May 3, 2009...Our Wedding

Our invitations were lilacs printed on rice paper and backed with "Spice" textured paper...with just a thin pop of color around the outside edge of the invitation and reception card. The reply card also had a lilac on the corner, and the reception card had a picture of our cake with gerbera daisies. Can you tell I don't like things all matchy matchy?!! We left the reply card with space for guests to write a note and we got some great ones for the scrapbook/guest book that I am making (when things quiet down!) Of course all the calligraphy on envelopes was done by hand. And we had a watercolor map too with directions to all the festivities.

Birds are back!

Birds are back! How about these cute owl earrings??!! I was up in Freeport, Maine with my mom a few weeks ago and we got these fun owl beads to make earrings for Visibility in Portland, Maine, (and for me)! I love them and birds are the trend this season...they come in a variety of colors and are accented with Sworvski crystal beads. Colors available are green, royal blue, tan and red! These purple ones are sold out! So, for those of you who have been inquiring what "birds are back" means on the home page of El's Cards...now you know! Birds are back!! Happy (almost) spring!

Baby Announcements

I've been doing baby announcements for people for years (introduced by one of my best customers...Susie!) I'm working on getting a page done so they can easily be ordered on the website. One for a boy (jungle animals or sailboats), one for a girl (see picture)...and working on another design. And then the beach for a boy or girl! With a sandcastle, shells, starfish and cute beach things. Sometimes it's hard to get new pages done since I do all my own web stuff too! That's why I am loving the blog! I can put up photos and you can get the gist! So...here are a few examples of such announcements. Enjoy!

Whimsical portraits

Here's the latest...whimsical portraits! This is the one I did for Bob for Valentine's Day of our family (Spike and Annabelle can pose for hours!)

More to come soon!

Another watercolor map-featuring Utah!

Maps are so much fun to create! This is one I did recently for a couple of great friends who just purchased their first home. We love visiting them in Utah and some of the favorite spots we have frequented are denoted on the map! (Along with a few inside jokes!) These are super personal and always get a positive response as they are created for each individual recipient. A map version of "Simply You".

A romantic anniversary gift

This is an anniversary piece I did for a true romantic! He gave me a copy of his wedding vows and had me write them in calligraphy for his wife on their first anniversary. The scene depicted in watercolor is the site of their first kiss on a Key West beach at sunrise. Such a meaningful and special gift to commemorate their first year together! Since the first year gift is traditionally paper, the groom wanted to do something extra special for his bride...and he tells me she loved it!

Doing custom work like this really exciting for me! I loved doing this piece for the happy couple, Christy and Roy.

Love is in the air!

My favorite holiday is right around the corner! And no, it's not because I'm a newlywed! I have always loved Valentine's Day. The colors pink and red make for simple and fun card designs...not to mention the hearts and flowers and who can forget the chocolate! So many possibilities. And I love to send Valentine cards to my friends and loved ones because this time of year needs a bit of brightening up in New England or anywhere for that matter!

Great Valentine specials at
El's Cards from February 2nd right through Superbowl Sunday, February 7th. Go Team! (that's code for I don't know who's playing....)

The mini notes are my favorite because they really can be used all year long! And the bookmarks are perfect to share with the gals in book group. Happy Valentine's Day to all!