FREE PRINTABLE 2017 CALENDAR

UNIQUE HANDCRAFTED 2017 MONTHLY CALENDAR

Welcome to 2017

This 2017 Monthly Calendar is free for you to download when you join The Art of Creativity Studio Club. Sign up on the pop up and your freebie will be delivered to your inbox. If you are a Club Member already, then you will have received an email with a direct link to our Unique Handcrafted 2017 Monthly Calendar.

 Download the calendar and print it as many times as you like. Perhaps one for the family or Birthdays or even to schedule your social media posts.  Attach it to a clipboard or a trouser hanger as a Wall Calendar or punch holes and add it to a folder as a desk calendar. Look out for our 2017 Weekly Calendar, which can be added to our Monthly Calendar, coming soon! 

What's included: 

Instant digital download in high-resolution PDF

Stylish patterns on the header for each month of 2017

I'd like to end with a verse which epitomises the way I feel for 2017.

"New Year ~  A new chapter,

New verse

Or

Just the same old story?

Ultimately, we write it.

The choice is ours."

~ Alex Morritt

My choice for 2017 is to embrace the new chapters of my life, of which, I know, there be many.

What are your choices?

Have a great start to the New Year xxx Shirley

WORDS TO INSPIRE A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS

8 FREE SEASON'S GREETINGS

Is Part VII in our Series of Words to Inspire. Below you will find links to the previous 6 Series of Words to Inspire. These 8 Free Season's Greetings are Free to download when you sign-up to The Art of Creativity Studio Club Membership, in the Pop-Up. 

"A Very Merry Christmas" can be downloaded here as a preview of what to expect as our gift to you.

These Season's Greetings can be downloaded and printed on card stock and used in various craft projects, such as posters, coasters, cards, tags, labels, notes, etc. They will be available in PDF and without The Art of Creativity Studio Logo.  

8 FREE SEASON'S GREETINGS: Part 1

8 FREE SEASON'S GREETINGS: Part 2

8 Free Season's Greetings are available in PDF. 

You may share them, however they are for Personal use ONLY and they may not be sold. 

WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

 FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS.

PS. The Art of Creativity Studio Club Members, please check your inboxes for an email with the Direct Link to these 8 Free Season's Greetings.


Part I: Words to Inspire Your Spring Creations

Part II : Words to Inspire Autumn Craft Creations

Part III: Words to Inspire for World Teachers' Day

Part IV: Words to Inspire Food Creations
Part V: Words to Inspire a Spooktacular Halloween
Part VI: Words to Inspire Thanksgiving

21 FREE PRINTABLE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Who doesn't love freebies and in the spirit of Christmas and giving, here is a sample PDF Holiday Card for you to download and print. I would suggest using card stock or watercolour card to print these on for a more professional feel. I used standard A4 card and printed borderless.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR SAMPLE FREE PRINTABLE HOLIDAY CARD

To access all 21 Christmas and Holiday Cards, join The Art of Creativity Studio Club on the Pop-Up Menu and the cards will be delivered to your in-box, immediately.



FESTIVE CARDS

21 FREE PRINTABLE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Please note that these 21 Free Printable Christmas Cards

 are for your personal use and may not be sold.

HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 

SHIRLEY

PS> For The Art of Creativity Studio Club Members, you will have received an email with a direct link to download all 21 Free Printable Christmas Cards.

FREE PRINTABLE CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR's

are used to count down to the days leading up to Christmas🎅 They come in many different formats, from paper calendars with window flaps, envelopes, fabric pockets and even painted wooden boxes with cubby holes, each revealing a poem, image or small gift. Advent Calendars are for us folks too, not just for the kids 😉

Awesome Filler Ideas:🎉

Write an inspirational quote, poem, note,💘 compliments,

👻 quirky joke or 💟 love letters.

Bookmarks, notebooks, diaries, puzzle book, mini pack of cards 

Party popper, keyring, badges, mini flashlight, 

tea light candle, friendship bracelets,

 charms, beads, jewellery, hair accessories, cufflinks

Coupons: Picnic, breakfast in bed, massage, facials, mani & pedi, romantic dinner, movie or concert tickets, tickets to a sports event, decorate the tree, games night,🍰 holiday baking, family craft day, Santa's Letter, visit Santa, donations, money, clothing, sunset/sunrise/stargazing, 🎆fireworks show

Album of special occasions, disposable camera, family photoshoot 

🎶Create a playlist

Underwear - spice the romance up

Mini chocolates, minibar alcohol bottles 

Tiny plants, seeds or flowers

💅Nail polish,👄lip balm/gloss, 

small scented soaps, perfume samples

Doll accessories, small plastic toys, craft accessories,🎨 temporary tattoos, trading cards, marbles, 

Lego set spread over the days, glow in the dark/stickers 

Magnets or Christmas ornaments🎄

Handmade Gifts are personal and special

Let's not forget the pets 🐶😻, they'd love to have treats too

Handmade is ALWAYS better than store bought, so pull out the craft supplies and impress your loved one's with a personal reusable   handmade Advent Calendar. Here are 1000's of Ideas that you can use this Advent Calendar with to create your own unique Christmas Advent Calendar. 

CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

This Advent Calendar, created by The Art of Creativity Studio

 is FREE to download and print and is for personal use only.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

PS. Let the kids countdown the days until Christmas with the Santa Tracker app.

WORDS TO INSPIRE THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

Is a National Holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada, which was originally celebrated as a day for giving thanks for the harvest and the up-coming year.  Many other countries also celebrate similar traditions.

Words to Inspire Thanksgiving is Part VI in our Series of Words to Inspire.

What are you grateful for? 

Are you thankful for the food before you?

The Friends and Family beside you?

The Love between us?

or

 is your Thanksgiving more like this.

 Graphic Stock have compiled fun stock photos,

 which they reckon represent how Thanksgiving probably is. 

Here are some quotes to use for your Thanksgiving Creations:

"We should certainly count our blessings, 

but we should also

make our blessings count."

~Neal A Maxwell

Life is full of give and take.

Give thanks and take

Nothing for granted.

Gratitude turns

what we have

 into enough.

"The thankful heart opens

our eyes to a multitude

of blessings that

continually surround us."

~James E Faust

"As we express our Gratitude

We must never forget that

the highest appreciation

is not to utter words,

but to live by them."

~J F Kennedy

Thanksgiving Poster

WORDS TO INSPIRE THANKSGIVING

This Poster is available in PDF and is FREE to download and print, here.

You are welcome to share it, however you may not sell it.

MAY YOU ALWAYS BE BLESSED WITH THE RICH AND BOUNTIFUL GIFTS OF LIFE
 ~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Part I: Words to Inspire Your Spring Creations

Part II : Words to Inspire Autumn Craft Creations

Part III: Words to Inspire for World Teachers' Day

Part IV: Words to Inspire Food Creations
Part V: Words to Inspire a Spooktacular Halloween

UNPLUG AND UNWIND

                 AT THE GOOD HOPE GUEST FARM ~ ROBERTSON

My DH and I were the fortunate winners of the Annual Reach for a Dream Gala Event raffle prize last year where we won a 3 night stay at the Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages situated at the base of the Riviersonderend Mountains, close to Robertson.

Scenic Beauty at Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages

As my DH has only been back to South Africa twice this year, we needed some alone time and what a perfect opportunity this was for us to unplug from all mobile devices and to unwind at this beautiful location.

Packed with our supplies we set off on a scenic 3 hour trip from Cape Town to revel in some quiet time. We were welcomed by Taryn and her dog, Seun, who soon took up residence on our patio. We unpacked and went for a stroll around the working wine and olive farm where Seun joined us on all of our walks. He would soon blast off into the distance to only come back and egg us on to keep up with him.

Dogs, Lambs and Goats Roam Freely at Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages

We certainly welcomed the lack of distractions from our electronic devices and never a dull moment was had as we observed the workings of the farm life. The pigs and their piglets, also came to visit and kept us constantly entertained with their antics around the farm.  We watched as they would come up to the smaller dam outside our cottage and dig with their snouts in the muddy waters searching for food. The piglets were always following their moms so that they could suckle. They really "pigged" out on any fruit or veg the farmer would bring for their meal that day. Some of the animals were rescued and came to Good Hope Guest Farm in search of a happier existence. In addition to the pigs, a variety of other animals can be spotted either roaming freely or in paddocks such as a donkey, horses, lambs, goats, peacocks and peahens, chickens, turkey, guinae fowl, a variety of bird life and of course any number of dogs and most probably a whole bunch of other creatures, which we did not see. 

Free-Range Pigs and Piglets at Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages

If you are more energetic you can take pleasure in the any number of other activities offered at Good Hope Guest Farm, such a mountain biking, hiking, trail runs, kayaking on the dams or chilling in the swimming pool. A collection of various different types of accommodation are available to suit your requirements and a farm shop to cater to your belly.

 

Pigs, Peacocks and Birds on the Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages

The weather averaged around 22 degrees Celsius, not too hot nor too cold with such breathtakingly blue skies due to the lack of pollution in the area. We enjoyed a BBQ each night and gazed upon the spectacular stars wishing that our stay could be pro-longed just a little longer so that we could luxuriate in this other world. 

Farm Workers and  Old/New Machinery at Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages

If you are looking for a place to unplug and unwind, I would definitely recommend a visit to Good Hope Farm and Guest Cottages. 

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WORDS TO INSPIRE A SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN

H A L L O W E E N

Words to Inspire a Spooktacular Halloween is Part V in the series of Words to Inspire.

Halloween is traditionally celebrated on the eve of All Hallows Day, 31 October, commemorating the Saints, Martyrs and dearly departed. Nowadays, though it has become commercialised and is celebrated with party activities, such a trick or treat, dress-up, carving pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns, telling spooky stories, etc.

"Double, double toil and trouble; 
Fire burn and cauldron bubble." 
~ Shakespeare: MacBeth

"It's as much fun to Scare

as to be scared." 

~ Vincent Price

"Shadows of a thousand years

 Rise again unseen, 

Voices whisper in the trees,

Tonight is

HALLOWEEN."

~ Dexter Kozen 

"By the pricking of my thumbs,

something wicked this way comes."

~ W. Shakespeare 

Here is a Print to inspire a Spooktacular Halloween Party 

or 

use the words to inspire your own Halloween craft creations. 

WORDS TO INSPIRE A SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN

This Poster is available in PDF and is FREE to download and print, here.  

You are welcome to share it, however you may not sell it.

Part I: Words to Inspire Your Spring Creations

Part II : Words to Inspire Autumn Craft Creations

Part III: Words to Inspire for World Teachers' Day

Part IV: Words to Inspire Food Creations

Prints, Note Cards and Gift Tags for Halloween

 are available from TheArtOfCreativityCo Online Store

WORDS TO INSPIRE FOOD CREATIONS

YOU'RE INVITED TO COME DINE WITH ME

We are Cooking up a Storm in Part IV in the Series of Words to Inspire Craft Creations.

Tempt your sweet tooth as we whip up some sugar and spice and all things nice in Grandma's Kitchen, the heart of our home.

Don't forget to take the cake out of the oven as you pour a glass of red, red wine and set the table with our best China, long-stemmed crystal glasses, dinner candles and bouquet of flowers, as we set the mood for fine dining, the Master Chef way.

This will not be a slap-up meal, oh No! We will use a dash of this and a splash of that; secret blend of herbs and spices; parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, using only the best ingredients to enhance the flavours.

Are you ready to experience Love at first bite? Be seated as Dinner is Ready! Bon appetite!

"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food." ~ WC Fields

"All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast." ~ John Gunther

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie. ~ Tim Davis

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." ~ Virginia Woolf

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating." ~ Luciano Pavarotti

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert car." ~ Erma Bombeck

When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste." ~ Laiko Bahrs

This weeks WORDS TO INSPIRE Food Creations, is available here:

WORDS TO INSPIRE FOOD CREATIONS

This Poster is available in PDF and is FREE to download and print, here.  

You are welcome to share it, however you may not sell it.

Part I: Words to Inspire Your Spring Creations

Part II : Words to Inspire Autumn Craft Creations

Part III: Words to Inspire for World Teachers' Day

PRINTS AVAILABLE FROM

TheArtOfCreativityCo Online Store

WORDS TO INSPIRE FOR WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

In celebration of World Teachers' Day on the 5th of October, I have created Part III  in the Series of Words to Inspire Craft Creations.

World Teachers' Day was proclaimed by UNESCO on the 5th of October 1994 and is celebrated around the world, however, some countries do celebrate this special day on other days throughout the year. World Teachers' Day was created to show appreciation to all Teachers for their contribution in the important role they play in the development of our children.

Here are some quotes which I used to celebrate Teachers around the World:

"It Takes a Big Heart to Help Shape Little Minds."

"Teaching; The Profession that Creates all other Professions." ~ Anon

I'm Changing the World, One Day at a Time; I TEACH!

"Tell me and I Forget, Teach Me and I Remember, Involve Me and I Learn." ~ B.Franklin

The Best Teachers Teach from the Heart, not from the Book."

"A Teacher Affects Eternity; She can Never tell where her Influence Stops." ~ Henry B Adams

WORDS TO INSPIRE FOR WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

Prints & Cards for Teachers are available from TheArtOfCreativityCo Online Store

This Poster is available in PDF and is FREE to download and print, here.  

You are welcome to share it, however you may not sell it.

Part I: Words to Inspire Your Spring Creations

Part II : Words to Inspire Autumn Craft Creations

PS> Keep a look out for my Newsletter, The Art of Creativity Studio Club!
        Subscriptions will be available soon.
        Gain access to free resources, discount codes, new product releases and so much more.

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WORDS TO INSPIRE AUTUMN CRAFT CREATIONS

AUTUMN'S POTPOURRI OF COLOURS

This is Part II in the Series of Words to Inspire Craft Creations and we are taking a look at Autumn's Potpourri of Colourful Words.  As I created Part I, Spring Has Sprung for those of us living in the Southern Hemisphere, I thought it only fitting to create Autumn's Potpourri of Colours for the Northern Hemisphere. 

How splendidly do these words from stories, describe a crisp Autumn day? 

"It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler of crust of brown sugar and cinnamon."

 - Sarah Allen, First Frost.

"Fall has always been my favourite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale."

 - Lauren DeStefan, Wither. 

"Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple."

 - J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

These delightful words just lend themselves to creating the most splendid of Autumn creations or if you're short on time then pop on over to my Etsy Online Store: TheArtOfCreativityCo, to purchase your Halloween Cards, Prints or Gift Tags. 

WORDS TO INSPIRE AUTUMN CRAFT CREATIONS

This Poster is available in PDF and is FREE to download and print, here.  You are welcome to share it, however you may not sell it.

PS> Keep a look out for my Newsletter, which will be available to subscribe to soon, where I will be offering free resources, discount codes, keeping you up-to-date with what's new in my Online Store: TheArtOfCreativityCo, and such much more. 

WORDS TO INSPIRE YOUR SPRING CREATIONS

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Writer's have writer's block, but creative entrepreneurs can also experience a lack of inspiration.  This is Part 1 of the series of Words to Inspire you for Craft Creations. We will look at inspiring words that will help to kick-start those creative juices.  Use them in your craft creations or use them as inspiration to begin a new project. As it is Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, we will begin with my favourite time of the year, which signifies new beginnings.

Words to Inspire your Spring Creations

This Poster is available in PDF and is FREE to download and print, here.  You are welcome to share it, however you may not sell it. 

WHAT IS A #HASHTAG?

#HASHTAG #INSTAGRAM #THEARTOFCREATIVITYSTUDIO

#theartofcreativitystudio

A #hashtag is used primarily on social media networks for users to find a specific category. The hash character #, also known as the pound sign or number sign is placed in front of a phrase or keyword. A #hashtag would therefore be a way to mark something as belonging to that specific content. These #hashtags are archived in search engines with that phrase/keywork making it easy for users to find that specific content. 

The first #hashtag was used by Chris Messina on Twitter in August 2007 and subsequently the #hashtag became popular on that social media platform. It was not long after that, that many other Social Media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr and Google+ adopted the #hashtag. I will, however highlight the use of the #hashtag on Instagram.

#theartofcreativitystudio

Most users will use #hashtags so as to include their images/keywords into that specific search content, allowing people to easily click on that specific #hashtag and search for their work. For example, if you Google search for #theartofcreativitystudio you will find all the images that I have #hashtagged with that phrase, i.e., my brand. It is important that there are no spaces in-between the words otherwise it will only #hashtag the word next to it or not # hashtag if there is a space.  

It is important to use #hashtags which relate to your business, products and target audience. You do not want your brand to be associated with #hashtags that will tarnish your brand.  The best would be to search the #hashtag that you are wanting to use, before you use it in your post, allowing you to check that it is an acceptable #hashtag.  The use of #hashtags within your brand will certainly help you to increase your followers. 

The number of #hashtags used is a personal choice and dependant on the image posted, however, a good rule of thumb is probably between 6 to 8, to keep it consistent and to engage with your desired followers. Followers will be searching specific #keywords and #trendinghashtags. These followers will hopefully turn into loyal customers, purchasing your products and following you on all your social platforms.  

Do note that in order to #hashtag your business you do need to set up an account on Instagram.  It is important to be consistent with all your branding and to use the same business name throughout all your social media platforms.  This makes it easier for your followers/customers to search for you. A specific #hashtag can only be associated with your brand if you use a unique business name such as I have done, #theartofcreativitystudio.  If you are struggling with a Brand Name which is already taken, add another word to your brand to make it unique, such as Studio or Co. 

Also note that #hashtagging a #brand and #hashtagging a #keyword will associate your brand accordingly. Therefore if you #brandname or #keyword your image/product/brand will show within that #search. Generally, a #brandname will have an @brandname associated with it. The @ (at sign) is when you Tag someone or a business, it is not the same as a #hashtag, this is my @theartofcreativitystudio and is unique to my brand on Instagram and on Facebook. 

Create a list of #hashtags you frequently use. Click here to find out which are some of the #hashtags I use with my Instagram Account: @theartofcreativitystudio

Which hashtags do you use?

Sign-up to receive my monthly Newsletter and keep up-to-date with new products, subscriber discounts and a free monthly downloadable print. 

Pssst....MY WEBSITE IS LIVE

THE ART OF CREATIVITY STUDIO WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE

www.theartofcreativitystudio.com

What an exciting 2 weeks ;-) this has been.  Last week my Etsy Online Store: TheArtOfCreativityCo was launched and on the 1st of September 2016, my Website The Art of Creativity Studio went live.

Now with no background knowledge on Web-design or Graphic Design for that matter, I think that I have succeeded in producing a pretty awesome Website all by myself (pats on the back).

Afrihost registered my domain, is hosting my site and helped me with the initial set-up.  The rest was up to me and it was so simple to put together.  If you can write a blog, you can set-up a Website with Afrihost, it's that easy. Don't be intimidated by the back-end of building your website, it's just like writing a word document or blog post.  Really, there is no need to ask someone else to build your website over which you have very little control. At least with Afrihost's website builder, you are in control and therefore can change anything at anytime with a click of a button.  And, the best part, is that you only pay a monthly fee and can cancel at anytime (should you need to).  There is no contract involved and no major expense of someone else setting it up for you.  Afrihost offer have various packages and you can even upgrade or downgrade for that matter, so definitely a package to suit everyones needs.  In addition, you get a few hours of help included (should you need that) and a few hundred email addresses to setup in accordance to your website domain name.  All of this really does help you look more professional.  Pop on over to my site and see for yourself.

Sign up to our Monthly Newsletter and receive FREE posters each month and read the latest news from our Studio.

MY Etsy ONLINE STORE: TheArtOfCreativityCo

I'm so excited to share that my

 Etsy Online Store : TheArtOfCreativityCo, 

is now OPEN. 

You can visit TheArtOfCreativityCo here, and purchase beautiful unique handcrafted cards and tags for any occasion, as well as posters and mixed media for the home, office or school.  New products will be continuously added, so don't forget to check back for more goodies. 

TheArtOfCreativityCo Online Store is Now Open

As an Opening Special, I would like to offer you a 10% discount on the purchase of TheArtOfCreativityCo items.  Use PROMOBG916 upon checkout to avail of this offer.

Can't find that perfect gift, I've got that covered too. Gift certificates/coupons are available to download.  Send me your friend's name, email address and a short message and I will email the gift certificate/coupon to your friend.

The Art of Creativity Studio Gift Certificates

I look forward to you stopping by and shopping at my Etsy Online Shop:TheArtOfCreativityCo.
Your reviews would be greatly appreciated on my Facebook Page or on My Etsy Online Store.