Merry Christmas, everyone! Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
This bird of dawning singeth all night long.
And then they say no spirit dare stir abroad,
The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So Hallowed, and so gracious, is that time.
Hamlet* I.ii.158-164
As I walked out of the room the other night after working on these table tents, I thought they looked really awesome upside-down....just thought I'd post them here, as I fail to blog about 90% of the projects I am working on. Got to get better at that- it is so fun to simply share what's going on!
100 Layer Cake has been an amazing presence in the wedding blog world for quite a while, but they just revamped their website, and it is beyond incredible. Some new features include a marketplace, where you can buy/sell pieces for your wedding and post/bid on vendor requests; a list of awesome DIY projects; and a comprehensive list of vendor portfolios. 
I am so honored to be included in the Vendor A-List category, where the ladies at 100 Layer Cake have hand-picked just a few of their favorite vendors to feature. Thanks, ladies!
Just wanted to let you know that we are having a little sale in the Hello Handmade Shop! Just enter HAPPYHOLIDAY10 when you purchase, for 15% off your entire order, now through December 17th. Cheers! Thanks for all your support!
My father, Tom Reich, is an amazing architect, who for the last several years has been dabbling in photography as a serious hobby. I think his work really captures the beauty of small details extremely well- especially his shots of cacti and succulents- and I just wanted to share it with you. Check out his website here!
This calendar is the fruit of a week-long retreat, spent on one of the most beautiful estates I've ever seen. The process of creating it with Shanna was so perfect, with long strolls interspersing our hours of writing and drawing. I feel especially excited that each of the four seasonal panels feature a snippet of words from Mary Oliver, whose poems perfectly capture the spirit of each season depicted.
As this year we decided to pay special tribute to each season, we gave each one its own page. At 7x7, the calendar is designed to be trimmed down, once a season has past, into an original 5x7 little piece of art - something to last long after 2011. What makes it really special is that each page is an original hand lettered by me- no two are exactly the same. Really sets it apart, we think.
To see more photos and description, check it out in the Hello Handmade shop here!
Hello, friends! I just returned from an amazing trip to Rochester, where my close friend Shanna Murray and I stayed in the guest cottage of an incredibly beautiful estate, just dreaming, reading, laughing, talking, and oh yes how could I almost forget: producing our 2011 calendar for Hello Handmade, to be launched this coming Monday! It was magic. Just pure magic. I cannot wait to share it with you.
Summer is almost over (it is still sort of lingering here in Tucson) but I still have summery subjects I had wanted to post! So here are some shots taken by the lovely Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers. She had asked me to do some menus and signage for a Ladies Lunch that happened back in July. The meal was served alfresco on the rooftop, and everything looked so amazing!
The recipes are available on the Sunday Suppers site, including this one for Chilled Corn Soup. Yum!
The Sunday Suppers class was a two part session: a floral arrangement class by The Little Flower School preceded the cooking class. What an wonderful afternoon this must have been. Lucky participants!
If you're in New York, I would highly recommend checking out the schedule and signing up for your own magical class/dining experience. And even if you're not in NY, be sure to check out the Sunday Suppers site- it is lovely.
All photos by Karen Mordechai. 
I was so honored to pair up with Emily from Once Wed and Joy Thigpen to do the calligraphy for this table-scape in the latest issue of Southern Weddings. Joy designed the table using old engine parts that resembled flowers, and the napkins are wrapped using washers & nuts from a hardware store. Love it! Thanks for asking me to participate, ladies! 
Just wanted to share another topographic map that I worked on with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress. 
It's been a busy few months around these parts. So much going on. Sometimes a feel a bit like Sisyphus, can you relate? Never-ending stacks of envelopes, stacks of emails, stacks of laundry, stacks of dishes, stacks (in my mind) of things I'd love to do if only I had more time. What do you do to keep sane during busy seasons of life? 
I did a couple of sets of invitations in English for their friends living in England, pictured above.
Nick and I are taking a trip to New York City next month to celebrate his thirtieth birthday- can't wait. Though we've been several times and have some favorite haunts, I wanted to ask if any New York readers had any recommendations of places we shouldn't miss? Things that wouldn't necessarily be in the guidebooks, perhaps? We're not really into the touristy stuff...Leave a comment if you have something brilliant to share! 
I just wanted to post a few pictures from my friend Anna's wedding- she is a sweet girl from my church and I had the great pleasure of working with them on their invitations. The wedding took place in Texas, and unfortunately I wasn't able to go, but it looked like it was unbelievably gorgeous day! Enjoy the photographs!
Beautiful photos by Jess Graham Photography. 
Just wanted to share this "New Orleans" invitation suite that I worked on with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress. The bride, Riley, was super enthusiastic about a creative approach and was so easy to work with, and the whole process was just a dream! The curve of the lettering on the invite follows a blind impression map of the Mississippi River. I think they turned out splendidly, and I still need to feature the save-the-dates, which also turned out beautifully.
Photos by AK Photography
I was thrilled to see this extensive Tucson Guide on Design Sponge today....lots of my favorite haunts were listed, along with some ideas for new things to try, perhaps this summer. Check it out!
Happy Birthday to my darling sister, Katie... I love you so very much, adorable girl!