Y3W Friday: Jeff and Annie

As you may have noticed, I've been a little MIA this week and for some very good reasons.

1) my husband has been travelling for business, so I've been incredibly on the go with our 15month old
2) it was my birthday on Wednesday
3) it is my best-friend's wedding tomorrow...and I'm making her cake {sneaking in a quick blog post before getting started on fondant work today!}

What has made this week exceptionally great was getting these three photo's from the GBK Productions Primetime Emmy Gifting Suite...on my birthday



Jeff Probst...my heart seriously stopped for a second (maybe millisecond) when I saw this. Amazing!



Annie Ilonzeh...one of Charlie's newest Angel's! Simply gorgeous!



"She's a big fan? Of course! I'd LOVE to pose with her stationery!" -- Jeff Probst

Now, the stationary that they were holding...that their wonderful hands actually touched (can you even imagine? I made something that Jeff and Annie held in their own two hands!) was taken home by one of the lovely gals from GBK Productions...but...

It can be reproduced, and even made custom...just for you!



The Big Stack featured 60 pages of hand cut patterned, solid and textured acid free papers, all stamped with acid free ink in the lower right hand corner. It was then bound with chocolate brown recycled twine.

Get YOUR hands on one today!

Don't forget to link up Your Three Words with Jenni!

Special Post: Emmy's Wrap Up Party

Well folks...as quickly as it started, it's all over now. {but is it??}

The GBK Productions gifting suite wrapped up yesterday at 7pm in lovely Hollywood. Again, the founders of The Artisan Group were on their toes hob-nobbing with the celebrities.

Which ones came through? Well...Rico Rodriguez from Modern Family, Ana Gasteyer from SNL, Lorette Divine from Grey's Anatomy {love her!}, Christa B. Allen from the new show Revenge {excited to see this one!} as well as cast members from Desperate Housewives, The Office {LOTS from the Office! Oh My!}, and GLEE.

Everyone has been getting really awesome feedback, and the celebs are even tweeting with us!



And we even got really awesome feedback from Gavin, the CEO of GBK Productions. He loved some of the products so much that he took them home, including a super sweet tutu from Atutudes for his daughter.

I think I can speak for all of the artists when I say that the excitement has been brewing...is contagious, and only good things can come to us all from being involved with The Artisan Group!

Want to be a part of the action??

TONIGHT at 9pm EST we're hosting another Twitter Party!!

- Follow: @atutudes @ajsweetsoap @sweetstellas
- Answer Emmy related trivia questions (hint: open Google, People.com, and the Emmy's site for help!)
- win amazing handcrafted goodies like hammered earrings, stationary, glass pendants, photographs and more!

See you tonight!

Special Post: Let the Emmy's....Begin!

Today marked the kick off of the GBK Productions Gifting Suite for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Award, and did it ever go off with a bang!

Valerie, the founder of The Artisan Group, was awesome about keeping us updated about who was coming through the doors and over to our display...

First was Lorraine Braco...you know...from The Sopranos!!

As the event went on they saw castmembers from Modern Family, Glee, Good Luck Chuck and...the moment where I thought I was either going to vomit or pee-my-pants from excitement, Jeff Probst.

Like....Survivor. As in...drop-your-buffs-you're merging Jeff Probst!



Apparently, he chatted with the ladies for TWENTY MINUTES and raved about TAG and how much he loved what we were doing. Amazing! Purely amazing!

I cannot wait to see who posed with this...





Fingers crossed for some Modern Family, LOST or Mad Men love!!

Special Post: launchHER

Wow!!

Another reason to be thankful today...the notestacks that I made for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards Gifting Suite (being set up at this very moment by The Artisan Group!) was featured in the September launchHER newsletter!!





Sweet Stella's is the featured Send A Note today!



What a way to {almost} end the week!!

{HUGE thank you to Kristal from Atutudes Handmade Tutu's for alerting me to the feature!}

What's Next Wednesday: Shipping To The Emmy's!

Well...now that my notestacks are all packed up and ready to go {being shipped in the morning}...What's Next??

The next big project that I'm working on is more baking than anything else. I have a wedding order for cupcakes, a cake and cookies for this coming weekend...and then in just over a month I am doing the wedding cake for my best friend's wedding.

Here's what I've been working on!


Chocolate, Blueberry and Vanilla cupcakes


Frosted to look like Hydrangea's...how did I do?



Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting...that tastes like Cinnabon!


Chunky Peanut Butter Hershey Kiss thumbprints

And oh darn...I may have baked too many...and we may have needed to taste test some!

Emmy Given Wednesday: Display Piece Reveal

Today's the day that I reveal to you the Stack that will be going on display at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Award GBK Productions Gifting Suite!! (I still can't get over that!)



I absolutely love these colours! Teal, mustard, royal blue and muted purple! Throw in some stone and some white and....voila!



Stamped in the corner with a purple finch, tied with recycled twine



1" (or so) of handstamped paper! A labour of love...and a lovely labour at that!

What do yo think??

Y3W Friday: TAG Twitter Party!

It's nearing the date for the Nomination Twitter Party for The Artisan Group!!



July 14th, 8pm EST marks our second Twitter Party, where tonnes of handmade goodies from incredibly talented artisans!

Remember...

- Follow @sweetstellas, @atutudes, @ajsweetsoap
- Follow#artisangroup
- Answer trivia questions asked by @atutudes. Correct answers will go into a draw for prizes (drawn by random.org)
- Engage in fun chat with @ajsweetsoap about your favourite shows, actors and moments!
- Stay up to date on the latest happenings by following @theartisangroup
- Winners will be announced on Twitter, and reposted here on July 15th!

The prizes have grown since our first twitter party, and we are incredibly excited to announce our line-up for next week!

Sweet Stella's, photo memory box
Beez Kneez, stationary
Tina Dean Designs, wristlet purse
13 Black Cat Designs, handpainted necklace
Studio827 KC, journal
LCVintage, vintage jewellery
Ilene Price Design, notecards
Aromatic Health Shop, choice of one product from her shop
Nathalie Girard, Open Pinch Hoop earrings

And back by popular demand....bonus questions at the end!! 3 awesome prizes will be up for grabs from Beez Kneez, Sweet Stella's, and Helena Pion Photograhy!

See you on Twitter!

Emmy Given Wednesday: Extra! Extra!

The Press Stacks are done!!

I went back to the drawing board on the journals and decided to gift the Stacks to the Press, with a bit of a twist.




Pretty purple birds....all tied up with chocolate brown recycled twine! I absolutely LOVE the way the twine twists and turns up off the pages!

If you're wondering what happened to the journals, don't fret! They're still being created and are in the embellishment stage right now...and will be available very soon for you (yes! YOU!) to purchase on Etsy! In fact, today I found the most gorgeous and delicate feathers (feathers! New to the Sweet Stella's tool box!) to enhance and play off of the bold abstract painted covers. I am oh-so-excited to share them with you, but for right now there are some very important custom birthday orders that need my attention!

Join me next week when I reveal my display piece!

Emmy Given Wednesday: Hand Painted Journals

As you all know, I've been running around like a crazy person between custom birthday orders, trying to manage this silly postal strike, and planning my son's 1st Birthday Party.

Well! After all was said and done, the kitchen and yard cleaned up (thanks to my ever supportive husband) I put my headphones on with a little Mumford & Sons (my favourite music to work to in my studio) and started painting.


The set-up...much cleaner than when I was actually painting


The mostly finished journals, all set for the Emmy's!

I've got to say, I love them all. If you were with me on Twitter on Saturday night, you probably saw each and every one of them as they were finished; I began to love each one more than the last!!

Beautiful and striking combinations, amazing brush strokes, and paint that literally sticks up and off the cover! AMAZING!

Now...I'm having a very difficult time choosing my display piece! This is where you come in!

I'm going to post a poll up to the left with the five options. Vote vote vote, and get your friends to vote, because I'm having a really hard time with this!

Here are the five finalists!


Purple, Cadmium Red and Vanilla


Black and Silver


Teal, Neutral Grey and Vanilla


Deep Violet and Yellow Ochre


Deep Violet and Vanilla

Obviously, I need something that will photograph well for when the celebs grab it off the table and are in awe over it!

What do you think? Which should go on display?

Y3W Friday: New Product Preview

Just taking a few minutes while all is still relatively quiet this morning, before the chaos of creating begins here on the homefront...

Your Three Words

do you participate in the bloghop? No? You really should! You find out all of these interesting ways that others sum up their busy week in just three simple words.

For me...it's been all about the New Product Preview

You've already seen the Birthday Wishes Box and the super cute Handcut Thank You Rounds and Handcut Party Tags...

What you haven't seen are the Hand Painted Journals.







Now, these aren't the same journals that are going to be in the Emmy press bags, but they are the ones that are inspiring the colours and textures to be featured on the Emmy journals.

These journals are made of recycled paper, contain about 40 recycled sheets, and are bound with recycled twine. The paint is non-toxic artist acrylic, and they are all one-of-a-kind works of art!

Oh...and I love them! I love creating them, feeling free with my paintbrush and knowing that the results will be nothing short of amazing.

Emmy Given Wednesday: Missed Delivery

I have news!!!

I was talking with my buddy Adam at Curry's yesterday, and he let me know that I should be receiving all of my journals...tomorrow (as in, today!)

Well..we had a bit of a late night last night. Owen didn't get to bed until nearly 9:30 (he's usually out for the count by 8pm after some solid playtime in the bath {his favourite}), and when I woke up at 9:30am...there wasn't a sound to be heard from his room! Yay for sleeping in...but then the doorbell rang, and I was not in any shape to go and answer.

So I found this



I am so excited for 4:30 this afternoon when I can do to the Purolator depot around the corner and pick up the journals!!!

Then tonight...painting!

I painted two on the weekend, of a different shape and brand that will not be going to the Emmy's but will be available for One-of-a-kind and custom purchases, and it just felt good to play with the paint! (Sneak Peek tomorrow!)

Once the 10 are completed for the Press Bags, and 1 for the display table...my items can be shipped to the lovely ladies of The Artisan Group.

Yahoo!

Emmy Given Wednesday: Production Hours

This past weekend, I started thinking about all of the hours that I have poured into my Stacks for the Emmy's.

Here goes!

Research (aka: shopping): 3hrs

Cutting: 3hrs

Stamping: 8hrs

Blogging (so far...): 2hrs

Packaging: 5hrs

Photographing: 1hr

After 22hrs, here's what I have to show for my hard work



100 Stacks...stamped...tied...packaged and ready for the Artisan Group Swag Bags for the GBK Productions Gifting Suite at the 63rrd Primetime Emmy Awards!

Next up...painted journals!

Thankful Thursday: Curry's Art Store

I don't really even remember when or how I found Curry's. I've been getting all of my paint, canvas, brushes, portfolios, sketch books, watercolour pencils (you get the idea...everything) there for years. Actually, probably more than 10 years at this point.

When I started looking for journals to paint for the press bags at the Emmy's, it hadn't occurred to me to check back at my favourite art supply store and see what they had in stock for small, hardcover sketch books.

Thankfully, one of my artsy mama friends pointed me back to Curry's and it was, again, a match made in Heaven.

I have 13 books on order, which should be in my hands at the end of June, and I cannot wait to get started painting.

I've chosen to go with some heavy body acrylics because they will give a really amazing dimension to the artwork.



Being an abstract artist, I love to play with texture and the density of the paint. Typically, if I'm painting on wood, I'll build it up first with a drywall compound, and then paint on top of it. As great of an idea as that is, it makes the art work incredibly fragile and susceptible to chipping.

Anyhow, today...I am incredibly thankful to Curry's Art Store, and thankful for the amazingly bright and open location in Kitchener. I am thankful for the memories that I have with my Dad, riding the Go Train to Toronto and being able to pick out my canvases at the Queen St. store before heading over to the music store for drumsticks for him. I am thankful for the paint, the journals, and for Adam from customer service for helping me and being there every step of the way throughout this creation process.

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone! Find some time to create today!

Emmy Given Wednesday: Packaging

Do you know what this past weekend marked? 3 months until all of the members from The Artisan Group who are participating in the GBK Productions Emmy's Gifting Suite have to have all of their gifts to the event coordinators.

3 months

OH GOSH!

Am I ready? Well...I'm close! Yesterday, I finished of #75 of my 100 NoteStacks...well...at least the fronts. I still have to trim them to fit into their cello bags, stamp the backs with my Sweet Stella's custom stamp, bind with ribbon and tie a business card on.

They'll look like this



From there, they'll be put into eco-friendly cello bags from Nashville Wraps, and sealed with a custom Sweet Stella's sticker...and then they're ready to go!





I toyed with the packaging options quite a bit. Canvas bags that I could paint on...paper bags that I already have an abundance of (anyone need custom treat bags??)...organza bags...

So, why cello?

Well first and foremost, I wanted the recipients to see my product without having to take the effort to unwrap it. I don't want to chance that they won't even open the bag if the knot is too tight, or they simply just don't have the time. They will be able to see my product and art for what it is right in their hand, and they'll be able to see my website address from the back should they flip it over.

Trying to be strategic with my packaging and marketing, especially with the hand painted journals that will be going into the press bags and on the display table.

The cello bags that I chose are eco-friendly, which makes me really happy. They're high quality and look fantastic!

My goal for this weekend is to get those 75 Stacks packaged, while I decide on what image to stamp on the last 25.

Stay tuned for next week when I reveal the four Emmy Stack designs!

MOMpreneur Monday: Ariel Hayes

Hello everyone! I've finally found a spare minute on this lovely Victoria Day Monday to sit and write about a lovely MOMpreneur, find out why she does what she does so well, and share some of her secrets.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Ariel Hayes of Deco Courture. I've had the pleasure of chatting back and forth with Ariel for a few weeks now, as she is also a member of The Artisan Group and will be providing her amazing line of jewellery to celebs at GBK Productions Gifting Lounges.

Here's Ariel's take on what she does, and why she loves it so much...

I make handmade affordable fashion jewelry for women. I love my job because it allows me to be a stay at home mother and teach my three year old to follow her dreams. Ever since I was little I had a passion for fashion and jewelry. My advice for MOMpreneurs is to always follow your dream. Starting out is the hardest part, you have to build a fan base, products people want to buy, promote your business anywhere and everywhere and manage the household duties and raise your kids all at the same time!


Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/DecoCouture
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DecoCouture
Etsy: www.decocouture.etsy.com

Take a minute to look at Ariel's amazing creations; I assure you, you will not be disappointed!

Emmy Given Wednesday: 95 Down

That's right!! 95 of these beauties are all cut and ready to be stamped, trimmed, tied and packaged!



I am absolutely in love with them all. It was so hard to pick favourites yesterday as I was cutting, and each one I felt a little pang of oooh...I should keep that one! when leafing through the pages that would create a Stack.

My absolute favourites...



Grey Damask + Royal Purple Linen + Raspberry Stone
Lime Circles + Yellow Linen + Tangerine Stone
Pink Damask + Watermelon Linen + Dove Grey Stone

The textures and colours are brilliant. I tend to gravitate toward bright colour punches with a muted tone to ground the collection, so I'm hoping that my personality as an artist shines through these 100 Stacks.

And...I did throw in some muted greys, blues and greens for variety and to make sure that the Stacks aren't too out there and shocking.

As for stamps, thank you all so much for your input as to what to adorn them with! I'm going to go with the Flowers and Reeds, Falling Leaves and I think Paisley. I'm hemming and hawing over the Tic-Tac-Toe, because I think it's adorable, but not sure it would go over well for this event.

OH! And I got GREAT news from Curry's this week. My sketchbooks that will turn into handpainted lovely journals will be to me in 3 weeks!!! Colour me happy!

Emmy Given Wednesday: Help Me Choose!

Things are getting into full production mode in my studio!

What is typically our guest bed currently has Notestacks in the makings all laid out and ready to be cut then embellished with stamps.

Lovely combinations like...





I seriously am falling in love with each and every stack that I put my hands on, and there are so many that I wish I could keep! On Sunday, I paired up 3 or 4 different citrusy ones, and those have become a huge favourite around here!

What I need your help with are the embellishments! I'd love some feedback, so please post comments, and I'll be posting a poll over at the top left for you to vote until next Wednesday.

Should I do all one design, a special Emmy stack, or should I mix it up and do a few?

Of the stamp designs below, which should I go with??


Whimsical Songbird


Falling Leaves (just the leaves)


Umbrellas and Galoshes


Mix Matched Trees


Paisley


Tic-Tac-Toe



Flowers and Reeds (just the flowers and reeds)

So...what do you think?! Oh, the options!!