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As we are approaching the new year you’ll want to be sure you’re stocked up with business cards to market your business. Maybe you need a fresh design or a new slogan to brighten up your cards. I’ve been working on some pretty unique designs for business cards so perhaps there’s something that’ll work for your specific type of business. Come have a look!

Above are some designs featuring shaded globes in different colours and different views. Some hexagon designs and some interesting link designs.

Come by my store to view more of my designs! Happy New Year to all of my blog followers and readers!  Let’s make 2011 a fantastic year! Designs by Shell

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Nutcracker rehearsal by Ballet Indiana

 It was a lot of fun watching Ballet Indiana rehearse the Nutcracker. They were all so graceful and smoothe.  But, the real impressive thing about this school is that their classes are strictly training.  Any practicing for the Nutcracker Ballet was done outside of  regular class time.





"We love our home, our students and what is happening here.  We have a healthy environment-- the parents share their talents—we respect them they respect us." 
 Keith Martin

  Look how symetrical their formation is!  They did not pose for this picture I took it as they practiced.  They moved with grace and their formations were very pleasing to the eye.  Of course the music for the Nutcracker is great to listen to as well. 

"We’re primarily a professional Ballet School. B.J.’s background and my background are purely classical dance . We don’t integrate it with the jazz and things like that or other forms of dance. We’ll do that in the summer intensive, but during the year it’s strictly the ballet technique, the pointe technique…

We’ve had very high training and we both love what we do so, therefore, we are not frustrated teachers. And so we are able to pass down to students what we have learned and we continue to learn as well through our students."

    B.J. Martin played the role of Nutcracker.  The soldiers pictured here are boys from Delaware Elementary School, a Title I school in Evansville.  What a wonderful opportunity for those boys.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

     

 

 Kelly Hutchins made the main character, Clara's, dress. She, as well as a couple other mothers, were happy to sew to help out.  This was Ballet Indiana's first public performance. 

 

Kelly has worked as a professional fashion designer; a job that has taken her around the world. She is pictured here adjusting the dress for Clara.  (My first news article was about the opening of Hooray! a children's store owned by Kelly and located downtown Newburgh.

A White Christmas: Fun in the Snow

The family spent a little time out in the snow with Janine's new pup on Christmas day.  They had fun running around, throwing snowballs at one another, and breathing in the fresh air.  The puppy ran after anyone who was running.   Puppy picked up a large snowball and began running around with it in her mouth like she was part of the fight. 
Janine named the puppy Annabelle.  She may not know her name yet, but she definitely knows she's loved.  Janine has always wanted a dog and now, at last, her wish has come true.  It truly has been a special Christmas.

This picture is of Matthew trying to grab the big snowball from Annabelle's mouth.  Puppy had fun running all over with that huge snowball.

Bruce in making a snowball.  He enjoyed throwing them at me as I took pictures.  I wasn't bothered at all by that because I was inside looking out the Kitchen window.

The snowball is in Annabelle's mouth.  I think she plans on getting somebody with it.  She may be trying to communicate her snowball fight plans to Matthew.  However, Matthew is being pelted by Bruce and his sisters and is having difficulty translating the muffled puppy talk.

Christmas fun

Love this picture.  It was taken by Aimee Blume while looking through  the clubhouse deck door at the party inside.  See Santa?  That's Barbara Barrett.  She brought in a sack full of presents for guests.  They had to roll doubles for them.  I guess the Indiana Calendar was a hot item.  Lisa Mathis ended up getting that.

Barbara Barrett is standing next to the food table.  The dips and finger foods there were made following her family recipes.  They were scrumptious!  Barbara is an Attorney in Evansville, but there's a whole other side to her that's creative and artsy.  She sews beautifully and also enjoys writing.  Anyway-- thank you Barbara for taking on this party!

This is the beautiful Busche De Noel Ammie Blume made for the party!  It is a Yuel Log-- really a work of art.  Aimee teaches Culinary Arts at Ivy Tech and she writes for the food page of the Courier & Press.  I'm happy to say she is also in my writing critique group.

Thank you, Aimee, for taking the time to make this wonderful cake for the party!

Taken from the Blog: Famous Funny Quotes, Love Quotes, Inspirational Sayings, Short Quotes, Cute Life Quotes, Cute Poems, Movie Quotes, Friendship Quotes.

Unique iPad and iPhone Cases

Recently Zazzle introduced some new products for us to design. A couple of the latest ones are iPad cases and iPhone 3 and iPhone 4 cases. Now there is no excuse to have just a plain black case unless of course you simply like black cases. I’ve been designing some pretty cool looking iPad cases with abstract and striped designs as well as some florals and ‘green’ designs. Some modern and trendy looks for the young and older crowd.

This first one is a grape coloured link design with a soft mauve background and the second one is a blue and chocolate link design with a soft blue background.

Here are a couple of my iPhone 3 cases that I designed. Stripes seem to be popular!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally here are a couple of the iPhone 4 cases that I’ve designed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see the other designs I have pop by my store Designs by Shell

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Invitations For Special Occasions

This time of year you’re probably getting ready to either host or attend holiday and Christmas parties. Traditional invitations that you hand out or mail are a fun way to invite your guests. I know some of you are thinking an e-mail invite is fine but really we all like to get an invitation that we can get excited about. The look you choose can really set the theme or mood for your party guests. Here are a couple that I think would be great.  These are totally customizable too!

Birthday parties are still going on in December too, so here are a few of my popular designs. Some would be great for kids and some for adult birthday parties. These can be customized as desired.

Here are a couple that are suitable for kids and adults!

Well I hope these get you inspired for your next party! I have lots more designs under the invitation category in my store. Pop by to see more. Designs by Shell 

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Memories...

Here I am in my late thirties performing a kata to earn a black belt.  I was pretty flexible and strong at that time.  The woman in the background is Karen Braun.  She was someone I practiced with.  I moved away from Kenosha in 1999 not so long after this picture was taken. Karen continues on in that program and has a 4th degree black belt now.

Of course performing Katas was just one part of what we did to earn our belts.  We also had some sparring.  Three on one.  I am facing all the black belts in this picture.  They are in one big horizontal line.

I enjoyed being part of the program at Parkside University in Kenosha Wisconsin.  Although I'm not in shape and wouldn't be able to remember most of the katas, there were other lessons learned that will never leave me.

Special Gift Ideas for Teachers

Many of you are running around wondering what to get for your kids teachers this year. There are the usual things like chocolates, flowers and gift cards but I thought I would share a few ideas that might be memorable gifts for the teachers on your list. Whether it’s for a school teacher, music teacher, dance teacher or another teacher or instructor a thoughtful little gift is always appreciated. Remember gifts don’t have to be expensive it really is the thought that counts.

  Ornaments with sweet sentiments for a great teacher can make a memorable gift. These ornaments can be customized if so desired. Add a year or even a teachers name to make it even more special.

Tote bags make great gift ideas as they are reusable and the teacher will think of you often as he or she grabs her bag and throws papers and supplies to tote to and from school. A bag with a inspirational message or saying makes a great statement.    

   Here’s another one that has been popular.  A snowman with angel wings and a halo. A great saying ‘ Teachers are angels in disguise’

 

 

 

 

                                                    Magnets are another cute gift idea that can be easily slipped in with a Christmas card. Here are a couple with inspirational messages. I have several other designs in my store so pop by for a few other sayings and ideas.

Designs by Shell

Christmas Joys

Christmas Joys


Evergreen boughs that fill our homes

With fragrant Christmas scents,

Hearts filled with the loving glow

That Christmas represents;


Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,

Festive holly berry,

Little faces bright with joy,

Loved ones being merry;



Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,

Silver bells that tinkle,

Christmas trees and ornaments,

Colorful lights that twinkle;



Relatives waiting with open arms

To smile and hug and kiss us;

These are some of the special joys

That come along with Christmas.


By Joanna Fuchs

Animal Themed Gifts and Tee’s

It seems you can’t go wrong when giving an animal or pet themed gift item. Animal themed gifts have a way of bringing warm fuzzy feelings or laughter to the recipient. I’ve been busy working on some cute designs featuring cats all decked out for the holidays.

Here are a few that I like.  This cool grey cat featured on this magnet is on a soft rosy background. He’s looking pretty laid back in his Santa hat.

Another cute design is this same grey cat, except along with his Santa hat he has some colourful Christmas ornaments hanging from his ear. This design can be purchased on several different shirt types like t-shirts, long sleeved tops, different fabrics and hoodies too!

The next product that would make a fun gift for a cat lover is a unique coffee mug. This cat is looking pretty cool all decked out for the holidays. Take it even further and fill the mug with someone’s favourite teas, coffee or hot chocolate mix.

Another fun animal design that I’ve created is this cute little holiday pig. He really has a lot of character, at least I think so! He’s wearing a red and white polka dot ribbon with greenery around his chubby neck. I’ve put this little fellow on several different products.

  A keychain makes a great stocking stuffer. I also put this cute little pig on a t-shirt with a great saying. ‘Ham it Up!’ Gotta love that one!

 

 

Well Happy Shopping and try not to get too stressed out!  Stop by my store for more great gift ideas. Designs by Shell

Matthew and Friends in Alaska

This picture was taken in Alaska last summer: Adam, Kyle, Joe, and my son Matthew went on that trip.  They have since been inspired to pursue the art of mountain climbing. 

Matthew sure looks comfy in this sleeping bag.  Believe it or not, that bag can tolerate weather up to -30 degrees. The picture makes me smile because I think of all the family camping trips we went on; Matthew was the one that always ended up on a root, or in a puddle, or in some way made horribly uncomfortable during the night. In spite of that he loves to camp, however, I think he's decided to sleep on hiking/fishing trips from now on.  I bet he did sleep well in Alaska. I'm looking forward to hearing all the stories when he comes home for Christmas.  I'm sure there was a bit of discomfort out in the back country, but hopefully he was warm and dry. 



It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go! Oh, that sounds like a song! No, but really I can hardly believe it’s like 5 weeks til Christmas! I guess I’m a little over half way done my shopping. How are you doing with yours? Do you have lots of ideas brewing or are you still trying to find that perfect gift for someone on your list. Perhaps I can give you a few ideas…

I’ve been designing some funny cartoon t-shirts and mugs that might suit someone you know. This t-shirt comes in long sleeve styles as well as short sleeve and is available in several different colors too! This particular one has a wide eyed cartoon dog with his tongue hanging out. A funny saying is featured too! The mug that I’ve featured has this same cartoon dog only in a Christmas scene anxiously waiting to open his gifts! Other designs I’ve been creating include snowmen and winter scenes along with some elegant holiday decoration designs.

This snow couple featured on this tree ornament makes a great little gift for friends or neighbours. The ornament can be customized by adding the year or names as desired. An apron is another great gift idea for a mom or dad that likes to cook or bake. I have many different designs in my store. This one features a cute Christmas scene with a tree, gifts and little birdies tweeting.

One more gift idea that might be cool for a teenager on your list is a unique iphone case. This is a product Zazzle just released for us to design. The one I’ve featured has cool whimsical Christmas trees and pretty snowflakes. Well have a great day and happy shopping.

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