Is This Really Your Book? on Hoda and Kathy Lee

I'm excited to share that a book I designed was mentioned on The Today Show this morning! Click here to read all about Is This Really Your Book?. I'm busy working on some new cover designs for the authors as they head into their 2nd edition. This is the second time my work has been connected with The Today Show. I feel so lucky! (Hoda starts cracking up over her favorite covers at the 2:19 mark.)

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Block printing weekend

I'm a little behind with my Valentine's Day preparations but this weekend I did manage to get into my basement studio for some serious block printing. Well, not that I was feeling serious but I was seriously motivated! I'll share my new cards throughout the week but in the mean time, here are some of my favorite "heart" cards just in time for Valentine's Day. They're in my Etsy shop right now and if you order by February 3rd, you'll have plenty of time to share the love!

DIY Mini Accordion Photo Book

I was on the hunt for really cute baby brag books to give to the grandmothers for Christmas this year. I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for so I decided to make my own.

Supplies:
Chipboard, 2 pieces cut in 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" rectangles
Fabric, 2 pieces cut in 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles (approximate)
Yes Stikflat Glue
11 x 17 cover stock paper, cut in strips measuring 3-1/4" H x 13-1/2" W (This measurement will hold 10 photos. Can make longer or shorter by 2-1/4" inches for more or fewer photos. ). Fold into accordion sections measuring 2-1/4" x 3-1/4"
Kolo brand Allegro Paper Photo Corners
2" x 3" wallet-size photos (can order in sets of 4 from Snapfish)

Tools:
Paint brush (an old/cheap one that you don't mind ruining) or popsicle stick
Ruler
Utility knife
Self-healing mat

1. With the wrong side of the fabric facing up, center the chipboard on the fabric.
2. Grab a pea-size glob of paste with your paint brush or popsicle stick. Note that whatever brush you use will be ruined by the glue. It can be used again for this purpose, however. Smear the paste along the top edge of the chipboard.
3. Fold the top edge of the fabric over and press to seal along the top edge of the chipboard.

4. Similar to wrapping a present, fold the corners of the fabric over as shown. Use a small dab of paste to keep the corners folded.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 at the bottom of the chipboard.

6. Smear paste along one side edge of the chipboard, including some of the fabric area where the corners will be folded. Fold the fabric onto the chipboard and press to seal.
7. Repeat step 6 for the opposite side of the chipboard.
8. Flip over the chipboard to admire your handy work.

9. Smear paste all over the back of one fold of the paper strip. Center it onto the exposed side of the chip board and press to seal.
10. Repeat step 9 for the other end of the folded paper strip. Your book should look like an accordion.

11. Slide a photo corner onto one corner of your 2" x 3" photo.
12. Center photo on a page of the accordion book and press to seal the first photo corner. Insert the 3 remaining photo corners onto the photo after you have centered the photo and secured it onto the page with the first photo corner. Repeat steps 11 and 12 for all photos.

Happy crafting!

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

As we enter November, it's time to start thinking about our Christmas gift lists. Here is a perfectly miniature gift card to add the finishing touches to your holiday packages. The artwork on the front of the card is a scan of my original oil painting of a snoozing mouse and his treasured candy cane. The cards are blank inside and fold to 2" x 3.5". Each pack includes 10 cards and 10 holly red envelopes. Click here for more photos and purchasing information.

The Great Pumpkins

Happy Halloween! To add to the spooky spirit of today, I'm sharing photos of some really adorable, silly, and scary pumpkins painted by our good family friend, Brook. Brook has been painting these pumpkins for years! My husband received his first painted pumpkin from him in college. Now, (a few) years later, little George is the recipient of his very own painted gourd! Photos of Brook's complete collection are below.

George's Adventure Birth Announcements

At long last, I am able to share photos of George's birth announcements! I'm so happy with the way they came out. They were letterpress printed on velvety smooth, bright white, 140# acid free paper in midnight blue and light cyan inks. Along with photos of baby George, I placed them in custom-lined tangerine envelopes. Each envelope was sealed with a custom, decorative fold-over mailing label. They were printed by Cranky Pressman in Salem, OH. Update: these are featured on Invitation Crush!

New cards in the shop: festive fill-in-the-blank thank you notes

I ALWAYS send a thank you note when someone gives me a gift. It's how I was raised (thanks, Mom). Of course everyone understands that sometimes life gets a little hectic and it's hard to find the time to sit down and write a letter - especially multiple thank you letters for a big event like a baby or wedding shower. I have recently found myself in such a time crunch while on my maternity leave. In comes my need for "fill-in-the-blank" thank you cards. Okay, YES, I had time to design these cards. However, since they arrived from the printer, I have found them extremely useful and I think you will too. 4 cards and 4 kraft envelopes come in a set for only $6.50 at my Etsy shop. Fill-in-the-blank thank you notes are perfect for the new mom, busy birthday gal, and bride-to-be with little time but lots of love. These unique, hand-drawn cards will help you send a quick but heartfelt thank you note for those wonderful new gifts. Click here to purchase.