Recommendations?

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!

Oceans

Have you seen this documentary yet? It is amazing. Favorite movie I've seen in years. I just wanted to highly recommend it, in case you hadn't heard of it. It is still playing in Tucson at the Oracle View theater, probably for one more week. Great option on a hot summer day- watching underwater footage in an ice-cold theater can't be beat.

I Am My Brother's Keeper

I just wanted to share this photo of another tattoo I recently did lettering for, this one reading, "I Am My Brother's Keeper." I did the invitations for this charming couple, who were getting married in Costa Rica, and at the last minute the groom decided he wanted me to do the script for a tattoo, honoring his brother who would be absent from their celebration. I will post more photos from their wedding soon, as it looked like an amazing event.

Photo by Mel Barlow Photodocumentary.

Anna and Jonathan

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.

New Orleans Suite

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

Exploring Tucson....

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!

Illustration by Julia Rothman.

katie lynn....

Happy Birthday to my darling sister, Katie... I love you so very much, adorable girl!
(Photo from about twenty years ago...she's the cute one on the right with the bowl haircut.)

unbelieveable...

Shanna finally launched her new line of decals yesterday, and I must say, it was totally worth the wait! They are absolutely, positively beyond gorgeous. I can't wait to scoop several of them up. Keep up with her blog, as she will be doing a series of free tutorials that explore how to use them in unexpected ways. I have to admit that I've never been a big fan of decals until now; I've been totally converted. Beautiful work, dear Shanna!

4

Here's to four wonderful years of marriage....I'm so blessed to have you by my side, Nicholas. Happy Anniversary, sweetheart.
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away..." Song of Solomon 8:7

Image from 100 Layer Cake

Hello, Spring!

Hello there, friends! It has been a while since I posted, and it is simply because I'm buried under a bunch of projects, just trying to stay afloat. I can't wait to share photos of some of the things I've been working on with you. For now, below is a photo of the tart I made for Easter morning this year, complete with mint from our garden. I hope you had a wonderful Easter, too! Here's to a refreshing spring, full of newness and growth.

Top photo from Gardening in Heels.

can't wait.

Shanna Murray, my darling friend and partner of Hello Handmade, is launching an amazing line of vinyl wall and window decals in her shop at the end of the month....here is a sneak peek from her blog. I can hardly wait to see the whole collection- this one is so completely gorgeous. She is having a little pre-launch sale in her shop tomorrow through the 23rd, with the actual launch happening on March 29th. Just thought I would spread the word...I'm sure they'll absolutely fly out of her shop!

Rae and Noah

I wanted to share a few images from the wedding of Rae and Noah, a lovely couple I worked with last year. Their wedding is now part of the Real Wedding Gallery on Martha Stewart Weddings. It was just a gorgeous event!Their wedding took place at the Metropolitan Building in Queens, New York.

The lovely Sarah Parrott of Parrott Design Studio letterpressed the invites with my calligraphy for the names, backing them with printed paper meant to look like old wallpaper. The same paper was used as a band wrapped around the programs.
The bouquet was done by the amazing Brooklyn florist Saipua, and included three different types of dahlias- cafe au lait, snowbound, and pom pom.
The menus were typed up by Rae and Noah themselves on their vintage typewriter and affixed to bare wine bottles.
Congratulations, Rae and Noah, on your new life together!
Lovely photos by Dave Robbins Photography.

be mine.

Nick and I don't really do presents for Valentine's Day....but I really just adore this ornament from Paloma's Nest (hint!). The simplicity is beyond perfect.

obsession...

I find that I tend to go through obsessive little phases with the things I cook or bake, making the same thing over and over again when I find a great recipe, until we just can't take it anymore. This fall and winter I've been a little (a lot!) fixated on this Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup, a recipe which I stumbled across by accident one day. I tend more towards the savory camp when it comes to butternut soups, so this recipe is just heaven in my book.
Do you have any favorite recipes from these winter months?

Romantics Unite!

Every time I watch a Jane Austen movie, I am always fixated on the scenes where someone receives a letter- sealed with wax, elaborately folded, the recipient quickly unfurls the folds to read the gorgeous lettering within.

So this year for our Hello Handmade valentines, Shanna and I decided to take a cue from Austen's era and create these lovely Regency Valentines! Hand-painted and hand-lettered, folded in the regency style, and sealed with striped washi paper tape and wax, these personalized, customizable valentines are truly something spectacular, if I do say so myself. And 10% of each valentine sale is going to the American Red Cross relief for Haiti, which makes them even more special.
Just wanted to share some love with you today.... xo

simple song's mailing...

I know the holiday season is more than over at this point, but I wanted to share these photos of the lettering I did for Suann's holiday mailing this year. She did the letterpressing, and the boxes were filled with goodies from Whimsy and Spice. Here is the link to her post about them! I was totally honored when Suann asked me to work with her on this project, as her blog, Simple Song, is one of my very favorites.

Image from Simple Song

Lucy & Orla

Last month a sweet woman man named Francis (Mortifying: Francis sent me a note this morning correcting my mistake- tattoo was for daddy's arm all along. I had it all wrong.) emailed me to see if I would be interested in scrawling out her his daughters' names for a tattoo, and of course I eagerly said yes. Here is the result (and a cute photo of the young family, to boot). One of the sweetest projects I've worked on in a while!

ducks in a row...

Happy New Year! It has been a while since I've posted, my excuse being the whir of the holiday season as it flew past! But I'm back, and ready to jump into a whole new year (decade, while we're at it!). How about you?
My parents generously helped us buy and install a dishwasher this Christmas, which has been the most wonderful gift ever. It has given us the gift of hours more time during the week to spend on other things besides dishes, and since it displaced the only drawers in our kitchen, it has kicked off a whole-house organizational spree. People always talk about "spring cleaning," but I think the dawn of a new year is the most perfect and fitting season to really make huge, cleansing changes in lots of areas- house and home, priorities, attitudes, etc. It feels good, doesn't it? Here's to the freshness and hope of a brand new January!

Image from Toast by Post.

shop talk

Hello there! Are you feeling festive?! Hello Handmade certainly is, and we've marked our 2010 Laureled Tea Towel down to $20 to prove it! We've also listed some bulk orders in quantities of 2,5, and 10 for those of you looking to stock up- these are at an even further discount with free shipping. Yay!

We are also having a giveaway over at Poppytalk. Just leave a little comment (on the Poppytalk post) with your favorite holiday tradition by 10 PM Pacific, and a winner will be selected and announced tomorrow.

Hope this makes you feel merry and bright!

interview

There is a little interview with me today on the Martha Stewart Wedding blog, called The Bride's Guide. Thanks, Shira, for asking me to be a part of your column! I feel so honored.