ABC's of the ATL

photo: Meg Davidson Photography

This week marks 17 years that I have lived in Atlanta. To be honest, I have a love hate relationship with this town. It is where I have spent my married life, had two beautiful children, grew a small paper and design business and have made friendships of a lifetime that can never be replaced. However, I have always had a very hard time calling Atlanta home. 

The first half of this year was spent thinking that a move back north, closer to our families was finally going to happen. And when the reality hit it that may not be happen as quickly as we had hoped, the following months have been filled with learning to bloom where we are planted. 

This ABC of the ATL series blossomed from the 100 day project that I challenged myself to. Doing a sketch for 100 days turned out to be more difficult than what I had first imagined. So, I thought of an ongoing project that would help fill those days. The 26 letters in the alphabet would knock almost a month of sketches, plus I needed something new to put on the shelves at one of my stockist, 

Crafted Westside  After researching, I couldn't believe that nobody had done this before. The ABC's of the ATL quickly became topic of conversation at our breakfast table. Everyone in the family added their favorite things of our town to the list and off I went to sketch them out. It even became a fun topic to talk about at BBQ's and the food trucks park. (sorry that didn't make it for "F". But, I've already had requests to do single prints using other hot Atlanta finds) 

Our little sketches and ideas quickly caught on. I am overwhelmed by its response. Thank you everyone!  Its been super fun and like I said, I don't think that the party is over just yet. There will be more on this fun subject to come. And who knew that after 17 years, a that series of simple drawings would actually help me to love where I live. Love mite be pushing it a tad, but at least I have learned to appreciate it much more.  

Want your own print? Just head on over to our shop here.

{Goodbye Home, Sweet Home}

For the past 8 years this little historic cottage tucked into a far secret corner of Atlanta has been home. Home to our growing family and inkSpotts. With now four humans, one four legged fur baby and two growing businesses all tucked under its eaves, we are bursting at it's seams.  

Its sad to say goodbye to our sweet little home, but a little extra elbow room is something to get excited about. What mite the Holiday season by like without orders stacked up on the kitchen table? I can only dream of an in home studio with a door instead of a little nook beside the pantry. (although the easy access to a quick bite is a plus) You mean an email with a client may actually get answered without interruption? A creative thought mite actually make its way to a finished product? A girl can dream, right? 

Thanks Curbed Atlanta for giving our house a little wink. Check it out here 

Stop by to say hello on this Sunday at our Open House from 1-4.

announcing....

We've been quiet again for the past few months but this time, we have good reason.... this could have a little something to do with why ...introducing Ian Martin. We are gearing up to get back into full swing in the next few weeks and will be jumping right in with exciting new holiday announcements.

{the West side is the Best side}

We are super excited to welcome Crafted Westside to our little corner of town AND to our list of stockists. Crafted is a collective comprised of talented artisans and designers, primarily from Atlanta and the surrounding region. The little shop is chuck full of amazing and one of a kind products.  When Shanna contacted me about selling my wares in her new store that was due to open in April in the BrickWorks of West Midtown, Atlanta I did't know what I was more excited about, having a merchant right around the corner or having such a great shop in the neighborhood! After living on the Westside for almost 15 years, it is always exciting to see the area evolve. Crafted is exactly the type of shop that needed to be added to the list of stores in the area.  We are hoping that our lunch boxes are a huge hit and look forward to adding more products to their shelves in the near future. Good luck girls, we wish you much success!!!

Welcome to the Westside, the best side!! 

{the long lost blog}

One of the things that bothers me the most is when I look at a company's website and click on their blog with great anticipation in order to see just a tad bit more about the them, to peek behind the scenes and see what makes them tic, then finding the blog sad, lonely and rarely updated. I race to the back arrow with extreme disgust. So, one would think that I would stay on top of my own blog, updating photos, product launches, new merchants information, new creations and all about the daily grind of what inkSpotts is exactly. Did you check the date of my last post?  I am ashamed...November 8th. Don't even make me count how many months ago that was. So, what has been happening in the four corners of our little studio all this time? .... LIFE!

Hats off to all of you entrepreneurs who blog, tweet, instagram, facebook, pinterest, tumbler and whatever other social media outlet I am forgetting, on not only a daily basis but often times quadruple times a day. I commend you for being able to keep up with all of that and all of the work that comes with the doing the actual job itself. I surrender.

In the nearly five months (yes I counted them with shame) since I have logged in, gallery openings, art shows, holidays along with all of their specials, weddings projects, deadlines for the design group, contract writing for new clients and stocking the shelves of new merchants have all come and gone. Its all a big blur because as I have said, life has taken the main stage and the blog has gotten shoved under the bed with the rest of the dust bunnies.(don't make me go under there either). There have been vacation days, snow days, teaching days, morning sickness all day days (baby number two coming our way in July), meeting days, pneumonia days, stomach bug days, more snow days, more vacation days.... you get the idea. So when I do actually have a chance to grab a peaceful second in the studio, I do what I love to do most (and what my clients prefer the most), create and design!! Sorry blog I wish I could offer you more. 

But for now, while everything is peaceful and the coffee is still warm in my cup here are a few pics to catch up. And here's to a few months of keeping up with things, I hope. Promising to do my best and not be one of "those" blogs. As Garrison Keeler says, "Be well. Do good work, and keep in touch." 

No Ordinary Benefit Show - Illustration based on a quote from CS Lewis

Concepts sketches for a pretty exciting new client. Cant wait to share all of the details in April.

(honest...I'll blog again before August and be sure to share)

Design submissions for a new client via A Fresh Bunch! Fun stuff!! 

Stocking "Crafted Westside" with lots of lunch boxes. 

wedding proof moc-ups

new piece for Art in the Park at Whittier Mill Village

A little too up close and personal with the Bowmans

{holiday collection 2013}

Don't let the holidays sneak up on you this year. Let us take the stress out of your December and order your holiday cards now. Here is a look into our 2013 collection. We will be adding more in the next few days as well. Give us a shout to set up your consultation. 

see the rest of our collection under paperie/holiday! We look forward to hearing from you soon! Cheers! 

{be grateful -3}

Today I am thankful for a much needed coffee break on this fabulous November morning. Love where you live.