Whimsical by Shelley

Computers are funny things. Computer software to be exact. Years ago when I first started designing for my Cafepress store Believing In You , I used a downloaded version of Printmaster. It was obsolete but it was getting the job done. Recently, I decided to upgrade the program through the Broderbund site, not because I don't have better programs, but because all my design templates were already in a Printmaster file type. Easier right? Sure. That is until the big computer meltdown of '09. Getting my designs, my fonts, and my program back have been a series of firey rings to jump through, but today I finally got it all back in working order (with special thanks to my hubs - the in residence computer whiz - for helping). All so that I could create two designs. I have been wanting to add Vampire Diva and Werewolf Diva designs to my line since last year and have finally gotten it done. I probably could have re-created them a year ago, but having to do the work to find my origina...

Two days ago I posted on my facebook wall that I was done being creative for the day and was going outside to play. Funny thing about going outside to play… it usually gives me more work to do in the form of photos to edit. (-: The kids and I went to Lucia Falls and Moulton Falls Park, which were both beautiful and relatively empty of people. The water was cold but not as cold as you might expect for mountain run off in June. However, not warm enough to swim. And it’s all fun and games until someone falls in the river. In this case it was the little guy who now has a battle wound in the form of a scraped knee and a new story to add to his collection of adventures. Several new shots, one scraped knee, a mile or two of hiking and lots of laughs add up to a pretty good afternoon.

Traveling to Goldendale, WA or through the Columbia River Gorge anytime for that matter always extends a wide array of beautiful things to capture with my camera. It's rare that I come home with less than 100 shots and often have a really hard time choosing which I love best. This time was no different. Along with the amazing wild flowers, we also wandered around in wind turbine country which was cool and creepy all at the same time. A bit into our drive we stumbled across an old wagon that was nestled in the corner of a pasture down a side road. Here are a few of my favorite shots, some of which will be available on Etsy.

End of the t-ball season is here. We had a party yesterday and the kids got trophies, pictures and pizza. Lots of fun! After much deliberating  with Tagen about cupcake ideas and changing our minds several times, we settled on easy, which turned out to be anything but. But I did learn how to paint cookies which I'm positive I'll do again in the very near future. In the end the cupcakes turned out cute and I am in search of a new buttercream recipe.

As I wait for the cupcakes to bake, I thought I would upload some of my previous cake and cupcake pictures. Here are some of my favorites...

My world is a never-ending creative work in progress. Whether I'm taking pictures, making a cake, painting, there is always some (or many) projects I'm working on and while I've always documented them through social media but I've decided to put them all into one place. Inspiration for other multi-passionate creators. Whimsical by Shelley, the name, is pretty self explanatory. Over the years I've repeatedly heard "pick a niche" or  "I hear you are that creative girl, what are you working on now?"  That's me. No niche is sometimes a good niche. I have stores for my photography and one for everything else. Both are growing.  Whimsical by Shelley Photography  & Mass Whimsical Gifts and Printables My next project is cupcakes for my 5 year old's end of the baseball season party. After a bit of research and changing my mind a dozen times on what to do, I think I've settled on a plan. To be continued.... (-: