Postage Sale on Zazzle!

Face Value Postage Sale! - $8.80 off each sheet of $0.44 US postage stamps!
Use code: JULYPOSTDEAL
Through July 14, 2010 at 11:59pm PT.
Many of my images on Zazzle are available as postage stamps.

Most popular postage includes:

Mr. Cat Portrait


---------------------------
Painted Beauty Cosmos


---------------------------
Raccoon Baby


------------------------------------------------------
Newest Postage:

Dwarf Irises


---------------------------
Iris Splendor


---------------------------
Purple Beauty


---------------------------
Harmony (trillium)


---------------------------
Viola postage should be approved before the end of the sale. (submitted July 11)
Seen here as postcard


---------------------------
You can find all other postage and products at kerstitch on Zazzle

---------------------------------------------------
* $8.80 discount applies to one or more sheets of $0.44 Zazzle Custom Stamps. Enter promo code JULYPOSTDEAL at checkout to receive the discount. Offer is valid from July 12, 2010 through July 14, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

Zazzle Independence Day Weekend Sale

Independence Day Sale
17.76% OFF All Orders through July 5, 2010 at 11:59pm PDT!
Use Code: ZAZZLEUSAUSA
-----------------------------------------

KerStitch Designs Products on Zazzle
Best selling image is Raccoon Baby:
Shown here on a postcard. Also available on greeting/note cards, magnets, stickers, postage stamp, buttons, mug, mousepad and keychain.

--------------------

Dwarf Irises
Shown on Mousepad. Also available as greeting/note cards, postage stamps, buttons and magnets.

--------------------

Mr. Cat Portrait
Shown on Mug. Also available as postage stamps, stationery, greeting/note cards, mousepad, magnets, keychain and buttons.

-----------------------------------------

As alsways, please let me know if you want any Zazzle products made with any other images seen on my FB fanpage: www.facebook.com/kerstitch or photography on my kerstitch.com site.
-----------------------------------------

Here are more products from my favourite Zazzle sellers. You can find these, and more, any time in My FB Merch Store. Many of the artists also have the same images on multiple products so follow these links to check them out!
-----------------------------------------

Take Out Tote by madsahara

-----------------------------------------

Sweet Demon Stationery by elvenstarart

-----------------------------------------

Best Friends Binder by Elfies-World

-----------------------------------------

Fairy Princess Kiss Frog Mug by artfulcolours

-----------------------------------------

Color Me Tee by katherinerosebarber

-----------------------------------------

Ankh the Dream Giver Poster by acorncupcake

-----------------------------------------

Butterfly Thank You Card by Catchthemoon

-----------------------------------------

* 17.76% of the net sale price will be deducted when the coupon code ZAZZLEUSAUSA is applied at checkout. For most products, the net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). For Zazzle Custom Stamps, the net sale price is the difference between the price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and the face value of the postage. Offer is valid from July 1, 2010 through July 5, 2010 at 11:59pm PDT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

June Sketch Fest

June Sketch Fest

What was it?

Ellen Million and some other fantasy artists started Sketch Fests for fantasy artists earlier this year. In short, artists all over the world get together at the same time and have one hour maximum to work on each sketch. Sketches are based on "prompts", ideas or titles in any form, submitted by other artists, or anyone else who wants to provide them.

Ellen's Livejournal Community where you can look at past events, and, hopefully, see info. for future ones: http://community.livejournal.com/emglivejournal

The June one, was the 3rd one and the first I participated in and, IIRC, the first that went a full 24 hours so all time zones had equal participation.
Here is that specific one: http://community.livejournal.com/emglivejournal/4323.html?thread=1#t391395

It is a bit confusing to follow once it gets started. If you want to just see most of the sketches artists completed and posted from the event, they are all here: http://hotlink.ellenmilliongraphics.com/sketchfest/sketchfestwall.php

------------------------
My Goals

I was supposed to write these out ahead of time, but I didn't get a chance. I didn't know if I'd be up to participating, but I did have these goals in mind.

1) To just get started sketching. I've been only doing a very little this year so far even though I really want to work harder at my art skills.

2) To see if I could be inspired by prompts from other people.

3) To see if I could work productively in 20 min blocks, paying attention to a timer, so I didn't stress out my neck, arms and hands so much.

4) To see if the new desk set up in my office is good for sketching/painting like I hoped it would be.

5) To complete at least one sketch that I wouldn't be embarrassed to put up on a group like this.

------------------------
Self-Assessment

All goals met! Yay! :)

I found that breaking the hour into 20min blocks worked well for me. The first 20min was about the right amount of time for me compose something and get the main outlines/spacing down. Then I could take a good rest before continuing. I did not take much of a break between the last 2 blocks of time. By then I was more into it and didn't want to be interrupted so much. But I did at least stop and stretch for a few min. It was successful in creating less stress for my body. :)

------------------------
What did I do?

I finished 2 sketches!

Prompt: Horse-Spider Hybrid


I decided to go with a more horse, than spider version and avoid the obvious (in my mind) eight spider legs that I thought others might do. It didn't work out quite as well as I hoped, but I'm pretty happy with it overall since I haven't done "hybrid" type things or much making up anatomy in general. If I were to do it again, I would definitely make some changes.

------------
Prompt: Heart of a Lion

Lion reference used.

I had 3 very different interpretations for this - two cute, one gory. I went with the one that I could find a reference photo for the quickest.

(I did not include reference photo searches in my 1 hour time limit. I'm not sure if I was supposed to or not, but with my Internet connection it wouldn't work. It can take me quite a while just to get a couple pages loaded to see them. But I still went with the spirit of "be quick" and didn't spend a lot of page views on looking for that "perfect" reference.)

I may work on this one more for a finished piece - and maybe the other interpretations too. I like cats of all sizes. :)

------------------------
Future Goals

I hope to continue participating in more Sketch Fests.

1) To improve my sketching and art skills in general.
2) To create more things that I'll like enough to take to a finished work.
3) To create work that others like enough that I'll feel comfortable asking for sponsors or donations to finish pieces for others, and/or that I can put up for sale on DA, Zazzle etc.. (after finishing the work later, if needed)

I'll post anything on my Facebook Fanpage as I complete it. :)

Prints at Bakery in Western, MA, USA

I'm thrilled to say that I have some prints up for display/sale at a bakery in Turners Falls, MA:

Updated June 2010: The show is now over at the bakery. Prints are still available for purchase. Contact me, if interested.

Kerrie with her prints, January 2010.


------------------


Kerrie's wall of prints, January 2010.

50% Off Cards!

Zazzle "12 Deals of Christmas" has begun!



50% off 10 or more Greeting Cards, Note Cards, Photocards and Invitations through to December 6, 2009 at 11:59pm PT
Use Code: 12DEALSCARDS

You can order a variety of cards to make up your 10 for the sale as long as they are the same basic product type. Put a collection together for a card pack gift item or buy a variety for all your card needs through the year!


KerStitch Designs' selection of greeting cards/note cards

Here you'll find some winter scenes, flowers, a baby raccoon and a tiger. I'm constantly adding to the list as I get time! Let me know if you want any of these as invites/square cards, and I'll get those up ASAP.

Remember, you can customize these by adding your own text to the front or inside to make them into any kind of card you want - holiday, birthday, sympathy, thinking-of-you, get well, humorous, party or wedding invitations - whatever you can think of! (you can also remove the text on the front of my cards to customize to your own text)

If you are also on FB and want a bigger selection, check out my favourite Zazzle artists and photographers on my Merch store

-----------------------------------------------
* 50% of the net greeting card, note card, photo card, and invitation sale price will be deducted when 10 or more of a single product type is purchased and the coupon code 12DEALSCARDS is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer is valid from December 3, 2009 at 12:01am PT through December 6, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

Calendar Sales and Comparisons

DA and Zazzle calendars

Both the 2010 Waterscapes and Flowers calendars are available at deviantART.com and zazzle.com.

DeviantART.com is having a special - 20% off calendars until Dec 5,
Regular $19.95 US, on sale for $15.96 US

KerStitch Calendars on DA

---------------------

Zazzle is have a great calendar sale at 44.4% off until December 10!
Use Promo code CALENDARS998

KerStitch on Zazzle

Calendars regular price $17.95 to $18.95 US, sale prices starting at $9.98 US

---------------------
$9.98 calendar price is based on a 44.4% discount on small single page 12 month calendars with a starting value of $17.95. For all other calendars, 44.4% of the net calendar sale price will be deducted when the coupon code CALENDARS998 is applied at checkout. Offer is valid from November 16, 2009 through December 10, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
---------------------

Open calendars:


The Zazzle calendars have a shinier finish. The DA calendars are printed on much thicker paper and are better suited for framing as prints at the end of the year. It's a great way to get 12 prints of this size!

If you are on facebook, you can also check out My Merch Store for my favourite Zazzle artists and photographers. Many of them have their own calendars too!

Zazzle Black Friday Sale Has Begun!

Zazzle's Black Friday sale has started and continues for a little over 24 hours from now: http://www.zazzle.com/blackfriday

Use Promo code: ZAZZLEFRIDAY

40% off calendars
30% off mousepads
55% off cards
$3 off of mugs
and more!

Free Shipping in US on orders over $35 US!

As always, see KerStitch products at:
http://www.zazzle.com/kerstitch*

--------------------
Dollar discounts and percentage discounts will be applied to the net sale price at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product excluding shipping and taxes. To qualify for free shipping, one or more Zazzle products must be purchased with a net sale price equal to or greater than 35.00 dollars. Shipping offer is for standard (or economy if standard is not available) shipping to U.S. addresses only. Shipping charges will apply to orders being shipped on an expedited basis or outside the U.S. Offer is valid from November 26, 2009 at 3:00pm PT through November 27, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. The coupon code ZAZZLEFRIDAY must be entered during checkout to receive the offer. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

Zazzle Postage Sale

Thanksgiving Postage Sale! $5 OFF 44¢ postage sheets!
Use code: ZAZZLESTAMPS

Several KerStitch images are available as US postage on Zazzle. You can choose small, medium or large sized stamps and a variety of denominations are available with a drop-down menu. Note, that this special is only available on the sheets with 44¢ stamps.

KerStitch Stamps are seen here:
http://www.zazzle.com/kerstitch/stamps#products

Some samples:








Tip: I've noticed that when selecting a different size, the product preview does not always fill in the image to new frame size on the stamp. To correct, go to "Customize" and then "Postage Options". You may have to go back and forth between a couple to make it work. You may also have to select the "+" or "-" with the magnifier in the "Customize It" area to change the image size.

------------------------------------
* $5 discount applies to any number of sheets of twenty Zazzle Custom Stamps with a denomination of 44 cents. Enter promo code ZAZZLESTAMPS at checkout to receive discount. Offer is valid from November 23, 2009 at 12:01am PT through November 26, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. Your order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special offer. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

New Product Wish List?

I had a little mishap last weekend on some slippery Fall leaves. The good news is that my wrist isn't broken. The bad news is that after a week, my dr. can still feel that the tendon is swollen. This is the wrist that is most affected by the nerve damage from a car accident years ago, so it is very difficult for me to trust my own body's feedback. Pain in my hand can come anywhere from my neck down. And sensations get altered or go missing altogether.

Dr. recommends to keep doing what I've been doing - gentle stretches for flexibility, ice and rest for who knows how long. So, looks like I'm not going to be drawing and painting ACEO's for friends and family for Christmas gifts as planned. I only got 1.5 finished before this injury. Those were going to be a surprise with some of them showing up on Zazzle products in the New Year. Oh well.

However, that means, I can get back to working on photography products. That is always my fall-back when I can't use my hands for the other things. :)

So far I've been concentrating on only a few Zazzle.com products just to get some things up quickly: cards (greeting, note and postcards), buttons, magnets, stickers, keychains, mousepads, US stamps, and of course the two 2010 calendars.

I'd appreciate any feedback on what else you would like to see. Please tell me your first and second choice for the following Zazzle items.

a) mini-bookmarks (1"x3" - actually a Zazzle business card option, but many sellers use for bookmarks)
b) stationery
c) invitations
d) larger bookmark (approx. 1.5"x7" - 2 on a greeting card that you then cut out yourself)
e) mugs/drinkware

As always, you can see my current Zazzle offerings at: http://www.zazzle.com/kerstitch*

Have a great weekend everyone!
Ker

$9.98 Calendars

Zazzle is having a 1-week calendar sale. 44.4% off! That means calendars start at $9.98 US for the small, single-page calendar. Regular value of $17.95 US. These make great gifts at this price!

Use coupon code CALENDARS998.

KerStitch calendars are available in the small singe-page or two-page verisons:

2010 Flowers:
Single-page:


2-page:


2010 Waterscapes:

Single-page:


2-page:



Some of my favourite artists' calendars (may or may not start at $9.98, but all 44.4% off):
Jasmine Becket Griffith 2010 Gothic Fairy Calendar
Katerina Art Fairy Fantasy Calendar
Katerina Art Mermaid Calendar
Meredith Dillman Fantasy Calendar

----------------------

* $9.98 calendar price is based on a 44.4% discount on small single page 12 month calendars with a starting value of $17.95. For all other calendars, 44.4% of the net calendar sale price will be deducted when the coupon code CALENDARS998 is applied at checkout. Offer is valid from November 16, 2009 12:01am PT through November 23, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

Cards! Cards! Cards!

Greetings card and note cards to use yourself or buy as gifts. It is a great time to stock up for your card sending needs throughout the year, from holiday cards, to birthday, thinking-of-you, get well and sympathy cards! Whatever you can think of! DeviantART and Zazzle will have them all.

--------------------

DeviantART

deviantART.com is having a 30% off sale on greeting cards starting today, Friday, November 13 and lasting a week. They are available in boxes of 10 or 25 of 5"x7" glossy cards.

Many of Kerrie's images are available as cards:
http://kerstitch.deviantart.com/prints/ and then select "Greeting Cards" on the product list to see image choices.

Some images are full-bleed and others have borders to prevent cropping of the images. See the preview for greeting cards to see image as sized for the product. If you would like a border added or removed just let me know!

Just some of the selection:
Magic by the Lake
Sunset at Jenkin's Creek
Trillium

--------------------

Zazzle

Zazzle has bulk discounts for their customizable greeting cards and note cards. Order 1 to 1000! :) Bulk discounts apply to card size, not image, so you can choose a variety of images, add different text on every card if you like, and still get the discount if you order 10 or more cards! Get together with a friend and order a variety cards for use throughout the year!

Kerrie's selection of cards are at:
http://www.zazzle.com/kerstitch* then select "View all products" on the left" and a drop down menu will appear above the products where you can select "Cards".

Some examples:

Winter Falls

Tiger

Baby Raccoon

I don't yet have all the images seen on deviantART added to my Zazzle shop. If you would rather get something on Zazzle just let me know and I will create it ASAP.

Remember on Zazzle you can purchase the cards as-is, or add your own text to the front or inside to create your own unique card! Font, colour and position of text is also up to you!

Greeting cards are 5"x7" and note cards are 4"x5.6" with gloss finish. A box comes with orders of 10 or more.

Bulk discount as follows:
10-19 cards save 12%/17% (note/greeting)
20-49 cards save 32%/41% (note/greeting)
50-99 cards save 36%/44% (note/greeting)
100-499 cards save 40%/47% (note/greeting)
etc.

Free Worldwide Shipping!

From deviantART:

We know. Shipping fees suck. That's why to celebrate the launch of our brand new Prints Shop, we're getting rid of shipping fees on ALL PRINTS PRODUCTS for FIVE WHOLE DAYS.

Yup! Free economy shipping - worldwide.

Don't miss out on what might be a one-time only offer!

Sale ends Tuesday, October 27th at 11:59pm PST.
---------------------------------------

I've certainly never seen them offer this deal before.

Check out my prints and merchandise at:
http://kerstitch.deviantart.com/prints/

I offer 2010 calendars, greeting cards, photo prints (most up to about 8"x10"), mouse pads, black or white mugs, coasters, postcards and magnets.

As always, if I don't have an image on a product you want, e-mail me and I'll see if I can do it. This goes for customizations as well. These will take priority through this great sale!

I plan to offer some flower groupings in larger size formats. If you are interested in this, let me know what your favourite flowers would be for a group of 3, 4, 6 or 9.
--------------------------------------
Examples of your savings!

2010 Calendar to the USA
Regular shipping: $6.31
Now: FREE

15oz Mug to Canada
Regular shipping: $7.88
Now: FREE

This offer is for orders placed on deviantart.com only.

Columbus Weekend Sale

Zazzle.com is having a "Sale the Ocean Blue" sale in honour of Columbus Day. 14.92% off all orders

Use Code: 1492COLUMBUS

* 14.92% of the net sale price will be deducted when the coupon code 1492COLUMBUS is applied at checkout. For most products, the net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). For Zazzle Custom Stamps, the net sale price is the difference between the price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and the face value of the postage. Offer is valid from October 9, 2009 at 12:01am PT through October 12, 2009 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

My Calendars:

Waterscapes 2010 Calendar by kerstitch
Make your own full color calendars online at zazzle

Flowers 2010 Calendar, Single Page by kerstitch
See other Flower Calendars

And other KerStitch Products at: http://www.zazzle.com/kerstitch*

Waterscapes Calendar

My 2nd 2010 Calendar is now up for sale on Zazzle:

Single-page style:




Two-page style (yes a different cover):



The info. on the Flowers 2010 calendar is in my previous entry. It is now available both on Zazzle and deviantART. I still have to do the deviantART version for the Waterscapes.

As always, I'm willing to do customizations for the calendar format, remove US holidays, or even make the months fit more of a S. Hemisphere season change, if someone really wants that.

And, as with the Flowers calendar, at least 2 images will be exclusive to the calendar through 2010, so let me know if you want something on another product before I make the decision, if you want something before 2011. :)

Flower Calendar Now On Zazzle

My very first calendar is available for sale! The small size is on Zazzle. Images are 7x5.5" and the total open calendar is 7x11".

2-page version:

Flowers 2010 Calendar by kerstitch
make a calendar with zazzle.com

Single page version:

Flowers 2010 Calendar, Single Page by kerstitch
See other Flower Calendars

Zazzle also offers Canadian, UK (choice of sterling pound or euro) and Australian sites for your convenience! These sites are in your own currency and already include taxes and duties.

Canadian
2-page Flowers Calendar
Single-page Flowers Calendar

UK
2-page Flowers Calendar
Single-page Flowers Calendar

Australian
2-page Flowers Calendar
Single-page Flowers Calendar

See image of the back of the calendar with thumbnails of all the flower images in my previous blog post: Flowers Calendar

A standard 11x8.5" size calendar will also be available at KerStitch on deviantART.com next week.

Flower Calendar

I've been busy working on some more photography this month.

I plan to have at least two calendars to release in September The first is ready for upload once deviantART changes to 2010 format in Sept.

Flowers
Back cover preview:


I will be making calendars and products with the individual images at both my stores:
KerStitch on deviantART
and
KerStitch on Zazzle

Please let me know what you would like to see! At least 2 images will be exclusive to the calendar through 2010, but I haven't decided which ones yet So if you want a product get in your request, so you don't have to wait until 2011. :)

My 2nd calendar will be waterscapes from S. Ontario, Canada and FL, USA. There may be another calendar that combines my flower photos with a friend's poetry. I really hope something works out there for some unique products!

Wow!

Great work and brave artist!
Amazing artwork done with ballpoint

Taking Photos

I happened to notice that the light was perfect to take flower photos yesterday. I ended up taking 423 during an hour around my yard and my next door neighbours'. I don't have anything to post yet, but at least a few turned out good enough for printing and will be for sale eventually. :)

Drawing Again

Well, I'm both tired and excited after drawing for a couple of hours Saturday and Sunday. I've been wanting so badly to get back into drawing and painting and really learn how to draw human figures, since I've never really did do that back in high school. Now, with access to sites like www.deviantart.com and a Rogers Rocket stick so I can actually browse stock without pulling my hair out, I've finally made the leap.

A competition notice inspired me to start drawing *something*. I did a very rough conceptual sketch while waiting in the car at a grocery store. lol Then, after finding some stock that conveyed a similar idea, I worked on a detailed figure drawing. Still somewhat rough, since I'm still deciding on components etc. and I'm so out of practice, I will sketch everything separately before making a final pencil drawing. Then, if I still have the energy, I will try a colour version - probably watercolour.

I am relatively happy with how the figure turned out though! I compiled 3 different stock sources, so I'm not sure some of it flows quite correctly, but for a first art nude drawing, I am quite happy. I won't post it here yet though since it is for a competition. If I end up using it in a finished piece, I'll ask for permission to post the different stages here. I'm not sure how stock permission works when you've used 3 different model references to make up one person.

I expect I will have a much tougher time with a coloured version since my watercolour skills are at a very beginner level. I've watched a lot of shows and read a lot of books about doing it, but don't have the real-world practice. I think it is easier on my hands than coloured pencils though, which is really my only other option with the supplies I have.

I'll have to see what turns out for my entry. Hopefully, I can complete it on time. I do better when I have a set date to work towards at least.

I've been getting more products up on http://www.zazzle.com/kerstitch* , include customizable cards. Some are already set up for "Happy Mother's Day", but you can change the text to whatever you like!

Trout Lilies Card, Happy Mother's Day Card by kerstitch
Make a custom notecard On www.Zazzle.com
See more Nature Landscapes Cards

First Sale: A little over one day left for Zazzle's Tax Day sale. Ends Wednesday the 15th, 11:59pm PDT

Details from Zazzle:

Use code TAXDAYZAZZLE during checkout*.


*10.40% of the net sale price will be deducted when the coupon code
TAXDAYZAZZLE is applied at checkout. For most products, the net sale
price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). For
Zazzle Custom Stamps, the net sale price is the difference between the
price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and
the face value of the postage. Offer is valid from April 13, 2009
through April 15, 2009 at 11:59pm PDT. This offer does not apply to
past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle
promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only and is
not valid on Smilestore.com orders.

--------------------------------

Second Sale: I now have several of my photos available as postage stamps for US residents. Get the new postage for old postage prices until May 24th.

Details from Zazzle:

Use code NEWPOSTRATES during checkout*.


*$1 discount applies to orders of any number of sheets of twenty Zazzle
Custom Stamps with a denomination of 44 cents (typically $17.95 for
small, $18.95 for medium, and $19.95 for large per sheet) when the
coupon code NEWPOSTRATES is applied at checkout. Offer is valid from
April 7, 2009 at 12:01am through May 24, 2009 at 11:59pm PDT. Your
order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special
promotional pricing offer. This offer does not apply to past purchases
and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount
offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only and is not valid on
Smilestore.com or Zazzle.co.uk orders.

-------------------------


As always, I'd appreciate feedback on products, images, themes etc you would like to see!