DIY Friday: Print your own invitations

I thought I'd share the newest design of printable invitations I created for my etsy shop. My son wanted to have a sleepover birthday party this year, so we headed down to my studio for a little brainstorming session. His idea was to have kids lined up in their cocoon-like sleeping bags and also to include the snow boarding that he was hoping to also do with his friends. His sketch looked like this:

My apologies for the lack of color correcting on this sketch, but you get the idea.

Since he's too young to really understand that living in Cincinnati, Ohio means that we could have spring-like 65 degree temperatures and arctic -10 degree temperatures all in the same month of January (which we literally have had this year), I convinced him to go for the most reliable theme and keep it to the sleeping bags.

Thus the new design was born. Oliver liked the plaid patterns on the bags, it's boyish and kind of camp-y. He also had me change all the face and hair color to match the friends he'd be inviting to the party. I think it covers most 8 year old boys pretty well!

The party printables (etsy link here) include a completely coordinated and fully customizable invitation, thank you card, circle stickers/tag template and drink box covers. All are set up in a Word document so you can type you own info in and get printing. then take a nice nap before your party, 'cause you're going to need it...

Beautifully styled food photography

There are so many perks to being in a creative field, not the least of which is hanging around other creative people who are a constant source of inspiration. Gina Weathersby is one of those people for me. She can make a photograph of the most simple objects (or complex face, or delicious dinner, or exquisite cake) and give it, what I can only refer to as Gina Magic. While I often feel like creating my art is more like an exercise in artistic torture, watching Gina pull this plate and that fabric out of her prop box and turn it into this photo into a stunning is a marvel to watch. So when Gina sends me a sweet note about needing a little something for a photo shoot she is working on, I am all over it. It is truly my pleasure to work with such talent and humble kindness.

You can see more beautiful photos of desserts and read the article written by another amazing food and word artist Ilene Ross, in this issue of HER Magazine. The featured cookie is by another Cincinnati artistic bakery Queen City Cookies. Seriously, there is so much dang talent in this city!!

DIY Friday: Make a Valentine

Okay, perhaps I'm a little too peaceful from yoga this morning, but I can't figure out how to write a blog title version of "send a Valentine to someone you like in secret". So it's not "Make a Valentine for your Secret Admirer" because you are the admirer or someone else. Is it "Admire-ee"? I guess "your crush" would work, but that seems very 80s or something. Words, where are you when I need you?

All mental sluggishness aside, a friend sent me this idea from Joan Arnett he saw on Kickstarter. You pay this girl to send a handmade valentine to your...person you like (seriously, somebody come to my rescue!)... personalized with your poetic words or her suggested affections and anonymously postmarked from Loveland, Ohio. If you are not from Cincinnati, Ohio, you must know that Loveland is a real city in Ohio! Apparently, the idea is hitting the mark with lots of folks because she's making thousands of dollars. Great stuff, Joan!

While I don't have any secret crushes (my husband is pretty awesome and I tell him so regularly), I love the idea of sending valentines to your friends who wouldn't expect it at all. I did that one year, saying things like "I love how the energy in a room picks up when you are in it." or "You are the best at remembering birthdays." or "I love how you like every animal you see, no matter how flea-bitten and nasty." Most people knew who it was, probably because I can't keep a secret and would say things like, "Did you get any good valentines this year??...." with a delighted expectant look in my face. But really, we could all use a really good compliment, so it's fun to give them out.

My newest mantle decor...

I had to share this since I blog-loved so shamelessly about this print by Garima Dhawan I purchased before Christmas. Now it's all framed up and in situ on my mantle and I'm still crazy in love with it! I also like how it worked so perfectly with my favorite stack of vintage folk music books. All my happy places...

Find more of Garima's earthy graphic prints on her storefront at Society6 and her fabrics for purchase on Spoonflower.

Revisiting Downton Abbey

Well, Downton Abbey is back, and we Masterpiece nerds couldn't be happier! My husband has renewed fervor for his aristocratic imitations and is adding to his list of cutting one-liners from the Dowager Countess of Grantham. He never ceases to entertain himself (and I must admit, me) with that era of a time long ago.

I thought I'd revisit some of the photos from the Downton Abbey inspired party I styled for A-Line Magazine last May. It's fun to look back at what I've created long after the exhaustion and pressure from the 'performance' is past. I'm more able to kindly review the aspects of the design I still like (that ribbon chandelier and the sweet tea cup daffodil), as well as what I'd change if I'd ever done something similar in the future (the jury is still out on that).

If it weren't lunchtime and my fish tacos and diet Coke weren't so darn tasty, I'd make a lovely cup of tea and have a McVitties chocolate biscuit while perusing the photos. Then I'd raise my pinky and refer to myself as Elizabeth Mills, Duchess of Ontario. (To create your own aristocratic name, I included instructions below).

Photos by Gina Weathersby of 513{eats}, cake by Sugar Realm, catering from Two Chicks Who Cater, vintage china plates from Oma's Vintage Plates, styling, set design & ephemera by Margot Madison Creative.