flower power

We’re excited to have the Anima Dolce Design Boutique here today for a giveaway and vendor / guest post!

I’ve written a post for Paperie Boutique before about how I was inspired to create the branding for my photography business, Anima Dolce Photography. I’m back this time to share my inspiration with you on how I branded my new online shop, the Anima Dolce Design Boutique.

Last month I was searching through Etsy for props, as I do daily (it’s a real addiction), and I was trying to find headbands to not only match my new Bad Sass backdrops, but to also fit my style. I wanted smaller headbands with colors that you might find in a candy shop. And that’s when it hit me—I should make my own!

So while I was still on Etsy, I searched for fabric flower patterns that I liked and fit my style. Blossom and Vine had just what I needed. I purchased fabrics in colors that reflected a candy shop and I started cutting. But with all these cute flowers made, how would I brand it?

At the time, my site was a dark plum color found in the Spice paper pack by Sassy Designs. But that didn’t seem like a good color palette for my candy shop. It was too dark and heavy for what I wanted.

So I started looking through my Sassy stash to see if any color palettes inspired me. I’m a Sassy Designs junkie, so I knew I could find something that would inspire me.

The style in the Caroline paper pack was just what I needed…the polka dots, the stripes, the colors—it was perfect! I had just finished creating a mini book with the Blue Sky template from Oh Snap Boutique and I loved the frame, so I borrowed it for the shop logo. I think the final look really reflects that elegant candy shop feel that I was trying to achieve.

The boutique opened on Wednesday, October 5th and includes some special headband lines: circus candy and lollipop shop. I also have to give credit to my husband, Chuck, for helping me name all the flowers. (He’s quite good at coming up with names.)

And I don’t think I could finish this blog post without giving away some “hair candy”!

Three lucky winners will have the chance to choose a flower and finishing (elastic headband, ponytail holder, or hair clip)! Here are details how to enter…

1. Follow Anima Dolce on Twitter and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a fan)

2. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):

Win an @animadolcephoto boutique fabric flower and headband / hair clip from @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://is.gd/TMPT6Q

3. Comment here and tell us what your favorite Anima Dolce Design Boutique product is

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want FOUR chances to win, you have to do the four things listed above, and then make four separate comments here telling us how you did them.)

Comment – in separate comments here – to have multiple chances to win!

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, October 15th. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to four times total – one entry each for both the options listed above. (PLEASE NOTE: Comments are held for moderation and may not appear immediately. Please be patient! They will show up eventually.)

You have four chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same thing multiple times. Duplicate comments will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.

Thanks so much to the Anima Dolce Design Boutique for the great prizes, and good luck to everyone who enters!

We also put up new, FREE holiday 2011 templates for Moo round stickers and coordinating address / gift labels:

And we are currently running a fall special with advertising rates up to half-off (or more) — and we’d love to have YOU join us!

Don’t miss this chance to connect with our readers! The Paperie new advertisers sale ends October 15th.

More giveaways coming up – including ANOTHER *emera bag – so stay tuned!

-Robyn & Todd

very vintage

Free downloads, a giveaway, and a prize-winner announcement…crazy Monday on tap!

First up, it’s beginning to look a lot like… I’ve been busy getting my 2010 Holiday card collection together for my clients. And now here’s one for you.

This is designed as a flat 5×7 holiday card (front and back) for print at ProDPI. (The ProDPI crop / bleed layer is included as a hidden layer.) If you choose to have these printed at another lab, please check the design in that lab’s template guidelines first!

The files are .psd files (front, back) and the layers can be hidden. However, the text and colors were not designed to be altered.

→ download link – front ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

→ download link – back ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

Templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. Templates may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.




Next up is a vendor / guest post by Shannon of Vintage U Creations.

My name is Shannon Johnston, I am a full time mommy, wife and photographer. My daughter Angelina is 2 years old and inspires me everyday to try new things and put my ideas to creations. My husband is amazing and definitely supports my every dream. I have been a photographer for a little over 2 years now and I just love it.

I’m inspired by so many amazing people. Like many photographers I am a PROP FREAK! I love the hats, pods, diaper covers, headbands – EVERYTHING! I decided to start making my own vintage inspired headbands. My style of photographer is different, I love the vintage look with the old stacked suitcases and damask backdrops with that vintage tint to the picture.. What better to top off that sweet newborn then a vintage headband!

I have been open for business for about a month or so and really wanted to get the word out about my new creations at “Vintage U Creations“.

I will have several different styles of headbands along with how the actual rosette looks. Some are wrapped, some are twisted, and others are layered and bunched. I like having a variety of looks.

You are welcome to browse my shop on Etsy at VintageU.etsy.com if you’re interested in purchasing one for your upcoming photoshoots! On my Etsy site, photographers who purchase my headbands and send me their photos will get a 20% discount off the price of their next purchase! How awesome is that? Just make sure you send me a message PRIOR to check out so I can adjust your pricing.

And one Paperie Boutique reader is going to get lucky today and win a headband of your choice! You can choose from any one of the pictures posted here. Here’s what you need to do – you have two chances to win:

1. Become a fan of Vintage U on Facebook. This is where I will post some fan only giveaways and promotions.

2. Go to your blog, Facebook, or Twitter account and post the following:

I want to win a free vintage headband by Vintage U Creations / VintageU.etsy.com over at PaperieBoutique.com by @paperieboutique

Then come back and comment here that you’ve done so – each entry requires its own separate comment. (In simple terms: If you want TWO chances to win, you have to do all two of the things listed above, and then make two separate comments telling us how you did them.) U.S. residents only, please.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 15th. You can enter up to two times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page – or post the links to your Tweet, Facebook entry, or blog post – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

ATTENTION: All links you post must direct to public-access accounts. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or website – or request permission to see them – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter / post up to two total times – one entry each for the options listed above.

You have two chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same link multiple times. Duplicate links will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Comments are moderated and may be slow to be added today but they will be added by late afternoon or early evening.

UPDATE: The winner has been announced! Check it out!

Thank you so much for such a fun giveaway, Shannon!




And we have a winner in the *emera bag giveaway—it’s Heather-Dailey-Photography!

Congrats to Heather, huge thanks to Nathiya and *emera for the perfect prize, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Stay tuned this week for more surprises ahead!
-Robyn

P.S. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

You say boo-tique.
      We say bow-tique.

I recently made a purchase from eBay, that I swear caused an ovary to burst when I opened it. It was just. that. cute. So I immediately begged the seller to do a guest post post here, and thankfully she obliged. Introducing Stacy Murphy of The Girlie Girl Bowtique…

My name is Stacy Murphy I am a a full time mommy and wife. My daughter Robyn is 16 and my son Colin is almost 5. They keep me very busy and I love it.

The Girlie Girl Bowtique has only been in business for a year! I’m an Interior Designer by profession, but chose to stay home with my kids so that had to put that on the back burner for now. As some time passed I really needed a creative outlet. As full as my life was I felt something missing.

On that day I happened to be going through my Grandmother’s old picture album. I have a natural love and obsess over anything vintage whether it be a piece of Jewelry, hats, or a pair of vintage Channel shoes . I love all vintage things… The next picture was of my Great Grandmother wearing a swim cap, You know the kind women use to wear back in the days as to not get their hair wet. This particular cap caught my eye. My Great Grandmother had stuck a bunch of daisies in it. She told me that she did that to catch the eye of this man – and she did. That man was my Great Grandfather. They laughed over this cap for many years until they both died on the same night. My daisy cap was inspired by my great grandparents. I one day decided to make these caps for photographer session props. Took some time but they caught the eye of many, MANY photographers and they and all my other flower caps have been HUGE hits.

Everything else in my Cute Bowtique is all made and designed by me. Every week there is a new design as my mind never stops. This is my outlet my hobby my passion. I love what I do and I would do it for free! (Although making some money for myself is nice too!)

I sell quality crochet flower hats , four different styles of headbands , clippies, and of course my famous flower caps — lots of MOMS shop in my store but I mostly sell to photographers as they love to use my designs for session props. I am proud to call myself a “Photo Prop Designer”. No longer the Interior Designer…which is perfect.

As a special treat for Paperie Boutique readers, if you will mention that you found Girlie Girl Bowtique on Paperie Boutique, you will get 10% off your purchase in my store. Just please make sure to contact me before making your final payment during the checkout.

And one lucky winner will get the thing that started this all – a daisy cap! Here’s how to win:

First become a fan of The Girlie Girl Bowtique on Facebook. You’ll get in on Facebook-only giveaways and promotions there.

Next, To win just go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

I want a daisy cap from Girlie Girl Bowtique / etsy.com/shop/girliebowtique – win at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog

Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 14th.

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account.

You have four chances to win but only one chance PER LINK – please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed. And post your 1-4 separate links in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Comments are moderated and may be slow to be added today but they will be added by late afternoon or early evening.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here – congrats!

Thank you so much for today’s guest post, Stacy! Make sure to visit the Girlie Girl Bowtique on Etsy and also stop by her personal Facebook page to say “hi” and “thank you” as well!

Don’t forget the big Kelly Moore bag giveaway is going on through Friday night at 11:59 p.m. EDT!