catch up....

Business at the shop has grown by leaps and bounds this spring!  A very special thanks goes out to each and every client that I've worked with so far this year...

I'm still hard at work on the new site design, being the perfectionist that I am.  Please be patient as I do some spring cleaning and head on over to tineandthread.com to check out the new design, launching in a few short weeks!

a new look for the new year!

New Year's always has me looking forward to the new year ahead.  I reflect on the year that's just passed and I work towards changing things that no longer suit me. 

2012 was a wonderful year.  I became an aunt (again) and so many others around me are having babies.  I am working through some issues with my health, but otherwise, life is so very sweet. Personally and professionally, I've never felt more fulfilled.  Self actualized I suppose you could say!

New designs and concepts are flooding my mind and I'm so very excited for 2013!  Onwards and upwards!  My site will have a new look very soon...

postage rate increase

There's lots of vintage postage in my shop for sale and I found out recently that the USPS is increasing the price to mail an ounce to 46 cents on January 27.  Stock up on those Forever stamps now especially if you are expecting to send a large mailer this year.

The USPS just released some Lady Bird Johnson stamps that are a remake of a design released in the '60's.  The vintage stamps from the '60's are very hard to find and this new Forever stamp is a great alternative.  Here's a link to the USPS store to buy the stamps now:

USPS Store

For more information on the increase, visit:

USPS News

happy 2013!

I'm hoping that the start of the new year is faring well for everyone...  I know I am excited for 2013 and the changes ahead.  I'm planning new designs for my shop, major design updates to my site and my calendar is already filling up with wedding calligraphy! 

I found out this morning that my 2013 calendar had a little mention on Inside & Out, the Pottery Barn blog!  Check it out:

10 Out of the Ordinary Calendars

I have a sickness for Pottery Barn and am SO excited to have a mention on their blog.  Thanks Pottery Barn!

a thank you

A very special thanks to everyone that placed orders during my Black Friday sale!  The percentage came out to just under $100, so I'll be donating $100 to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy victims.  I'm constantly praying for all the families affected.  I'm hoping that they can find a way to enjoy the holiday season this year...

I still have sale items available in the shop and I'm currently planning a year-end clearance.  Stay tuned!

For now, here's a free downloadable template that is just adorable:

Free Printables from Wee Gallery

Loving the owl tags!

gratitude

Thanksgiving for me has always been about family, gratitude and thanking God for everything that I have and for everything that I am. 

My thoughts are with those involved in the recent violence in Israel.  My thoughts are with those that have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Most of all, my prayers are with those that are HUNGRY.  I am so very fortunate to be able to cook for my family on Thanksgiving and I can't imagine not being able to.  I hope and pray that one Thanksgiving, everyone will have something to eat.

I think about the wise words of Emerson:

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I strive to dwell in gratitude, to remember to be thankful every day.  With that, I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

oh so beautiful paper holiday card roundup

I was so very honored to find out this morning that one of my holiday cards was included in Oh So Beautiful Paper's holiday roundup.

Feast your eyes on this:

OSBP Holiday Card Roundup

I'm proud to be included alongside so many other super talented designers that I admire.

Thank you, Nole!

black friday comes early this year!

I normally don't take part in the madness that is Black Friday, but my shop certainly will be jumping on the bandwagon.  There's just something about getting up at 5:00 a.m. to get pushed around by a bunch of crazed strangers...  Remember the face punching and pepper spray incidents last year?  BAH!  Support your local small businesses and your favorite Etsy shops, that's what I say!

Starting today, my shop has a special Black Friday sale section.  Click through to have a look:

Black Friday Sale!

Best of all, 10% of all sales will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy victims.  The sale will be extended into December so please help me contribute to those in need.

It's the season of giving and of being thankful.  Although I did not know anyone personally that was seriously affected by the storm, my heart goes out to everyone in the region.

I'm not set on any certain charity quite yet but I'm considering the Red Cross and Save the Children.  What's your favorite charity?

i miss you, mamaw

With my sister at her nursing graduation in 2006

On the far right.  Loving that pinafore and the hair!

One of my favorite photos of her

Looking fabulous in the '50's

Rockin' that tube top and sunglasses.  Proud of her flower, I'm sure.

Four years ago on November 14th, I lost my Mamaw - my grandmother, my best friend and the greatest teacher I've ever had during my 33 years on this earth.

She taught me how to can, sew, knit, crochet and raise a garden.  She taught me how to quilt.  She taught me how to be a lady and she taught me all about respect.  She taught me how to walk with a heavy book on my head, for perfect posture, of course.  She taught me the importance of dressing well and that my shoes should always match my purse.  She taught me about God's love and she stepped in to take care of me when others couldn't.  She taught me to "stick with it" no matter what and to never, ever give up.

I know she's in a much better place now.  She suffered from a rare form of kidney cancer that spread to her bones.  She was in so much pain at the end and being a Christian woman, she was ready to go.  She spoke about dying like she was going on vacation or a big cruise.  The last time I saw her, she was planning her funeral with my sister.  She was smiling and laughing and had her pink suit picked out for the burial.  It was surreal...  She was talking about her funeral, the songs she wanted sung and the outfit she wanted to wear.  I was so broken knowing that I was loosing her, but comforted knowing that she was at peace with moving on.

It was the first snow in the mountains back home when they laid her to rest.  I remember it like it was yesterday and I still miss her every day.  Mamaw, it pains me to know that you never held my son in the physical world, but I'm sure you held him before he was born.  I know you're smiling down at us and I hope I've made you proud with what I've done with my life.   

a simple fall mantel

The banner was handmade by me.  I used an old Martha Stewart tutorial that I can no longer locate.  I should definitely post a tutorial on how to make them.  So much fun, so simple and not complicated at all! 

Happy Fall!

christmas crack

Looking at all the new ornaments that are coming out at the department stores around get me in the holiday spirit.  Last week, the family and I were out shopping and I made a comment about looking at all the Christmas crack around, referring to the ornaments.  A clerk overhead and got a good giggle.

Christmas and the holiday season is absolutely my favorite time of year.  All the shopping and creating involved really gives me a great amount of joy.  I have so many good memories of Christmas growing up and I strive to create the same for my kids.

I typically don't buy new ornaments (I collect antique ones), but shopping for them does feed my "addiction" for all things holiday-related, hence the Christmas crack joke that I have with my husband.  I actually have a large collection of antique ornaments that I add a few pieces to each year.  I'll certainly have to share some photos of my favorites, including the very first ornament that my grandmother purchased when my grandfather returned from WWII.

Now that I'm a mom, I have a annual tradition of buying ornament frames for each child.  I date each one and choose a favorite picture for the year to include inside.  We now have enough to disperse across the tree and remember all the good times we've had as a family.  I love it and it adds so much to our tree!  It's my favorite annual tradition so far, aside from all the family recipes I create each year for all our holiday gatherings.

This year, I chose a glitter ornament frame from Pottery Barn and I was so pleased to receive them this week!  Take a look:

Image via Pottery Barn Kids

These ornaments can be purchased here.  They are made of high-quality chipboard (I believe) covered in glitter and layered in a snowflake design.  The velvet ribbon included was also a beautiful addition.

What holiday traditions do you look forward to each year?  Do you love the holiday season?

featured on kara's party ideas

I'm so very honored to have been featured on Kara's Party Ideas.  If you're not familiar with the site, it's a wonderful resource for party inspiration, supplies and ideas.  Check it out:

Kara's Party Ideas Feature

I really have to thank everyone that helped me make his day a special one.  Laura Izumakawa Photography, Little Seouls Party, The Cake House, Knitting Dreams...  It couldn't have been more perfect!

custom business card stamps

One of my favorite things to create are my business card stamps in my shop here:

Business Card Stamp Listing

Kellie Winnell over at Give a Girl a Blog recently created one with me and I love the way it turned out!  She gave me a little mention on here blog here and is offering a discount to my shop to her readers:


http://www.kelliewinnell.com.au/?p=10415

She's a beautiful Aussie lady with THE cutest, most inspirational blog.  Love her hair!  Be sure to stop by and say hello...

some recent work

On top of feeling under the weather lately, I'm having a steady stream of custom work come my way. 

The bride that I worked with to complete this Save the Date was an absolute joy to work with!

A Save the Date!

 I loved the blue ink and the way these turned out...

A baby shower invite

I hope you enjoy!

featured on the vanilla tulip & makewells

I'm always honored to be featured or asked to be a part of a blog.  I recently got a mention over at the Makewells blog.  Check it out:

http://makewells.typepad.com/makewells/2012/10/fab-5-etsy-shops.html

The Vanilla Tulip is also featuring me in the holiday gift bazaar that runs annually.  There are lots of great shops featured.  Stop by The Vanilla Tulip and have a look.  Guaranteed that you'll find some gift ideas for the holidays:

http://thevanillatulipreview.blogspot.com/p/holiday-gift-bazaar-2012_4.html

Thanks again Ashley and Megan!  I'm truly honored and appreciate the recognition.

are you feeling it?

The change in seasons, the upcoming holidays...  It's my favorite time of year!  Also the busiest for me.

I attended a wedding weekend here in Southern California last weekend that was THE most beautiful wedding I've been to.  It was a melding of cultures - German and Native American.  I love the way the couple represented both.

Here's one of the photos that I captured:

Dreamcatcher

It's a large handmade dream catcher filled with photos of friends and family.  It was a hit and was one of the bride's DIY projects.  Such a beautiful and wonderful idea!

I have native blood and got to join in on the traditional songs that were sang.  It truly was a beautiful wedding.  I can't wait to see how the professional photos turned out.

Speaking of being busy...  I'm feverishly working to get my holiday items together for my shop.  Custom work is pouring in and I can't believe I'm all booked up for the next month or so!

Happy holidays to everyone that loves this time of year as much as I do!

featured on grey likes baby

Check it out!  My son's birthday had a little mention on Grey Likes Baby:

My son's birthday

Thank you ladies!  I'm SO flattered to be a part of such a lovely blog.

pantone spring 2013 color predictions

I'm loving the Monaco Blue, Grayed Jade and Poppy Red.  Tender Shoots, not so much. 

I'm getting SO many ideas!  Love 'em or hate 'em?

(Image found here)

You can view all Pantone's Spring 2013 predictions here.

emma birth announcement

I'm a nut.  I absolutely love the holidays and I start planning early every year for our annual holiday parties and the shopping. Oh, how much I love Christmas shopping!

I'm also working feverishly on some holiday stationery designs for my shop.  More to come on that later....

I'm also happy to show everyone a new birth announcement style that's now available in the shop.  I'm calling it Emma after a very special two-year old that I know.  This design is perfect for new parents that want a touch of calligraphy on their birth announcements.

I enjoyed every second of designing these and I hope you enjoy too!

grey likes weddings collective

I'm so happy to announce that I'm now part of Grey Likes Weddings' preferred vendors list!  It's invite only to be a part of the blog and I was so flattered to be chosen.

If you are not yet familiar with this lovely blog, you should be.  It's beautiful, inspiring and a feast for the eyes, all the time!

Stop by, say hello and leave a review:

Grey Likes Weddings - Calligraphy