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

A Paper Garden In Full Bloom

I must admit, this Manila Envelope Gardening Photo Journal makes a perfect gift for a loved one or to keep for yourself holding all your wonderful gardening photos, seed packets, plastic flower tags, newspaper or magazine articles, brochures or any other item you want for a keepsake.

I have published each page for your viewing. In my Etsy shop, you can only post 5 photos, that is not enough to get the overall feel of my work or what you would be getting if you were to purchase this book. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and I invite you to take a walk through this beautiful garden.

Front Cover

Inside Page - Note how the left hand side has an overlay page that swings open to the left. The white spaces are for photos of your garden, special flowers, family members or however you want to use this book.

3 Dimensional nature embellishments are throughout the book for depth and interest. Butterflies and birds are constantly in gardens and you will find both on many pages. 

I love adding accents to photos. I feel they add a little more interest to the overall photo. Here a 3D bird sits amongst  beautiful blossoms.

I decided with this book to add more journaling pages. The inside, front cover, opens up into even more space for just that. The decorative tea paper shown above was too pretty to cover up for photos. I love the idea of someone making notes on this paper in-between all the cup of tea sayings. The overlay opens to the left and contains two small flaps to journal and there is a secret pocket however you'd like to use it.

Small tags for notes

Each page is labeled with a month tag. Small embellishments of bird postcards enhance the small envelopes housing journaling tags.

Each item has been inked to make these items appear old and distressed. I am a very detailed person and love creating eye catching details to each page.

I have pulled a tag to show the size - these measure right around 2.5 inches by 3 inches 

I enjoy stenciling and have created a 5 x 7 Garden Notes using a beautiful bird cage scene. The small brown notebook tied together with beautiful ribbon opens for more writings 

Notebook contains 4 pages

A garden saying adorns the front

Again, I have created an extra page insert for photos and journaling. 

Mixing papers gives books depth and interest. These papers all coordinate and look beautiful together. The month tags were made from scraps, along with the flowers that attach to them.

I always try to add a saying on vellum paper somewhere in the book. In my Christmas albums I use many more to really set the mood. I felt the small bird and fruit embellishments could do that in this book.

Glassin bags are wonderful to house photos or notes. I have added 5 x 6.5 inch notes, which have garden quotes on them, inside each bag. The tags of happiness keep the bags in place and can be moved to turn the glassine bags from page to page.

Small tags are placed on the bags for more note taking 

I love tutorials and found a wonderful one to create this 6 x 6 inch photo holder. This is cool for the small flap stays down with a craft magnet. It's sturdy and you can store 3 x 5 photos inside.

Close up of top flap and coordinating paper 

Beautiful glitter embellishments to accent plain papers

A small bird is ready to fly up and take that wonderful, delicious piece of fruit right from the tree.

Wherever you see a paper clip, take it off and you can use your page like a traditional manila envelope to store larger items in. These are great for 5 x 7 photos, newspapers articles, thin magazines, etc.

I love adding tags to journal on behind a photo spot. This way, you can journal about the photos without writing all over your page.

I love these stand alone photo holders. These are made from one piece of paper, folded in a way to create a wonderful pocket folder. I have placed interior cards that can be pulled out, using the ribbon, to journal on. If you don't want to journal on them, you can add photos or whatever else you like. Maybe a pressed leaf from your garden.

Journaling paper that sits inside the pocket folder.

Above are the two pocket folders with gardening embellishments 

Each pocket folder has a place for photos or other items you want to keep.

No matter how you use this Gardening Journal, it will bring great joy to you or a loved one. They will have a gift that no one else has for I never create the same journal, each one, like my children have their own personality, design, flair, color and interest.

Each time I create a book, I always say how this one is my favorite, so I have a lot of favorite albums. I never create a photo journal I wouldn't use myself and have decided when I do create one, I always keep in mind that if it doesn't sell in my shop, I can use it down the road or save it for my future daughter in law. When an album does go to a new owner, I am very happy and sad at the same time.

Just like a garden, I create a design I get excited about working with, I sow these books with great love, enjoy choosing papers and color that flow just like the flowers I place in my garden and sit back and admired each page as it appears in full bloom.

I hope these photos help you decide if this book is right for you or a loved one and if not, I love to take on custom work, creating a very special book for you or a family member. Thank you for walking through my Manila Envelope Garden Photo Journal with me.

Happy Gardening ~

Barbie

A Paper Garden - Day 2

The colors of nature

Todays share is about color, texture and a new tutorial.

I had to share this photo with all of you today. This moth was sitting in our driveway yesterday morning. The colors of nature are just amazing. When I first started creating this new gardening journal there were a lot of muted pinks, mauves and browns in it. The fact I antique all the edges of my paper I had no idea working with these colors. Some people wouldn't care for the combination due to the brown theme.

Most gardens have very bright colors. Purples, yellows, reds, white and a variety of green.  In my garden I tend to lean more towards muted colors with a splash of white. Most people would view this moth as brown with not much color or interest. I find her to be absolutely beautiful. A perfect color combination. Just like the color combination in this book. By observing nature I get a better understanding how muted, mundane, not very interesting colors make up a beautiful item when placed side by side.

I found a wonderful tutorial on a 6x6 album holder and decided to try my hand at it for this book. In choosing colors, I wanted to go with something lively, something that would stand out and be noticed. Going back to the moth, I decided to stick with a brown theme and embellish with brighter pieces. The exciting part about this is the front flap. It stays closed with the help of a magnet. On the large envelopes I always use decorative paper clips to hold down the flap but when you have a folder on a page that needs to be adhered to the paper you can no longer think about using paper clips.

The magnet gives this 6x6 holder a very clean look. By using a clean background, I am able to get a few very texturized embellishments on the front. Just like in the garden, depth and texture is a very important thing to add interest and beauty to your space. I love layering papers to give them depth and the embellishments always add that special touch. While working on you projects, always remember the color outside your window, leaning more toward them and not the bright colors in your head.

Thanks for reading and remember, my doors are always open at Nellie and Ruth Designs on Etsy. Stop in and say hello ~

Barbie

A Paper Garden

Photo Journaling you garden from April - October

I have found I love creating these manila envelope photo journals for my shop. This particular design is for a person who really loves their gardens as well as the birds who visit each day. I'll be posting on a regular basis the progress of this book. I think it's important for my potential customers to have a good idea what the inside of my books look like. 

I have a tendency, like most people, to create what I like and hope I have touched the heart of another who thinks like me. To me that's a very scary idea; I can't imagine anyone who thinks like me. But if you do, you are living a wonderful life allowing very little to get in your way.

This photo journal is more about journaling than it is about the photos. Oh believe me, there are lots of places to place your photos, but being a gardener myself, there is a lot to write down each month. What flowers have bloomed, what small little critters may be invading or just visiting, when you fertilized or just to write your own thoughts of poetry or what have moved you while sitting in your garden.

The above photos are of the first two pages. The above page shows a secret pocket, small flaps for more notes and two pages where you can write your thoughts and notes. I had a really hard time covering up the Tea paper with 4 x 6 photo spots, so I'm leaving it just as you see it for the new owner to do as they like. The papers in this journal are absolutely beautiful.

In this photo journal, I am also creating all kinds of small little notebooks in it for quips and personal quotes and notes. As I create more and more books, I'm finding I'm becoming a bit more creative. I love all the books I create, even the simpler ones. I find there are those who like a really simple book, a book with more photos than journaling, more places to journal and less photos; but whatever your style, I'm sure I'll have a book for you.

I hope you've enjoyed what you've seen and I'll be posting more photos as I go along. Be sure to stop in my shop to see all the new items I've been listing.

Happy Gardening this Summer ~

Barbie

A Little Bit of Love

Small, sweet and compact. These mini Love Notes are perfect if you want to give just a little bit of love to someone special.

Many people say, "It's the little things you do, that make me feel special" and a itty bitty note filled with words of love would definitely make someone feel special.

Gifts of love come in all shapes and sizes, just like these notes, however, many gifts come in very small packages. When you're giving jewelry, the box is often tiny. A small porcelain figurine comes in a little box. Sweet treats are placed in a small box or bag. So why are we attaching large greeting cards to these gifts?  

A mini Love Note will not overpower the gift you are giving, it will only enhance your gift. By giving your loved one a mini Love Note, they will see just how special they are because of the little things you do for them.

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

A Gift to hold a Gift

I recently had a request to create individual Christmas envelopes to hold Gift Certificates. Made from manila envelopes these are beautiful and a gift all by themselves.

Each envelope has been custom designed for each family member and friends.

The back has been embellished with a handmade envelope and card. Each card is designed to match the front with the same theme. Write a special message to your loved one or a special sentiment to a friend.

The handmade envelope closes with a lovely ribbon that is feed through metal grommets for sturdiness and a clean look.

When you have a special gift to give, remember these wonderful envelopes that can be created for any special moment 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