A Little Something For BFFs

There's a new Etsy shop on the map called Fire Daughter Clothing. Samya, the brainchild and designer behind this fun line of T-Shirts for girls of all ages, really has a knack for keeping the designs hip and retro.

I was first introduced to Fire Daughter T-Shirts by my own BFF who happens to be neighbors with Samya. Last June when my gal pals and I took our 40th birthday party trip, we all received these awesome "Peace, Love, Girlfriends" shirts. It really is unlike any other T-shirt I own, really soft and stretchy! Don't you just love the little rhinestones? They are now for sale in Samya's shop, just click here.

I was so inspired by this simple, fun, girly design that I just had to make them into note cards.


How fun is this shirt? Perfect for the new mommy or as a little treat for yourself

Be sure to visit Fire Daughter Clothing to see her complete line of adorable kid's T-Shirts with equally cute bling.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Directions: Click on collage for best viewing results.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! InkSpot Workshop is proud to bring you this adorable collage of hand crafted, fellow Etsy sellers - with an emphasis on Turkey Day.

Long after the smell of pumpkin pie has faded from the house, you can keep the memory alive with these perfectly clean soybean candles from Bliss Candles. I love soap that looks and smells good enough to eat, lay your eyes on this bubbly treat from Lily Bay Soap. Keep all your Thanksgiving recipes in place with this fun paperweight courtesy of Paper Flowers. I just can't keep my eyes off of these boldly painted acorns from Sew Sew Suck Ur Toe. Wouldn't they make cute place card holders somehow? or little favors for your guests? On a diet this Thanksgiving? Here's a little fat free drumstick, crocheted by Yummy Pancake. Love to have your ears nibbled on? How about these yummy teasers from G.Nee Works?

Have a wonderful day filled with too much turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and hugs and kisses from your family and friends.

Behind The Scenes

Getting requests to do custom work is so much fun, plus it helps keep my creative juices flowing. Not only do I get a complete kick out of designing something from start to finish, I am constantly amazed when someone requests to have one of my designs used in a completely different manner than originally intended. For example, I offer a puzzle piece kid's personalized note card set. Imagine my surprise when a young bride asked to have it made into her wedding invitation? Ironically, the red and green colors worked perfectly for a December wedding. It was a stretch, but I made it work. My fingers were raw from cutting, folding and gluing 100 handmade envelopes.

Back in September, I received a custom request from the talented Amy of the Paisley Pineapple to do a circus theme for her son's first birthday. She wanted something modern and not too baby, just the type of challenge I thrive upon. It was from this project my Custom Party Packs were hatched. I love the idea of a party "theme" and having all the printed pieces coordinate but not be too "matchy" really gives off a nice unified, clean appearance. Here's what we came up with for Maddox's first birthday.

Here were the party tags in action last weekend. Aren't these just about the cutest goodie bags you have ever seen? I think Amy should do party planning as her 2nd Etsy shop:)

Thanks for sharing these pictures with us. Hope Maddox enjoyed his very first birthday!

Since the circus, I've also received requests to do a girls' Tiny Dancer theme

and of course a little boy's 2nd birthday request to be all Construction

I love to see my work used in the real world. If you have a shot of your InkSpot Workshop paper goodie in action, please pass it along and I will gladly give you a plug right here in Custom Corner.

InkSpot Workshop Sightings

I'm so happy to announce the latest curated marketplace from Poppy Talk has launched. Recognize the gallery above? It is a Holiday and gift themed preview which just launched on Monday, be sure to check it out there are so many talented hand crafted artists with absolutely amazing items all in one place. I have found a few new favorites. You will be sure to find something for everyone on your list.

I'm so thrilled and encouraged by all of the positive press my new Holiday 2008 line has been getting. Not only have I had a few blog mentions, but 2 of my items shown above ( Vroom Note Card Set and Note Card Gift Box) were featured in Etsy's Card, Ribbon and Wrap, Holiday Gift Guide.

Thanks everyone! for your continued support of InkSpot Workshop. I so look forward to bringing forth even more fun paper goodies to make you smile, throughout 2009!!!!

iCANDY- 17th Edition

DIRECTIONS: For best results, click on iCANDY collage

I'm BACK! Sorry for neglecting my blog this past week. I had to go to Phoenix and attend my {day job} National Sales Meeting and as one can imagine - I'm exhausted and if that weren't bad enough, I'm sick too.

Being sick has helped me to pick this week's iCANDY featured Etsy artists. I was looking for "comfort" pictures and these really fit the bill. First up is Fire Daughter Designs, a new Etsy seller. She makes some of the cutest t-shirts for tots and adults alike. In the mood for some felted cherry blossom hair pins? From Germany we have Thymbyl Designs, every accessory in her shop features serious attention to the tiniest of details. Then we have these mohair beauties from Kindred Knits. Never have I seen such romantic knitted wraps and even better pictures!

Enjoy! As always, if you have some iCANDY, I'd love to see it!! Just send me a post here or an email to inkspotworkshop@hotmail.com

My New Helper

Life just got a little easier with some help from my new Tonic Studios guillotine paper trimmer, purchased at the new Paper Source here in Atlanta. Now you know, each and every piece of paper you buy from InkSpot Workshop is lovingly cut by yours truly. I'm not sure how I ever lived without this practical piece of equipment? Would you believe I used a little rotary trimmer up until now? At $49.00 this was a steal! Although I still can only cut 2 pieces of heavy card stock at a time, it's better than what I had before.



Do you have a piece of equipment that helps make your day just a bit easier that you'd like to share? Or a better paper cutter? I'm all ears:)

Beehive Co-Op

Just wanted to let those of you in the Atlanta area know you can now find the InkSpot Workshop line at the Beehive Co-op in Buckhead. This little boutique is based upon an innovative concept which showcases local hand crafted talent. There is also a Beehive Co-op located in New York City and one opening in Cincinnati. They also have an online shop. Don't worry, you can still buy my products online at my Etsy shop;)

My little piece of real estate

Stop in when in the area!

Sexy Mama

I live on the best, I mean GREATEST street in all of Atlanta. What makes it such a fantastic place to live and raise a family? My neighbors! This past Sunday we had a surprise baby shower for the original Sexy Mama, who is going to have her second child and can you guess by all the pink whether it's a boy or girl?


All of us took a role in the shindig and of course I volunteered to make the invitations and get the cake. Looking for more of a modern theme, as opposed to booties and baby lambs I came up with a fun, mod pink, green and brown invite for the shindig and have called it the Sexy Mama baby shower invite. Also whipped up a set of coordinating Notes For Baby-To-Be.

How about a matching cake? Can you believe this? Trust me when I tell you it tastes as great as it looks! It was a 4 layer almond cake with rich chocolate ganache and I'm around 10 pounds heavier than I started on Sunday. All I did was send a picture of the invite to my favorite Etsy baker Sugar Dreams Bakery and voila! this is what she came up with, true talent.

The Original SEXY MAMA! Surprised and the SEXY PAPA in the background

Keeping true to the whole Etsy/handmade theme I got this adorable sparrow bib and burp cloth set from the Paisley Pineapple. The backside is the softest terry cloth I have ever seen.

Stealing a kiss from my favorite little guy.

Oh, and did I mention even my headband is from Etsy, check out Easy Edges Studio for the most comfortable headbands ever!!

WINNER ALERT

There is only one thing more fun than reading everyone's submissions when I offer up a FREE LUNCH here at InkSpot Workshop and that is picking a WINNER!

{drum roll please.....} and the winner is

Mudpies & Mary Janes

Her winning comment...

"I love your stuff! My favorite thing is the Damask Personalized Flat Note Card Set. I would use them to keep in touch with friends and family. What i would like to see on your site is more note cards with large single initial monograms. I would also like to see fill-in-the-blank thank you cards for kids."

Thanks for playing! I loved your comment and am going to start tinkering with some new designs. You will receive a set of 10 Tree Bird Holiday Cards, your choice of color and personalized as you wish, a set of 12 matching holiday gift enclosures, your choice of color, PLUS InkSpot Workshop's 2009 Calendar, choc-full of colorful and fun designs

Thank You to everyone who left comments and participated in the Blog Carnival, hope you all had fun and won some great stuff.