I’m Building A New Website

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Over the past five months,
I have been training myself on how to build a website.

You see, I am not exactly flushed with cash and it is a pretty expensive endeavour to start a new business. So many little (& some large) costs that are incurred . . . . branding, postage, online shop, advertising, a website, marketing, stationery, photography, product/service production, social media updates, and so much more!

Hence, I have been scouting out free tutorials anywhere on the Interweb, to try to learn the basics and grow my knowledge base so that the website for my business [Purple Paper House] is totes-awesome!

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And I’m almost there!

So very, very close.

And I wanted to share some of the wonderful tutorials and websites that have brought me so close to creating my own, real and professional website.
I hope you find them as useful as I did.
<3
Pia

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This FREE Udemy by Erine Flynn course was a brilliant way in which to improve my website . . . .

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Katrina from 77webstudio is very generous with her knowledge and her videos are brilliant!

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And what can I say about Marie Forleo?
She is fun, funny, generous and dare I say it – wise.

Rustic Watercolour Flowers

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I have come across the most lovely tutorial for these Watercolour Flowers,
by Liz from Love Grows Wild blog.

Such a simple idea,
that anyone who just wanted to be creative,
could easily create their own masterpiece.

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I can also imagine tables laden with old milk bottles
filled with these flowers
at a Rustic Wedding.

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So as usual, I wanted to try to make my very own.
I really enjoyed it, as compared to so many other tutorials on the Interweb, this tutorial was FAST!
Woo hoo!

So,
follow my simple instructions and make your own lovely version.

And enjoy the process, as when I made mine
– it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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You will need:

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Step One – Tear the paper into rough petal shapes

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Step Two – Adhere the petals onto a waterproof surface area

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Step Three – Ensure that only a little piece at the base of each petal is covered in tape

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Step Four – Water down the paint really well

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Part Five – I applied a dollop of yellow paint down the centre of each petal

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Part Six – Cover the whole petal with watered down pink paint

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Part Seven – Remove tape from petals and set aside to dry a little (not completely)

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Part Eight – Cut wire to roughly 30cm (12″) lengths

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Part Nine – Using small pliers, twist and turn one end of wire to make a stamen – no perfection needed, rough is good

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Step Ten – Group all your petals into fives, ensuring that the petals in each group are roughly the same size as each other

 

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Step Eleven – Towards the base of each petal, use the wire to pierce the petals and thread each petal on to the wire – make sure you thread them UPSIDE DOWN so that they will sit right side up when you are finished

 

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Step Twelve – Arrange petals into a shape of your flower, applying a little dab of glue between each petal

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Step Thirteen – Add a generous dab of glue at the back where the flower meets the wire

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Step Fourteen – Allow all glue to dry thoroughly

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Step Fifteen – Curve petals of the flower

Ta da!

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So are you inspired?

I’d love to see your creations.

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If you make some flowers yourself, I’d love to see them.
Upload a photo in the comments section.

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Creative Mind Porn

I have just stumbled across the Tumblr Blog of Bella Faye Garden “Lavender Coloured Glasses“,
and I am in total lust.
The images are just incredible.

I love the colours and textures and themes and ‘feel’.

Just gorgeous.

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Am I wrong?

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Other Blogger: Graphic’s Fairy

For a number of years – at least three – I have been a fan of the Graphics Fairy blog.

A massive fan!

Karen (aka The Graphics Fairy) is INCREDIBLY generous with her
digital work and image editing.

The Graphics Fairy

I’ve used one of her images here.

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Do you think I put it to good use?

Today I just had to share one of her latest blog posts:
“10 DIY Pillow Ideas“.
So absolutely cool!

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Do you love these designs as much as I do?

Aren’t they amazing?

How would you use one of Karen’s designs
to create a designer cushion?

I’d love to see a photo if you give it a try :)

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Calligraphy Letters? No Probs Baby

Have you ever wanted to have crack-a-lack at doing calligraphy?

I know that you can get kits and books and heaps of online tutorials.

How would you like a really simple version,
that will get you writing
– yep you read that correctly WRITING –
your own place cards (wedding)
door sign (bedroom door)
or even a title page (homemade recipes)?

Here’s a couple of tutes,
that will show you how just doing it
is all the skills you require.

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Here’s my attempts.

Attempt #1

Attempt #2

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Not so appalling is it?

I panicked,
when trying to think of words to write!

I suppose if I practice a bit
I could actually get good at it.

Will you have a crack?
I’d love to know if you do :D

Sorry just had to share this – it’s just a tad funny!

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Pinning Well – Is Difficult

I know that this title sounds grammatically spastic – but it’s not.

You see I am referring to ‘pinning’ on Pinterest.
and I am also trying to convey, how difficult it is to ‘pin’ succinctly
to make my business grow (and make $$$).

It’s all such a juggling act.

So what am I doing to try to make things betterer?!?

This . . .

1. I did a webinar with Melanie Duncan – it was fantastic.
   Melanie is insightful and knowledgable. I was impressed with her data and links.
   And it was FREE!
   
2. I have converted my Perfect DIY Wedding Pinterest page to the ‘Business‘ setting.
   This will entitle me to statistics and other ‘goodies’ that a regular Pinterest user does not have access to.
   
3. I have been researching different methods to include the ‘Pin It’ button onto my blogs
4. I have created and been using watermarks on my uploaded photos/images – check out my cool tutorial here.
   

So, it’s all part of the journey to
give myself
a business and life that I love.

How is your journey going?

Have you started making your dreams come true?
I’d love to know :D

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International Day Of Happiness

Today is officially the
International Day Of Happiness
as afforded but the United Nations.

It is the day to make the determined effort
to giving yourself a moment of happiness.

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Something that makes you smile,
or laugh,
or sing
or dance.

And it is the prefect day for me to launch
the small beginnings of my new business.

Today I release my first “Ban the Black Dog” kits.

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Today on FB,
then on Monday they will be uploaded to my Etsy shop.

I believe SO strongly,
that being creative is the key to battling Mental Illness ***

If you are struggling with any sort of Mental Illness,
please know that you are not alone.

Call Lifeline
to receive the support you may need RIGHT NOW.

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13 11 14

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*** With the care of a GP, psychologist and or psychiatrist,
and along with medication and peer support.

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1/2 Hour – It’ll Change You Life

I have spent the last 24 months trying to reevaluate
how I want the Purple Paper House to move forward
since closing my bricks and mortar shop.

I have enrolled in a NY Business Course (via www)
and I’ve been reading numerous texts.
I’ve created my “Inspiration Wall”,
and I have been watching relevant videos on youtube and TED Talks.

And tonight
I watched this half hour video
– which seems like such a long video –
but in reality
it zoomed by . . .

If you have EVER wanted to make a difference in the world,
then you HAVE to watch this video.

You HAVE to.

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Black Stamp Pads – the Absolute BEST Review

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Stacey Dunning from Block Head Stampers,
wrote this amazingly helpful post
comparing various specialist** stamp pads.

Originally,
I came across it on the Jellybeans FB page

I then created a printable Table
so as to keep handy when I ordered any stamp pads
OR
when I did a particular project
that required a special ink.

I’ve already found it so helpful.

Onya,
Stacey

** not  relevant
for general craft use

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Font Fetish – I Love the Look of Letters

I have always loved Fonts.

Being a calligrapher from a young age (11+)
how could I not be in love
with the lines, and swirls and connections of different fonts.

It’s so cool.

So imagine my delight
upon stumbling across
a Periodic Table of Fonts.

Oh Em Gee

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– Master Cell –

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Click on ‘Source’ to go to an expandable version :)

Source: LOGOBR

So what Fonts do I have a fancy for?

My current favourite . . .

Bickley Script

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Tempus Sans

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American Typewriter

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