Just for fun, I finally made my own font. This has been a long time coming and I'm so glad I did it. Not only is it a bazillion times easier to do illustrations that incorporate words this way, but it's really exciting. (I clearly don't get out enough.) *grin*
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I'm applying to a few (big) shows this year, so last week, I finally got professional shots of all of my products done. I can't believe what a difference it makes to have someone like Susan Ashukian, who's got years and years of experience shooting for much famous-er companies than me, take pictures with proper lighting and an actual dust remover thingie on hand. Cool, huh?
This means there's new stuff in the shop, too. Go on over and have a look!
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I'm spending the day with a good friend tomorrow, shooting proper pics of my little scribbles and designs. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all turns out -- she's a genius with a camera. It'll be just like the old post-Mad-Men-pre-recessionary days, way back when we actually did photo shoots. And lunch.
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Some days a Mom feels like she's run three marathons by 7am. Are you with me?
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Now that I have my new system up and running, I'm feeling very updated and 2012. But that doesn't mean receiving an old school iLetter wouldn't be the very nicest part of my day. :)
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This is the only copy I have of a new design I created in early January, before our house was burglarized. (Maybe you were wondering why I haven't been around? It's hard to blog on the iPad you share with an 8 and 9 year old -- hello Angry Birds! -- while you wait for your new computer to be rowed here from China!)
I had uploaded the poutine valentine in anticipation of a post the day before my computer was taken but the design for this new letterpress card was on my desktop and not backed up.
Sniff.
Now that I've got a new computer and some new software, I'm getting back to the business of creating. Starting with remaking this little gem. And the second it's finished (after I hit 'save'!), off to the plate maker it will go so that I can have cards made and ready for my spring shows. Woot!
So Happy Valentine's Day, friends. I hope yours is truly one of a kind.♡
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Happy New Year, Travellers! Hope your holidays were filled with fun, food and family (and maybe a little bit of baked brie -- yum! Good thing the holidays are a once in a year kind of thing, no?)
We stayed in our pjs more days than not and took a two week break from deadlines, schedules and apparently, Canada's Food Guide.
No matter, things are back on track now and everyone's ready for 2012.
Before our holidays, though, our house was as crazy as the next, with long gift lists, craft shows, pagents and parties to attend. Here's one way we combined gift giving with some family time -- and as an added bonus, ended up with a few stand-by hostess gifts on hand.
We made holiday cookies-in-a-jar.
First, we found our recipe. (I got my copy from a magazine, but their website didn't have the recipe.) Then, we bought a dozen pint jars (mason jars). Then ... we bought our ingredients. I actually had the kids help with the math so we'd have enough for twelve batches.
I set up an assembly line with oldest kids handling flour mixture, me funneling cocoa in over top and the younger two carefully pouring in the larger, less messy ingredients. (We washed hands and used utensils and funnels throughout. There may have been some eating of stray M&Ms afterward. I cannot confirm this, though.)
We designed tags with the recipe and required "wet" ingredients (eggs, butter, vanilla) and assembled our jars, wraps and tags.
On the Tuesday before school ended, out they went in backpacks and the kids came home thrilled with their teachers' reactions. Everyone thought the colourful and layered jars looked beautiful.
The leftover jars? They didn't last long, either.
Twice we had kind neighbours and friends drop by with little gifts and cards, and the kids immediately knew their go-to cookies in a jar were on hand to reciprocate.
(Oh, and for the record, they were really yummy. We had to test them out before gifting them, of course!)
If you'd like to download a copy of the tags I created, you can do that here. (Just print out on 8.5 x 11" heavier card stock and trim.) Happy baking!
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The latest addition to the family is this set of 6 Holiday-themed super magnets. Teachers, grandparents, coaches and Aunties named Marge love these! I keep making them and watching them disappear so they may not make it to the Shop this month. But they'll be at the Fox Theatre Movies & Makers Xmas 2011 Show Saturday December 17th, so come early and get yours! See you there ... :)
P.S. If you drop me an email, my elves and I can make sure you get yours before the Show!
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Don't miss Movies & Makers Xmas 2011 Show at the Fox Theatre on Saturday December 17th from 11 am to 5:30 pm -- what a great way to spend an afternoon! I'll be there with new letterpress cards, awesome super magnet sets (great teacher gifts!) and lots of other new treats. Do stop by and say hi!
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No worries if the Christmas lists are heavyweight this year, ONE of these super strong 2" magnets could hold ALL the Duggars' lists to the fridge. Go ahead and grab them while you can. They make perfect teacher gifts and stocking stuffers ...
(If you're in the Toronto area, contact me and I'll arrange delivery -- my treat.)
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