What to expect in 2012...

I have so many plans for the new year and I haven't finished coming up with all of them! Here is a list of some of the things you can expect for my many projects:

Blog:

• Definitely going to try and post more.
• Do more card challenges
• Possibly some tutorials of how I make some of my items

Facebook:

• Post more
• More special deals for Facebook fans only

Turning the Page:

• Current sale of Buy 2 Get 1 free will become a permant sale
• More journals covered in book pages
• Hopefully will have other types of items available as well.
• New pics of items and better descriptions including size

My Thoughts Exactly:

• New pics of items and better descriptions including size
• More journals
• New items
• Clearance section will start up during the first week of the new year
• Monthly sales will start in the next week or so. Will have them by type of item, theme, etc
• More made to order items will be available

I still plan on doing more fairs as well this year, probably spread them out better though! Well that's all I can think of so far for the new year. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!

What a year!

First Happy Holidays everyone!!! I can not believe my shop has been open for over a year now. And to think it almost didn't happen. I had started out just making stuff for my church fair and after the one I did in 2010, I had a bunch of stuff left. My bestie talked me into opening on Etsy and now I've been open for over a year and have done a ton of fairs.
Just wanted to recap some of the fine points. I've had 76 orders and sold 121 items! I've also had custom orders outside the shop for 150 coupon holders, 100 notepads, a bridal favor set and a few other small ones. I couldn't of asked for a better first year!
I've learned alot of lessons along the way too. Like what fairs not to do again! Doing so many this year has taught me alot. Especially not to do one the week before black friday lol. I certainly plan on being better prepared next year for the holiday season.
I think the biggest lesson I've learned this year is keeping my work room in better order! I seem to be forever cleaning it. I'm always recovering from one fair or order. I am going to try my hardest to get it cleaned and keep it that way. Hopefully I can do it :)
Well just wanted to say thanks to all my customers that have made it such a great year! I'll be posting again soon with what to expect this coming year, got alot of things in the works!

Happy crafting!!

Slammed!

Sorry for the lack of update of the sales. I've been slammed! Just finished up an order for 16 shopping organizers, plus other shop stuff. And been busy preparing for Christmas, it seems the older my son gets, the crazier our schedule becomes! So since I was unable to change the sales yesterday, I decided to extend the journal sale. Here's what you can expect the rest of this week:

Monday & Tuesday: Buy 1 Get 1 Free on keychains. That's both the postit keychain and the bottlecap keychains. They make great stocking stuffers. If you're unfamilar with them, here are some samples:

Wendsday & Thursday: All Shopping Helpers are 20% off. That will make the coupon holders $2.00 instead of $2.50 and the shopping organizers will be $5.60 instead of $7.00. Here's a few that are available:

To finish off the sale, Friday & Saturday: 10% off your purchase by using the code that will be available on the shop banner those two days.

Happy Shopping everyone!

Days of Christmas Sales!!!

That's right! I'm planning more sales! The Cyber week sales were a pretty good hit so I decided to keep the savings rolling. Starting tomorrow My Thoughts Exactly will be having 12 days of Christmas sales and Turning The Page will have all the bookmarks Buy 2 Get 1 Free.

12 Days of Christmas sales at My Thoughts Exactly will actually be 6 different sales that will run for 2 days at a time. I haven't finalized all 6 sales but here's what will be going on for atleast the next week:

Sun & Mon- Stationery Boxes will be 20% off. If you haven't seen them before, here's one currently listed:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72846263/bright-hearts-stationery-box

More will be posted tomorrow and Monday as well. And the price will be adjusted to $8.00 instead of $10.00. These boxes make perfect gifts for teachers, co-workers and for hostess gifts.

Tues & Wends- Magnets will once again be Buy 1 Get 1 Free. More will be added by Tuesday.

Thurs & Fri- Journals will be on sale for $5.00

I will post again with the rest of the deals as the week progresses. Hope you enjoy all the sales and Happy Shopping!!

Sale Extended!!

I'm in the generous mood this Holiday season. The Cyber Monday sales have now turned into Cyber WEEK sales!! That's right! All those good deals I'm having are still happening till Saturday night. I have tons of items that make perfect stocking stuffers and don't forget all the journals that have free personalization that are on sale for only $4.00! That's $3.00 off my regular price!!! Check out the shops for more:

www.etsy.com/shop/MyThoughtsExactly

www.etsy.com/shop/TurningThePage

Also make sure you check out my friend's shop that's having 10% off her Twilight stuff:
www.etsy.com/shop/hotapplepie


Happy holidays and Happy Shopping!!!!

Cyber Monday Sneak Peek

Did you shop till you dropped on Friday?! I did a bunch, more than usual. Did you also see that there are currently sales going on in both shops?

These sales end at roughly midnight tonight Eastern Standard time. At that point the Cyber Monday sales will start up. I don't have banners finished yet, but here's what what the sales will be:

Turn the Page Sale for Nov. 28th:
                                    BUY 1 BOOKMARK GET 1 FREE!!!!

My Thoughts Exactly Sale for Nov. 28th:
                                    BUY 1 BOOKMARK GET 1 FREE!!!!
                                    FREE Candle pop with every purchase over $5.00
                                   Journals only $4.00!!!!!

The sale will last till 3am  Eastern Standard Time Tues Nov 29th since that's when I'll be home from work. Alot of item will be added throughout today, tonight and tomorrow. Also remember custom orders are available and if an item you like is sold, message me. I may be able to make more.

Happy Shopping!!                             

Exciting News!!!

First let me first apologize for my absence. I just finished 3 fairs in 3 weekends. And man I don't want to go through that again lol. I'm glad I'm done and can focus on getting things up for the holiday and making new things. If you are a fan on the Facebook page then you've already heard the news. If not, first shame on you :), second there's a new shop! That's right, I've opened up a subdivision of My Thoughts Exactly. It's called Turning the Page.

It will be devoted to items only made with book pages. I had noticed how much bookmarks I actually had made from book pages and realized that I didn't want them clogging up the main shop. I'm very excited to have it opened. There will be more than just bookmarks available soon. I'll also be converting this blog into a joint blog as I did the Facebook page.

You'll want to make sure you are a fan on Facebook and a follower here to be the first to find out the special sales that will be starting very soon. Still trying to finalize what ones I'll be having, but a hint, there will be some freebies!!

That's all for now, and I'll be doing better at keeping the blog updated too. Happy Crafting everyone!

Spare time

Finally have a few minutes to spare while I wait for cookies to bake. My schedule has been utterly insane. Figured I'd share with you why it's been insane. Well first I had a fair. Did ok, sold about 30 items but unfortunately for me they were mostly my $1 items. Here was my set-up:

New to my items are gift baskets.

Got fairs again coming up starting next weekend thru the next few weeks, so the insanity will continue! Well after the fair was over, it become Pumpkin Patch duty every day at church;

I had duty again today in about an hour in which I'll be finally carving our pumpkin too. On top of that I had an order for bridal shower favors for a friend at church. I had to make 17 of them. They turned out so cute!

In other news I'm trying to get more stuff made for the shop, mostly Harry Potter themed stuff. Also have to clean alot because my big bro is coming at the end of the week coming up so I need to have the craft room available for me to sleep in. Well cookies are ready. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!!

I'm back!

Yeah it's been awhile since my last post. One word for the delay: FAIR lol. Just kicked off the fall festival this weekend. And it was a long one, 7 hours long! Unfortunately didn't do that great, made enough to cover the costs of the registration and stuff, but not alot more. I was really shocked since I have alot of stuff for kids and the place was swarming with them. Just not my day I guess, but hey check out my view!

Here's close-ups of my tables

The shop has been reopened after being closed this weekend. Expect to see new items throughout this week including alot more bookmarks, journals and possibly a few other things. I also have a few more fairs over the next two months so expect to see the shop closed some weekends. I try to only keep it closed for two days at a time. Got a few new decorating ideas for some items I make thanks to inquires made yesterday so look for those too over the next few weeks.

Also don't forget the coupon code available to Facebook fans expires the end of October!

Happy Crafting!

Pike's Challenge & Gift

Oh how I love Dustin Pike's stuff! His "China Monkey" made the perfect graphic to use on a card I was making to go along with a gift I made. It's for a girl in my son's Tae Kwon Do class that along with my son not only just earned their yellow belts, but both got chosen to be on the black belt team. So I wanted to give her something to congrat her. Here's the card which I also did for the Pike's challenge to use stars or stripes:

I kept it simple since she's only 7. And here's her gift. I made the paper for the journal since it's near impossible to find any kind of martial arts scrap paper

Can't wait to give it to her!!! Well off to clean up my mess, Happy Crafting!!!

Another Doodle Pantry Challenge

Did another Doodle Pantry Challenge. Another simple challenge, just use one of their images. I chose the little birdhouse along with matching sentiment.

Hope you like it! Been working a both more bookmarks for the shop, they seem to be pretty popular lately. Also got a few other things done that will be up pretty shortly. Still need to finish up some prayer journals. I gotta find the Cricut cart I use for them before I can finish. Hopefully it will pop up soon and it's not lost like my scallop punch lol. Anyways, Happy Crafting!!!

Meljen's Card Challenge

Did another card for a Meljen's card challenge. This one was to not use any pattern paper. I used my favorite little donkey with sentiment. I kept it very simple. I had thought to add more but I like the way it looks too much lol

I hope you like! Got a couple more cards to work one, plus more stuff for the shop. Happy Crafting!

Yummy in my Tummy Challenge

Another challenge done! This one's for Dustin Pike's Yummy in my tummy challenge. Had to use a food related image so I chose the Madison cupcake one. This is one of my favorite images and finally used it!

Hope you enjoy it! And don't forget, Giveaway starts tomorrow!!!!

Time to spare

Finally! I know it's been a couple days since my last post. So much for all those challenges I had planned to do lol. I've had one busy week! It started two Sundays ago when I got a message about making a custom Harry Potter order. I had a blast creating it and I definitely think you'll see it eventually on the shop (can always email me for one in the meantime). Here it is finished:

How cool is it! I even want one! I haven't worked too much on anything else. I had worked on that order till near the end of the week. Then it was onto prepping for Rally Day at church. Saturday was spent baking 6 dozen cupcakes, homemade frosting and rice krispie treats. Sunday was the big day and spent seven hours all together at church. I was beat so no real mojo. I did make a few bookmarks but that was it.

Other news is the giveaway will start Thursday so get ready! That's about all I have left to report. Happy Crafting!!

Blast from the past challenge

What an easy challenge, Meljens challenge this week is to show the first card you made using their digital stamps. I think this was my first one. I had done a bunch last year at fair time. I had used the little donkey freebie. He's certainly one of my favorites to use!

Giveaway update: It will be starting next week and I've reached over 10 new fans on the Facebook page for the shop so another item has been added. Also nearing 1,000 views so if it reaches that by the time I post another will be added. Keep it up! Make sure you become a follower of both the blog and Facebook page (both links to do so on the right side of the page). Each will count towards another item being added!

StampFairy School Challenge

Another card challenge done! This one is for Stamp Fairy's "It's back to school" challenge. I bought their Lenny one to use for it. He is too cute!!! The sentiment was one of their freebies they had.

                                     

Actually going to be using this card for my son's teacher. I always give his teacher a small gift at the start of the school year. I'm thinking coupon holder and a few other small things. Plus going to throw in a few packets of pens that with my awesome coupon skills have gotten for free :)

Well off to work on more projects! Happy Crafting!

Good to be on Facebook

So in case you haven't heard there's a Facebook page for the shop now. Even better is if you become a fan, you get the coupon code. Here is the link for the page (also on the sidebar) My Thoughts Exactly Facebook

Also if you become a fan, or a follower on here it will help add more items to the Giveaway in about a week. Currently only one fan/follower away from one being added! Though if you remember the post a few weeks ago with the sneak peek, I'm actually changing which item it will be. I'm using that item for a donation I have to do for a fair. Going to decide this weekend which item will be replacing it.

So make sure you pass along the news to your friends and family to join so the giveaway will be bigger!!


Happy Crafting!

Doodle Pantry Challenge

Did another challenge! This time it's for Doodle Pantry. It was a easy one, just had to use one of their images. I was tempted to make another one of the thinking of you cards I made a few weeks ago but decided to use the happy bird instead. Here it is:

I'm so loving making cards again! I actually did another today, but will wait till tomorrow to post it. Enjoy!

Button Challenge

I finally did my first blog challenge! And it's with one of my favorite artists, Dustin Pike. The challenge was to use one of his images and either buttons or charms. I had so much fun making the card and I plan on doing more challenges. Here's my creation:

Hope you enjoy it!!

Turn the page

 Bookmarks definitely seemed to be the main theme for my projects this weekend. I've made over twenty of them and have way more ready to be made. Some you'll find now in the shop like these:

The two directly above are made from pages of used books and the other two are made from photos that I've taken myself. The photo ones are the ones I have the most of. I have even made a few with a clear sheet layer with bible verses on them. Those will be up soon. Now for sneak peek of more that I've finished and

will soon see in the shop.

My other project I worked on were some magnets,some made from pictures from used books and the others from digital sheets that I've recently bought. These will be up later today and this week.

I hope you enjoy all my new creations. Remember if you see something you like on here but it's not on the shop, just message me and I'll post it for you. Happy Crafting!

Giveaway news and more

The giveaway has been delayed. I had hoped to start it next week but I got alot going on here with getting my son ready for school, going to be a 2nd grader this year. Where does the time go! But have no fear, it will be started shortly after. REMEMBER: The more followers and/or fans I get before it starts, the more items there will be! Currently 6 away from an item being added.

Good news is today I've posted 11 new items on the shop! It has been super rainy the past few days so I haven't been able to take pictures. Finally today we have sunshine so I was able to take alot of pictures. Here are just a few of the new items:

Lastly I've been slacking on getting stuff done. It seems my motivation dried up with the fair being over and no immediate one to work one. I have started some journals, but so far only got the bindings painted. I'll be working on them again today so hopefully by next week I'll have a few of them posted as well. Hope you enjoy all the new items, and Happy Crafting!

Sharing some cards

So I've been working on a custom order that includes some greeting cards. I'm loving creating them. I haven't worked on cards in a few months and was so excited to finally have a chance to again. I wanted to share with you my two favorite ones I did the other day that are for her order. The first one is made with the Har Repotter digital stamp from Bugaboo Stamps

My other favorite card is a Thinking of You made with digital stamps from http://www.doodlepantry.com/

Hope you enjoy them! Also an update with the giveaway, 7 more fan and/or followers and another item will be added!! Happy Crafting!

New items and Giveaway preview

New items are up at the shop! And I plan on slowly adding alot more over the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for that! One of the new items up is a Tampa Bay Bucs set seen below

Now for giveaway news! Another one is in the works but hoping for a better turn out than the last. Before I get it started, I want to have more followers on both here and on Facebook. So help me out!! Post on your blogs, on your Facebook, etc and let's see how many more I can get in the next 2 weeks. For every ten followers/fans I get, I'll add to the giveaway! I'll also add a small item for when I reach 1,000 views if it happens before the giveaway starts (currently at 700+). Right now it will only be one item, but I'll add to it as the number grows. Here's a sneak peek of that one item:

So if you want it, HELP OUT!! Pass along the sites and see what it is in 2 weeks!
Here are the addresses to share:
http://mythoughtsexactlycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Thoughts-Exactly/178863252173529

Happy Crafting!

Craft fair blues

Well had that fair today and it was not good! No one did good there so atleast it wasn't just me. The day started out bad with waking up late and rushing, thought I had gotten lost (but didn't lol), forgot a box of items (which turned out to be a blessing since I wouldn't of had enough room) and it was hot! The plus side was I did have a couple of sales and met some great people!

Here's my set up:

My shopping helpers 

 'Tis the season items

"Jot it Down"(Journals and mini composition books) and post-it holder with pen 

Odds & Ends

I was very happy with my setup. I somehow managed to get it set up fast too. A bonus was we were able to drive up to our spots. I was very grateful for that. There was a total shock for me during the fair. A Flash Mob! I had almost forgot it was National Dance Day. You'd think I would've remembered considering how much I love So You Think You Can Dance. They even did the routine they had posted for people to do. Here's a pic I took.

So today wasn't great but not going to let it get me too down. Just think, Lot's of new stuff for the shop! So keep tuned for some new items to be appearing in the month of August. Happy Crafting!