Truth

It's true, I yam.

What happens when produce painting meets love note meets my sense of humor.

Black ink on rose A4 envelope // F&W style: simms

Give thanks

Everything is cuter when it's small—piñatas!, hats!, chocolate chip zucchini bread...

I baked these little loafs and adorned them with a note of gratitude to make the perfect shower favors. Who doesn't love a cute carb?

Nuts

The facts don't lie.

Black ink on azure A7 envelope // F&W style: flourished thames

Color Block It

Sunshine color blocked—a shimmering golden bar flanked by the morning and evening sun.

Pinyadayada

Mini-yada

Pinyadayada (Photo credit: Julie Harmsen Fitts)

As college room and studio mates, Sara and I go way back with our arts and crafting antics.

When Sara shared about her new passion for the piñata, I joined in the fun and started an email chain with the subject line pin yada yada yada. After a string of comical back and forths, she sent the closer: Um. I just bought pinyadayada.com. 

And thus, Pinyadayada was born. 

Sara is making fabulous custom pinyadas—check them out here and here. I joined the party and crafted this golden mini-yada complete with trap door to insert candy. Fun! (Check out Oh Happy Day's great post for detailed instructions on mini piñata making.)

Happy Day

Watercolored and calligraphed, these birthday banners were tucked into the Chocolate Stout Cake and nestled sweetly into the bouquet-happy buffet. Elegant birthday party loveliness at its best.

Below is a scan of the three flags. Pretty!

 

Custom dusty blue (cobalt blue + white) gouache on red A4 envelope // F&W style: miller

Bottled Up

Cheap, charming and easy—yes please! These yarn wrapped San Pellegrino bottles brought a bold pop of color to the table setting and a fun alternative to traditional yawn-worthy table numbers.

(Craftspiration for the bottles is from Hello Lucky!'s book of whimsy and wedding craft fun Handmade Weddings.)

Beach Calligraphy

There's nothing quite like the feeling of your toes in the sand.

On a recent trip down the coast to celebrate our anniversary, there was plenty of biking, ollalieberry pie eating, and beach strolling complete with some sandy calligraphy. I proudly branded the beach with "Manwaring forever!" ...or at least till the tide came in. 

Gold ink on eggplant A2 envelope // F&W style: michelle

The Hostess Gift Revisited

A bottle of wine is the classic hostess gift—an always appreciated token of gratitude for a great meal and equally great company. This was our go-to until one night some friends brought us a homemade breakfast bread. She handed it to me and said, "for tomorrow morning" with a wink. The next day, as we approached the mess of a kitchen I spied the bread, consumed and was converted.

She was so right. Waking up to a homemade treat amidst a chaotic kitchen of dirty dishes and empty bottles ensures the fun night lingers (at least a few minutes) into the clean up. And with a little extra care in the packaging (and the addition of chocolate chips to the batter) my dressed up banana bread rivaled the best Pinots for the perfect hostess gift. Cheers!

Black ink on powder blue A2 envelope // F&W style: emily

Produce Signage

Fave

I particularly liked this 'favorite' calligraphed while testing out a new nib on a piece of scrap. After taping it to my desk I let out a sweet sigh as I realized I unintentionally named and curated a little cubby of happiness—my favorite color (mustard), a favorite pastime (knitting), and my favorite person (Brendon).

I love visual surprises.

You say...

...let's call the whole thing off!

Golden Ticket

Dusty blue and vermilion are a team that fall on my top ten color combos list. The pair is simultaneously modern and darling and even more charming when coupled with a square of golden sparkle. I drew inspiration from nautical flags and printed this tote, perfect for stowing a sweater and book for an afternoon sail (or for those of us sans yacht, it'd work for land based activities as well.)

Black ink on ecru Crane #10 envelope // F&W style: fitts

Why Thank You

I love her formality (and hair). Couldn't help but chuckle to myself while type setting the casual, lower case "thanks." She would never!

Letterpress printed at the San Francisco Center for the Book on their Floor Model Platen Press.