I've got several new collections coming to the shoppe...
So today...
I thought I'd share with you the fun design process that took place while creating one of those collections...

THE CREATiVE BiRTHiNG DESiGN PROCESS
Introducing the brand-new Fun in the Sun Collection
conceived from a GREAT foundation of inspiration.

I was approached by the talented Morgan Wiebke of Made by Morgan...

remember those adorable aprons she made for Ella's Pocket Full of Posies Party?

Morgan was preparing for her son's birthday party and she needed some

custom designed party printables that would coordinate with the fabric she'd already purchased.

She also had some sketches she wanted to incorporate into the printables as well...

HAND-DRAWN SKETCHES

The sketches Morgan designed and sent over to me are SO cute.

SPECTACULAR WITH COLOR
I was super excited and up for the challenge of recreating someone else's artwork...

With the sketches recreated and the addition of color...everything came to life.

A COLLECTION BROUGHT TO LIFE
Once the artwork was finalized, the rest of the collection came together almost effortlessly.

I LOVE the mix of colors Morgan chose to use...

The combination of the color palette, patterns and Morgan's adorable sketches 

made for an adorable collection altogether.

I give us both an A+ for a fantastic collaboration. *wink*

I can't wait to see the photos from the actual party.

I promise to share those as soon as I get them.

And guess what?

Morgan gave personalized embroidered beach towels as party favors...

USiNG THESE ADORABLE GRAPHiCS. 

Pinch me please. 

Can.

Not.

WAiT to see those!!

Hugs to you my sweet, sweet friends.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I had SO much on my plate this Summer...

I really didn't have time to squeeze in this extra project.

Remember...I was going nuts with orders and could barely find time to blog?

However...

When Morgan shared with me her vision...

which was precise and exact, by the way...

I couldn't help myself.

And I'm so glad I said "yes"!!

I hope you are glad I took on the project too...

it'll be available in the shoppe soon.

If you need/want it sooner,  just shoot me an email: pnpflowers@live.com

in the studio | Quilted Blooms Collection

This adorable design was inspired by the quilt I shared with you last week...
The one lovingly sewn by a mother, for her daughter...
The quilt used as inspiration for the baptismal program I designed for her daughter's baptism...
(One of the most beautiful, intricate quilts I've ever seen)?











I'm in LOVE with the results of the final design...



(last names/personal information removed)


I'm calling it the "Quilted Blooms Collection"...
and it will be available in the shoppe later this week.

I hope you love it too...
 and that it added a bit of "lovely" to your Monday!!

 Ila...thank you for letting me play a small part in Ava's special day!
I'm amazed by your quilting talents!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I worked all weekend getting caught up on orders.

It's been QUiTE a busy month.

Lots of celebrations going on!!

Seriously getting closer and closer to the need for an assistant.

the pastry pedestal™ | Creative Styling - Halloween 2011

I've been feeling the "slight" difference in the air over the past couple of days...
Trust me...
It's still hot here in Florida...
But there's a definitive difference in the way it feels when I step outside...
Which gets me excited for Fall!!

I'm even more excited to share with you my "gremlin-sized" Halloween creation using The Pastry Pedestal™...

Using the 2011 Halloween Paper Pedestal Rounds...
I just so happened to showcase the other day, 

a little bit of webbing, spiders and some netting I picked up from the Dollar Store...
COMPLETE cuteness!!!

The Mini Sized Brownie Bite "Bon Bons" I purchased from the bakery at my local grocery store are cute...
BUT...
want to see what I've been itchin' to put on The Pastry Pedestal™???





Snickers Peanut Butter Squared....
The candy I have found myself hopelessly addicted to...*sigh*

How easy is that?!
The Pastry Pedestal™ isn't JUST for petite pastries, people...
Pre-packaged candy like this works like a charm too!
And they are SUPER CUTE!!!

Now that I've shown you how adorable the 2011 Halloween Paper Rounds look on The Pastry Pedestal™...

Be sure to take advantage of the 50% off dealio I've got going on in the shoppe right now!!

It ends tomorrow - so snatch up these little gems for a steal before the clock runs out! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Shhhh.....

Do NOT laugh...

I'm about to make a ridiculous confession.

Those Snickers Peanut Butter Squared Candies you see displayed...

Those are from the THiRD bag that I purchased over the past several weeks...
in anticipation of this photoshoot.

Yes...
somehow...
although I'm not fully committed on admitting to the "How"...

the first two bags disappeared!? *gasp*
Yes...

They are THAT good.

And yes...

It may also be true that I'm just THAT undisciplined when it comes to peanut butter and chocolate?! *wink*

holiday | Gettin' tricked out...

Picked up a few things over the weekend from the Dollar Store...

A couple of things that will help to "trick out" (or treat)...

some of my halloween decor.

Wait'll you see what all of this turns into...

With just a few little creeks tweaks...

this will all be turned into a ghoulishous display of monstrous proportions...*wink*

(Okay...I'm exaggerating...it'll be more like "gremlin-sized proportions"...do you remember those little creatures from the 80's?)

I ADORE the color scheme and designs I've created for Halloween 2011.
Silver, Orange and Black...
Perfect combination, don't you think?

Do you own The Pastry Pedestal™?
You can snatch up these printable Pastry Pedestal Paper Rounds in my shoppe right now...
At 50% off...
Now until Friday, September 23rd.

Don't have The Pastry Pedestal™ Starter Kit yet?
No worries...you are not doomed...
You can still get in on the deal...
Make a cute eeky little banner with these 3" circles too!
So clever. So simple.

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!!


KEEPiNG iT REAL
Random but appropriate...
With Halloween on our heels, I thought it was
apropos to find a term for something I found interesting...
and honestly...
something I have been dealing with personally.

"Energy Vampires" (taken from this website and this one)
I'd never heard the term until today and thought I'd share with you
what I've learned as far as how to recognize these particular people in your life right away...


• you experience a sense of being demeaned, constricted or attacked.
• you intuitively feel unsafe, tense or on guard.
• you sense prickly, off-putting vibes. 
• You can't wait to get away from them.
• Your energy starts to fizzle. 
• You may feel beleaguered or ill.


Bottom line is this... 
"Negative people [energy vampires] are like human black holes which
suddenly come out of nowhere and just suck the life out of you.
You try to stay positive and remain strong but their negativity ends 
up just completely draining you and you're left feeling exhausted."


One of the many suggestions for dealing with these types of people that I found particularly comforting?
Smile and stay detached! *wink*


I'd love to hear how you ward off the Energy Vampires in your life...

the Pastry Pedestal™ | Creative Styling - Pink Trim

If you follow Pen N' Paperflowers on Facebook or The Pastry Pedestal™ on facebook...
You'll recognize these photos I shared last week...








I mentioned these would be perfect for a ballerina party...
Afterall...
the trimming I picked up from JoAnn's resembles a little tutu...
doesn't it?




But then....
after creating this Carousel-Themed birthday party invitation for a customer...

I immediately thought of how perfect

these would be for that party too!
Especially if you wrap The Pastry Pedestal rods with some pink ribbon to mimic the pole of the Carousel horse...

SO cute!!

What you'll need to recreate this look:

• The Pastry Pedestal™ Starter Kit (12 lucite rounds, 12 lucite rods and 12 rubber rings)

• white and pink petit fours or petite pastry of your choice. (store bought or homemade)

• pink fabric trim from JoAnn's

• white paper doily (like these)

• pink and white polka dot wrapping paper (or coordinating paper of your choice)

• styrofoam square or rectangle (similar to this from Hobby Lobby)

• double-stick tape

Directions:

1. Assemble The Pastry Pedestal™

2. Cut pink trim to fit around perimeter of The Pastry Pedestal round.

3. Use double-stick tape (folded in half lengthwise) to wrap and secure trim to the edge of The Pastry Pedestal Round.  

4. Wrap styrofoam with wrapping paper. (Just as you would a gift).

5. Poke a hole in the center of doily using a toothpick.

6. Place doily on wrapped styrofoam base and insert The Pastry Pedestal, (already assembled and decorated), through the pre-punched hole in the doily.

7. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the bottom center of your petite pastry of choice.

8. Push petite pastry onto The Pastry Pedestal rod to secure.

9. Repeat steps 5 through 8 until you are satisfied with your display.

I hope you feel inspired to dress up The Pastry Pedestal for your next event.

The endless assortment of trims available make it easy to change up the look SO easily!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I was going to photograph a cluster of these together...

but after realizing the petit fours had a rough ride home due to poor packaging from the bakery...

I could only salvage one to photograph.

(and even that one was questionable...if you look closely)...

But hey...

you get the idea...

right?! *wink*

it's a circus around here...

It's been a real CIRCUS around here lately...
literally and figuratively.

Literally speaking...
I've been working on a new CIRCUS themed collection.
and I must tell you it's turning out to be quite adorable.

Here's how it all started...

Remember the Circus Birthday Party I posted that was styled by a VERY creative woman named Nancy McPherson?

Since that post, I've had several people contact me requesting party accessories...

(I've even put one of those people in direct contact with Nancy to purchase all of her remaining fabric & paper)

I'd only designed the circus tent silhouette for Nancy - not intending on creating a circus collection at all.

That all quickly changed when I first had a very sweet customer request some celebration circles and table labels...

I was then contacted by yet another customer looking for "full-service printing" 

for invitations and coordinating party accessories...

That's how the invitation was given life...

When the same customer requested return labels for her envelopes,

I made the suggestion of using envelope wraps...and she LOVED the idea.

I'm happy to say the first portion of the order was shipped yesterday.

(invitations and envelope wraps included).

I'm still working on finishing up the other accessories to the collection but was anxious to share what's already finished.

Ready for the "figurative" part of the "CIRCUS" that's been going on around here?
I am definitely in the middle of the biggest juggling act I've ever put on...

I've been up to my eyeballs in custom design work lately.
To the point that I feel like I'm eating, breathing, sleeping, dreaming, and even coughing design work.
(Yes...I still have an annoying cough from the flu I got in January).

• I've got "craft projects" I need to finish for Valentine's Day...
• I've got recipes I'm dyin' to try...
• I still need to create my separate "promise ME" page for the blog to keep you updated...(making progress by the way)
• I really need to catch up on emails (personal & business)
• I must respond to the unanswered inquiries in my etsy shoppe

• and there's a lot of bits and pieces of unrelated news I want to share with you but can't find a creative way to tie them all together...

nor can I seem to find a minute to actually post about them. 

Among all of that, I still need to find time to fill orders...

Cook dinner...

Exercise...

and pay attention to my family. (this being of utmost importance of course).

A lot of multi-tasking...
A lot of "juggling".
And of course I'm always in search of that elusive word: Balance

As for the design work that's been consuming every bit of my time...
I've done everything from
• recreate the Chutes and Ladders themed birthday invitation I created to accommodate a baby shower
• redesign the BUGS! themed birthday invitation for a brother/sister birthday party...
• create several different color schemes for the "Bubbles" themed shower invitation
• design a Dr. Suess themed birthday invitation
• update the ABC Collection invitation in FIVE different color schemes at the request of customers
• create a Bridal Shower Invitation
• update the Penelope Collection for several customers to coordinate with upcoming baby showers
• work on two different logo designs - and take on another one.
• create a handful of EXCLUSIVE silhouettes
• accept some more custom design work for some REALLY cute party themes

AND...
• do some design work that may potentially be published in an upcoming issue of the Nest.
(sister company to the magazine the Knot).
I'm so very excited about this opportunity!!

It's really HAS been a CIRCUS around here...
trying to juggle all of these various things.

I haven't even mentioned the Orlando Martha Stewart Dreamers Into Doers meeting...
organized by Melissa from Truly Chic Inspirations.
We've got about 20 local gals meeting up on the 19th of February at downtown Disney.
I'm REALLY excited about getting to meet up with everyone attending.


Even with a very full plate...
I've been cognizant of accomplishing things on my "promise ME" list... 
Promise #10 - 2 pieces of Janet Hill Studio art are on the way
Promise #21 - Saturday morning breakfast at First Watch with Clara & Ema
Promise #24 - New shirt in...old shirt out
Promise #33 - Mailboxes purchased. One 1/2 painted.
Promise #39 - organizing dinner with friends to meet once a month - rotating who decides on the NEW place to eat
Promise #40 - found a new music artist
Promise #43 - attempted my first video for the blog
Promise #45 - have my submission ready for the "ReMARTHAble" contest

Other random thoughts:

• Waiting on HWTM to post Ella's 2nd birthday party so that I can finally share it here on the blog. 

• Finalizing packaging for the product I'm having patented that I mentioned WAY back...

I share all of this to accomplish two things.
#1: to keep with my original intention for keeping a blog which is to journal & record my life/journey
#2: to justify to friends, family & "customers-in-waiting" that I really am jam-packed busy in hopes they'll continue to be patient with me!

I'm really only kidding about #2...unless you happen to be Ally...
or anyone else who happens to be anxiously awaiting to hear back from me. *wink*

I hope you all are FANTASTIC!!!
I also hope your promise ME journey has been inspiring thus far.
With a week and one day into it...how are you doing?
What are you doing to keep your promises?
What are you doing to at least move yourself closer to being ABLE to keep those promises?
Think about it.
Hugs everyone!!


KEEPING IT REAL
Notice I didn't mention "cleaning" in my list of to-dos...
That's pretty much taken the back burner to everything else at this point.
Aside from their normal chores, lucky for me my two older girls, (Clara & Ema) are looking for things to do to earn allowance. *wink*

And I have a confession...
Ella has been getting WAY too much television-time lately in my attempts to keep up with my design work. *frown*

{collections} Valentine's Day 2011 and not what I expected...

Remember earlier this week when I made the comment that I was looking forward to my first "normal" week of 2011?

(The first week was spent caring for my daughter Clara who came down with the flu)?

Well...

let me just say things have not been what I expected.

Everything was going good on Monday.

And then things started to unravel.

Some news Tuesday morning left me wondering if my trip to New York for the Martha Stewart event would even happen.

It seemed the clouds were lifting a little throughout the day Wednesday...

And then...

although I've been doing everything in my power to keep the flu at bay from the rest of the family...

Taking extra vitamin C...

avoiding Clara as much as we could...*wink*

Lots of fluids...

Washing hands, etc.

Ella woke up yesterday not feeling 100%...

and after two episodes of projectile vomiting (sorry...keeping it real here)...

Most of the day was spent holding, loving and tending to my fever-laden two year old.

Today has been much of the same - without the vomiting...thank goodness.

And as much as I've been determined to stay away from the flu myself...

the pesky bug has been biting at my heels. grrrr!!!

Because I'm bound and determined to ignore the pesky flu-like symptoms that are buzzing around me...

(having full faith that Zicam repellent will squash the annoying pest)

I mustered up enough energy while Ella is napping...

to try to maintain some sense of "normal" around here.

My goal this week was to have my Valentine's Day Collection posted by Friday.

and it's Friday. (it may be 4:00 in the afternoon, but it's still technically Friday)...*wink*

So...

flu-like symptoms or not...

and with all of the "normal" I can possibly scrounge up...

Introducing THREE 2011 Valentine's Day Collections

Sweetberry love, Razzberry love & Skater love

Each collection is made up of 3 files containing the Exchange Cards (shown above)

Coordinating peanut butter cup candy labels

as well as some treats tags to bundle up your coordinating candies...

I do hope you love them.

I did manage to get them posted in my shoppe too!

So...

Collection has been posted here on the blog.

Collection has been placed into my shoppe.

Now all that's left to do is give you all

50% off the printables starting today until Friday, January 21st.

Use this COUPON CODE at check out: LOVE2011

(discount will automatically be applied at check out).

And tell your friends too!!

Be watching for a giveaway next week...

I can tell you the giveaway will include adorable items that not only coordinate PERFECTLY with my Valentine's Day collections, they will absolutely add a SWEET touch to your Valentine's day celebrations!!

Wishing you all a healthy weekend...

KEEPING IT REAL

When J went to leave this morning, I'd crawled back into bed

and had my head under the covers sobbing like a baby.

He approached me and tried to lift the covers and asked, "Are you crying?"...

I immediately yelled out a defiant "NO!"...

I wasn't about to let the Flu Bug think he'd actually bitten me.

And I'm STILL going to continue to spray myself down with "Flu Bug Repellent..."

the very first monday of 2011...

I'm putting off posting my 2010 recap I had wanted to share today...

My oldest woke up early this morning not feeling well and has since developed a fever.

My focus has shifted...

In the meantime...

With school starting back for my girls on Wednesday,

I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share this with you...

a custom "ABC" baby shower invitation I'm working on...

(even in the preliminary stages, I LOVE the concept and the color palette...)

I also have to mention...

I'm working on a new list.

A list of "promises"...

It's a list similar to my "Before Birthday Goals" I fell in love with last year...

the list that ended up pushing me creatively in ways I never even imagined.

I plan to have my new list completed by the END of January...

and the goal is to have the things on the list completed by February 2012.

I'll share more on the idea behind it all later this week.

I encourage you to jump in with me and start a list of your own.

The list should be fun...

light-hearted...

creative...

inspiring.

(NOTHING about losing weight or any of those traditional "resolutions" everyone makes.)

Those things can certainly be on a "different' list...just not this one.

So gather your thoughts over the next couple of days...

Think about little things you've been wanting to do...

And certainly feel free to refer to my list from last year if you need some ideas as to what kind of list to make.

Happy FIRST MONDAY of 2011!!!

I'm SO excited about the things that anxiously await us all during this brand-new year!!

Now...

Back to doing what I enjoy most...

playing mommy.

KEEPING IT REAL

My Christmas tree is still up.

I really don't want to take it down because it's too pretty.

And I REALLY don't like the idea of placing it on the curb for the trash man to pick up.

I seriously might cry - I'm sensitive like that.

{real parties} "Big Dig" 3rd Birthday Party

While I'm working on my "2010 highlights" post (for Monday)

I'm really DIGGIN' some photos sent in to me yesterday and wanted to share them with you...

especially with any of you who have adorable little boys in your life.

These could've easily been included in my "happy" post from yesterday...

they definitely put a smile on my face!!

Party Girl: Marci

Celebration Type: 3rd Birthday Party

Theme: "Big Dig" Construction party

Color Palette: Yellow, Black, Orange & Brown

Using the "Construction Themed" party printables from my shoppe...

Marci created this adorable birthday cake

using bits of inspiration she found all over the web...

Along with the toy construction vehicles, Marci used candy corn "construction cones", oreo "asphalt",

licorice lanes and a brown sugar "dirt mound" to add the perfect details to this construction themed cake.

(Party Tip: You could also substitute the brown sugar with crushed vanilla creme sandwich cookies)

The printable "Evan's Construction Crew" labels

added the perfect personalization to the construction hats worn by the birthday boy and other guests...

What's a "Big Dig" birthday party without "Dirt Cups"...

"CAUTION tape" used as party decor gives the party an authentic "construction site-vibe".

Happy 3rd Birthday Evan!!

Isn't he just so adorable!! This photo completely warms my heart

and screams "I'm a VERY happy birthday boy"!!

(and that shirt he has on couldn't be more fitting for his party)!!

Thanks for sending in the photos Marci!!

I love how everything turned out...

I've got a house full of girls so the photos were a nice change of scenery around here!!

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Wishing everyone a safe New Year's Eve....

I sincerely appreciate the support and reaching out you've extended throughout 2010.

So much has happened and I'm thrilled you've been along for the ride.

There are many exciting things on the horizon for Pen N' Paperflowers...

I look forward to sharing them with you in 2011...

Hugs to each and every one of you...Happy New Year!!

KEEPING IT REAL

The karaoke night New Year's Eve gathering I was considering with a few friends?

Turns out it's just going to be a quiet night at home.

And I'm okay with that.

Even still...

I can't resist considering making some of these....

ADORABLE midnight snack bags

posted by sweet Sharnel from Sharnel Dollar Designs

LOVE THEM!!!