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