you're invite: this weekend!

lots of news here at LINEA CARTA headquarters!!  when it rains it pours (though the sun is shining brightly) and all of a sudden i have more projects than can fit in my live-work studio..  so i decided to move my bed out for the month to make room to print, package, fill orders, prepare for sales (see below), work on custom wedding invitations, and meet with clients.  one meeting in particular that i'm excited to share is with the gift buyers from anthropologie (wish me luck)!  and i figure as long as i've made some space why not have an open studio and invite you too?!

you are cordially invited to:

a seconds sale at fourth & clay THIS SATURDAY~ where i'll have stationery, linens and gifts -- along with 9 other local talents!

my studio sale THIS SUNDAY ~ celebrating my 'new' studio with drinks and treats (and deals)!  2-5pm,  2904 mabel street, berkeley

if you can't make it to either event, enjoy 15% off your entire online order here with this coupon code*: mamalove

♥♥♥ diva

rubber stamping it

i've been doing a bunch of custom stamps this year.  this project above is for invitations and these stamps will be used on both sides of wooden yo-yo's (to be sent out in the mail) -- so cool,  right?!  

bright & happy

hi all, spring has sprung!  the cherry blossoms are sweetening the air, and so are these bright and happy trends i'm loving:  neon, florals, and bows!!  here is a sampling of my spring finds on Pinterest, follow me for daily inspiration ♥

class in session

i gave a calligraphy lesson this weekend at my studio (with a turkish tea party - those are dried figs & walnuts in the bowl).. my words of wisdom?  "practice, practice, practice", "make mistakes, they're beautiful"!

love letters ♥

just a couple of the valentines i calligraphed in february -- i'm always so inspired by your love!

wedding bells

once wed commissioned me to design this invitation for the debut of their print magazine -- i love their blog so its sure to be a goody!

new in shop!

new rubber stamps in shop!!  i like using these for all of my correspondence stationery, but they're also great to decorate gift wrapping, make art to frame, bookmaking -- with my illustrations and lettering at your fingertips the possibilities are endless ;)

i love you

love is in the air!  make sure the ones you love know it too..  if you're near berkeley, visit me at SALA this friday, 5-8pm, where i'll be calligraphing custom valentines just for you! i'll also have cards, linens, and a few new products you haven't seen yet.  if you can't make it to the sale, use this coupon code for 15% off to shop online (valid until midnight feb.12):  iloveyou

holidaze craze

hi all, sorry for my lapse in posting this month -- it's good news though and just means i've been super busy filling all your holiday orders!! and store orders, custom design projects, calligraphy jobs, ANNNND making new gifts to sell at the SF Renegade Craft Fair this weekend.  oh, and i even  designed and printed new 2012 linen calendars (for sale here). ♥♥

find me at booth #116 for awesome deals !

as you may know, i've been looking to move for a while now, so this calendar is my wish for a new home -- and of course my wish for you to enjoy your nesting place, wherever it may be!  it includes materials birds commonly use to make nests (feathers, grasses, twigs, string).  you'll also find homes like igloos, teepees, trees, and mountains.  and last but not least my dream house with my two happy dogs hanging out in their dream yard.  printed on both natural and avocado colored linen.

cyber-sale!

i'm joining the ranks of holiday sales and for one day only (today!!!) everything at my online shop is 25% OFF.  use this coupon code at checkout:  cyberstyle

'tis the season..

i've been filling LINEA CARTA holiday orders (see new cards in person at ABC Carpet & Home, linens and calligraphy kits at Terrain, and of course always online here).

having fun working with brides and grooms on gorgeous 2012 summer wedding invitations.

and printing like crazy for holiday fairs -- mark your calendar!  dec. 10-11 KPFA craft fair (the largest craft fair in northern california) and dec. 17-18 for everyone's favorite:  Renegade Craft Fair.

by the yard

by the yard showcases 25 artists who all had the same instructions:  using fabric create something that can be sold by the yard, at least 5 yards long.  so here's mine, pictured above:  i cut strips of organic cotton flannel, hand-painted each piece with water-based inks (including neons & metallics), braided them to fit as bracelets, then tied each bracelet together to create a colorful garland.  imagine decorating a party with this garland, and as each guest leaves they get to take a bit of the party with them - one of these colorful bracelets.  ti piace?

sketchbook love

i'm still dreaming of a new home..  and henny's dreaming too (the usual position).

like i've said before in my other sketchbook posts, doing what you love everyday can be quick and easy..  i used a thick brush pen for these 10-second-sketches, and if i can find a spare minute so can you!

the ultimate dinner party, part 2

first off, if you haven't already checked out part 1 do it now!  here we continue this spectacular evening for the chez panisse 40th anniversary benefit 'flamenco y paella' dinner at the sueuga's.  

lovely etched commemorative glasses

after dinner guests enjoyed incredible flamenco performances from stephanie narvaez and carola zertuche

followed by the hosts toasting the chez panisse foundation & the many local business who donated to the event (acme bread, tokyo fish market, beaune imports, among others)

holy moly, i think this was my dream dessert (wish i could crinkle my nose like in 'i dream of jeannie' and give you all a taste!)

from the top, a crunchy & light caramelized almond torte, candied orange-peel, tiny shortbread cookie, dark chocolate covered toffee square, homemade ice milk (like ice cream) covered with a fresh peach & blackberry compote..!

{footnote:  my mom always taught me to take a ton of pictures - the more you take, the more good ones you get.  i certainly agree, but the tiny problem with taking so many photos is that then you have to sift through them all! - and worse, choose which to use! ;)}