Wedding Wishes

For a Special Bride & Groom

I have the best customers in the whole wide world.

Today, my customer from England, surprised me with the beautiful photos of her reception room.  Last week I created Wedding Wish Love Notes for her and she wanted to share with me how she used them on her tables.

Whenever I get a special request, or custom order in my shop, I'm always curious how my customers are going to use the pieces they order and what the final look will be. With the wedding being tomorrow, she has truly shown me just how appreciative she is of my work by taking the time to think of me and sharing with me these photos. 

When my customer first contacted me, we didn't have a lot of time to work with. She first wanted to know if I could make the quantity she was looking for and I told her yes, most definitely.  Then she wanted to know if she would be able to have them in time for the wedding, which was only 10 days away.  She informed me she lived in the UK and my answer was still, yes.

Papers had to be pulled (so she could decide the color pink she wanted) and she asked if they could be customized with her name and date.  Again, I told her yes. I normally stamp the top of the envelope with a 'Love Note' stamp and had never run these through my printer, I wasn't sure just how it was all going to transpire.  I love a good challenge and knew if there was a will, there'd be a way to give her just what she wanted.  I learned a long time ago; give the customer what they want, not what you think they want.
 

As you can see from the above photo, these wonderful Love Notes are printed with Mr and Mrs Silk, along with their wedding date.

They were all created in one day, beautifully wrapped and carefully packaged, and sent via 3 day mail. She received them with 4 days to spare and was so excited when they arrived on her doorstep.

When someone asks me what I create on Etsy, I tell them 'SMILES'.  I love what I do. I love spreading love between people. I love helping others create memories through my paper products I make. I love that others love what they receive in the mail, but for me, it's all about making others happy.

With our crazy world and all that is happening out there, we all need to keep spreading the love and keep putting smiles on peoples faces.

Peace & Love to all ~

Barbie

May I Please Have a Note?

The invoice for a sale I recently had came through with a request that read, "Could you please sent this to ..... with a note that says Happy Anniversary from ......." My response back to that customer, "I'll make up a nice card to send along with the Love Notes."

What most people don't know is this, when you purchase an item from my shop as a gift and is being sent to another address, I'll always create a card for the occasion.  I'm definitely into customer satisfaction.  

I've never been a fan of sending someone a present directly though a mail order merchant and then having to send a separate card in the mail (the card will never show up at the same time the package does) or phoning the recipient and telling them, "Hey, your Birthday present is coming from so and so, make sure you look for the package in the mail." How impersonal is that?

So, if you're thinking about purchasing a gift from my shop for a Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, or any other occasion that is being sent to an address, other than your own, please make sure you ask for a card to go along with your gift. It really does complete the purchase and make your experience a truly pleasant one.

Happy Shopping !!


Barbie

Ya Gotta Have Heart

Valentine's Day is a romantic time of the year. Couples get engaged, flowers are sent and candy is given. When I was younger, I loved to receive; now that I am older I love to give.  Maybe it's because I had children and the world was no longer centered around me.

I've been busy the last couple days creating my Mini Love Notes for my shop. It gives me great pleasure when someone purchases these love notes.  I don't care about the money I make, what I care about is other people spreading their love to anyone that matters to them.  It's truly a simple gesture and should be done everyday.

I have one customer who has purchased many Love Notes over the past year and she knows just how to say "Thank You" and "I Love You" to all she meets.  I won't get into how she personally uses them, (that is a private conversation between my customer and myself) but I can share other ways she uses them.  M (is what I'll call her) hands these Mini Love Notes out to anyone who helps her, whether it is in a professional setting or personal. Her daughters have told me she hands them out to people on the street or anyone who "makes her day".  In my estimation, M is the epitome of Love.

It only takes one person to put a smile on someones face or to let them know in little ways they truly are loved. I have been blessed with all the stories my customers share with me knowing love is being distributed one little card at a time.

Barbie

A New Way to Wrap

When it comes to time wrap a special gift for your loved one, consider having a special 9 x 12 envelope made. We all think about gift bags, boxes and bubble wrap, however, there are many items we give that need a special package to place them in.  We live in a very busy world and often do not have the time to spend wrapping or standing in a store trying to find the 'perfect' gift bag for your loved one. Everything is mass produced with no personal touch other than the card you place inside your gift bag.

These envelopes are wonderful for 8 x 10 family portraits, a running or craft magazine, a thin novel or paperback, gift certificates, a special thank you letter to a co-worker or for your boss.

Consider creating a keepsake envelope to store your Christmas cards in, letters from your husband, son or daughter who might be away serving our Country or mementos from a special trip you took.

Think of all the wonderful events you attend. Whether it be a Baby Shower, Wedding, Bridal Shower, a family gathering, your child's classroom party, a Confirmation, Baptism, First Communion, Anniversary, Bar Mitzvah or any other special moment. These wonderful, beautiful, handmade envelopes may just fit your need.

Enjoy your Holidays &
Warm Wishes to Everyone,
Barbie

Elf off the Shelf

Many children are very familiar with Elf on the Shelf and participate in his everyday activities through the Christmas Season.

For those who are not familiar with this tradition, an Elf style doll makes himself present in a home (this item is usually purchased by a parent for their child) and each day a child will find him in a new spot of his house.  Some elves are mischievous, getting into mom's baking four, making a mess of the sock drawer or taking ornaments off the Christmas Tree and playing with the glass balls or handmade items. Other elves are more quiet and like to hide in odd places for children to find him.

The only elf in my world is the elf I call Miss Barb. Miss Barb's Christmas Season has already started in my craft room.  Special orders have been placed, and filled, for Manila Envelope Photo Journals, gift tags, Christmas Love Notes and Wedding Party Love Notes for a special Winter Wedding.  Christmas Cards have been created and with a joyful sentiment nestled inside.

Elves are a big part of the Christmas Season, helping Santa make the toys and putting finishing touches on many special items. I'd make Santa proud if I worked in his Toy Shop on the North Pole.  I now know how his Elves feel at the end of the work day, tired,  physically and mentally, some days overwhelmed but totally satisfied and happy knowing someone special will enjoy a new item from Nellie and Ruth Designs.

Clothespin Gift Tags

Snowmen Gift Tags

Charles Dickens Style Christmas Cards

Manila Envelope Christmas Photo Journal

Interior Page of Photo Journal for 4 x 6 photos and 3 x 5 phtos

So remember this, the next time you are looking for an Elf to help you out this Holiday Season, stop by Nellie and Ruth Designs on Etsy. I'm sure you'll be able to find just the right gift for the person in your life.

Barbie

Thanks and Blessings

for Thanksgiving

We all have so much to be thankful for. At times we may might not think so, however, if you have God in your heart, your health, a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food on your table, I believe there is much to be grateful for.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No presents and no pressure, just the joy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a great feast and no washer and dryer churning away.  Each year after our family says grace, we always share what we are thankful for and how we have been blessed.

Thanksgiving Love Notes are a wonderful way to express you gratitude this holiday season.  Many do not like to share verbally there thoughts and feelings. Some are too shy, others get embarrassed and there are those who are lost for words, especially if they have lost a loved one.  

These notes are perfect to write your thoughts and feelings down.  Place a 'Love Note' at each place setting for a family member or guest.  If you have a large family, place them in a beautiful bowl for family so they can write to one another how and why a certain family member is special to them. We all need to be told from time to time how grateful and thankful we are for one another.

Thank your loved one for all they do in your own special way.  A Love Note is a gift from the heart. By giving your loved one their own special Love Note, they can go back and read the sentiment over and over and over again.

For all the special people in my life,
family, friends and customers,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart ~
You mean the world to me,


Barbie

BOO.tiful Photo Journals

For Halloween Present and Halloween Past

I love Halloween and have fond and fun memories of years past.  I always hoped my children would have great memories of their Halloween adventures too.  Unfortunately, when you live in a rural section, and not in a housing development, Halloween can be a bit overlooked.

I was never a mom to pack the kids in the car and drive to a neighborhood to let my kids roam the streets and ask for candy from people they did not know, I always felt that was cheating. If you don't live in the neighborhood, you don't belong there, so we had to make new ways to enjoy Halloween.

We always had a countdown to October 31st by decorating the house a little each day.  Three days before Halloween we'd start to watch scary movies with a real horror movie toping the charts on Halloween night.  We are not a horror movie family so we have some really fun memories of pillows over our faces, faces placed in our knees or blankets over our heads while trying to get through our movie.

No matter how you celebrate, it's always fun to look back at all your photos and remember the costumes, the parties, the funny and scary faces, and the pillowcases full of candy.

New in the shop are Manila Envelope Photo Journals to keep all your wonderful memories.

Fangs for the Memories is a wonderful photo journal which holds (5) 4x6 photos and (6) 3x5 photos on wonderfully decorated pages.

Each book measures 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches where you can store more photos or other paper memorabilia in 3 different envelopes.

Our family and children are wonderful and are true treats each and every day, why not show them off in either one of these fantastic photo journals, made with love for you by me !  Stop in my shop to see more pages of these fun and fantastic books.

When you go out to Trick or Treat this year, stay safe and have loads of fun,

Barbie

Christmas Memories

Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full swing.  Usually in September,  the Adirondack nights hit 50 degrees and the days reach the low 70's.  Our mindset is no longer to grill, or to grab a big bowl of fruit salad.  After Labor Day, we are ready to turn the stoves and ovens back on to make our comfort foods, such Beef Stew and homemade breads.

Well, our September days arrived, a bit early this year, and I've been in the mindset to create Halloween and Christmas items.

If you've been to my shop lately, you will see the very cute Halloween tags I've listed and I'm now working on 9 x 12 Manila Envelope Christmas Photo Journals.

I can't think of a better way to house your Christmas memories.  This particular book will be listed sometime in September, with others to follow.  This is only the beginning of the book and will be embellished with many Christmas sayings, verses and wonderful die cuts.

Special Orders are always welcomed and can be designed with your personal information throughout the book.

I'll keep you posted as to how this project is coming along and when this beautiful book will be ready for listing. What a wonderful gift for yourself or for someone special in your life.

Have a very joyful day~


Barbie

30 Years of Love

Anniversary mini Love Notes

This special project was a joy to create.  This was for a customer who really wanted to share her memories and good times with her husband of 30 years.  

In our busy every day world, we often cannot find the time to accomplish everything we want to.  There are days where my husband and I are so busy with work and special projects, the yard and all of it's demands, our twins needs and activities, we often do not speak until the very end of our day or in the early morning over a cup of coffee.

Our world is full of text messages and e-mails,  we often forget what is like to really sit down and have a heartfelt conversation with our loved one.  When my customer contacted me about a Love Note,  she was first interested in one of my Valentine Love Notes with a little modification from her end.  When I knew what she was looking for, I told her to give me the night to sleep on her idea and I'd get back to her with a couple samples she could choose from.  I wanted these to be special, seeing this was a special anniversary for her.

When I sent her the samples she was thrilled.  She finally decided to take a few ideas from each card and put them into one.  The above card is what she choose and they are beautiful.  I am not only grateful she choose me to help her create special cards for her husband but I am pleased I was able to help her.  She told me in an e-mail she loves to craft, however, she has been putting long hours in at work and she is pulled in a lot of different directions at the moment.

I've always loved helping people and making sure everyone has a smile on their face. Even though technology has somewhat taken over, it's assuring the Love Note between true love lives on.

So the next time you want to send your loved one a heartfelt note, a small quip, a basket of memories, or the three most important words you could ever say to someone ~ consider sending them a handwritten Love Note.  I know they will simply love it.





peace and love to all ~
Barbie 

Boudoir Blessings

We all want a healthy, happy and lively marriage.  After being married for almost 30 years, I'm still trying to find ways to keep the intimate time with my husband spicy.  Being married for such a long time, you tend to fall into the same old routine with your spouse.  All women, I don't care who you are, how old you are or how long you've been married, all need a little help from time to time coming up with new do's and don'ts in the bedroom, or any room!

What a perfect gift for the bride-to-be, Boudoir Blessing Cards.  Many couples purchase Wedding Wish Cards so their guests can write them a wonderful wish for a happy marriage.  That's great, however, why not spice things up a bit and have all the women at your bridal shower write the bride-to-be, along with the groom,  Do's and Don'ts in the boudoir for a very SEXsational and SEXsessful marriage.

These are also great for a bachelorette party as well.  Over the years I've had plenty of drinks with my girlfriends, it's amazing the things I've learned from them on how to spice up my time with my husband.  Every now and then, it would be wonderful for the newlyweds to pick a card, see what advice their friend has given them and plan something new for their time alone.

How many times has your husband crawled into bed with his socks on? A definite don't.
How many times has your husband turned on too many lights in the bedroom? A definite don't.
Sometimes we have to be remembered that the bedroom closet isn't just for hanging up our clothes and housing our shoes.

Boudoir Blessing Cards can be a couples best friend.  No need for therapy sessions, self help books or tapes.  All you need is a little anonymous advice from your friends and a whole lot of love!  Stop by my Etsy shop and pick up a set for your girlfriend, she'll love you for it.




Barbie

Easter Blessings

Easter is just around the corner making it's appearance on March 31st this year. I can't remember a time where it was so close to St. Patrick's Day.    

In designing these new cards, I was tempted to create a green rabbit for the front! An Irish rabbit? Well, at any rate, with the promise of Spring I found it was only fitting to stick with the traditional color of a chocolate brown rabbit.

Easter was originally a pagan holiday where people worshipped the goddess Eastre. Eastre was the goddess of fertility and springtime. Her symbol was the rabbit, now known as the Easter Bunny. Rabbits were also famous for being one of the most fertile animals, which is probably why a rabbit was picked as the symbol for a pagan holiday that celebrated fertility.

My favorite Easter candy is the jelly bean.  For me, the color of jelly beans represents all the wonderful colors of Spring flowers.

These Easter Love Notes, in pretty pastel colors, with brown accents, are the perfect card to place in a very special Easter basket.  Purchase them in a pack of 4 or buy them individually. No matter what color you choose, they will be beautiful amongst all the colorful jelly beans that our dear friend delivers on Easter morning.




Barbie

Luck of the Irish

Irish soda bread, Leprechauns, Jameson Irish Whiskey and green beer. That's what makes St. Patrick's Day a very festive holiday.

I don't think it matters what nationality you are, St. Patrick's Day is favored by everyone.  The number one symbol we all identify with on this special day is the four leaf clover.  Did you know one leaf is for FAITH, the second for HOPE, the third for LOVE and the fourth for LUCK.

In Irish tradition the Shamrock or 3-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit.  When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.  It's a universally accepted symbol of good luck and according to legend,  Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.

Give a friend or loved one a little Faith, Hope, Love and Luck this St. Patrick's day by sending them a 'Shamrock Love Note' and remember this line Sir John Melton wrote in 1620 -

"If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing."

Barbie

Valentine's Day

Photo Books and Love Notes ~

These small little photo books are made from manila envelopes and top quality scrapbook papers.  Too adorable to resist, visit Nellie and Ruth Designs on Etsy to see more.

Everyone enjoys a love note. Tell your loved one in a few meaningful words just how much you love them. Listed today at Nellie and Ruth Design shop at Etsy.com

You can purchase 1 note or purchase these mini card sets in a package of 6 or 14 ~

Barbie