PAPER PUNCHERS & GIFT TAGS

Paper punchers were my Christmas gifts! Late post... I know ;) I had searched high and low for these in Singapore but failed so I bought the ones above with the 40% discount coupon while in the states last December. Haven't gotten around to fully using them yet, but so far so good. It's on my to-do list to make paper tags, but like most *coff* busy people I'm such a procrastinator! =)

The orange one and boxed one are Paper Shapers by EK Success. The green one is from Martha Stewart. Paper Shapers are from Joann's and Martha's from Walmart. They are between 1" and 1.5" diameter. I initially purchased one by this brand called Harvey Uchida but the cutters were defective so I refunded it and got the black Paper Shapers one.

Gift tags and scrapbooking are the most common uses for these punchers, just check out these cute paper tag finds on Etsy!

Black and Tan Flower Tags by MariaSoleil

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Flower Dolls Gift Tag Set by pygletwhispers

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Pink and Chocolate Gift Tags by southernbellescharm

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Sweet Strawberries Button Gift Tags by lemondropstudio

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Sweet Cherries Journalling Tags by carrielynne

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FREELANCING TIPS

Funny picture time! 'The Shinning' lol. If you own this pic please let me know, it's hilarious!

Here are some articles on freelancing and marketing tips, all from Freelanceswitch.com. They make for concise reads and may provide useful information for new freelancers who need to know more about handling the business.

- How to handle tightwads & charge what you're worth

- How to create memorable business cards

- Freelancing under the table: The Pros and Cons

Invoicing is an integral part of a professional business, this article may help you get started if you've never used an invoice before:

- Get your money: Best invoicing practices for freelancers

This one is interesting, because I've thought of creating stock to sell but that is in my neverending to-do list:

- 9 tips for creating and maximizing a steady income stream by selling stock

Remember freelancing IS a proper job if you work hard at it. Isn't it still income? Doesn't it pay the bills and for meals? It is not lazing around and having money drop on your lap. It's usually a full-day work, sometimes 9-12 hours, besides the 'flexible' hours. Personally I will hate it if people think I can run errands at any time convenient to them because I seem to be have 'flexible' time. That just interrupts my work... especially annoying when there are deadlines to meet. Mostly personal deadlines yes, but I rather keep to it than end up not accomplishing anything and wasting the day.

Many people do not understand why freelancers stay at home all day instead of a 'proper' 9 - 5 job at the office, thus concluding they aren't working at all. If you have this problem, I say ignore them. You'll get used to it. They'll wonder how you ever got money to purchase that new computer or pay your rent on time, then you can explain it nicely to them lol.

CUTE LIP BALM DOESN'T WORK

Ok this is like the cutest lip balm packaging, but the lip balm itself was sorely disappointing. I bought a bunch of different flavoured ones from the US as souvenirs to friends and sorry if you're reading this I hope your balms applies smoother than mine lol.

It feels like candle wax on my lips - dry and paraffin-ish. The scent is Dr Pepper alright but more of a lingering taste on an empty cup that used to contain Dr Pepper... and it's got too much sweetener. Oh and the ingredients - nothing much  natural! I think I'm used to the handmade yummy balms from Etsy... so get this only if you're a sucker of nice packaging (like me) haha!

NOUVEAU MELT ART & BLOGGER ISSUES

Blogger did something that my redirecting page is now wonky! It says my blog doesn't exist when using Safari and prompts me to redirect when using Firefox. It used to be auto. Does this explain why some of the blogs I read are mysteriously gone? Recently I've had problems uploading photos on Safari as well.

Please bookmark http://blog.lemonshortbread.com/ instead of http://lemonshortbread.blogspot.com/
Thank you!

And this is what I finished last night - entitled 'Nouveau Melt'. The backgrounds didn't come out as I had wanted it to, markers are a little hard to use for large areas of blank space... I'll post it on Etsy in a bit. 4 x 6" in pen and markers.

Lineart.

Finished piece.

HUNTINGTON GARDENS PHOTOS

Here are some photos I took at the Huntington Library Gardens in Pasadena, California in early January; meant to post it much earlier on my blog. Hope you enjoy them!

Stream overlooking the Chinese gardens.

Pavilion in the Chinese gardens

Japanese gardens with a replica bridge and lake - nope you aren't allowed on it!

Japanese house replica

Zen gardens

Decorative elements in the courtyard

'Pinkie' by Thomas Lawrence

'Blue Boy' by Thomas Gainsborough

Stained glass wall

Cactus conservatory

Flowering succulents

Various roses in the rose gardens!

I'm always in for floral shots lol.