Saturday, December 28, 2013

Ya Gotta Have Heart


Valentine's Day is a romantic time of the year. Couples get engaged, flowers are sent and candy is given. When I was younger, I loved to receive; now that I am older I love to give.  Maybe it's because I had children and the world was no longer centered around me.

I've been busy the last couple days creating my Mini Love Notes for my shop. It gives me great pleasure when someone purchases these love notes.  I don't care about the money I make, what I care about is other people spreading their love to anyone that matters to them.  It's truly a simple gesture and should be done everyday.


I have one customer who has purchased many Love Notes over the past year and she knows just how to say "Thank You" and "I Love You" to all she meets.  I won't get into how she personally uses them, (that is a private conversation between my customer and myself) but I can share other ways she uses them.  M (is what I'll call her) hands these Mini Love Notes out to anyone who helps her, whether it is in a professional setting or personal. Her daughters have told me she hands them out to people on the street or anyone who "makes her day".  In my estimation, M is the epitome of Love.

It only takes one person to put a smile on someones face or to let them know in little ways they truly are loved. I have been blessed with all the stories my customers share with me knowing love is being distributed one little card at a time.

Barbie



Friday, December 6, 2013

A New Way to Wrap

When it comes to time wrap a special gift for your loved one, consider having a special 9 x 12 envelope made. We all think about gift bags, boxes and bubble wrap, however, there are many items we give that need a special package to place them in.  We live in a very busy world and often do not have the time to spend wrapping or standing in a store trying to find the 'perfect' gift bag for your loved one. Everything is mass produced with no personal touch other than the card you place inside your gift bag.

These envelopes are wonderful for 8 x 10 family portraits, a running or craft magazine, a thin novel or paperback, gift certificates, a special thank you letter to a co-worker or for your boss.

Consider creating a keepsake envelope to store your Christmas cards in, letters from your husband, son or daughter who might be away serving our Country or mementos from a special trip you took.


Think of all the wonderful events you attend. Whether it be a Baby Shower, Wedding, Bridal Shower, a family gathering, your child's classroom party, a Confirmation, Baptism, First Communion, Anniversary, Bar Mitzvah or any other special moment. These wonderful, beautiful, handmade envelopes may just fit your need.




Enjoy your Holidays &
Warm Wishes to Everyone,
Barbie

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

A Gift to hold a Gift

I recently had a request to create individual Christmas envelopes to hold Gift Certificates. Made from manila envelopes these are beautiful and a gift all by themselves.


Each envelope has been custom designed for each family member and friends.


The back has been embellished with a handmade envelope and card. Each card is designed to match the front with the same theme. Write a special message to your loved one or a special sentiment to a friend.


The handmade envelope closes with a lovely ribbon that is feed through metal grommets for sturdiness and a clean look.



When you have a special gift to give, remember these wonderful envelopes that can be created for any special moment in your life.




Barbie

Friday, November 22, 2013

Elf off the Shelf

Many children are very familiar with Elf on the Shelf and participate in his everyday activities through the Christmas Season.

For those who are not familiar with this tradition, an Elf style doll makes himself present in a home (this item is usually purchased by a parent for their child) and each day a child will find him in a new spot of his house.  Some elves are mischievous, getting into mom's baking four, making a mess of the sock drawer or taking ornaments off the Christmas Tree and playing with the glass balls or handmade items. Other elves are more quiet and like to hide in odd places for children to find him.

The only elf in my world is the elf I call Miss Barb. Miss Barb's Christmas Season has already started in my craft room.  Special orders have been placed, and filled, for Manila Envelope Photo Journals, gift tags, Christmas Love Notes and Wedding Party Love Notes for a special Winter Wedding.  Christmas Cards have been created and with a joyful sentiment nestled inside.

Elves are a big part of the Christmas Season, helping Santa make the toys and putting finishing touches on many special items. I'd make Santa proud if I worked in his Toy Shop on the North Pole.  I now know how his Elves feel at the end of the work day, tired,  physically and mentally, some days overwhelmed but totally satisfied and happy knowing someone special will enjoy a new item from Nellie and Ruth Designs.


Clothespin Gift Tags


Snowmen Gift Tags


Charles Dickens Style Christmas Cards


Manila Envelope Christmas Photo Journal


Interior Page of Photo Journal for 4 x 6 photos and 3 x 5 phtos




So remember this, the next time you are looking for an Elf to help you out this Holiday Season, stop by Nellie and Ruth Designs on Etsy. I'm sure you'll be able to find just the right gift for the person in your life.

Barbie

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Thanks and Blessings

for Thanksgiving


We all have so much to be thankful for. At times we may might not think so, however, if you have God in your heart, your health, a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food on your table, I believe there is much to be grateful for.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No presents and no pressure, just the joy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a great feast and no washer and dryer churning away.  Each year after our family says grace, we always share what we are thankful for and how we have been blessed.


Thanksgiving Love Notes are a wonderful way to express you gratitude this holiday season.  Many do not like to share verbally there thoughts and feelings. Some are too shy, others get embarrassed and there are those who are lost for words, especially if they have lost a loved one.  


These notes are perfect to write your thoughts and feelings down.  Place a 'Love Note' at each place setting for a family member or guest.  If you have a large family, place them in a beautiful bowl for family so they can write to one another how and why a certain family member is special to them. We all need to be told from time to time how grateful and thankful we are for one another.


Thank your loved one for all they do in your own special way.  A Love Note is a gift from the heart. By giving your loved one their own special Love Note, they can go back and read the sentiment over and over and over again.

For all the special people in my life,
family, friends and customers,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart ~
You mean the world to me,


Barbie




Tuesday, October 8, 2013

BOO.tiful Photo Journals


For Halloween Present and Halloween Past


I love Halloween and have fond and fun memories of years past.  I always hoped my children would have great memories of their Halloween adventures too.  Unfortunately, when you live in a rural section, and not in a housing development, Halloween can be a bit overlooked.

I was never a mom to pack the kids in the car and drive to a neighborhood to let my kids roam the streets and ask for candy from people they did not know, I always felt that was cheating. If you don't live in the neighborhood, you don't belong there, so we had to make new ways to enjoy Halloween.

We always had a countdown to October 31st by decorating the house a little each day.  Three days before Halloween we'd start to watch scary movies with a real horror movie toping the charts on Halloween night.  We are not a horror movie family so we have some really fun memories of pillows over our faces, faces placed in our knees or blankets over our heads while trying to get through our movie.

No matter how you celebrate, it's always fun to look back at all your photos and remember the costumes, the parties, the funny and scary faces, and the pillowcases full of candy.

New in the shop are Manila Envelope Photo Journals to keep all your wonderful memories.


Fangs for the Memories is a wonderful photo journal which holds (5) 4x6 photos and (6) 3x5 photos on wonderfully decorated pages.


Each book measures 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches where you can store more photos or other paper memorabilia in 3 different envelopes.


Our family and children are wonderful and are true treats each and every day, why not show them off in either one of these fantastic photo journals, made with love for you by me !  Stop in my shop to see more pages of these fun and fantastic books.

When you go out to Trick or Treat this year, stay safe and have loads of fun,

Barbie









Thursday, September 5, 2013

Touchdown !

Go Wolves


Tonight is the start of NFL football. The Denver Broncos play the Baltimore Ravens. Fall is just around the corner and with the start of school, high school football will soon start.

A couple weeks ago, a potential customer contacted me about custom football tags. 

When I get a custom order, it's sometimes hard to figure out exactly what the customer is requesting.  I try to ask questions which will help me with style, color and quantity but sometimes vague answers don't help me out.  When in doubt, I become a bit bolder and ask more specific and personal questions without prying into someone's personal life. It's a fine line and I try to tread lightly.

After asking a few more questions, my potential customer opened up with me and told me her niece is a cheerleader at her high school and dates one of the football players.  Before each game, she gives her boyfriend a small gift for good luck.  My customer wanted to give these tags to her niece so she could write a small note to her boyfriend making her packages even more special.



She wanted each tag to say - Go Wolves ...... beat Durant -
She sent me all 10 opposing teams, along with their school colors so I could write each teams name in the appropriate color.

The above tags were samples I sent to my customer to see if these would meet her needs after explaining to me what she was looking for.  She loved them and couldn't wait to make the 10 tags she was looking for.

I've already bookmarked the high school her niece attends so I can follow the Wolves to see how many games they win this season.  People touch our lives in mysterious ways and I'm thankful that the customers I have had to date have enriched mine.  

I can only hope that down the road, my customers will send me photos of how my merchandise has been used and that they'll walk back into my shop so I can help them out with all their other special events and special days.


I'm grateful to you all ~
Barbie


First Day of School

The first day of school is so exciting, for most kids.  They have to put on the right outfit, their hair has to be styled just so and stomachs are filled with butterflies.  

Teachers gear up to for all the new students who will be walking through their classroom door.  They will hear new stories, some true and some not so true, they will see big smiles and will encounter a few tears.  Elementary school teachers create the foundation for our youth who will mature into fine young adults entering the middle and high school.

Mrs. McKenna is one of those special elementary, 2nd grade school teachers.  She truly cares about and for her students and helps them every step of the way during the school year.  Kim contacted me to help her put together a special first day of school package.  


She wanted a postcard for her students so she could write a special message to each boy and girl welcoming them to her classroom. These postcards measure 3 x 5 inches, the backside is stamped with the traditional 'postcard' emblem.


Being a huge reader and knowing how much 2nd graders read, I suggested bookmarks for each child. These were run through a printer, hand stamped and then laminated for protection of spilled milk, snotty sneezes, dirty fingers from the playground and chocolate from a Little Debbie cupcake !!

I think Mrs. McKenna's children had a wonderful first day of school. They are lucky to have her.







Barbie

Monday, August 12, 2013

Christmas Memories



Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full swing.  Usually in September,  the Adirondack nights hit 50 degrees and the days reach the low 70's.  Our mindset is no longer to grill, or to grab a big bowl of fruit salad.  After Labor Day, we are ready to turn the stoves and ovens back on to make our comfort foods, such Beef Stew and homemade breads.

Well, our September days arrived, a bit early this year, and I've been in the mindset to create Halloween and Christmas items.

If you've been to my shop lately, you will see the very cute Halloween tags I've listed and I'm now working on 9 x 12 Manila Envelope Christmas Photo Journals.


I can't think of a better way to house your Christmas memories.  This particular book will be listed sometime in September, with others to follow.  This is only the beginning of the book and will be embellished with many Christmas sayings, verses and wonderful die cuts.

Special Orders are always welcomed and can be designed with your personal information throughout the book.

I'll keep you posted as to how this project is coming along and when this beautiful book will be ready for listing. What a wonderful gift for yourself or for someone special in your life.

Have a very joyful day~


Barbie

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Tag - You're It


Who doesn't like tags?  Tags are an easy way to dress up a gift bag, gift basket, or a nicely wrapped present.


Wedding tags are perfect to use as Wish Cards.  Place these lovely cards in a decorative basket, glass jar or hang them from a Wedding Wish Tree


Wedding tags are perfect for accenting your special gift to the bride and groom.  The satin bow can be tied to the special bow that adorns your package.



With birdcages being so popular at the gift table, hang these Wedding wish Tags on the cage so when your guests drop their monetary gift into the birdcage, they can take a tag and write a special quip on the back as to how to have a happy and successful marriage.


No matter what the occasion, Greeting Tags are perfect for writing your message on.  So, the next time you want to say "Thank You" to your special friend, say "Happy Birthday" to a loved one, or give someone a Hostess gift, think of these beautiful tags.  They are perfect for delivering any message you want to send.



Stop by my shop and take a look around, you may find your perfect find !!


Peace to All ~
Barbie



Saturday, June 15, 2013

Alice Comes Out of the Rabbit Hole

and back into the shop


Everyone loves Alice in Wonderland, that being said, I couldn't resist creating another batch of Mini Love Notes with Alice in mind. The last time I offered these wonderful notes they sold quickly.

One of the things I love about this particular story are a few quotes.  They definitely pertains to my life and the lives of others.

                    “I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” 
                                                                     ― Lewis CarrollAlice in Wonderland
                                                                                                                                                           
                    "If everybody minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal
                     faster than it does.       
                                                                   ― Lewis CarrollAlice in Wonderland

                    “Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle.”
                                                                   ― Lewis CarrollAlice in Wonderland




I invite you to stop,  say "Hello" to Alice, as well as me, see all the wonderful items, and remember this ~

                                                    “Either it brings tears to their eyes, or else -"
                                                    "Or else what?" said Alice, for the Knight had made a sudden pause.
                                                    "Or else it doesn't, you know.”
                                                                                  ― Lewis CarrollAlice in Wonderland



Peace to All ~

Barbie

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

30 Years of Love



Anniversary mini Love Notes


This special project was a joy to create.  This was for a customer who really wanted to share her memories and good times with her husband of 30 years.  


In our busy every day world, we often cannot find the time to accomplish everything we want to.  There are days where my husband and I are so busy with work and special projects, the yard and all of it's demands, our twins needs and activities, we often do not speak until the very end of our day or in the early morning over a cup of coffee.

Our world is full of text messages and e-mails,  we often forget what is like to really sit down and have a heartfelt conversation with our loved one.  When my customer contacted me about a Love Note,  she was first interested in one of my Valentine Love Notes with a little modification from her end.  When I knew what she was looking for, I told her to give me the night to sleep on her idea and I'd get back to her with a couple samples she could choose from.  I wanted these to be special, seeing this was a special anniversary for her.

When I sent her the samples she was thrilled.  She finally decided to take a few ideas from each card and put them into one.  The above card is what she choose and they are beautiful.  I am not only grateful she choose me to help her create special cards for her husband but I am pleased I was able to help her.  She told me in an e-mail she loves to craft, however, she has been putting long hours in at work and she is pulled in a lot of different directions at the moment.

I've always loved helping people and making sure everyone has a smile on their face. Even though technology has somewhat taken over, it's assuring the Love Note between true love lives on.

So the next time you want to send your loved one a heartfelt note, a small quip, a basket of memories, or the three most important words you could ever say to someone ~ consider sending them a handwritten Love Note.  I know they will simply love it.





peace and love to all ~
Barbie 

Monday, April 29, 2013

Adirondack Wedding Wish Cards

A New Path


As in anything, life changes direction and is always taking you down a new path. The same thing happens when you go for a hike in the Adirondack Mountains. One place I love is hiking in the Adirondacks, along with another million people or so during the course of the hiking season.

Circa 2009

I recently participated in a bridal show at a wonderful venue put on by Burlap and Beams in Athol, New York.  Getting ready for the show took a lot, seeing I've never participated in any show since the inception of Nellie and Ruth Designs.  I had a wonderful time and enjoyed the 50 or so brides that came through and took the time to stop at my table to see all I have been working on and all I offer at my Etsy shop.

Adirondack Wedding Wish Cards

After participating, I have decided to go down a new path in my shop. The bridal path.  I've offered my Bourdoir Blessing Cards, which people seem to love, and have decided to create more for weddings.  Adirondack Wedding Wish Cards are brand new to my shop after receiving such a warm welcome at the show yesterday.

Set of 30 Adirondack Wedding Wish Cards & Jar

I have to follow my heart and believe I have found my niche` and what is right for me.  I have decided to create an entire line of paper goods for Adirondack Weddings.  I love nature, the soft colors along the hiking trails, the smell of pine, wildflowers, massive roots that grow over giant rocks, and the challenge each path brings. Whether the path is muddy, steep, slippery, or paved, it's a path I choose to take. A path that will lead me right where I need to be.


Circa 2009 Hiking St. Regis in the Adirondacks



Happy Trails ~
Barbie

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Robins Eggs


When I purchased these stones I was taken by the color.  I love any shade of blue and brown mixed together.  


After designing and making these wonderful dangle earrings, they reminded me of a Robins Egg being they were a pretty shade of blue with a mixture of brown.

I couldn't think of a better way to display them...............in a Robins Nest.

Check out more new earrings at my Etsy Shop. Spring is just around the corner, the Robins are in my yard flying about.  What a wonderful time to purchase a new item for yourself to celebrate spring and all it has to offer.

Friday, March 29, 2013

all ABOUT me

I just finished completing the ABOUT section in my Etsy shop.

The About section is for my customers and window shoppers to peek inside my life and discover a few things about me and why I started my business.

I love to write, it's quite obvious, especially if you've been to my Reflections from the Tail blog. However, I do not like to write about myself.  What a hard task this was. After 5 days of going back and forth, changing lines, adding sentences, omitting the blah, blah, blah, I believe I have come up with a nice story and a few nice photos that are related to my world.

I invite you to stop by to see how and why Nellie and Ruth Designs evolved. But mostly, to get to know me a bit better and why I am all about the you, the consumer. I'm sure I'll put a smile on your face.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Wedding Love Notes


Love notes for the love birds





The definition of love birds is two people openly showing affection towards each other, and that's what these mini love note cards do.  You can't go wrong giving the new Mr. & Mrs. a special note card with love birds on the front.

With spring in the air and brides all over the world planning their upcoming weddings, these mini love notes are perfect for guests to attached to their beautiful package or hang one from a beautiful gift bag.

Many couples love to give a bit of advice or well wishes to the new couple and do not want to openly do that in the guest book they have placed on a guest table.  Consider the possibility of placing a Wedding Love Note at each place setting, having the couple write a simple sentiment and dropping their note into a beautifully decorated basket or jar for the bride and groom.

What fun it would be to sit with your partner and read each note while your having a morning cup of joe, a glass of wine at night in front of the fireplace, on a beach after your sunset wedding took place or after you'd been married for a month or two.

No matter what you choose to do, you can't go wrong by choosing these sweet little love birds to send the new couple a simple sentiment.  You just have to make the commitment and say "I Will".




Barbie


If you'd like to see similar items in my shop, visit my site at ::
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NellieandRuthDesigns?ref=si_shop



Saturday, March 9, 2013

Boudoir Blessings

We all want a healthy, happy and lively marriage.  After being married for almost 30 years, I'm still trying to find ways to keep the intimate time with my husband spicy.  Being married for such a long time, you tend to fall into the same old routine with your spouse.  All women, I don't care who you are, how old you are or how long you've been married, all need a little help from time to time coming up with new do's and don'ts in the bedroom, or any room!


What a perfect gift for the bride-to-be, Boudoir Blessing Cards.  Many couples purchase Wedding Wish Cards so their guests can write them a wonderful wish for a happy marriage.  That's great, however, why not spice things up a bit and have all the women at your bridal shower write the bride-to-be, along with the groom,  Do's and Don'ts in the boudoir for a very SEXsational and SEXsessful marriage.


These are also great for a bachelorette party as well.  Over the years I've had plenty of drinks with my girlfriends, it's amazing the things I've learned from them on how to spice up my time with my husband.  Every now and then, it would be wonderful for the newlyweds to pick a card, see what advice their friend has given them and plan something new for their time alone.

How many times has your husband crawled into bed with his socks on? A definite don't.
How many times has your husband turned on too many lights in the bedroom? A definite don't.
Sometimes we have to be remembered that the bedroom closet isn't just for hanging up our clothes and housing our shoes.


Boudoir Blessing Cards can be a couples best friend.  No need for therapy sessions, self help books or tapes.  All you need is a little anonymous advice from your friends and a whole lot of love!  Stop by my Etsy shop and pick up a set for your girlfriend, she'll love you for it.




Barbie

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Easter Blessings


Easter is just around the corner making it's appearance on March 31st this year. I can't remember a time where it was so close to St. Patrick's Day.    



In designing these new cards, I was tempted to create a green rabbit for the front! An Irish rabbit? Well, at any rate, with the promise of Spring I found it was only fitting to stick with the traditional color of a chocolate brown rabbit.


Easter was originally a pagan holiday where people worshipped the goddess Eastre. Eastre was the goddess of fertility and springtime. Her symbol was the rabbit, now known as the Easter Bunny. Rabbits were also famous for being one of the most fertile animals, which is probably why a rabbit was picked as the symbol for a pagan holiday that celebrated fertility.

My favorite Easter candy is the jelly bean.  For me, the color of jelly beans represents all the wonderful colors of Spring flowers.

These Easter Love Notes, in pretty pastel colors, with brown accents, are the perfect card to place in a very special Easter basket.  Purchase them in a pack of 4 or buy them individually. No matter what color you choose, they will be beautiful amongst all the colorful jelly beans that our dear friend delivers on Easter morning.




Barbie

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Manila Envelope Journals

Whether you're into journaling, diaries, photo albums or any other form of mini albums, these sweet little notebooks are perfect for whatever use you have in mind.  

They are all designed using manila envelopes and scrapbook card stock papers.  Thoughtfully designed, these are perfect for a young lady in your life to house special memories.

A secret pocket in the front is perfect to store a love letter or special note from mom or dad, movie tickets from a special night out with a special boy, concert tickets after seeing her favorite band or any other item she wants to hang on to.


In our fast paced world where more and more electronics are coming into play, it's very nice to take time out of your day, reflect on special events in your life, sit back and write your thoughts down or just daydream as you look at your memorabilia you've collected over the last few months.


These are wonderful for a mother to give to her daughter, a father to give to a special God daughter, an aunt to a niece or a grandmother to a granddaughter.  The combinations can go on and on.  In today's society, young girls don't always feel that good about themselves.  Why not give a simple gift to tell that young girl in your family just how sensational she is, how special she is or how loved she is. We all need kind words every now and them to remind us just how wonderful each and every one of us really are.


Stop by Nellie and Ruth Designs to see more photos of your favorite Manila Envelope Journals.  You may just find what you're looking for, for that very special young lady in your life.



Barbie

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Luck of the Irish

Irish soda bread, Leprechauns, Jameson Irish Whiskey and green beer. That's what makes St. Patrick's Day a very festive holiday.

I don't think it matters what nationality you are, St. Patrick's Day is favored by everyone.  The number one symbol we all identify with on this special day is the four leaf clover.  Did you know one leaf is for FAITH, the second for HOPE, the third for LOVE and the fourth for LUCK.

In Irish tradition the Shamrock or 3-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit.  When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.  It's a universally accepted symbol of good luck and according to legend,  Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.

Give a friend or loved one a little Faith, Hope, Love and Luck this St. Patrick's day by sending them a 'Shamrock Love Note' and remember this line Sir John Melton wrote in 1620 -


"If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing."







Barbie

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I'm Treasured

Black Velvet Treasury


My Happy Virtual Valentine Card



Treasury's on Etsy are a wonderful thing. If you are not familiar with them, this is how it works. Someone will create a small world featuring shop designer items. It's fun, it's a brilliant way of getting names and merchandise out there for everyone to see and I feel it's an honor when someone chooses something I have handmade with you in mind.

I have been a lucky girl this week, fore two individuals chose items from my shop to be featured in their treasury. I truly feel appreciated for what I do and cannot thank them enough for the recognition.

I have posted two treasury's for you to see. Click on Black Velvet Treasury above and then click on My Happy Virtual Valentine Card to check out all the wonderful items out there to be admired, oohed and aahed over and waiting to be purchased by someone special.  Enjoy and happy shopping!













Thank you GililifeCollection and studioct for choosing me as part of your collections. Visit their shops for more amazing, handmade items.



Barbie

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Manila Envelopes



I love the thought of new projects, especially when they involve paper. 

The papers shown below have been hand selected by me for a special book that is now in the making for a young girl between the ages of 9 and 16.  Young girls love diary's, journals, photo books and any other small book they can place their favorite things in.

Being the paperholic I am, I now know my love of scrapbooks, photo books, diary's and journals goes way back to when I was a girl of 13.  I so enjoyed pasting movie tickets into my scrapbook, writing down the names of my friends, their phone numbers, what we did, where we went and who was there.

I decided to create a line of Manila Envelope Journals, Diary's, Photo Albums or whatever else you may call them for young girls to put all their colorful dreams and adventures into.  The world we live in can sometimes bring a young girl to grow up way to fast.  What a wonderful gift for a mom to give to her daughter so she can go off to her own little quite place to journal her hopes and dreams, remember why she is so loved and so special, store a movie ticket from her first date or look at the photos of her and her friends. 

A wonderful keepsake book for your daughter, a granddaughter, niece or cousin to enjoy now and reflect upon when she is later married and has children of her own.

Manila Envelope Journal to arrive in store on or about February 14~




Barbie

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Production Room



In one of my blogs from Reflections from the Tail, I wrote a piece titled - A Room With A View - talking about the window in my office and all I see when I look out over the landscape.

I now sit at a different desk most days, in the same room, but my view is now of rainbow colors where my imagination can run wild with creativity.

On this particular day, I was making 25 Mini Valentine Love Notes to be sent out for a very special customer.  How thoughtful it was of her to purchase these notes to give to some of her customers as a Thank You for the business they had brought her way.

This is why I create.  It's not only an outlet for me, but a way to put a smile on my customers face and the faces of others knowing joy will be spread throughout this wonderful world we live in.


There are days when no sales come my way. There are days when I become obsessed with what I am doing and let everything else go, and days when I get discouraged and ask myself if it's all worth it.

As you all know, patients is a virtue I do not possess, but I've come to realize, no matter what path my Etsy shop takes me on, I can't complain because it's all about the smiles. 





Barbie

Monday, February 4, 2013

Valentine Jewels


Valentine's Day is for lovers, at least that's what Madison Avenue has led us to believe.  I think everyday is for lovers.  

New in the shop are these wonderful earrings that just happen to have a Valentine feel to them, but don't think of them only for that special day. They'd also be wonderful to take on a winter cruise to the Caribbean, the seashores of Florida, to be worn after you've taken your last run on the ski slopes or for any other occasion you might be thinking of.

Stop by to see the full line of jewelry at www.etsy.com/shop/NellieandRuthDesigns and see what's waiting to show off their sparkle and shine.