Cards From the Past – Giveaway – CLOSED

September 19, 2012

Filed Under : Giveaways + Specials

It’s time for another small giveaway! Not too long ago I posted a photo on Instagram of a box full of cards that I was getting ready to toss since they no longer matched the brand of my company. My current cards are made with tougher materials — and so they last so much longer. Also, the cards in the Instagram photo were ones I had made roughly 2-3 years ago and are simply just not my style anymore. My tastes took a couple years to develop and I’ve finally decided what sort of product I love.

A group of folks that follow my feed on Instagram persuaded me to give them away instead of tossing them. I guess I’ll do just that! Even though they no longer match my company brand, they are still handmade cards that can carry a special message to someone. I feel bad now for wanting to toss them when I could just share them with someone.

Most of the cards in the box were badly damaged since they were squished in the back of my closet, so I selected the ones that survived and put up a picture below of the ones I’m giving away to ONE lucky person. These cards are still special to me in so many ways, so I’m also leaving some behind just to put up in my studio to remind me of how well I’m progressing and to motivate me to keep pushing forward.

Scroll down to see how you can have these all to yourself!

HOW TO WIN: required

1   Visit my Shop and leave a comment below on this blog post telling me know which card (or item) is your favorite there.

MORE WAYS: the more you do, the better your chances are — just leave a separate comment below for each thing you do

2   Share my Facebook page with your Facebook friends. I will never mind getting more likes on my page!

3   Follow me on Twitter for tidbits of my studio life.

4   And just for fun, follow me on Instagram. You’ll find me as anastasiamika.

DEADLINE

This giveaway will end Tuesday, the 25th of September, at 11:59 PM, PSD. I will announce the winner the following day up on the blog and email the winner for shipping information. Good luck!

Inspire. Palette #115: Draped Fabric

September 18, 2012

Filed Under : Palettes

Drape that fabric, hang that ribbon!

Just adoring this heart garland via The Sweetest Occasion; this cake via Southern Weddings, photo by Steve Steinhardt; these escort tags via Once Wed, photo by Tec Petaja; this draped fabric via Brooke Schwab; these macaroon favors (image source unknown); these brides via Style Me Pretty, photo by Elizabeth Messina; this pink tulle via Style Me Pretty, photo by Archetype; and this ribbon garland via Style Me Pretty, photo by Tec Petaja.

All Rested Up

September 17, 2012

Filed Under : Personal

The past two weeks have been wonderfully relaxing. It’s so nice to take a good break from blogging, packaging orders, answering emails, and the lot — and actually focus on other things on a greater level. During my break, I spent 10 days in Maui with my husband. I think I am finally becoming just like my mum. As kids, she drove us bonkers because every time we went on a road trip or any vacation, she would have to stop and snap a photo of every flower and every tree. Sure, we kids made it into the photos occasionally, but my mom is a big-time nature lover when it comes to photos. I was exactly the same on this trip. I spent more time snapping photos of the beautiful scenery than snapping photos of anything else. Oh boy. You’ll totally tell in this blog post; I just couldn’t resist sharing some of my favorites with you. And yes, I was really excited to finally be on vacation. My grin below proves it.

Last time I was in Maui, we stayed on the complete opposite site of the island, towards Hana. So we didn’t even drive out in that direction this time, but decided to explore the parts that we didn’t get the chance to see then. These are photos from our drive around the northwest part of Maui, where sometimes the road gets so narrow, it’s not even a full lane — and if there’s oncoming traffic, you just have to figure it out. At one point, we came across a school bus heading the other direction. We had to park on a hill and wait for it to pass. Talk about scary. I would have taken photos of these roads, but I didn’t feel too safe getting out of the car because the locals drive on those roads as if they’re a full lane freeway.

Maui’s landscape is pretty unusual. One minute you’re driving through lush greenery — and the next minute it looks like a red dessert. Never a boring moment. September is when the winds start sweeping into the Hawaiian islands, so we got plenty of blow-away moments while taking this drive — where you’re frantically trying to hold onto the camera, your sunglasses, your dress, and your hair all at the same time. Good times.

The sandals are in just for the fun of it. Don’t mind my un-manicured toes. I failed to find the time beforehand to spruce them up.

We stayed at a beachfront resort and got an awesome ocean view. I loved being able to walk out onto our balcony and see the sunset every night. They were gorgeous every night. And just to let you in on how gorgeous, the following photos are not edited. They are straight out of the camera with all their vibrant colors.

Well, that’s the end of it. I’m ready to get back into routine blog posts and get ready to start seeing some new things pop up in the shop. Finally! I think I’ve been saying for way too long.

Up, Up, and Away!

August 31, 2012

Filed Under : Personal

It’s that time of year again when I’m ready for some rest and relaxation. Yep, that means a nice long vacation. Hooray! I’ll be taking the next two weeks off from blogging + the shop will be closed, and somewhere in there, I plan to head to a sunny beach for some suntanning (which I have totally missed out on this whole summer) and let the sunshine wake me up every morning instead of an alarm clock. I know I’ll have a hard time staying away from Instagram, so follow me there to see my vacation adventures. Cheerio!

Photo via Flickr | CubaGallery. Text was added by me.