i'm actually posting some book pics :)

i used to be really good about posting books as i finished them... not so much anymore! anyway, here are a few books that were finished recently...

really love that blue and orange combo...

hope you all had a nice weekend! the rain was good, and i got some things done around the house. i hope next weekend to be planting...

hello, friday.

this week has been super crazy and i'm ready for a little time me time. me time that includes pulling weeds in the yard, planting some more grass seed, sanding on a little nightstand and prepping the bathroom for its makeover. did i mention working on some books as well? sigh.

maybe at least there will be margaritas involved at some point this weekend... 

have a good one :)

print above (which i long to have in my office, hint hint) is by azuregrackle on etsy.

more books.

a few other books that i finished up recently... these went out to their brides earlier today. surprisingly, i have done quite a few books with that warm gray paper, and i love it! it seems like you can pair it with almost any bright color...

and... i've had this paper for awhile, patiently waiting for someone to pick it out (i also have it in pink) and finally got to use it! i love the way it looks paired with a simple design for the names.

books, books, books...

it seems this is what my life has about been lately! a few fun books for my photobooth friend up north... (say that three times fast!) i really wish i could see the decor at the wedding for that top book. the bride wanted some 'western-y' paper and luckily, i was able to find something she liked locally. i can't believe this week has passed by so quickly! i can't say i'm not ready for it though. i have a few projects in mind that i would like to tackle...

more books.

hello monday! i can't say that i'm excited that it's the beginning of the week yet again... but at least i got some work done over the weekend and can hopefully rest a little more next weekend. these are a few books i finished last friday, and i will have more to post later as i just got another 4 bound today. 

i have yard work, gardening ideas, furniture makeovers and diy projects swirling around in my head today. oh to have some extra time to accomplish these things!

etsy faves.

organic cotton bag from hellome

was looking through my favorites on etsy today and thought i would share some here. just in case, you know, you get the urge to send me something pretty... :)

goodtime ring from yellowgoat

kimono robe by plumprettysugar

upcycled bottletop pendant by mintyfreshfusions

awesome wood portfolio by janiesmash

linen tea towel form jewelweeds

pretty as a peacock.

this one just got finished and mailed off last week! leanne is having a peacock inspired wedding and wanted a guestbook to match. this great paper came from hodgepodge and i really love the way it turned out on her book. 

did you have a good weekend? i actually got a few things done, and aside from having a killer headache sunday night, it was a good weekend for us too. if only i had a little more time...

books. and a new camera...

a few books that i just completed... don't you love the texture on that black book? and i am having way too much fun taking photos of my books with my new fabulous camera! i cannot wait for a little free time to go experiment some more... and learn how to use all the fancy settings.

belated books.

a few books that were done a little while ago... i seem to have misplaced some other belated book photos as well... should have some more posted soon! too much going on...

red hot!

i am loving all these beautiful, bright colors! i guess 2009 is the year for bright color pairings for weddings... not that i'm complaining, of course. it just makes my job more fun :) simple, clean and modern, i love how lexi's book turned out. 

working on a few other special projects right now as well... will post pictures soon!

spring books.

here are a few books that i finished on tuesday, the last day of march! can you believe it's already april? i can't. i'm really excited about these books and a few i'm currently working on. megan wanted a rustic look for her outdoor wedding... i experimented a little on hers with some raffia... but it just didn't look the way i was expecting it to. i opted to use some great texture-y paper instead, and i think it turned out really nice!

krista is having a photobooth at her wedding, so i created this book so her guests could add in their photos and warm wishes after having their picture taken! we also added an envelope to the back to house all the extra photostrips... now that's thinking ahead!

anjeli was great to work with and already had an amazing design from her invitations (which she designed herself!) that we used elements from for her book. i just love the fresh, bright colors! reminds me of the warm weather that's finally starting to show up again...

other loves.

there are few things i love more than hand-drawn type. and those are what else? hand-cut type and letterpress. i'm sure you all saw this lovely 'good luck' print on spartan home's sneak peek on d*s yesterday. well, it comes from bread and butter, who has a shop on etsy! these are a few of the great pieces they have in their shop right now... really love the simplicity of everything. ahh, now if i just had the funds...

etsy birthday.

i can't believe that it's already been a full year since i opened my etsy shop! i started off selling leather jewelry and then quickly moved to my custom guestbooks after a few friends suggested that they would be a big hit... and they have been! just in this year, i've made over 100 guestbooks for weddings (and a few birthday parties too!) i can't imagine how many more i would have created if i had been doing this full time...

i wanted to just say thanks to all those friends and family who have supported me and given me their kind words of encouragement. i certainly wouldn't have been able to do all of this without you. especially doug. i can't begin to tell you how many nights were spent running to the store for more bubble wrap or cardstock. or freaking out because something had gone wrong. thanks, babe, for always being there and always believing in me.

selling your handmade product online isn't always easy. if you are thinking about opening an etsy shop, let me know! i would be glad to help out in any way i can and answer any questions. 

green envy.

yay for green. i wish i had found this paper when i got married... i pretty much would have covered everything with it. and it matches my walls... what more could you want?

finishing up a few more books... i have a feeling things are about to get busy.

hand drawn type love.

some afternoon eye candy for the type lover in us all. linoleum block print... can you imagine carving out all of that beautiful type backwards? 12th sonnet print from lizzyhouse.

nerd love.

i feel like these were made just for me and doug. i love you, my darling nerd :) 

fun buttons and magnets from buttonempire.

love me some vintage. dresses.

every year the laf likes to round up all the graphic designers into one place and award the best of the best in the designing biz. the addy awards. happily, this year has a vintage (40's-50's) theme, which means i get to dress up in some awesome old clothes. so while i already have a dress and some shoes in mind to wear for the big show, i always like to browse my favorite online venue, etsy, for some inspiration. so, here are my picks... (please note that these dresses are not all my size or in my price range... it's just wishful thinking on my part)

this one is my favorite. great find from StelmaDesigns that i wish i had found before my wedding. i have dreams of having a big, fabulous anniversary party someday - and i'll be wearing this (or something very similar).

pretty little number from metroretrovintage. not sure this one is fancy enough for this type of event, but it sure is cute! would love to pair it with some bright yellow heels and a red cardigan. reminds me of carrie of s&tc during her vintage phase. 

frilly red from Thrush. this is one of those that i would have to try on before buying. cute, but not very sure about all the frills. i would also opt to wear a fluffy petticoat underneath to make the skirt flare out. now that's the secret to making your ankles look skinny...

bubblegum pink and ruffles from yummysailor. this dress would be absolutely perfect if it were green. like avacado green. or kelly green. or chartreuse green. you get the idea. i would also consider ditching the sheer sleeves and adding little cap sleeves. while i'm not too big of a pink person, this would be fun for a night out.

zombies and love.

i must admit, i don't often look at the treasuries on etsy unless they are featured on the front page (shame on me, i know). this plate just so happened to be featured today, and i couldn't help but think what a great V-day gift it would be for my zombie-loving husband. we have quite the collection of zombie movies (not to mention a series of books and graphic novels by laurell k. hamilton). anyway, enough rambling. go check out foldedpigs and her quirky dinnerware. maybe some of her cockroach plates will keep me from over-eating...

and in other non-zombie news, have you heard? domino is shutting it's doors. very sad indeed. i  seem to be cursing my favorite magazines when i purchase a subscription. first blueprint, now domino... what is the world coming to?

a few books.

i know i haven't posted many books lately... so here are a few recent ones. 

gray is certainly making a huge comeback in everything from fashion to home decor. and why not? it's neutral, looks great with just about any color, and can be warm or cool - depending on what colors you combine it with. i've really been leaning towards some grey stuff in our living room, to go with our new purple couch! actually found some great pillows at target yesterday... 

the honeycomb design came from lisa's save the dates, and i think it looks awesome with the gray. i also really like the cutout effect with this book, it gives it a clean, modern edge.

can't really say much about this book, other than it was kind of a 'rush' book for someone you may or may not know from the big screen...

another fun book with this awesome green paper. i think i would wallpaper my entryway in this stuff if doug would allow it. though i'm guessing our kitchen is probably enough green for one house...

hope you all had a wonderful weekend! i've got some things i've been putting off (what's new?) that i need to take care of before monday rolls around...

love me some letterpress.

almapottery was features on etsy's front page treasury today, and i just had to take a look around her shop. she's got some unique ceramics... including little dishes and bowls, sushi sets, jewelry, small sculpture, and gocco prints. i absolutely adore these letterpressed pieces though. they are unique, functional, beautiful and have type all over them. what more could you ask for? 

photo from almapottery