Monday, December 27, 2010

Back to Business

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

Sunday, December 26, 2010

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.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

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.







Friday, December 24, 2010

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!










Saturday, December 18, 2010

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

Thursday, December 9, 2010

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 

Monday, December 6, 2010

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.

Friday, December 3, 2010

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