Could not AGREE more!

Art Deco STYLE

I'm working on a FAB project at the moment for a art deco styled wedding reception. I just love the aesthetic of the art deco era. It oozes glamour and sophistication! I've just completed the initial designs so will be sure and let you see the final product!

V xx

Big changes REVEALED!

As many of you will know, I've been very busy with a secret project lately. Well, now I can share it with you all!

Back when I started my little stationery business, my main focus was on custom wedding and event stationery. I've found that over the last 2 years, the business has grown in so many ways that I've decided it's time for a fresh start!

I've been doing a lot of work with small boutique business and events on more corporate design work and also have the more generic stationery that is in my Etsy shop and wanted to reflect this online.

After a lot of research and talking over with friends and family, I've decided to leave Vari Longmuir Design behind and relaunch Buttercup Ink as a boutique design and stationery studio! The new site will showcase all design work - wedding and event stationery, corporate branding and design as well as hosting my new shop.

Working across the VLD website, Buttercup Ink Etsy shop and Buttercup Ink blog whilst using my VLD email address has become all a bit disjoined and confusing for clients and customers.

So... lunching on 4th April is the new shiny Buttercup Ink website and shop!

The new shop will showcase my new collection of art prints, notepads and cards. The aesthetic is clean and modern with the focus on beautiful typography.

I will still run my Etsy shop initially and will make a call on whether or not to continue a little later. I've had so many lovely customers via Etsy and I love the community there but I'm keen to move away from the more crafty business that make up the majority of Etsy shops and focus more on the modern design of my products. To sell on Etsy effectively, you really have to immerse yourself in the online community and with work in other areas (corporate and custom event stationery) I just don't have the time or energy to spend.

One of my major goals for this year is to secure more wholesale orders. A more condensed collection and removing the personalised items will allow me to focus on this area.

So the next few weeks are looking very busy as I 'stock' the shop and add the remaining content to the website.

Look forward to seeing you at the launch!

V xx

Exercise is the BEST de-stresser

Feeling that mid week slump?

Just want to curl up on the couch and watch TV?

It's been proven time and time again that exercising when you feel like this actually makes you feel better. The tricky part is forcing yourself to get up and ACTUALLY do it!

So here is a little motivational nudge! This is my beautiful trainer, Linda, from Plus One Mums.

I joined Linda's class when Gabe was just 5 weeks old. It was a saviour for me in those early weeks. The whole family now goes along to her early morning class on a Saturday. It feels so good to be out in the morning sun, down by the beach.

I've also been working with Linda on her design requirements for Plus One Mums. More of that to come later.

V xx

Accessory HELP!

I'm really looking forward to this weekend as my husband and I are spending the day at the races with friends... and minus babies! Pink Ribbon Cup is an amazing charity race day run by one of my dear friends with all proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

I've borrowed the most BEAUTIFUL dress from one of my girlies. I admire it every time she wears it! But now I have to accessorise it! What look should I go for?

Would love your suggestions!

V xx

Very clever cards

I LOVE these beautiful, simple letterpress cards from Sapling Press. This one is my FAV!

Check out the rest of the collection in their Etsy shop.

V xx

New art prints... for all AUSTRALIAN CAPITALS!

Dear ALL Australian Capitals,

We feel terrible that you are often left out when it comes to being recognised as AMAZING Australian cities. So now, in a celebration of all that is FAB and unique about our nation, you now have your very own art prints, just like us!

Don't say we're not good to you!

Lots of love,

Melbourne and Sydney xx

Available in my SHINY NEW ONLINE SHOP very soon! V xx

Music is what feelings sound like.

Simply stunning.

Switch the phone to silent.

Plug in the earphones.

Enjoy the next 6 minutes.

V xx

People are nice

I just wanted to take some time out this morning to say thank you to all my recent clients, online customers and blog readers. This last few weeks has been really busy with lots of big wedding jobs being completed as well as some new and exciting corporate clients.

Yesterday I received 3 lovely emails from clients - 2 of whom I haven't even met face to face - to say how happy they are with my design work, how nice I am to work with and how lucky they are to be working with me! It's such a lovely feeling to receive positive feedback - especially when you are a one-man-band and don't have colleagues around to bounce ideas off and get feedback from.

All too often we keep quiet when we have nice thoughts and only voice the negative. So today I set you a challenge. If you think of something positive about a person... TELL THEM!

Have a great day! And thank you, thank you, thank you!

V xx

A look around the Buttercup Ink studio

I've been doing some re-organising and tidying up of my studio space this last few weeks. So now that it's looking good, I wanted to share some photos with you.

I love to see peoples home office/studio spaces. Great for ideas on storage and also gives a great insight into the person who works there.

My very handy husband put this shelf in for me at the weekend. It gives me great work space for trimming, binding and packaging and also keeps the more dangerous equipment away from Gabriels little hands!

This is the printing corner. I use the multi function for all my day to day admin stuff like invoices and quote and the big Epson for my prints.

This is the old chest that my husband picked up for me from a local vintage shop. Great for extra storage - especially jobs that are complete and ready for delivery. And I think it looks pretty awesome too!

I'm constantly trying to find ways to make the studio space functional but also, as it's right in the middle of our home, it has to work aesthetically too. I also have wedding clients in this space for consultations so it has to also be inviting.

The vintage suitcase I use to store my stock for markets and also use it for my market display.

The general office'y stuff lives here.

This window gives great light for all my cutting and finishing. The height is fab as I've had one too many sore backs from being stooped over a desk cutting for hours!

My favourite item in the studio has to be my world map. I often find myself daydreaming and plotting our next big adventure. Very educational too! Did you know... the South Shetland Islands belong to the UK and are south of Cape Horn in South America!

Well I hope you've enjoyed having a look around Buttercup Ink HQ!

V xx

Friday Fives... BLOG love

Today I want to share some of the blogs I've been reading lately. There are so many creative, inspiring women out there. These are just a few of the many!

Coriander Girl - story of the birth of a beautiful flower/vintage shop in Toronto, Canada.

Simplesong - one of my many inspirations! The musings of a stationery and letterpress designer in Virginia, USA

bellaMUMMA - lifestyle and beauty blog - lots of amazing images!

Boho Girl - a stunningly beautiful and thought provoking blog about life, family, work and finding the balance.

Style Me Pretty - a must-read for all brides-to-be... and those of us who just love weddings!

Be sure and drop by and say hi!

Have a great weekend everyone!

V xx

The Kids + TV debate

I just read a really interesting article about how much TV our kids are watching and alternatives to the digital babysitter.

I must admit, there are times when I've had work to do or a client phone call and sat G in front of the TV to watch one of the several shows that are on our Foxtel IQ. This is something I said I'd NEVER do before I became a mum. We've got a lot of them, right!

But lately I've become more aware of the unnecessary noise and distraction that having the TV on can cause. So we've been TV-free during the day and instead have been listening to music. It's amazing how different the energy in the house is for both of us. Gabe is actually much more content and settled without it on and I find that I'm much more productive and creative when I sit down to work when he goes for his afternoon nap. Lunchtime is much more enjoyable and much more of Gabe's food makes it to him mouth as opposed to the floor!

Heading into the colder weather here in Melbourne and with Gabe turing 2 in June, I know I'm going to have to get creative with our activities. I don't want to schedule our entire day though. I'm a believer in allowing kids to learn to play on their own in an unstructured way. It allows them to be creative and find their own fun and create their own games. Surely this is what we want for our kids? To be independent, creative, imaginative and find their own interests.

Does anyone have set TV rules in their house? What activities do you do with your little ones?

V xx