One the count down!

Ok, wow....Easter is almost here and my mind is just now trying to wrap around that notion. This spring has been oh, so filled with busy-ness as we have been majorly preparing for the National Stationary Show. We've had this date to plan for since November when we officially registered to go and have based so much of time planning around getting ready for this. It reminds me so much of the kind of prep and planning that goes into a wedding, so many details that you don't realize until the actual planning stages. Yowzers! I must say it has been interesting and I have learned a lot. We're getting near the end of the prep and finishing the last few details as we will leave for NYC in 3 weeks. (gulp!) Our two girls (2-1/2 and 9 mo.) have been big helpers to me during the days as we spend so much time lately running errands to Hobby Lobby (as McKenna calls it "Holly Bobby"), Fed Ex Kinkos, Office Max and Target getting materials, etc. I will be sure to post pics of the booth once Taylor and I get it assembled at the show. Wish us luck as we go...

I am so thankful to be able to design and appreciate it so much as I was once confined to the bandage like walls of a 6x8 cubicle in corporate America. I so often think of the Erma Bombeck quote, "when I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"

Lastly, a Tamagrams design "Bouquet Birthday Balloons" was featured in Giftware News Magazine in their April Issue. They did a featured segment on "Paper Power" and we were so very honored to be included in their wonderful magazine. To see the feature, click on the link below as we are on pg. 10 - I also just want to say thank you to all of you blog followers that show so much support as well as taking the time out of busy schedules to keep up with us.

http://www.clubjager.com/0411ggd/index.html

Here's to wish you all an extra special Easter weekend. Hoping that you all have the happiest of Easters and the springiest of springs!

As always, many blessings~
Tamara

Tamagrams on NSS Website and Preview of New Designs

It has been a while and I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the beginning of spring like weather here lately. I find myself captivated by the white blossoms on so many of the trees...so beautiful.

I wanted to share with you as I just got word that Tamagrams is featured on the National Stationary Show's homepage today! How exciting! The link is below if you want to check it out...it is under the "Featured Products".

http://www.nationalstationeryshow.com/

I met with a mentor the other week who helped me brainstorm about ideas for the theme of the booth that we will be exhibiting in. Now that there is a plan, I've been working on building it and then once everything is just as it needs to be, we are going to ship it to the show in NYC. I'm pumped! I love the concept and think it will compliment the style of Tamagrams so well. It is so wonderful to have people in your life (mentors) that truly take interest in seeing others succeed and have their best at heart. I am beyond blessed to have several of these people in mine. I'll post pics of the booth when we get it assembled at the show.

Also, I promised you from the last blog posting that I would share with you a preview of some of the brand new designs I have been working on for the show coming up in May. Someone once told me, "creativity is the closest thing to divinity, it comes from above". I firmly believe that. There are many times after a late night of being filled with inspiration and running with it, that the next morning I wake up and look at it all and honestly have no clue where it all came from. I am humbled to be able to share with you the latest of inspirations...

"Bouquet Birthday Balloons"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Preggo Girl Flower Garden Dress"
copyright Tamagrams 2011


"Peacock Flower Garden"
copyright Tamagrams 2011
"Rose Petal Baby Carriage"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Raindrops Umbrella"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Bride in Bloom" (Invitation version)
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Butterfly Tree"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Sweet Momma Pushing Carriage"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Patchwork Boy Stork"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Sweetheart Cupcake"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Butterfly Wedding Bouquet"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

The next two designs are previews of new lines of encouragement cards. I felt the need to design some fresh concepts that didn't include crosses and sunrises. (Nothing against those, just thought this would be a fresh take on encouragement...) All three lines are inspired by fruits of the spirit.

"Spirit Stamp - Peace"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Spirit Stamp Logo"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Fresh Off the Vine - Love"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

"Fresh Off the Vine Logo"
copyright Tamagrams 2011


"Handpicked - Peace"
copyright Tamagrams 2011"Handpicked Logo"
copyright Tamagrams 2011

Thanks so much for checking out some of my latest work. Wishing you all a happy Friday and wonderful spring filled weekend!

A Super Neat Week!

As May approaches, I am becoming more and more excited about the time spent in New York City during the month of May. It's amazing to think how so much preparation can go into a simple day or a simple several days for that matter. I've been feeling the burst and zest of new found inspiration since New Years and have been running with it. I'll be sharing a sneak peek at some of the new stuff very soon...I'm excited to share it!

Last Thursday evening after a long day of an active and energetic toddler and baby that was fighting sleep most of the day, this mother needed a nice quiet break :) I decided to go to Swoozies during my little get away outing to browse all the beautiful stationary, gifts and packaging. If you haven't ever heard of Swoozies you are missing out and must check it out. The company is based out of Atlanta and there are many locations scattered across the south east. As I was walking through some of the card racks, I came across something I recognized...the first time I've ever seen it on the shelf.


Low and behold it was Tamagrams "Bride (Words)" that has been licensed and distributed.

It was such surreal moment for me. So cool and what a surprise to see it there! As an artist, it is such a crazy feeling because you have seen it from the conception and all the different hands (and time) it has to go through to get to the point of sitting on a shelf after being licensed. It is such a long process; in this case a 2 year process. I felt like a proud little momma bear and it was all I could do to not run and tell the store associates that were near by :)

This past week, I was also notified that Tamagrams was featured in Stationary Trends "Fresh Picks" Winter 2011 issue as well as Greeting Etc. Winter 2011 issue. I feel beyond honored and so very thankful on so many levels.

(Greetings Etc.)

(Stationary Trends "Fresh Picks")

Thank you for taking the time to read what the latest has been in my world. I hope that this can in some way shape and form be an encouragement to others to pursue what it is that you love. Find your God given-passion, have fun with it, run with it and see where you land!

Blessings to you all...until next time!
Tamara

Merry Christmas!

We are now on the countdown...2 days approaching! Hope you all have gotten your Christmas to-do lists just about complete and can sit back now and sip some eggnog or some hot chocolate (for all of you non-eggnog fans).

I thought I'd share our very own Christmas card this year...we had an amazing photographer named Sara Parker from Columbia drive up and do our very first family of four photo shoot in early November. I loved so many of the pictures she was able to capture, I couldn't decide on just a few. I decided to make our photo card this year extra fun with a "stamp" theme as well as tons of room to hold all of these fun photos :)

(Front)


(Inside Left)


(Inside Right)


(Back)



Happy Birthday Jesus!! Hope everyone has an extra special Christmas this year!

My Muse

Life has seemed to be going by at lightning speed...whew! I wish that I had a pause button so I could stop and just savor this Christmas season a little more. Every year I scratch my head on Janurary 1st and wonder where the Holidays went and how did it go by so fast!

In prelude to what I am about to talk about in this blog, I'll take you down a walk down memory lane...Since my senior year of high school, it was my dream and desire of mine to one day start a stationary and greeting card company. It has been almost 4 years ago that I took that leap of faith and combined my passion with paper. It has been such a journey. Once upon a time, Tamagrams started and consisted of 24 hand painted card designs. It's been exciting with each year, being able to add on new products as well as ideas. This year, I kept having a thought (and feeling) come over my heart about exhibiting in the National Stationary Show in New York City during May of 2011. Until this point, it had never crossed my mind because I knew I simply wasn't ready. I kept wrestling around with this idea as it is a very large expense for a small business to take this on without a guarantee. After speaking with several trusted and loved friends and supporters I knew that I did infact need to exhibit at the show and continue to step out in faith. So......on that note, I've been very busy designing fresh brand new designs and concepts, as well as tweaking old designs that need improvement or either discarding some older ones all together. It's kinda cool being able to look back at a certain skill/talent or trade and seeing the natural process of improving over time and practice. You can see this a lot with photographers and artists. Believe it or not, my husband is my biggest fan and supporter as well as an active part of my designing process. Our dream is to one day be able to work together designing. We are both equally creative, however his strengths are not my strengths and vice versa. That is another reason we feel we do work so well together.

Anyways, enough rambling...(sorry folks!) :) I'm posting some new stationary note designs. Yes, I do see a trend here! I am a sucker for birds! I think I am obsessed with them...I love watching them in groups, how they all instinctively know to flock together. I also love their natural delicacy and how God didn't just give us one type of bird, but hundreds! I find myself naturally diverting to them in so much of my work. They fascinate me...I guess you could call them a muse.

Hummingbird Flat Note

Hummingbird Folded Note

South Carolina Palmetto Flat Note (Gotta represent!) :)

Lollypop Roses Folded Note

Lollypop Roses Flat Note

Bird, Nest and Branch Flat Note

Lavender Bird on Thank You Branch Flat Note

Butteryfly Flat Note

Tropical Bloom Folded Note

Thanks for taking a peek! Until next time...stay warm, enjoy that cup of hot cocoa and most importantly enjoy this beautiful and special Christmas season!!!

Holiday Photocard Special Promos

Happy (Almost) Thanksgiving!!

Can you believe the Holidays are on our heels?! I'm slowly starting the feel the hustle and bustle of this season as it is approaching (in a good way!)

For those that are looking for a one of a kind Holiday photo card to send out to loved ones that is high quality and filled with good cheer, be sure to check out Tamagrams designs. I will be offering a Holiday special promotion for all photo card orders good through November 28th. For each family photo card order, you will receive 40% off your choice of stationary flat notes. Many of these notes can come personalized and are great stocking-stuffers, gifts for others as well as a little gift to yourself! (wink, wink!) You can view the flat notes and photo cards on Tamagrams website. All cards and stationary are printed in high quality color on a digital press on 100 lb. fine card stock.

Also, due to popular demand I am bringing back the "Design Only" option for the Holiday photo cards. For those of you who may not be familiar with this, this means you pick out the design of your choice for $25. You then would directly email the photo(s) you want to use for the card and I will personalize the design for you. I will then email you a high resolution JPeg and you will be able to print at a place of your choice... (Sams, Cosco, CVS, etc.) Many of those places can print on photo paper for as low as 9 cents.

Here are some more of recent Holiday designs...Enjoy!!

"Holiday Red Door"

"Holiday Stamp"

"Peppermint (Front)"

"Peppermint (Optional Reversible Back)"

"Stockings Were Hung"

"Whimsical Swirls Frame"

For more ordering info. and details check out www.tamagrams.com or feel free to email me directly at info@tamagrams.com

Thank you and Many Blessings to you all!
Tamara

Feature in Stationary Trends & Unrolling of New Holiday Designs

How humbled and honored I am to have another design featured in this wonderful magazine. Stationary Trends featured a Tamagrams Christmas Photocard in their Fall 2010 issue. It brings such joy to my heart being able to do what I do. I am so thankful to God for giving me the passion to create and design...I feel so alive and full when I do. My hope is that it would always add encouragement and vibrance to others lives.


What a wonderful time of year it is...Fall...Oh, how I love thee...I absolutely adore this weather. Fall is and will always be my favorite season. I love the crisp colorful leaves that dangle on trees, the smell of apple cider, the apple orchard and pumpkin farm festivities, the cool breeze that ever so gently breezes against the skin, the excitement of the Holidays that are around the corner and also the feeling of new beginnings.

I feel as if I've been a little M.I.A. lately as I've been immersed from my toes to my ears the past couple weeks in designing for the holidays. The visions of sugar plum fairies, sleighs and sugar cookies have been having been having a hay-day dancing in my head! :) When those moments of inspiration and sheer excitement to create come on its own, I find myself basking and marinating in every moment of it. Some of my most recent Holiday creations have been photo cards for families as well as Holiday cards for businesses. As always, here is a sneak peek, but be sure to check out www.tamagrams.com to see the entire collection that is available for the Holidays.










Thanks for taking a peek!

Here is a direct link to view all of Tamagrams photocards for the Holidays...
http://www.tamagrams.com/products/photo-cards

Wishing you all a very happy apple picking, pumpkin carving, leaf falling, and cider sipping Fall season!