[ simplesong ]

ike's valentines

Friends Kate + Kelly were over helping to put together Valentines for Ike's classmates ...

I thought I'd share this in advance in case anyone needs a quick Valentine for their child.  I printed Ike's school photo on photo paper and used a traceable font for his name so he could 'sign' them.  Stuffed each bag with some goodies ... and done!  Kelly wrote out the names (she has the best handwriting) and Kate snapped these photos with my camera (how is it her photos with my camera are waaay better then mine?  I guess that's why she's the professional). 

i like ike :: favors

Wow, a very big thanks for all the comments, tweets, posts + emails about Ike's party.  I'm overwhelmed by the really kind feedback -- we loved putting it together + so glad you like it too!

I've gotten a bunch of emails about Ike's party so I thought I'd do a few follow-up posts about the details.  I was all about making simple, practical and fun things for the kids to enjoy.  One of my favorite things were the favors ...

Custom wood handled rubber stamps!  When giving favors I always like to give something you can eat :) or actually use.  For these, I got one made for each child, stamped their name on a cotton bag and paired it with a little ink pad.  Super easy. 

I use Ike's all the time and it seems the other parents appreciated it too. The font I used for the name is Jessica Hische's Buttermilk.  Love this font and pretty much used it on everything.

EDIT:  Forgot to mention where I got the stamps! I got these made here - fairly quick service, great quality and reasonable prices.  Ask for Bob if you have questions.

[bottom two photos by Kate Headley]

dinner party invitations

I've got all sorts of fun projects in the works right now including a bunch of weddings + business collateral clients, personal projects + new things for the shop.  Here is one invitation I just finished ...

I'm doing this dinner again + this is this year's invitation.  It will be a rustic, nature-inspired evening.  The invites were printed on fabric, rolled up, put in a wood box, sealed with a wax seal + secured with wood shavings.  Hope the recipients like!

Happy Monday!

valentine's dinner for 8

The fundraiser dinner I mentioned a few weeks ago took place on Valentine's Day ...

And since it was on Valentine's day for 4 couples we decided to make it a bit formal.  We did a appetizers, a full meal + dessert ... and a little chocolate bar for favors.  We had loads of fun putting together all the details + so glad it went well + everyone had a great time.  Yay for dinner parties!

dinner for 8 invites

A friend + I auctioned off a dinner party for a fund raiser.  Its a small dinner for 8. I'm looking forward to putting the details together.  Here are the invites I made ...

Since I only had to make 4 invitations it was too few to letterpress print.  So I blind letterpress printed the background and ran the rest through my printer.  I'm digging the color chartreuse lately + as always, envelope liners. 

And speaking of liners, have you seen the amazing stationery line from Black Pearl Press?

county fair

We went to our local county fair last weekend ...

We loved it -- but I think for different reasons.  Husb + little one enjoyed the demolition derby + the animals.  Me?  That delicious deep fried oreo cookie.  I've always wanted to try it. And it didn't disappoint.  Yay for county fairs!

Happy Friday!  And thanks everyone for all the great Philly recommendations. 

kraft envelopes + return addresses

I'm loving kraft envelopes + fun return addresses these days ...
Some invites I put together very quickly for a friend. Very simple but I always love doing a little something on the outside of the envelope. Simple pleasures. :]  I'll share some other kraft-envelope related projects in the next week or so!

gocco

I've been thinking about jumping on the Gocco bandwagon and trying my hand at it ...

I just can't decide though.   For one, I don't know if I have the time I would want to devote to it + secondly, the last thing I need is more stuff! 

But some of the output I've seen sure looks lovely!  And I'm smitten with the process + the possibilities.  Oh, what to do.  Any thoughts out there?  Is it hard to learn?  Does it get expensive?

sf, here we come!

My sister + I  booked tickets yesterday to go to San Francisco for our niece's first birthday [little one will be going but unfortunately husb has to stay back for work].  Very excited about this.  SF in June ... can't wait!  I did the invites for J's party + shipped them off today ...

I love planning for travel.  Can't wait to make lists for where I want to go + eat.  Yes, I'm a travel nerd. 

Happy Friday + weekend, all!

chalk spray happy

I recently got chalk spray paint + have gone mad over it.  I love it!  So far, I've made ...

An Easter pail for the little one.  I'm still figuring the spray out -- the lines aren't as clean as I would like [need to make sure tape is securely placed].  This was super easy though + I think it could be fun for older kids as they could decorate their own pail.  Just be sure to do multiple coats. 

And a little bulletin + chalk board for my studio. 

Now, I'm just looking to see what else I can make into a chalkboard!