Monthly Archives: September 2011

sweetest treat of the fall season: candy corn

by Erika Firm Posted on September 29, 2011

candy corn brachs packagingThis morning while fixing breakfast for my son I wore a sweater over my pjs … it’s officially Fall in my book, now. One thing that I look forward to each year is the return of Brach’s candy corn to the store shelves (and my belly).

I’m not too crazy about the new packaging. It’s not that it isn’t well designed … I like the layout just fine (and you know I’m a big fan of white space). I think candy corn is one of those nostalgic childhood memory type things … I miss the old packaging. Does that make me old?

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New: Lace Wedding Invitation

by Erika Firm Posted on September 28, 2011

lace letterpress wedding invitation in purple and gray Here’s a peek at one of our brand new wedding invitation designs: LACE. Only available in stores at authorized Delphine dealers.

We’re in the middle of photographing all the new designs, so check back soon for shots of the rest of our new designs, including Carnival, Succulent, Watercolor and New Orleans.

As shown: letterpressed in purple and gray inks on white 100 percent cotton stock, with a beet purple liner.  //design ©Delphine, LLC.  //photo by Courtney Yee for Delphine.

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Delphine in the Press: The Knot TV

by Erika Firm Posted on September 27, 2011

Delphine Rose invitation in yellow, blue and graySky blue Stone Gray and Honey Yellow color palette

Yellow Gray and Blue wedding invitation by Delphine

Exciting news! Delphine is on The Knot TV. (Check us out at at minute 20). I love the color palette from this episode: sky blue, stone gray and honey yellow. It’s super romantic without being fussy or overly feminine. I can totally envision it for an elegant barn wedding or a casual garden wedding.

The gray, blue and yellow look chic together on our Rose wedding invitation, don’t you think? I’d love to see the palette played out with a yellow rose bouquet tied with a blue velvet ribbon. I’m envisioning floaty gray bridesmaids dresses with blue shoes and dreamy wrist corsages tied with the same blue velvet ribbon. I think it’s time for wrist corsages to make a comeback!

Merci beaucoup to the ladies of The Knot for including us in this episode. It’s a great one (love the cocktail recipes!).

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And the Bootcamp Winner is …

by Erika Firm Posted on September 26, 2011

tradeshow bootcamp winner megan manningMerci beaucoup to everyone who entered the contest!  Congratulations, MEGAN MANNING!!! [Insert loud cheering noises].  You’ve won a ticket to listen to the Products + Ordering workshop session of Tradeshow Bootcamp! Please leave a comment with your email address (don’t worry, I won’t publish your address) so I can give you instructions on how to login to the workshop.

Everyone else, it’s not too late to sign up to listen in. And please feel free to leave a comment or email me directly with questions you’d like covered in the workshop. I’ll be discussing all things wedding album related.

The Products + Ordering workshop session of Tradeshow Bootcamp is October 6, 2011 at 4PM PT.

For a complete schedule of the workshops and to register visit Tradeshow Bootcamp.

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Bedroom Décor Wish List

by Erika Firm Posted on September 23, 2011

wish list bedroom decor

Like I mentioned yesterday, John and I are finally getting around to decorating our bedroom (we only moved in, oh, 7 1/2 years ago). Out with the gross dijon mustard and in with clean light gray, white, and sunny yellow. With some light greens and turquoises, too.

At the top of my wish list for the new room: //1// Kartel Bourgie Lamp    //2// Yellow Flower Pillow: Maypop from Anthropologie     //3// Engineered wood floors     //4// Yellow ombre basket for extra blankies from The Container Store     //5// Exquisite vintage gray sheets from Restoration Hardware     //6// Cozy gray cable knit blanket from Restoration Hardware     //7// Our own vintage couch recovered in linen to look like this one from Wisteria   //8// H20 bedside water carafe from Bixby & Ball.

 

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Bedroom renovation update: yellow to gray

by Erika Firm Posted on September 22, 2011

bedroom goes from yellow to gray bedroom paint yellow and gray bedroom after We’re busier than ever at the studio, so why should it be any different at home? who needs to rest? We’ve been working on redecorating our bedroom these past few weeks (every night, any available minute not working on client projects weekends). What do you think so far? I’m SOOO happy to finally be rid of the dijon mustard walls —and ceiling. John repainted in a beautiful light gray color: Martha Stewart Gray Goose paint.

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Win a seat at the Products + Ordering session of Tradeshow Bootcamp

by Erika Firm Posted on September 20, 2011

delphine giveaway: tradeshow bootcamp session

Delphine custom wedding albumI am honored that Katie has asked me to speak at Tradeshow Bootcamp this fall. Even better, I have a space to giveaway for the Products + Ordering session! All of your burning questions about how to develop a custom album, design a wedding collection, and price wholesale invitations and stationery will be answered.

Susan Kropp of Chirps & Cheers, Katie Hunt of Kelp Designs, and Erika Firm of Delphine (yours truly) will share our experiences about buying (Susan) and selling (Katie and me) custom wedding albums and other stationery products at the National Stationery Show and New York International Gift Show. Topics will include: Designing a collection for an album; How to sell an album at NSS; Retailer FAQ; How to price for wholesale; Timeline and delivery; Minimum orders; Return policy; Q&A.

The Products + Ordering workshop session of Tradeshow Bootcamp is October 6, 2011 at 4PM PT.

To enter the giveaway for a chance to win a seat in the workshop just leave a comment on this post with your most burning question about custom wedding albums. The winner will be chosen randomly. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, September 26th. Even if you’ve already signed up for the Bootcamp you can still enter the giveaway (if you win your fee for the workshop will be refunded)!

For a complete schedule of the workshops and to register visit Tradeshow Bootcamp.

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NCGD Meetup in Encinitas Wed., September 21, 2011

by Erika Firm Posted on September 18, 2011

North County Graphic Designers Meetup in Encinitas September 21, 2011 North County San Diego Designers: Please join us Wednesday, September 21, 2011

8 am – 9 am at E Street Café in Encinitas, California

Kick off the day on a positive note with other North County graphic designers. We’ll be chatting about social media and comparing notes at this meetup.

R.s.v.p. by leaving a comment on this blog (or on the LinkedIn thread or email Kathy or I directly). To join our LinkedIn group: do a GROUPS search for “North County Graphic Designers” on LinkedIn to join (free).

Hope to see you all there. All creatives welcome.

NCGD co-founded by Delphine and KMG. Artwork by Kathy McGraw.

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Chronicle Books Friends & Family Sale

by Erika Firm Posted on September 14, 2011

chronicle books friends & family sale sept 2011

It’s Back To School time, one of my favorite times of year. I have been known to hug the school supply bins at the local office supply store. Really. Even now that I’m well out of school, I get the urge to stock up on interesting books this time of year. Lucky for me (and for you, my sweet reader friends), Chronicle Books is having a friends & family sale right now: 35% off AND free shipping. Excellent! Use the promo code FRIENDS. Sale ends 9/30/11.

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Neighborhood S’mores Party

by Erika Firm Posted on September 7, 2011

S'mores Party Invitation

S'mores Party Napkins

S'mores Party marshmallow on fire

S'mores Family Erika Firm John ArquetteS'mores Party FireA few weeks ago, just before school started, John and I invited the neighborhood kids (and their parents) over for a S’mores Party. It was a hot sticky mess, but also a ridiculous amount of fun.

I designed fun brown and white S’mores party invitations, as well as a few party accessories like brown cocktail napkins, but that’s as fancy as it got — overall the party was super low key. My dad made brats and we had a wagon full of beer, the kids ran around the yard playing tag, and patiently waited for dark so we could make s’mores. One of our neighbors brought over homemade marshmallows drizzled with caramel (we ate most of them before the fire was hot!).

Some s’mores party tips: 1. Buy cheap wood dowels at the hardware store for disposable s’mores sticks.   2. Keep a box of wet wipes nearby to help little ones get “unsticky.”   3. Put each ingredient in its own big jar with wide mouth, for easy access.   4. If you want to try something a little fancy: replace the Hershey’s bar with a Reese’s Cup. Trust me on this one.

//Top 3 photos by Erika Firm; bottom photos by Jessica Davis Photography

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September 2011

by Erika Firm Posted on September 6, 2011

Calendar by Delphine September 2011It’s September. It’s back to school time. Back to regular schedules, bedtimes, carpool … blech! I’m in denial, hence the tardiness of this Welcome September 2011 post. I sincerely wish summer could last all year, don’t you?

//photo and 2011 calendar and letterpress owl card by Delphine.

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