Tamagrams Wedding Collections & Kleinfeld Paper

Anyone familiar with the TLC show, "Say Yes to the Dress"? Tamagrams wedding invitation collections will be available through Kleinfeld Paper and supported by national advertising in Brides, The Knot, Martha Stewart and others starting January 2013...continuing to thank God for opening doors for this passion He has given me. 

On the note of passions and dreams...I wanted to end this post with an excerpt to share with you as it encourages me - I love to think about this... "I AM WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF. Bring Me all your concerns, including your dreams. Talk with Me about everything, letting the Light of My Presence shine on your hopes and plans. Spend time allowing My Light to infuse your dreams with life, gradually transforming them into reality. This is a very practical way of collaborating with Me. I, the Creator of the Universe, have deigned to co-create with you. Do not try to hurry this process. If you want to work with Me, you have to accept My time frame. Hurry is not in My nature. Abraham and Sarah had to wait many years for the fulfillment of My promise, a son. How their long wait intensified their enjoyment of this child! Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses." - Jesus Calling 

Interview/Feature on Sorry You're Happy Blog

One of the things I have loved about exhibiting at shows in the past have been the amazing people I meet. No seriously, just awesome.  It is so neat to be around and connect with other creatives who share a similar passion.  I have been lucky enough to also have some beautiful friendships blossom and still talk to on a regular basis, years later. (both were next door booth neighbors)

On the note about booth neighbors...do you remember back in the spring when I shared our experience exhibiting at the Surtex show in NY? Well, while we were there we were blessed once again in meeting a neat couple from Canada named Jen and Kyle. They were our booth neighbors and featured us on their fun company blog called Sorry You're Happy! So nice of them! To read the interview and feature, Click here!

Not saying Good-bye, but see you soon...

Hey y'all! Hope each of you are having a fabulous start to the Christmas season. It feels like a lot has gone on over the past month or so in the Brown household.

Not to be a downer, but I thought I'd share with you something I've been walking through. We got pretty sudden news several weeks ago that my grandfather had only a couple hours to a couple days to live. My grandfather has been my father figure through out my life so it felt as if I was loosing a parent. He would have been 100 years old on December 8th.  He has been married to my sweet grandmother for 72 years. Despite how old someone is, I don't think you can ever fully prepare yourself for the finality of knowing you will never see them again on this Earth. I am so very thankful for the one on one time I had with him the day before he died. He was in his room at home and I was able to hold his hand while talking and reminiscing over my memories with him. I sung him some of my favorite songs and got to pray over him.  He already had one foot in heaven and was unresponsive but the hospice nurse told me he was definitely able to hear, as hearing is the last sense that goes. As I hugged good bye, I was reminded once again just how fleeting our lives are. Jesus said to not get too attached of the things of this world because our lives are vapors, fleeting and a bleep in the scheme of eternity. I am so thankful that I don't have to say good bye forever but know I will see him again when it is my turn to enter the gates. I can't help but rejoice for him in what he is experiencing now. Meeting our Savior face to face, being united with loved one that have entered before him and being in the most beautiful and breathtaking place. No sin. No pain. No brokenness that we experience here on Earth. Thanks for letting me share a tribute and my last hours with him. He was one special man who shaped me in more ways than he will ever know. He loved me and my family so well. I love and miss you Pop.

A picture of him when he was about 30 years old, so handsome...

This sobering reminder of the delicacy of life makes me want to be sure that I am living every SINGLE day to the fullest. Utilizing every gift and ability that God has so kindly entrusted to me. I want to share it with others in hopes that it can in some way bring encouragement and/or inspiration to others. It is a neat thought to think if we all were tapping into these sweet gifts we have received how each and every one of us DOES add more joy and beauty to this world.  Join me as we can ask ourselves, "Am I living each day to the fullest?", "Am I sharing these awesome gifts to touch others lives and make a difference?" If there is any bit of hesitation holding us back, my hope is that we would shine brightly through the light He graciously gives to us! Amen.

Assortment Boxed Cards to be in Costco!

Exciting News! 

Tamagrams will be part of an assortment box of cards that will be distributed by Paper Magic Group to be available in COSTCO USA - due to hit stores in July 2013!

Greenville Business Magazine Feature

Thanks to Greenville Business Magazine for featuring Tamagrams as an Emerging Company. 

To read full article below, click here!

More exciting news to come soon...stay tuned!

Horray for FALL!

Every year, I do a happy dance for the fall! It is by far my favorite time of the whole year...

This past summer I have developed a new love for hydrangea flowers. For some reason I haven't really noticed their beauty as much in the past years. However, this spring and summer I found myself unconsciously look for them everywhere I went.

I have been wanting to make a new wreath for our front door and choose the hydrangea flower to celebrate the beauty and festive arrival of the cool crisp season.

This was very easy to make and have seen some of them retail for $85. If you do it yourself, you save yourself about half the cost. I got all supplies from beloved Hobby Lobby...

Supplies include:

twig wreath

3 bundles of hydrangea flowers (I picked creme, light green, and pinky/orangish)

brown wire edged ribbon

Cut the hydrangeas about 3 in" down the stem and just start stuffing them into the wreath until you go all around. After you have the flowers arranged, you can cut leaves off of the arrangements and then stuff those in to create fillers. It took me about 20 minutes from start to finish. The ribbon could be optional but I do think it ties it all together nicely (no pun intended) :)

Now, I will look forward to seeing the beautiful arrangement on my door 

each time I pull into my drive way. 

Blessings,
Tamara

So thankful...

I wanted to update you on something that I have been experiencing and have been completely praising God for His faithfulness! I have been in waiting mode for the past 15 months but finally got news two weeks ago that the card designs that Recycled Greetings tested in big box stores this spring did well and they have offered me a full exclusive contract to design and license greeting cards exclusively for them on an on-going basis. The designs will be available to the public in grocery stores, drug stores, national retails chains, book stores, card shops, airports...This truly has been one of the most powerful experiences of my life to see first hand how God can lead and direct, the power that He gives us when we believe and then watching Him show up! Have seriously been in awe of all of this and completely praising Him for showing up BIG!! I am still pinching myself and what keeps coming to my heart is "Thank you God!!!" -  The process of waiting has really challenged me to remember just how powerful God is and when we believe He is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do... we can expect to see His signs, miracles and wonders in our lives. Ephesians 3:20 - HE is able to do immeasurably MORE than we can ever ASK or IMAGINE, according to His power that is at work within us, TO HIM BE THE GLORY!!!

The Butterfly...

Over the years, butterflies have always been very symbolic to me. I love all the beautiful meanings that can be associated...one spreading their wings to fly (following our passions), evolving in what we do (our God-given gifts).  I can't help but think of freedom too....What was once a caterpillar in a cocoon (confined and in darkness) and how over time it changes and transforms into a beautiful butterfly. It spreads it's wings as it flutters in freedom and in light. It also can be associated with the resurrection and reminds me of God's heartbeat and His rescue plan for His people; where we once were in darkness and through His power He is able to grab hold of our hearts and we become people who are able to walk in freedom and "light" as well. Who knew a butterfly could have so many beautiful meanings....


With that being said, it was an obvious choice for me to include the butterfly in my new logo. As seasons and styles evolve, it was time to refresh the look of Tamagrams branding to represent more of my current work.

While we are on the topic of butterflies, LookLoveSend now has our "Butterfly Wedding Bouquet" collection available for purchase. The wedding collection includes invitation, response cards, place cards, menu, program, coordinating bridal shower invite, directions, reception and thank you card. To view the entire collection click here.

Do you feel like you are spreading your wings today? I hope you are in a place where you are on the path of following hard after your own passions while enjoying each step along the way. May blessings and favor be over you as you are on the journey! 

xoxo,
Tamara

New Partnership!

Isn't it cool when we can walk at times blindly not sure what will happen but all we can do is trust God, listen to His direction that he places on our hearts and begin to take steps...one at a time...AND then seeing His plans unfold before us? I think it is truly amazing and what gives me the strength to preserver.  One of the ways He has blessed Tamagrams lately is creating a partnership with LookLoveSend. I am so excited to be working with this company and have loved the challenge of designing Wedding Invitation Collections. I will also be designing Party Invitations, Birth Announcements and Christmas cards that can be completely customized and personalized online. Here is our first Wedding Invitation Collection called "Wedding Cake (Words)" that also features corresponding cards such as Save the Date w/ and w/o photo, response, menu, program, directions, reception and thank you.

I love that the feel is whimsical yet very sophisticated and how the special wedding words deliciously blend into the different layers of icing on the cake. The elegant textures and artwork give a unique look that I hope adds an extra touch of beauty and makes an extraordinary statement for the bride and groom's special day. All invitations and cards will be available directly through LookLoveSend.

Here is the link to see Wedding Cake (Words) that is now available! 

Many Blessings,
Tamara

Peek at New Fabric Collection

Good afternoon to everyone! I wanted to give a peek at a new fabric collection that I've designed for little girl home decor and apparel. I was able to get the design printed on fabric and made a dress as a sample for Surtex (and after the show for my oldest daughter to sport!) I was going to put it on a mannequin but really wanted McKenna model it as God uses her in so many ways to be a source of inspiration to me.

Also, I'm excited to announce a new partnership soon...stay tuned!

Surtex 2012 Wrap-Up!

Our time spent in New York City last week for the Surtex show was a great experience...filled with meeting many amazingly talented artist and making contacts and connections from companies that I am looking forward to following up with! (Excited to share more about that soon!) After exhibiting last year for the first time at the National Stationery Show I was glad to have had that show under my belt as it made me more aware of the planning process, accommodations, logistics, and everything that goes into it. However, it was our first time to exhibit at Surtex which I was really excited about. So many of the opportunities and blessings that have come over the last year kept us honing into the world of licensing my art. In a way preparing to exhibit reminds me of planning a wedding...there are months and months of preparation, behind the scenes work to make it all happen for the big day! After I registered for Surtex last fall, I wanted to expand beyond the greeting card designs that I've created over the 4 past years and start designing for other products such as fabric collections, giftwrap, giftbags, tabletop concepts, etc. I must say...it has been thrilling!! I have LOVED the new challenge of learning about design for other categories!

Last year I kept having this urge to learn to sew. I am sure having two young little girls influenced that as I see so many cute dresses and think to myself, "gosh, I wish I could make this!"...so after enough thought, I bought myself a sewing machine and started teaching myself how to sew by looking at sewing blog tutorials online. As I was planning for Surtex, I hadn't even connected the two (sewing). But then it donged on me...sewing mock-up samples for my booth so companies that were walking the show could see what my patterns could look like on a pair of little girl pajamas, a backpack, pillows, aprons, and hand towels would be a neat visual! 

My husband Taylor (my best friend, hero and biggest encourager) plays such a vital role for the show as well as just every day life. His support and encouragement for me to spread my wings with my creativity has definitely been a big factor in order for me to be where I am today. Also, my cousin/friend Elizabeth who now lives in NYC graciously helped us set up our booth again this year...so so helpful! Thank you Elizabeth!! It did take us less time this year to set up, but one thing I have found is setting up always takes me longer than I anticipate as well as experiencing things you may not have planned for. When it was complete, I was really excited to see the booth come to life...such a gratifying feeling!

Ta-da!

First day of Surtex! 

 

Remember when I said there are some things that will happen that you don't plan on during a show? This would be one of them.  Despite the leaks coming in from the rain, it ended up not being a big deal since it was just one spot...who knew an umbrella could have so many functions! ;)

 biz postcards...

 candy anyone?

 Meeting Bella Pilar was definitely a cool experience as I have admired her work for years...

 Setting up...

 Elizabeth and Taylor helping set up...

 crazy to see how a booth can come to "life" with some dashes of design, color and some TLC...

 

 
Also, got to meet up for dinner one night with a good friend I used to work with at my previous job when I sold building materials. (Yes, you heard me right, I used to sell building materials in corporate america) - Isn't it cool how every step we take are stepping stones for us to listen, learn and grow? Feeling so thankful that God has led me to this sweet place...and that He continues to fill me with inspiration, ideas and also uses my little girls, my husband and a community of incredible friendships that add such joy in my life. Excited to see what unfolds next!

Leading up to Surtex...

Well, when I looked at the last time I had updated the blog I saw it was in January...I can believe it! The past few months have been busssssyyyyyyyy! But...so incredibly awesome! So much to prepare for in regards to the Surtex Show coming up in less than 3 weeks. My booth is #559, please come by if you will be at the show - would love to meet you! I can hardly wait to unveil the booth and brand new fabric collections that are geared towards little girl and adult woman for home decor and apparel. Also, will have brand new design for gift wrap, gift bags, table top, paper, and much more!

Also, keep your eyes open for some of my designs that are now available in Targets, Walgreens and Walmarts - look for the Papyrus - Recycled Greetings aisle! I wanted to leave you with a quote that a dear friend told me... "Our Father does not inspire us to do what can not be done." - I have been thinking a lot about that... I have felt such a passion to create and see how He truly is the one who gives me the vision, ideas and inspiration as well as using the things around me to continue to inspire my heart. The joy I experience with my amazing husband, our two delightful little girls, our community of incredible friends and joy that comes with knowing that I am constantly pursued by the ultimate artist and Creator Himself who longs to be close to little ole me. On my worst day, He is always there opened armed ready to take me to new places when I let go, give Him the room to work and surrender.

Interview Feature in "On The Surface"

How exciting! Tamagrams was featured as a fresh new artist that will be exhibiting at the Surtex National Licensing and Design Show in New York City in May 2012 - check it out!  Thanks "On the Surface" for the interview and feature!

http://www.surtex.com/News/OntheSurfaceEnewsletter/OTSJanuary2012/tabid/271/Default.aspx#newbie

Table Re-vamp!

One of my favorite things is to see something transform and take on a whole new look. After 10 years, I felt that our kitchen table was in need of some good 'ole revamping TLC...add some paint, stencil and glass table top to the mix...wala! 

Got any old pieces around your house that you're not a fan of? Try taking those old outdated wood pieces and put on some pretty paint. I have found distressing is a really easy option which I love the look of. I'll post some pics and tips soon of some furniture I've distressed. Those pieces are now some of my very favorite in our home. Several people have even asked if they were from Pottery Barn (and it's SO easy!) I decided for this kitchen table, I wanted to go a different route.  I tried stenciling which was my first time trying to do this on furniture. I was aiming for a unique and sophisticated look for the kitchen that would flow with the rest of the rooms as we have on open floor plan. That's where stenciling comes in! I love that the copper paint gives a subtle yet stunning look that adds character the table. Last but not least, opted to go with getting a glass table top. I have two little ones and needed something that would be easy clean up and functional for our family. This gives the look that I was going for while also giving the durability that our table needs with spills, crafts, etc. 

Don't be afraid to try re-vamping furniture...it is fun and (in my opinion) much easier than people realize! :)