This printable includes 4 Valentine's that are ready for sending. You'll get
1 - 'You're Cool',
1 - 'You Rock!',
1 - 'ILY!' and
1 - 'You're sweet'
Just Print, Trim (embelish) & Send!
Click the image below to download!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Valentine's Day Freebie!!
This printable includes 4 Valentine's that are ready for sending. You'll get
1 - 'You're Cool',
1 - 'You Rock!',
1 - 'ILY!' and
1 - 'You're sweet'
Just Print, Trim (embelish) & Send!
Click the image below to download!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
'Adults Only' Weddings & NEW Etiquette Thursday!
It's Thursday! And I'm starting something that every paper blog should have....Etiquette Thursdays!
Etiquette is a funny thing...just about the time you get it all figured out, it changes. So in this new world of no rules, I'm going to try to set some guidelines. I'll be checking with Emily Post, The Knot, and some of the other known etiquette sites as well as getting opinions for all of you. So let's not waste anymore time...here we go:
A good friend called me last week mad as fire because she found out that an upcoming family wedding would be an 'Adults Only' event. She has two little ones and would be traveling out of state for the wedding...which puts her in an odd place. If the kids aren't allowed to come, can she even find/trust an out of state sitter? And should she be asked to cover that expense? She felt like there was just no other option but to not attend and was heartbroken by it.
These days, it's becoming fairly common for brides to ask me to include "Adults Only" somewhere on their wedding stationery. I suggest this is noted somewhere on the RSVP or other insert and not on the actual invitation. This is never a topic I broach with them, as I'm sure this is a decision that's been discussed and decided, but I always wonder how it went over.
Time and time again, I try to express to the brides that I work with that this is their wedding to do as they please, regardless of what etiquette says. The hosts of the event pay for all of the pretty details and get to make the decision of who to invite and who not to invite. And if they choose to make the event 'Adults Only'...well, that's really their choice to make. BUT, every choice has a consequence.
If you decide that you'd like your event to be 'Adults Only', know that you may be offending your friends and relatives with children...that just comes with the territory. According to The Knot, this can be done...but must be done tactfully. If you choose to exclude children, this must apply to all children...you can't invite just your best friend's or cousins' kids. The only exception would be children that are part of the wedding ceremony...but even that gets touchy. One of my brides offered on-site baby-sitting, which I thought was a brilliant compromise. Maybe a family member would be willing to watch over the kiddos while the adults enjoyed the event?
Did you invite kids to your wedding? Did they add to or take away from the event? How do you feel about 'Adults Only' weddings?
Etiquette is a funny thing...just about the time you get it all figured out, it changes. So in this new world of no rules, I'm going to try to set some guidelines. I'll be checking with Emily Post, The Knot, and some of the other known etiquette sites as well as getting opinions for all of you. So let's not waste anymore time...here we go:
A good friend called me last week mad as fire because she found out that an upcoming family wedding would be an 'Adults Only' event. She has two little ones and would be traveling out of state for the wedding...which puts her in an odd place. If the kids aren't allowed to come, can she even find/trust an out of state sitter? And should she be asked to cover that expense? She felt like there was just no other option but to not attend and was heartbroken by it.
These days, it's becoming fairly common for brides to ask me to include "Adults Only" somewhere on their wedding stationery. I suggest this is noted somewhere on the RSVP or other insert and not on the actual invitation. This is never a topic I broach with them, as I'm sure this is a decision that's been discussed and decided, but I always wonder how it went over.
Time and time again, I try to express to the brides that I work with that this is their wedding to do as they please, regardless of what etiquette says. The hosts of the event pay for all of the pretty details and get to make the decision of who to invite and who not to invite. And if they choose to make the event 'Adults Only'...well, that's really their choice to make. BUT, every choice has a consequence.
If you decide that you'd like your event to be 'Adults Only', know that you may be offending your friends and relatives with children...that just comes with the territory. According to The Knot, this can be done...but must be done tactfully. If you choose to exclude children, this must apply to all children...you can't invite just your best friend's or cousins' kids. The only exception would be children that are part of the wedding ceremony...but even that gets touchy. One of my brides offered on-site baby-sitting, which I thought was a brilliant compromise. Maybe a family member would be willing to watch over the kiddos while the adults enjoyed the event?
Did you invite kids to your wedding? Did they add to or take away from the event? How do you feel about 'Adults Only' weddings?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New Website
A new year, a new beginning and most importantly...a new website! I am proud to say that the new website is up...and pretty much running! This website was many months (years?) in the making and actually went through three major revisions (and ecomm platform changes) before settling into it's current form.
In an effort to recession-proof my invitations, I am now offering custom invitation designs in digital file (.pdf) format. I found that too many people in this economy were scared away by the big price tags of fancy printing, and more and more brides were wanting to do the work themselves. With the digital file, custom designs start as little as $19.95 and can be printed as many times as needed from any printer you'd like. It's a win-win for creative types on a budget!
Don't worry, I won't make you do all of the work if you don't want! Full-service printing and assembly is still available. Just Contact Us for a quote!
It's time to get back to work! Check out the new website at www.sendingloveandsmiles.com and let us know what you think!
In an effort to recession-proof my invitations, I am now offering custom invitation designs in digital file (.pdf) format. I found that too many people in this economy were scared away by the big price tags of fancy printing, and more and more brides were wanting to do the work themselves. With the digital file, custom designs start as little as $19.95 and can be printed as many times as needed from any printer you'd like. It's a win-win for creative types on a budget!
Don't worry, I won't make you do all of the work if you don't want! Full-service printing and assembly is still available. Just Contact Us for a quote!
It's time to get back to work! Check out the new website at www.sendingloveandsmiles.com and let us know what you think!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Beginning
There's no easy way to start a blog. But like any other adventure, I just have to put one foot forward and start my journey. So this is it, the beginning.
But this isn't the beginning at all. It started long ago...the summer of 2007 actually...when a good friend in NYC was complaining about having the worst time finding an affordable designer for her wedding stationary. As I listened to her I realized I could totally do what she was asking for! I'd been making postcards and catalogs and websites for years...and her project actually sounded fun. So, I stepped up to the plate. I started studying papers and pocketfolds and postage and printers. I learned there was a whole world of pretty, shimmery designs and by the time my friend's project was done, I was hooked. My heart raced when I graced the doors of paper stores and I had a new found respect for classy correspondence.
I had no idea my friend had posted photos of her invitations on The Knot, so I was shocked when orders started arriving in my inbox. I started working with brides one on one to create their perfect design...and the more work I did the more orders I received. I spent hours gluing invitations, studying designs, learning etiquette and becoming an invitation girl. In June 2008 I opened my Etsy store and I haven't looked back. ;)
Since then, I've had the pleasure of working with event planners, wedding coordinators and some truly creative brides to create a unique variety of designs. It's really amazing to me now to look back and see all that I have learned, built and accomplished in only a few short years. Of course there were bumps along the road. There were re-prints and re-orders and all that jazz, but those were mistakes that had to be made so I can know what I know now. =) It's been a journey...but it's just getting started.
This Spring (yes, in just a few short weeks) I will launch my online stationary boutique. Not only will my designs be available for purchase, but so will the papers and accessories I use. It's a place to get exactly what you're looking for...whether it be a complete custom desgin or just the tools to DIY! I'm starting small and growing big. Watch.
Now, it's back to work.
Love & Smiles,
Katrina
But this isn't the beginning at all. It started long ago...the summer of 2007 actually...when a good friend in NYC was complaining about having the worst time finding an affordable designer for her wedding stationary. As I listened to her I realized I could totally do what she was asking for! I'd been making postcards and catalogs and websites for years...and her project actually sounded fun. So, I stepped up to the plate. I started studying papers and pocketfolds and postage and printers. I learned there was a whole world of pretty, shimmery designs and by the time my friend's project was done, I was hooked. My heart raced when I graced the doors of paper stores and I had a new found respect for classy correspondence.
I had no idea my friend had posted photos of her invitations on The Knot, so I was shocked when orders started arriving in my inbox. I started working with brides one on one to create their perfect design...and the more work I did the more orders I received. I spent hours gluing invitations, studying designs, learning etiquette and becoming an invitation girl. In June 2008 I opened my Etsy store and I haven't looked back. ;)
Since then, I've had the pleasure of working with event planners, wedding coordinators and some truly creative brides to create a unique variety of designs. It's really amazing to me now to look back and see all that I have learned, built and accomplished in only a few short years. Of course there were bumps along the road. There were re-prints and re-orders and all that jazz, but those were mistakes that had to be made so I can know what I know now. =) It's been a journey...but it's just getting started.
This Spring (yes, in just a few short weeks) I will launch my online stationary boutique. Not only will my designs be available for purchase, but so will the papers and accessories I use. It's a place to get exactly what you're looking for...whether it be a complete custom desgin or just the tools to DIY! I'm starting small and growing big. Watch.
Now, it's back to work.
Love & Smiles,
Katrina
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