Paper Love - Valentine's

Pulp Fiction – A love affair with paper

I am crazy about paper, design and typography.  Of the many callings I missed, graphic design was one.  I didn’t even know such a thing existed when I applied to college.  No!  I am not 100. I just got bum rushed into pre-med.  Instead of slogging through organic chemistry I could have been learning something useful like Illustrator or how to find the Enter button on a Mac.

I made a notepad with these

In spite of my narrow guidance, I have learned my way around a program or two and as a result, design paper goods for folks from time to time.  Any occasion really, is enough for me to design stationary or a tag or label or tote!  Oh, you stubbed your toe?  ‘WATCH OUT, bum toe’ tags might appear on your doorstep.  Horseback riding at Jen’s farm?  ‘HAPPY SPRING’ labels for cookie bags will definitely make an appearance.

Gift tags for client

Teacher note cards paired with green envelopes

So I have been putting my obsession to good use at Pieti’s pre-school.  Her teachers received personalized note cards at Christmas along with an etched glass ornament (duh)!  And now - Valentine’s!!!!  I made this simple card for her hand outs.  It will have a pink/red Tootsie Pop attached with ribbon.

The PNG image is altering the font a bit but you get the idea

But I also started messing around with a few other ideas...

Got the dragonfly and bee graphics from here.

So what about you guys?  Are you making any Valentine's cards this year?  Stayed tuned for more V Day love.  I am going back into the kitchen for more baking abuse!

kisses,  mrs. V

Party Planning - It's all in the Details

Whirly Gigs and Zingers

For the big bash, I am incorporating a few details to make this party really special for my brother.  In my mind, making an occasion special is all about the details.  The little things that to a casual observer or acquaintance might get overlooked.  But for those in the know  - the ones that truly know the guest of honor - they get it.

Often I get heckled about perfecting the details.  My husband thinks it’s insane that I would stay up into the wee hours of the morning folding 20 tissue paper flowers in coordinating colors.  How about doing calligraphy and water color place cards for an outdoor brunch?  Or that I would labor for hours on the layout and colors of an invitation and the coordinating accents.  Finding just the right RGB combination can be maddening and gratifying at the same time!  Then there was the time I spent an entire week and dozens of trashed cupcakes in an attempt to get the right consistency and tone of icing to match the invitation.  Now, that last bit is probably a tad insane.

DIY pinwheels - these were harder to make than anticipated

The other day, I shared one such detail - the drink menu featuring drinks named after George's various nicknames.  Today I am sharing two more little details:  his love of pinwheels, and his one-liners.  George is infamous for his concise repartee. They have become part of our family lexicon over the years.  Everyone has been on the receiving end of one of his zingers.

These labels are destined for gold drink cups

I made the pinwheels by slightly modifying this tutorial by Amanda Jane Jones as seen on Oh Happy Day.  I printed a gold background rather than yellow for the back side of the striped paper and I used dowel rods rather than pencils b/c I needed something longer but that proved the tricky part b/c the little tacks I used were wimpy and crumpled a lot when I tried to hammer them into the dowels.  Lots of cursing ensued but I worked it out.

because everything is infinitely cuter in a smaller version

Big and mini together forever

So know this about me.  If I am throwing you a party, I am most definitely spazing about the details.  For all outward appearances it might even look like I am in pain from all the concentration and worry about getting it just so.  But all these tiny details are meaningful little gestures that speak volumes about you and my love for you.  After all, that is what giving a party is all about, showing you how much I really care.  And appearing to be a rockstar while doing it!

kisses,  mrs. V