Summer is our busiest time - getting all our Christmas orders out to stores and dreaming up fresh designs for the fall trade shows - so we usually don't get much time to relax and soak up the sun. This year we made time, we took a 2 week trip north to Blue Mountain, Collingwood. On our travels we came across the Eugenia Falls Conservation Area. There's a trail that takes you along the Niagara Escarpment and down to the scenic falls with nice views through the shady cedar trees.

On the road leading to the falls we found the Infinite Gallery, a former general store, which is now home to the exquisite art of Kate Civiero, handblown and fused glass sculptures and functional pieces too such as vases, bowls and jewellry. We bought a set of magnets in vibrant blues and greens.

I love my mornings, the quietness of the house before all the kids wake up, the relative coolness and scents of the morning air ..... and this morning is even better!! I sat down to check my emails with the first cuppa of the day and there it was - a message to tell me Scarlett Greetings is a Henries finalist for the second year running. Whooooooo Hooooooo!!
Its a nailbiting wait until the 7 October when we will find out at the spectacular Henries Ball in London if we've won a prestigious Henries trophy... so fingers crossed for us.

A few examples from our "Apostrophes" range which has been nominated in the Best Words and Sentiments category. Above a25 (Life should be celebrated) and below a16 (Cinderella) and a21 (Babies)

I always look forward to the new paper samples I receive from the Japanese Paper Place in Toronto and their latest release is stunning. Great patterns and wonderful colour combinations have inspired me to create a new line of greeting cards, featuring these wonderful papers.


Colourful text, different fonts and beautiful Japanese Paper die cuts really make our latest range stand out from the crowd. "JUST my TYPE" will be available this fall, please contact us for more details if you are interested in carrying this line.

We recently made a donation of cards, end of lines and overstock, to a small cancer charity in Pembrokeshire that does big work!! Pembrokeshire Cancer Support provides support and information for those who have or have had Cancer, together with their family and friends. We received this lovely message in return.

Dear Karen,

Hello, and Thank You so much !! I do not know what to say apart from
Fantastic ! Amazing ! Brilliant etc etc etc.

We have today, received your donation of wonderful Greetings Cards to help
with our fundraising. You are very kind, and it will make a big difference
to us as we are such a small Charity. I can assure you that your help and
support is very much appreciated by all of us at Pembrokeshire Cancer
Support.

Thanks and Best Wishes,

Lyn (Coordinator, Pembrokeshire Cancer Support)

I've now finished designing our Spring Occasions collection for 2011 and as promised here are a few images. Above: a couple of examples of our mothers day cards, with the perfect quote for any Grandmother.

Above examples from our Graduation range and below 2 cards to celebrate Fathers Day

Our web designer, Cocoa Media, has received a prestigious 'BT Retail Week Technology Award 2010' for their work with retailer, New Look and their project iLook. These awards recognise the most innovative and passionate technology professionals operating in retail today.
Congratulations Dave and all the Cocoa team, we are glad to be working with the best!

Happy Canada Day to everyone. Here are a few photos taken by my fabulous husband that show Canada at its best ... "the true north strong and free"!

A relaxing weekend spent at a friend's cottage in Muskoka.

Where kids can still be kids!

Celebrate this amazing land, we truly are lucky to be living here!

I've been busy this last few weeks working on designs for next year's Valentine collection. Here is a sneak peak of one of them. The heart image is a collage of paper hearts which was inspired by this chalked heart image by
Becca O'Donovan.

I've been playing around with lots of different fonts and japanese papers.
Let me know what you think!

I'm now designing mothers day, fathers day and graduation cards for 2011 release and will post a few images once I have them. Stay tuned!

With the world cup in full swing and the buzzing of the vuvuzelas stuck in my head, its hard to find the inspiration I need to design our spring collection for 2011. So, if you can't beat them I say join them! I found this great article titled "The evolution of the World Cup Logo from 1930 - 2010", on a blog I subscribe to called CREATIVE NERDS. Take a look and see how the logo has changed through the years.

URUGUAY 1930

This was the first ever world cup won by the hosts Uruguay with a 4-2 win over Argentina.

ENGLAND 1966

My favourite of the world cup logos - I wonder why?

SOUTH AFRICA 2010

The logo for this year's competition

I've just completed a design job for a great new deli which opened in Unionville, Ontario a few weeks ago. Marianis Market on Main is owned by Gerry Mariani and specialises in fine cheeses, fresh breads, meats and antipasta. They asked me to create the invitations for their grand opening on Wednesday June 30th, 6-9pm.

If your in the Unionville area call in at their store at 190 Main Street (tel: 905-474-9240) and sample some of their amazing cheeses, olives or pastries. They open as early as 8am so you can enjoy their freshly baked muffins for breakfast or fresh bread with a selection of meats or cheese for an impromptu picnic at Toogood pond. A perfect summer's day activity.

Gerry Mariani (owner) and his wife Stefani

The finished invitations ready to go out.
If Scarlett Greetings can help you add style to your special occasion or event please contact karen@scarlettgreetings.com