Good Things Come In Good Packages

These sweet little bundles of love shared with loved ones of their little bundle of love.



When parents-to-be Lance and Paula selected this design from my first round of design ideas for their baby announcement, I was ecstatic! While I knew it would be a bit of work, I was excited at the idea of searching for the perfect patterned fabric and hand making these little pockets of love.



I found this lovely fabric from Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks collection (she has an awesome blog and amazing work! Someday I hope to learn how to quilt so I can make beautiful things with her fabric!)







An over-sized safety pin holds the cloth envelope closed and inside is the baby-sized baby announcement. They say good things come in small packages...or good things come in good packages?

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Brides & Grooms & Art

My friend Alanna recently contacted me saying she wanted to give bride and groom art as gifts to her friends that have married in the last two years. So she sent me the photos and I got to work. It was fun to see all the different dresses and tuxes, there was even a kilt! (not pictured, sorry). I affixed the art to a piece of watercolor paper and hand-wrote the couples' names and wedding dates. Alanna plans to frame them.

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The Grapeseed Company

On the other side of the studio, we've been working with local skincare company, The Grapeseed Company, on designing labels for their new product. The Grapeseed Company opened a storefront in downtown Santa Barbara last Fall, but they've had an online shop for a few years now. (Check out their story at www.thegrapeseedcompany.com) All of their product is made by hand from byproducts of wine. They've got amazing sugar scrubs, body butters, oils, and lotions, and just last Fall, they launched their baby g line, fit for even the softest of skin!

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Storybook Baby Shower Invitation

I recently co-hosted a baby shower with some of my favorite gals. We threw a storybook-themed shower for our dear friend Shelly.



For the invitation, we created a little storybook of our own for the expecting parents and all the guests who would receive it. Shelly is Canadian, so penguins were appropriate!









The shower was a hit. Their baby will have enough reading material to last him through 8th grade at least. I gave "When You Give a Mouse a Cookie," one of my childhood favorites (and a quote my mom likes to use--and we all know what she means!). What's your favorite childhood book?

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Semi-Handmade Stationery

I love to give handmade gifts. They're thoughtful, one-of-a-kind and fun to make...



This Christmas I wanted to make and give a gift that would allow the recipient to be creative as well. Enter: stamps.



I designed a simple initial stamp and found a few fun paper colors that work well together. Then, because I couldn't resist, I made a few samples for inspiration and found a box for all the piece. Then, voila! Blank Paper + Envelopes + Stamp + Ink Pad = Semi Handmade Stationery.

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A New Year

After some much needed unplugged rest and relaxation we're back and have already jumped into 2011! Hope all of you had lovely holidays. Nathan and I spent our Christmas and New Year driving a rented camper van around the beautiful and amazing North Island of New Zealand!...(it counts as rest and relaxation.) I'll be sure to share some photos!

We've also added a new member to our family and staff this year...meet Skip. He's in charge of organizing hourly trips outside for us to stretch our legs [and others to learn to do their business]. We'll be promoting him once he masters that.

Happy New Year...I think it's gonna be a good one.

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