Happy 2016

wishing you and your lovelies a sparkly 2016

see ya on the other side.

image via here

Meet Me At The Mistletoe

Wishing you a lovely holiday season! Hope there are a lot of smooches from your favorite person.

The best deal of all year!

Sister Corita Kent

I had the great fortune of going to see Sister Corita Kent's work this week at Pasadena Museum of California Art. It was jaw dropping printmaking combined with social activism and faith. What an amazing artist and woman. 

It was surprising to see the social activism that she participated in in the 60's and 70's with her art felt so current and poignant today. Here sense of color was crazy amazing. These digital images don't do the in person colors justice.

Her Bread series was really a call to action for hunger but used the popular branding of Wonder Bread to make her statement about feeding the poor and "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread"

The exhibit sadly closes this weekend November 1. You can check online for heart Corita.org

still obsessed

after all this time, I still think about this fashion show more than is probably normal.
RIP Lee.

Hall Pass Feelings

Couple of things today. Took a few days off from life and it was amazing. But now I've got the slacker bug... You know how you take a little vac-a and it's not long enough? That. So maybe you're like me today and you really want to pull out the Hall Pass and go. It doesn't help that @studiodelucca texted me trying to pry me away to Santa Barbara to see the rock god Chris Cornell. I had to say no, I'm behind on projects. 

Anyway... This Hall Pass card is meant for your sweetheart giving them a free pass to hang with the boys or the girls. You get to decide if they still have to buck up the next day on chores despite the hangover or whether they have free reign on cocktail city  ‪#‎letterpress‬ ‪#‎hallpass‬ ‪#‎grownups‬ ‪#‎partyyourassoff‬

#oneticket #nightwiththegang

available here

The dying art of cursive handwriting

please, please, please I beg of you. Make sure your kids learn cursive. The notes and letters that I have of my grandparents are so lovely. What if there is no humanity left in the documents we leave behind. Ugh it just breaks my heart.

I can't stop thinking about this movie

Eddie Redmayne looks stunning in this.

loupe it. loupe it real good

The ampersand. It's my favorite character have I ever told you? It is.

On press today with part of a wedding package and I got to loupe this while printing. I'll be happy to get new glasses next month because after I pulled this into my desktop I realized I was running a little heavy on the ink. I couldn't see it downstairs. 

Interested in custom wedding invites? I do those too. My studio is booked currently through October but taking clients for next spring [or those last minute brides getting married in the first of the year]

richele [at] richiedesigns [dot] com

Favorite Things Birthday

read more about this kid's project here

National Underwear Day

It's National Undewear Day! Dance around the house in your biggest floppiest cotton chonies! 

You Know Where To Find Them

I love you more than coffee...

Well this is true most of the time anyway {wink}.

MAN, do I love an Americano extra room for cream please!!

read more about this illustration here. It was the most fun project!

The Snuggle Is Real

I'm Gonna Snuggle You So Hard.

Available in the shop soon but if you're in the LA area join me this weekend at Unique LA where it's making it's debut along with some other amaze balls new cards!

Finding Cupid interview

I recently did an interview with David from Finding Cupid. Read the story here

Saturday Inspiration

Hope you're Saturday has this involved today!

Inspiration from a favorite painter of mine Samantha French. Go check out her amazing work - I can only afford a print but dream of an original painting.

go take a look at all of her amazing work

Hall Pass

Hope your sweetheart has given you a hall pass for some weekend fun this summer.

available little and big now of course in the shop

Meet you there

JOIN ME AT UNIQUE LA

I'll have some new cards debuting here as well, as sets unavailable anywhere else! Don't miss out on the fun - the Unique peeps know how to throw a great party.

more info here

National Stationery Show

So this happened. If you've been following my Instagram or any other social media you probably saw the whole dang thing. 

It was scary, it was fun, it was frustrating at times but it feels really good to have done it and done it really, really well. I was really pleased on how the booth turned out [I would make a few tweaks if doing it again] We're still unburying ourselves from packing orders and making sense of how the entire month of May was lost in a dream but here is a brief recap:

I did a ton of research [months really] of online folks who had been before me. I also took Tradeshow Boot Camp a couple years ago and found it hugely valuable. It was during that workshop that I knew I wasn't ready to exhibit. I waited three more years before feeling good about how things would pan out. Another great perk of TSBC is that the Facebook private group - after you go through the course gives you an opportunity to ask questions to others about last minute questions or issues that might come up, for instance I learned on the morning of load in day about a free porter service that helped us up to our booth with all of our junk [beyond awesome].

Manny Stone for walls and flooring were really, really great. They are onsite the whole time during the install days. It was really helpful to ask little questions.

If you're here reading because you're prepping for your booth you'll want to know about lighting etc.

One Parcan [high ceiling area], white masonite flooring for extra refection [Manny Stone], Extra clip on lights and special daylight bulbs  [Amazon].  Table and smaller corner tables [Ikea], logos done with decals, Stools [amazon]

I'm not going to lie. It's hard work. It can be done from hundreds of miles away. Just prepare, prepare, prepare. I would not have been as confident without my experience in photo shoot production – I was really glad to have had that experience under my belt. If you don't have production experience, try to plan a really detailed vacation as practice. For instance if you traveled to a new state and needed a special screwdriver...where would you go? I had full printed maps with me most of the time of places I could jump into if needed for a meal, hardware, fedex or UPS.

If you're reading this just for fun... You'll soon find Richie Greetings Nationwide. We're in so many new states now. In another post I'll begin listing them for you.

image from Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper  because her photo was way better than my iPhone!

Gift Card Birthday

Nole over at Oh So Beautiful Paper has been so lovely to me over the years of doing my paper thing. Today she featured some of the new cards debuting at the show. This one I feel is going to get a lot of use in our house alone. I'm guilty of the gift card a lot more than I care to admit.

available here

So This Happened Today

I got an email today - 

Dear Richie Designs,

We are pleased to inform you that after reviewing more than 600 entries, the following product(s) were selected as Finalists in the 2015 Best New Product Competition! Participating exhibitors are eligible to win one of 8 category awards, as well as Best of Show. 

pretty jazzed today.

Maid of Honor / Bridesmaid set - All Things Wedding Finalist

Sammy The Penguin - Seasonal Greats Finalist

Hall Pass Mini Cards - Paper Love Finalist

Available Here

Ya Ol' Granny Panties

You had better believe that my mom is getting this for her birthday in a couple weeks.

duotone letterpress awesomeness. available here

Boy Band

Today is my little brother's birthday (who is not so little) I had to send him this one from my new debuts. Sorry to break it to you dude but you're too old to be thinking about being Justin Timberlake.

Are you a store or wholesaler? Come see this and all the new stuff at The National Stationery Show in NYC Booth 1370 Fresh section.

or visit the Etsy store. New stuff is being added all this week!

Shhh....

Don't tell anyone, but I've started to upload the new greeting cards over on the store. You could be the first person to see them if you hurry. Check back all this week though because this is going to take a while!

Here

TBT first concert Wham!

Throw Back Thursday style.

Remembering the first concert I paid tickets for. Wham! at the Hollywood Palladium

oh those 80's don't wake me up before you go-go.

Printing with kids - Christmas Cards [WHA?]

I can hear your groan from here - Christmas? you're saying. I know. Here's the thing though. I'm headed to the National Stationery Show next month as I've mentioned and I had to have them done for that. Retailers have to order early.

But there was a fun project that I got to do with these holiday cards. Two years ago when the kids were in 3rd grade, each child did a winter themed drawing. Those drawings were then composed into one piece of artwork and the class had a field trip over to see the piece printed. I must admit we were not prepared for 40-ish 3rd graders and the energy they bring with them!

The field trip was successful, but I kept staring at these little drawings and loving the whimsy of them. Most notably Sammy's Penguin. So when I decided to add holiday into my lineup this year, I contacted parents and kids and asked them to be a part of my project.

I selected 4 drawings to start with. Each child got $20 for their drawing [artists should be paid of course] They also got a set of their final printed cards and then I donated to the elementary school's art program as well. I invited the kids and their parents over to print with me - so they could get more one-on-one on the press. We printed the hangtags that accompany the greetings. Below is each child with their drawings printed. They were pleased to see their signatures on the backside too, along with my Richie logo. I really wanted them to take ownership of their art.

I'm currently working with the elementary school, in hopes to continue the project in some fashion.

If you're a store, interested in purchasing. Hope to see you at booth 1370 at NSS next month. or contact us for wholesale info. richele (at) richiedesigns (dot) com

Aden Blue with his reindeer

Grace with her angel

Jake with his snowman

Sammy with her Penguin

[how much do you love this?!]

The holiday cards will be available in the Etsy store later this summer and hopefully in stores nation-wide after the show!

Mother's Day

I wanted to create a card this year for folks who may have a step parent, aunt etc that was comfortable to give on Mother's Day. I luckily still have my mom with me but I also have a few women in my life that helped me become the person I am today. Hand drawn type, one color letterpress fuchsia ink and sunny yellow envelope.

New in the store today

Vintage Neon as Letterpress

I have a love of vintage neon that started years ago in college. Originally I painted this sign and it sits on our Mantle today. This year I revisited it for a birthday card, because I thought... when all else fails this is where we go for the bday present.

This card was hand illustrated and is printed in 3 colors. It was a pretty difficult print job and my first effort was not successful and required new plates. I'm pretty jazzed on the finished project.

Did I tell you I quit my job? and I'm headed to the National Stationery Show? I did. It's happening this May. I'm calling it my mid-life crisis since I turn 46 at the show. It's cheaper than a Porsche but more expensive than a Botox so whatevs!

National Stationery Show is held in New York City at the Javitz Center. It's only open to the industry sadly but if you're a store owner I hope to see you there!

I've made it available as an early release on Etsy just incase you can't live without it.

A day in the life of a stylist

I'm getting ready for a photoshoot for my kids catalog tomorrow and I'm in need of colorful tissue confetti. Now I'm sure you can order this online somewhere but I didn't think about it till last night and I couldn't find what I needed at my local stores... so I made it. Which makes me officially crazy I think. I also have confetti blisters from the scissors. But hopefully the shot [s] will look amazing. 

Have I mentioned I'm a stylist and art director too? I am. You can see some of my handiwork over here along with some automotive things I've done over the years. Jack of all trades, master of none.

Grandma and Grandpa

I've decided to begin scanning family photos lately. Must be age and nostalgia setting in or something. This photo of my Grandparents is dated November 7, 1939. It must have been when they had first began dating as they look so young.

The photo is teeny only about an 1" across and the white blob across my Grandfather's face I thought was a scratch on the photo but I realized this morning was a piece of butterfly tape. He was an athlete so I assume it was from football or boxing.

When I was a teenager and going through old photos with my mom, aunt and grandmother, Grandma let us in on a bit of a family bombshell... she had been engaged to another man before Grandpa. Mom and my Aunt had never heard that before so it was big news. I love those stories, the ones that come out when family goes through old photos after time.

My Grandfather went on to be the Superintendent of County School Boards in Sacramento and has an elementary school named after him. He was also instrumental in developing California's R.O.P program for learning trades. Grandpa was SO handsome. He sort of looked like a cross between Paul Newman and Bob Hope.

Grandma is 94 and a little bit cranky – I'm not going to lie. She gives everyone a run for their money these days. Dunno, at 94 I sort of think you're owed that much!

#family

A note on frustration

I'm not sure why other greeting card companies feel it's ok to take this card, change a few words on it and then make it their own but alas I saw the second copy of it this morning. I'm pretty brokenhearted about it to be honest.

I know that in greetings there are sentiments that are copied / changed a bit etc - I mean how many times and ways can you say Happy Birthday? This one though... is very specific. It was created in 2013, I have a file date stamped with a early January date in fact. I have also been selling it to Urban Outfitters for most of that time. It's difficult to get bigger than Urban Outfitters. 

So today I contacted a lawyer to see if I have any recourse. I'm not sure that I do, or that I want to pursue it considered how much money it would cost and hassle. But I'm going to ask the questions.

until then, I thought I would remind you of the original. I'll even give you the link to purchase it if you felt so inclined. 

The soft launch

We're moving and shaking over here at Richie HQ. Did I mention? We're headed to The National Stationery Show for the first time this year. #nss2015 is the hashtag that you'll be seeing a lot in the next few months around here and on your favorite paper sites.

It was time for a freshen up on the ol website. We still have some invites to add and press items but for the most part we're up and running.

We still have our Etsy shop moving and shaken' as well for all your purchases.

TO VALENTINE OR NOT THAT IS THE QUESTION

The whole Valentine's thing... There are a number of people who just aren't into it. I get it! I often design my cards with the idea that you could use them year round. Designating a day to say I love you doesn't have to be on the calendar it could be a normal Tuesday in July. But remind your sweetheart at some point. "You are my everything". #truth #valentines #everydaylove #etsy#letterpress

AVAILABLE HERE

Find us in La Jolla

Dear San Diego

You can find Richie Greetings very soon [shipping this week] at the new cutie store Hi Sweetheart in La Jolla

Hi Sweetheart

7920 Ivanhoe Avenue 
La Jolla, CA 92037 

I wanna kiss you all over

Monday's Valentine New!

I really do........I wanna kiss you all over.

available here of course

Groundhog's Day

You know what other holiday is coming up? The height of card giving Groundhog's Day!

and have I got the card for you.

My dad said to me last year. Every year I look and look and no one has a Groundhog's Day card! I said well, it's probably not the height of card giving holidays but I know this girl and she can make you one or two if you are nice. This year he got a whole box of them.

So if you're a fan of Punxsutawney Phil I've got the card for you.

I had to add my own sense of humor about it though and imagined ol' Phil just needing a latte and a cookie to tide himself over. "Weather? Whatevs, I just came up for a snack"

available HERE

Valentine

You are, you really are the cutest 

Available here

Love is in the air

Valentine's Day is coming! I thought I'd start to feature some of our newer cards. Today Love You More was featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper so what a better card to start with!