Blog Everyday In April?

Ok. It's April 1 and while this is typically the day of pranks and jokes I promise this blog post is not a joke. One of my Twitter friends, Liz Thompson of This Full House tweeted about NaBloPoMo. April Fool says what? NaBloPoMo stands for "National Blog Posting Month". The goal is to write a post a day for an entire month. You can see the unofficial info here.

So Liz said she was participating in NaBloPoMo and I tweeted back: "I might have to consider this challenge." Liz then replied: "I triple dog dare ya." So what choice do I have? I've been triple dog dared! I have to give it a try, right?

Some participating in this daily blog challenge, like to follow a theme. Melissa Ford of BlogHer has set up daily topics with the theme: Scandalous. I'm not one for discussing scandal, so I'm going to choose my own subjects each day.

Ok. That's it for now. Wish me luck! I've never blogged 5 days in a row, so this really is going to be a challenge for me. If you decide to join the fun, let me know in the comments below!

Cheers!
-Patti

Is the Handwritten Letter an Art Form?

Question: Do you really believe traditional, posted mail is an art form? If it is, then each and every one of you reading this, has the potential to be an artist! I rather like that thought. We all know art comes in many forms and some are better at it than others, but that doesn't keep people from continuing to pursue it. So why do you think the "art of letter writing" is decreasing? Allow me to list a few reasons people have given as to why they don't write and mail letters.

• It's old fashioned. (yes, well, so is love and I'm certainly glad that's still around)
• It takes too much time. (time yourself writing a letter, and let me know)
• It costs too much money. (for less than the cost of a drink from your favorite cafe, you can brighten someone's day and possibly their week)
• Writing an email or text is just as good. (not even close)
• I don't know what I'd write. (Dear Friend, I hope you're having an awesome day! Thinking of you made my day better. Love, The Letter Writing Artist)
• My handwriting is messy. (write more letters and it will improve)
• I'm lazy. (now we're getting somewhere)

images via Pinterest

I think the main reason people don't write more letters for the post is laziness. I'm one of those people. It's true. I have fallen into the lazy track and it's time I pull myself out of it. Honestly, I need some motivation. While I was "chatting" with an online friend, Viv of Poppy Sparkles, I had this idea. I'd like to encourage more letter writing and at the same time, write more letters and be held accountable. So here's my challenge:  I challenge anyone reading this blog to write a letter to a friend or family member, mail it straight away to them and include a blank piece of stationery or plain paper with a stamped blank envelope for that person to then write a letter of their own. Once you've finished brightening their day with a few kind words about them (or about you), tell them what to do with the blank page and envelope. It's a "written-letter-pay-it-forward" sort of thing. Who's with me on this? Would you appreciate a small reward for your efforts? Okay, fine. 

Each person who posts a photo of their handwritten note (and blank extra note) on Instagram, Twitter or the Easton Place Facebook page, tagging Easton Place so I can see it, I will send you 2 pcs. of stationery so you can write a couple more notes along with a handwritten note of my own, of course! I would love if you follow me on all of those sites just mentioned, but you don't have to in order to receive your reward. If you do follow me, thank you!

Another online friend, Nancy Sheed, had sent me this post about "The Vanishing Art of Letter Writing" and I shared it with my Facebook fans. That's what Viv and I were chatting about when I got this idea. So, thank you, Nancy and Viv. 

images via Pinterest

As a side note, I promise not to send you any unwanted mail to those who take me up on the offer above. The only strings attached here are the ones pulling you to write and mail more letters! Again I'll ask: Who's with me on this? If you are interested in playing along, tag Easton Place when posting your photos on Twitter or Instagram and use #EPHandwritten so anyone reading this can find your posts. You can send your mailing address by post to:

Easton Place

PO Box 451

Easton, CT 06612

or

patti (at) eastonplacedesigns (dot) com

Happy letter writing! I'm really looking forward to seeing all your handwritten posts and sending out your rewards. (Please be mindful of the addresses in your photos. Be sure not so show mailing addresses online as to keep them private. Thank you.)

xoxo

Patti

Instagram Contest!

I love seeing people enjoying my Fine Paper Lovelies & products, and I thought others might enjoy it as well. In honor of our brand new custom stamp and stationery shops opening in April, 2013,  I am asking fans of Easton Place to share a photo of an Easton Place product on Instagram with the hashtag #EastonPlaceLove.  The photo with the most likes will win from our new stamp and stationery shops: 1 Custom Stamp Set and 1 Set of Stationery of their choice. The photo with the second highest number of likes will win 1 Custom Stamp Set.

a little sample of two of our new stamps launching April, 2013!

You say you don't have any Easton Place products to show on Instagram? Huh.  No worries!  I don't want you to feel left out, so I am offering to send a free mini-set of stationery (3 pieces of my choosing) to the first 25 people who ask me on FB or Twitter. (Note: you must follow me on Facebook & Twitter for your request for free paper lovelies to be honored.) You'll then have your own Easton Place goodies to share on Instagram. That's easy, right?

Rules & Such:

• Upload a photograph (taken by you) of your favorite Easton Place product to Instagram and use the hashtag #EastonPlaceLove.
• Share your Instagram photo on Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler... and get your friends to give it some "love" (ok, it's actually a heart, but you know what I mean).
• Photo used for this contest must be yours and must have been taken no earlier than today, Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
• Contest is open from Tuesday, March 19 - Friday, April 5, 2013.
• Free Mini-Sets are only available to US Residents because I can't be sure the they will make it abroad in time for the contest. (sorry friends outside the US. I still love you!)

Who's excited? Me! I am!! I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your Easton Place goodies on Instagram! And I'm also looking forward to sharing some stationery goodness with 25 lucky people! Well, what are you waiting for? Go share some love on Instagram and don't forget to use hashtag #EastonPlaceLove on your entry!

Good Luck!

xoxo

Patti

Social Media Buttons

One of the more popular items in my branding shop is the set of custom social media buttons. Have you ever wanted buttons made just for your shop or blog? I'd love to work with you to create a set! Below are a few sets I've designed to match client's specifications. I'm currently booking custom work for November. This is a fun way to freshen up your shop or blog!

September Photo Challenge Subjects

Whoa! September is here, just like that! You know what that means? New Photo Challenge Subjects. You can join along on twitter by using the hashtag #SeptPhoto. You can also join our flickr group if you like. And last but not least, you can connect with us on Instagram. 

This month our dear friend Lisa Adams created the list.  If you haven’t read Lisa’s blog, please stop by.  She is an amazing writer and a very dear friend.

If you'd like to share this list on your own blog, please do! Remember to give credit to Lisa, Kathryn and myself please. Read more about our 366 Project HERE!

Have a great weekend!  Get out there and get clicking.

xoxo

-Patti & Kathryn (Coastal Chick)

July Photo Challenge!

Thanks to our fabulous friend, Lisa Adams, The Coastal Chick and I didn't have to work very hard for this month's photo themes! Lisa kindly offered up most of the following subjects for the July Photo Challenge. (Thank you, Lisa!)

In case you're joining us for the first time, or need a refresher on how this works, you simply take a photo each day using the subjects listed below. Post them on instagram and/or twitter using the hashtag #JulyPhoto. You can also join our Flickr group and post them there as well. If you'll be joining the group, let me know in the comments below so we can follow your photo posts!

Have fun with it! If you miss a day or two, no worries. Post when you can.

Happy July, everyone!!

xoxo
Patti

Sherbet Flowers

One of the many great benefits of participating in a daily photo challenge, is being inspired by other people's amazing photos! Today's color palette is based on a photo by one of The 366 Project's members, and my online friend, Jenna. Some of you may know Jenna as @Auntie_Jenn on twitter!
Jenna posted the photo shown below and I immediately wanted to create a color palette from it. Thank you, Jenna, for allowing me to use your beautiful photo. It makes me think of sherbet. Yum!

If you'd like to participate in the photo challenge, please do! Just sign up for the Flickr group and start snapping photos. Some months we have photo subjects and some months we, well... take photos of whatever we feel like!

If you'd like to submit a photo for a color palette consideration, let me know in the comments below by posting a link to the photo you'd like to share.

Enjoy!
xoxo
Patti