If you were to look out of our studio window right now and spot all of the green leaves on the trees, you would never guess it is officially fall.  It has been a hot and sticky summer here, but it seems to finally be cooling down a bit.  Let’s hope those pretty fall colors will be on their way soon.

Until then, this photo above will just have to hold me over.  At the request of a recent couple I was working with, I created this motif based on aspen trees for their invitations.  Also incorporated throughout the set, were the pair of aspen leaves that can be seen in the background.  Perfect for fall, they chose to combine copper ink and ecru cotton paper.  Not seen in this photo are the actual invitations, which were made out of walnut. In addition to the invitations, we also created some table cards and place cards – all out of walnut as well.

Nicole and Taylor were recently married in Aspen, Colorado – so congratulations to the happy couple!

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Fall is officially here and, while a bit exhausted, it appears we have survived the wedding season.   Unfortunately, I found myself in need of a blogging hiatus and the past few months went by without any documentation.  Yes, I feel bad about that…  but I’m here now and doesn’t that count for something?

As usual, it has been crazy around here – even more so lately as everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong.  This goes for both the business and our personal lives.  I won’t bore you with in-depth details, but here is a little recap of what you have been missing:  equipment blowing up, people walking on my car, a leaky roof… and well, you get the picture.  (dare I even mention the economy…)

Needless to say, it is about time that things start running a little smoother around here.  So, I’m starting my new year right now.  Forget January – way too far off.   Nope.  New year.  Begins.  Now.

So here’s to reorganization, more initiative, getting back in touch with my creative side, and getting things done.

*specifically the verb, however  i wouldn’t mind some of the noun as well…

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I fear this post will be a bit boring, but considering I havn’t had the chance to update in over 2 weeks, boring is better than nothing. In any case, it has come to my attention that not everyone is familiar with this thing called Google Checkout. I’m not too surprised, as it was launched around mid 2006, and unless you buy a ton of stuff online, you may have never had a reason to use it. Personally, I myself have never been on the consumer end, and my experience has always been from the merchant side of things. However, I’ve done a bit of reading and feel that I can give you a good idea of what to expect when using Google Checkout.

First of all, why Google Checkout? If you have dealt with us before, you know it is our preferred method of payment. Yes, we can take checks, but then you have to allow for the check to arrive to us and then wait for the check to clear. A process that can take just minutes with Checkout. So yes, it is a time saver, and when a last minute order is placed, we can certainly use all the extra time we can get.

Most importantly though is the issue of security. Along with other security checks that Google has set-up to prevent fraud, we will never see your credit card number. We can simply tell if the payment was made and cancel it if need be. So, when you call us and ask if we can take your order over the phone. Well, the answer is no, not really. Meaning, we won’t take your credit card information over the phone. We can however take down your e-mail address, and then send you an invoice via Google Checkout. (But wait!? I have no affiliations with Google – how does this work? umm… I’m getting to that. Promise.)

This brings me to my next point. Google Checkout is convenient. (Here’s the part where I have no experience to speak from, but I’ve done some reading, so bare with me. ) Once you have used Google Checkout once, you can keep using your account at any site that offers it. So instead of filling out your personal information at every place you shop, you can just use your Google Checkout account as long as it is an available option. Simply sign in with your e-mail address and password.

So how does it work exactly? Well, for us, unless you are purchasing a sample, we will send you an invoice for the total amount due via e-mail. Once you open the e-mail, you will find a link labeled “Pay now through Google Checkout…”. Once you click on the link, you will be asked to either sign in to Google Checkout, or if it is your first time, sign up for Checkout. If you need to sign up, you will be asked to provide the standard information – name, e-mail address, and credit card information. Once you are logged in you can confirm your order and hit the box that states “place your order now” to make your purchase. At this time, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to us alerting us that an invoice has been paid. If you are purchasing a sample packet, the process is very similar. Except that instead of receiving an invoice, you just click the little blue “buy now” button on the website.

So, while we know it may be new and different to some of you, and new and different can equal strange and scary, we really don’t think there is anything to be worried about. Here are a few other things you might be interested in knowing:

- No, you don’t need to have a g-mail account to use it.

- No, you don’t even need to know what g-mail is for that matter.

- You can store as many credit cards as you would like in your account.

- You can choose to keep your e-mail address confidential. So, if we need to contact you, we will just send a message to an address that looks pretty much like jumbled letters followed by @checkout.google.com.

- It allows you to rate merchants.

- It allows you to track your orders from wherever you make purchases.

- And lastly, no, you will not be giving Google complete control over the world by using their services. (at least, I don’t think so…)

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is in no way affiliated with or promoted by Google or Google Checkout.

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As mentioned in the last post, I will try and upload several sneak peek images of the new designs that are on their way. Above you see a sample utilizing a combination of spring green and chocolate inks, maple wood, and crisp white cotton paper. The selected typefaces are Bolivar and Trajan – a combination I find elegant with  just a touch of attitude.

I would like to mention that this motif was created at the request of a bride. We felt it would be a perfect addition to our catalog, so we are keeping it around.

Enjoy!

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As mentioned in previous posts, we have some new designs on the way. For the most part, all the details are finalized. Now begins the next step: producing samples and getting the photos ready for the website. Yes, we know we could just plop some renderings up and call it a day, but well, we just don’t find this acceptable. We must have photos! And apparently, we like making more work for ourselves.

So now begins the brain storming process… we get to select colors and wood species for each design that we feel will make them look that much better. This is exciting to me, as I have spent quite a bit of time staring at, for the most part, black and white illustrations on my monitor. Truth be told, I always visualize color combinations as I work on something, but this is no comparison to seeing the finished product.

Selecting the ink colors always involves flipping through the handy Pantone formula guide. I love it when the color I have been visualizing is there in front of me. Other times, sadly, it is nowhere to be found. In any case, decisions have to be made and the show must go on. We’ll keep you updated and hopefully update the blog with a sneak peek or two in the next couple of weeks.

Speaking of colors, I do want to remind everyone that custom blended ink colors are always an option. If you don’t see the right color listed on our process page, please let us know what you are looking for! Whether you send us a fabric sample to work with, or you send me to the grocery store in search of strawberry Mentos pink (yum), we will always do our best to accommodate your wishes.

Now, if only we can hurry this process up a bit…

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A big thank you to Kristen over at Paper Crave for featuring us on her blog last week. I was happily surprised to spot us on a blog I regularly check! For tons of papery goodness, make sure to visit Paper Crave on a regular basis.

I would also like to mention that you can find us in the Spring 2008 issue of InStyle Weddings. You’ll find us on page 305 within the celebrity weddings feature. Included is another great way to incorporate wood into your wedding – a sweet note engraved in wood for all of your guests to take home and keep! I think the only thing that could top that on my list would be chocolate. But who says you can’t have both?

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