Oh Baby, Baby!!

Designed by: The Tiny Abode
 

Before you say congratulations to me, I'm not the pregnant one {but my baby sister is!!!}.  That's right, this girl is going to be an aunt!  This is the birth announcement I made for my sister who lives in New Zealand.  They call each other kiwi's there, like I might call you my homie.  Just kidding, I would never call anyone homie.  The announcement has made it's rounds on Facebook, so I feel that it is safe for me to post without stealing all my sister's glory.  Can I just say that I'm super impressed with my graphic design skills right now!  Agreed?  

On another note, I can't get Salt-N-Pepa's song Push It out of my head!

Lil' Peanut Baby Shower

It's been a crazy hot mess around here, but I thought I would share with you what we have accomplished during this heat! Ok, really it's just an update on the Little Peanut themed baby shower. 

So go ahead a take a peek...

In this video you will see the invitation which I modified from a free template and a thank you card which I designed.  By the way, sorry for the poor video quality.  This is my first time creating a video, so be kind.  I swear it looks top notch from my video player.   We'll save Video 101 for another day. 

Design Consultation: The Tiny Abode
Set-up: Family of the Guest of Honor
 Photography: Jessica Espey @ The Tiny Abode
 Lil' Peanut Invitation (Template: Bump Smitten, Edited by The Tiny Abode)
Ribbon Wreath by Jessica Espey @ The Tiny Abode (seen here)
Lil' Peanut Thank You Card designed by Jessica Espey @ The Tiny Abode

P.S. The mom-to-be popped Baby Stella out a lil' earlier than expected.  We've got work to do!

Peanuts, and Elephants, and Hearts... Oh My!

About a month ago, I received a sweet lil' peanut baby shower invitation in the mail!  I was very excited to see the final results since I edited the original version from an yellow-ish / gray color scheme to a yellow / teal color scheme.  

BEFORE (unedited version available for free at Bump Smitten):

Image: Bump Smitten

AFTER (edited by The Tiny Abode):

 **Names, phone numbers and addresses have been changed**

 

I think the edited version turned out super cute, and I couldn't be more proud!  I'm still learning all the tricks of the trade, and I am not fortunate enough to have Photoshop!  So my friend Picasa and I have been spending long nights with one another.  

My friend, and mommy to be, decided that she wanted to carry over the lil' elephant from the invitation into the thank you card.  This morning (we work together) she shared with me a dream that she had last night which included me designing her thank you cards.  For all of you who may be curious, I by no means am a designer, nor have I had any professional training in design.  However, I do like a good challenge!!  
Hence my day job (special ed. supervisor... nuff said).     

I decided to make my co-worker / mommy-to-be / friend's dream come true!  Or I thought I'd at least try!  Sounds like a fairy-tale, right!?!  It's not often that you can make dreams come true.

Designed by: The Tiny Abode

After many, many attempts, here is the final product of my thank you card design for my dear friend's Lil Peanut themed baby shower!! This is my first thank you card, so I'm a bit proud. I think it goes well with the overall theme and the ribbon wreath I made in April.

P.S. For all you regular readers, I've been a bad blogger.  Sorry about that.  Super busy with art shenanigans with the hubs!! 
 

Happy Birthday, Madre!!

Your Day Navy Birthday Card

Create cute birthday cards, valentines and more at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy LOVE Day!!!

Good Morning, Lovers!!

Isn't this pink alarm clock adorable!?!

Image: Barry Vintage

I hope you put on your rain boots this morning because it is WET outside!
Good thing Hunter carries them in PINK!

 Image: Lonny Mag Sept./Oct. Issue


In the spirit of St. Valentine, I wanted to share with you my favorite finds from Pinterest!!

Felt Window Garland: Noodlehead
Valentine's Day Egg in the Basket: Petite Kitchenesse
You Are My Happy print: EeeBee
XOXO Cake: Styled by Couture Events by Lottie and shot by Sara & Rocky Photography
Valentine Card - Boobs: Whit and Whistle
Love Matches: Pandah
Kate Spade Valentine, Let's Make Out: Bri Emery from Design Love Fest
S'more Love: Event Solutions
Funny International Mustache-Language of Love Valentine Card: Dawn2Dusk Design

Image: Beverly & Pack

Now go smooch your pooch!!
~xoXoXOxo~

Jump Start the Holidays... Pop-UP @ Fete Noel!

So we're a day late.  Technically two since today will be over in approximately 3.5 hours.  However, we figured you were all busy at work today (being the professionals that you are), sooo technically we're right on time!  Right?  

Just go with it. 

Chestnut Hill, one of our faaavorite neighborhoods in Philly, will be hosting a "pop-up shop," Fete Noel!  Right in the old Margarity Car Dealership lot at 8200 Germantown Ave., you'll be able to find a gift for everyone on your holiday list.  Women and children's clothing, jewelry, stationary, terrariums, gifts for the home, etc., etc. ETC!!!  Even our friends from Vintage Now will be celebrating this holiday season early!  

For a full vendor list please visit Fete Noel.

Hope you pop-up!!

Oh Joy Philadelphia: Link Love

As promised, here is a link to all the lovely and talented gals who attended the AIGA Oh Joy! workshop in Philadelphia.  Be sure to check out their pages.  By the way, where were all the fellows?  Don't hold out on us, men.  We know you got killer talents too!

 Photo Courtesy: AIGA Philadelphia

 I am so HAPPY to now have a whole hand full of graphic designers to go crying to if I ever begin this grueling header project!

Artisan / Craft
Heidi Lowe Gallery, home MADE ,jennspen, 

Lindsey Bee, Philadelphia Sculpture Museum, 

Rough Draft Books, Sullivan Owen
 
Design / Decor
Concrete Jungle DC, Fleurishing, Nesting,
Plum, The Pink Chalkboard, With Two Cats, Vintage Now

Fashion 
  Luscious Detail, Someone Loves Dean, What the Frock

 

Food Enthusiasts

 'a la Alison

Teaspoons and Petals

Graphic Design 

Anita Eradla, Kathy Mueller, LoveLeigh Invitations,
Oh Joy!, SMc, Song and Dance  

Other

  Laura Novak ,The Refrain, Women's Collaborative Circle

Like The Tiny Abode on Facebook! 
P.S.  I've already had a few people contact me about having a Philly Meet-up group.  Particularly those with a design interests, but all would be welcome.  If you are interested in pulling together a group like this or have a place we could use, please contact me.  I would love to chat!

Design Crisis: Business Cards

HELP!!!!  Did that get your attention?  I hope so, because I'm having a design meltdown (and it has nothing to do with my apartment)!  Nine days from today I will be attending the Oh Joy Rx Blogging & Social Media Workshop with the infamous social medialite, Joy Cho.  For those of you who do not know Joy, check out her blog, Oh Joy to see what she's all about!  

Ok, so why the meltdown?  A few days ago I received a message in my inbox from Joy requesting that all attendees bring about 40 business cards.  Say wha??  Ok, makes total sense.  However being a newbie to the blogosphere, I'm feeling in over my head.

So I went over to Tiny Prints (seems suiting for The Tiny Abode), and here's what I came up with.

So, why the freak out?  They're cute!  Yes, Tiny Prints is awesome, but ten of these cost $15!!  Yikes!  I need an alternative, and I need one fast!!  Can you help?  I've tried Vista, Overnight Prints, etc., etc., etc., All no good.  They're just a little too generic for me.  I need something that will hold it's own, and I need them by August 1st!  Suggestions?  Please??