creative crush: little retreats

One of the many things that I learned at Alt Summit is when you combine me with Capree, Amy, Kelly and a photo booth, the funniest most awesome magic happens. I can only imagine if we'd had some of these rad paper props from Little Retreats. Part of me wants to buy some of these just to, well... you know have on hand for impromptu photo shoots. I never miss an opportunity to hop in a photo booth with or without lovely friends.

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And the winner of the Pie Bird Press calendar is:

Brandi {not your average ordinary}

{images via little retreats, found via poppytalk handmade}

alt summit: rules of blogging by tina roth eisenberg of swiss miss

I can't begin to tell you what an amazing, inspiring and all out awesome event Alt Summit was for me. If it's any indication, I've already started the countdown for 2012. It's that epic, friends...

Tina Roth Eisenberg's closing keynote address was truly the icing on the cake. These are her personal rules for blogging, the italicized notes are my own.

1. Always credit sources.
A simple via (blogger's name) link is always appreciated.

2. Respect the reader.
Keep your template clean and your advertising relevant.

3. Keep it light.
Swiss Miss' "Made me Smile" category is the second most trafficked on her blog.

4. Blog with the right intentions.
Personally, I am looking to promote indie designers and connect with a like-minded community.

5. Images. Images. Images.
Keep your posts more visual than journalistic.

6. Find your place and own it.
Original content is key. Comment and interact with bloggers that have similar interests.

7. There is such a thing as blogging too much.
Don't saturate your readers, you don't want them feeling guilty if they can't keep up with your posts.

8. Be personal and approachable.
Self-explanatory: No one wants to interact with an aloof automaton.

9. Know what not to blog about.
Politics, religion, well... you get the drift.

10. Think beyond the blog.
Expanding your branding into new related businesses is a completely viable option.

{thanks again to swiss miss}

v-day pick: no. 8

I had the pleasure of ogling Tokketok's goods at Little Winter in November. A lovely and cohesive line, I haven't seen a single design that I didn't like. Get your "...so I must love you cards" now, I hear that they're selling like hotcakes!

Click here for past year's V-day picks.

{images via tokketok}

goody giveaway no. 10

If you're still looking for the perfect calendar for the new year, you are definitely going to want to get in on this giveaway! Pie Bird Press creates gorgeous, original illustrations and 2011 marks their first venture into calendars - I can attest, everyones loves this beauty! These pictures do no begin to highlight the artistry of this lovely letterpress calendar. You will fall in l-o-v-e.

To enter to win:

|| Please leave a comment answering the following question:
What are you looking forward to in 2011?

|| Anonymous comments will be disqualified.

|| Giveaway is open until midnight on Thursday, January 27, 2o11 .
Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced the following day.

|| One comment per person, unless... Hey, want an extra chance to win?
Blog and/or tweet about our giveaway and post an additional comment(s) with the link.

{image via}

reflecting: mlk day

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction ... The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. "

- Martin Luther King, Jr.
1963

{image via}

creative crush: man cards

{army men card}

{foosball card}

{beer for 2 card}

{man card interior}

{back of man card}

As a card rep, one of the constant laments I hear is, "There aren't enough cards that work for guys." Enter Man Cards. This line is the ultimate match for a fine gent that is perusing for the perfect card. That's real duct tape and dymo labeling, my friends. The interior even allows you to check off boxes, if you aren't the wordy type. Just in time for the impending holiday, their Valentine cards are on sale, for a helluva steal!

{all images via man cards}

alt countdown, in effect.

Today marks the official one week countdown to Alt Design Summit in Salt Lake City!

Some of you may be asking, "What is this Alt Summit event?" Well, let me tell you, actually I'll let Alt tell you, here's a blurb from their site:

"We've created a place where design and lifestyle bloggers in all their forms— foodies, photographers, travelers, product placers, adventurers — come together, share ideas and connect with marketers. There will be discussions on how to grow your site, how to fund your site, how to keep your site above the fray. You'll find panels on blogging etiquette and blogging ethics. People will share good advice for creative entrepreneurs. Friends will be made. Contact books will be filled."

Plus:
Hanging with the gang at Seraph.
Design Camp.
Keynote Lunch with Seth Aaron and Mondo Guerra of 'Project Runway' fame.
Sundance. Yes, that Sundance.
Tasty food.
Meeting a gajillion awesome and like-minded blogging buddies.

{props to alt for the borrowing of their countdown pic and verbiage}

letterpress clocks for kids (and kids at heart)

9SpotMonk has a new and awesome product that they just added to their collection: color in clocks with working clock mechanisms! How cute and clever are these? A great way to introduce telling time to kids and a fun decor addition for anyone, young or old!

Catch a peek of these cuties at the AmericasMart in Atlanta, 'High Design' Booth 726 where 9SpotMonk will be exhibiting this week. They will be added to my sample collection later this month for buyers to see!

{images via 9spotmonk}

pacific nw pride: wonder thunder

{'write a letter' towel}

{organic reusable vegetable bags}

{'kitchen bits' tea towel}

I'll admit that I squealed aloud when I spotted Wonder Thunder's "Write a Letter" tea towel this week. It's rather charming and I'm a sucker for unique and practical gifts. I'd loved to be spotted toting my produce around in a set of their reusable bags at my local farmer's market. Home run, Wonder Thunder...

{images via wonder thunder}

the 2011 valentine card swap is here!

I've been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to announce our second annual Valentine Card Swap. The 2010 V-Day Swap was such a hit, that I've been looking forward to this for months - not to mention, I'm still riding the high of having my mailbox stuffed full of Christmas cards and other holiday goodness. I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to say au revoir to lovely and creative correspondence - keep the cards coming, is my motto!

---- SWAP GUIDELINES ----

+ If you'd like to participate, please leave a comment and email carina(at)crowandcanary(dot)com, by Tuesday, January 25th at midnight PST:

Please include the following information -
- name
- mailing address
- email address
- blog/website (not required)
- willing to swap with international partners?

+ You'll be notified of your swap partners on Monday, February 1st via email - depending on the turnout, you may have as many as four partners.

+ Cards should be mailed no later than Monday, February 7th.

+ I would love to see a focus on sending handmade paper goods, but don't want to exclude any non-crafty types. I'll simply say, I'm in the business of supporting and spreading the word about amazing indie designers. So, if you have the choice between a Hallmark card or a card from your local letterpress printer I humbly encourage you to choose the latter! If you need help finding great shops near you, that sell cards from talented independent designers - please feel free to email me. There's always Etsy too!

+ The idea of the swap is to connect with people, so please be sure to write a little 'hello', favorite quote/recipe, or whatever else strikes your fancy. The intention is not to send blank cards for later use, but for recipients to enjoy now.

+ Swap is open to residents of all countries!

+ If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me directly at carina(at)crowandcanary(dot)com

*I removed the sign up widget, as too many people were getting error messages. Please email contact information, if you have yet to sign up.