Determinate Your Cupcake-AKA the biggest secret I never wanted to share!

This week it's DETERMINATE YOUR CUPCAKE week!  In honor of the party...cupcakes will be FROSTED "glitter style" + I will be SHARING with all of you...my very, very TOP secret success formula for DETERMINATING your cupcake.


You TRULY don't want to miss it!  I can't wait to frost determinated cupcakes with YOU!!!


Just so you know...I don't take sharing this TOP secret with you lightly...it is the ONE SINGLE biggest secret that I have + I NEVER planned to share it...in fact I've always kept it so well hidden...that NOBODY has ever even asked!!!


I am always SHOCKED that no one has EVER even asked about it...not even once...AND it is MY secret weapon...


Tuesday, May 8th...my SECRET is GOING live via Personaliday so stay tuned in to be the FIRST to see it...


My top secret frosting on the cupcake lands in your email box Tuesday, May 8th at NOON - so make sure that if you aren't on my MOST awesome list...you know the one with CELEBRITY status there is still hope for you...


Just click on the little princess on the top right of the page + give me your name + email address + my TOP secret will land in your email box!!!


This IS the episode that you don't want to miss...the fate of YOUR teeny tiny empire is in your hands + I can't wait to escort you to the door!

Personaliday What's Your Cupcake? Part 2 - Shake Your Cupcake

Good evening everyone!  I am super excited to FINALLY be sending out the 2nd part in my four part vlog series - What's Your Cupcake!  


This edition is SUPER fun and CALORIE FREE!  I just can't wait for us to dig deeper and to SHAKE our cupcakes!  


This video is jammed packed with My Three Tips for Shaking Your Cupcake - but, don't worry - even though it's packed it's still super short and sweet - just like me!


It THRILLS me to no end to hear about the CUPCAKES in the baking out there - so, don't forget to slap your cupcake down in the comments section BELOW + don't worry - I don't BITE!

Steps to Shake Your Cupcake
1. Share your cupcake - keep your besties in the LOOP.
2. Cupcake 911
3. No FREE cupcakes - this one makes me so SAD - I crave those FREE cupcakes!!!


Remember, that the key to the perfect cupcake is not to forget to bring a teeny tiny bit of your personality into your business + life EVERYDAY!


And...don't forget that if you want to catch more of my videos subscribe by clicking here and visiting the box at the top right hand corner!


Link to Harry Belafonte's Jump In The Line soundtrack!

Teeny Tiny Tutorial #1 Note Pads on the Sly!

My Teeny Tiny Note Pad Tutorial

AKA Notepads on the Sly!

Just to get you all super duper excited today...I have finally completed the teeny tiny tutorial on how

to make your own awesome notepads at home! You just need a few basic supplies that can be found

almost ANYWHERE!  I have been making these in my business for FOREVER and they always make

me smile!  A big super, duper CUPCAKE style smile.  Get comfy + sit back + RELAX and enjoy the tutorial!

Step 1: Gather Your Goodies...

Supplies needed + a few personal recommendations from me as the teeny tiny stationery princess that crafts these EVERYDAY! I will have links to the brands I use for each of these at the bottom of this tutorial

• 10 sheets of the Notepad Princess Worksheet to get you started, or you can design your own!  (When you design your own - I make all of my notepads 4.25 wide x 5.5 tall so they print out 4 sheets of notepad paper for each 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper you use.
• 1 piece of chipboard 4.25 wide x 5.5 tall (I purchase them in 8.5 x 11 sheets and cut them to size with a paper cutter)
• 1 bottle of Mod Podge for paper or traditional Mod Podge or Padding Compound in clear
• 4 medium size binder clips 
• A paintbrush (not your favorite dream paintbrush - just a basic one)
• A fun sticker for the back of your notepad
• The paper cutter of your choice

Step 2: Start with your Printed Pages

The printed worksheet below will look like this when you get

started.  Make sure that you print at least 10 sheets - this

will give you a total of 40 mini notepad sheets!

Step 3: Get to Cuttin’ Ya’ll! 

Now, pull out your favorite paper cutter and get to cuttin’!

Take your time here - don’t get too excited!  Make sure that

each page gets cut down into 4.25 wide x 5.5 tall sheets.  I ALWAYS make sure that I check each cut because if they are not as close to the correct size as possible your notepad will be jagged and TACKY lookin’ on the edges!  Fine if you are keepin’ your notepad, BUT terrible if you are planning on selling it to someone! After you cut them all out...

Step 4: Stack It Up Right

Grab a sheet of chipboard and even up your stack of

mini sheets.  Make sure that you keep the mini sheets

face up with the person staring at you (not upside down

or backwards). I always like to keep the top and the

right side extra smooth because those are the sides that

most people notice the most!  Chipboard on the BOTTOM

mini notepad stack on top keep it together. (the photo

shows space just to show you the chipboard)

Step 5: Make A Notepad Sandwich

Cut a piece of blank 8.5 W x 11 T sheet of paper and cut it

into 4 sheets (same size as your notepad sheets) Grab one

of those sheets and stick it on top of your notepad.  Then,

still making sure that your girl is FACING you, add one piece of blank paper to the top of your notepad.  Also, add one more sheet of chipboard on top of that and then add two binder clips as shown in the picture.  The binder clips should be at the top of your notepad. (carefully check and make sure that your girls feet are at the bottom of the pad)

Step 6: Get Sticky With It

Grab your Modge Podge and a brush and apply a thin coat to the TOP of your notepad. (make sure the words are at the TOP) Keep it THIN so you don’t warp your paper!  After you have a smooth coat with no dry edges across the top use your finger to wipe off any Modge Podge that landed on the back or front of the chipboard!

Step 7: Tick, Tock,Tick, Tock

This is the part that makes me CRAZY- wait for the Modge Podge to dry!  Takes about 15 minutes.  Then, REPEAT adding Modge Podge, waiting for 2nd coat to dry, then REPEAT adding Modge Podge and waiting for 3rd coat to dry.  All the gluing and waiting makes me go insane - I like Instant Gratification.  Usually, I design the next batch of notepads

while waiting for the first to dry.

Step 8: I Want To See My Notepad NOW!

Here is when your notepad comes to LIFE!  Take off all of your binder clips.  Double check again that you are looking at the feet of the teeny tiny princess.  Now, wiggle the top layer of chipboard (NOT THE BOTTOM CHIPBOARD) then slowly PEEL the top chipboard layer off.  You should be left with a blank sheet of paper.  Slowly peel off the blank sheet and VOILA! You are left with your very own TEENY TINY PRINCESS notepad! You can add a little sticker label to the back of your notepad if

you plan to sell them to make it look more professional! I slip the notepads inside cello sleeves and they are ready to go!

Step 9: Leave Me A Comment Right NOW!

I’m brand spanking new to the world of tutorials.  So, I would love some feedback from you on what you think about this teeny tiny tutorial.  Let me know in the comments section below if you make some teeny tiny princesses all of your own!  I can’t wait to hear from all the future notepad makers in the making!

Get the Teeny Tiny Princess

Click here to be magically transported to the teeny tiny princess with brown

hair shown in the tutorial - and yes, I know she morphed into a blonde for a pic or two so comment if you need your little princes to be GOLDIELOCKIFIED!

LINKS - AKA Top Secret Stationery Making Goodies

Chipboard - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Medium-Weight-Chipboard-Sheets-12X12-Natural-25-Pkg/10881055

Modge Podge - http://www.plaidonline.com/mod-podge/brand/home.htm

Binder Clips - http://www.staples.com/Staples-Black-Metal-Binder-Clips-Bulk-Pack-Medium/product_395200

Paper Cutter - Fiskars - http://store.scrapbook.com/f-9729.html?w=fiskars+paper+trimmers

Blank Paper - http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/paper/laser-paper/product-prod1790052?history=mdnvgmvy%7CprodPage~15%5EfreeText~premium+color+copy+paper%5EparamValue~true%5Erefine~1%5Eregion~1%5Eparam~return_skus%5Ereturn_skus~Y

If I left anything out...leave me a comment and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Ready, Set Vlog - Can't wait for vlog number 2!

Today I am sitting on the throne in my glittery stationery empire, AKA my giant red couch in the living room.  It has been an amazing day and now things are winding down.  Kathryn Hope is falling asleep on the other end of the couch awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny...and I am very busy...wondering what my next Personaliday vlog post will be about...I guess you will have to wait and see, but I am looking very forward to sharing it with you!
xoxo,
Kimberly Hope
PS.  I would sure hate for you to miss out on all of the fun!  Make sure that you click on the little girl on the top right of the page to sign up for updates.  That way you get to join in on all of the fun that I am creating from my teeny tiny glittery stationery empire!

This just in...and it's better than CUPCAKES!!!

Sitting here at the top of my glittery stationery empire I have been sitting on a little secret...I've been super busy creating some of the world's most unique and adorable stationery.  You can view a little sneak peek of the first installment in the collection.  I am proud to be introducing the Mayi Carles Collection.  Mayi is a multi talented creative illustrator, artist, and pixie dust sprinkled fairy and the moment I saw her work I was in LOVE!  Her collection features adorable little hand drawn and illustrated characters and just a little hint...she is working hard to design a few special ones that I know you will love and yes...it involves mermaids and cupcakes.  Because I know how much everyone loves the mermaids and the cupcakes!  Many of the stationery designs in the collection will feature our hand applied glitter accents YAHOOOO!  Here are all of the little peeps currently available to grace and adorn your personalized stationery:

So now, I need just a little bit of your help...

in the comments section below you get to really pick my brains and see if glitter shoots out...that's right...I am desperately seeking your feedback.  Just drop me a comment in the comment box below and let me know what types of items you are looking for - would you like to see me design some easy fill out invitations, or maybe cupcake toppers, or maybe just maybe you have something super cute in mind that you have thought...now why doesn't she make x,y, or z.  So now's the time get your thoughts out in the comments section below - and don't worry - I had a cupcake today from Kathryn's birthday - so I won't bite!

oh, and just in case your wondering about what goes on here on a regular basis - CLICK on the little Kathryn in the top right corner and score yourself some SWAG - that's right - extra special freebies on a weekly basis from my glittery stationery empire to your inbox.

xoxo,
Kimberly Hope and Kathryn (now 7 years old) Hope

One week until opening day!

It's official my teeny tiny stationery store is opening in just one week! I hope that you'll get a chance to stop by and see it in person.

Hope Loves Cards - stationery with personality
Located inside Unique Boutiques and Marketplace
21 Anna Drive
Clayton, NC 27520

I "hope" to have some pictures posted next week before the grand opening.  I will also be filming a little video of the space that I will post for everyone to see.  The excitement is really starting to build and I am super nervous, yet excited at the same time.

It is both my and Kathryn's dream that we will rule the world from our teeny tiny glittery little stationery empire.  So we are really hoping that you will get to stop by.  You will be able to meet Kathryn Hope (the  little blonde curly haired inspiration behind all things Hope Loves Cards) on Thursday, March 29th for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting from 6pm-8pm.

I will be in the store during the following times (if you are wanting to meet me too - 'cause I know that Kathryn always steals the show with her cutie-pie self, but just in case - I'll be there too):

Thursday, March 29th from 6pm-8pm
Friday, March 30th from 5pm-8pm for Ladies Night
Saturday, March 31st from 10am-7pm for the Grand Opening

The daily store hours are:
Sunday 10am-5pm
Monday - Thursday 10am-6pm
Friday and Saturday 10am-7pm

I "HOPE" we will see you there!

Wait, Paparazzi, Wait - No Photos No Comments!

Okay, so something really funny and exciting happened to me today and it caught me off guard.  I am a creative business owner during the evenings, but by day - I am the manager of a retail store about 30 minutes away from home.  I don't really talk about one while at the other very often because of my commitment to making both work + it always makes me feel icky talking about one while at the other, but I digress...so I am training a new employee and we were talking for a few minutes about our iPhones and I showed her my cute cover (which I made using my little Kathryn from my stationery) and this really funny thing happened...

the new employee mentioned to me that...her mother was opening a new jewelry business out 40/42 in Clayton, and that there was a lady opening a shop there that made the cutest stationery with little people...

and - she was talking about ME!  That's right - ding, ding, ding, bells and whistles and all...my new employee at my job's mother is opening a creative jewelry shop...in the same building as...ME + she is recommending me to people that she knows...because my stationery is really cute and adorable!

Now, for those of you that know me well enough to hear me talk about my two jobs, you know that my secret desire is for someone (that doesn't know both sides of me...AKA...my split-work personalities...oops, I'm rambling again...

I want someone that doesn't know it - to mail me a note on one of my own note cards or stationery items.  I think that would be the cutest...most adorable way for me to know that I have finally arrived...been discovered...am making a difference and that secretly Paparazzi will start stalking me because I have reached celebrity status.

At least - that was my little dream goal in life...until today - when someone recommended that I check out this cute new stationery shop opening up with her mom's jewelry shop and she was recommending I buy my own stationery.

Scratch the old goal...new goal-have more really sweet people recommend that I buy my own stationery!  I almost died laughing when I realized she was talking about me.

Now - if you want to keep me laughing - the fall off my chair and snort Mt. Dew up my nose kind of laughing - PLEASE comment to me below with the one thing that really shocked you in your business or the one moment that really made you feel like you were doing the right thing in your biz at the right time! And, don't worry, I don't bite...I love to hear your comments...and I really do sometimes laugh so hard that my Mt. Dew goes up my nose.  But, now - my cupcakes?  They always hit my mouth - so I never snort my favorite Simply Cinnamon cupcakes!

And...this is the best part all commenters to this post will receive a special handwritten thank you note as my little way of saying a personal thank you for taking your time to comment on my newly discovered fame!

xoxo,
Kimberly Hope
PS The actual employee listed in this post has had her name omitted to protect her privacy to prevent Paparazzi from stalking her...seriously?  just kidding about the stalking...I told her I would be blogging about this because it was soooooo funny!

Teaser Alert!!!

Okay, I have something to share with everyone - I will be posting a little video of my teeny tiny store just so you can get a little sneak peek!  I will post the video on Thursday, March 29th - so get ready to see the most adorable stationery EVER!  I can't wait to see what you think of my new digs!

4 days...countdown continues...

Countdown Continues 8 Days Left 'til CUTENESS