Christmas Wishes

The last Christmas order has been printed, cut, folded and shipped to all my wonderful InkSpot Workshop customers - I just can't thank you enough! This was my first holiday season and keeping up with orders got a little harried for a few weeks. I was afraid my own personal cards would not get out in time (pictured above) but somehow they did. Perhaps I will offer photo cards next year? These were printed on 70# white linen card stock and the texture really made the photo look amazing. Photographer Lynn Crow, took these pictures of my son for us while vacationing at Nana's on Panama City Beach, Florida.

I was flattered when my neighbor asked me to make their family card. I just love how the picture colors coordinate with the little bird tree. This handsome older brother was my son's very fist friend. They actually met while in the womb;)

Now that things have calmed down quite a bit, I'm looking forward to spending every moment soaking up my soon to be 3 year old son's funny little self. He is obsessed with his new word "poop" and has found new and unique ways to work it into just about every sentence or song he can. I guess this is what happens when newly poopie trained? In fact he's even come up with a new version of Jingle Bells, and it goes something like this... "Jingle Poop, Jingle Poop" ... I'll let your imagination figure out the rest.

Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year Everyone!

iCANDY - Aluminum Tree Edition

I have a little confession to make...... I secretly covet Aluminum Trees! How can that be, you ask? Especially when I refuse to own an artificial tree, EVER - because I love how they smell. It's a bit of a conundrum for me but there is just something about all that pretty shiny silver and how the ornaments seem to stand out in contrast.

This week's iCANDY is all about the Aluminum Tree, compliments of Flickr's group actually called Aluminum Trees. Here are a few of my favorites.

Directions: For optimum viewing pleasure, click on collage

How about these super cool Aluminum Martini Glasses from Target? What a great way to coordinate your party, match your drink ware to your Christmas tree:)

ENJOY!

Fantastic Find

Finally in STOCK! I've been waiting just over 2 months for this to arrive. Thank you Amazon.com for delivering my fresh, new copy of Craft Inc, written by Meg Mateo Ilasco. To read the book's introduction from the author's website click here.

This book is widely known as the bible of all books to help you turn your craft or "creative hobby into a business." It's written in a modern way and covers everything from production and pricing plans, protecting your work, to writing your mission statement and business plan and of course that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's even a section titled "Internet Resources" which lists helpful links to craft fairs, outsourcing, trade shows and government resources just to name a few.

My favorite part of the book is the interviews she starts each new chapter with. Lotta Jansdotter shares her story of how she came to the realization she needed to outsource production of her goods in order to grow. Julie Elliott of In Fiore describes how she left her full time job to pursue her passion for aromatherapy and started the first business to introduce oils and balms into the luxury market. Then the infamous Jonathan Adler, who explains how important it is to have a meaningful mission statement and "manifesto".

WARNING: You must not read this book without a notebook, pen and highlighter. It's definitely going to be your favorite reference book for your new business.

Best of luck and wishes to all you craftsters.

iCANDY - 20th Edition

Viewing Instructions: Click on collage for best results

I am so pleased to bring you this week's iCANDY because it really defines the whole reason I wanted to start this feature in the first place. Not only are these simply amazing hand crafted pieces of art, the pictures are phenomenal and I just get lost gazing at them.

First up are these simply adorable crocheted flower appliques from Annie Design. Wouldn't they just look cute along the edges of a cardigan? Then we have this wildy fun furniture from Dust Furniture. I love the modern lines, this table would look great in my house. Liz Smith, the designer behind Made In Lowell has just about the most beautiful felted jewelry I've ever seen. In fact I had never even heard of felted jewelry until I discovered Etsy. There is just something about these fuzzy little gems so I placed them on my letter to Santa.

Enjoy!

it's beginning to TASTE a lot like CHRISTMAS

It's that time of year again and my kitchen really got a workout this past weekend. Nothing says "I appreciate you" more than some home baked goods to share with your friends and family over the holidays. Of course the packaging has to be equally cute {in my InkSpot Workshop opinion}

I made up a batch of Peppermint Cloud Brownies, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels and my favorite Caramel, Pecan, Pretzel Turtles. Keep reading for more recipes...

Thanks to my mom I discovered these tasty gems! So easy to assemble. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F, place the assembled turtles in the oven for 4 minutes (no more, no less) remove and gently press down on pecan half until the little caramel heads and legs appear. I stress "gently" because I made a mess out of my first batch.

BEFORE

AFTER

Who doesn't love a candy coated, chocolate dipped pretzel stick? Just make sure to melt your chocolate (any kind is fine, I used semi sweet Ghiardelli squares) over a double boiler to keep it nice and melty. Coat pretzel stick with melted chocolate, then roll into your favorite nuts, sprinkles, mini marshmellows or colored sugar.

Official Taste Tester!

It's all about the packaging!!! I found these most adorable and tall mugs at Walmart, they're super sturdy too.

Got these adorable mini Chinese takeout cartons from Target

Here's what everyone got specially delivered to their doorstep

A little something for my son's classmates at the school's Christmas Party

What are you baking this year? Feel free to post your favorite recipes right here.

I LOVE LA........

The LA Times Holiday Guide that is! Another Saturday morning, another surprise waiting for me in my inbox, sent by Google Alerts. My 2009 Limited Edition Desk calendars got a shout-out in this article published today, along with some other Etsy friends of mine. The pages shown are from Cecily Ink's calender, don't you just love all her vibrant colors?

Thank You LA TIMES!

iCANDY - 19th edition

Oh this is a looooong overdue post from a most fabulous trade I did last month with the lovely Lisa of Ellembee. This is the shirt that started it all and because I love it and Ellembee so much, I've decided to dedicate this week's iCANDY entirely to her, which as you can see was not hard to do.

For the record, that is not ME in the shirt but Lisa herself. This is not only a great fitting shirt but don't you just love that hand printed design? It reminds me of some of my favorite stationery designs. What is it with me lately and stationery matching t-shirts? I get tons of compliments every time I wear it, it's in the laundry right now or else I would have posted a picture of me in it. OK, no I wouldn't have because she looks way better.

DIRECTIONS: For full viewing pleasure, click on iCANDY collage

From the great white North I'd like to introduce you to Michigan's finest hand printer of t-shirts, Lisa Boesch, the creative brain child (and hot bod) behind Ellembee. Her shop has something in it for everyone and I'm especially loving these onesies for the little tykes. The designs are classic and simple and range from botanicals to every one's favorite chandeliers. I just can't wait to see what she dreams up next. Just hope it's not stationery, or I might have to close up shop:)

How about this little number? She drew it herself. I love it because it reminds me of these Holiday Fun cards in my shop.

Enjoy! and as always, if you have some iCANDY you'd like to see featured right here, simply leave a post or send me an email inkspotworkshop@hotmail.com

Have a great weekend!

BIG, BIG, BIG CONTEST!

How does winning over $750 worth of Etsy prizes sound? Uh huh, that's what I thought. The lovely Emily of Busy Mom Blog, has put together a Wallapallooza of a bloggy giveaway. She wanted to promote mom blogs and mommy small businesses and she's really done a great job achieving this goal. Click here for full details and how to enter this contest.

The contest is open to both bloggers and non-bloggers so the playing field is level. There are dozens of Etsy sellers just like yours truly who have offered up free goodies to fatten the prize pot. There will be 2 winners and the loot divided equally. HURRY, contest ends Saturday, December 6th at 9:00 pm.

Talkin' About...

Look what I just received in my inbox! What a pleasant surprise. Each week Poppytalk puts out an e-newsletter, choc filled with all sorts of info about independent artists and even some DIY projects. My little Holiday Fun tags made this week's issue. For the full read, click here.

Poppytalk also recently published this incredible list called "101 Reasons To Buy Handmade" Yours truly offered up reasons 31-35. What are your reasons for buying handmade?

Speaking of surprises....it's our first snow here in Atlanta! Surprising because this is a rare site. It's also 37 degrees out so the snow is melting as fast as it hits the ground, but still looks pretty falling. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio makes me miss a White Christmas.