2015 Desktop Wallpaper Freebie!

It is already 2015, so that means new calendars!  Since last year's 2014 Computer Desktop Wallpaper download was so popular, I wanted to share my new version with you all.

Also, if you like this design, make sure to head to this post to download the iPhone wallpaper below!

Same as last year, there are two versions for you to choose from.


This first version, is completely centered in the screen as shown below.  (I know the 2014 calendar is pictured, but the download link is correct!)

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2015 iPhone Wallpaper Freebie!

After last year's popular 2014 iPhone Wallpaper download, I thought I would whip up a new version since it was so popular!

I updated the screen size to work with the new iPhone 6, but hopefully it will work with other screen sizes.  Also, if you like this design, make sure to head to this post to download the computer desktop wallpaper below!

Without further ado, here is your download link!

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Where Are They Now? Calendar of Upcoming Shows with Past Shop Small Saturday Showcase Features!

Wow, this is my longest post title ever!

You might be expecting a new Shop Small Saturday Showcase feature, but I wanted to do something a bit different.

Well, I headed to Artisanal LA last weekend and mentioned that I would be seeing both Moxxie Essential Care and Pernicious Pickling Co.!  I always love saying hello to my friends and getting updates on new products and life in general.  In fact, Maxi has new room sprays, and Pernicious Pickling Co. has some spicy new pickles that are amazing!

So today, I am headed to Unique LA as I mentioned in this post, and I have sooo many friends to meet up with.  I am super excited about it, and I hope some of you can come!  Anyways, that brings me to the subject of today's post!

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2014 iPhone Wallpaper - A Chalkboard Calendar!

Hello again!

You might remember my popular 2014 Computer Desktop Chalkboard Calendar from last month!  I really love it and I heard some great feedback from some of you too.  Thanks!

Well, I was almost a month into 2014 when I realized that I still had my 2013 wallpaper on my iPhone.  How silly!  I whipped this up and I would love to share it with you now.  It may work with other phones too, so definitely download it and see if it works for you.  The download link is located below, and I hope you enjoy it.  :)

Just so you know, I designed this to be my lock screen, so if I need to check on a date quickly, I can just click my power button quickly for reference without having to open up the calendar app.  That will explain why there is some "blank space" above and below the calendar.  Those spaces are where the time and unlock button are located.

And yes, I realize that I just got a new phone, which I mentioned in this post, but I'm adjusting the measurements to fit it.  Yay!

Without further ado, here is your download link!

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2014 Computer Desktop Wallpaper Download - A Chalkboard Calendar!

I am really, really, really excited about this computer desktop wallpaper!  Why?  Well, I mentioned in these two posts that I have a new computer.  Woo!  Since getting it, I have been customizing absolutely everything, and I am about 95% done.  Yay!

Anyways, it was January 2nd, and I realized that I still had my 2013 wallpaper up, which would not normally matter, except that I like having a calendar on my desktop background for quick reference.  I was inspired by a chalkboard calendar, and although it is completely different, I love my final product.  In fact, I think it's pretty awesome, so I'm sharing it with you all!

Scroll down to download either version, and I hope you enjoy it!  :)

Now, this may be a funny thing to share with you, but I'm a little bit of a nut!  I thought it would be interesting to share a couple of my past desktop wallpapers so you understand what I was looking to create.

These four desktops are ones that I used from years ago, before I learned how to photoshop.  Obviously a bit vintage and retro-flavored, and super cute!

Pic 1 source
Pic 2 Source unknown:  Let me know if this is your image!
Pic 3 source
Pic 4 Source unknown: Let me know if this is your image!

Then, I decided that I wanted something that would help me be more organized.  The month calendar was okay, but annoying to switch up every month.  That's when I ended up using a 2012 calendar that I downloaded.  For 2013, I could not find a similar calendar, so I customized a more fun calendar.  It was great, but there was one tweak I wanted to implement.  Whenever I had a few icons on my desktop, they would end up blocking parts of the calendar.  How annoying!  In fact, that is why I almost considered this organizing wallpaper, which helps to sort through icons...

Pic 1 Source, Pic 2 Source (no longer available), Pic 3: By me!, Pic 4 Source

With all of this in mind, this is what I whipped up in Photoshop!  Yay!  I am loving the chalkboard look, and it is still cute and vintage-y while being practical.  It makes me happy whenever I need to take a peek at the date.  :)

This is the first version, which is completely centered in the screen.

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2014 Planner & Free Blog Calendar Printable!

Just after the new year (and this blog) started, I shared with you my plans to make an organized planner.  Maybe not so exciting for some, but I love being organized.  :)  I put all of my ideas into action, and then I shared with you the finished product.  Yay!  It was my first attempt, so after 6 months passed, I decided that I my plan was in for a makeover and I shared a blog calendar as well.

So that was last year, and now I am on to this year.  First off, I am getting started early!  Yes, we have nearly 3 weeks left in 2013, but those plans in January and beyond have been piling up already!  :)  I made a few changes to my weekly checklist, which I did not share before, but for the most part everything has been working well for the rest of 2013!

Also, if you are interested, I am sharing both my regular monthly calendar AND my blog calendar as free printables.  Stay tuned for that at the end of the post!

What worked in 2013:

• The pretty vinyl design on the cover!  I still love it and it stayed pretty much intact, minus a couple of tiny dots on the damask pattern.  I just switched out the 3 for a 4 using my Silhouette, and I am ready to go!
• After revamping, the divided sections have worked out just right.
• My customized Monthly Calendar was perfect!  I did not like the included calendar, so this was a great addition.  My 2014 version is below for you to download.
• The quick Blog Calendar is exactly what I needed for jotting down scheduled posts in advance.  The download is below!

What did not work:

• My pre-printed Weekly To Do Checklist half-sheet was much too tiny and hard to read.
• My Monthly Calendar and Weekly To Do Checklists were formatted Monday to Sunday, although I prefer the Sunday to Saturday format.
• My quick Blog Calendar is good for keeping track of scheduled posts, but not good for the daily tasks that need to be done.

Basically, I did not have to edit very much, because my revamped 2013 calendar streamlined everything so well!


Here are the major items that I did for this year's calendar:

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My Customized 2013 Calendar & Planner!

So, I promised a peek at my 2013 calendar & planner with my customization, and here it goes!

First of all, I decided the cover was beautiful but needed a little pizzazz.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out vinyl decorations.  I found a beautiful damask pattern (to match the blog and my personalized sewing labels) and used the same font I use in my sewing labels as well.  Here is the result!

I obscured my last name's initial for privacy, but I absolutely adore everything else!

As for the inside, I used the pockets for a few items such as sticky notes, flags, and blank To Do list forms.  I used a personalized stamp to enter my information, should my planner get lost.  And my favorite part of the inside is my vinyl labeled tabs!

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Planning 101 for 2013

I confess, I'm a huge fan of organization.  My favorite things to do are to make schedules, checklists, and labels for everything.  I research the best way to streamline a process and optimize my time.

So in theory, I would never, ever let anything fall through the cracks and always be on time.  However, I am constantly shuffling through endless To Do lists on my phone and more lists written on the back of printer paper.  And I'm almost always rushing to finish projects with a deadline, which is the opposite of how I like to use my creative time!

I have tried and failed to use all of the so-called "Best Apps" for organization, and not without trying!  There's something that I just can't get used to using my phone to keep track of anything.  It's super convenient, but unfortunately just not functional.

Maybe the organization thing could work if I had 5 phones!

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