The countdown is on for me. I am planning to launch my new website on 3rd June 2013! I'm still frantically trying to get a good collection of printables together, but I'm getting there, and I'm steadily building the site day by day too. I have to remind myself that it will continue to grow after launching. It's just a beginning!
I've had some really amazing help from people testing my stamps - and I'm so, so grateful to everyone who's helped me. It's been great to see similar opinions and suggestions coming up from more than one person, but pretty much everything the testers have said has been really useful.
I'll put together a post (or posts!) soon with some of the cards (and tags) the testers have made. It's so lovely to see them transformed! The images, not the testers...
Meanwhile, I did a little testing myself - I figured it was only right that I should! It's been a good few years since I made cards, but I always enjoyed it. It was my dad's 85th birthday yesterday - I thought that would be as good a place to start as any.
I have already started designing some of my own craft papers, too, which come ready to print in colour (although I think I may also do some in black and white!) and I decided to use these two
but I also used the red polka dot from this month's Craftseller magazine (have you seen the new look magazine yet? It's in the shops on Tuesday). I also threw into the mix some sky blue paper from an old copy of Simply Homemade magazine.
In fact, it was these Emma Ball papers that made me realise people just might buy hand-drawn/painted craft papers and digi stamps and that my Photoshop skills (or lack thereof, to be much more accurate) didn't have to hold me back! Pop over to Emma's website, if you have a minute - it's very inspiring and she does lots of seasidey stuff, which I love! I've admired her artwork for a long while, so it's actually really lovely that seeing her craft papers was a kind of catalyst for me.
My dad loved his card and said it was his favourite. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a big difference, isn't it?
OK, over to you...
A beautiful card. It's lovely being able to make something lovely for someone you love.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your new website.
Very nice and appropriate card - he did well cycling till his 70s! It looks like 'one of yours' I think you have definitely created your style!
ReplyDeleteOh i'm so excited for your new venture Wendy, I just know the site will be gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love your latest stamps and the craft papers are amazing!! Its funny because just this week i've been working on turning some of my designs into downloadable craft papers too! I had the idea when i saw that Etsy had improved their download feature recently and i'm thinking i'll open a new shop on there to sell them. I will definitely be checking out the link to Emma Ball's blog for some useful tips :) thank you! x
Gosh Wendy, you've been so busy, good luck with your new website. I love the colours in your card for your dad, it's nice and crisp looking.
ReplyDeleteJan x
Happy Birthday to your Dad. I like personalized cards. I always buy one for my manager who loves cats.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have your own craft paper designed.
Hugs
xxx
I can't wait to see your website! I don't know how you do it, you have your finger in so many pies, you are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love the card and am not surprised your Dad did too. I started off as a card maker and haven't done it for years but would love to get back in to it. Not sure there are enough hours in the day though. xxx
That's a smashing card for your Dad, Wendy....made me have a little titter because I so very nearly used some of those free papers for the seagull card I made for you....told ya I loved your style, lol. x
ReplyDeleteYour card looks lovely! I really like the look of your stamp designs and papers - they are so "you". You have a wonderful style.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting. I am a bit confused about what a digistamp is, so can't wait to see your new website and find out. Love the bunting paper.
ReplyDeleteGinx craft - The name is a bit misleading really! A digi stamp is the digital take on a rubber stamp. People buy an image online, usually a black and white one, and print it off at home. Then they can use it like a rubber stamp, colour it and put it on a card. I don't know if that helps or confuses, but I'll try and explain it better on my website!
ReplyDeleteThe card looks great.No wonder your dad liked it so much. I love making cards as it is so personal, just a shame i don't get chance. Looking forward to the website launch!
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to be able to make a personal card, especially for a dad as the commercial ones seemed to have such limited ideas!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the website :)
Good luck with the new website tho I am sure you will have loads of success.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely, thoughtful card for your dad. Really like the way you've used such a great mixture of craft papers.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting about the new website! x
The digi-stamps are brilliant and I am enjoying using them - thank you, and I will post pics soon and email you my feedback. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThose digi stamps are looking pretty cool! Well done Wendy.
ReplyDeleteI shall keep an eye out for your new website. Good luck with it
Anna xxx
Now that's when you can see if someone's artistic! If I put a combination of papers and stamps together they look like a random collection of papers and a stamp on a bit of card.. when you do it the whole thing hangs together as a well thought out design!! Looking forward to the new website... Sue
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about remembering that your website is just the beginning - it's so tempting to keep delaying launch until you've got everything 'just so' but it's definitely an ongoing work in progress - really looking forward to seeing it!
ReplyDeleteLove you card - it's no wonder it's your dad's favourite! There's something special about receiving something made specifically with you in mind :)