September 1st, 2010
I spend a little bit more time than I probably should checking out other people’s websites and reading their Blogs, and one of my favourites is Love Paper Scissors. The business is run by Chelsie who lives in country Victoria and she creates absolutely stunning, three dimensional, miniature paper works of art. All done by hand – just with paper and scissors – oh … and love of course 
My absolute favourite is her range of paper butterflies, but Chelsie can also do one-off custom designs … just for you.
You can purchase her fabulous artworks online, plus there is a selection of stores around Australia that stock her artworks, so there may be one close to you if you want to have a closer look. What could be nicer than a beautiful piece of framed art to celebrate the birth of a child, their christening or name days, or a wedding. So have a look at the website and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it’s a winner!
Hmmm – now who can I buy for next?
Tags: butterflies, gift
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August 23rd, 2010
In a lather because you can’t buy soap-on-a-rope anymore?
If you’re looking for something truly special to let Dad know how much he means to you, what could be more unique than his own personalised stationery? Nôte Couture offers a range of suitably off-the-cuff and humorous designs to make Dad smile – and best of all they all come with his name printed on them. (And no socks or jocks in sight!)
Last day I’m accepting orders for Pre-Fathers Day delivery is this Thursday – August 26th so hop online soon
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August 17th, 2010
Is your home adorned by art created by family members or friends? We all cherish things people have created just for us. Fridges around the world are lovingly adorned with the drawings and sketches of little children. Creations by family artists are given pride of place (even if they’re awful)! These little personal touches are what make the house you live in your home. Your sons, daughters or partners may not be destined to become truly famous artists but to you, their efforts are more valuable than a Van Gogh.
Artists of all sizes revel in recognition and appreciation of their talent. Are you doing enough to recognise the talent in your household? Whether it’s a colourful pencil sketch created by the littlest member of the household or a funny cartoon created by a satirical teenager, why not show them how much you love it (and them) by having it printed on stationery? It’s not expensive and you don’t need to order large quantities.
Primary school aged children will be proud as punch when they see their artwork on a spiral bound notebook, a notepad or even on book labels for their school books. Teenagers might prefer a mouse mat notepad, a box of note sheets or a to do list for their homework desk. Who knows – seeing their own work on note paper might even encourage a little more effort in the communication department, and let’s face it, many teenagers could use a little encouragement in that area!
They say that sometimes you have to blow your own trumpet., so if you’re the artist in the family, recognise the importance of your own artwork by printing it on a calendar, notepad, calling cards, or correspondence cards. It adds a nice personal touch and when you leave someone a little note, it won’t get buried beneath all the other notes they’ve received … the boring and unimaginative ones!
So if your family and friends love your artwork (of course they do) then why not make their next gift a personalised stationery item featuring one of your own creations and a quote they will relate to. You can either ’borrow’ one of the quotes from our range or make up your own. Personalised stationery makes a wonderful gift that will be fondly remembered and talked about – it has a personal touch and a sincerity that you just can’t buy at the local shopping centre.
However not every piece of art can be successfully transferred to stationery so if you have a piece of home grown art or a particular design that you’d like to use, let me know the details and I’ll soon let you know if we can personalise your stationery with it.
In the meantime – check out what one of our customers did with her son’s artwork … it’s a christmas gift for Grandma – now that’s organised!!
Tags: custom
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August 17th, 2010
OK - now I’m really ready to go to the physio and get my poor old ‘mousers’ shoulder worked on – all the circular book labels have been added to the website – hard work aside, I love adding new formats – it’s nice to work on something different (yes I know – I’ve been told I have a low boredom threshold!!) and I think these look fabulous. Teriffic for your own books (and a great way to ensure if you’re a lender like me, that they make their way back to your book shelf), and brilliant for the kids’ books too - for home or school. Click on the Book Label format option and you’ll see the 3 different sizes to choose from – Standard, Large and Circular.
Tags: circular book labels
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August 12th, 2010
I have a serious case of ‘mouser’s shoulder’ as I’ve spent the day adding the new circular address labels to the website. So now you have two options to choose from - rectangular or circular. Hope you like them. Now … onto the Book Labels!
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August 6th, 2010
This afternoon’s task has been organising all the format artwork and uploading more dog illustrations onto the website – so if you’re after a Border Collie, West Highland Terrier (or Imelda’s as I now affectionately call them – I’m not influenced by advertisements at all!!), a Pug or a Greyhound/Whippet – check them out. All by the very talented Matt Strempel.
Have a great weekend. Love to hear what you think of the new woofers.
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August 5th, 2010
How often do you receive a personal handwritten note these days, in either your business dealings or personal life? It’s quite a rare happening now that anyone takes the time or puts in the small amount of effort required to send or leave a handwritten note. At best, you might get a square of sticky yellow paper with something carelessly scrawled on it.
In an increasingly impersonal world, receiving a personal note from a friend, colleague or business acquaintance is quite a pleasure. Such a simple courtesy has the power to make a friend or loved one feel special, or to make some hard working person remember that they exist as an individual in this gigantic, fast paced world. You can actually improve someone’s entire day by leaving them a note – what power!
If you’ve dropped the habit of note writing, it’s time to rediscover it. Purchase yourself a quality notepad or some correspondence cards with a design or caption that says a little something about who you are and start communicating in style!
Sending a personal handwritten note tells the recipient something about you – it tells them you care enough to take the time to communicate with them in a personal way. What’s in it for you? Happiness, generosity, appreciation and caring are all contagious!
Tags: Personal note, thank you
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August 3rd, 2010
Only a month or so to go until Father’s Day – have you organised your Father’s (or husband’s) prezzie? Need some help? Is Dad a writer or note taker – perhaps a large lined Spiral Bound Notebook would be useful? Is he a list maker – then how about a To Do List – you could add a #1 item on the list – “Catch up with (your name)” for a bit of fun. Does he have a home office - what about a mousemat notepad – so he can write notes but also use it as his mousemat, does he like to drop a note to his friends, then a Big Note would work a treat for his correspondence.
Organising a gift on behalf of young kids? – then scan in one of their drawings and order an item via Custom Print – imagine Dad’s face when he opens his prezzie and finds a personalised notepad with an illustration by his very own Rembrandt.
Does Dad follow a sport – footy, rugby, golf, basketball? Does he have a favourite family pet? Is he the type of guy who needs a reminder to stop working and put his feet up, or is he just a simple name-only sort of fella? Does he love chocolate? Is he into quotations? (Hmmm – Why can’t we have a normal family like everyone else)!! If you’d like me to make a few suggestions, just email me with some of his likes and dislikes and I can send you some links to some ideas that may suit. (julie@notecouture.com.au)
And if you live overseas, but Dad is based in Australia, then take the easy way and order something online and I can do all the work for you. (Actually, even if you live here and Dad lives overseas, then there’s still plenty of time to get it done – I can even giftwrap and send directly to him with a notecard from you).
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July 30th, 2010
I’m thinking about changing the correspondence cards – currently they have square corners, but I’m wondering if they’d look nicer with curved corners. I’d love to get your feedback as to your preference. See the two optional looks below:
Tags: Your input
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July 27th, 2010
When I went to New York earlier this year, I caught up with two of my closest friends - one who now lives and works there, and the other, (who lives in Italy but spends her life travelling the world for work), had ensured she had some New York meetings and was there at the same time as me. It was absolutely fantastic to see them both and sit down for a good chat and a laugh – not to mention an obligatory glass or two of champers!
I find there are two types of friends – the ones that you see regularly, and the ones who live overseas that you will chat every now and then but you will only get to catch up once every year or two. Somehow when you do, you always take up where you left off – as if no time at all had passed. And as two of my good friends have passed away in the last couple of years, I never take either type of friend for granted.
This new pic reminded me of my gorgeous friends – as I also never under-estimate the power of a good hug! Enjoy
Posted in Illustration | 1 Comment »
