Change

Hello, Everyone! You should prepare yourselves to see some changes to my blog. The biggest change will be that I will in future publish in English. There are two reasons for this change: The first reason is that I receive more international queries than local ones! To make my blog more accessible to everyone and to try and standardise things a little I will in future blog in English. I  will bring you more information from all over the world, but with suggestions for vendors in Europe.

The second reason is more personal: I love blogging and talking to you all, but it still takes me very long to try and formulate perfect Dutch sentences when writing, as Dutch is not my mother tongue! By the time that I am more or less satisfied (take note: not convinced that there are no errors!) with a post it has become old news to me, which takes the fun out of publishing it. It will therefore be more practical for me to rather write in English. Since it will be much quicker to do, I will be able to also blog more often! This does not mean that I don't value my Dutch followers. You will still be welcome to leave your comments in Dutch or to write to me in Dutch!

I've decided to revamp my blog in more than one way, so you can expect to see a new logo up in the next few days, as well as some new categories for posts. I will talk to you again soon!

Doe-het-zelf: Laser gesneden trouwkaart (Etsy) - DIY laser cut invitation (Etsy)

Thought I'll give you a sneak preview of the lasercut wedding invitation that will be available from my Etsy shop from tomorrow (15 March 2011)!

You can order the lasercut invitation, which comes with a loose insert or A4 sheet (let me know what you prefer) and a matching envelope of your choice. I've used some striped ribbon and a faux pearl to dress up the card. The favour box (also available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlmostAmsterdam from tomorrow) was decorated with some striped ribbon and an acrylic disc. The ribbon was some leftovers from my own stash. The thank you discs will also be available from my Etsy shop very soon, but if you need them immediately, you are welcome to e-mail me. (Minimum quantity: 25. Available in English, Dutch, German & French).

This was such an easy project, that, once you have the supplies, you'll be able to personalise your invitations in no time!

Doe Het Zelf Uitnodiging - Almost Amsterdam (Etsy)

Deze uitnodiging kan je tuis maken.:

• Computer en printer
• Vierkantige mapje en A4 karton ("square paper pocket" en "A4 cardstock" online te bestellen by http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlmostAmsterdam)
• Lint naar keuze (Jan De Grote Kleinvakman in Amsterdam)
• Bloemen van tulle (Ik kan deze snijden op bestelling)
• Gehaakt bloem (Jan De Grote Kleinvakman of mischien kan Oma helpen!)
• Silver "brad"
• Pons (Ik gebruik een pons van Making Memories)
• Stanley mes en liniaal of "paper trimmer"
• Snijmat
• Dubbelzijdige plakband

Life is what happens when we make other plans ...

I was hoping to launch my Etsy shop at the end of November 2010, but due to delays and public holidays I’ve received the paper and cardstock a few weeks late. Since I could not do much about Etsy without paper in stock I’ve decided to accept a major editing project to fill the time that I would have devoted to Etsy. (Yes, I also do translation and editing work when I'm not designing or "playing" with paper!)

By the time that my paper arrived I barely had the time to check the delivery, let alone time to make samples to photograph for Etsy! So Etsy had to be put on hold a little longer. Fortunately I have finally finished the project (and started catching up with everything else that had to wait!) and there is finally time to focus on Etsy and an impressive stash of paper that won't run out too soon!

Getting an Etsy shop up and running is still a bit of a learning curve for me, but I am slowly getting the hang of it! In the next couple of weeks I plan on listing a few basic, but really pretty stationery items in my Etsy shop that will make it possible for all you creative people out there to make your own invitations, wedding stationery, birth announcements and other special event paper goods.

The Almost Amsterdam shop on Etsy is specifically aimed at DIY. With the exception of a few supplies that I will stock in future because they match my products, all products will be handmade in my little home studio – a converted spare bedroom in our house! I have a few pieces of really cool equipment, so you don’t have to be worried about crooked lines and poor quality. I guess what I am trying to say is that you can expect high quality, but exclusive products, not readily available in shops.

The idea is to help you create really pretty, really professional looking stationery by combining my creative efforts with yours! I’ve chosen some beautiful Italian paper that isn’t readily available in shops here in the Netherlands, but that is fairly easy to work with and that is approved for use in both inkjet and laser printers.

I want to offer an alternative to those of you who aren’t that fond of ordering a mass produced card from a catalogue at a printer. You’ll be able to purchase the pre-cut cards and some paper or cardstock that you can use to design and print your own invitations and stationery on your home computer and printer. Personalisation of many products will also be possible.

In the next couple of weeks I will list products on Etsy, but in the mean time, please feel free to convo me via Etsy, or to e-mail me, should you want to know about specific possibilities.

You can find my Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlmostAmsterdam

Oh, and please check back tomorrow! I will do a post on a wedding invitation made from this pink pocket, some cardstock and a few tidbits all available right here in The Netherlands!

Die-cutting/"Stansen"

Last week I was trying to explain to someone what I do. I mentioned the word “die-cutting” and she got this blank expression on her face, so I had to explain. (I still do lots of explaining, because my Dutch is still FAR from perfect!) I was proud of myself, because I knew the Dutch word (“stansen”) too, but this was not enough. It made me realise that many Dutch brides and grooms might not be familiar with especially the English term, so I thought it might be useful to post a short explanation here on my blog, especially because I’ll soon be selling die-cuts (“stansvormen”) in my Etsy shop.

 

Die-cutting is a method by which a specific shape (for example that of an envelope, box or flower) is cut from or punched out of paper or fabric by using a metal form that is called a die. The noun “die-cut” is used to refer to the cut out shape.

Below is a picture of a die:

 
This die was used to make this box:
 
 

I will soon be offering die-cuts cut from my collection in my Etsy shop. As soon as they become available I will do a post on my blog. If you need die-cuts before then, please contact me via e-mail.



2011

Pantone Colour of the Year - 2011

Those of you who know me will also know that I often wear pink and that I've painted my previous studio and even our bedroom (with Hubby's blessing!) different shades of pink. So I was very pleased when Pantone anounced a vibrant shade of pink as the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2011! Pantone calls this beautiful reddish shade of pink "honeysuckle", but other flowers also come to mind: peonies, roses, fuchias and my favourite tulips that will hopefully bloom in the spring!

 

What signature colour will you choose for your wedding? Considering Honeysuckle?  Then you need to read on! I love Pantone's passionate description of the colour and since I couldn't say it better myself, I've reprinted a part of the article here:

Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women... It’s a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women’s apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men’s ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway...

You will find the original article here.