another word to describe them; emo, indie, nerd, hippie, punk...  BUT after watching this it all makes sense.  Nothing like a Disney Princess to make everything clear!

The Queen Bee

I hope that you know that I have an Etsy shop PaperFlora where I sell clutches, cosmetic bags, totes and market bags. Most of my customers are brides looking for unique and personalized gifts. BUT I do sell a lot of clutches and cosmetic bags to individual customers too.
I have been thinking recently about entering some craft shows/fairs. I've been busy trying to gather as much information on the "How To's" as I can get. I've received a lot of info about where to find shows;

My Arts and Crafts

Indie Crafts Shows 

So You Want To Do Craft Shows?

I've even start collecting ideas for booth set ups on my Pinterest Boards Craft Show Ideas

But I think the most important tip, almost everyone has mentioned it, is to visit the show before signing up. Take a look around, does it represent your asthetic, would you be a good fit? Remember your first show will be your most expensive because of all your initial costs.

So I've been doing my homework and I have come across this show that is fairly close by, they are in the O.C. I'm in the L.A.C. They look well organized. Their show is growing quickly, gaining attention and  is well attended.

It's called the Queen Bee Market

I'm looking forward to attending their next event and hopefully being a vendor in 2013! 

Do you have any Craft Fair tips you'd like to share? 

Please comment below so we can all learn from your experiences. 

hitRECord

It's kind of Indie, kinda co-op, it looks interesting. Even if you don't consider yourself an artist or film maker (and who does?) you can still be a part of HITRECORD by being a part of their curation team.

Repurposed Bike Chains

When I first saw Caro's work on Etsy I thought it was amazing. In this video you can hear her story and watch her in action.

How do I do this again?

It's been a while since I have posted anything on my blog. I keep vacillating on what I should do here. Back in June I decided to use it as a venue for my customers to see pattern and fabric choices.

BUT then I kept running into things that I wanted to share and didn't have a place to do it.

SO I'm back to using the Blog as a place to share my "look what I've found" "isn't this neat" "what do yo think about this?"  and "I'm thinking out loud" place and I'm excited about it!
Now I just have to remember how to do all this tech stuff again.
My learning curve is taking a nose dive!!

I wanted to share this short video from Etsy about Jim Power and the Mosaic Trail

It was Magical!

Best Cake Ever

If you need a "go to" "knock them off their feet" "best cake ever" recipe you don't need to look any further!
This Double Caramel Cake is so gooey and good you'll want to share it with everyone.

You can get the recipe at Culinary Concoctions. You won't be sorry!

Ruffled Streamers

I'm sure you've heard the phrase  "Everything old is  new again" I can't think of where it would fit better than here. Remember crepe paper streamers, you know the ones your mom would thumb tack to the patio when it was time to celebrate!

Well Dana, over on her blog MADE has taken crepe paper streamers to a whole new level. On her site she gives you a step by step tutorial on how to sew these wonderful paper strips together to make your event bright and festive.


Please visit her site and see what else she has created.

Not your mother's pumpkin bread

How good does this look? 

I spotted this recipe on Grin and Bake it. 

Kate has some wonderful goodies there. You can get the recipe for this and a lot more on her blog at Grin and Bake it 

Guest Post

http://craftystaci.com/

Tomorrow I'll be guest posting on
CraftyStaci  stop by and see what's going on!
Don't forget to leave a little comment love

Upcycle T-shirts and more

I'm sure you've seen all the up-cycled t-shirt patterns around. There are patterns to make purses, pillows, dresses and so much more.  Here are a few you should check out.

featured on the Howjoyful blog 

featured on Our-Everyday-Art

featured on Tea Rose Home

Weekly Calendar

I found this on Kristy's blog Next To Heaven.
It is an adorable idea for a dry erase board weekly calendar.
She gives all the details on her blog so please check it out.

I use one for our weekly menu What's for Dinner?

I'm sure there are lots of other uses, chore charts, family notes...what would you use it for?

Follow me on Pinterest

I just added a "Pinterest" button here to the left. You can get yours here
 Check it out here. Cheers to Kate from DDGDaily for alerting me to this!] 

It was really easy, only one step. 

Stop by my boards, leave a comment and I will follow back~ 

Baked Apple Rings

This looks so good. I found the recipe from Howto-simplify for these baked apple rings on Pinterest, you know my newest obsession. They look easy and yummy AND it's a fruit right?
Try it and let me know what you think-

Source: howto-simplify.com via PaperFlora on Pinterest

The Perfect Palette

If you love color (who doesn't?) this is the place to stop. The Perfect Palette has the most exhaustive selection of color palettes you could imagine.
And you don't have to be planning a wedding these palettes will work for decorating, sewing, painting or any where you need inspiration with color selections.
AND I am so excited to say they featured my clutches on their blog today! I am so excited and honored.

Please go to the Blog and follow there or through Twitter and Facebook. You won't be sorry!

Color Pops at Pinterest

New silk clutch collection from PaperFlora

I've been introduced to Pinterest....I love it.
It took some time to figure out all the great things I could do with this new resource.

I kept thinking that it was like an inspiration board limited to 5-6 pictures and I couldn't figure out why you'd follow someone. 

I had to start thinking of it as a storage file so instead of finding a great idea, picture or item then copying it, making a file and storing it in that file on your computer you can install a "pin it" button in your nav. bar. Every time you see something you like you hit the "pin it" button which clips it and takes you to pinterest. It then asks where you'd like to store it, that's what the "boards" are for. They are like files and if it's a flower  you might have a flower board, or if it's someplace you'd like to travel to you'll have a travel board, a recipe you want to try you have a recipe board...

Now the good thing about it is it saves all the info about the item so if you use it on your blog or anywhere else all the correct link info and credits are there too. 

Now as far as following someone, I guess that's personal preference and you can follow a single board or an entire person. You can pick individual items from within their boards and add to your own. 

window display at Zinnia in South Pasadena CA. 

It may sound confusing but once you start playing around it's really fun. But it could also be just one more thing to get compulsive about too!