What's the Date?

We must check the calendars at least five times a day (probably more). There's always some reason; either a date to circle or a previous day to look back on. Although we're usually prepared with the new year; having added them to our holiday lists, for some reason they slipped our minds this time around. For the past two weeks we've been checking blank spaces where there normally would be days and dates each time muttering how we really should to pick one up.

We're an odd family, we'll go to buy a gift for someone and realize we could have made something lovely and personal. Why is it that we always seem to fall back on our familiar pasts of just buying something instead of making it?  It seems our calendar dilemma was no different but fortunately we made the realization sooner than later.

And so with that we're introducing our new line of 2015 Calendars, the first of which is shown above. Each will feature our unique whimsical style with an inspirational message and will come in 8 1/2 x 11. They'll be available for purchase through our Etsy shop in both print-yourself and pre-printed formats  We're still working on an assortment of new designs but you can find the one above at this link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/218558335/2015-calendar-print-yourself-mermaid-sea

WordPress

I'm not sure if I should jump for joy or collapse in exhaustion but after over 2 months of grueling work I've finally finished my first WordPress custom blog template.

Much of the time was spent learning the ins-and-outs of working with WP themes and child themes, a lot of which was through online college video training (thank you Jordan♥).  I also had the occasional assistance of a techy who's help I could not have done without (thank you, you know who you are).

I ran into other issues with this particular project, in that this blog runs on the Genesis Framework. It's a fantastic array of built-ins but makes for some very complicated coding and dissecting too.

All-in-all I've learned so much it blows my mind and I'm really looking forward to transferring all of my prefab themes over to this new platform.  I've begun accepting orders from my previous customers who've migrated over to Wordpress and I'm looking forward to filling some long awaited custom orders too, as I've had so many requests throughout the years that it'll be nice to finally say "yes" to them.

You can check out the migrated theme at this link: http://thejohnsonfamilylive.com/

Best♥

Colorful Day

Ah, colorful days are simply the best and never more so than when they're filled with a brand new Treasury! This one was curated by Aurelia and includes our digital bookmarks.  So a huge thanks goes out to our fellow Etsian and a congrats to all the others included as well.

Colorful Day

So here's the direct link in case you'd like to show your support or find some wonderful new handmade goodies to covet and artists to support: www.etsy.com/treasury/ODMwODA0NHwyNzI0ODMzMTA2/colorful-day

Enjoy~

Customer Shout Outs

We're pleased as punch to be offering up a viewing of two recently completed projects.

The first is this ethereal theme created for Earth Mermaid.  For this theme we were given permission to use some original artwork created for our customer by the ever talented Erin Darcy Design.  Modifying original imagery for custom blog themes is always a challenge as so we're delighted with the outcome.  Other elements added to her custom theme were two blog badges and and an original set of social networking links.  You can grab a closer look at: http://www.earthmermaid.com/

The next theme was for Butterfly Kisses and included one of our original shelf banners, a modified version of our Je T'aime background, and several other custom coordinating images. Working on shelf banners is such a treat as we have the opportunity to truly personalize the look so each comes out quite different and oh-so unique!  Add-ons for this whimsical theme include a top navigation bar and personal blog signature.  You can take a closer look at: http://butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/

We're currently wrapping up several indepth custom orders and hope to have more Customer Shouts for you in the very near future.

Best~

Mixed Up!

As I'm currently on the mend and catching up on work (doesn't being sick stink!), just thought I'd pop in and say a big ♪Thanks♫♪ to "By the Way" for including our digital bookmarks in their newest Treasury, "Mixed Up!" ~ so sweet!

Enjoy~

Beautiful Etiquette

Being raised by a socialite, etiquette always played a key roll in my life.  Knowing when and where to exercise the proper sentiments was a key part of my childhood training.  Fast forward 50 years and the world has changed dramatically from that once proper place my mother dreamed of. While many of us still try our darnedest to squeeze in those "pleases" and "thank yous" there are simply far too few of them these days.

Still I'm all about being the change and so you can often find my visual thank yous around the internet  ~ whether it's expressing gratitude to a social networking friend or leaving feedback for a purchase, I like prettying up the sentiment with my own whimsical imagery.

And so in keeping with this I thought it might be nice to start a new series of images that could be used in this manner. Whether you're looking to include a thank you at the bottom of your blog or just want to say "thanks for your friendship" on a social wall, these images will suit the situation nicely.  You'll find them included in an upcoming "Inspirational" category I have planned for the new website, but in the meantime you can grab some copies below.

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Cupcake Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Cupcake.png" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Mermaid Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mermaid.png" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Enchanted Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mirror.png" /></a></center>
Using the code below each image you can insert them at the bottom of your blog using this tutorial: http://plumroselane-tutorials.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-install-blog-badge-or-add-html.html  or by right clicking on the image you can save a copy to then post on a friend's wall like on Facebook.  Just remember to play nice ~ these images are subject to my terms of use and are not meant to be altered in any way.

Update: Originally created for the bottom of blogs and social sites, I've now included smaller versions below so these can be used in blog sidebar areas...

200 x 200

<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Cupcake Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Cupcake-x200.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Mermaid Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mermaid-x200.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.plumroselane.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL-Enchanted Thank You" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/prefab/inspirational/PrL-ThankYou_Mirror-x200.png" /></a></center>

Since this month's theme over at Leah's Creative Everyday Challenge is "Color" I thought these might also make a nice entry for that too.  So I've submitted this post in this week's challenge posting and plan on visiting the participants to see what delicious creations have been whipped up by this week's entries ~ hope to see you there!

Enjoy~

New Themes ~ Nuptials & Garden Party

With all the extra work I've been doing lately; revamping blog themes, keeping up on custom orders, and working on challenges, it's been a struggle to get in here and post as much as I should.  So I'm happy when I do have something completed and ready to place in the spotlight. Today I'm focusing on a couple of new themes I recently created ~ Nuptials and Garden Party.

Nuptials

Nuptials just kind of fell in place with it's soft hues boasting an elegant yet natural wedding theme.  I love this color combination, they blend so beautifully together ~ I can't help but think of a beautiful afternoon in the countryside with flowing white chiffon.  And it's nice to finally have an addition to stand along side my Cherish theme which up until now was the only marriage theme I offered.

Garden Party

Garden Party was a different story in that I've had this theme in my mind's eye for quite awhile now.  I knew I wanted to create a theme that set a stage for some enchanted yet cozy event, filled with whimsical elements and adorned with glowing lanterns.  I'm really please with how these sets cam out and I hope you enjoy them too.

You can view all of the elements for each set by clicking on the titles or images above.

Enjoy~

Creative Every Day Challenge

For the past several years I've posted about participating in the Creative Every Day Challenge and had set out with the best of intentions to actually participate. I'm not sure why I never did, whether it was feeling that my world of digital creations didn't quite fit into the other beautiful artistic imagery or if I was just too swamped with work, but whatever the case each year the badge remained a part of my Inspirational section, nothing more.

This year Leah of Creative Every Day is back again with more challenges and it's a really great way to work through a creative block or two.  Who wouldn't be inspired simply by Leah's gorgeous creations alone, as in the case of her painting for this month's challenge shown below?

I've decided to push through whatever fears or preconceptions I may have had and actually follow along this year and so this is my fist posting for that.  Participation is open to anyone and you can find out more by clicking the images or links above.

Challenge Theme Submission for "Dark"

The theme for January is "Dark" and I was surprised to find out that some people are uncomfortable with that word.  Personally I like the word dark because it makes me think of deep rich jewel tones and starry night skys filled with stars. 

In keeping with the later I've created a new blog theme titled Night Vision.  This theme is in a new style I'll be working with this year and while I'm still planning on creating the scrappy realistic themes I'm best known for, I also plan on incorporating more of these surreal themes into my repertoire.  I'm really excited about this new style and all the fun possibilities it holds. 

Leah breaks the challenges out by week and so this is my submission for this week, December 31st - January 6th.  I'm hoping with the addition of painting in my life that I'll also have a chance to play and submit something in paint for this as well.  To view the theme and all the goodies included just click the image or title link above.

A big thanks goes out to Leah for providing such a wonderful source of inspiration.  I can't wait to see the creativity unfold throughout the year!

Best,

Customer Shout Outs

I'm so happy to share with you another selection Customer Shout Outs.  These are always the most fun to post about, not only because I have the joy of knowing there are several more items crossed off my ever increasing "To-Do" List but because I have the pleasure of spotlighting my wonderful customers.

For me there's nothing more amazing than watching these projects unfold because I never really know how they will turn out. Taking a customer's vision; their likes and interests, and putting it all together is as much a mystery to me as it is to them.  It's like watching a beautiful flower bloom without knowing what type of seed you've planted.

So here are some of my most recent customers ~ I hope you'll take the time to visit, check out their themes and get to know them better...

Glamour to Whimsey

For this project the customer was already using one of my Etsy shop sets and wished to continue the theme over into several other realms included a selection of printed items.  From a Facebook cover image and mailing labels to packaging stickers and business cards this theme transitioned beautifully.

The Crystal Tree

 customer's original logo above

This project began as a simple 2-sided business card. The customer contacted me to create a new business card using her existing logo.  Putting my own 3-D twist on her darling image I brought her enchanting crystal tree to life through a swirling magickal scene. 

Not long after that project she returned with a request for an event banner.  Although it was a challenge recreating these elements in a much larger format, as 3 inches doesn't always transition well into 4 feet, the end result was truly wonderful!

 

Pip's Pastimes

This customer was actually a winner for one of my previous customer's giveaways.  Carol of Craftingranny's Card Shack held a giveaway extravaganza earlier this year and chose one of my custom blog themes as a giveaway prize.  Working with the winner was a sheer delight and we both enjoy how the final product turned out.

Loving Heart Reiki

This project involved turning a professional Reiki instructor's black and white "sacred contract" illustration to life through vivid colors.  Her requests were simply that the overall design stick to the original image and that it possess a glowing effect.  In the end I was as impressed with the outcome as she was since from a technical standpoint I created this in Photoshop rather than Illustrator.

Go Pink Wednesdays

This project was for a weekly blog event through the month of October to help spread the word for breast cancer awareness.  The task was to create an eye catching button that captured the theme centered around nail polish.  I chose to incorporate the pink ribbon into the actual polish and couldn't be happier with the outcome.

 

Carole's Soulfelt Creations

And finally we have this most recent blog theme which I previously posted about as the customer chose to gift me with a most beautiful poem.  This project was a sheer delight ~ weaving together a collection of spiritual elements and vintage ensemble seemed like a challenge at first but as with so many of my themes the pieces just seem to fall together so naturally and in the end it's nothing short of magick and divine inspiration.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share in my latest projects. There are many others I'm just finishing up with and so I hope to be sharing those very shortly in the coming weeks.

Best~

New Shop Sets

If you're looking for a new look for your Etsy shop I've just posted several darling new sets ~ they include...

Waking Dream

 

Quiet Afternoon

Playful Encounter

and Featherly Melody

Usually my shop sets are take-offs from blog themes I've already created but in this case these images came first.  I'm so pleased with some of them that I may end up working in reverse to create some new prefab themes once my word load frees up a bit.  The Waking Dreams is my personal fav ~ it's so magickal and includes many of my favorite colors.

To view the complete collection of current shop sets just visit the Shop Sets section of my Etsy shop at www.PlumroseLane.Etsy.com.

Enjoy~

Valentine's Day Treasures

I've listed a lovely new assortment of my handmade key holders, just in time for Valentine's Day! These key chains are so fabulous, each one-of-a-kind and filled with whimsical charm from the selection of wire wrapped beads to the intricate array of shimmering crystals and dangling charms.

Each includes a spring hook so you can hang them from your purse or belt loop creating a fabulous fashion statement and best of all, ensuring you don't loose your keys!

And for those of you who are especially hard on your keys they create a beautiful sun catcher as the light catches all the delicate faceted crystals ~ I love seeing them dance across my studio wall as they catch the light of the afternoon sun.

So hop on over to my Etsy shop to find a wonderful selection, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Enjoy~