Projects, Projects and More Projects
August 26, 2006 10:42 AM

I have so many projects going on right now that I am feeling a tad bit overwhelmed.  Well I was... I got up early today and got a lot of things wrapped up.  Including a BIG project (part of it shown above) that I am involved in and have to mail out on Monday - it is all packed up and hopefully, come spring, you will see everything.  On top of this project I have been crazy filling wholesale orders and doing a bunch of custom design.  All of these things I love doing... it is just that the full time day job gets in the way!  I dream of what I could with Paper Relics if I could dedicate myself to it full time instead of when I can.  My day job has actually been extremely demanding lately and will continue to be so for another month.  In case you are curious... this is where I am 8am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday - the only difference at the moment is that all the stuff you see is boxed up since we are moving to a new building in a few weeks! (be sure to visit the actual photo on flickr to see notes):

One resource I would like to share with you that has been invaluable to me lately:  Vintage Wallpaper Ribbon Packs from Bailey's Bliss (drool) please check them out!  I have been using vintage wallpaper in so many creations lately and I love working with it.

Other news of note is that I have a few new Paper Vignettes to add soon - so keep your eyes out for them!  And I am starting to work on Holiday cards - both collage AND vignettes, which will make this the first year I will offer holiday cards.  Here is my favorite of the new patch - What do you think?

Permalink  | File Under: Creations |  

For those of us who love Hugh Grant but aren't really smitten by him, a new movie that is due out sometime this winter (I heard both Dec 2006 and Feb 2007 as possible release dates) looks promising.  Music and Lyrics staring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore (whose films I also happen to enjoy, I know some people can not stand her, but I always have liked her) is about "a washed up singer (Grant) who is given a couple days to compose a chart-topping hit for an admiring teen sensation. Though he's never written lyrics in his life, he sparks with an offbeat younger woman (Barrymore) with a flair for words".  Sounds interesting... I bet there will be some singing involved - and perhaps some dancing as well?  We all love Hugh's dancing! (movie clip courtesy of Liquid Sky Arts).

Permalink  | File Under: Swoon |  

New Paper Vignettes
August 9, 2006 08:53 PM

New Vignettes in the shop! Click here to shop

I must admit that I just love designing the greeting cards for the Paper Vignettes line.  I plan on adding more - especially for the holidays. Halloween, Christmas, Happy Holidays, New Years, Valentine's Day, etc.  I love cards - sending them, getting them... I love how in the late 1800's and early 1900's that people sent one another cards for every holiday - birthdays, Easter, Halloween- everything!  I think it is wonderful to keep up these traditions, especially in this electronic day and age! 

I also have some exciting goodies in the works for the shop - I can not go into too many details just yet - but keep your eye out for some new and wonderful products to be introduced in the upcoming months! 

On another note, here are some wonderful shops run by some really wonderful girls I have been getting to know that must be checked out

Catherine Moore makes wonderful things - she has AMAZING stamps, papers and more (even her catalogs are inspiringly gorgeous) at her site character constructions.

The sweet sweet Stacie Rife of Bailey's Bliss has a new etsy shop where she not only sells her highly sought after artwork, but other goodies too - like packs of beautiful vintage lace.  Look at these wonderful nest tags I got there:

If you know of any wonderful shops - please share!

Permalink  | File Under: Paper Vignettes |  

Paper Relics has a new look.  I find that I am constantly wanting to redo the site, or start another site... I get sick of the design easily and have to fiddle with it until it looks new and fresh, while keeping the logo and familiarity that has been established. 

I recently redesigned the site for Sepia Art Studio, and I decided the best thing to do was to use her existing business card as a starting point.  Her card was beautifully put together by Wise-Rabbit and we were graciously given permission to use the card.  I strongly believe that establishing an image, logo, etc with your shop is essential.  Having an identity is the first thing one should think about when venturing out with a shop of their own.  I was at an antiques show a while back, visiting some friends who were selling their mixed media crafts, and a woman came up and saw my card sitting out on a table and she smiled and said "I keep stumbling upon Paper Relics recently!".  She recognized my logo and easily made the connection that each time Paper Relics came up, it was the same company.  This may seem obvious to most people, but the thing is.... when you love to create and go through new styles and techniques, it is hard to stick to it! 

What I did - I kept Paper Relics in the same font it has always been, a font I made myself from Victorian era type, and I kept the girl with the hat that has been in my logo since the beginning.  But to add some creativity to it, I added in another font, I picked one that added some whimsy and softness against the bold font I was already using.  I also added some color with some wonder brushes that I think I got here.  I had fun redesigning some of the site, and it should hold me over for a month or two!

Permalink  | File Under: Design |