Handmade by Meda

Garden Tea Party Invitation 1

2012-01-27T19:14:00.000+02:00

I have promised you a more romantic theme for my future invitation designs, so here it is:
Introducing......

GARDEN TEA PARTY COLLECTION

They are inspired by more serene times, when people had time for an afternoon visit and tea. They are inspired by my dreams of lords and countesses, by all the romantic novels that make my fantasy world a better place than reality.

I have been having a lot of requests for Jane Austen inspired invitations, vintage floral, vintage tea parties, so that is what I am working on now. I have a few more designs on the same theme, so I will put numbers for easy identification.

See you soon!

Purple and White Splendor. The Thank You Cards

2012-01-27T00:31:00.003+02:00

I had full freedom in designing Diana's thank you cards too. Like everything I make for my own pure joy, I am loving them!

These cards are part of my Couture Collection and cannot be reproduced identically.

And this ends my Purple and White Splendor series. My SIL has almost chosen her invitations so I am switching to a more romantic theme (soon-to come)

Purple and White Spendor. The Reception Stationery

2012-01-25T10:50:00.002+02:00

If I loved Diana's invitations, the reception stationery brought me even more joy. I had to find a way to incorporate the crystals so I brought these lovely hand stamped chandeliers.

The menus are also table numbers and have a back pocket to hold the money envelopes.
I made different menu covers according to which table they were on: 3D numbers for the guests' table, cameos for the bride and groom table and martini glasses for the bar.

Thank you notes with Swarovski crystals.
I'm loving these. Diana wouldn't settle for something plain. She wanted me to incorporate both the crystals and the hand stamped chandeliers. This is the result.

Interview with Meda Halmaciu (thats's me)

2012-01-19T17:01:00.000+02:00

This is just a short note to let you know about an interview with Meda Halmaciu that Didi Kasa published on her blog yesterday. (Thanks, Didi!)

What makes me most happy is to see this generation (5-10 years younger than myself) thrive. I love to see them get involved in different activities, having fun but being responsible at the same time. I love that I see them involved and not complaining about the lack of opportunity.

I met Didi at this workshop I taught in December where she was one of the event planners. I have to confess she gave me a lesson. I don't get out much and I have a distorted image about the younger generations, yet people like her make me believe this country still stands a chance.

BOD -Inner Cover

2012-01-14T22:52:00.001+02:00

So I decided to dedicate Saturdays to mu Book of Days project. I usually just rest from my weekly work, clean the house, cook and now spend some time in the evening doing my art journal entries (if my little one lets me).

This is the inner cover where I say goodbye to 2011 and look forward to 2012.

Edited later: A comment from Jo C. just reminded me forgot to say that the Cart Postale pocket is actually a card I received in 2007 from Bev, a dear online friend. I have been thinking about saying this all the time I was working on the page, but I guess I just had a hard day.

The great thing about the BOD is that it allows me to preserve some wonderful pieces of art I have received from friends all over the world. I have been keeping them in a box, but I have been always looking for a way to put them to good use. I am beyond excited to have finally found it.

Purple and White Splendor. The Bridal Shower Invitations

2012-01-13T01:07:00.001+02:00

Diana is an awesome customer! She let me go crazy with her bridal shower invitations and came babysit while I was making them. We are both loving the result and I am finally ready to share these beauties with you.

I wanted to make these different, yet keep some elements from the wedding invitations.

I added the flowers for a more delicate, feminine touch and the chandeliers and crystals to bring an extra note of elegance. The purple splatters and the unusual card shape is a drop of craziness since we are talking about a bridal shower (the last night of fun before taking over the responsibilities of a married woman).

I kept the diamond white cardstock and Diana's lovely lace, but gave it a diagonal positioning to keep with the crazy theme.

This last photo shows the true color of the invitations. The others are just how my camera likes to see the evening light in the room. I happen to love this effect so I don't always adjust the white balance.

Purple and White Splendor. The Wedding Invitations.

2012-01-06T19:42:00.001+02:00

Celebrating purple!
This post is part of a special series dedicated to one of my favorite brides in 2011 and to my dear brother who is getting married this summer.

To everyone else who is having a purple and white celebration this year, stay tuned for a series of posts inspired by Diana's wedding.

As I am posting this image I realize how many things tie around this invitation. The brides initials are "DA". Then, looking at the shades of purple and white that I used for this design, I realize we have Diamond white paper and Amethyst crystal. Again, DA.

I just love this coincidence stuff!
And the story goes on...

Diana had no less then 3 types of invitations. The thing they all had in common was diamond white paper, amethyst satin ribbon and purple Swarovsky Cristals.
The difference: price range.
I also used a special diamond-white lace Diana picked herself from another town. Unfortunately for other brides I don't think this lace is available anymore.

Design 1.

Custom designed pocket, tied with a purple bow and accented with an Amethyst crystal. Die cut tag for guest name attached with silver thread.

Design 2.

Added my signature boxes tied with a large satin bow, moved the lace on the inside card and complimented with a tiny bow and a small crystal on top.

Design 3. Luxury invitations.

While I was working on Diana's design, I also had Irina's sapphire invitations in production.
So I made a purple version and a few special guest received their invitations in these magnificent magnetic closure boxes topped with intricate jewels. The inside was padded with satin so they can also be used as trinket boxes.

On my next post I will show you my very first bridal shower invitations which were also designed at Diana's request.

Steampunk Birthday Party Invitations

2012-01-05T20:01:00.000+02:00

I am currently designing a Sweet Sixteen - Clockwork / Steampunk invitation.

Having a lot of fun reproducing rust, smudging, spraying, distressing, dreaming...

Although it is not like me to post my work in progress, here is a snippet of what I have done so far, just enough to enter the Scrapper in Romania Challenge.

Sweet 16 Masquerade Invitations in Dusty Rose, Ivory and Damask

2012-01-03T23:58:00.000+02:00

Some of my favorite masquerade invitations so far: subtle hues of pink on shimmer ivory stock and a touch of damask elegance.

While I was working on the design I tried adding feathers, but these invitations were simply too delicate even for the soft and fluffy feathers.

Book of Days

2012-01-03T14:39:00.000+02:00

Just before the new year I signed up for the Book of Days Program. For those who haven't heard of it, it's a year long Journal Art & Memory Keeping journey with Effy Wild. It is totally free but you must sign up to have access to it (you can click the above link for details and sign-up).

This is the cover. Took me 3 days to finish it and like it. I will definitely not have the time to work on it daily but it is fun and instructing nevertheless.

If you have never done this kind of a daily-art exercise I strongly encourage you to. It will help you discover yourself as an artist, what you like and what you dislike, where you need to improve, learn new mediums and techniques, make mistakes and find ways to turn them into something good. It is also stress free, since you are free too explore, make and correct mistakes, take notes, have fun while doing it, no worries about cost of ruined materials because all you need to begin is an old book and some basic supplies.

I'd like to hear from you if you decide to take this challenge. Please leave me a note here if you do and i'll come and see how you are doing.

Faith.

As part of the program you are encouraged to pick a word for 2012. Mine is FAITH. I want to learn to live by faith and try less to solve things by myself . 2011 has clearly showed me that it is only by the grace of our Lord that we can experience true happiness.

Just before Christmas I was desperately asking for a sign to find out which way to go and the sign came right while I was praying for it. 2012 will be a year in which I will pay more attention to the voice of God and try to record my experience so I have a place to find encouragement in harder times.

Beginning the New Year With a Gift for Myself

2012-01-01T19:17:00.000+02:00

Not many words to add. I just love buying myself gifts.

I have decided to live this year by FAITH and I have embarked in a what seems an interesting and challenging journey for the spirit which I will hopefully post insights of from time to time.

It all begins with: God designed the family to be a happy place and I must be doing something wrong if it isn't.

It would be great to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this first day of 2012?

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000+02:00

My Favorite Blogger this Year

2011-12-31T13:10:00.000+02:00

No New Year resolutions. I wouldn't make them reality anyway.

Instead, on the last day of 2011 I would like to nominate my favorite blogger this year.

ALISA BURKE

The first thing I check when I have some blogroll time is if she has a new post.

Her creative spirit and positiveness has inspired me a lot lately especially since she is a new mommy too. I love seeing how she is able to find creative time while taking care of little Lucy.

She also has a bunch of online classes so if you want to buy me a present now you know what. :)

Lace Tree Vintage Christmas Cards

2011-12-27T23:39:00.000+02:00

The only Christmas cards I made this year and the fastest I ever made.

It was a small but important order from Casa Italia and although my production time was limited to a few hours I enjoyed making them. Thinking of Diana, the owner of the shop, and the joy with which she receives my work, I couldn't but put passion in making these cards.
I hope the recipients were equally pleased. They were truly sent from the heart and I hope I will soon make time to tell you the story of a wedding planned from the heart by Diana and the role I played in it.

Last Minute Wrapping Paper Tutorial

2011-12-23T01:05:00.000+02:00

So you just realized tomorrow morning you are meeting a friend and don't have any wrapping paper for her Christmas gift. If you are me (one year ago when baby was still in the womb) you don't worry much because you can make your own.

Take one sheet of ordinary white wrapping paper. I keep a stash of such materials that are too good to go to waste.

Gather some art supplies that you have around the house. If I had nothing else but a set of acrylics and a paint brush, that would be enough.

Start covering your paper with paint. Here I have used a dark palette of browns and black. Try not to think to much while doing it. Just have fun and do not over do it so the individual colors can still show.

Once you are happy with the background, start decorating your paper.
I am using a wooden print block from India (thanks Laura), but you can use so many things (stamps, fruit-as-stamps, gel pens, inks). Your imagination is the limit.

You can stop here, or, if you are into details like I am, this will seem to easy and in need of some harder work :). Take a no. 2 brush and start adding details using gold acrylic paint.

Finish up the edges of the paper with more gold paint.

Let it dry for 5 minutes (that is all it takes, really), wrap your gift and go to bed because it's past midnight, you have a migraine and you need to breastfeed baby in a few hours :)

Christmas Cards Workshiop - A Teaching experience

2011-12-22T23:50:00.000+02:00

Last week I spent 2 hours teaching a Christmas Cards Workshop in a cafe.
The workshop was part of the event Culture Action Days organized by AEGEE Cluj-Napoca and I was happy to say yes to their invitation despite my very busy schedule.

Our First Christmas Wreath

2011-12-14T02:10:00.002+02:00

Really, haven't you had a Christmas wreath before? No, WE, THE THREE OF US, haven't. *smile*

I made it on Sunday at the Christmas decoration party from Bianca's church.

It was a great party with good food and drinks, lots of smiles and chatting, meeting friends and all that comes with it.

I will leave you with some pictures from the event and I will add more when and if I get any. Unfortunately in the rush to finish lunch, prepare the baby for grandma and everything else, I forgot my camera so I don't have photos of my own except the wreath I took home.

(thanks for this picture, Bianca)

See more pictures here.

Taking a Break to Enjoy Life

2011-12-10T23:06:00.000+02:00

As my baby is growing so is his need for his mom to actively spend time with him.

As much as I tried to make it work, designing bespoke invitations is taking to much time and energy I should dedicate to my family or to my personal growth as an artist. So, after considering it for a while and receiving some healthy advice from my dear friend Laura, the decision has been made: I AM NO LONGER TAKING ORDERS FOR CUSTOM INVITATIONS.

I will continue to make the designs I already have and even customize them to match your event. However, I will no longer dedicate hours, days and weeks to start a new design concept from scratch. I simply do not have that time, and I hate engaging in something I know it will take me too long to complete.

Also keep an eye on my blog as I have a ton of never published designs to show you and, time permitting, I will feed my creative spirit by designing new couture invitations.

My new life starts tomorrow with attending this Christmas decoration party. It feels incredibly well to know I will be able to take my son for his daily strolls without stressing out that I have 3 more designs to complete before Christmas.
I can't believe I almost gave up my son's first Christmas tree, his first birthday party, my 30-year-party. I never made any baby announcements, any room decorations for my son, no scrap book of his first 9 months and the list could go on and on. I promised a little girl I would paint her room walls and haven't done it yet.
Hopefully I will hang out with my girlfriends more, take better care of my family's meals, pamper myself, finish all those creative projects I set aside for "when I have time" and have a Christmas tree for the first time since we moved into this apartment.

Of course I will complete those projects I have already engaged into, so, if you have booked a place on my list, you're still in.

Thanks, Laura, I owe you a big deal for helping me finally make this decision. From where I was standing I couldn't see it clear.

Christmas Decoration Party - - Cluj-Napoca

2011-12-08T22:20:00.001+02:00

Irina's Sapphire Wedding Stationery

2011-12-07T16:38:00.000+02:00

Although I was in love with the light blue and damask pillar which inspired her invitation design , Irina wanted a darker palette for her reception stationery: menus, favor boxes and place cards. She wanted me to use the colors from her sapphire jewel.

Here are some pictures from her wedding that she kindly allowed me to share.

I made 2 versions of the favor boxes. Those that featured the full sapphire jewel for the ladies and those with three coordinating rhinestones for the gentlemen.
The third image shows the same boxes in progress with only the round rhinestone in the middle. I loved this simpler look and decided to take a photo and present it as a third option.

Again, I was delighted with the outcome of my work, and also proud of myself to have assembled and glued all these jewels and rhinestone in one night while taking care of 4-months-old. But I just can't help sharing the initial color options which hold a special place in my heart.

I leave you with more photos from Irina's wedding reception and lots of thanks to the bride and groom for letting me be part of their big day.

The Mother and The Artist...

2011-12-05T00:59:00.003+02:00

...They are still fighting for supremacy.
My soul has yet to find peace in being a mother first and only then an artist.

I had do discover on my own so many things nobody tells you before having your first child! One of them is you have to give up yourself. I never managed to do this as a Christian, but, as I type with my son peacefully sleeping beside me, I realize it's happening. Love grows, selfishness dies.

I hope I will be able to open my heart more and write about this life changing experience. I have been silent long enough. It is now time to enjoy life again.

Sapphire and Damask Magnetic Closure Box Invitations

2011-12-03T23:25:00.001+02:00

I don't love blue, yet when Irina sent me a photo of her wedding venue, I was hooked. Can you tell what my major inspiration piece was? You got to love that pillar dresses in light blue and white damask.

The sapphire jewel was all the bride's idea. When she first contacted me she wanted some blue invitations that would contain a jewel like this. I thought it was a pity to put them on just any invitation, plus the usual invitations boxes I make are not sturdy enough so I proposed these magnetic closure boxes.

The invitations are not permanently adhered on the bottom, so the recipient can use the box to keep various things.

Traiasca Romania Dodoloata!

2011-12-02T00:51:00.000+02:00

Happy national day to my fellow Romanians!

I couldn't sleep last night and one of the things I thought about was the enthusiasm with which Romanians were embracing the union back in 1918. These days everyone is running to better seas. I am undecided. I wold love to live in a country with more economical and political stability, yet the place where I grew up and had such wonderful happy moments as a child draws me even more.

Thankful...

2011-11-30T00:17:00.000+02:00

I missed Thanks Giving but I had this post in mind for a very long time and decided it was better late than never.

I just want to say how thankful I am for my mother. She has been with me almost every weekday since my baby was born and I really don't know what I would have done without her, both professionally and personally.

Thanks, mom, you are truly appreciated.

Card Making Trends

2011-11-16T14:45:00.000+02:00

One of my favorite things to do is browse through other artists blogs.
I used to get lost in so many blogs with card making inspiration. However, I find that the most recent trends are not so much on my taste and turn to other places for inspiration.
Anybody feel the same or it's just me?

An Alternative to My Invitations

2011-11-11T11:40:00.005+02:00

This is a surprise post. I had it in mind for quite a while. And look what a great date to publish it: 11.11.11

Anca and I go a couple of years back when I spotted her in a local Plaza selling handmade cards. I generally have a very critique eye and I'm not easily impressed. However, when I saw Anca's quilling cards I not only admired her work but felt a sudden urge to interact so I said hi and the rest is history.

I now realize that the thing that drew me towards her was her sense of taking an idea or technique and making it her own. When I meet someone like this I am not afraid to open my heart and my studio and share what I know and what experiences I have accumulated as an artist.

This summer it was time to take it one step further. I was overwhelmed with work and being a fresh mother so I asked Anca to take over one of my design projects (a chandelier invitation). She did a great job. Here is just a snippet for now. I will show you the invitations in another post.

The chandelier invitations are more like me than her and you can see the various designs she created here. I was mentioning an alternative to my invitations though and I was referring to Anca's quilled invitations.

How about a quilled bouquet as an alternative to the classic bride's bouquet?

White Invitations for a Cottage Wedding

2011-11-10T22:27:00.002+02:00

I made these invitations for Ash who had an English cottage wedding this summer. Although her color scheme included pinks and purples, she chose pure white for the invitations.

I don't have pictures of Ash's wedding but I thought this cottage wedding by Ermiona was the perfect match. It looks so English!
I am not 100% sure, but they say the cottage belongs to Prince Charles of Great Britain who owns several domains in Romania.

Here I am, one year ago tying the bows that hold the inside vellum sheet with the invitation wording.
A simple white response card accompanied this invitation. All the printing was done in black in a simple italic font.

Simple, simple, simple... I am thinking a lot about this lately as I am forced to simplify my life and dedicate more time to my son.... about that in another post

Simple, simple, simple... I am thinking a lot about this lately as I am forced to simplify my life and dedicate more time to my son. I will tell you more about that in another post, hopefully sooner than later.

Invitations With Improvised Wax Seals (a little adventure in the invitation world)

2011-11-09T23:48:00.001+02:00

Intriguing title, right?
Before anything I'd like to send special thanks to Cezar from Pergame
for revealing me one of his techniques when I needed a helping hand.

Here goes the full story:
Since I can't say no to anyone challenging me to do something new, I couldn't refuse Andrei when he asked me if I could make this invitation (he sent me the photo of a chocolate brown invitation with a wax monogram seal).

Obviously there was nothing creative about this job. I had the perfect cardstock in mind and I even knew how to make a custom sealing coin. However, since it wasn't even my on design, I decided to outsource part of the work and contacted a local invitation company specializing in handmade paper and wax seal invitations to help with the golden wax seals. Their answer was Yes, we can make the seals for X amount of money, but we only in green or red.
Sorry, but I need gold seals.

Next step, I searched the internet, found a nice company selling wax at reasonable pricing. I haven't even given a second thought and placed an order for enough wax to make 200 invitations.

Here I am 2 months later, 2 weeks before my deadline, cards ready yet no wax to seal them. Too late to order from another place so plan B was in order. Except there was no plan B. I usually get all packages from the States within 2 weeks.

I don't know how I thought to call Cezar, of course asking if he could make my golden wax seals. He didn't actually make them, but he gave me an excellent idea to make some fake ones which I did with the help of 2 other industry friends. Thanks, Cezar, you really saved me.

The faux wax seals technique is not mine to share but I can tell you I got the package 2 months later after it had been open and kindly checked by all kinds of customs.

The best part of this story is that my faux wax seals have come out far better than the ones I get with the real stuff and whenever I show someone the two options, without even mentioning they are not the same thing, they will prefer the faux.

Beautiful Marks of Time

2011-11-08T13:26:00.004+02:00

For me autumn is the season of meditation. I don't really feel like working. I just want to take long strolls while admiring the colorful nature, drink hot tea and think of all the things that are, were and are yet to come.

I was browsing through my blogroll. I found an interesting Sicilian wedding. Following the links I stumbled over this tower bell photo and thought of how much I love architecture, especially those walls that bare the marks of time on them.

How about this photo?
It reminds me of an elegant grandma just like this. I met her in Italy while I was working in her daughters hotel. I will always remember how young she was at over 80, how beautiful and fresh she was.

photo source

Violette Thank You Cards

2011-11-07T12:59:00.000+02:00

I have been making lots of thank you cards this season.
These ones come from a larger stationery set that I made for Diana, one of my favorite brides this year.

This photo is from the initial design session. I hope I will soon show you how the design evolved.

In the mean time, I am entering it to CASE Study Challenge #64
I really miss challenges and having more time to create. I guess I am still looking for the balance between being a mother and an artist.

Painted Wedding Glasses

2011-11-03T12:53:00.000+02:00

Glass painting was definitely NOT on my to do list, however, one day it just happened and here they are: Vera's champagne glasses, painted in her wedding colors and motifs.

Her wedding actually took place in 2007 and I decorated the same glasses back then. But since I used printed paper butterflies they only lasted one night.

Here are the same glasses 4 years ago:

I promised to repair them and I have been keeping them on my to do list ever since. I wasn't really happy about the paper butterflies idea, but I didn't have a better one.

I think the seed of the glass painting idea was planted this spring when someone asked me if I could do both their invitations and matching painted glasses. I promised I would experiment with glass painting and here they are. I really love the result and I am looking forward to more playing with glass paints.

My Invitations in Their First Syled Shoot

2011-10-28T10:58:00.000+03:00

Cat ate my tongue this morning (I guess I need some caffeine).

So briefly:
decor by Ermiona
photography by Bianca Rosu

Enjoy!

Cherry Blossom Violette Invitation

2011-10-25T20:13:00.000+03:00

I would normally not show you this invitation until next year. But I really like it and since the bride wants something a little different I will post it now.

The round gatefold shape and satin bow is nothing new to my work, but I love the harmony between the colors and textures.
This particular shade of purple goes perfectly with the dark brown of the branches and cherry blossom pink. Also the satin paper, satin bow and translucid paper create a silky texture texture that makes you want to touch this invitation.

It all looks lovely in the autumn sun, like a promise of the spring that is yet so far away.

And sorry if it all seems too poetic. I always become melancholic at this time of the year.

Green Wedding Invitations and Matching Stationery

2011-10-24T15:14:00.000+03:00

More often than not I will also make matching reception stationery for my wedding invitations.
Here is what I made for Cristina. She wanted a stationery set inspired by these summer green invitations I made last year.

The initial version of the table numbers was all green but I thought there was too much green and offered the bride the green and white alternative which she immediately embraced.

Regency England Style Invitations and Matching Wedding

2011-10-18T19:52:00.000+03:00

How about an Invitation to a wedding inspired by Jane Austen's novels? I was so excited when Sonia asked for an invitation for her Regency style wedding. Here's what I came up with:

When I asked my mother what she felt about this design she said It looked like something from the country. She wasn't very happy about it but I was: Touche! That's exactly the style I was going for

Speaking about my mother, she is one very important person behind the scenes here at my studio. That is her ironing the crochet lace in the images below.

I don't have pictures from Sonia's wedding, but ever since I saw this wedding by Ermiona I knew it was a perfect match for my invitations.

Fine Stagione!

2011-10-14T00:32:00.001+03:00

"I had a dream wedding! Everything was gorgeous!" she called to say. Great words for me to hear after a full year of working with passion to make every bride happy about her wedding stationery.

I just finished making the last stationery pieces for this year's events and I am looking back with satisfaction.

This year the season end came one month earlier than the last.
In the meantime I gave birth to a wonderful little boy who is now 7 months old.
I have passed the test: not even my own flash and blood has taken away my passion for art and crafts.

Tomorrow I am stepping into the next wedding and party season with already a long queue of projects waiting. I am looking forward to it with new ideas, plans and renewed enthusiasm.

See you on the other side!

Doing what you love and loving what you do

2011-10-08T02:08:00.000+03:00

I still get e-mails from people who think the cuttlebug is my key to success.
Actually, back when I was 22 I realized making cards is the one thing that does not bore me, grabbed it and never looked back. 7 years later this is still true.

But today my intention is not to tell you about myself. Today I want to let somebody else speak to you.
Watch this video.

Doing what you love really makes a difference in your life. Don't waste it!

Marie's Sunflower Invitations

2011-09-30T01:21:00.001+03:00

Strangely I have been having quite a few requests for sunflower invitations lately, so I am continuing the series of posts on this theme.

Sunflowers are not my favorite design theme and I thought I have already exhausted it when Marie asked me for a custom version of this design.

The biggest challenge with this invitations (besides coming up with something different on an already exhausted theme) was matching them with the bridesmaids' dresses.

Marie sent me a swatch so I thought this was very important to her. But how can I match matte paper with organza? I couldn't find any metallic paper this color.

The answer came after a few days of thinking, searching, letting ideas evolve naturally and Marie loved it.

Once the design was settled I sent her a sample, then proceeded to mass production.

Here they are the night before they flew to England.

And some recent photos of the sample I kept for myself.

Several more sunflower design ideas have emerged while working on these.
Maybe one day you will see them but I don't have proper pictures to post at the moment.

How About a Smile?

2011-09-21T23:01:00.000+03:00

I was photographing Marie's sunflower invitations yesterday. I couldn't help taking some pictures of my audience too.

I'll leave the invitations for my next post.

Sunflower Order of Service

2011-09-19T16:50:00.001+03:00

Made for Marie from England to match her invitations.
I don't have a good photo of the invitations and I decided to show you just the order of service for now. I am thinking I should adopt this bit by bit blogging style and call it "nap-time blogging". It's the only one my little angel will allow for now and I have so much to share!

His First Baloon

2011-08-29T23:58:00.003+03:00

Lavender Fields - My Learning Process

2011-08-06T00:33:00.000+03:00

I strongly believe that every artist, no matter what the medium should be able to draw.
Drawing is like running sais Alisa Burke, one of my favorite artist bloggers, and I also believe it is something that becomes better with practice. Although talent might be something you are born with, you still need to work hard to improve your skill.

Here is a peek into my studio.
I don't draw or paint much although I wish I did more. I am still at the stage of drawing still lives. I was a disaster when I tried plain air painting and I definitely cannot draw from memory.

I can't say no to a challenge though and when my friend wanted a painting for her room I decided to go for it even if I knew I wasn't the best paintor in the world.
So, Lesson 1: Don't be shy, go for it !

Leson 2: Find your own way of doing it.

My friend wanted a lavender field with a small cottage and some trees around the house. I used a photo I found online and modified it to use as reference to my painting.
Here is the final result, although I prefer the unfinished version from the first picture .

I didn't paint this for myself and I know from experience that people prefer the more realistic look so I went for that. It was a good exercise and I definitely have to improve on painting houses and trees.

Lesson 3: Imitation is not a sin as long as it is for learning purposes.
Reproducing the masters work is one of the ways they teach you to paint. That is how you learn the techniques and find out what you like. Just don't try to sell a Monet reproduction as original art :) I think it's ok to sell it as a reproduction for just enough to cover your expenses and buy new materials to keep learning. It's also ok to give it away for free....

Arabian Nights Invitations and Wedding

2011-08-03T01:50:00.002+03:00

This time last year I was making some lovely thematic invitations. The theme was Arabian Nights and the wedding colors purple, ivory and silver.

The bride had sent me some purple orchid photos and this cake as inspiration. So I immediately thought at pillow boxes instead of envelopes.

The response cards were inspired from old wax seal letters.

Here is a work-in-progress picture. I hand-cut all the seals after having embossed them.

And some lovely pictures from the wedding. The flower girl's basket was actually decorated by my mother while I was having fun at Legoland in Germany.

Thank you for this opportunity, Cristina. I am glad I could add something to your beautiful wedding. And thank you for letting me share these pictures.

Fee Day Tomorrow

2011-07-10T20:25:00.000+03:00

If you have sent me an e-mail and I haven't answered it's because I am spending time outside with my family.

I won't be here to answer e-mails tomorrow either. I'm spending the day with Bianca from Ermiona.

Back in Time: Making Custom Love Doves Invitations

2011-07-06T23:00:00.001+03:00

I have made so many invitations that I never published! It's time I started revealing them and some of their stories. I made this Love Doves invitation 4 years ago. The bride wanted the doves image but I thought it was just too simple on it's own so I added the ribbon and pearl.

Someone recently assumed it was hard to begin making invitations without tools and materials.
No, it wasn't. I used book board as cutting mat and my only tools were a pencil, a ruler and a retractable blade cutter. But I loved doing it. It was fun and challenging to find ways to make do with whatever I had on hand.

Emil and Ramona were married in 2007. Back then the wedding industry in Romania was at it's very beginning. I think they were my second customer (not counting the invitations I made for free for friends and family).

I was just back from a vacation in Germany with my first non-basic tools: stamps, stamp pad, cutting mat. Below are some work-in-progress pictures.

Good Morning, I'm 29

2011-07-04T11:00:00.001+03:00

.... but I feel 22

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Money Envelopes - Special Request

2011-07-02T08:25:00.002+03:00

Third post in a row. You can tell I took a short vacation. I am actually doing some mid-year-cleaning in my studio before I start working on July projects.
By cleaning I mean mostly taking pictures and posting some of my latest (or older) work on the blog.

These money envelopes were a special request: One green, one purple; they had to be both a wedding card and money gift holder while having a secure closure system.

Although I worked almost an entire day to make them (while taking care of my baby, of course) I was very happy with the result.

Purple Butterfly Invitation and Money Envelope Set

2011-07-01T08:12:00.002+03:00

I designed this invitation some time ago as an ivory and purple replica of my "Parisian Chic" design.

Then someone recently asked me to make a matching money envelope. Here they are together

Mama & Iona

2011-06-30T12:01:00.007+03:00

Just a short photo shooting on the terrace this morning.
I'm a lousy photographer, living proof that an expensive camera is not enough. Not to mention blogger photo resizing.

Princess Miriam and the Poppy Forest

2011-06-22T12:57:00.000+03:00

Painting Miriam's wall was one of the most relaxing things I did after my son was born. I call this "vacation".
I really need to get back to the basics and just paint or design for my own pleasure. This is great stress therapy.

That's Me in the Cherry Tree!

2011-06-21T12:21:00.003+03:00

Fun days! I have work to share too, but not yet. One day when I feel like...

Notice the toy: one of his favourites, made by Laura.

3 Months...

2011-06-06T01:09:00.006+03:00

"Hello, Birds, would you like to play with me?"

I spent my day playing with Iona, cutting paper, drinking coffee, cooking, just enjoying every moment. My son will be 3 months tomorrow. It still feels strange to think of myself as a mother.
I still wonder: Where did he come from? However, he smiles when he sees me. He knows who I am better than I know who he is.

Loosing the Essence

2011-06-03T23:43:00.003+03:00

I had a long day today. My hands hurt after tying 220 bows, my back hearts from standing and from carrying Iona in my arms.

I thought I would relax while doing some web browsing. I usually do, but tonight I am closing the browser thinking about all those that feed the wedding industry. I know them, I talk to them every day. It's all about the right colour, the perfect dress, the uniqueness of the event.

I cannot stop wondering when and how did we loose the essence? Why isn't a simple wild flower bouquet and a classic announcement enough? Why is it more about the decor than the actual act of marriage?

Unfortunately we are taking this into our married lives too. Work and more work, fast food, fast cars, little love. As I was reading Anca's post tonight, I decided to live the essence. Tonight I have the option to shut down my computer and spend some quality time with my family, maybe clean the dust of that bible.

Good night, friends!

Pillow Box Wedding Favor in Black, White and a Touch of Turquoise

2011-06-03T19:53:00.003+03:00

I like to remind my brides that we don't all have the same tastes and nobody else can choose for them.
This favor box proves it again. I love it! It reminds me of a royal kind of elegance and simplicity. Yet the bride they were designed for chose the other version (the one that I am not showing at least until after her wedding). :)

Oops, Wrong Invitation!

2011-05-21T17:54:00.006+03:00

When I work on a concept I usually take snapshots of my ideas for future reference. Look what my lens captured this time ! I was working and playing with my son at the same time. The point is I am having lots of fun. Sorry I can't show you the real invitation yet. My work table is a mess and I don't like showing it.

About my last post, I have found more than one person shamelessly copying my work.
Look at this one for example:

She sure knows how to tie a bow *smile*. However she is selling it through an Etsy type online shop.

Here is mine:

I love to create and that is why I am doing it, but I usually spend one week ore more to come up with the perfect design. Also I am trying to do one of a kind design for every bride and I don't want another hundred to have the exact same invitation.

Third and last for today.
I have a lot of baby cards to share. Thank you ladies for sending them my way. I have to make myself a photo box so I can take some decent photos now that I have to share my studio with a baby room.

Frustrated!

2011-05-17T19:39:00.003+03:00

How about some blog twitter? I don't use Twitter, but I thought you might want to hear a word from me. Actually it looks more like a journal entry: my thoughts written down so I can chase them away.

I was searching for something on my blog and realized my latest pictures are from angles that only show part of my work. I know where that comes from and it's frustrating.

*talking to myself* Now what should I do?

*talking to whoever wants to hear* Is it really so hard to come up with your own designs? Or if you have to copy my work, do you really need to display it online with no reference to your inspiration whatsoever?

I have hundreds of pictures of new designs that have never seen the face of my blog, not to mention all the other ideas.

How about tutorials? Why do I have to send private tutorials when I could just post them here?

Hello, I am 8 Weeks Old!

2011-05-02T10:42:00.002+03:00

DIY Invitation Boxes

2011-05-01T23:58:00.003+03:00

Some of my most famous invitations are the ones in boxes. Those of you who have ever tried making one know how time consuming they are.
I only assembled 2 of these burgundy and white boxes for the sake of the photo and to have them around for inspiration. The bride will make her own invitations. All I am sending are the boxes precut and scored and the white embossed squares.

DIY Invitation Kits

2011-04-30T11:55:00.004+03:00

It's hard to refuse someone who really wants my invitations. Nevertheless, this is what I have been doing every morning since February.

I don't have the time to spend on designing and making as many invitations as I used to, but I managed to set up do-it-yourself kits in some cases and everyone was happy.

This is the first kit I made for Alexa. She got her special handmade invitations cheaper because she assembled them herself and I had more time to spend on other designs.

Can I Do Both?

2011-04-21T11:13:00.004+03:00

Technically, yes!
But I have to leave out the joy of doing it.
So I decided to give up one of them and leave room to enjoy life.
I can't give up my son, that's obvious.

This will still remain a blog about art. I will concentrate more on design and research, so there will be plenty for you to see once I am back to blogging. It's just the production part that needs to take a break. I don't want to think about ordering paper when I can enjoy a walk in the park.

Thank you for all the good wishes and good advice. See you soon!

4 Weeks Old

2011-04-04T21:21:00.003+03:00

Yesterday my son turned 4 weeks. It still feels strange. I still haven't adapted to this new kind life.

There has been a strong battle in my heart for the past weeks. My love for art just wouldn't let go while all the time and energy had to be dedicated to this little angel.

So many thoughts are mixed up in my head right now and learning this new mommy job is very tough. It's the first exam in my life I have no book for. I wish I had gone to a "how to be a mommy" school. I don't think we even have one so it's a learn-as-you-go (not at all my favorite way).

Hello World!

2011-03-28T08:33:00.004+03:00

I just popped in to say the obvious.
I am currently taking a pause from blogging.

The main reason.....

Iona is 3 weeks now but still keeps me more busy than I ever imagined he would.
We are both well and healthy, learning to navigate this world together.

I also haven't fully stopped working so, a few hours a day I am making invitations.

Nature Love - Mini Album

2011-02-26T11:43:00.004+02:00

One of the things I greatly miss are my long childhood walks in the forest near our home. Since then so many things have changed that it is no longer safe to wonder by yourself in such areas so I am only left with the nostalgia of past years. I am really hoping my son will bring back a part of that: climbing trees and pretending they are space ships, running through tall grass fields, admiring wild flowers in their natural habitat. I am thinking of all these while waiting for him to be born.... any day, any minute now.

Some of that love of nature is back with me in the studio while creating. Like this mini album: I made it because I had some black cardstock left from a previous project and also to repurpose a lovely card I had received years ago. I decided to say goodbye to most of the cards I have been collecting, but I am saying goodbye in my own way: by transforming them in something else, by giving them a new life.

Notice the oak leaf? Someone sent it to me in a card swap years ago and I have been hoarding it ever since. What's with me and oak leaves? Anyway, it was time to say goodbye and so I did.

The album stayed with Bianca for a while but she has just announced me it has found a new home. She is helping me clear out the huge scrap piles I have gathered over the past 5 years and through it gaining a new interest for bookbinding. You will be certainly seeing more of our shared projects.

I am looking forward to the new bookbinding

Handmade Flowers for an "Autumn Romance" Wedding

2011-02-25T16:07:00.005+02:00

I have just finished making a set of save-the-dates for a September wedding.
The wedding theme is "Autumn Romance" and working with the bride was such a smooth going and rewarding process that I can only feel fulfilled after completing them.

I am so looking forward to making the invitation design!

The flowers were made completely by hand. I could have used my cutting dies, but I preferred cutting by hand Laura style.

Although at the beginning of the year I was debating whether to show you current projects or not, I decided to continue not posting images of my newest designs at least until the wedding they were made for. This will not only ensure my brides have unique never-seen-before stationary but will also protect my designs from copy cats. This way, when I share a design, I will have long before come up with something better. As a stationary artist my most important goal is to overcome myself every day and above all LOVE my work.

Tiny Eco Notebook

2011-02-23T10:12:00.010+02:00

It started as a long post with lots of personal and sentimental things. Then, at a certain point, the words just wouldn't flow naturally, so I deleted everything and left only the picture.

Here we go again...

This is a very small notebook, made from paper scraps and some felt in which our furniture was wrapped. The actual binding is done by Bianca and the notebook is now in use by my husband. Perfect gift for an engineer. Fits in his pocket, can be carried around easily and hopefully gives him the opportunity to brag about his artist wife... maybe just a little :)

.... Just a few more considerations for those of you who will make one for a very practical recipient:

Of course, the closing system had to be removed. What on earth was I thinking to put the button on the back cover? It is not logical, as Spock from Star Trek, would say (must have seen that movie 10 times). On top of that, why even have a closing? Yep, careful not to hurt my feelings, my dear hubby decided to cut the ribbon and button and hence personalize his little book.

How about that leaf? I simply love it. It's inspired by an oak leaf from the forest where I used to play as a child. I kept the dry leaf for years, then one day I drew it in my sketchbook. I think the leaf is still in the sketchbook. I cannot part with it. I think I am going to make a tiny pocket and keep it there forever.

February Sketch Challenge: OPPOSITES

2011-02-22T09:57:00.000+02:00

Thank you so much for your feedback on yesterday's post. I really appreciate all the support I got from everyone. I definitely don't intend to stop sharing. On the contrary. However, I do think a lot what to say and what to leave out from my blog posts. I wish I could share my creative process, my space, my tools, my new shopping adventures, my newest designs, a few tutorials and so on. But how can I open the door when I know wolves are out there, ready to grab whatever comes out? (That is another episode. Today we are talking about opposites.)

If you remember my post from last month, I have decided to join the Sketchbook Challenge this year and I am happy to let you know I managed to do the February theme too. The theme is OPPOSITES. I thought about it for a while. For me, opposites are black and white, man and woman.... but none of these themes called for a sketch until one day it came to me: LEFT AND RIGHT. When it comes to drawing, one of my greatest challenges is symmetry. I know I am a little obsessed with perfectionism and I used to take 9 hours for the same still life my colleagues in art school drew in 2. But that is something I like about myself and although I will not accomplish as much and as fast in this lifetime as others I know I am enjoying every moment of it.

So what about this butterfly? This is the very first time I actually sat down and took the time to draw a proper butterfly. I was always scared of drawing them because I had to make the wings symmetric. So one night when I was too tired to do anything else I took a butterfly stamp, glued it to my sketchbook and used it as guide to exercise my symmetric drawing.

The Little Sad Moments of My Happy Life

2011-02-21T15:52:00.000+02:00

I love my work. It's the thing that brings happiness to each day of my life. It's a gift from God, a gift that I will always be thankful for.

Yet from time to time something happens that wakes me up from this land of reverie. I know I should pass by and don't let myself be influenced by such things, but if it's not sensitivity and attention to detail that makes me who I am and thus defines my creation, then what is?

I take pride in trying to make every couple's invitation unique and tailored to their special day.
I sometimes spend days just to alter one of my past design to make it more suitable for a new bride. Then, just by accident, I stumble across a blog that has designs so similar to mine I cannot help wondering why. Then I start digging some more and turns out that the owner of that blog is closely following my work. She even wrote me an e-mail once asking where she could buy a cuttlebug for "personal use" or left comments asking about the products I am using. I recognize so many of my design elements, yet I see no original ones. If they are not copies of my work, then I can point other websites where I saw them before.

I am always the one telling my friends not to worry about people copying their work. A copy will always be a copy and I personally know the quality of my work very well. However, I cannot be indifferent, I cannot help being sad or angry, and the worst of it is that things like this make me lose trust in people more and more every day.

I have made a selection of the most striking resemblances. I a not giving you a link for the simple purpose of not driving more traffic to that blog. I just wanted you to know: No, I don't have any distributors, I don't work that way. They are only people copying my work in a more or less obvious way. I see them all the time visiting my blog for fresh content. I admire those who at least have the common sense of looking for their own style and personality. I would love to show you some examples one day, time and mood permitting.

Cotton Fields Necklace

2011-02-19T15:49:00.006+02:00

Another of my painting has become a necklace thanks to the talented lil.lu bijoux.
I have sent her some prints and now she is working on an entire collection she called "Floral Dream" (love the name!). This one is my favorite piece until now.

I love seeing my work transformed into wearable art by one of my favorite Romanian designers.
She made those little cotton flowers from real ones she picked herself. I love this about lil.lu: in creating her jewelery she often uses things she picks herself.

Please Bare With Me!

2011-02-18T09:03:00.002+02:00

I have been working hard to finish and ship all February due orders orders before our little one arrives.

I am almost done but since I am 7 days away from due date and getting more tired every day, I cannot answer all your e-mails as quickly as I used to.

38 Weeks...

2011-02-16T09:44:00.004+02:00

I am almost prepared...
No, I am not saying I don't feel anxiety about the delivery, but I only have 2 boxes and a few samples to ship this week and then little Iona can come out. I am also almost done with the legal stuff about my business, but I tell you that is more work than making 1000 invitations. If anyone making the laws in this country is reading this, they should know that I could make them more tax money if they simplified the system. But I guess they don't want my money.

P.S. Do you like our new blue cooler?
Can you tell our computer is all spread on the desk? It will probably go into a case for a few days, then back on the desk, then have some new components switched. :)
I wonder if our son will be an artist like his mother, an engineer like his father or something different. I wonder if he will like fantasy, if Avatar and Lord of the Rings will be among his favorite movies.

Just Let Me Know What You Think

2011-02-15T16:19:00.003+02:00

This post is dedicated to all of those who spend hours in their studio, deciding which is the best color to use on a certain project, sketching, trying new things, learning from mistakes, discovering themselves and their creative spirit.

I would like you to follow this link and tell me what you think:
http://scarlettcat.blogspot.com/2011/02/too-close-for-comfort.html

Then, (if my baby does not decide to be born in the mean time), I have something else to show you.

Exploring the Possibilities: Fancy Enveloeps

2011-02-11T19:13:00.005+02:00

I was saying in my presentation article that I like exploring new techniques and materials. I always scout the internet for new things to incorporate in my designs and these envelopes are some of my favorite findings recently. They pretty much do all the work by themselves. Add a simple invitation in contrasting or similar color and you're done.

Who is Behind Handmade by Meda

2011-02-11T10:24:00.006+02:00

I have a hard time with words when it comes about my work. There is too much to say and I always get lost in details. Each invitation has a story, each story has a part of my soul in it.

When "File de Nunta", a new Romanian wedding planning blog, asked to write about my work I was thrilled. I took it as a challenge and spent one week writing, deleting and rewriting.

You can read the article here.

I really love how they presented my work. It was a delight to read it this morning when I woke
up.

(It's in Romanian but you could use a translation widget to decipher it. If not, at least you can admire the pictures. Love them all together. I was never good about making collages of my own images)

My Work Table this Morning

2011-02-10T13:13:00.003+02:00

You might find this post strange, but I do feel strange this morning, especially after looking in the mirror and seeing all my face swollen like bee stung. So I took this picture thinking it could be the last design I am working on before the baby comes. Probably not. I still have some design work planned for the following days, however, I just want to set everything in order just in case someone else will have to finish and ship the invitations currently in production.

Key to My Heart and Stripes Album

2011-02-06T23:34:00.006+02:00

This month I am guest designer at Scrapper in Romania.
I was challenged to design anything Valentine's Day related but in stripes.

I love doing things differently and stepping out from tradition so this was a great way to express myself. Just for the record, I don't like Valentine's day and I will say this every year. If my husband showed me his love and appreciations just one day a year I would be a terribly misfortune person. As an economist I also see all the marketing behind this holiday which makes me reject it even more.

On to my Valentines in Stripes project, it was actually very appreciated by my husband and he asked that I don't sell or give it away so he owns it now.

Black and White Invitations Continued

2011-02-05T00:35:00.005+02:00

Is black and white going to be a season's favorite?
I don't know about that, but these days I seem to be working on a few black and white invitation orders.

After yesterday's cameo invitation, here is another idea that was inspired by a wedding taking place at Monaci Castle, Italy.

I love the simplicity of these colors combined with the elegance of the embossed pattern and the little rhinestone on the reception card.

I should probably mentioned that I am not actually making these invitations. This is a design I made just because. The real invitations for this wedding are white with a black ribbon but I always like to fiddle with the design a little bit and come up with my own version.

Invitation Idea: Black, White and Cameo

2011-02-04T00:50:00.006+02:00

Too tired for words tonight.
This is my entry for OTWC Challenge #43 made together with Bianca.
I apologize for the snapshots. They don't do the design justice but the day was long and the work was hard :)

Here is the inspiration photo. Great theme for a wedding! I wish I had more time to play with it!

What does a pregnant woman do when she is too tired to stand?

2011-01-31T23:46:00.004+02:00

This pregnant woman likes to take her new pocket size sketchbook and a pencil, sit somewhere comfortable and sketch.

I used to lay down and read during the first trimester, but laying on my back is not an option in month no. 9.
I still do a lot of work in the mornings, but I feel exhausted in the evenings. However, going to bed early will only mean insomnia and I don't want that, so thank God for drawing.

I sometimes also sit at my work table and add some watercolor to the pencil drawing. Love how this orchid came out. I am thinking to transform it into a digital image and use it on wedding invitations.

My Paintings Becoming Jewelery

2011-01-28T10:45:00.005+02:00

I am so excited to share this, I don't even know what to write and what to leave out!

This necklace is handmade by Lil.lu♥bijoux using a print from my poppy watercolor painting.
You can see more pieces on Lil.lu's blog. There is also and an entire jewelery collection coming up using my paintings.

I had the idea in December while I was making some covers for Lil.lu's portfolio. I asked her and she agreed, so now you can see the first fruit of our collaboration.

Why Lil.lu?
I have been watching her blog for a long time and was drawn to the originality of her work. Her pieces are unique. She combines elements in a different way every time and none is like the one before. I guess I have instinctively felt she had a similar creative pattern to mine, which was later confirmed by reading about her creative process in an interview.

This is the end of todays story, but you will be hearing more about Handmade by Meda and Lil.lu♥bijoux soon.

Purple and Silver Invitations: Random Image From My Studio

2011-01-25T11:44:00.003+02:00

Although my mother says I have the belly of a spider and I have only 1 month until our baby is born there is still this strange energy source that draws me to my crafting passion.
Today I am making invitations in some wonderful hues of purples mixed with a little silver and drops of black and white.

The image above is one I snapped while working on the samples and that box ended up on top of the envelope stack. I thought they looked great together.

I gather these snapshots of my work table in a folder to use as inspiration for future projects.

Winter Rose Invitatiom

2011-01-24T08:50:00.004+02:00

Although my work table is full of bright yellows, greens and oranges, let me keep up with the season and show you a design I propose for the winter season. Naturally, I designed it in August, but always felt it would better suit a winter wedding where everything was white except these dark red roses.

This design was inspired by Roxana's request for a white and burgundy invitation for her august wedding. I then tried several combinations and this was my favorite. I have more images from this collection, only I cannot post them on the blog yet since they are design-in-progress pictures.

The Sketchbook Challenge - "Highly Prized"

2011-01-21T11:05:00.008+02:00

I don't know how many of you have noticed that from the beginning of the year my blogroll has a new link in the "Challenges" section.
It's the Sketchbook Challenge blog. They have started a 1-year challenge to make sketches and share the process and I decided to join them.

For this purpose I made a new sketchbook with small pages and paper that can support wet media.
Small because I can't work fast and I tend to be intimidated by large canvases. Wet media, because I love watercolor and will probably use it on most sketches.

The theme for January is HIGHLY PRIZED".

For me greatly prized is the paper I work with (breaks my heart to throw away the tiniest bit and would love to recycle it all). That is why you will more often than not receive my invitations in reused packaging and my favorite way of making cards is by using scraps. Even this little book is made from cardstock that was left over from some of my invitation cards.

If there is anyone out there making paper by hand I would gladly send you paper scraps (free shipping).

I haven't drawn a stack of paper for the sketch challenge though. I have drawn a symbol of where paper comes from. A simple leaf. One of my favorite things on earth.

Snowflake Wreath (Clean and Simple)

2011-01-20T11:34:00.003+02:00

I have received many e-mails asking if I was alright.
Yes, I feel great, just very busy doing some last things before the baby comes. That includes design, of course.

Today's post is about Laura's challenge over Scrapper in Romania: Clean and simple + winter colors. Great challenge since this morning has snowed and everything is covered in white with just a few brown-black spots than can be seen underneath.

In terms of home decor, I prefer simplicity. I don't like cluttered spaces that take forever to clean.
I had some twigs that I picked up last summer and thought to be perfect for this project. I tied them with copper wire, glued 2 paper snowflakes, hanged them from my easel, and that's that: quick and simple home decor.

Pink Purple Silver Masquerade Invitations

2010-12-28T10:09:00.006+02:00

I woke up this morning to a few inquiries for masquerade or prom invitations. This is the time of year when I generally get to make lots of invitations for different events other than weddings.

I love the challenge of using palettes of 3-4 colors. Here is one of my favorites from this year. I made them for Jade's Masquerade Birthday Ball and Jade was such a pleasure to work with. I will always hold her a special place in my heart.

Above are some of the few pictures I took before shipping them. The next ones are samples from before production.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2010-12-25T14:53:00.004+02:00

I spent last night reading, mostly because my neighbors were having a noisy party.
The loud music and dancing of high heels against the stone floor woke me up around 2 am. So I grabbed a book at random from the pile and that book was "A Lad of Grit" bu Jules Verne.
It's the story of an orphan growing up in Ireland. What better time to read it than Christmas Eve, when, with all the gifts, good food and drinks, with all the good time surrounded by our loved ones we forget about those less fortunate, those who suffer of hunger, cold and loneliness.

At this time all I could do was close the book and pray for those poor souls that I don't know about, for a better world where each of us will have more consideration for our keen, for a new year with less concern about money and politics and more about people. After all, remember what Christmas is really about? It's about the King of Kings being born in a stable. He came to save us and that is how we receive him.

Have a blessed Christmas Day, but don't forget the true meaning of Christmas and try to do something about it. If you can't change the world you can at least change a part of your soul and the world will be a better place.

A Traditional Christmas

2010-12-22T17:38:00.004+02:00

I am not at all about traditional although I have sweet memories about the things my brother and I used to do as children around Christmas.
Lately I am all about doing things the way they make me feel good, feel different, feel myself. The moment I stopped doing things in order to please others and started doing them in order to please myself was the moment my life totally changed in a good way.

So here's to Traditional Christmas, to the great food my grandma makes, to the clean houses and beautiful carols.

May God bless you all and, above everything else, may your hearts be filled with love, peace and joy!

I am entering this card to what is probably the last card challenge for me this year: ODBDSLC42
The challenge is about traditional Christmas and the card has to include 3 traditional elements from a list. Mine are: red, silver and gold. I don't know if my star an reindeer qualify as ornaments although they are actually ornaments I bought from a gift shop but on this card I used them to create a scene rather than act s ornaments.

A Wasted Day!

2010-12-20T18:42:00.004+02:00

Normally I wouldn't post something that is not directly related to handmade or that does not have at least a picture to show, but today I really need to shout this outloud because one of the things I hate is wasted time.

So, this morning I received the final payment from a US customer and rushed out to the customs office to send out the invitations. After standing in line for a while I decide to go in and ask for an export form, only to find out that US Post is not accepting any parcels heavier than 450 grams. "What? Again?" The situation has been the same since Nov. 18 with a 2-day exception. The declared reason is terrorist threat but I seriously doubt that is the real reason and I am going to stop writing now and never mention it again.

Sorry, I had to say this. I just wasted one day and I am now tired and have to repack everything in envelopes and go to the post office first thing in the morning to avoid standing in long holiday lines. I am 7 months pregnant after all, I don't have that much energy.

When have the holidays become more stress than joy?

Another Christmas Card in a Box

2010-12-19T23:44:00.003+02:00

I am done making Christmas cards and decorations. I should be sending the last ones out to friends and family in the morning. However I do have a few more things to show you before closing the holiday theme chapter this year.

This card is one that I am very proud of because I actually used one of the negatives from my die cutting. I don't do that often. I also love the color theme, and the simple elegance of the design.

Targ Handmade (Local Handmade Fair)

2010-12-18T22:28:00.003+02:00

Azi am fost cu Bianca la targul Autentic Bazar sa vedem ce se mai creeaza pe la noi. Am fost foarte placut surprinsa de cat de mult a crescut nivelul calitativ fata de anii trecuti (ma refer la handmade in general - e prima data cand vizitez acest targ). Ai de unde sa alegi atat ca diversitate de obiecte si stiluri cat si ca preturi. Chiar merita sa mergeti sa vedeti daca nu ati ajuns inca pe acolo. Luati-va si ceva banuti ca sigur gasiti ceva care sa va placa.

Atmosfera din Turnul Croitorilor e foarte placuta, caldut, colinde, expozanti tineri si draguti... Imi pare bine ca am mers, cu tot cu cele 13 kg in plus pe care trebuie sa le port. Eram obisnuita sa vad tot targuri din acelea gen oser, pline de kitchuri, cu lucruri urate, prost lucrate si pline de praf.

Bravo, Autentic Bazar! Nota 10!!!

HANDMADE IN CLUJ
(pentru artistii din Cluj)

Pentru ca am fost asa de incantata de ceea ce am vazut la targ, m-am gandit ca nu ar strica sa promovez artistii talentati de la noi prin intermediul blogului. Pentru inceput am creat o noua categorie la blogroll, dar ma gandesc sa scriu si articole despre creatorii care imi plac in mod deosebit.

Deci, daca esti din Cluj si ai un blog, poti sa-mi trimiti un e-mail sa te adaug la lista. Oferta e fara plata si fara link in schimb, insa blogul trebuie sa fie dragut si sa aiba text (eu chiar citesc blogurile din lista mea, ele nu sunt acolo ca schimb de linkuri). Ca principiu nu agreez blogurile gen magazin online (titlu + poza + pret) unde nu pot merge sa citesc ceva nou la cafeaua de dimineata . Diferenta dintre handmade si productia industriala consta tocmai in legatura personala pe care o poti avea cu artistul, iar blogul e o prima interfata a acestei legaturi.

Butterfly and Frame - CASE Study #19

2010-12-18T10:36:00.000+02:00

I am early with this week's CASE Study challenge.
I was so inspired by Nina's card: a butterfly, some lovely damask, warm yellows, oranges and red, a touch of black and some much appreciated elegance. I am planning on using it a s cover for a new sketchbook when I have more time but at the moment I have too much commission work in the line.

Pink Winter Card

2010-12-16T12:18:00.004+02:00

Pink...

Not my favorite color, but sometimes I like working with very soft pinks.

I quickly made this card last night for OTWC Challenge #37.
Here is the inspiration photo.

And a close up of my card. I was so happy to receive some pink buttons from a challenge I won over The Craft Garden blog. I don't have too many buttons in my stash. I never used them before.

Elegant Box and Matching Card - CASE Study #18

2010-12-14T10:45:00.005+02:00

I have told you before about my best friend who likes to give away Handmade by Meda gifts.
She picked up this cardboard box on Saturday along with my favorite black olives and we spent the day making pizza and choosing a design for the box.

I just fished it last night. The inspiration comes from CASE Study Challenge #18.

28 Weeks and Slowing Down

2010-12-12T09:12:00.008+02:00

I can't believe it's less than 3 months left till our baby is born. Although I am still very active, the extra weight is not letting me stand as much as I would like to so, for baby's sake I have to take a break from a few things and the first to be cut off the list is taking new invitation orders.
As much as it breaks my heart, I have to learn to say NO, no matter how interesting the design concept is and how much my creative spirit wants to have a go.

I knew this would happen. I knew there would be a conflict between my creative passion and all the changes involved in becoming a mother. Does anyone now how long it lasts?

I have to thank Laura for making this cute amigrumi bear for me. I saw one online and e-mailed her a link saying I wanted one. It wasn't with the intention of asking her to make one for me, but she got it so and then I didn't refuse. It is so cute! And I decided to keep it for myself. Who says mother's can't have toys?
By the way, we can't wait to buy ourselves a flying helicopter. The baby will be a perfect excuse :)

Last but not least, hop over to Passionately Artistic, get inspired by some lovely holiday projects, leave some comments and you will have the chance to win this $10 gift certificate I am offering to my shop.

Brown and Gold Invitation - on a Budget

2010-12-10T19:53:00.003+02:00

Continuing to work on Alexa's brown and gold invitations.
Today I sent her another pack of samples and while I was working on a last concept I ran out of ribbon so I could only make a bow out of it. Look at what happened when I placed the bow on the embossed card. Wow, I love it! Not to mention it's easy to make so the costs are low too.

Allyson's Sweet 16 Masquerade Invitations

2010-12-09T09:48:00.007+02:00

One morning this week I was very pleasantly surprised by an e-mail from Allison's mother. It is was one of those e-mails that makes you feel good for the rest of the day.
Here is an excerpt:

"I just want to give you a feed back on the invitation you made for Allyson’s Sweet Sixteen.
Everybody loves it, it was different, unique…….etc. We really appreciate the time & amount of work you put to make my daughters invitations
I just want to say THANKS again!"

Thank you Ana, it was a pleasure working with you and Allison.

Response cards were added at the last minute which explains this rush photo I took before sending them away. The response envelopes were printed with the address but that photo is even worse.

Sclipici

2010-12-07T12:54:00.004+02:00

I have been thinking how cute this word was ever since I saw the new challenge over Scrapper In Romania. It's the Romanian word for "glitter" and Laura's challenge theme is Winter Glitter.
How about some glittery snowflake ornaments with butterflies?

Monochromatic Snowflakes Card

2010-12-06T08:40:00.004+02:00

This morning I was very sad to discover that caardvarks is having its last challenge.
I haven't participated in their challenges a lot, but it is always sad to see someone or something go.
This is my MONOCHROMATIC card for their final challenge.

Saint Nicolas SALE !!! (Reduceri de Mos Nicolae)

2010-12-05T09:48:00.000+02:00

(click for image source)

I had to use the image from another website because I am operating from a borrowed laptop and have no photo editing software.

Monday is St. Nicolas Day in some parts of the world. It is the start of the winter holidays celebrations in my country. I remember as I child I used to receive so many sweets that St. Nicolas was supposed to leave in my very carefully cleaned shoes.

To celebrate that I am offering

25% sale

to everything in my crafty shop

shipping worldwide
[click here for English translated shop]

Hurry up though, it's a 2-days-only offer.

Christmas Teacup Watercolor

2010-12-04T19:17:00.005+02:00

This is a picture uploaded directly from my camera. I am still on someone else's laptop, but I didn't want to miss Laura's Challenge Scrapper in Romania #8.

As soon as I saw the inspiration photo I knew I wanted to paint it and I I did about a week ago but my computer got toast and haven't been able to edit and post pictures to my blog.
Here is another view of my painting:

Upcycled Sweater Christmas Globes Tutorial

2010-12-03T09:44:00.000+02:00

This Christmas my goal is to unclutter my apartment. I have way too many clothes in my wardrobe and I have set out to find creative ways to use them. I know many of you are like me. I was recently reading on a blog that we "crafters are organized hoarders". Well, lets craft some more and use use up our stashes or wardrobes in this case.

Take a comfortable seat on your couch with an old sweater, a pear of scissors and a newspaper.

Unthread your sweater and make some balls from your newspapers. You can also buy styrofoam balls, but why spend money when you can have them for free.

Roll the yarn on your balls until the newspaper is covered. I used a crochet needle to hide the end of the yarn.

Embellish as you like using whatever you have available in your stash. Here are mine:

(hung on a Christmas tree)

(tied in a bunch with a golden bow)

(wrapped up in a matching box ready to give away as Christmas present)