Cute Beach Wedding Paper Napkins

Loving these paper napkins by JINAIJI. Perfect for a beach theme wedding or engagement party!

Would you like a cup of Tea & Cream?

With the holidays around the corner, I've been spending a little more time than usual on-line searching for unique gift ideas and DIY tutorials. During my search today I came across this cute and unusual little ring by SouZouCreations on Etsy. How creative is that? It would be perfect for a waitress or a fun accessory to wear to a tea party. I had never seen anything like it, so I just had to share.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Pillow Set

What a truly unique idea by Etsy seller diffractionfiber who created these cute Peanut Butter & Jelly pillow set...because some things just go great together! For a small additional fee, you can get your name embroidered on the pillows as well. I would be jelly cuz I'm kinda sweet and my hubby would be peanut butter cuz he's kinda nutty. Or is it the other way around? Hmmm...I think this would make a good poll on my Facebook.

The pillows are not only a one-of-a-kind hand crafted design, they are also constructed out of eco-felt made of 100% recycled plastic bottles! Oh, how I love artwork that is not only good for the soul, but kind to the environment as well. =)

Let's get Funky (Lunch)!

These cute little edible creations brings food art to a whole new level! Funky Lunch was created out of the desire to make lunch time fun for kids while getting them to eat healthy food that is also appealing to them. The creators will be releasing Funky Lunch merchandise soon and sharing their recipes for great sandwhich design! These would be such a great hit at a birthday party, dont' you think?

Bird Feeder Made from Recycled Materials

LOVE this bird feeder made from reclycled street lights! Adds an artistic and contemporary touch to any space and it's good for the environment in more ways than one. Own a unique piece of functional art and know that $3 from your purchase will be donated to the Nature Conservancy by the designer. It's a win-win-win for all!

Come on little birdies, time to eat.

To purchase or to see other designs, visit RedYellowAndBlueInk.Etsy.com

Keds Dancing Shoes - Oh, yeah!

Got a kick out of these dancing shoes I found at lukaluka's zazzle gallery. They're Keds shoes, so you're sure do dance the night away in comfort!

To Tweet or not To Tweet? Personally, I heart Twitter.

Who are you wearing? Ah yes, iLE AiYE

I learned how to knit and crochet when I was about 8 years old. I liked it, but I never did finish anything I started. Oh, wait...I did knit a vest for a school project once back in grade school.

I'm very picky about knitted items them, though. They have to look cool and hip, not like anything gramma would wear/make.

Today as I perused the web for color concepts and inspiration I found this gorgeous poncho cape on iCraft.ca and it met the criteria - beautiful, cool, hip. Love it!

Designer: iLE AiYE

Handmade Marble Magnets

I've had so much fun this weekend with my latest craft project - handmade marble magnets! They're so cute and much fun to make! Here's a sneak preview, but I'll be posting more images and packaging them for sale on my Etsy shop after Memorial Day weekend. I have a set of Parisian inspired magnets that would be the PERFECT wedding favor for a Parisian inspired wedding! I'm always glad to take custom orders, of course, but if you're looking for a cute and unique gift for yourself, your bridesmaids, a friend, sister or collegue, these cute handcrafted creations will make anyone's day!

Okay, I have to go now, we're getting ready for an evening of swimming, bbq, family and fun. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday weekend!

For Your Party

Getting custom printed items is now easier than ever thanks to ForYourParty.com!

Their site features predesigned template collections from well known stationery designers, which you can customize with your name and wedding date.

One thing I love, is that they offer a wide variety of products such as napkins, matches, gift tags, coasters, mints, stir stick & more! They also carry design themes for anniversaries, holidays, birthdays and numerous other occasions.

Their templates are very easy to use. I found a set of coasters I liked (shown to the left) so I decided to try out the functionality of their website.

Within a few minutes I had created custom coasters for hubby and me!

(See image below)

The one thing I liked most about this site, as a designer, is that I can e-mail them my own designs and have them print them!

So, if you are thinking about having a custom wedding logo designed, once the design is finalized, we can e-mail that very same logo to ForYourParty.com to be printed on any of their customizable items!

Cool stuff!

Ahh...I love weddings! =)

Pocket Artist

I purchased a new phone recently...a Treo 700wx. It took me a while to get used to it. It wasn't until this weekend that I completely fell in LOVE with it, thanks to Pocket Artist. Pocket Artist is graphics software for pocket pc's that I purchased and downloaded to my phone. It's VERY similar to PhotoShop. You can create, edit and save images as PSD files (with layers), JPG, and many other popular file types.

Below are a few doodles I've created so far.

I made this one for my step-daughter who wants to be a professional ballerina. It actually looks a lot like her! She loved it! =)

I drew this pumpkin-man on our way to the pumpkin patch this weekeend. It's not easy drawing in a moving car, but I think the squiggly lines give it more character.
I'll upload actual photos of our pumpkin patch adventure in the next day or so.

Just a little stick figure in honor of the numerous stick figure drawings I've received from my daughter in the last few weeks.

Here I was just experimenting with different colors and filters. I used the smudge tool and noise filter to soften it up a bit. It's so much fun! If you're one who loves to doodle and happens to own a PDA, you have to try Pocket Artist! I'm sure you'll love it too!

Tyson and Julia...Married

I came across this blog a few weeks back and was immediately drawn to their photography and blog design. I then started reading their posts and thought they were the cutest couple ever! They reminded me what it was like to be a newly wed. I've been married for almost 6 years, and although I still love my husband very much, thinking back to the first years of our marriage always gives me butterflies in my tummy.

I thought it would be nice to share their blog with all you brides out there who wonder what comes after the wedding. Enjoy!

TysonAndJulia.com

Tuscan Themed Wedding Favor Ideas

Have you ever been to an older relative's house and seen their collection of wedding favors collecting dust? I know they hold on to them for sentimental value, but times have changed. No more plastic doves with tulle. When it comes to wedding favors, today's brides look for style and functionality!

I was browsing the web in search of inspiration for Tuscan themed wedding invitations. I like to look at possible decor, wedding favors, what other's have done for their own weddings, to perhaps incorporate some of their ideas with my own and come up with something totally new. During my search I found these CUTE "Olive You" wedding favors!
I just had to share my latest "neat find"!

For more information, click on the "my wedding favors" link on my Neat Finds page.

Anuschka kicks off my "Neat Finds" section

You know how Martha Stewart has "Good Things"?

Well, I've decided to share the things I find every now and then, which I consider to be "really neat," so I've created a page on my website and called it "Neat Finds".

Now, let's take a look at this beautiful handpainted leather bag by Anuschka, a feast for the eyes, and what better way to launch the "Neat Finds" page!

I love art, I love color, I love handbags, and I know there many people out there who feel the same way. There are many other beautiful styles and designs available, and guess what? There's an on-line store where you can purchase them and pay no sales tax and no shipping!

Click here to find out where!

If you came here looking for inspiration on wedding invitations, look no more! Inspiration comes from many different directions. For example, are you into vibrant colors? If so, imagine an invitation with the vibrant colors found on this bag, combined with beautiful pearlized paper with a leather finish - I can see it now! Invitations that will completely "wow" your guests!

Ah yes, the enV™

You know, I had the same cute little flip phone for the last 4 years. I actually liked it, but you know that in cell phone years, it was like 200 years old. I liked it, but I was starting to feel "uncool." No built-in camera, no video recorder, no fun. Strictly for calls and some text messaging.
I had been wanting to purchase a Palm® Treo™ for a while now. They're like a little portable PC - perfect for my business, since I work with clients nationwide, e-mail is how I manage to stay in constant communication with everyone. These phones offer the convenience of being able to "work" on the raod, in between appointments without having to carry a lap top around. But there was one thing holding me back from purchasing one of the blackberry or Treo phones. The truth is, I'm a designer and the grey and black colors just didn't do it for me. I'm also not very fond of their blocky shapes. I kept hoping they'd soon come out with a smaller version of the phone in several color variations, such as red or plum. But the wait was becoming more and more excruciating each day. My little girl keeps growing up, and my digital camera is too big to carry around in my purse. I really did need a camera phone to help me capture all the beautifull moments that will soon be a thing of the past!
Not only that, but a few weeks back I was working on an invitation project which required that I drew a few calla lilies. I looked on-line, I went to Michael's (my local arts and crafts store) and Aaron Brothers (art supplies and framing) in search of inspiration. I found the perfect image, the one that inspired me, the one I could reference when doing my own drawing. But it was too expensive to buy! I stared at it, wishing I had a photographic memory-a quick snap shot was all I needed, but I didn't have that luxury.
Well, now I do! It all happened a couple of days ago when I borrowed my sister's phone to send my husband a quick text message. She had recently purchased the enV™ as a replacement to the Chocolate™ model she owned for a few months. As soon as I touched it, I was in love! Text messaging is so easy on the qwerty keyboard - it's unbelieveable! I was done in seconds. I also love the color! Shades of orange, pink and red are all my favorite "color" so this little gadget had "Dio" written all over it! I purchaed my own enV™ wireless that same day! The only thing I don't like is the size. My old flip phone was half the size and fit everywhere. This one's quite big and bulky, but it's easier to find when misplaced.
So, my dear friends, you all know I work very non-traditional office hours. I work graveyard shift, sleep mornings/days, and in the envenings I'm constantly out in the field meeting clients or vendors, etc. It may become difficult to reach me by phone sometimes, and if that's the case, please don't hesitate to send me an e-mail or text message, where I can quickly reply in between appointments.
Thank you Verizon, thank you for making my life easier with your enV™.

What a sweet idea!

If I had to describe myself in a few words, here's what I'd say: Love, family, art, paper, color, work, chocolate, computers, design, design, design.

The truth is, I love what I do! I love the fact that I can combine my passion for paper, color, and my need to be creative on a daily basis. It keeps me inspired, it's challenging at times therefore keeps me growing, and it puts bread on the table. It truly is a win-win situation.

And I adore my family. I love spending time with my husband and my little "Androopants," which is why I've opted to work the "graveyard" shift. (We're Sponge Bob Square Pants fans - her real name is Andria, in case you wondered).

Yes my friends, while the family sleeps, I work, work, work! Usually from 11pm - 6am! It's actually one of the best ideas I've ever had! There are hardly any interruptions which allows me to completely focus on what I'm doing. My husband watches our daughter in the mornings while I sleep, which allows us to save $ on day care. So we win-win again.

Is there a downfall? Yes. Only a couple, though.

1. I don't have much time to return business calls on the evenings that I have scheduled consultations.
   Luckily, we live in an era of high technology, which makes it easier to keep in constant communicaiton with my clients. I use and rely on e-mail all the time!
   
2. I get hungry around 2am.
   I do, and fruit just seems too "lively" for a midnight snack and left overs seem too heavy. I usually just have cereal, or sometimes I treat myself to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

But oh, what I wouldn't give to try one of those fresh baked chocolate chip cookies from Insomnia Cookies delivered to my door right now!

That's what I call a SWEET idea! High-five to the college students who started this delivery service! They operate from 8pm - 2am, later on weekends. Unfortunately, at this time their services are only provided to college campuses in the NYC area. But I cross my fingers and hope that they make it big and soon expand their services to residential areas in the west coast. Particuarly the Palm Springs area, which is where this chocolaholic (that's me!) will anxiously await a warm, chocolatey and satisfying cookie with a tall glass of cold milk.

Don't worry! When the day comes, I promise to be extra careful and not get any cookie crumbs on your invitations!