February 20, 2012

A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

I’ve always loved the design of patterns, right back to when I was young and I used to lay away at night at my Grandmas house trying to find the pattern repeats in the intricate wallpaper which decorated the spare bedroom I shared with my sisters.

A pattern seems to be forming in my work too.  So far this year all the custom projects I have are for wedding stationery.  This is a bridal shower invitation I’ve just finished for a lovely bride getting married later this year.

 

The bride’s colour palette was purple and she wanted shoes and or a purse and of course a touch of bling!  I’m not so great at drawing so enlisted the help of my very talented daughter Holly who sketched this image for me. Together we make a good team and the client loved it!  Below is an email from her.

Thanks so much Karen. The invites and thank you card look great! I

will certainly keep you in mind when I need more cards. These look

great! Service was also wonderful!

Diane

 

February 14, 2012

WORDS OF LOVE

Happy Valentines Day to everyone out there!

I design and create cards everyday so this year for a change I made bookmarks for each of my kids.  As a family we love to read so this was the perfect choice.  I simply raided my scrapbooking drawers and cut and glued the papers onto precut bookmarks, then wrote a personal message to each of my kids on the reverse, just to let them know how much they are loved XOXO

Even our breakfast wanted to share the love!

Maybe I’m taking this valentine theme a little too far!

Adam’s away in the UK on business at the moment but I slipped this card into his bag before he left, with instructions not to open until today.  If he hasn’t already lost it!

I love this quote, it  pretty much describes our first meeting all those years ago!

Love and Hugs to all

Karen

XOXO

 

February 9, 2012

LOVE … LOVE … LOVE

 

Most of our retail orders for Valentines are out the door right after Christmas but I still like to make something special for my hubby and kids.  To get me in the mood I’ve been looking around the web for craft ideas we can make together and here are a few of my favourites.   Adam’s away this weekend and Holly has a sleepover planned so with a total of 7 kids in the house we may need something to do!

1. Valentine Garland – Courhome.net A free printable so easy to do

2. Crayon Hearts – Martha Stewart These are an old favourite we’ve made before but I still love them.

3. Framed hearts – LittleBirdieSecrets

4. Valentine heart pins – Purlbee.com

5. Valentine Mittens – Womansday.com

6. DIY Paper Heart Garland – Myownlabels.com A great idea and easy to add your own special messages

7. Valentines Day Banner – mymommatoldme.com

 

So now there’s no excuse to spread the love in your home too!  Enjoy the weekend everyone!

February 3, 2012

MOST UNUSUAL VALENTINE CARDS

Kate Harper, artist and greeting card designer extraordinare  ran a competition on her blog GREETING CARD DESIGNER to find the most unusual valentine cards and I submitted a few designs and forgot all about it, until I received an email from her yesterday to say I had been named as a finalist.

I’m really chuffed as the winner and finalists were chosen by Kathy Krassner, a longtime stationery-industry veteran.  Check out this link to her blog to see all the winning designs.  For anyone involved in the greeting card industry Kate’s blog is a wealth of information and a must read

 

Our “unvalentine” winning design.