Things I am Thankful For

I can't believe it, but November is already here! I've spent some quiet time this week reflecting on the things that I am thankful for, in preparation for the big Thanksgiving feasts coming up! I will be doing a weekly post of new things I am thankful for and really hope ya'll will join me and leave comments for things you are thankful for, or links to your blog where you have posted something similar! So, since I will be doing this weekly through November, this is by no means a comprehensive list, but just things that have come to me as I write or through my quiet thoughts this week!

1. My extremely supportive family and friends. I am lucky enough to have a very supportive group of loved ones who are there for me every step of the way. Not only are they behind me through the exciting, happy, and joyful times, but they are also there for me during the frustrating, sad, and annoying times!
2. Sunny, warm Fall days. In Virginia, we are lucky enough to have warm, sunny days well into the holiday season, on occasion. It's so uplifting to feel the excitement of Fall and the holiday season, but to still have the warm Spring air.
   
3. Target. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a Target nearby at all times. When I need something and don't know where to get it, Target is my shop of choice. I have bought everything from the obvious toiletries, groceries, and electronics to party outfits, home decor, and shoes!
4. Laughter. One of my most favorite things in the world to do is to laugh. And I'm not talking the little chuckle you do when you don't want someone to feel bad, I am talking a huge side-splitting laugh that puts you in a great mood for the rest of the day. I constantly surround myself with individuals who make me laugh this way on a daily basis.
5. Chocolate chip cookies from Ukrop's. For those of you who do not know what Ukrop's is, I urge you to make a trip to Richmond just for that experience! I have been completely obsessed with their homemade chocolate chip cookies lately.
6. Pantene Pro-V Clarifying Shampoo. I have yet to find a shampoo that cleans my hair as good as this shampoo does! I love it!
7. Project Runway. For those of you who know me well, you know I never watch television. Ever. But I must catch Project Runway every single week. I get so excited on Thursday afternoons when I remember I get to watch PR that evening.
8. Coming home to a package. Whether it be new supplies or something I ordered from a fellow seller, it is so exciting to come home and open a package at the end of a busy day!
9. Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks. I am a huge Starbucks addict. I go more often than I should. October 1 is always a treat each year because they begin selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The first sip is glorious - like taking a sip of Fall. If you aren't a coffee drinker, you probably don't understand...
10. Completely finalized and packaged orders. It's such a proud moment to see my creations through the process, but even better is to see them completed and packaged. It brings a sense of accomplishment that all you handcrafters out there probably share with me!

While I could go on and on, I am going to leave you with those. Now, your turn. What are you thankful for?

My Perfect Palette: Week 2

I have to say that as the week went on this past week, I began doubting what I said last week about my favorite color palette changing so often. I kept going back to the browns and oranges and greens that I had posted last week. BUT, my taste didn't fail me! Come Friday and Saturday I began working on some new items and noticed that my color palette I was working with slowly started to morph into the colors you see to the left. I think it is a great, refreshing Fall palette. The navy blue is a nice change from black, and the bright grass green is a good transition color. The curry and champagne are good accent colors to use!

Here are a couple of new items I created that incorporate these colors. They are slightly different, so you can get an idea of the customization that can be done, but they can be designed as a set so you get matching thank you cards with your wedding invitations and correspondence!


And below are a few items I am absolutely loving from my fellow UWIBs and Sassy Sisters that incorporate my color palette of the moment!



What a refreshing landscape painting from WabiBrookStudio!

And how can you not fall in love with these adorable cupcake toppers from Joosy Card Co.?


What a gorgeous necklace from The Beaded Branch! I am loving the shades of blue in this selection.

And last, but certainly not least, what a gorgeous Fall necklace from Femme Petal!

I hope ya'll enjoy this week's color palette! Who knows what will be my favorite next week!

xoxo

My Perfect Palette: Week 1

I enjoy working with color variety...a lot. In fact, I enjoy working with color so much that my taste in the colors I use in my designs changes so often I can barely keep up with it! So, I thought it would only be logical to show ya'll my perfect color palette of the moment! This palette will feature items I am working on, items I am loving, and give you a sneak peek into the colors you can see in my designs in the next few days. For my very first Perfect Palette feature, I have been really into these gorgeous rich colors that are a great transition from the hot August days to the cool Fall mornings. My favorite thing about using these colors is that they are so versatile. You can play up the orange and curry colors for summer, or the sage and chocolate for Fall. Such a great combination!

Here is a wedding invitation design I worked on this weekend that incorporates the sage and chocolate:

And here, you'll see some lovely features from my fellow UWIB ladies!

I just love this Cinnabar butterfly and buffalo stone necklace by PolishedTwo! A great transitional piece from summer to fall.

What a gorgeous Modern Landscape painting from Kristen Stein Fine Art! Another perfect transitional piece.



And how can you not love this sweet Harvest the Corn Illustration Print by Tamara Garvey? I could see this fitting beautifully in my kitchen!

I am just loving these gorgeous, rich transitional colors, but what will next week's perfect palette be? Will it be something completely different or a similar version of this week's palette? Hmm...we'll have to wait and see!

I hope ya'll have a fabulous Sunday!

xoxo

Thank You to Inventing Weddings!

So, before I tell you about Inventing Weddings, let me just tell you about my disappointment when I realized someone had to sign for my printer when it arrived, and I wasn't here! Very disappointing. Luckily, though, they will be back tomorrow, and you better believe I will be getting it TOMORROW! I cannot wait to print all my new Fall and Winter designs I have been holding off on until my printer arrived!

Moving on...a huge thank you to Inventing Weddings for featuring one of my wedding invitations on their site! The image is below. Gorgeous items, and I am so honored to be featured with these amazingly talented artists!

I also received my paper! It was so exciting. The colors are gorgeous and I can't wait to feature them in my Etsy shop. I'll post some sneak peeks later.

All in all the week is going great. I hope yours is treating you well, too.

Thanks so much for checking in, and happy corresponding!