Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Branding project: TELL me your TOP 3!

I'm sketching some initial ideas for a new branding project at the moment and would LOVE some feedback from all you design savvy readers!

The event is a charity race day where all money raised goes to the Breast Cancer Network Australia.

I won't go into any design rationale - I just want you to give me your gut reaction and tell me your top 3 designs. If you want to elaborate, it's always welcomed!

V xx








Friday, August 26, 2011

Helen & Ben: the wedding


I had the great pleasure of creating a custom wedding stationery suite a few months ago for Helen and Ben. It was a lovely surprise today to get a beautiful thank you card and CD with some images of the reception items I created for their big day! It's so exciting to see my paper creations on the stunning table settings!

The table names were all named after wineries in Victoria and, where possible, Helen and Ben seated guests at wineries they have visited together. Each of the wineries also listed the 'Signature Wine' - a lovely little personal touch.

I always encourage couples to come up with table names that are personal to them and this one was so original! A great way to add a little Oz to an English country wedding!

Have a look...

V xx






PRODUCT love: Jellystone Designs


Another great company that I got to meet at Life Instyle was Jellystone Designs. The concept is so clever: pendants, necklaces and bangles made out of 100% hospital grade silicone so it's save for your little one to chew on!

I bought one (the red owl) for myself as a little pre-baby gift! A fab idea as a gift for new mums!

Check them out on Facebook here.

V xx


Thursday, August 25, 2011

New collection now on ETSY


For all you Etsy lovers out there (you know who you are!), the new Buttercup Ink stationery and art print collection is now available!

As you'll remember from this post, I was originally planning to move from Etsy to Big Cartel but I've missed being a part of the Etsy community. I've had lots of enquiries from past Etsy customers asking if some of my items like the AFL and kids name prints have been discontinued so I decided to revamp the shop with the new collection along with some of the old favourites.

As a little reintroduction offer to readers and previous customers, I'm offering 20% off EVERTHING IN STORE!!! This is a limited offer so be quick!

Head on over to the shop for a look...

Feel free to repost the image on your blog/Facebook if you know any other stationery lovers!

V xx

Chalkboard INTERIORS

Cute and functional interiors using chalkboards. I especially love the wall calendar - very clever!

V xx






Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Shoe LOVE : brogues


I've seen so many great brogues in the shops recently that I just don't know what to go for! These are some of my favs.

I love this look: teamed with cropped boyfriends jeans and blazer.

V xx




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

ENJOYING the quiet


Today has been a bit of a daydreamy kind of day. So rather than sit at my desk and work, I've decided to get all my 'to do's' out my head and down on paper to start on tomorrow morning after I drop Gabe at child care. The next hour or so will be spend in the garden with a book, sketch pad and quiet... I think I might be trying to tell myself something today so I'm going to give myself some space to listen.

V xx

Monday, August 22, 2011

Breaking OUT of the box


I'm reading a great book at the moment that my sister gave to me. The passage that I read yesterday really spoke to me and so I wanted to share.

It's all about living in the 'world of circles' versus the 'world of boxes'.

It explains that the natural world is connected, circular. The planet, its passage around the sun, the course of water over the earth, the life cycles of plants and animals, the seasons.

It then goes on to say that we now live in a false 'world of boxes'. Our houses and the rooms in it, our cars, our food is packaged in boxes, our offices buildings, our desks, our computers and TVs, even our music comes from boxes.

It's an obvious but fascinating observation. Whilst I agree that routine and order has its place with a young family, I also try to let myself 'go with the flow' a little. Allowing my mood, the weather, music, to suggest what we should be doing and when.

Gabriel and I did a little of both this morning - the weekly shopping and then played at the park. We would usually have lunch around midday but we were having so much fun being outdoors and having the park to ourselves that we stayed for another hour.

For me it's about stopping and asking myself 'why not?' Ironically, I am much more productive when I let go a little and don't stick to the routine. I find that you can miss so much of the little subtle, precious moments with a toddler when you are constantly clock-watching. While reading the paper on a rug on the deck at lunch, Gabriel came down off the trampoline and looked at the paper. There was an article about a new ballet coming to Melbourne. In the accompanying photo, there was a male dancer holding up a girl who had her arms outstretched. Gabriel's interpretation: "Look mummy. A lady swimming in the sky'. It was so beautiful and emotional. I'm sure there are ballet critics out there who could not have put it more beautifully.

As it moves into fairer weather here, I'm looking forward to more time outdoors and living a little less in the 'world of boxes'.

V xx

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Buttercup Ink gets a NEW employee!


As you will know, things have been very busy here at Buttercup Ink HQ recently... and they are about to get a WHOLE lot busier... Gabriel will be moving up to Senior Production Assistant to make way for our new assistant who is due to make an appearance in late December! Yip, that's right - our little trio is about to become a quartet!

It's a very exciting time for our family and Gabriel is very much looking forward to being a big brother. Having reached the halfway mark, things are going really well and I know our new family member will be here before we know it!

V xx

A guide to NATURAL family photos


What a great idea! The UNposing Guide from Mom*tog to get those natural looking family shots.

I don't know of a family out there that DON'T need this! And what a lovely gift for a mother-to-be.

V xx


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

PRODUCT love : Lily Loves Pearl



Looking for a new moisturiser? Perhaps an exfoliator? WELL STOP - LOOK NO FURTHER!Lily Loves Pearl is a beautiful certified organic skincare range that not only looks beautiful but ACTUALLY works!

I had the pleasure of exhibiting next to Sam, the owner of Lily Loves Pearl, at Life Instyle recently where her beautifully packaged products were a big hit!

MY TIP: The hand cream is amazing! As mothers with toddlers and newborns know, you wash your hands a million times a day so a good hand cream is essential! Go on, treat yourself!

Check out the Lily Loves Pearl website and shop and on Facebook.

V xx






Monday, August 8, 2011

MONDAY - a day for PLAYING!



Phew! It's been a long and exhausting four days at Life Instyle but sooooo amazing! It was so inspiring to be around so many talented people and beautiful products! And I'm excited to report that Buttercup Ink now has lots of new lovely stockists from all over Australia!

More images to come but for today, this is it! It's a day of playing in the back yard with my little man!

V xx

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

New card sets NOW online!




With the sun shining here in Melbourne this morning, I've finally found time to get outside and photograph the card sets for the new stationery collection and they are now available online.