How to write a charming Thank You letter

From Southern Living Magazine

I just saw this in September's Southern Living Magazine and thought it was absolutely perfect to share with you on my blog. Not to mention a perfect way to use InkSpot Workshop note cards :)

1. Start with the date and salutation: Send your note, written in black ink, within a week of receiving a gift.

2. Say thanks right off the bat: Be specific about why you are writing the note. If you’re thanking someone for a monetary gift, refer to their “generosity” rather than mentioning the amount.

3. Compliment the kind gesture: Don’t be afraid to go over the top—everyone loves an effusive compliment, as long as it’s heartfelt.

4. Allude to the future: Anticipate another get-together, or if you’re writing about a gift, be sure to tell them how you plan to use it.

5. Finish with sincere regards: Reiterate your gratitude, then close the letter on an intimate note, signing your first and last name. Don’t forget to proofread before you postmark!

Halloween 2010 - Sneak Peek

Launching September 8th
stay tuned
I promise to pull several spooktacular surprises
out of my pumpkin!

PS. It's InkSpot Workshop's first Halloween Line EVER!

Hump Day Giveaway Winner! Mia Mallows

Congratulations
Jacinta Marthers!

You won the MIA 35
tasty, delicious gourmet marshmallows
from
Mia Mallows

Enjoy and share with your friends:)

Meet Winston!

Meet Winston!

For those of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter, you know our family has lost both of our sweet elderly dogs (Sammy and Jake) over the past 5 months. Sammy passed while we were on vacation at Walt Disney World and just last Saturday we had to put down our black Lab/Chow mix. Jake. Needless to say our house has never been this quiet even with a 4.5 year old boy running around.

Yesterday we decided to head up to the mountains of Cleveland, Georgia and check out the Garlic Festival, at Loganberry Heritage Farms. On the way back we spotted a sign that said "SANG Animal Rescue" in a place that also had gold mining and camp sites (only in the mountains, right?) We pulled in and look what we left with...

You know the saying...
every boy needs a dog and every dog needs a boy!

We ♥ chubby puppies

with chubby puppy butts

I'm thinking he's digging his new digs?
Hard to believe this little guy was found
under a vacant house with his litter mates
just this past Tuesday!

Says it all

Match made in doggy heaven
Thanks Sammy and Jake

T.V. watching buddy

You're forever in our hearts!
We miss you and thank you for helping us find Winston

iCandy - Initial Edition

Click to enlarge

Happy Friday everyone! Where the heck have my iCANDY's been the past 2 weeks? So sorry to be so remiss in my duties. I've been super crazy with visiting company and traveling and next week I will have to miss a posting as well since we'll be out of town AGAIN! No worries, it's smooth sailing after that, at least for just a couple of weeks:)

This week it's all about the initial monogram. Sometimes a full 2 or 3 lettered monogram is just a bit stuffy, a single letter can be more casual. Enjoy the lineup of pretty goodies found from some of my favorite Etsy sellers, including yours truly!

1. Pasta Alphabet Plate - Just Noey, London $33.50
2. Circle Monogram Vinyl Decal - Circle Line Studio, Nevada $26.50
3. Linen Folio Stationiery Set - InkSpot Workshop, Georgia $36.00
4. Initial Bead Bracelet - Charlie and Marcelle, California $15.00
5. Block Letter Initial Necklace - Christina Kober, Georgia $74.00
6. Burlap + Linen Pillow - Letter Perfect, Washington $68.00

Party Banners - Just for you!

I am so excited to introduce you to InkSpot Workshop's newest joint venture...

PERSONALIZED PARTY BANNERS!

Thanks to the consistent urging by my supportive customers "I'd sure love a banner in this design?" Now you've got them:) If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you might have seen my plea for help? I asked my followers if there were any crafty types who wanted to take my designs and turn them into Party Banners?

Since I am a one woman shop, actually designing, printing and assembling Party Banners would have really placed a wrinkle in my already overloaded production schedule. I fully realized no party was complete without a banner and I really did not want to disappoint. The only way to successfully pull this off would be to outsource. I had several responses and when Rebecca from Fresh Chick Design Studio volunteered her creative brain and crafty hands, I knew it was a match made in heaven.


I could not be more thrilled with the creative "Fresh Chick" spin Rebecca was able to place on these. Each Party Banner is customized specific to your needs. Check out the cute little ribbons she has used on each Banner, don't you just love her attention to detail? I have been a fan of her colorful, fresh and modern designs for quite some time. Can't you see why?

All Party Banners are now available for sale at
InkSpot Workshop
Click on each picture to find more information

Be sure to check back as we will be adding even more
to the collection!

Thanks Rebecca for ALL your hard work
and helping me bring these to life :)

Caribbean Engagement Party

A few weekends ago my girlfriends and I threw a casual Caribbean Engagement Party in my backyard for our great friend Kim and her fiance Steve. Yes, we all will be traveling in high style next month as we attend their nuptials in none other than St. Martin, in the French Caribbean! Trust me, we survived the 100 degree weather in Atlanta on this night, which means we can take anything St. Martin throws our way:)

Sit back and enjoy a few candid shots I took before our little shindig started and before my camera melted from the heatwave. We hired Chef Rob who catered a true Caribbean feast for us, too bad he was an hour late and it was dark when he finally arrived so you can't enjoy pictures of the whole colorful and DELICIOUS spread. Plantains, Jerk Chicken... oh my!

Invite custom designed by InkSpot Workshop
Can't seem to get enough hanging lanterns this Summer!

How about these festive finds for $1.00 from Walmart?
Inspired the whole party theme colors

Not that we needed any more heat, but who can resist tiki torches?
We had them all over the front and back yard Don't you just love this sitting area?
Had to make sure there was enough ice everywhere

No party is complete without coordinating cutlery wraps:)

The literal icing on the cookie was how Deb of
Yummy Delicious Cookies
made these custom cookies to match the cutlery labels and food table tent cards.
Can you believe how cute these turned out?
Perfect favors for a perfect night!

Congratulations Kim & Steve! See you soon on Island time

Pre K Here We Come!

Yesterday was my 4.5 year old's first day of Pre-School, all decked out in Silly Bands and Transformers :) Although he has been going to some form of "school" since he was almost 2, this is still a milestone in his little life. Where does the time go? I can hardly remember him as an infant. It seems like he's always walked (ran) and talked. Wow, this post next year will be his Kindergarten send off. I ♥ you little buddy!

Hump Day Giveaway - Mia Mallows

Happy Hump Day!
Today we've got a little somethin' somethin'
to help make your day a little
SWEETER!

Last winter I was on a huge marshmallow kick when I stumbled upon Mia Mallows, through their blog. I was amazed at all the flavors and had a hard time choosing. I mean come on, who can resist hand crafted, gourmet marshmallows in flavors such as Bavarian Cream or coconut? Knowing I wanted to place these little fluffy clouds from heaven in my coffee, I settled upon Vanilla, Chocolate and Caramel (Mexican Chocolate is on my list right now) As soon as they arrived in their pretty package I knew I was in for a treat and a tasty one they were! Now I'm ready to try the fruit flavors and I'm ALL over Peach, as any Georgia girl should be!

Mia wants YOU to fall in L♥VE
with her little fluffs of greatness too!

today Mia Mallows is generously offering
one lucky winner
The MIA 35

Their LARGEST sampler
you get one of each flavor Mia Mallows makes!
Here are a few of my favorites...
(click on picture for more info)

Hungry?
Try them alone or in your favorite hot beverage!

ENTERING IS EASY!

1. Go to Mia Mallow's shop - come back here and leave a comment telling us your favorite flavor. You may leave a bonus entry if you tell us a flavor you'd like to see added or new sweet treat idea.

2. Become a fan of Mia Mallows on Facebook by clicking here. Then come back and leave a comment letting us know if you are a new fan or current fan.

3. Become a fan of InkSpot Workshop on Facebook by clicking here. Then come back and leave a comment letting us know if you are a new fan or current fan.

4. If you post this contest on your blog and/or Facebook Page you will automatically gain 5 extra entries. Please be sure to post your blog or Facebook link here so we may see your post.

* US + CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY *
* WINNER WILL BE SELECTED USING RANDOM.ORG *
* WINNER WILL BE SELECTED AT MIDNIGHT (EST) AUGUST 27TH *
* YOUR ENTRY IS YOUR COMMENT LEFT HERE *
* PLEASE BE SURE WE HAVE A WAY TO REACH YOU *
* ENTER AS MANY TIMES AS YOU'D LIKE *
* ENTRIES RECEIVED AFTER MIDNIGHT-AUGUST 27TH ARE VOID *
* WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED HERE ON MONDAY AUGUST 30th *

THANK YOU
and
GOOD LUCK

Hump Day Giveaway Winner - Fire Daughter Clothing

Congratulations!
The super talented baker Deb of
Yummy Delicious Cookies
is our winner!

Thanks everyone!
Stay tuned for this week's
SWEET
Giveaway!

Hump Day Giveaway - Fire Daughter Clothing

Happy Hump Day!
Today we've got a little somethin' somethin'
to help make your day a little
HOTTER!

Mommy Tank
Team Mommy Tank

I'm so happy to introduce you to one of my favorite Etsy Mommies Samya, the brainchild and Fire Fighter's wife behind the fun shop FireDaughter Clothing.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Samya's work a couple years ago through my BFF who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and is also Samya's neighbor. During a gal pal trip to Chicago, my BFF graciously gave each of us a Peace Love Girlfriends T-Shirt from FireDaughter Clothing. I was instantly smitten and so inspired that I designed a line of Peace Love Note Cards. Click here to read my original post from the trip and to see us looking HOT in our T's.

Clearly Samya has nailed the market on HOTNESS
(yes she is the model featured in her listings)
and wants to share some L♥VE with us!

Up for grabs in
today's Hump Day Giveaway...
you choice of
FireDaughter Tank Tops!

MOMMY
TEAM MOMMY
or
RUN BABY RUN

Run Baby Run Tank

Peace Love Daddy Tee
Vintage Age Tee

Not only does FireDaughter Clothing offer Hot Tops for Hot Moms, be sure to check out their entire line of kid's super cute retro t-shirts too!

ENTERING IS EASY!

1. Go to FireDaughter Clothing's Etsy shop - come back here and leave a comment telling us your favorite item {bonus entry if you leave a suggestion for a new item you'd like to see added}

2. Become a fan of FireDaughter Clothing on Facebook by clicking here. Then come back and leave a comment letting us know if you are a new fan or current fan.

3. Become a fan of InkSpot Workshop on Facebook by clicking here. Then come back and leave a comment letting us know if you are a new fan or current fan.

4. If you post this contest on your blog and/or Facebook Page you will automatically gain 5 extra entries. Please be sure to post your blog or Facebook link here so we may see your post.

* US + CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY *
* WINNER WILL BE SELECTED USING RANDOM.ORG *
* WINNER WILL BE SELECTED AT MIDNIGHT (EST) AUGUST 20TH *
* YOUR ENTRY IS YOUR COMMENT LEFT HERE *
* PLEASE BE SURE WE HAVE A WAY TO REACH YOU *
* ENTER AS MANY TIMES AS YOU'D LIKE *
* ENTRIES RECEIVED AFTER MIDNIGHT-AUGUST 20TH ARE VOID *
* WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED HERE ON MONDAY AUGUST 23RD *

THANK YOU
and
GOOD LUCK