Pandemic Shopping with Rae

Small businesses appreciate every single sale. I know, because I am one. During the pandemic is is truly important to support those small businesses you love.

Rewind Decor. I love everything about this place and have bought a fabulous 1970s black leather lounge there. It was designed by Ingmar Relling who was a major player in the Scandinavian Mid-Century movement. Also got two of the vintage chairs above. They are a fun addition to the screened porch. If you need a little outing don your mask and go visit Morgan. 1336 Williamson St, Madison. Or if you are staying in check him out on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/rewinddecor/

Equally delightful are Hatch Art House and Hazel General Store at 1248 Williamson St, Madison. This is my go to place for gifts. We need to buy as much local as we can to help places like this stay in business. I recently got 2 birthday gifts there. Hatch is full of art and Hazel is a general store full of fun things. I am sure it will be an easy one-shop-spot for you. While both gifts I bought came from Hazel, Hatch carries my cards. Be sure to say hi to Tammy when you stop by. https://www.instagram.com/hatcharthouse

Jack + Ella Paper has endless cute cards. During the pandemic I think it is more important than ever to send cards, postcards and small gifts as everyone is more housebound. Just a little note that you are thinking about someone can turn a sad day into a good one. I send mail to 90+ year olds in assisted living and those who need a note so they know they are not alone. It is not that hard. But the important thing is to have cards on hand. Jessica has endless cards: pet sympathy cards, graduation, birthday, knitting, sewing, gratitude and lots more.

Her cards are also at Hatch and on her website https://www.jackandellapaper.com

P.S. and the illustrations are mine!

Be safe everyone!

Art Therapy #19

As you know this is where Nancy and I send art postcards to each other.

These 2 cards are mine. Both are entries into the Minted/Target contest. I like them both but I really like the first one. I really like the shapes and color palette. Always hoping for a win.

I really like these 2 postcards of Nancy's. As usual interesting and thoughtful. Love her poem too.

We have been doing this since after the election. I think Nancy is putting on her traveling shoes. There is a possibility that this may be the last post for a while. No matter what it has been a good ride.

Hey DIYers... make your own Valentines!

I know it seems like Christmas was just here. But I am here to tell you that Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Frankly, I like Valentine's Day more than Christmas. Expectations are lower, little kids exchange valentines in school, it involves candy.

And I know you DIYers start early making things. I think early is now. So here are 4 fonts for almost nothing. You can make Valentines for years. Plus they can be used for weddings, birthdays, invitations, flyers. I know you are a creative group you probably have more ideas than I do.

But I'll share a couple of mine...

This is an old card I made. It was initially for thank you notes after our wedding. But have been used as note cards and Valentines over the years. Our wedding announcement was a seven panel accordion fold piece also using these hearts.

You can make smaller notes with 1 or 3 or 4 hearts.

This is a personal favorite. The inside says, "I love you more than bacon." And who doesn't like bacon? It could also say, more than sushi. Or hunting season... or Paris... you get the idea.

A multi-use blank card. Very simple. Use it to convey your thoughts on a break up, death, heart break, when someone is sad, a loss of any kind. It is actually an all-occasion sympathy card without all the hearts and flowers.

These 4 fonts include over 100 hearts, something for everyone.

If this at all interests you visit my store here. You MUST buy from the link that is for the 4 fonts in order to get this deal.

Happy making!

Minted Holiday Gift Giving voting has started...

Thanks for all who are following me on Minted. I won with my New Year's card! All very exciting for this newbie. Below are my latest entries. Take a peek and vote if you would like.

Lots in this challenge because it included note cards, notebooks and wrapping paper. I like this note card because it uses my Rae's Monogram font.

My note cards are simple because I like to write on simple cards. I guess I design for myself.

I like these one sided note cards because it is so easy to just drop a short note to someone. Great for thank you notes.

Personalized notebooks are in this challenge. This one would be great as a gardening journal or everyday use.

 Fresh, fun and floral. These notebooks are all personalized.

For your favorite cook.

And coffee lover.

Love these nail polish bottles and want those colors...

Last, but not least, wrapping paper. A little bit of pine.

This is my personal favorite, an all occasion paper in soft colors.

If you feel like voting that would be great. If you do plz vote for some others too. As usual, lots of great work there.

Plz vote for Rae... again.

Thank you to all who voted for my Christmas cards on Minted. They have not yet announced the winners in that category. Fingers are crossed.

I did one entry for the New Year's Photo challenge. And I am pleased with it.

If you have a minute I would love it and really appreciate it if you would vote for me. If you voted last time it will be easy because you already signed up on Minted.

Just go here and hopefully give me a 5! https://www.minted.com/design-rating/831613?filter=all&sort=designer

You can also "like" it, but the 5 is the important thing.

Big thanks!

Plz vote for Rae.

I hate to ever ask anyone to vote for me in anything.

But things have changed in the last few years with how we buy things... Netfix, Amazon, iTunes for movies, music, books and pretty much everything else. Buying fonts has also changed. Now there are discount places where you can buy a $1500 bundle of fonts for $39. I can't compete with that.

So I am trying to break into Minted. Minted is a website that has Challenges, which are really Contests, which is really Spec Work. Artists create art based on the current challenge and people vote.

If you do not win you get nothing. I you do win it can be profitable and then you get your own store.

Here are my entries for the latest Christmas Challenge.

Wilderness Christmas will be offered in both color ways. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/821679

Contemporary Ornaments with a retro feel. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/827401

These 4 Holiday cards all use my doodle font illustrations with a few extras drawn and tossed in. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/827381

A water color tree with Outside the LIne fonts. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/821675

This one is probably a bit out there, but I am trying to find my Minted style. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/821661

So, if any of you have the time and energy to vote that would be great. If not I completely understand. We are all too busy.

If you do... 1. Click on a link. It will first make you sign up on Minted. (Sorry)
2. Go back to this post and click on the individual links to vote.

thanks!
Rae

Jack & Ella Paper

Jessica from Jack & Ella Paper uses my fonts so well that every time I walk into Hatch Art House in our neighborhood, I have a moment where think I did them. And that always makes me smile.

Jessica has several new lines of cards. So much to choose from. I am my mother's daughter and like to have a stash of cards in the house. I've just ordered a quantity of birthday and sympathy cards for people and pets. I think the pet ones are perfect.

You can also buy Jack & Ella cards in Jessica's etsy shop. If you are in the neighborhood Hatch Art House is at 1248 Williamson St, Madison. And not to be missed is Hazel next door.

Kitchen Doodles font sighting!

OK, I have to admit when I saw this totally cute invitation I was just a teeny bit jealous. When I see something that uses my fonts this well the only thing that would make it better would be if I had designed it.

This was designed by the talented Sue Brown. She not only creates bespoke paper goods but can also be found on Minted. You will love her work.