I have a super amazing nanny, Beny, who is literally the French Mary Poppins (as seen here with a couple of fairy charges) and recently whipped up a fun business card for her French immersion camp. The art was pulled from our spiffy new Kids Love Candy valentines card that will be released next year - here's a little sneak peek! One of many exciting new valentines we have up our sleeve. Can't wait to reveal them all!
Hello!Lucky Loves Love
We love celebrating all holidays around the studio, but Valentine's Day is the one we get most excited about. This year we decided to do a 'secret valentine' exchange, we all drew names and brought in a sweet little something for the co-worker we picked. Of course the creative packaging, original presentations, and handmade gifts were so very Hello!Lucky. Did you see how all out we went for Christmas? Here are some scenes from Valentine's Day around the studio. Enjoy!
Lia brought in chocolate covered strawberries for everyone.
Lillian gifted Holly with this amazing package of candy. Holly is the biggest candy lover among us and is the go to person when we need a little sugar fix, she's always holding.
How adorable is this hand stitched bag Lia made Stewey and filled with a seed bomb?
Heather's amazing package to Shayna. What was in there? Girl Scout cookies!!
Lyndsey gave Christina this sweet little rose bush in a heart container and some delicious chocolate.
The note from Heather's package to Shayna. And Shayna looking adorable holding her cookie from Stewey - who, like the sweet little cupid he is, brought in his famous 'Stewey's Chewies' for everyone in the studio.
We hope you had a sweet Valentine's Day! xoxox
Valentine's Cards for Meals on Wheels
Our employees love to get together after hours for holiday craft nights, especially if they benefit a good cause. Meals on Wheels has been providing meals to seniors since 1940 and has evolved into an extraordinary foundation for fighting hunger. For holidays the good people like to deliver cards to the seniors as a gift of love, and this year we decided to join in. All of our cards were handmade with love for the people supported by Meals on Wheels, and to know they were going to a good home was a beautiful thought.
As stationers, paper is our primary medium, so coming up with materials was a cinch. We try to save as many scraps as we can, knowing that they could come in handy for a card-making craft night.
Our team is the best at coming up with witty one-liners. We loved this "I a door you" card.
To support the Meals on Wheels Association of America, visit their website!
DIY Valentine's Day Geo Heart Bulletin
Our next DIY doesn't just have to make an appearance for Valentine's Day. It's a nice addition to any home decor and it's sleek shape would look great year round! Geometric shapes are trending around the blogosphere lately, and we're really into the look. This DIY Geo Heart Bulletin is fun and functional, and the perfect way to show your home some love. Instructions below!
Materials:
12" x 12" cardboard* (recycle from an old box!), Pencil, Box cutter or sharp scissors, Ruler, 18" x 18" fabric, Spray adhesive, Hot Glue and gun, Foamfast hanger or command hook for hanging
*Make sure your cardboard is 1/4" thick, so pins don't poke through to the back
Instructions:
Step 1. Measure your heart shape. The two long sides are 9", the rest are 4.25". See below for reference.
Step 2. Use your box cutter or scissors to cut out your shape. Discard scraps. Be sure you use a scrap of cardboard or a magazine underneath to prevent cutting your work surface!
Step 3. Apply a thin, even layer of spray adhesive to one side of the heart and smooth on the fabric. Use your fingers to smooth any bubbles. Use scissors to make a slit directly above the point of the heart.
Step 4. Fold the edges of fabric over to the back side. Secure with hot glue, about 1/2" from the edge. Snip any excess fabric off and discard.
Step 5. Voila! These Foamfast hangers or command strips will work well for hanging.
Leave your loved ones a special note on Valentine's Day or use it to pin up special photos. It's lightweight and easy to make!
For more festive DIY ideas, visit our website!
Valentine's Day Discount
It's almost Valentine's Day! Are you feeling the love yet? Well you can start today because we're offering 10% off all Valentine's Day cards and gifts. From now until February 13 you can send your family and friends some love for less with tons of letterpress cards to choose from. If you can't get your list together on time, be sure to get your hands on our free printable Valentine's Day cards for a quick hello. Check out our newest love and friendship cards here, and enter the code SMITTEN2013 at checkout for your discount!
DIY Valentine's Day Candles
Valentine's Day is definitely one of our favorite holidays to celebrate. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, they're all a blast, but when we're given the thumbs up to decorate with all the pinks, fuchsias and reds we wish, we're overjoyed. Our Love/Valentine's card collection is one of our strongest (especially with the latest additions by Lisa Congdon) and our Big Day Pinterest Inspiration Board is overflowing with hearts and love. But it's really gearing up for the big 2/14 that get's us in the mood. The beauty of this DIY (found and inspired by the ladies at Design Mom!) is that you can use any color of wax, and cut in any shape you want, but we're going all out in hearts and XO's.
Materials: Colored candles or wax, candle wick, toothpicks, double-boiler or two pots, wax paper, small cookie cutters or knife
How To: Step 1. Using a double-boiler melt your wax. If you don't have a double-boiler, just stack one pot on top of anther. Add a little water to the bottom pot and bring to a boil. Rest the other pot on top (without touching the water).
*Try recycling those used or unwanted holiday candles for this project. It's a shame tossing out the bottom half of those delicious apple-pie scented wonders, so throw them in a pot and melt it down for a new facelift. Most wax will melt down well but we recommend you steer clear of beeswax.
Step 2. While your wax is melting, cover a flat work surface with wax paper, and snip your candle wick to about 1" stems. The length will depend on the shape so check your cookie-cutters in advance. You want the wick to reach about 1/3 or half of the way down your shape.
Step 3. After your wax is completely melted, allow to cool. *If you're using a recycled candle, remove any wick or wick stands.
Step 4. Once the wax starts to stick to the side of the pot, or a thin layer of skin forms at the top, you're ready to pour.
Step 5. Carefully pour the wax onto your covered work surface. You want to aim for 1/8 "- 1/4" thickness.
Step 6. Now you need to let the wax cool for about a minute before you start cutting your shapes. You can test the wax before cutting by pressing your finger into a corner. It should be firm but still hold the shape of your finger. You will need to pay close attention so that the wax does not get too firm before you cut.
Step 7. Cut your shapes out of the wax with your cookie cutter and remove excess wax.
Step 8. Carefully drive a toothpick up the center of the wax (about 1/2" - 1" depending).
Step 9. Finally, set your pre-cut wick into the top of the wax, leaving about 3/8" - 1/2" exposed.
Step 10. Allow to dry completely before use. You can reuse the excess wax again by simply melting in the same pot.
*Clean up tips: Allow the wax to completely dry in the pot and use a knife to gently pick it out. If you find there's still residue, boil water in the pot and while still warm, wash with soap and water. If it still doesn't come out, melt the dry wax and wipe with a paper towel, then wash with soap and water.
Happy crafting Valentine's Day lovers! For more fun DIY ideas, head over to our website!
New! Free Printable Valentine's Day Cards
Last year we released our first free printable Valentine's Day cards on the blog and they were a huge hit! Lots of readers downloaded the cards and we were really feeling the love. This year we're vamping things up with our newer designs, just for you! Simply visit the free printable page on our website and click each product to download. There you will also have access to last year's cards, so there are plenty to choose from.
Each download is formatted to fit four cards on an 8.5 x 11" paper, so simply print on a home computer, cut, sign, and send! We recommend using a thicker card stock for a more durable card. They're great for classrooms, coworkers, or even sending a little love to your honey.
When Valentine's Day comes you'll be well prepared to spread your love with these witty wonders. To download all cards, click here!
Real Wedding: Tara and Ryker
Valentine's Day isn't over yet! This wedding, featured on Green Wedding Shoes, is the ultimate heart inspired celebration. Tara and Ryker wed on a rainy day in Los Angeles, but the downpour definitely didn't dampen their hearts. The couple chose to use our Big Day invitations, but swapped the bridge icon for a little heart, matching their wedding details perfectly. Along with some custom hand drawn save the dates by a friend, their stationery set a playful mood right from the beginning.
It's always fun to see a bride and groom carry on their theme in creative ways. The bride said she looked to Pinterest for ideas and mixed various DIY projects with splurge items to pull off her look. We'd say she did a fantastic job!
Are you thinking what we're thinking? That gold sequin table cloth by la tavola is aaaamazing!
There's no doubt we'll be adding these images to our Big Day Inspiration Board on Pinterest. It's just too fitting!
Congratulations Tara and Ryker!
Photography by Michèle M. Waite
Event and Floral Design by Carter and Cook Event Co.
Lucky Friday # 51, Nuts for You Valentine's Card
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 51st edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway. Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Katie, Samantha and Christina! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Spring Chicken card.
Design: Nuts for You Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: We all get a little nutty when it comes to Valentine design! Who to send it to: Someone you makes you feel a little squirrely, or someone who's cute and fuzzy and knows that squirrels just want to have fun. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: The chipmunk version's cheeks were a little unflattering, the mouse version was a little mousy, the vole was too vole-uptuous and the mole was, well, you know. Favorite detail: Love the handmade heart turtleneck. Why letterpress? How else could that sweater look so neatly pressed?
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!
New Designs and Heart Inspired Wedding Suites
Valentine's Day is right around the corner! In just a few days we will be showering our loved ones with handmade notes and heart-shaped treats. While brainstorming ideas for our valentines, we looked to our wedding stationery for inspiration. Lots of our invitations include hearts in the design, so we are excited to show them all together. We also figured now would be the perfect time to release our newest wedding invitation suites! Love Knot ties together perfectly (pun intended!) with the whimsical hand drawn details and bright fuchsia accents. These colors are customizable so you can match your wedding details!
Pixel Perfect brings out the gamer in all of us. Inspired by 8-bit design, this suite brings high score to a whole new level.
Sweetheart, inspired by 1950s retro paraphernalia, has lots of love to share. Not to mention, polka dots are very chic right now!
Of course we have to include the Big Day save the date. The heart icon is easy to recreate throughout your wedding just like Katie and Ashley did in their wedding.
It's Mother Theresa that said it best, "Love begins at home" so we couldn't imagine a better invitation that says just that. Our Home Sweet Home invitation suite designed by the unstoppable Julia Rothman will have you cozying on up to your honey in no time.
Photos by Edyta Szyszlo
New Year Of Cheer and Year of Love card kits!
2012 is a year of love! It's been a little while since we released our every occasion card kits like this one, but we're sure these new kits will have you covered all year round. The Year of Love set includes 12 letterpress love notes you can send to friends and family anytime, anywhere. Stock up on these beauties now and you won't be scrambling for your honey's anniversary card or Mother's Day card in May!
The Year of Cheer card kit is filled with our brand new designs and even some timeless designs from the past. You'll find congratulations cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, etc. all fulfilling your yearly stationery needs. It can't get any easier than this!
Pick up your own sets at the Hello!Lucky studio, or order them online here and here!
Photos by Edyta Szyszlo Photography
Valentine's Day Craft Round Up
Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or not, there’s no denying it presents a great excuse to get crafting. Every year at Hello!Lucky we gather for a craft night in the studio a few days before Valentine's Day. We have found a few fabulous projects we've got our eyes on for this years craft night, and can't wait to get our hands on some paper and glue!
Valentine Love Boats (above) Fill the boat with some conversation hearts and let it set sail to your loved ones! Found via Green Jello
Heart Votive We love that this candle holder is made with pages from an old book. It doesn’t scream Valentine’s Day but would definitely set the mood for a romantic evening. You can even use it all year round! Found via i love this
DIY Yarn Font
Spell it out with pipe cleaners and yarn. Seems simple enough for kids and those of us less craft-inclined.
Found via The Journals of Giddy Giddy
Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies
Surely these sugar conversation heart cookies are tastier than the classic candies, and who wouldn't love a homemade "Kiss Me?" These bite sized valentines are little more involved but we always love trying out new recipes!
Found via Food For Thought
Do you have a go-to craft project for Valentine’s Day or a suggestion for our studio craft night? Leave a link or let us know your faves in the comments!
Porcelain Valentines
Happy Rustic Farm week everyone! To wrap up the end of our country chic themed posts, we want to share the artistic creations by our friend and colleague Corie. Every week we look forward to her Lucky Friday posts, and always get a kick out of her cheeky greeting card descriptions. Corie carries on her humor in her own art, too! Her etsy shop coriejcole is filled with miniature porcelain figurines, that are equally as hilarious as her posts. We're loving her Gray Squirrel Eating Heart-Shaped Cookie, especially because Valentine's Day is right around the corner!
Porcelain Lamb (above) and Denver the Guilty Dog (below)
Check out Corie's etsy shop here!
Lucky Friday # 49, Biggest Fan
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 49th edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Shana, Chef Andrea and Dave! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your We Belong card!
Design: Biggest Fan Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: This idea was so easy and breezy, it felt like it wafted in through the window. Who to send it to: Someone who puts the wind in your sails and makes your day fresh and light. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: The "Space Heater" metaphor left us a little cold. And air-conditioners are simply not romantic. Favorite detail: The little bit of lift in the hearts gives our hearts a big lift. Why letterpress? For vintage fans, only vintage presses will do.
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!
Lucky Friday # 48, We Belong
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 48th edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Cindy, Stacy and Terri! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your You're Striking card!
Design: We Belong Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: Our salty tongues pepper our design dialogue with pithy one-liners, and somehow the perfect balance of savor and spice emerged. Who to send it to: Your better half, your perfect match or perfect opposite. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: The alternate text for the card read: "Come in for two shakes and I'll show you what I keep in my cellar." Favorite detail: The simplicity, really. Sweet and simple. Or salty, rather. Why Letterpress? The subtle and simple design calls for the restraint of a limited palette.
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!
Free! Printable Valentine's Day Cards
It's time to channel the elementary schooler in you! Valentine's Day was such an exciting festivity for all of us in our early years (It may be because of our intrinsic enthusiasm for stationery and love notes!) However, we still feel a thrill when the big February 14 comes around. This year we wanted to do something extra special for our fans and loved ones. We created four free printable Valentine's Day cards just for you! Perfect for any age, these printable are inspired by our very favorite love cards, plus a little something new. You can download them here!
Spot the Valentine's Day Card!
Can you spot the Hello!Lucky card? It's in there along with all the other charming and romantic home accessories! Iain sent us this snippet inside the February issue of Good Homes magazine and we were tickled that they chose to include our Main Squeeze letterpress Valentine's Day card. Thanks Good Homes!
Introducing Custom Valentine's Day Cards!
We're wild about our brand new custom Valentine's Day cards! It's our first time debuting them in our Hello!Lucky collection and we are thrilled to share the news. Whether you didn't have a chance to send holiday photos, or want to reveal some news about a recent engagement, or just want to spread a little romance to friends and family, these cards and their retro personalities are the perfect touch. Shown are a few of our favorites, but you can check out the collection here! xoxo
Jungle Love (above)
If sending photos isn't your cup of tea, you can still send great cards with a personal message.
For a short time, you can receive 10% off all Valentine's Day cards (custom and greeting)! Just enter the code XOXOLUCKY at checkout!
Lucky Friday # 47, You're Striking!
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 47th edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Marlys, Sherry Lykins and Marti Schrock! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Let's Be Frank card!
Design: You're Striking Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: We couldn't quite visually pin down the feeling of being bowled over, or dumbstruck by someone's charms. So we had this spare design on hand and we let it roll. Who to send it to: Any fine fellow who might be casually referred to as "The Dude." Also, anyone you feel might be on your team or even a little out of your league. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: The "Slam Dunk" card lacked the necessary romance and the baseball Valentine's implications of "bases" didn't exactly hit one out of the park. Favorite detail: Love the sports jersey typeface. Why letterpress? Letterpress lets the third shadow color shine through with the overprinting of pink and blue.
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!
Lucky Friday # 46, Let's Be Frank
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 46th edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Ruth, Lisa and Heather! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Warm Things card!
Design: Let's Be Frank Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: We mustard up all our creative juices while playing ketchup on a deadline. Feeling saucy, we wanted a red-hot Valentine's card that everyone would relish. Who to send it to: Anyone named Frank, Oscar or Mayer, or any adorable little brat. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: Though we don't want to knock the knock-knock knackwurst joke card, writing chorizo jokes was a chore, brat jokes are the wurst, and the mortadella jokes left us mortified. Favorite detail: We're still snickering at the little casing end. Why letterpress? Our list of links between fine pressmanship and fine sausage is more than a foot long.
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!