In the Studio | Mickey + Minnie Mouse Invitations

Day after day, the two posts that are always within the top 3-5 most visited here on my blog are dedicated to Mickey and Minnie Mouse (here and here). My Mickey and Minnie invitations have been some of my best sellers in my Etsy shop and I recently added a pink version of Minnie which have already been a big hit. I also added Mickey and Minnie return address labels that coordinate with the original invitations. It's obvious that little boys and girls love, love, love these characters and I love being able to design birthday party invitations inspired by them.

Due to the popularity (especially of Mrs. Minnie) I have added another Minnie Mouse invitation to the shop. This time in gingham, which if you know me or my work, you know I can't get enough of it. There is a red and pink version and coordinating return address stickers for each.

I'm super excited about the new additions and I'm adding new products each day, for this party theme as well as others so keep checking in with the shop to see what else is new! :)

0

Free Download | Keep On Dreamin' Even If It Breaks Your Heart

Hello, all! I'm here a little later than normal with a post but I just wanted to share a little download I made for y'all! I don't know if you've heard the song, Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Eli Young Band but I am in love with it. As a small business owner and someone who is trying so hard to make many big dreams come true for herself, it can be a little heartbreaking/defeating/discouraging/etc. It's easy to be impatient. We want the reward right now. Hard work does pay off, even if it takes time! I just needed a little reminder to just keep going, always. I wish the same for you, whatever your dreams are or how far off they seem, just keep dreaming!

You can download an 8 x 10 here (download will start immediately). 

Enjoy, friends & remember - Keep on dreamin' even if it breaks your heart!

0

In the Studio | Eyes Wide Open

Wahoo! It's Friday! This week has been one of my most productive in quite some time. I have marked a lot of (big and small) things off my very long, never-ending, always multiplying to-do list. Can I get an AMEN? I know there are more of you like me out there! ;) I'm also excited because this afternoon I am heading home to see my mama! The weekend is going to be a blur, packed full with lots of visiting with family, friends, & even a little work, but I can't wait!

Today, I just wanted to share a print that I just added to my shop - Eyes Wide Open. It's inspired by my friends Sheree and Bryce. They go to my church and were on our second mission trip to Haiti. Back in September, I designed a blog for them that they will use to document their journey. They are in the process of adopting two Haitian children to join their family of 6! They are amazing and so inspiring and I want to do what I can to help out!

Please purchase one and spread the word! Pin It, Tweet It, Share it on Facebook! You know the drill! :)

0

Inspiration Found: In Floral Design

Being a designer, I am constantly finding inspiration everywhere! In nature, in pictures, even in those recyclable grocery bags (true story). Inspiration can strike anywhere at any time and I thought it might be fun to share from time to time what has inspired a certain design of mine.

This time around, inspiration found me through floral design. This bouquet created by Ella Bella Floral for one of their couples is amazing.I have been obsessed with it since I first came across it on Pinterest. I love the colors, I love the floral choices, and most of all - I love the way it makes me feel. This image has been my main source of inspiration throughout my re-branding process. It's perfect.

My aunt asked me to design an invitation for my cousin, Amy, who was turning 16. We decided on a luau theme and I looked to the Ella Bella bouquet for my source of inspiration. I just love the color combo and I'm really happy with how the invitations turned out! 

On a non-design related note - my aunt also asked me to help chaperone this party (it was a sleepover party for a bunch of her girlfriends at a hotel). We were down by the pool while the girls were swimming and guess who was hanging out right beside us? JASON ALDEAN. Turns out his daughter was having a birthday party there as well! I went right up to him and his wife and introduced myself. I have no clue what I said (I probably made a huge fool of myself) but it was just one of those things I had to do! Ha! Sadly, I did not get any photos of that exciting occasion. He was with his family and it just didn't feel right! The memories will have to suffice! :)

I hope y'all enjoy the rest of your Wednesday! :)

1

In the Studio | Sweet Southern Charm Notecards

Back in February, as I was preparing to attend the AH Inspired event here in Nashville, I turned my Southern Charm print collection into a set of note cards to add to the swag bag for workshop attendees. I was short on time, so I wasn't 100% satisfied with the quality of the note cards at the time but still thought they were super cute. I especially love the plaid envelope liners that coordinate with each note card. (You may even recognize the pattern from a recent project I shared.) I've sense had time to perfect the quality and presentation and am really happy with how they are turning out!

I've had such a good response from these that I have decided to offer them in my shop. They are the perfect way to say hello to an old friend and send a little charm through the mail. To start, the 4 cards you see here - Bless Your Heart, Goodness Gracious, Give Me Some Sugar, and Hey Y'all - will be the only cards available. The note card sets will include the 4 note cards (printed on 100# card stock) and 4 plaid lined envelopes. I'm super excited!

I hope you're all having a productive Tuesday! I'm trying my best to! Make it happen, people! :)

1

In the Studio | 2012 Grad, Lindsey

Hello, friends! I hope y'all had a wonderful weekend! Mine as I said on Friday, went super fast! But alas, it's time to get back in the swing of things, so today I want to share a custom graduation announcement I did recently! The announcements were printed double-sided with a glossy finish. I have a few other grad announcements that I hope to share some time this week! 

Hope your Monday's get off to a great start! Make things happen, people! :)

0

In the Studio | Gingham To-Do List Notepads

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all have wonderful and relaxing weekends planned! I am going to be pretty busy this weekend so it's sure to go fast! But don't they all go that way? Sigh. Anyway! I just wanted to share a new product in the shop!I am super excited about these gingham to-do list notepads! If you know me, you know I love gingham! I'll eventually be adding notebooks with alternate patterns but these are the first available! Head on over and pick one up (or all 4?) for yourself or a friend!

Enjoy your weekend! :)

0

In the Studio | Plaid Thank You Cards

It's been quite some time since I have shared any new work with you, so today I thought I would do so! As most of you know, I am working towards building an authentic brand from my core - which takes time! But, in the meantime, business must go on as usual! I needed some new thank you cards to send with client orders so I worked up this little plaid number.

The logo you see there is just to tie me over until my new one is complete. One thing I have been certain of from the beginning of my journey is that I want a calligraphy logo. I have had the first concepts from my calligrapher for quite some time now, but I want to make sure I get everything just right. More on all of that later!

It's almost the weekend, friends! Enjoy yourselves! :)

1

Self-Refining

Happy May Day! I can't believe we are almost at the halfway mark for 2012! Wow! Where does the time go? I also can't believe that it's almost been a year since my return to Nashville. So much has changed in the past year - in my business and personal life. I probably have learned more about myself and who I am in the past year than I ever have. 

I feel like I have so much going on in my business life and I'm so excited to share it all, but yet I have been pretty quiet on the blog. I'm hoping to change that and start sharing all that it is I have been working on!

Most of you have probably seen this by now. It's been circling blogs and Pinterest quite a bit lately and it rings so true. I have been working hard to clear the clutter and not allow people in my life (every day or virtual) who are negative and uninspiring. Some times I feel like I need to be checking in on my competition or people in similar fields to see what they are up to. One person in particular just really brings me down. I get annoyed with her insincerity or the success she receives even though she publicly puts others down.

I'll just stop right there. The problem isn't with other people. The problem is with me. I need to stop focusing on what others are doing (regardless of how well) and start focusing on myself. I have big dreams and so much that I want to live up to. I can't possibly accomplish it all if I am wasting my time criticizing others.

So I'll leave you with this:

Thanks, Lauren. :)

Enjoy your week, friends! I'll be back soon to share all the wonderful happening! :)

0