new year holiday cards \\ tiny prints discount code

I just  had three new holiday card designs launch on tiny prints.  All of these designs have a "new year" sentiment.  I love the fact that sending a "happy new year" card gives procrastinators, like myself, time to get your holiday cards out! (please check out the tiny prints discount code below)

 

all elm & gray holiday cards available at tinyprints.com

1 \\ 2 \\ 3

tiny prints discount code : EG13 

$30 off any $100+ orders on tinyprints.com  \\ will expire on 12/31/13 \\ only stackable with

the  free shipping promotion currently available HOLFS13

be thankful for this day \\ free 8 x 10 printable

I am thankful.  I truly love my life and am thankful EVERY day for all of my blessings.

I am  thankful for this (and every) day!

free 8 x 10  here \\  download, print, frame & enjoy

so......what's new?

what's new on my end? a few things actually! The last few months I've had a flurry of new designs launch. I am very proud that elm & gray officially has designs on the ENTIRE family of shutterfly sites...tiny prints, wedding paper divas, treat and now shutterfly!


NEW PRODUCTS (SEE PICTURES BELOW)
 holiday card collection \\ photo save the dates \\ modern gray 12 x 12 wall calendar

never stop learning

I believe that continuing education is important in every profession.  Although I am excited about the continued success of my little business....I felt that something was "missing". I needed a little "refresher course", if you will - something to get my creative juices flowing in the right direction! I stumbled across Lilla Rogers Studio years ago. She is extremely well known in the licensing industry as she represents some amazing artists - some of my favs being Lisa Congdon and Suzy Ultman.

I decided to invest in myself and my talent and sign up for Lila's e-course "make art that sells". Even though I do make art that is currently selling....I want to expand my horizons a bit. The course starts on Monday! I am super excited, focused and determined to get as much out of this course as I can. I will keep you updated with any exciting new work or revelations that may come about as I am expecting great things from myself!

I am already feeling inspired by the possibilities of this course. We, as artists, should "never stop learning". Don't you agree? Here is a link to download this free 8 x 10 print.

brand new designs for Land of Nod!

I'm so excited  to share these designs. Not only do I enjoy how they turned out....but I LOVE LAND OF NOD! (I put that in all caps because I really wanted you to get the point). I'm thrilled to have my designs showcased on their site,  along side the work of so many other talented designers. It really is an honor that they have chosen to sell my designs.....and....well, I'm just a little proud of myself today!.....honestly, sometimes I still have to pinch myself that I get to do this everyday! yes!

Anyway, here are my four exclusive personalized ornament designs for them, as well as a new growth chart that we collaborated on! yay!

new invitation suite for wpd | penned promises

My penned promises invitation suite recently went live on wedding paper divas. I love how it's bold, yet simple and modern. This design is available exclusively through our retail partner.

shop this design here

The creative ladies at WPD also created an inspiration board featuring my blush pink & gold version.

modern square business cards | custom work

I will be going on a quick trip to NYC in a couple of weeks for Surtex and the NSS. Although I've exhibited at the Stationery Show in the past, my main focus for going this year is to get reacquainted with Surtex and decide whether or not I want to invest in exhibiting. It's also a great time for me  to meet up with several of my partners and colleagues!

While prepping for my trip, I realized that my business cards were a little whack and didn't portray the look and feel of my brand.

I wanted something clean and fresh that would stand out in a crowd (pile of business cards) AND give people a quick glimpse at my aesthetic without having to "look me up" in order to do so. After a few revisions, this is what I ended up with.

I'm happy with the result and will be equally as proud to hand these out. Mission accomplished.

custom wedding invitation set | ritika + tony

I just finished working on a fun invitation suite for a client/good friend. She gave me a lot of creative license when working on this.....but provided a good framework with her  color preferences and making the design culturally significant. She is Indian and her fiance is African American and Korean. (Can you imagine how beautiful their babies are going to be?)

I gave the set a  Moroccan/Indian theme and included symbols of love from both cultures. The invitation suite was printed on 110 lb white felt card stock and the envelopes are metallic....a perfect combination of colors and textures.

I absolutely love how these turned out. I'm so excited for her and her hubby to be and can't wait for the big day!

elm & gray | new fabric designs

Last week itzy ritzy revealed seven of my new designs to their collection.  It's always a treat to see how my designs can bring a product to life! I'm very proud of these and hope they sell well for them.

1. moroccan nights  

2. monkey mania  

3. dino-mite!   

4. rock star   

5. sight word soup    

6. big top dot 

7. hoot

this invitation | that cake

I was laying in bed "pinning" stuff last night and I came across this adorable cake! And then I was like, "wait a minute.....I know why I love it....it looks just like my invitation for wedding paper divas".  How fun that I happened to run across this! Looks like this creative couple & bakery used  my invitation to inspire this trendy gray/yellow cake.

I love it. I love to see how people use their invitation design (especially when it's mine) to inspire other components of their wedding day!  Have I mentioned lately that I L-O-V_E what I do!??!!

Have a great week.

xo

my favorite quote. ever.

I was driving home today after a quick lunch date with my sweet Tyson, my middle son.....I was feeling grateful. Just him and I. No little brother begging for my attention. No big brother making fun of him. Just us. Sitting at a booth talking and laughing and catching up. I almost got all filled up with tears thinking about how blessed I am to do what I love as a professional AND more importantly, be the kind of mom I've always wanted to be.

I'm not sure why I feel a pull some times to create. I'd like to think it's my inner "light"...begging me to do more. Be a better person. Love more. Inspire others to do the same.

After my lunch today, I was practically running to my mac to get this done. I couldn't wait to share it with everyone.  (free download link is below)

One of my favorite people in the entire world, my dad, wrote this amazing quote after his father passed away. I don't even know if he realizes that I've had it memorized since I was a little girl. I love it. It has had such an impact on me.

It was so simple, just a lunch. But it reminded me that I am doing what I've always wanted to do....be a great mother to my children and shower them with my love. Even after I'm gone, I know it's the simple things we've done together (lunch dates in the middle of the day), that they will remember the most....and the love that they feel pouring out of me, will be passed along to all the people in their lives.

I am including a free 8 x 10 download here for you.

I hope you enjoy it.

xoxo

idyllic inscription | new wedding invitation suite

I have a new invitation suite on wedding paper divas. I am a tad bit obsessed with it. I actually really love looking at it!  If I was getting married again...this design would be IT for me.

I think a lot of brides-to-be feel the same way because it's currently among the top sellers (yay!). It makes me so happy to think that my designs are helping people to celebrate one of the most important days in their lives. I get all choked up thinking about it. I am so lucky.

Oh....and it comes in two color palettes. I love them both.