Bokeh Movie Ticket Premier Style Wedding Invitation & Party Set
Category Archives: Daily Life with Audrey Jeanne
Birds on a Wire – Vintage Modern Wedding Invitation Theme
Every so often I find a piece of Vintage ephemera that captures my imagination – this wedding invitation set was created with such a piece. Actually not even from a complete element, but a snippet from a corner of an antique French Market fruit label! Mixed together with original watercolor backgrounds, branch twigs and silhouette birds made out of the same pattern, the end result has a modern design feel to it. The invitations are available in my Vintage Weddings Zazzle invitation store AT THIS LINK
I am also in the process of creating matching DIY Wedding Decor printables that can make carrying this birds on a wire, bird cage wedding theme simple and inexpensive.
You can find this set AT THIS LINK
You can find this set AT THIS LINK. Add your own names and table assignments to these cards and you have an elegant and simple DIY place card design. Find a matching ribbon, punch a hole in the top and tie onto a branch, a small twig tree or for fun use an antique (or antique looking modern) curtain rod as shown.
You can find there AT THIS LINK. These little silhouette birds would be delightful used as Bridal Shower or Wedding Reception decor. Tie them onto wine goblets or napkins. use them as place cards by writing the name and table number of your guests on the reverse side. Your imagination is the only limitation as you can print as many as you like for only $4.95 for the kit.
FREE Wedding Stuff – Printable Cards
One of my goals for the New Year is to have one or two FREE printable digital downloads to match my wedding sets each month. If you enjoy this downloadable file and are looking for wedding invitation sets to match, the complete matching Wedding Invitation Ensemble can be found at: http://bit.ly/leE1fKF
Fold Over Place Card, favor gift tags or Buffet Table Title Cards – To download the jpeg image for printing, simply click on the picture below and it will take you to Hightail download service.
You will need to add your own text if you wish to use your printer to personalized them, or you can hand letter your guest names.
Enjoy! Audrey Jeanne
Christmas Tag Kit Freebie
I’ve been so sporadic posting this year, especially this fall that I thought I would post a little Christmas tag freebie that you can print, cut and assemble for layered Christmas tags.
Here’s the link and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Fun is in Repurposing!
When designing my studio, I could have simply purchased all new items, but instead found great joy in re-purposing and doing a complete redesign using things that I have already enjoyed for years. For me, designing a work space is first about efficient function and then all about what makes me feel good. I spend long hours working in my art studio. To make that time a delight rather than a drudge, I love to be surrounded by things that inspire me, by some of my favorite items I’ve created in the past and by colors that will cheer me up on a grey day.
My inspiration for this color palette came from a beautiful, one yard piece of chintz that is a raw silk look. I bought it 5 or 6 years ago as a remnant just because… I tucked it away and found it when we were preparing to move. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any more of the fabric, so I used it as a spring board for the over all design by making three pillows for the daybed/guest bed that is in my room. Like many of you, I love the put together over a long period of time look of mix and match almost “mismatch” elegance. It’s hard work getting to that, LOL! Matchy-matchy is so much easier, but much less fun.
I’m looking for a great source to buy antique glass door knobs or door pulls if you know of one. I want to replace the pegs on a small wall shelf I have with the door knobs for character and bling. My curtain rod has a set of beautiful crystal finials, and I would like to find some crystal bling odds n ends to make tacks for my fabric covered memo board on the closet door. Ideas anyone?
I found the beautifully simple quilt set at overstock.com. (SEE IT HERE) It’s all cotton and linen and has a lovely scalloped edge on both the shams and the edge of the quilt. It’s washable (which is great since my all black cat, Shadow, loves to sneak in and nap on it!) I’ve been puzzling out what I should use for the dust ruffle for the bed and realized just yesterday that our previous home’s living room drapes were perfect to reuse for this purpose. I’ll be breaking out my sewing machine soon to transform them into their new function.
I’ve had white counter tops for the past 20+ years – what was I thinking?!!! Every one has gotten stained with paint and though it started out lovely, became dingy and worn (and not in a lovely cottage way). My sweet husband suggested a granite look formica for this purpose. It’s already spotted and if it gets scratched, chunked or otherwise stained it just blends right in. We have 3 short 1 foot wide bookcases that we found in the barn of a previous home and have housed my magazines in every studio since, they’re being reused and mismatched with a white kitchen cabinet. I’ll tie it all together with fabric under the counter curtains in an old-world european style. Here’s the curtains I bought to use for fabric and the valance (SEE IT HERE) The fabric is a wonderful aged butter yellow that leans almost to tan.
Thanks for peeking in. Hopefully I’ll be able to show you soon how it all goes together. I’m just going to have to paint some new art to go with the new room… hmmm… perhaps my new peony photos might come into play on that?!
Catching Up!
I thought I would share a little since it’s been so ridiculously long since I posted here. I do have a good excuse – we have moved! I thought I would also share bits and pieces of my new studio as it’s coming together. I always enjoy seeing where my artist friends work and thought you might enjoy a sneak peek as well. My color palette in the studio is a little retro. The wall color is from Martha Stewart’s paints “Smokey Aqua” it’s an aqua that pushes almost to the green. It’s sunny and bright and goes really well with my totally fun red glitter vinyl 50’s stool we got from Target about 10 years ago. I have a mix of some great chintz fabrics, the window chintz is butter yellow with tan, pink, burgundy and a touch of red. I’ll show more of that later when we get the tools out of the way so I can do the important stuff – ie DECORATE!
As we are nearing the end of our family’s move I realize, I hate moving, but am loving it now that we’re almost done. We moved half an hour closer to town though still very much in the country. We have another fabulous (though different) view, are near friends and church and enjoy an almost non-stop summer breeze. There are still boxes in the corners of several rooms, but almost everything now has a place and I’m actually starting to REMEMBER where that place is, LOL!
My sweet husband worked until 1 o’clock this morning getting my art studio nearer to completion. He has created a corner work space repurposing items that have been in almost every art studio I’ve used for the past 30 years and yet he’s making them new and wonderful. You would have loved watching him carefully “distressing” my newly painted but repurposed shelves. He’s mister anal-retentive and he actually very carefully “randomly” distressed them while I just grab a piece of sand paper and go at it. It made us laugh so much looking at how different we are from each other and yet how well we work together. I have a couple of in process pictures today and I’ll post things as they get set up and finished. Any suggestions you might have are greatly welcomed!
It’s been fun rethinking how I do my work and getting a chance to reorganize my work areas. I’ve thrown and thrown and thrown away some more. I’ve donated things I realize I’ll never use (like my wooden mannequins for drawing) since I just don’t paint people!
My computer/office work area is public as part of the great central area of the house. No chance to hide my mess any more so I’ve actually been doing better at keeping it organized. Wonder how long that will last, LOL!?
I’ve discovered new ways to organize that are working really well with my own natural bent. Costco has great plastic “shoe box’ sized stacking boxes that are 100% transparent so you can see what’s in them. I was able to condense all of my crafting supplies into a single shelf in my studio closet and will only need to bring out the box when I’m working on a project. Soooo easy! I was amazed at just how much fits into one of those boxes and how sturdy they are when stacked. Living in the country, lids are VERY necessary as dust is everywhere at all times. My tools got dirty and dusty in the open drawer system I had before.
The view out my window goes all the way to the high sierra, snow-capped peaks which you can’t see here. I have a beautiful pastoral view close in and my beloved mountains as well. The flowers in the window are my window boxes that line the front of the house and patio. I loved where we were before and I love where I am now. I am learning with the Apostle Paul -to be content in any state that I find myself.
All of this brings me to today’s devotional thought – sometimes God wants to move us whether we like it or not! Being comfortable isn’t very high on His list of priorities for us. In fact, in my experience He’s pretty happy when I’m UNCOMFORTABLE enough to let Him change what He needs to in my heart. Has that been your experience as well?
I’ve also learned that “Father truly always does know best!” His plans for me are always for my good and he imagines so much more for me than I would have ever thought for myself. I’m learning every day to trust him more and to delight more in His surprises. One of my favorite things about our new location is that I get drop-in guests now. We were soooooo far up in the mountains that nobody came by unless they had really good reason or time to waste, LOL! Now friends pop in on a whim and we love it.
Ps 40:3-5
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be astounded.
They will put their trust in the LORD.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD,
who have no confidence in the proud,
or in those who worship idols.
5 O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.
NLT
Coming Soon, First Release Today
NEW! Personalized art prints suitable for framing. Available for wedding or anniversary gifts. Personalize with your names and dates. Sizes available both 11″ square (fits nicely on a 12″ scrap book paper in a 12″ scrapbook) and 12″ square (fits stock frames designed for scrapbook pages).
I began my business many years ago as a calligrapher. At the time I didn’t know how to paint or draw. In designing calligraphy pieces for people I discovered that I needed to find ways to add color and interest to them and thus began my journey into the world of art.
For many years we had a framed print line that we sold at craft fairs all throughout the state of California. Our favorite being the Harvest Festivals. Not a fall passes by that we don’t reminisce fondly about those days (amazing how memories of the pain and exhaustion passes after time, LOL!)
We also wholesaled our product to about 4,000 stores during the 90’s and up until 2006. At that time it simply became too much to manage with the growth of my licensing business and the time commitments that were involved. We have continued to sell to individuals over the years and have made dear, dear friends with many of our repeat customers – you know who you are 🙂
With my venturing into Zazzle this past year and especially with my growing wedding invitation business, it’s been much on my heart to bring back the calligraphy line but in a new way, with new art for a new generation. Today is the very first piece that I am releasing. These are being sold as prints that can be framed or displayed in a scrapbook. You can order them and take them to your local Michael’s or frame shop. They can be framed without mats or matted and framed as suits your decor.
Look for many more in the days and months to come. What I love about this option is that I can do 30 or more versions of 1st Corinthians 13 and not have to have a catalog that shows them all! The next designs to come will be my best sellers “Lord, Help me to Build a Healthy Child” and “To Build a Lasting Love.”
Also shown in this post are the Wedding Invitations that match. This collection is called “Trellis Rose Vintage” and has a wide range of wedding related products created to match. Perfect for spring and summer weddings, the collection will be fully finished by the New Year. Click on any picture to go to that item in the store.
Back to Work! Thanksgiving Recipes Requested
We spent the last week visiting both of our parents (and both of our sisters) in Arizona. It was a delightful time spent with those we love so much! As always, we wish we had a week of “vacation” to rest from our vacation 🙂 But then, I’m excited to get back to work. I’m so blessed to have work I love to do so much I don’t hate coming home.
Can you believe that October is already starting to wind down? It’s simply amazing to me. I’m looking forward to the holidays and to winter, which is I think my favorite time of year here in the mountains. I’d love to hear in the comments about what you’re looking forward to in this next 3 months. What are your plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Have you changed plans based on the economy and do you feel good or bad about those changes? I really enjoy hearing back from the other side of the computer monitor, LOL!
Do you have a tried and true favorite family recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas that would fit on a recipe card? If you do, will you share it with me? Send me a comment and I’ll email you. I’d like to do some free recipe cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas since I pretty much don’t cook and ESPECIALLY don’t cook with recipes, I need some assistance. My husband calls me an “artistic” cook — ie a little of this, a little of that and we’ll see how it turns out 🙂
I’m working on wrapping up a major project for a new product line then *fingers crossed* I’m going to work on new art this week. Have a great week! AJ
Catching up!
I have neglected my blog all month long. I simply couldn’t take even an hour to come and fill you in on what’s happening. So now it’s time to “Catch up.” Don’t you wish you could really, “catch up?!” Are you like me and the faster you get things done the more that goes on your plate? This month has been like that. It’s stressful at times, but as an artist in a tough economy I’m always very, very thankful that I have more work than I can easily get done!
My Etsy store and Zazzle stores are doing amazingly well. THANK YOU to each bride I’ve been privileged to work with and help with making your wedding day special. I’ve had so much fun working with English, French, Norwegian and other brides-to-be from around the globe. I am adding coordinating cupcake wrapper kits to each new collection and will go back and add them to the most popular wedding collections that I’ve already created. These are printed two-sided on 80 lb. tex and are simple to cut and assemble. I give instructions on how to use the coordinating stickers to create cupcake toppers as well. Perfect for Bridal Showers, Wedding receptions and baby showers as well.
Thank you also to each family that has allowed my baby collections to be part of your special joy in welcoming a new addition. I must have at least a million new ideas and no time to do them all. That’s the blessing and the curse of the creative mind…
I’ve created some new holiday art, but haven’t even had the time to play with how to put it together into products because of assignments that come first. My inner little girl artist is shouting and stomping her feet, “I want to play, I want to play, I WANT TO PLAY!!!!!” Oh well… I’ll eventually get a chance.
It’s the holiday season again. Time for celebrating love, family and the ties that bind our hearts together. We’re starting our holiday season with a trip to see both my parents and my husband’s parents. My sister will be visiting from Kauai at my parents so it’s an extra special time to gather together. My mom and adoptive father will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this month. It’s scary how fast that 40 years went!
When it all comes down to it, is it work that provides the warm and wonderful memories? A clean house? A task list that is marked complete (mmmmmm…. could be maybe a “Yes” answer on that last one, but I’ve never achieved it!) But in truth the answer is surely “No.” It’s the relationships we are privileged to share. Take time to slow down and focus on those you love. It’s the best stress reliever I know!
New “Vintage Roses ‘n Butterflies” Collection of Digital Art
I am really enjoying playing with classic vintage art mixed with my own art. There are quite a few sizes offered in this collection all of which will be found at my Etsy store Here are a few of the images of what is available. Because of the way that Etsy works with a single listing for a product, I’ll link to the entire store, not the item in question. They often sell in a day and that makes the link inoperable.
Shown are three different kits. Each is allowable for small commercial crafting use. This means that one person, crafting all their own items with home tools (no mass production equipment) can create physical crafts (not digital) to sell at craft shows, craft booths in malls and in online stores like Ebay and Etsy.
The first kit is one 4 inch by 6 inch postcard or card front with 4, 3 inch squares for greeting card making, magnets, gift tags or other uses.
The second kit is a 1″ circle set for bottle caps, inchies, soldered glass pendants, pebble magnets and other uses. The circles are available from 2 1/2″ on down to 7/8″ size.
The third kit is a 2 1/2″ square set that is also available all the way down to 7/8″ size for a wide variety of uses.
There is also a design collection at Zazzle for Wedding, Bridal Shower and other invitations. This design received a “Today’s Best Award” from the Zazzle Design Staff. There is a complete Wedding Ensemble coming including Table Seating Charts, Table Cards and Place Cards.
TODAY’S WINNER FOR THE BLOG CONTEST DRAWING IS:
Cheryl! She won her choice of any of the $4.95 kits at Etsy.
Thanks to each that wrote a comment, please keep it up. I read and enjoy every one of them. It makes me want to come blog more when I hear back 🙂
FREE Table Runner or Wall Hanging Quilting Pattern
I had a question in my comments section this morning that sent me looking at Studio E Fabrics’ FREE quilt project patterns page, where I found this project with my new “Paradise” Fabric Collection: You can click on the picture or LINK TO PROJECT PATTERN
A detailed PDF 7 page instruction booklet will pop up. I was very impressed by the clarity of the instructions and the beautiful way it was laid out. Great job by the pattern designers! I hop you’ll enjoy it!
In a quick search today, I found these online stores carrying the fabrics, there may be more. If any of the stores that read my blog are carrying them let me know and I’ll be happy to add you to the post:
NEW! Puppy Love Digital Clip Art Kit
It’s been a little bit since I released a brand new art, digital clip art kit. Today I released “Puppy Love 1” at www.aimeeasher.com. It is priced at $5.98 for 26 pieces and if you are a crafter, you are allowed to use it to create products to sell at craft shows. See the Angel Policy terms for the limits on usage. Here is the link: LINK TO PUPPY LOVE KIT or simply click on the image to go to the store.
In the kit is 4 card fronts of various sizes, the puppy dog icons in borders and separated, 7 papers, 4 borders and a circular border that would be perfect to use on a paint can for a new puppy gift or packaging for a “Puppy Love” gift basket/can.
Now, my question to you… What products would you like to see made out of this kit for my Zazzle store? Do you have some ideas for me to work on? Here are my thoughts. They’re perfect for purses and tote bags, magnets, greeting cards, note cards, T-shirts and maybe even some really fun shoes! I used to own a Dalmatian and would have gotten a kick out of having a pair of shoes or shirt with a Dalmatian puppy on it. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
My Friend, Debbie Kingston Baker
One of my favorite things about being an artist is the wonderful artistic friends I have met over the years. Debbie Kingston Baker’s art has always touched my heart and when I met her in Atlanta at the gift show some years ago, we became friends and my life became a little richer. We’d lost contact the last couple of years until yesterday when I got a little note from her. I’m so glad to reconnect AND to show you her wonderful artwork. If you would like to visit her Zazzle store all you have to do is click on any of the product shots I’ve included in this post or click on the link below.
Debbie has a shop at Zazzle that you can see here: DEBBIE KINGSTON BAKER’S STORE AT ZAZZLE Her style of watercolors is utterly unique in an industry full of copy cats. Whimsical, detailed, childlike, innocent… all are words that aptly describe her style.
I think one of my favorite designs in her store is “Going to Nana’s House.” What an adorable design to buy either for your grandchildren if they call you “Nana” or for them to buy for you.
If you’d like to see more of Debbie’s art, here’s her personal website: DEBBIE KINGSTON BAKER’S PERSONAL WEB SITE On it there are e-cards you can send, links to some of her products such as Leanin’ Tree cards and some wonderful Christian/Inspirational items. Enjoy!
Today is Going to be Special!
Why?! Because I get to design the birth announcements for my brand new nephew. My sister Nancy and her husband finally welcomed their son into a household with 5 daughters!!! Chris is welcoming the companionship in a sea of estrogen and Nancy is reveling in a whole new vocabulary as she put it “there’s a whole new vocabulary in our house… boy, brother, son, lil man…”
So my task today is to get these set up and ready to go for him. What a fun job it is to be an Auntie 🙂
Tomorrow I leave to go to Las Vegas for The Licensing Show. It will be a treat to be with my entire Licensing Agency team. I haven’t met 3 out of the 5 of them and am really looking forward to the time together and the inspiration. I always come home with a million ideas on the direction I should go and usually very little time to work on those ideas because the requests from the manufacturers are coming in at the same time. If you are going to be at the show and would like to make contact, my agent’s booth is #4777 MHS Licensing. They will know how to contact me so you can leave me a message there. I will be in and out of the booth. If you would like to see my portfolio books they will have them there.
By the way, as of yesterday, my existing free-standing digital clip art store has been disabled and all of my art is available in the Aimee Asher Elite digital store. We had too many technical problems — especially guaranteed to happen the moment I left town, LOL! So I decided to simply refer things there. Same prices. Same art. Fantastic customer service if any issues arise. To get there, simply click on the third page down from the top on the right hand side of the blog “Browse Digital products” and it will take you directly to my store front.
I’m off to “play with puppies” and get my nephew’s announcement done!
I am Going to Change my Blog
I have some “housekeeping” items I thought I would throw all into one big post.
DIGITAL CRAFTING FANS: I offer digital clip art kits on my blog store and have for several years. In the next week or so, with Lynnie’s help (from www.aimeeasher.com) I am going to replace my blog store with a link to my store inside of Aimee Asher.
As those of you that have experienced it in the last couple of months know, my automated delivery system has been screwy and has failed to provide usable links more often than not. The Aimee Asher system is great and well worth my sending the business their way instead of here. The prices are identical as are the kits and terms of use. If you want to purchase any digital clip art kits, I would suggest that you use this link and go directly to AAE from now on. LINK TO AUDREY JEANNE’S STORE AT AIMEE ASHER
Perhaps with fewer issues to deal with and without needing to upload and install a kit in two places I’ll be able to get some fresh new kits up 🙂 That is my goal anyway!
ZAZZLE STORES: I have two Zazzle stores now. One features “Everything Business” and is stocked with business cards, stationery, thank you notes, postage, address labels and more.
LINK TO “EVERYTHING BUSINESS by Audrey Jeanne”
LINK TO AUDREY JEANNE’S EXPRESSIONS ZAZZLE STORE
The other contains a wide variety of products from wedding invitations, baby announcements, baby onesies and tee shirts, scrapbook notebooks, recipe notebooks and pages and more. You’ll also notice a new panel to the left with 3 of my Zazzle products shown in it. Those three products change frequently so be sure to take a peek each time you stop by. This format provides larger images that can be seen more clearly. I had to give up the flash panel, but small moving objects aren’t really good for seeing anyway!
TWITTER: If you would like to follow me on Twitter, LINK TO TWITTER PAGE
FACEBOOK: If you would like to follow my on my fan page at FaceBook, LINK TO FACEBOOK FAN PAGE I don’t play any games on FaceBook, so please don’t message me about that, but anything else I’d love to hear!
I update both Twitter and FaceBook daily and sometimes a couple of times a day and it’s very easy to connect with me there. I love to hear feedback on designs I’m working on and often show the first peeks at Facebook as I’m working those collections out.
Okay, now off to bed after a long and wonderful day with my family!