A Season

Hi blog friends. How have you been? It's been wild around here -- lots of good things happening, but things that also take a lot of my time, not leaving much left over for blogging. In all honesty, it's been nice to take a step away and just absorb the life that is going on around me. November and December were tough with all the demands of my work in the holiday season coupled with all the activities of that time of year in general. I remember sitting in church on Christmas Eve and thinking "Oh yeah, it's Christmas tomorrow." I hadn't had a moment to just be in so long -- to stop and reflect -- and I feel like I missed out on a lot of the wonder of that season. So I needed some time. Time to think about how to manage doing the work that I love doing and all the things that come with having a family. And I've had to make some changes in order to achieve a good balance. One is cutting back on blogging. I enjoy blogging -- the creative outlet and the people you connect with through it. But as anyone who blogs knows, it takes a lot of time. And time is something I just don't have a lot of extra of right now. But I hope to check in here once in while and share a bit of what's going on around here. And I hope you'll be around when I do! Speaking of, curious what we have been up to over the past month or so?

The beach has been so good to us. I can't think of a better place to be. Neither can the kids.







March madness is in full swing at our house. H, our oldest, is just a wee bit obsessed with basketball, and could tell you just about any stat you're looking for. Curious how many points Dwyane Wade averages a game? Hang on, let me ask him.....24. Oh, and he averages 7 rebounds and 5 assists.



We've all got our brackets filled in, but unfortunately for me, mine is a mess. Missouri lost so early. Then Duke, but I should have expected that. (I say this good-Tarheel-heartedly) And then my Heels. Oh, that was a sad one.



M has started letting me put her hair in a pony tail. Sometimes. She lets her sitter put it up all the time, but that's a whole other topic.



She looks so grown-up, doesn't she? We've also started potty training, so any happy potty thoughts you'd like to send our way would be much appreciated.

We have new wallpaper in our pink bathroom:



I love it. Before & after pictures to come once I get everything squared away in there!

I've entered a few challenges at Minted, one if which has voting going on now, ending tomorrow actually. If you're up for it, click over and vote for my design Stock the Bag:



It was inspired by the all important diaper bag, and features illustrations of baby essentials. I thought it would be a great theme for a first time mom who has no clue what goes in the diaper bag, as well as for moms going back into the world of babyhood.

I've also been working with Laura Negri Photography on new baby designs. Working with Laura's photographs is one of my favorite things. She has a true talent for capturing little faces, and if you are in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend booking a session with her.









Check out the full catalog!

And possibly the biggest news around here is the release of Ben's book! It was a true labor of love, and I couldn't be prouder of him.



You can find it on Amazon right here if you're so inclined.

We're having a little celebration in a few weeks in true 1910s fashion as an ode to the man's life. I'm going to try my hand at this amazing looking chocolate orange bundt cake. For his next book, I'm going to try to get him to focus on the 50s -- hello, Madmen-themed bash!

That's all for now, but if you're curious about what's inspiring me daily, come follow me on Pinterest:



It's loads of fun.

Until next time -- peace, friends.

My Funny Valentine

The other day, I was emptying papers out of Spencer's backpack, and I came across this:



and thought, "My sweet angel, he's already made me a Valentine Card." Then I tried to decipher the picture on the inside:



My first thought was that he'd drawn a picture of how I give him back & foot rubs before bed, which is truly one of the highlights of his day. I couldn't wait to confirm my suspicions when he got home. Here's how the conversation went:

ME: "I found this in your backpack -- thank you!! You are so sweet to make this for me. Tell me about the picture."

S, pointing to the left side: "That's you watching TV."

And now pointing to the right: "And that's you laying in bed reading a book."

Now in my head I'm thinking, OH NO!! Is that what he thinks I do all day?? Watch TV and lay in bed reading?? My child thinks I'm a bum! And what did his teacher think when she saw this?? She's must think I'm such a slacker! And what are those black boxes under the bed??? We look like the next episode of hoarders!

I tried not to let any of this show on my face and investigated further:

ME: "Hmmm, tell me why you put those two things on the card?"

S: "Because I thought you really liked it when you got to relax."

So sincere and so thoughtful. And true. I really do like it when I have the chance to sit in bed and read a book. Or watch some TV. In his sweet little mind, he was drawing two things that he thought made me happy, not thinking at all "My mom is such a bum!" I love the way this card speaks to the person he is becoming, thinking about other people and what they like, not just what they do for him. But it still does make me laugh every time I look at it -- there's old mom just lazin' it up! And the black boxes under the bed? Ben's guitars. Their cases really are under our bed, but hopefully that's not a hoarding tendency!

Happy Valentine's Day!

He's Six

It was 6 years ago today that our baby boy came into the world. It's been the case in our family that each of our kids' labors have been true to their personalities. Spencer was born on a Friday, but my labor had started on the Tuesday before. I had intense contractions for two hours and then they just stopped. That Friday, we ate a big pancake breakfast [I know, not the smartest thing to eat before you give birth!] at Avalon Diner in Houston, TX and headed over to the my doctor's office to see what was going on. Turns out I was already dilated 6 inches and since it was my 2nd, the doctor was concerned about sending me back out into the world for the weekend. Thankfully while I was there, I had some strong contractions and was sent to delivery. I can remember saying to the nurse "Maybe this one is going to be my easy-going one, a stop and smell the roses kind of guy." Both of which couldn't be more true about the perfect little man that was born that day.



He's never in much of a hurry -- always on "Spencie-time" -- and doesn't get his feathers ruffled too often. He can find contentment in just being. He could snuggle for hours, happy just to be with you in that moment. He has a passion for art, and has started telling people "I'm going to be a designer like my mom." I almost start crying every time he says it, too. It is an absolute joy to be his mother.

[PHOTO: Laura Negri Photography]

Atlanta // Westside Provisions District

I'm still playing catch-up with holiday travel photos! One of my favorite places to shop & dine while we are in Atlanta is the Westside Provisions District. There are several options for creative, delicious food, and no shortage of unique shops.



My favorite spot to eat is JCT Kitchen [don't miss the lemon drops dispenser on the way out the door!] and my favorite shop is Seed Factory. I had lots of fun in the Jonathan Adler, too, though!

[PS: Laura took our family pictures here two summers ago]

b.wise papers for Minted // Valentines

It's time to start thinking about sending the love! I've got several new Valentine designs at Minted this year. Here's a little sampling:


[Happy Love Day]


[Bold XOXO] There's a complementing stationery set for this design [shown in the banner at the bottom].

Some classroom Valentines for the kiddos:


[Be Mine Classroom Valentine]


[Alien Classroom Valentine]

And don't forget address labels! Minted's signature skinny wrap label is an excellent addition to any envelope:


[Bold XOXO Skinny Wrap Address Label]

Find more designs in my Minted Storefront!

My Kind of Town.

Chicago. Reg and I just got back from a few days there just the two of us. It was glorious. It didn't hurt that we had unseasonably nice weather, but the city itself is pretty unbeatable. This was my first venture to the windy city, and I fell in love with it -- the art, the architecture, the people, the public transportation, the food. Oh my, the food.



We whiled away a few hours at the Art Institute, and walked and walked and walked some more. I miss being in a walking city. There's so much going on! My favorite restaurant of the trip was The Publican [pictured middle row, far left]. I'm still dreaming about their cauliflower gratin. And the brussels sprout salad was surprisingly delicious [I wasn't sure how shredded brussels would taste]. Our server was outstanding and the overall experience was excellent. We also ate at Girl and the Goat, which was also delicious. It had the potential to be my favorite, but the hosting staff there was a bit persnickety. I don't much care for persnickety hostesses. Regardless, our server was fantastic and so was the food. Plus, they get extra credit for that adorable goat [pictured top row, far right].

If you've never been, you must go!

Hello, 2012

I'm not back in the studio just yet, but I wanted to pop in and wish you all a Happy New Year! Since we stayed at home over Christmas, we spent the weekend celebrating with family in Atlanta. The kids have been quite the troopers with all the extended celebrations/present opening. I kid, of course. I've yet to meet a child that doesn't like opening presents. Or an adult for that matter. Which, speaking of presents, I had a bit of a love affair with tinsel this holiday season, one that I don't think will be ending anytime soon. It's such a happy thing.

Here's to great things in 2012!

Joy to You

The two versions of our holiday cards this year! The first is an accordion style that I'd been wanting to try, and Laura's photography was excellent motivation. I love the way it turned out.




I tried out some gold envelopes on these that I'm thinking about adding to the b.wise collection.



The second is a 5x7" version. I always like to have a traditional size version in case I ever get around to making that holiday card album that has been on my list.



My sincerest hopes that you and yours find much joy this holiday season. Merry, merry!

b.wise papers for Minted // New Years Cards

Minted just started a 15% off promotion* for New Years cards! There are 3 b.wise New Years designs:


CLASSIC NEW YEAR


BIG YEAR


GALLERY NEW YEARS

And don't forget your liners and labels!



*Use code SLED15 for the discount. Expires 1/2/12.

Round Here

Hi! I'm afraid in all the hurly-burly of card season, the old blog here has taken a hit. To make up for that, I'm going to try for an extra long post. Curious what's been going on around here?

Letters to Santa:





(The letter template is a b.wise original, which I have available for free download right here!*)

Fred's back:



I've tried to be a little more creative this year with his spot because I fear that this may be the last year that my oldest gets into it. Their favorite place so far was when Fred was in the Halloween candy bowl [yes, I know Halloween was a month and a half ago]. I opened up a candy bar and pinch a little corner off and had it sitting in his lap. When they discovered him in the morning, they came bounding back into our room shouting "Fred's eating candy!! Isn't that crazy?!" Mind you, these exciting spots are only once in a while -- there's only so much time I can put into this at the moment!

Our tree is up, and I get to look at all my favorite ornaments:



Do you vote white or multicolor lights? For my tree, I vote white, but I'd love to have some multicolor lights outside.

There's been lots of packaging going on:



Only now I need to start in on actual presents! Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? I've got a ways to go myself.

I have started in on holiday card addressing. I designed two different ones for us this year -- more on that after I've sent them out!



That's all from here for now!

*THE FREE DOWNLOAD IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND REMAINS COPYRIGHTED TO B.WISE PAPERS. Please feel free to spread the word just make sure you link it back here. Thanks, and enjoy!!

Laura Negri Photography // Fall 2011

We had the luxury of getting our pictures taken by the ever talented Laura Negri Childers last month, and I could not be happier with the way they turned out. The setting was a path to a polo field near by parent's house. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon on an Atlanta bluebird-sky day, so the light on the fall leaves was amazing. And Laura captured it perfectly.



My sweet boys. They were total rock stars. There was barely any protest over outfits, no tears and they turned on the charm for the camera. We did bribe them with the promise of candy for good behavior, but nevertheless, they came through like champions.





My sweet girl was mighty uncooperative for the first part of the session. When she gets a bee in her bonnet, it's hard to get her to do anything. Thankfully, she came around towards the end and we were able to get some shots where she wasn't glaring or crying [ie, the first picture; if someone wasn't holding her up like that she would start crying]. But I think that's honestly what makes the pictures so special -- that they capture this particular moment in our life as a family with a 2 year old who is wild, knows her own mind and isn't worried about conforming to what we want her to do. She just is who she is and I love that.



A big thanks to Laura for her amazing work! Hop over to her blog to see more!

Advent Calendars

You have one more day to make one of your own, so here's some inspiration! I especially love the animal one [#3] -- I'd want to keep that up all year long. And the clean crispness of #4 would make what's inside so colorful and exciting. It could be anything!

I always tell myself that I'm going to make one, but it just doesn't happen because of how busy things are with holiday cards this time of year. I'm really thinking about making one in the summer to put up for December so I can actually do it on time! So this year, same as last year, the boys have Lego Advent calendars. And they could not be more excited. Star Wars + Legos + getting to open something every single day = happy boys.

And I'd love to know: did you make one? If so, what did you put in it?!

IMAGE SOURCES: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE & SIX

Punkin Pie

We had lots!



What's your point?



Hope you did, too!

The Thanksgiving Table

A little inspiration to get you in the mood for turkey!



I love a good table setting, especially with wood, white, gold and greens, but the thing I'm most excited about are the faces that will be around our table this year. We're hosting, so have family coming from all around to join us. Hope yours is a Happy one!

[Sources: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX]

Thanksgiving Trees

This past Wednesday I went to Spencer's school to make Thanksgiving trees with some of the kids in his grade. For those who don't know, a Thanksgiving tree is where you record the things you're thankful for and hang them on the tree. They loved it. And it was relatively easy to put together.

My supplies:



-- A branch tree that Reg and I put together. [see below]
-- Paper circles that I cut out of metallic card stock with a circle punch and then punched holes in with a hole punch.
-- White pens. Very exciting.
-- Twine, which we didn't end up using a lot of -- the holes in the circles slipped right on most of the branches.
-- Jingle bells, to give the trees a little bling. They all loved this, by the way. Not only are they shiny, but their trees jingle. Good stuff.



To make the branch trees, Reg sawed a larger branch from a tree that had fallen in our yard into little bases. He drilled a hole in the middle, and -- this is where things get exciting -- I glue-gunned the smaller branches into them. I love any excuse to get my glue gun out.



They love looking at their little tags and talking about what they wrote. Spencer really likes his one that says "Toy 100% luve."



The good news is that Mom got luve 100% too.



So did Dad.



And a personal favorite of mine from Henry's tree:



Me. Too.