I have stopped going inside of card stores. I rarely find a card that says exactly what I am feeling or trying to convey. Often I find the “humour” is very generic (really?? a ladies birthday card that cracks a joke about chocolate? or shopping?? how creative!), and I end up leaving disappointed. So instead I have started making my own cards, or finding handmade cards that fit my style and sense of humour. When searching for a card the other day I came across Navy Blue Notes, and honestly started laughing out loud. The inside of the cards are blank, (no horribly corny and painfully forced rhymes here!) so you can compose your own message, and the fronts have a little bit of fun attitude to bring some levity to almost any situation. The Navy Blue Notes tag line says it all: “Simple, social notes to amuse the lighthearted & antagonize the humourless”.
Surprised by your feelings? This card has you covered
Sometimes we all need a little tough love. Just don't forget the Love part!
My Dad once scored an eight-ender... Wish I'd had this card then!
Hee! You're darn right she is!
You know you're thinking it...
I originally found Navy Blue Notes on Cosa Verde, then discovered that they also have an Etsy shop, Cargoh shop and a blog. Made from eco-friendly 100% post consumer recycled paper, these cards will make both the recipient and the earth feel good! Especially in this digital age, a handwritten note is something special and heartwarming. Taking the time to write a personal note really shows someone you care, and if you can share a laugh while you are at it, what could be better than that?
Wishing you a day filled with smiles,
~Jennifer
I love the personal touch of a handmade card. The trouble is, I am not a very talented artist, and am unable to draw much more than a stick figure. So I needed to find a way to put beautiful images onto my cards without having to employ an illustrator or resorting to clipart. Needless to say, I have become a huge fan of stamps. I love how quick and easy they are to use, and the results leave me feeling like I am not completely without artistic merit!
All this has led me to find the Old Island Stamp Company. Working out of Lions Bay, British Columbia, they have been making handcrafted rubber art stamps for over a decade. Many of the images are original works from west coast artists, others are sourced from rare books or antique typesets.
I can think of all kinds of uses for this beautiful bonsai stamp!
The expression on this adorable puppy is priceless!
I am already planning my Christmas cards around this gorgeous snowflake.
The online catalogue has countless options for any occasion or theme. Whether you are looking for traditional, funky, ornate or simple, you will certainly find something that catches your eye. I have already started my own wish list, and am dreaming up new card designs!
Check out The Old Island Stamp Company online, or find out if they will be coming to a craft show near you. Inspiration for your next project is just a click away.
Happy stamping!
~Jennifer
Jenn and I grew up with a handsome fellow in our house. Sure, our brothers were pretty cute (don’t tell them I said that!) but that handsome guy I’m referring to was Sunshine, our long-ish haired, sweet-faced, softest-kitty-ever.
When I saw the original artwork in Tara Anderson’s Gingercatpress shop, I couldn’t help but grin. She posts a new “Meow of the Day” original piece each day, and today’s reminded me of our Sunny.
Her daily artwork pieces are available for 7 days only, so if you see one you like, snap it up quickly! Tara’s shop is full of adorable little feline creatures – some stealing beans from the plate on the table, some looking super-proud to have caught that little felt mouse, others (like Red, below) looking for a little romance!
Gingercatpress also offers greeting cards and art prints or her original artwork, perfect little pieces for the cat lover in your life. I just love the look on Misty’s face!
Red has eyes only for Misty, but Misty's a little shy ;)
Benjamin is one cute little dude!
After time spent as a bookseller, Tara has returned to her fine art and illustrator roots. She takes inspiration from the many kitties that live on her 200-acre farm, house cats and barn cats alike. Having grown up with a regal-looking prince of a cat, who was born in a barn but who’s favourite spot was on our laps or in a patch of warm sunlight, I’m sure there’s plenty of personality on her farm to inspire many more paintings!
You can also find Tara online at her blog and on Twitter.
Enjoy,
~Sarah
As I mentioned on Wednesday, I had the pleasure of meeting Nikki Kelly at the Make It Edmonton show at the end of May. I hadn’t planned on going to the show, since we were supposed to be camping… but this is Edmonton, and we were chased out of the campground by an impending blizzard. Yes, really.
The silver lining to our aborted camping trip was a trip to Make It! I met many great crafters and designers, and was pleased to see some familiar faces and companies.
Nikki agreed, on the spot, to be our first “Feature Friday” interview candidate – as we discover the amazing talent in Canada, we wanted to learn a little more about the people behind the products, and so we’ll be asking a few of the artists to answer our C+H questionnaire! With no further ado, allow me to introduce Nikki:
C+H: What started the creative fire burning for you? Do you remember a particular moment, a favourite childhood activity, something you saw and wanted to recreate or improve upon?
Nikki: Ever since I can remember I’ve always loved drawing and if you look at my illustrations now, it’s pretty obvious my style hasn’t developed much over the years. Of course that’s all part of my shtick though… My cards intentionally look sweet, but have a very vulgar edge. As for how I came about designing greeting cards, I was reading cards in a local gift shop one day and it occurred to me how awesome it would be if there was a really sweet looking birthday card that said something really crude and unexpected on the inside. Since I had diplomas in both Journalism and Design I figured I’d start creating cards like that myself!
C+H: Where do you look for inspiration?
Nikki: Inspiration comes from everywhere for me. Sometimes I hear a word on tv that will inspire a card idea, other times it’s thinking about a certain friend or family member and developing a card around a certain personality trait they have. Though ideas really occur anytime and anywhere so I’m almost always carrying a notebook with me so I can jot them down as they arrive.
C+H: What part of creating your pieces gives you the most joy and satisfaction?
Nikki: The most joy I get in creating my cards is seeing how people react to the finished product. Since most of my sales are through retailers and online orders, I only get to see my customer reactions a few times a year at various craft shows. It’s reassuring to me to see that I’m not the only one with a twisted sense of humour.
C+H: What is it about your creations that sets you apart?
Nikki: Hug and Kiss cards are different from other cards lines because we look so sweet, but have such a sassy, sarcastic, sinister sense of humour. Sure there are other vulgar greeting cards out there, but you can usually tell what sense of humour they have because of the illustrations on the front. Having ours looking like they were drawn by a child really throws the reader off when they see all the swearing inside.
C+H: Why do you choose to work in this medium or format?
Nikki: Greeting cards were a medium that I just sort of fell into, but I think there’s room for my company to expand into other formats. I’ve already expanded to magnets, t-shirts and paintings, but I’m hoping to branch out even more in the next few years.
C+H: How long does it take to create one of your pieces?
Nikki: A card can take anywhere from five minutes to a few weeks to create. The copywriting has never been the hard part for me, it’s coming up with the illustrations that can take time.
C+H: Do you feel that living in Canada has influenced your work?
Nikki: I think in general Canadians have a really great sense of humour, which has made my cards really well-received. It helps that we can laugh at ourselves too, which is almost needed as the receipiant of one of my cards. Also, it seems we really like to support local talent, so people are happy to learn that my cards are all 100% hand-made here in Canada.
C+H: What advice would you give someone who is just starting out? Who has provided you with inspiration or mentorship on your journey?
Nikki: When you’re just starting out, you have to take risks. Sometimes they can be really scary, but you have to get out there and give it a try. I’ve been really lucky in having a very supportive family that has encouraged me not only to start this business, but to take it to the next level. My husband helped me out a lot when I decided to devote myself to the company 100% by quitting my part-time job. Hug and Kiss Designs certainly wouldn’t be where it is without him.
C+H: Where can we find you online? (webpage, twitter, facebook, etc)
Nikki: My entire catalogue is available online at www.hugandkissdesigns.com You can also find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=22701847512&ref=ts
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Thanks so much, Nikki! We look forward to seeing you at many more shows, and to seeing where you take Hug + Kiss Designs in the years to come!
Cheers,
~Sarah and Jennifer
