A year ago...

Happy first day of Spring!

I have to say, this week has been really hard for me. I'm missing my daughter like crazy. Last year at this time we had just recently found out we were expecting, and our lives just couldn't be happier. In early April, we visited the cherry blossom festival in D.C. with some friends, and I was filled with inspiration and joy! The picture above was taken during that trip. It brings back a flood of great memories.

I'm really trying to find comfort through this whole thing. A few friends have referred me to a great blog written by a woman who also lost a daughter last year. Her story is so heartbreaking, and yet so hopeful. If you read it, you'll be addicted to it just like me: Bring the Rain.

Right now, I'm working on wedding invitations and also trying to come up with some ideas for Mother's Day cards. I look forward to sharing some of those projects with you in the coming weeks.

logos, advertising, invitations... a design frenzy

Business is surprisingly booming for me lately, despite this crazy and unstable economy. I'm not sure, but I think the reason is that companies have discovered how to stay afloat in hard times— they market and market and market some more. If nothing else, you've got to keep the customers thinking about you.

A large chunk of my work lately has consisted of identity projects—new businesses looking to brand themselves, or established businesses aiming to shake things up. Here are a few of my latest logo designs : three photographers and one exciting non-profit (about which I will probably make an entire blog post later). Two consist of vintage graphics combined with other unique elements, and two are more modern illustrations I created from scratch. (click the image for a closer look)


















I've got more on the docket too! If you're interested in logo design, please contact me via my website or convo me on Etsy.

Along the same lines, I've realized *I* need to continue to market myself. I'm trying to get my Etsy shop off the ground, so I've started looking for venues to advertise and network. Craft Cult gets a ton of hits, so that was my first choice for advertising this week.




















And I've been spending spare seconds adding a few new things to the shop. Most recently, I took my stippled cupcake drawing and created a birthday invitation with it. It has a nice vintage feel, especially with its deliciously textured paper.

My Vintage Etsy Treasury

I secured a spot on Etsy's Treasury today. My list is called "Vintagey Feminine Neutrals." I'm in love with every item I put on there! I'd seriously buy every piece.

Featured:

Turtle Papers
Gorgeous Redhead
Trendy Knitting
Lisa GoLightly
Ludwigas Linen
yumi yumi
5 Dollar French Market
Precious Meshes
Vintage Scraps
Bliss Candles
Alicia Bock
Callooh Callay

Although everyone complains about how difficult it is to get on the Treasury, I've somehow actually always been lucky enough to get in on the first try. My trick is to have the title for my treasury typed and copied so I can press "Ctrl V" as soon as an opening shows up. I scroll down to the bottom of the treasury page and keep myself situated there, watching it like a hawk, until I see the list drop below 333.

Craft Cult Heartomatic

I just found the coolest site! It's called Craft Cult. It's based on this invention called the "Heartomatic" where you can type in your Etsy store name and see exactly how many "hearts" you have on the store or on individual items. So no more stalking your own store, clicking on each listing to see how many people love it—you can do that stealthfully on Craft Cult!

If you want, you can look up other people's shops too, but that's not as fun ;) Well, unless you're looking up mine: sugarcoatpaperie !

Back from Mexico

I don't think Jeffrey and I have ever needed a vacation as much as the one from which we just returned! The five days and four nights at Excellence Playa Mujeres were the ideal escape from the grief that has filled our minds for the past three months. We were dealt perfect 85-degree sunny weather, great all-inclusive food & free-flowing drink, cheery aqua blue Caribbean waters, and seemingly never-ending pools.

The resort was ultra-chic and had a minimalist feel. No obnoxious florals were anywhere to be seen, nor did the hotel owners choose any cheap finishes or take money-saving shortcuts. Beautiful.






















Our private rooftop pool, excellent for morning reading or breakfast.






























White sands, clear skies...





























After today is over and I've recovered from travel and subsequent tiredness, I'll be ready to start my springtime graphics with a refreshed perspective and renewed creativity.

Ode to Vanilla

My current decorating obsession is anything in creamy off white—especially for winter (well, summer too since shells are white!). And although a lot of interior designers will tell you that using white shows fear of color or lack of creativity, I definitely beg to differ. I think its softness is homey, comforting and elegant.

For my birthday, my mom took me shopping and bought me these deliciously vanilla-hued dishes from Anthropologie. Don't they look just like layers of frosting on a cupcake?
(Please excuse the few remnants of silvery Christmas decorations still up. I've yet to find the perfect Springtime table runner!)
















































Design that's soft, sweet and feminine seems to be a trend lately. I think that's why cupcakes are such a hit as a creative element right now, used for everything from birthday party themes to artwork to cute t-shirts.

I've jumped on the bandwagon and designed a cupcake birthday party invitation, and I'm presently stippling a cupcake too (though I'm not sure how I'm going to use it yet). Here's the work in progress...

My Favorite Color

Pink!

Although I never got to finish my baby girl's nursery, I still want to share photos of it, because I look at it all day and it brings me great memories of my pregnancy. Even when I don't want to remember or grieve, the nursery fills our upstairs hallway with a glow of pink light, and I can't escape it. Pink will always remind me of my baby girl.

Anyway, I love the things we bought for the room. I really wish I could have finished decorating it. If we have another girl one day, the to-buy list will include: a shelf, artwork, curtains, a chandelier, and other decorative odds and ends. (Yes, I was really behind with the decorating when Grace died.)

[Forgive me; my photography skills are severely lacking, and I could really use a few lenses for my camera!]




































































































Where to buy:
Bedding: Bella Notte in Melissa Petal from Layla Grayce
Glider: Sarah Slipcovered Chair in Rosemont Bleach from Layla Grayce
Mirror: antique from The Bella Cottage
Crib: Corsican from Wren & Divine (bought the floor model for 40% off!)
Dresser: Art for Kids from Wren & Divine

Inspired by the room, I designed a baby shower invitation with the same style. This was actually the invitation used by my family for the shower they threw for me back in October.