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