Hello all you lovelies. I hope you are all having a good start to summer. I am about to start laying some randomness on you with a new series I am starting…”What I’ve Been Thinking About.” I might be thinking business stuffs, personal stuffs and stuffs out of left field. These posts will probably be sporadic, but that keeps it super fun, right?

I have been thinking about media/press/product kits since I took the most wonderful Bakery Business course in the spring. I want to put one together, but I really don’t know where to start. I want to use it to take my business to the next level.

If you are unfamiliar with what one of these kits are/do, they are a kit that a business owner can send either by snail mail or by email to a blogger, magazine, etc. for your product or wares to be considered for publication. I think I would like both a digital and a hard copy version…What do you have?

I am so overwhelmed by this task, that I am considering hiring someone. Not only with the creation of it, but the distribution of it as well. I might ask those super fab ladies of the Bakery, Jaime and Erin, who they recommend. I just don’t want to get caught up with a PR person that wants to push my product to anyone without putting some thought into it.

So, do you have any smashing media kits that you would like to share? Did you hire someone to help you with your kit or are you a DIY kinda business owner?

I would love to see any kits you would like to share or any you think are just top notch. Also, any tips? You can email them to me at kelly {at} purplelemondesigns.com. I hope to hear from you!

So, I learned something interesting on the Etsy Forums the other day. There was a long discussion going about how to ship Internationally from the US without having to visit the post office. Today I am going to share with you.

Triple Postage Stamp Necklace by foxgloveaccessories

Here is how you do it:

Before you get started, you need to get customs forms and all increments of stamps {I purchased $1 stamps, 28¢, 5¢, 2¢, and 1¢ stamps}.

1. Use your scale to calculate the weight of the package you are shipping.

2. Enter a little info about your package and where it is going in the International Price Calculator on USPS.com. Use the first class international rate that the page calculates.

3. Fill out a customs form and attach it to your box.

4. Place the proper postage stamps on your package.

5. Now drop it in your mailbox…Easy peasy!

After I read this forum post, I asked my postal worker about it and she said that was fine and legal. Very cool. Read more about this topic on the Etsy Forums.

On this fine Friday morning, I would like to thank everyone that purchased from my shop in the month of March. You helped raise $133 for The Parker Reese Foundation, which helps raise awareness for the congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Thank You Card - Purple Lemon Designs

Thank you so much for helping these sweet babies that come into the world stricken with this birth defect. You guys rock!

Also on a side note…Happy Birthday Dad!

Hi all you lemonheads! I hope you are doing well. I wanted to share with you a sneak peak of the fabulous journal design that you helped me pick last week…

So, with that vision still in your head, I am in need of your expert creative opinion once more. I want to launch my line of journals with three designs {I have two already}, so I need to add one more to my arsenal. I have revamped some of the designs you voted on last time, according to your lovely suggestions that I appreciate more than you know. So, take a look and please vote at the end of the post. Thanks so much for all of your help and support…You guys rock!

Cross #1 - Proverbs 31:30

Cross #2: Jeremiah 29:11

Cross #3: Psalm 27:1

Cross #4: Isaiah 41:10

Happy Wednesday Lemonheads! Today I am going to show off some new products and designs that I have added to my Etsy shop. Join me, won’t you?

First, I just developed a calling card stamp that I think would be perfect for busy women that need to share their info quickly. Just grab some card stock or those handy perforated business cards from Avery, and stamp your custom design in your favorite color. Great for moms!

Calling Card Stamp by Purple Lemon Designs

Great for craft fairs, this mini card stamp makes quick small cards that will save you money! No need to give everyone your full information; mini cards help you give the most important information about your business – your website. Cut your own card stock or cut these blank business cards in half and stamp away!

Mini Business Card Stamp by Purple Lemon Designs

A custom design for a client led me to this new shop offering, the Initial Address Stamp. So simple, but classy, fun or funky at the same time!

Initial Address Stamp by Purple Lemon Designs

Do you walk on the wild side? Then you might like the Spiral Address Stamp for your envelopes. Show your funky personality!

Spiral Address Stamp by Purple Lemon Designs

I love to mark my books with a nice bookplate…You can too with this new offering from Purple Lemon Designs.

Scrolling Bookplate Stamp by Purple Lemon Designs

Now in my shop, I am offering the ink pads I use myself. Vivid! Ink pads offer quick drying ink along with a raised pad for inking any size stamp.

Vivid! Stamp Pads from Purple Lemon Designs

I have other new things available in my shop, so check out Purple Lemon Designs on Etsy…

Hi all you lovely lemonheads. I am going to share about something that, over the last year, has become near and dear to my heart. It is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) awareness.

hands by Eastop on stock.xchng

Jes Singletary, whom you have met here, here and here, as you know started the Parker Reese Foundation, which helps raise awareness for this terrible infant defect. The month of March is  Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month, and I am going to be donating 10% of my sales to the Parker Reese Foundation.

If you would like to help raise awareness, post about CDH on your facebook, twitter or blog…Every action you make helps spread the word.

Have ever considered purchasing a Purple Lemon Designs stamp or stationery from my shop, but have just put it off for another day? Well today is the day. Not only can you get a great stamp or set of stationery, you can help families that have been overwhelmed by this diagnosis. Help doctors find ways to combat CDH. Just help.

Visit my shop now to help!

Good day all you lovely lemonheads! I wanted to toot my horn a little today (let’s face it, if I’m not going to do it, who is?). My stamp and note card designs have been featured on Invitation Buzz, a new blog/source for stationery and all the lovelies that go with it.

Read all about it on Invitation Buzz’s Buzzworthy Blog. I am super excited about this feature…Thanks so much Invitation Buzz!

Hi lovely lemonheads. Thanks so much for joining me here today. I have a question for all you creatives…How do you get through what I like to call “artist’s funk?” I akin it to what writers face during stages of writer’s block. It is when I absolutely feel not one drop of creative juice flowing through my body.

Burned out - This is how I am feeling | by kianee on stock.xchang

I don’t know if it is the January let down after the holidays, the cold weather, the exhaustion of going “ninety to nothing” over the last 4 or so months, or just a combination of them all. I think I have officially burned out. Nothing left. Just a shell of Kelly is all that is remaining.

So how do you do it? How do you get your creative juices flowing again? I really need to know because I feel my work and my blog are both suffering right now. I need a kick start in the creative booty!

This is my shop's stationery

Leave me some tips in the comments section below. Each tip you leave will enter you into a drawing for a set of your own printable stationery for your shop or business. It includes files for folded note cards, flat note cards, business cards and note paper all created with your logo and or shop name. I use mine for writing thank you notes to my customers and clients when I package their items for shipping.

This giveaway is now closed.

This giveaway will close next Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5pm CST.

I am hoping this will jump start me into a creative renaissance…I am looking forward to all of your ideas.

Thanks lemonheads!

Hello all you lovely lemonheads…I hope you Wednesday is going wonderful! Mine is going really well because I have been picked to be in this week’s Etsy voter! Yay!

While it is an honor just to be nominated (that line came from my Academy Awards speech…You know, just in case I need it.), I would love to win, so PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE won’t you vote for my Crafty Christmas 4×8 Christmas/Holiday Cards (set of 50) by purplelemondesigns?

Vote here: http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=78

I would really appreciate your support!

Happy Wednesday Lemonheads! I hope you are having a super week. I am really busy with some new things that are happening, but more on that in a few days.

I would love to share with all of you some of my new 2009 Christmas Collection that can be found in my Etsy shop. All the items that are listed in my shop have matching cards or stamps also available in my shop. Here are a few of my favorites:

Love this very “Martha-like” stamp design…

Crafty Christmas Stamp

How about a little funky animal prints for your Christmas cards?

Funky Zebra Christmas Card

This stamp is very reminiscent of the Grinch…

Grinchy Christmas Tree Stamp

This stationery is a fun way to get customized stationery without the custom price.

Printable Christmas Is Coming Stationery

The Fab Ornaments stamp is a very classic design.

Fab Ornaments Stamp

This card is Plaid-tastic!

Plaid-tastic Christmas Cards

I hope you like this line because it has been a definite labor of love. I have been working on it since July! I really think there is something in it for everyone. Take a look around in my Purple Lemon Designs Etsy shop. There are a ton more designs in my shop that all have matching stamps or cards to match. Happy Shopping!