New Holiday Keepsake Ornaments!

 It's been awhile since I've added new festive designs in my shop, but I've recently begun adding new keepsake ornaments. Photo gifts are a trendy thing and ornaments are something you can cherish for years to come as you decorate your tree each year. My collection is still small, but I'm excited to have some fresh new designs in my shop. Check them out. 

Also, today through 11/15/2019 you can get 40% off personalized ornaments with coupon code: LITTLETHINGS at checkout.

Modern Holiday Keepsake photo Ceramic Ornament by capturedbyKC

A very minimal and modern style photo keepsake ornament. Simply change the sample photo and add your own and you can also modify the text to add your personal holiday message.

Elegant Red Swirls Keepsake Photo Ceramic Ornament by capturedbyKC

Elegant floral swirl photo keepsake ornament. This style holiday ornament has a very modern feel and is available in a few different color options. Personalize with your own text and photo.

Rustic Wood Keepsake Christmas photo Ceramic Ornament by capturedbyKC

This simple style holiday keepsake ornament features a trendy rustic wood (not real wood) theme. Personalize the text and add your own photo to make it your own.

You can check out more of my growing ornament collection here

Keepsake Ornaments Collection by Captured Designs by KC

New Designs in My Religious Store

 It has been quite some time but I finally decided to do some updating and revamping to my religious store at Zazzle. The store is called "Inspired by God" and the designs are centralized around faith-inspired Christian themes, angels, and scripture. 

  When I began this store, I was a media content creator/editor for an up and coming ministry called My Father's House Ministry. I was inspired by the message, vision, and goals of that ministry to create uplifting and inspirational designs. This is where the "Inspired by God" store was born. 

  I have been emotionally struggling as of late with some personal things, and I felt a little voice inside me saying I just needed to focus my creative muse onto this store again. So I have been pumping out new and fresh inspirational designs for my religious store and it has really started to help lift me from the dark place I was in, and I thought I would share a few of those designs here. 

Anchor For The Soul by Captured Designs by KC

A new "Anchor For The Soul" religious scripture inspired nautical anchor themed text design with scripture from Hebrews 6:19-20. This design is new and hasn't been uploaded on many items yet, but it can be transferred to other products by using the design tool. Keep checking back for more products featuring this design!

The Lord's Prayer Wooden Box Sign by InspiredbyGod

 I have always kind of liked the idea of a plaque or some form of wall art featuring The Lord's Prayer hanging somewhere in my home. For this, I decided to use a vintage image of praying hands and pair it with the prayer.

Guardian Angels Keychain by InspiredbyGod

 This guardian angels scripture angel wings design remains one of the most popular in my store and I plan to give it more attention as I continue to revamp. The idea that angels are watching over us is a comforting and popular inspirational concept. This keychain also makes a great gift.

Please keep checking my Inspired by God Zazzle store for new inspirational and religious faith-inspired gifts. 

Working on Seasonal Designs

 As a designer, sometimes it's difficult to get into the groove of designing for holidays that are months away. For instance, designing for Christmas when it's ninety degrees outside is most definitely a challenge. 

It has been slow going for me this year because the heat has made it hard to focus, but I have started to push a few holiday designs out and I wanted to give them a small platform to showcase them. 

Now is a great time to start buying holiday cards, they're 50% at Zazzle from now until 9/29/2019 with coupon code: GIFTGUIDES50 at checkout!

Holly Jolly Christmas Photo Holiday Card by capturedbyKC

 This minimal style Christmas holly themed photo holiday card is fully customizable. You can personalize everything from the photo to the message on the back. 

Merry and Bright Lights Photo Holiday Card by capturedbyKC

 This photo card actually currently features a sample photo of one of my own children when they were younger. This merry and bright Christmas lights themed card is festive and yet a simple design which allows your receiver to focus on your family photo and the personalized message you send. 

Christmas Garland Photo Holiday Card by capturedbyKC

 This simple Christmas garland themed modern style holiday card, the focus is all on the front of the flat card. You can personalize this card by replacing the sample photo and editing all of the text to make it your own.

Minimal Fir Tree Photo Holiday Card by capturedbyKC

 I designed this flat card to be more of a minimal style photo card. This card features a white photo frame area with fir tree embellished corners and a simple green area where you can personalize your special message to family and friends for the holidays. 

Let It Snow Season's Greetings Card by capturedbyKC

 This blue and white snowflake themed greeting card offers a simplistic design. You can personalize it by changing the sample photo to one of your own and even adding a message to the back.

Thanks for looking at my newest Christmas designs and be sure to

Check out more holiday card designs here

Getting Back to Basics-About How I Got Here

   I'll be honest, I'm not the best at this blogging thing. It's hard for me to get personal. I'm not an extroverted person. I tend to keep to myself and let out small bursts of myself kind of like little rays of sunshine poking from behind some clouds. Anyway, I want you to feel comfortable with me and what I offer. If I want you to connect with my art, I want you to understand where it comes from and the artist behind it. So here I am, in all of my glory... exposed. 

  My name is Kristina. I left my job two years ago to stay at home full time with my twin boys, and I love every minute of it. Don't get me wrong, it's challenging and can be exhausting, but watching them learn and grow is priceless. There is a downside though. No one tells you that being a stay at home parent is isolating. No one tells you that you quickly and very easily can lose yourself without even realizing you're slipping away. It isn't the children's fault. It's isn't your fault it happens, it just kind of happens while you're doing your best to parent. The job takes over and before you can realize, the spark of your passions has been smothered and covered by routine tasks of parenting, not unlike the hashbrowns at a Waffle House. The passion is still there... just buried beneath layers of life that you have to dig through in order to find it again. 

My Online Presence

  I started my online stores in 2010. Back when I started them, I was in a mentally dark and depressive place. I was at odds with some of my closest family and I had lost one of my dearest friends. I didn't really know where else to turn except inward. Even as a child, I reflected on my emotions through art and poetry. Back then, I mostly used writing as a tool to express myself, but I wanted to connect with someone. I had lost so much. I just wanted a way to reach out and hope someone else would see it. So I started teaching myself how to design through free programs like Inkscape and then I eventually purchased Photoshop. Through sites similar to EnvatoTuts+, Designer blogs with tutorials, and of course YouTube video tutorials, I began to learn how to use functions within the programs and teach myself how to design. 

 After learning a bit, I found Zazzle and then Cafepress. It seemed like a win-win. Design all I want but keep no inventory, which was perfect because I had no room to store excess amounts of product. I had no clue about shipping costs and all of that, and print on demand sites take care of all of that on their end so I didn't have to. I signed up and got started. To be honest, I didn't think I would sell anything. The marketplace at Zazzle is full of amazing designers that I still can't compete with, so selling something of mine was just a fantasy in my mind. But then it happened! Then it kept happening. 

Are You Anchored? Mug by capturedbyKC

My first sale was this Anchored religious coffee mug. 

  People were buying my designs on various types of products and I was humbled. It inspired me to keep learning and to keep designing. I was connecting with people in a way I had never connected before, through art. It wasn't about the money that came from the sells, it was about the fact that other people out there loved my work and connected with it. That encouragement helped to lift me out of that dark place, and I want to thank each and every person who has supported me by purchasing and/or sharing my designs. It means so much. 

  Now, as a mom of twin four year old boys, I found that I had lost my spark that I previously mentioned. It is through no fault of theirs. I let it slip away as I allowed being a mom to completely take over, and I lost my inner sense of self. Now, I am trying to gain it back. I want to find that woman who was so passionate about art, creativity, and the beauty within creation. I want to re-connect with myself and with my followers and consumers. This is why I have begun promoting and pushing new designs again. I am pushing myself. 

  If you are like me and you've allowed yourself to sink into the role of just a "mom" or just a "dad" and you've let your spark fade out, don't blame yourself but don't just let it die either. Make the time to reinvest in that spark or maybe even a new passion. You're worth it. Your sanity is worth it. Fight for that sense of self. It isn't wrong to need a version of yourself that doesn't revolve around your loved ones. It's okay to have something of your own. Find it, nurture it and let it grow you into a complete person. Your children will thank you for it. They need to see someone who is passionate and has goals, dreams, and hopes. You can give your children the world without giving up yours. It's all a matter of balance. I'm learning this too. 

Don't let it be a power struggle within you, it will only cause stress and turmoil. Spark your passion and let that fire illuminate and empower you.

Your Spark Quote Magnet by capturedbyKC

  

New Autumn and Thanksgiving Designs!

 Trying to re-vamp, promote, and grow my store has been a challenge but it has also pushed me to do more than ever before. I never understood before I started designing how challenging it is to create designs for seasonal times of the year when it is still so warm outside and everything is still so vibrant and green. The struggle is definitely real. 

 In any case, I've managed to pump out some new greeting cards to my store for the Thanksgiving/Autumn season. Please take a moment to check them out.

Give Thanks Autumn Tree Greeting Card by capturedbyKC

This autumn leaves falling off the tree Give thanks greeting card is fully customizable. Personalize the message inside with your own specialized message for your family and friends.

Autumn Greeting Card by capturedbyKC

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Fully customizable autumn greeting card.

Happy Fall Y'all Autumn Greeting Card by capturedbyKC

A very southern approach to the autumn season. Happy Fall Y'all greeting card.

Save 15% sitewide with coupon code: ZTREATYOSELF at checkout. Now through 8/9/2019 at midnight.

Zazzle's Affiliate Program

 This post won't be long, I just wanted to let everyone who supports my work and is a fan of my products know that you can actually earn a profit from helping me sell my products! 

Zazzle's affiliate program offers affiliates a 15% royalty earned per sale made via a share made from your social media, blog posts, via email to friends and family, or through your website with your affiliate link. 

Interested? Sign up at Zazzle to become an affiliate here to find out more and start referring!

Don't forget to check out my Zazzle store

Captured by KC Designs 

There are thousands of great designers on Zazzle, so you won't have to limit your promotions to only my store and designs. Your potential for referrals is endless! Just sign up and start promoting designs with your affiliate referral links to get started. 

Zazzle offers thousands of products. You can promote everything from keychains to wedding invitations and even branded items like Disney and Harry Potter. The possiblities are endless.

It's a great way to earn a little extra money in your spare time and support artists and designers too!

New Product! Ink Pens #Zazzlemade

  I'm alittle behind on designing for some of Zazzle's newest and most trending products, but I had to start on this one because it is perfect for the school season and it's just fun. Ink Pens!
  
I don't know about you, but I am an avid pen collector. I think I have six pens just in my purse! I love pens. The more personal, the better! So this was an exciting product for me to design, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Check out some of my new pen designs.

Aqua Chevron Personalized Pen by capturedbyKC

Personalized Retro Circles Black Ink Pen by capturedbyKC

Animal Lover Paw Prints Black Ink Pen by capturedbyKC

Thin Gray Line Matthew 5:9 Correctional Officers Pen by capturedbyKC

Guardian Angel Wings Pen by capturedbyKC



Shop more custom pens at Zazzle and get 40% off thru 7/17/2019 using coupon: SUNNYDAYSZAZ at checkout.

Re-vamping my Zazzle Store

  For those of you who have never read or glanced over my blog before, I am a self-taught artist who sells designs online through various online print on demand platforms. I sell a variety of different designs on a plethora of products. 

  I will admit, since my twins came along a few years ago, I very much neglected my online stores and just kind of added new products in spurts as I could. I'm ashamed to say that I really let things go. With that said, I've decided I'm revamping the look and updating categories in order to make finding your favorite gifts less complicated. With all of Zazzle's new products and the ability to create collections and categories, I would like to give my store a classy and fun makeover that allows you to find what you need with more ease. 

You'll still be able to shop my online store at Zazzle anytime and you can reach my shop here:

Captured By KC Designs

Be sure to keep checking back for new designs as well, I'm still actively adding new products and new collections to my store. 

Some new products

Monogram Swirls Wedding Invitation
 by capturedbyKC

If you like this style, I am adding more products to a collection.

you can see it here.

Vintage Floral Stationery by capturedbyKC

Snowflakes Ornaments Holiday Party Invitation by capturedbyKC

Christmas is just around the corner. Check out more of this Snowflake ornaments collection here.

Current coupons: 

15% Invites and Announcements & 40% off of Stickers, Cases and more!

Coupon code: SUNNYDAYSZAZ 

A Big Thanks

 I can't keep up with this blogging thing since I've had my kids to save my life, but I wanted to try to start posting again occasionally. I wanted my first post of this year to be a HUGE Thank you!

Thank you to those who have been loyal and stuck by me through the years on social media and even on this blog. 

I want to thank all of the people who have enjoyed my designs enough to purchase them again and again. My heart melts with excitement, even nine years later, when I see my designs being sold on Zazzle and Cafepress. It means so much to me and to my family also. The profit that comes from those items you purchase help me to supplement my husband's income since I am a stay at home mom now. Every little bit counts and we greatly appreciate you for choosing my work. 

When I started teaching myself digital art and graphic design work, it was purely for fun. I didn't think anything I made could capture the attention of anyone else, but you all proved me wrong. You lifted me up and inspired me to keep going, to keep learning, and to keep designing. 

Thank you!

Now here is some shameless self-promotion.
Here are a few of my designs that have become best sellers!

Queen Bee Button

by capturedbyKC


This fun little queen bee has become a hit in my online stores on various different items. She is making her way all over the world on buttons, keychains, tshirts and more because of all of you! Thank you for your orders.

Guardians Keychain

by capturedbyKC


This religious angel wings themed design features scripture from Psalm 91:11. Angel wings have been a passion of mine to design and to mesh with inspirational quotes and scripture, so when this particular item began to sell, I was overjoyed. Thank you!

Chevron Discount Promotional Punch Card

by capturedbyKC


I did not expect as much traction on these promotional punch discount cards as I have received, but I am greatly appreciative of all who have purchased them for their businesses. I am also very appreciative of all of the wonderful reviews and private contact emails I have gotten regarding this particular product and design. Thank you so much.

Green Love Owl In Tree Case-Mate iPhone Case

by capturedbyKC


This design is actually one of my personal favorites because I love owls. Creating this owls perched in tree themed phone case design was so fun for me, and I am truly thrilled that so many of you have also enjoyed it too.

Golden Mask Invitation

by capturedbyKC


I was inspired to create this masquerade themed wedding invitation design after a close friend of mine had chosen to do her wedding in a masquerade theme but was having some difficulty finding stationary for the event. I had no idea that this theme was so popular and so many people would enjoy it. Thank you everyone who has purchased these invitations. I hope they helped to make your special day perfect!



If you have never shopped any of my stores before but would like to see my designs and products, click the links below.

My Zazzle Store
Now through April 15th get up to 50% off of mugs, posters, totes, pillows and more, as well as 15% off sitewide with coupon code: APRILZAZLOVE

My Cafepress Store
Right now through April 30th, you can get 25% off sitewide with coupon code: SPRING2019

New Designs In My Zazzle Store!

  It's been awhile since I've posted anything on this blog, but I thought today was as good a day as any to reboot. I've been working a lot lately, mostly on freelance consulting type jobs. I can be found on Freelancer now, so if you like any of my work and would like to hire me through Freelancer, just click here.

  In my spare time, I have been working on some new designs for my Zazzle store. For all of you who have been following me since the beginning, it has been 8 years this month, since I opened my 1st Zazzle store. The Anchored Religious Coffee Mug you see below, was my 1st design on Zazzle. I made it for a religious ministry I was a part of. The Anchor was the logo for the ministry as well as the scripture from Hebrews 6:19-20.

Anchored Coffee Mug by capturedbyKC

It's amazing how far I have come in designing comparative to my older work. I'm also very blessed by all of those who have supported me as I have grown. It encourages me to keep going. So thank you.

Without further due, here is some of my newest stuff. 

Watercolor Roses Floral Wedding Stationary

Always Be A Dinosaur Giftables

Ready For Warm Weather

  

Winter has been wonderful... but I'm ready to say goodbye. We've gotten lots of snow this year, and it's all been so beautiful, but I'm ready for sunshine, green grass, and colorful flowers.

Winter is lovely for taking photos, but after awhile, everything is just white. Spring is like an art palette or a symphony of color and it's all just so alive. I love it and my camera loves it too!

Really, when it comes down to it, I just love flowers. I hope that now that I am a home owner, I can create a beautiful floral garden of my own to enjoy. For now, I collect floral wall art to brighten my home. 

Check out some of these lovely floral prints

Artsy floral Tulip stretched canvas print by JUDERM

 

Handpainted watercolor Floral design Poster by mylittlebasil

Watercolour flowers blue and crimson modern floral wood printby SachaGrosselArt



 

Yellow Sunflower Fine Art Poster by OriginalsbyParis

Wall art is just one great way to brighten a home. click Here you wanna see more floral wall art.

Don't forget that now through January 25th 2018, you can get up to 50% off of canvas prints at Zazzle by using the coupon code: SnuggleUpZaz  at checkout!!

Oops... Failed The Challenge

 If you've been following my most recent posts, you know I was attempting to do some 30 day photo challenge that I found online. I actually picked up a client recently and had online applications/interviews with a potential work from home opportunity that side-tracked me. I totally flubbed the photo challenge and got a few days behind. 

  Yeah... that's right, I fell off the challenge wagon.

It was a total fail... but Oh, Whale.

Oh Whale Coffee Mug by PunHouse

  There are a ton of things I am grateful for and to be honest, I kind of felt like the challenge I initially picked (after taking a few glances over it) was really not broad spectrum enough and was actually a bit repetitive in potential subject matter. So needless to say, I won't be picking the challenge back up where I left off. It just wasn't inspiring me enough to keep going with it, and at the end of the day, I think that's supposed to be the point.

  So, I do apologize if you all were enjoying my photos during the challenge. I want to let you know that I intend on continuing to post snapshots here on my blog as well as on my Facebook page from time to time. I hope you'll continue to follow me and that this wasn't a super let down for you.

  One of the things that have kept me busy is working on holiday designs for my Zazzle store. I know we still have Thanksgiving to go through, but Christmas is just around the corner and in retail, you have to prep early.

Thanksgiving Turkey Funny Disguise for Christmas Postcard by egogenius

 Here is a sneak peak at a few of my newest designs. 

You can check out more here. 

Check out my Christmas selection this holiday season

Don't forget you can get Up to 50% Off Business Cards, Ornaments, Pillows & More
 by using coupon code: ZVETERANSDAY at checkout 
now through the 14th of November.

My Place of Peace

 Earlier this year, my husband and I finally took the plunge and purchased our first home together. For me, it was a scary but thrilling experience and I'm glad we took the risk. 
  For the first time ever, we have something we can say is our own. There are no rules about pets or pet deposits. We don't have to worry about upstairs or downstairs neighbors anymore.
  It's actually been 8 months this month, and it feels amazing to have achieved something this great with the man I love. 

Today's photo-a-day challenge was "Grateful for this place". Our new home is something I am grateful for. I wanted something that is ours to raise our kids in, and we worked our bums off to get it. I am very grateful to have this place.

  
  It's an amazing feeling when you get that first key that is for your own place isn't it? Having such a blessing come to us will be something I will never take lightly. 

What place are you grateful for? 

_______________________________________

Create custom keychains for your keys. Click here to shop and design your own keychain. 

Comfort I Can Count On

  Today's photo-a-day challenge is being thankful for "this familiar thing". I chose to make my familiar thing, my pets. 

  My pets are like children to me, but they hold a different piece of my heart. They offer a different type of comfort and peace that nothing else can. Those sweet eyes and the soft nudges of a wet cold nose are a priceless gift. 

  When my husband and I were still renting homes, we refused to move into a place that didn't allow pets. We understood their reasoning, but to us, we just cannot part from them. They are what is familiar to us. They make us feel like we are home. 

Day #3- Grateful for this familiar thing (in my case these familiar furry things lol)

Do you have furry familiars/companions? Tell me all about them in the comments!
________________________________________
Shop custom water bowls, pet clothing, pet photo ornaments, and more here at Zazzle!

Thankful for Creative Outlets

   Okay, so I put a little bit of a twist on today's photo-a-day challenge. The challenge was "Grateful for this piece of creativity." I decided to kind of put my own spin on this and showcase how grateful I am for even the simplest of creative outlets... such as coloring. 

  Coloring is the first creative outlet most of us get to establish a connection with as a child. For the better part of my childhood, there was nothing in the world like sitting down with my favorite coloring book and a big box of Crayola crayons. I still love to color... only now, most of my coloring is done via the click of a mouse via the color palette on Photoshop... but I do believe my love of coloring opened the door to my passion for art.

 Day #2: Grateful for creativity and color

  Now that I have children, they get to explore art and put their creative energies into coloring. So, I am grateful for creative outlets that allow us to find ourselves and bring out the passions that dwell within. 

________________________________________

Shop Crayon themed custom gifts at Zazzle. Click Here!

Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway!

My last blog post was a pretty personal one that spoke of the type of aggressive breast cancer that took my mom in July of this year. It has been really difficult for my family losing her, and to us, it felt sudden. 

But I want to honor her and do something to spread that awareness about inflammatory breast cancer. So, this month, I will be hosting a giveaway. 

The giveaway will begin on 10/1 and will end on 10/30. So you'll have plenty of time to make sure you're entered and share share share!!!


It has been a long time since I have ran a giveaway, and in most of my giveaways, there was only 1 winner. This time there will be 3! 

Winners will be announced here on my blog November 1st! So be sure to keep checking back. Don't forget to increase your chances to be one of the winners by commenting below and sharing. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wondering how to enter? Here are the rules:

You will need to enter yourself using AT LEAST ONE of the entering methods on the rafflecopter giveaway form. You can do as many or as few as you would like but at least 1 must be done.

You MUST fill out this form with your information so I may contact you and send you your prize. If you do not add your contact and address information, your entry will not be counted.

**Your contact information will not be public. It is for my eyes only**

The 3 winners will each be offered the opportunity to choose which one, out of these products below, that they would like to receive as their prize.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Keychain by capturedbyKC

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Reusable Grocery Bag

by capturedbyKC

Grow Hope Coffee Mug by capturedbyKC

Grow Hope Pinback Awareness Button by capturedbyKC

Thanks for joining me in this giveaway and please remember to share. Hope you have fun and good luck everyone!