Its still winter...

I am so ready for crisp spring mornings, the smell of the tulips, and getting to plant new seeds in my greenhouse. I can hardly wait for the feeling of the warm sun on my back. BUT, it appears spring is a looong way away. See what we woke up to yesterday morning? About 4" of snow. By the time the day was over, we probably had about 9". Oh and that is (as promised) a picture of our new to us 2002 chevy avalanche. Jaydon is trying to brush it off so we can make it to church. We ran into a slight problem, and ended up being a half hour late. See, the ice scraper was in the shed, and the snow was super deep at the door of the shed, and the snow shovel was somewhere in the yard covered in snow. :) So, we had to wait super long for the ice to thaw off the windshield... and it seemed to take forever. Anyhow, at least we made it! :)

We still had fun though, Jaydon, me, mom and dad pulled Trinity and Jada down town on 2 sleds. There were about 3 tractors around trying to plow the roads.

It was sunday, so our little town was pretty quiet. It definitely felt like a winter wonderland. A few of the local businesses had even closed for the day. Fortunately there was no wind, so it felt fairly good outside. It was still snowing on us, so it made taking pictures somewhat of a challenge... but it wasnt too bad. :)

We did a little walk around town and figured the girls probably needed to warm up. Even though they were not ready... A quick bribe of hot chocolate did the trick, and definitely helped make them a little more manageable!

Of course with that much snow, we had to make snow ice cream. I was able to whip up a batch in my new kitchen-aid. (Which btw was one of my christmas gifts from my husband! :) I was sooo surprised. Been wanting one before we even got married, but was determined to hold out until I could buy the super nice one, that will handle large batches of bread dough. It has a 7 quart bowl and I ssoooo love it!) I have to admit the second batch (chocolate) was so much better then the first. Which worked out quite nice since dad and Jaydon filled up on the first batch of vanilla! ;)

Well, I hope spring does in fact come soon... but I suppose I can try and enjoy the snow a little longer. :) This morning I was in for another surprise to see "my love" on etsy's homepage. It was a great collection of one of my favorite colors... green! Definitely a homepage I was proud to be a part of. :)

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

-jess

Uptown- NEW

Hello there! First off, I want to say congratulations to Lori for winning the free print! I will contact you via etsy to see which print you want sent your direction. :)

Also, I completed another piece today! I have been meaning to do something with this orchid I drew months ago... I wanted a slightly more abstract look and was so happy with how this turned out. I think it would look great printed borderless on 13x19" paper, and hung like a poster! It just may have inspired me to offer a borderless 13x19" size to my "shop by size section." I will be adding that to my list of things to do. :) I wonder if it would look better printed large on the canvas or on photo paper? Hmmm... I may have to experiment with that.

12 hours left from the time of posting!

Vol.25's Grand Opening was a small success. It has been a week now, and we have already made it to the home page, been recognized in etsy's find of the day this morning, and already been hit up with potential advertising from a very well known blog. In addition to that, I have been thrilled to see each and every new heart I get. It is amazing how much more I appreciate those little things now that I had been reduced to 0. :) Surprisingly in one week we have grown to 122 hearts. I think it took me a couple months to get my first 100 with SparksFly.

So, I have been super happy and encouraged with the direction Vol.25 is going. I have gotten a little bit more of my inspiration back and finally created yet another new piece. :) I titled it "Melody." While it does differ, the original is also available.



You have just 8 hours left to take advantage of The Grand Opening Sale:


Buy any 2 8x10 prints and get a 3rd 8x10 print free.

Buy any original and get a free 8x10 print

Buy any print set and get a free 8x10 print

Buy any 11x14 sized print and get a free 8x10 print

I will also be drawing a name, and awarding someone with a free 8x10 of their choice. But, you have just 12 hours left ( from the time of posting) to make a purchase and become eligible.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! In addition to the new store opening, we bought a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. I absolutely adore it, the heated seats have been so nice this past week, as the temperatures have been in the single digits! I will be sure and post a couple pictures of our new pride and joy. :)

Speaking of pride and joy, thanks to all those congratulating me. It was super sweet! I aprpeciate them all. :)

-jess

Finally-the big news

Well, I am officially 3 mos. pregnant now! Baby #2 is on its way. I wanted to finally share the news with all of you, it has been hard wanting to go anywhere near the computer. Morning sickness, has definitely been a little more often this time around then with trin. But, we are thrilled. :) So, now you all know why I have been so slack in keeping up with my blog. I have been feeling better lately, so hopefully I will get better about it! :)





Yesterday was a nice surprise, to find "Roses Among Us" on the homepage. I was thrilled actually, since the new store just opened... some extra exposure was certainly needed. :) It led to a sale, and another amazing oppurtunity! I will be sure and fill you in when it gets a little closer, and I get a little more information. It promises to bring alot of exposure to vol.25!


I hope you all had a great weekend. We did, it was windy with a sprinkling of snow. I am so ready for spring. I really am not a winter person.

Its official!

Wheeew.... I finally have all my listings transferred over. It took me literally all day, and my back is absolutely killing me. But, I am so glad to finally have it done! I have also added a couple new prints to the store. I hope to get at least one more finished and listed in the next couple days.

Grand Opening sales currently going on:

Buy any 2 8x10 prints and get a 3rd 8x10 print free.

Buy any original and get a free 8x10 print

Buy any print set and get a free 8x10 print

Buy any 11x14 sized print and get a free 8x10 print

Buy any print set and get a free 8x10 print

...........................................................................

AND any purchase automatically enters you into a drawing to win yet another free print! The drawing will be held next thursday.

These sales are good for one week only, January 24th, 2007. If theres a print you have been watching for awhile now... it is the perfect oppurtunity to now own it. :)

Well, I am going to move my toosh to a more comfortable chair, have a good evening everyone!

-jess

What is in a name?

Apparently quite a bit. In my last posting I mentioned a possible shift in direction for SparksFly. It has been decided, and the new shop is now registered, but currently empty. Thursday January 17th is the official Grand Opening, and I promise to not dissapoint... so the store will open with a few good offers that I hope will be too good to pass up. :)

I drove myself crazy, not to mention my mother and loving husband trying to come up with a name for the new store. A name means so much, it is after all, an immediate first impression. I think I stressed way to much over this, and caused myself some agonizing headaches before finally settling on vol.25. The name signifies chapter 25 in my life, the age I am when I officially and legally launch vol.25. I am excited to get everything rolling, but will miss the feedback/hearts I worked so hard to achieve. I remember being so thrilled to get my 100th heart, and even more thrilled when I received my 1,000th!

I am certainly nervous about possibly leaving behind so many wonderful customers, and hope that the move across the street in etsy land, will not be too great of a challenge. I promise that vol.25 will deliver the same great customer service you have come to expect from SparksFly. I appreciate each and every one of my customers, and value your opinions.

Yesterday I went to work designing the new packaging for vol.25. I was so excited to get a new look going. I tried to still keep some of the same elements from SparksFly (hence the woodgrain) but changed it up just enough that I feel it is fresh and new.

I also "finally" began work on the shop by size section of the store. You can now easily purchase an 11x14 sized print without having to contact me for a reserved listing. The 8x10 will also be listed in that same section, to make things easier. I have had this section listed in SparksFly empty now... for about 2 months. It feels so nice to finally "deliver" and have it ready to be added this thursday!

In addition to the "shop by size" I also have my first print set ready to be listed thursday as well. This section has also sat empty for a couple months, and will now be available! :) Instead of buying 2 prints at $20.00 a piece, you will be able to buy the two matching prints for $35.00 and pocket the extra $5.00. I hope it will simplify things for a potential customer.

I hope the new year has brought in a fresh new start for you as well. I don't have any huge resolutions to try and stick with this year. If I had to choose one, it would definitly be to stay a little more organized! It seems I can never stay organized long enough to... well... STAY organized. :) Good intentions are certainly there though!

Well, I must be going.... life calls... but I will be back thursday for an update with the new shop! :) Please leave me your comments, I would LOVE to hear your opinion on the new movement.