New Custom Address Stamp.

Just listed my newest stamp, the fully handlettered custom address stamp that I created for the winner of the giveaway:

Perfect for weddings or any other formal occasions. For purchase, click on over to the shop.

Winner.

photos taken by my iphone*

Thank you so much for all the comments and positive feedback about the stamps! The winner of the giveaway is #65, Kim of the underachiever’s blog. For the rest of you, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on all of my stamps until the end of this week, so hop on over to the shop if you get a chance. (Note: Offer applies only to those in the United States.)

*A brief pictorial recap of life lately (clockwise): exploring Laguna Beach (right next to our new apartment); decorating our new place with little knick-knacks; scouting out vintage furniture at the flea; designing & creating products I love for clients I appreciate. Life is busy, but good.

Custom Stamps + Giveaway!

For those who haven’t been popping into my shop very regularly lately, I’m pleased to announce a new line of products: custom stamps! Here’s a little peek:

1. Handlettered Thank You Rubber Stamp: One of my personal faves. It gives you the freedom to design your own thank you cards with an easy-t0-use rubber stamp that comes with a corresponding black ink pad.

2. Custom Handlettered Address Stamp (Rubber): Another rubber stamp with ink pad that features your personal name (or family name) in classic ampersandity calligraphy with address designed in my very favorite Futura font.

3. Custom Handlettered Address Stamp (Self-Inking): Similar to the previous one, but in a convenient self-inking style. No need to re-ink between stamps as it inks itself every time you release.

And now for a special request.

I’d like to design another stamp that features pure hand-lettering for both the name and address. The stamp will be a 1″ x 3″ rubber stamp and will include a corresponding black ink pad. The only thing is… I need someone to make it for! So, I’m offering a free Custom Fully Handlettered Address Stamp (Rubber) to one special reader.

TO ENTER: Please leave ONE comment on this blog post. You must be okay with having your name/address displayed on my etsy site (like the ones shown in the images above). Winner will be picked at random next Monday 8/9 at 9PM PST. Winner will be emailed for name & address. Please allow 2-3 weeks for design, production & shipping.

Thanks as always for your support & encouragement — I hope you win! ;]

Haircut: Before & After.

Dun dun dun, it’s here. I’m a little nervous showing everyone all at once (so far, only S & our moms have seen it), but here goes:

I’m sorry for the weird composition — S was trying to be a little too artsy with these shots.

Short, right?!

Observations in the last 24 hours:

1. My hair is kind of wavy in the back and will flip out the wrong way if I don’t blow dry it in. I never had to deal with it when I had long hair because the weight of my hair pulled it down straight.
2. It takes me about 10 minutes less to get ready (less shampoo time, less combing time, less blow dry time).
3. I have NO split ends & NO tangles — hooray! (This is a first in a very very long time.)
4. I have always slept with a ponytail for as long as I can remember — I couldn’t stand sleeping with it down. Now I sleep with it down & it bothers me no more. :]
5. I instinctively pull my hair back when I brush my teeth, lean over something, etc. It feels strange to just have to tuck it behind my ears now.
6. I keep trying to pull out my hair from underneath a shirt or sweater whenever I put it on, only to find that my hair is already out.
7. I never liked tying my hair half up-half down — I felt that it made me look like a little girl. Now it doesn’t look so childish.
8. Same with wearing headbands, hairbands, etc. Hello big flowers & fabric headbands!

Mostly, I’m just thankful I didn’t cry when I got it cut. I have a history of crying at the salon (I’ve had a lot of bad haircuts), but I think my hair stylist is quickly ridding me of all my hair fears.

The best of five attempts. We’re no good at taking pictures in the mirror.

Okay, your turn. Be honest. What do you think???

Weekend Three.

This weekend I got beat up by my wisdom teeth — or rather, where my wisdom teeth used to be. When I got my top ones pulled out in high school, the recovery was really quick & easy, so I assumed it would be the same with my bottom ones. Wrong. I was sad to flake out on so many events — babysitting our nephew, photographing a friend’s newborn, attending our friends’ wedding, even going to church. On the up side, though, I got to eat lots of soft & cold desserts & spend a lot of time just resting at home with S. Our weekend three:

One. For the amount of rice porridge I ate, I ate an equal share of frozen yogurt & shaved ice. :] Yogurtland was our go-to place, but we also got to try shaved ice at Milk+Honey, which was so good.

S got green tea shaved ice with strawberries, mochi, & azuki red beans. I got passion fruit shaved ice with mango bits. Delicious.

Two. Remember the thank you cards I said I would put in the shop? Well, finally add them here.

I’m working on some “happy birthday” cards and “happy anniversary” cards for a friend’s mom, so hopefully will be able to add those after I finish up that project.

Three. Even though I flaked out on pretty much everything we had planned this weekend, I still managed to make it to my hair appointment on Sunday night. Chopped off a good 12 inches & donated my cherished ponytail to Locks of Love.

My hair hasn’t been this short since second grade (seriously)! It was a little shocking at first, but thankfully my hair stylist is super nice & put me at ease right away. It also helped that S loved it. :] Tune in tomorrow for my before & after pictures!

What about you — what are your weekend three?