Big news!!!

Hey guys, I know it's been a little time since the last post - but, BIG news, we have a brand new website!! I'm pretty darn excited about it.

It's cleaner and more streamlined than the old site, so the colorful products really pop. It's also a much more comprehensive site, with a built-in blog, design studio, and e-commerce shop. Now, in addition to the etsy shop, you can also buy our products right on our site.

The other big, big news is our new Watercolor Wedding Collection! The invitation designs were created using my colorful, textured watercolor illustrations, and pair with modern typography choices that you can mix and match with the different watercolor designs. The other super cool thing is that you can order these invitations right on our site! (I know!)

A lot of time was spent carefully crafting the user experience for ordering the watercolor wedding invitations. You can select quantities, color, type style and add in all of your event information easily when placing your order. Take a moment to visit our site and let me know what you think! I'd LOVE to hear your feedback.

Lastly, this will be the final post at this location. Future traffic will re-direct to the blog on our new site, where we'll be posting news, inspiration and other fun stuff from now on. Go there now!

Thank you for taking a look!

xo, ashley

Letterpress Love

Stock up on Valentines, birthdays, thank yous - or pick up our metallic pocket journals - all at 20% off in the shop! Enter coupon code "VAL2013" when you checkout.

Yay!

Happy 2013

Welcome to 2013!
(a few days late, I know... It was a busy week!)

I've set some pretty big goals for this year; among them:

• launching our new website with e-commerce (I'm super excited about this!)
• launching our new series of wedding invitations
   (even MORE excited about these!! in a word: watercolor)
• preparing a new collection for this year's National Stationery Show (my fourth time exhibiting!)
• possibly some bigger life changes down the road later in the year?

While I work toward these projects (and keep up with my freelance clients and all the craziness of the day-to-day), I'm resolving to try to work from a place of JOY, not stress. I'm so thankful to have a creative career that I love. The goal is not perfection, but just to keep moving forward and keep putting positive vibes out there (allowing for occasional grumpypants days of course).

I wish you all a joyful new year!

P.S. If you want the heads-up when our new watercolor wedding collection launches, please sign up for our mailing list on the website. (we won't spam you, promise.)

(above image copyright Fine Day Press)

Tomorrow!

Last minute shoppers, unite! Come and visit me and a bunch
of awesome vendors (plus food + drinks) at Littlefield tomorrow
for Brooklyn Craft Central's Holiday Market!

It's my last holiday event before some much needed R & R. Looking
forward to some mellow time with family over the next week!

Craftin' and Collagin'

Come and join me tonight at Brooklyn Art Library's holiday extravaganza!
Holiday crafting + wine, what could be better? I'll be giving a demo and 
you can learn all my magical collage secrets....

Bright Little Things

Cute, bright things to stuff in your stocking, from top to bottom:

Anabela wallet by Marc Jacobs, Chevron striped dopp kit (via Paper Hounds blog),
Jonathan Adler Sparkle pouch

Super Sale

Have you sent out holiday cards yet? I haven't!! It will happen ... it's just that December always sneaks up so quickly. One minute it's Halloween and then next thing you know, BAM!
Christmas time.

We're having a super duper 40% off sale on ALL of our holiday cards - singles, boxed sets, letterpress, you name it. Check out the holiday section of our shop right here.

I'm also running dangerously low on 2013 Wall Calendars, so if you've had your eye on it, better pick one up before they disappear!

xo, ashley

Comfort food

I know, it's right after Thanksgiving when I probably should be dialing
it back a little, food-wise, in preparation for the high-calorie holiday
festivities right around the corner (hello, eggnog!). But I'm craving a
little cold-weather comfort food - specifically, the grilled cheese
sandwich. Paired with a light soup or side salad, it's the perfect lunch.

Here are some ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwiches I found via Pinterest:

From top to bottom: Spinach grilled cheese, Jalapeno grilled cheese,
Mushroom & thyme grilled cheese

 

Holiday craft inspiration

Above: Fun, brightly colored felt ornaments via the Purl Bee.

Below: Modern & cute DIY Advent calendar "town" by Mr. Printables

All Wrapped Up

We're delighted to be a part of this special sale event on One King's Lane today!
The sale includes some fabulous gift wrap, ribbon, gift tags & holiday cards
(including our mod holiday tree and candy cane cards, above), so check it out...

Friday eye candy

Beautifully drippy paintings by Arite Kannavos. Have a great weekend!

Just say no ... nicely

I hate saying no. I don't know why, if it's some kind of innate people-pleasing thing, or not wanting to miss out on anything. I have a hard time with that word. As a small biz owner who works with a number of different clients, my initial impulse is to say "Yes, yes yes!" to every project that comes my way.

But, over the past few years on this journey, I've learned that this isn't always the best thing to do. Trust your gut. It's really easy to ignore the tiny little voice of intuition, that so often gets drowned out with the din of everyday life. When I've gone against it, I've found myself in situations that are less than ideal. I've been able to look back on a few occasions and realized that my intuition was there all along, I just didn't hear her.

I've had two situations recently where I've had to flex that "No" muscle (it gets stronger the more you use it). In one case, a client was continually pushing for work beyond the scope of our project, but did not want to pay for the additional services. So I said no. The client then wanted a refund on the services already completed - Again, I said no.

Let's say you go to the dentist and get a cleaning. Then, after the cleaning, you decide you want braces, too, for free. The dentist (logically) refuses. Would you then expect a refund on the cleaning that's already been done? I don't think so.

The second situation was a little different. This one was a more of a gray area, and I struggled with my decision (again, listening to that tiny voice). The project was for a good cause and a bit more high profile. But it's completely pro-bono. As a still-struggling small business, I wasn't sure I had the resources to take on the project. Additionally, in order to do the project well, it would take a fairly significant time investment during what is already an incredibly busy time of year for me. But I think the biggest factor in the decision was an intuition thing, that I just wasn't sure the client valued my time or input, and when it's pro-bono you need to be fully committed. So I said no, somewhat reluctantly.

In both of the above situations, I provided the clients with alternative solutions they could move forward with.

Keep in mind the big N-O is a powerful tool, to be wielded with care. You'll know when you've used it correctly because you'll feel that a weight has been lifted. And you'll create more space for other more positive opportunities to come in. I still say yes most of the time! And I've been fortunate that the majority of my clients are a true pleasure to work with.

It goes without saying, but....

Love Nature NYC

I found myself next to Love Nature NYC at a craft market over a year ago and
immediately fell in love with their all-natural body scrubs, soaps and candles
(as did my mom). Jared recently launched a new line of beautifully packaged
candles, designed by Tara of Ink & Wit. Tara has an innate sense for typography,
pattern and material, never overdesigning and always creating something covetable.

Fall Finds

Cute fall finds via Quirk Gallery, a well-curated, Richmond, VA-based shop.

1. Gold and sequin bead necklace 2. Donna Wilson plate 3. Phone handset (a must-have -
so much more ergonomic than talking on that hard little rectangle!) 4. Elephant, made
from recycled sweatshirts 5. Baggu i-pad case, also available in a yummy neon yellow

Recent Press

Our gold foil and citron letterpress thank you card is featured in the most recent issue of Stationery Trends, along some other wonderful stationery design talents.

You can grab these cards as a single or a set in our etsy shop. A very glamorous way to say thanks! The set of six cards also makes a nice little gifty for your favorite party host, mom, boss, etc...

New Art Prints + Sale

Hi there! Introducing are our newest art prints, the Mod collection!
The Mod Animal prints can be personalized or blank, and make a fun
addition to any kid's room or playroom. The Bonjour print is a tribute
to my love for frenchie things; my greeting card line already has a few
francais nods so it was a natural progression...

To celebrate the debut of these cuties, ALL Art Prints in the shop
are 30% off! Just enter ARTSALE at checkout!

One King's Lane: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

We're participating in a smashing stationery sale over at One King's Lane,
along with fellow paper talents Fawnsberg and Paperfinger! Some of
the items featured in the sale are super-new and aren't even available
in our shop yet. Get on over there and check it out - certain cards are
already selling out. Sale ends Thursday.

Sometimes things can't happen all at once, you know?

I found these wise words in a recent issue of Inc. magazine (always a good source of inspiration for me). When I get frustrated with the challenges of growing a small business - wanting to grow much faster than I currently am, wishing I had more cash flow to develop all the ideas I've got percolating in my head, working to build relationships with stores - sometimes it's good to just step back, take a breath and recognize how far things have come.

Have the patience to let the seeds take root - and keep preparing! You never know when the next great opportunity will come knocking, so be ready. Know that each tiny step - each tiny seed you plant - is an important one along the long-term path to success, and just keep at it.

Color Inspiration

I have been buried under a pile of work - buried! Finally digging my way out and seeing
some light. I might even have time to cook dinner tonight, yes!

Here are some colorful gems from NY Fashion Week, part of J. Crew's spring 2013 lineup.
Lovely palette! I'm especially into the technicolor floral print on the blouse, above right,
and clutch, below right.