Useful Articles

I've added a new feature to my web site called Articles. This section will feature different articles written and researched by me, based on questions I get over and over from artists and small business owners who come to me for help with their web sites.

If you have a topic that you would like me to write an article about, please leave me a comment here on my blog or contact me through my web site. I'm very open to suggestions. I hope you will find these articles useful.

The first article is about the importance of a good web site for your business.

Why is professional web site design so important?
Nine times out of ten, your web site is your potential customer's first look at your business. How your business is perceived is directly related to the quality, efficiency and appearance of your web site. Frustrated users may leave your site before even viewing your products!
Read more...

~ Kelly

Jack-a-Doo

So, I had to post this picture right away to prove that I don't play favorites with my children!

We have been happy to have some nice spring weather this week and were able to take many walks down to the neighborhood pond. I love North Carolina! After spending a couple of years in Boston, you have to appreciate spring weather in March! My first "spring" in Massachusetts felt like a seasonal jet lag. I remember being absolutely astonished at snow in April. Just too cold for my bones!

Ahhh, but I digress... this is a picture I took just this week. Jack loved sitting in the grass and immediately tried to eat the pine needles. This little guy is always eating! Fun fact - he can eat a whole banana in one minute and then yell for more. His regular breakfast is an english muffin and two bananas. Proof that he really is a little monkey!

~ Kelly

Bowls-n-Annies

Here is my latest website, Bowls-n-Annies. I was so happy when De contacted me to re-design her website. She makes THE CUTEST annie rag dolls and her husband makes hand turned wooden bowls.

De left most of the design up to me, but was specific on the look and feel she wanted for her web site: vintage without being old, cute without being floral and bright without being gaudy.

I do think we accomplished all of that and I am very pleased that she is in love with her new web site. I love happy customers!

De was a real joy to work with and now I am happy to call her my friend.

Please be sure to visit Bowls-n-Annies and have a look at her wonderful dolls. Beware, you will fall in love and have to purchase one if not for yourself, for a special lil' girl you know!

I can say with 100% honesty that her Annie dolls are spectacular - adorable, high-quality and lovable! Anya has named her's Anna-belle and she is her new best friend!

I am going to have to post a picture of my lil' guy, Jack-a-doo, today because the only pics I have on my blog to date are of Anya.... oops! I do have tons of Jack but, he's my second and as you moms out there know, we don't take nearly as many pictures of our seconds as we do our firsts!

~ Kelly

First Day of School

Today was my little sweeetheart's first day of preschool.... *sigh*...

Anya was so excited she couldn't wait to get out the door. When I picked up her up this afternoon I was relieved that she was actually ready to come home. She was so tired though. She fell asleep almost as soon as we got home.

As my friend and client Tee pointed out to me, the next thing I know she'll be getting ready to go off to college like her little girl. Where does the time go?

~ Kelly

Southern Country Cottage

This has been a very hectic week for Lil' Dolly, but also a very exciting one as we wrap up several designs!

The first of which is Southern Country Cottage for a wonderful lady who has quite the eye for vintage chic, cottage, beach chic, paris chic and even farmhouse home decor! Stop in and see Jana at her Southern Country Cottage for eclectic finds and great decorating advice. She's one of Lil' Dolly's favorite people and a joy to work with!

~ Kelly

Becoming Jane

As much as I love all things Jane Austen, you would think I would have seen Becoming Jane when it first came out in the movie theaters. Well, I cannot remember the last time I actually was at a movie theater.... Shrek the Third maybe?! Yikes!

So, I decided to finally buy this movie and oh, I loved it! Now I see why she wrote happy endings. Anya and I watched it all weekend long on my mini-dvd player in my office. I love to work and listen to movies, expecially Jane Austen movies. I've read all the books a hundred times and watched the movies two hundred times so I don't need to actively watch them while I work.

And, yes, I have a 3 1/2-year-old who loves Jane Austen movies! How lucky am I? When we went to buy this movie the clerk asked Anya which was her favorite Jane Austen movie... as if he didn't believe me when I said she loves them. She looked up at him with her big blue eyes and said very simply, "Northanger Abbey," which is a very obscure BBC tv movie from the 80s. He asked her if she liked Pride & Prejudice and she told him she liked the BBC version the best. That's my girl! ;-)

Poor thing. I've probably set her up so that she'll never accept any man who's "less worthy" than Mr. Darcy. Good for her!

~ Kelly

The End of $6 Templates

As many of you ebay sellers know, ebay is increasing their final value fees. In order to continue providing quality templates with my trademark fast turnaround and hands on support, I need to increase the price of some auction templates.

Starting tomorrow, the price of my stripes and polka dots templates will increase from $6 to $9.99. So, if you can, stock up tonight!

$6 Templates on ebay by Lil' Dolly Designs

~ Kelly
lil*doll