Busy Bee

This week I've been focusing a lot on my etsy shop by updating existing features such as Facebook and Twitter, and implementing new features such as a monthly newletter...the first issue of which is due out April 1st! { no foolin'! } You can sign up for that HERE.

I've been reading lots of small business articles and listening to tons of marketing seminars. I highly recommend Etsypreneur and Handmadeology. These two sites have really helped me focus on the business side of my shop without feeling overwhelmed or lost! I recently created a year-long promo plan and now need to decide how I'm going to market it all.

I'm thinking of buying ad space on one of the more premium blogs.
{ you know, the ones that cost beau-coup bucks per month! }

Have any of you done this and if so, what were your results?
I'm looking to advertise on home decor and maternity { read: nursery decor } types of blogs, so if you know any really good ones please shout 'em on out!

I'll likely also sponsor a handful of giveaways throughout the year and will share those via social networks and the newsletter.

Over the past two weeks I've also been adding a lot of new prints to the shop. Ever since starting up with the photo-a-day project I'm finding myself much more motivated to go out and shoot...even with the kids in tow! 

...I'm completely and utterly drawn to azaleas, by the way...

Here are a few of the images that haven't made it on the blog yet...in fact only a few have made it to the shop { the rest will be there soon! }:

Rainy Night Lights

Last week we got a lot of rain.
It precipitated in one fashion or another for well over 24 solid hours.
Which made our drive at night very beautiful!



I was driving, so whenever we came to a stop light I'd hold up my camera, which was set to manual focus, and blindly click away.



One of my random clicks caught the wipers in action.



...as well as the gorgeous reflection of the street lights.

Which one is your favorite??

Discovering Etsy - Coffee Lovers Unite!

I love coffee!!

...well...

I love coffee the way I make it: strong with lots of sugar and lots of flavored creamer.

Bold and sweet.

{Just like me!}

So this week's treasury is curated with the coffee lover in mind.
{and everything is under $35!}

{click HERE to go to the treasury page}

      
1. Fingerless Armwarmers / 2. Stamped Spoons / 3. Coffee Break Watercolor Painting / 4. Coffee Soy Candle

      
5. Coffee House Print / 6. Monogram Coffee Pincushion / 7. Mug Cozy / 8. Coffee Subway Art

      
9. Coffee Bean Earrings / 10. Coffee Stencil / 11. Coffee Vinyl Art / 12. Coffee Bean Soap

      
13. Retro Coffee Poster / 14. Metal Coffee Mug Wall Decor / 15. Wheel Thrown Mug / 16. Coffee Bean Necklace

Giveaway Number 5 - 2012 Desk Calendar by Katie Lloyd Photography

The 5th and final giveaway is brought to you by me!
I recently added calendars to my Etsy shop and decided now was a great time to give one away!

This calendar consists of twelve 4x6 loose pages printed on photographic paper.
This size is perfect for a small space such as a desktop. And at the end of the month, simply cut off the calendar portion and you're left with a frameable 4x4 fine art print!

These calendars are available at a seriously deep discount right now!
For $15 you get twelve 4x4 prints...not to mention the functional at-a-glance calendar.
A single 4x4 print regularly costs $5...and you're getting 12 of them!!
...that's 75% off regular prices!!
{psst...they make great stocking stuffers!}

What you win: The above 2012 Whimsical 4x6 Desk Calendar! And I'll ship it anywhere in the world, so everyone is welcome to enter!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry 

1. Visit my shop, Katie Lloyd Photography, browse the selection, then come back here and tell me which item is your favorite! Also be sure to leave your email address in the comments or tell me where I can find it {on your profile, on your blog, etc} so I can contact you should you be the lucky winner!

Optional Entries

{remember to leave a separate comment for each entry}

2. Heart my Etsy shop.
3. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.
3. Blog, Tweet, or post to Facebook about this giveaway. Leave the permalink to your post/tweet/status in the comments. 

And there you have it. Four super simple entries to win a years worth of art plus a stylish way to remember what day it is!

Now for some fine print...

* Giveaway will run one full week, ending at 11:59pm CST on September 22nd, 2011. Winner will be announced the following morning on this blog and contacted via email with instructions on how to claim your prize!

Giveaway Number 3 - Fine Art Photography Print by Wonderland

Giveaway number three is sponsored by Ana at Wonderland!

The photos you'll find at Wonderland have a beautiful retro and vintage style to them.

I just love this beach scene, especially with it's rounded corners!

I can hear the break of the waves against the shore and screams of delight in the distance...

And who doesn't love orchids?! 

This clock is so unusual and so cool, especially for us Americans!

And I think the vintage texture really adds to the overall look of this clock.

{again....totally digging the rounded corners!}

Did you know that Ana also hosts a photo challenge?! 

It's called Earth Wonders and you can read all about it, including how to link up, HERE.

Here's what you win: Any print in the shop in your choice of an 8"x8" or 8"x12" size! And this giveaway is open to everyone!! Wonderland ships worldwide!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry 

1. Visit Wonderland, browse the selection, then come back here and tell me which print is your favorite! Also be sure to leave your email address in the comments or tell me where I can find it {on your profile, on your blog, etc} so I can contact you should you be the lucky winner!

Optional Entries

{remember to leave a separate comment for each entry}

2. Follow Ana on Twitter.

3. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.

4. Become a fan of Wonderland on Facebook.

And there you have it. Five super simple entries to win one beautiful fine art photograph!

Now for some fine print...

* Giveaway will run one full week, ending at 11:59 CST on September 20th, 2011. Winner will be announced the following morning on this blog and contacted via email with instructions on how to claim your prize!

Giveaway Number 2 - Unique Handmade Jewelry by SpritelyWear

Today's giveaway is from SpritelyWear!
At this shop you'll find lovely handmade necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Here are a few of my favorite items:

I love the swirls of wire on those black beads...they add such a fun and funky detail!
And this necklace is really versatile: dress up a plain, everyday tee or pair it with a sleek cocktail dress.

This one is probably my favorite piece though.
I'm a sucker for blues and when you finish it off with sparkles and a ribbon...Hello, Fabulous!
{coincidentally, this necklace perfectly matches my outfit today!}

I also love this one and could totally see it paired with a purple tank, dark jeans and some killer heels!

Are y'all excited yet?! 'Cause I sure am!
{and a bit jealous that I can't be the winner.}

What you win: SpritelyWear has generously offered one winner the choice of anything in the shop! How awesome is that?! An-y-thing. And as if that wasn't great enough, she also ships worldwide! So enter away my international friends! :)

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry 

1. Visit SpritelyWear, browse the selection, then come back here and tell me which item is your favorite! Also be sure to leave your email address in the comments or tell me where I can find it {on your profile, on your blog, etc} so I can contact you should you be the lucky winner!

Optional Entries

{remember to leave a separate comment for each entry}

2. Heart SpritelyWear on Etsy.
3. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.
3. Blog, Tweet, or post to Facebook about this giveaway. Leave the permalink to your post/tweet/status in the comments. 

And there you have it. Four super simple entries to win one stunning piece of jewelry!

Now for some fine print...

* Giveaway will run one full week, ending at 11:59pm CST on September 19th, 2011. Winner will be announced the following morning on this blog and contacted via email with instructions on how to claim your prize!

Giveaway Number 1 - Fine Art Photography Print from Captured by Misty Dawn

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Captured by Misty Dawn. 

She has so many gorgeous prints in her Etsy shop and there's a wide variety of styles as well...there's seriously something for everyone.

Here's just a small sampling of what you'll find:

I love love love this print and can easily envision it hanging in a sleek and modern living room!

Oh, it could so be in a magazine!!

Would this print of strawberries not look stunning in a kitchen?!

And how about this canoe shot...totally suited for an outdoorsy family room!

But Misty doesn't stop at fine art. 

She also does portraiture, weddings, and events! And if you're in the San Diego area, you should definitely book her! 

And as if that wouldn't keep a girl busy enough, Misty hosts a weekly photography challenge: Favorite Photo of the Week on her blog Through A Photographer's Eyes!

Whew, I'm tired just thinking about her schedule!! :)

What you win: Any print in Misty's Etsy shop, Captured by Misty Dawn, in an 8"x10" size! And Misty will ship worldwide, so everyone can enter!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry 

1. Visit Captured by Misty Dawn, browse the selection, then come back here and tell me which print is your favorite! Also be sure to leave your email address in the comments or tell me where I can find it {on your profile, on your blog, etc} so I can contact you should you be the lucky winner!

Optional Entries

{remember to leave a separate comment for each entry}

2. Follow Misty's blog Through A Photographer's Eyes via Google Friend Connect.
3. Follow Misty on Twitter.

4. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.

5. Become a fan of Misty's on Facebook.

And there you have it. Six super simple entries to win one stunning piece of art!

Now for some fine print...

* Giveaway will run one full week, ending at 11:59pm CST on Sunday, September 18th, 2011. Winner will be announced the following morning on this blog and contacted via email with instructions on how to claim your prize!

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Classics

I'm guest posting at Amber's Articles today!
She asked if I'd share my faith journey and of course I said yes.
So grab yourself a cup of coffee then head over there asap.


...Now on to our regularly scheduled programming...

*****

I originally had only planned to go to the Iowa State Fair on one day during our visit, but since we really had nothing else to do on Friday we went a second time with my mom and stepdad.

Much to my surprise there was a small classic car show along the Grand Concourse.
I love classic cars. I know absolutely nothing about them, but they're shiny and pretty and that's enough for me!
Thankfully my mom was more than willing to take the kids while I took photos.
{Grandmas are the best, aren't they!? And our kids have three spectacular ones!}



I have no idea what kind of cars these are, but they are beautiful!




So shiny...




so sleek...



with loads of get up and go under the hood!

Blushing of Autumn

This is actually a photo from spring.
It has been sitting in a folder waiting to be processed...I just couldn't get the right feel for it until a few days ago.

I'm really happy with how it turned out and the fact that I had enough patience to wait three months to edit it!


 



And just for fun, here it is using my Vintage Polaroid set.
{you can get the free download HERE}

Vintage Polaroid Effect for PSE, CS5 and Others

Before we get to the frame/action I want to thank all of you for your incredibly sweet comments and compliments from my self portrait post! Y'all made me blush and put some extra happy in my weekend! :)
Thank you!

***

Yesterday I mentioned that I've been working on a surprise for you.
Well, here it is!

Ya know the super-awesome Instagram app for iPhone?
I love it...problem is I do not have an iPhone.

And I haven't been able to find anything that was compatible with PSE to get that effect, so I made my own.
{Please note that this will work in other editing platforms!!}

If you would like to have it too, you can download it {for free of course} HERE.

All I ask is that you Like my Facebook page or follow my blog if you don't already.
(although GFC has been having issues lately) 

I made up a few sample images to show you what you're getting.
The frame/action is a .psd file and not an action you install, but it's almost as easy as that. There's a how-to file included in the download and if you need any help, please feel free to ask!
Oh, and you're also able to adjust all layers to suit your tastes.




I played around with this for a while and ran some actions on the flattened 'polaroid' image which worked really well! The X-Ray biplane below is one of those examples. I also think any of Kim Klassen's textures would add a lot of depth to the final image!





I'd love to see what you come up with, so be sure to leave a link to your photo (on your blog or flickr) in the comments!

***

And now for some it's-probably-only-exciting-to-me news...
My Bowl of Limes print was on the front page of Etsy yesterday morning!!!





It's my second third time being on the front page this year!
Which is a pretty big deal for me.
Eek...my Rainbow of Watercolors print was featured this morning, too!!

Hope you have a very happy Monday!
:)