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The Baby-Q Trend

The Baby-Q Trend

I've never been a big fan of baby showers. Just the idea of a whole group of ladies getting together to play silly games (chocolate squished in a diaper anyone? Who even came up with that?), and the whole 'ooh - ahhs' over the baby related gifts which many find mandatory to open during the actual event, always felt a little awkward to me. I guess not having gone through pregnancy previously, it was never an invite I looked forward to receiving.  

When we found out we were having a baby, my views on this, well on a lot of things changed. Falling pregnant is sometimes a hard and bumpy road and getting to that point is a highly emotional and relationship-testing triumph that should be celebrated. So if a baby shower is the way you want to celebrate, who am I to judge? Bring on the finger food and confetti!!!

Personally, having gone through this journey with an incredibly attentive partner by my side, I could not see myself celebrating this new life form without the man who helped create her... so we decided to ditch the baby shower idea and go with a co-ed baby-q instead.

We decided to have a casual Sunday bbq to which we invited our closest friends (including partners and kids) as a nice way to catch up before our lives turn upside down and we run our schedules around a baby human. I didn't want a registry, it wasn't about gifts (although our guests still generously showered us with them), it was just about spending time together, and although it was a hot one not ideal for a backyard event, it was a special day we will cherish and remember.

Busy with client work, I ran a little behind with our invites but from the first draft I knew I wanted to completely hand letter the design, even if it did turn out a bit rough. I started with quick sketches on paper, using a variety of styles, before redrawing them on a dot grid page to try and get the straight edges on both sides (process sketches below):

 

Once it was inked and digitised, I chose to have them printed with white ink on buffalo board to stray away from it looking too baby-ish and also keep the casual vibe of the day. 

The finished print:

Sometimes it's good not to dwell too much on the imperfections... you might actually really like the end result!!

xoxo

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My Christmas has come early! Trade Show Press from NSS 2017

My Christmas has come early! Trade Show Press from NSS 2017

(Featured image by Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper Blog www.ohsobeautifulpaper.com)

When I sent an invite to Nole from Oh So Beautiful Paper blog to visit me at booth 1464, for the Frankie's Girl debut at the National Stationery Show this year, I did not expect her to visit. Well with something around 800 exhibitors (I don't actually know the real figure, that's possibly incorrect) I thought surely I'd be missed. Saying I was a little over the moon when we met in person (at my booth!!) is a complete understatement.

A couple of months later, she has posted a blog of new exhibitors from NSS 2017. See it here:

http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2017/08/nss-2017-new-exhibitors-part-2/

And guess who's been included... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE with a capital M :) See it here:

http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/trade-shows/frankies-girl-2017/

A couple of snapshots from the site:

I seriously can't contain my excitement and somehow feel like this must have been a mistake. Well I'm taking it!! Huge thanks to Nole for my inclusion, you are an inspiration and because of your blog I have aspired to create beautiful things, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, but the journey is and will always be the best experience.

xoxo

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Let's talk about Love

Let's talk about Love

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I must admit there's certain un-Valentine's emotions I feel for this holiday.

How does that happen when I'm in the business of selling love cards you ask? Isn't it a positive that Valentine's is another well thought of product promotion day that will ensure sales of appropriately related stationery and gifts? Well yes of course, its fantastic, however I believe that love should be celebrated everyday and not just on the 14th of February. Not only are certain expectations raised but in many cases the pricing of single roses over the weekend prior and the day of skyrocket as opposed to any other day of the year. Don't get me wrong, the idea of gift giving and receiving flowers or hand written notes uplifts the soul immensely and it is always appreciated (hint hint hubby) and should be done as much as you feel necessary. My personal preference is to receive those on any other day of the year, for no other reason than just because, rather than on the day that dictates that love needs to be acknowledged. There shouldn't be the extra pressure associated with gifting or planning the most romantic night out. Love is all you need to make any day special.

It's absolutely wonderful to get into the spirit of it but also totally ok to divide those grand gestures and loving words throughout the entire year, become more spontaneous and surprise the one you love on more occasions than just on Valentine's Day. Besides who doesn't want to hear 'I love You' every single day?

So back to the business of cards... we do have a few love cards for your sweetheart, whether you choose to give it to them on Valentine's Day or any other day, they'll love you just the same.

xoxo

You can find our love cards here:

https://www.frankiesgirl.com.au/collections/greeting-cards

 

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Welcome! Bienvenue! Benvenuto! In other words, thank you for being here...

Welcome! Bienvenue! Benvenuto! In other words, thank you for being here...

I finally have a website!!! Yay! If you've already read my profile on the about page, you'll know that I am Sarine, the owner, creator, designer of this little world called Frankie's Girl....

 

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