Gift: Holiday Wrapping.

Holiday Tree Gift Wrap

Now with Halloween done away with, the inevitable happens. Christmas music and festive lights fill every space, eggnog is enthusiastically stocked and consumed, talk of snow and plans for the upcoming year ahead makes an appearance in most conversations. 

The holiday season is upon us!

I do love this time of year. There's something very cozy about it. If only I had a fireplace to sit in front of while I sip my whiskey-spiked eggnog. 

Holiday Woodland Gift Wrap

Holiday Woodland Gift Tags

Earlier this year I designed and made plans to produce my own holiday wrapping paper and gift tags, but with our upcoming move it became clear I didn't need the added stress. 

It seems a waste not to do anything with the designs though, so I'm happy to offer them as free templates to you all. It does mean there isn't as much surface space for the wrapping paper, but it should wrap tinier gifts quite nicely. 

Holiday Tree Gift Tags

All 4 templates fit 8.5" x 14" (legal) size paper and are available for download from the following links:

Holiday Woodland Gift Wrap
Holiday Woodland Gift Tags
Holiday Tree Gift Wrap
Holiday Tree Gift Tags

Happy early Holidays! xo

Wander: A sort of homecoming. Lithuania.

Feeling like I've come home.

Why come to Lithuania? Where is Lithuania?

We often got quizzical looks when we mentioned Vilnius being part of our travel plans. Much of Eastern Europe is still unchartered territory for the average traveller, so we understood anyone's surprise. Especially when its lumped in with our other heavy-footed destinations of Scotland, Berlin and Paris.  

I've always proudly identified as Lithuanian (at least in part), as I'm first generation Canadian on my father's side. As Lithuanians of a certain generation, my grandparents lived through atrocities that we have never been privy to know. Between hiding from the Nazi and Soviet armies, their last few years in Lithuania must have been filled with absolute fear, distrust and God knows what else. My father was born inside a German DP (displaced persons) camp and at the age of 6 months, he and my grandmother bravely escaped by boat to Canada. My grandfather left several months before to work as a minor in Northern Ontario. He was determined to firmly root his family in a new life away from the chaos.

Knowing part of your own history is quite dark, you're both in awe of your grandparents' strength and determination but also horrified this could ever be possible and you weep for their innocence. Lithuania finally gained its independence from Russian occupation in 1991, which has had a strong impact on how the country has flourished since. 

I have a rooted connection to my heritage, but I lacked any connection to the land itself. Being an artist there's always been something inside of me that felt very in-tune with my Lithuanian (and French) heritage. When we began planning our month-long trip my husband made a huge plea for Lithuania. Yes, Kevin was the main force behind our decision to visit my 'homeland'. 

My vision of Lithuania growing up was often a place of fear, despair and sadness, but eventually of triumph and determined spirit. My trepidation with visiting was that of fear itself. Fear I would regret coming. Fear I would find a total disconnection to the people, culture and land. Fear my heritage was only a blood line and nothing else. You have such admiration and pride for your ancestors that I feared I'd leave with a confused identity.

What my time in Vilnius has shown me is that I am in fact, Lithuanian. Our short time there brought me solace and a new sense of 'home' and belonging. While this was a personal trip to my 'homeland', it also opened me up to a whole other part of Europe!

Eastern Europe doesn't get the credit it deserves. While Western Europe is being overrun with tourists, Eastern Europe has its own thing going on. 

We'll most certainly be back! In the meantime, I've come away with a full heart and plenty of inspiration to feed my new found creativity.  

I'll share additional thoughts on our time in Vilnius in a separate post. Stay tuned.  

Shop: Pretty Paper Please

 

Branding solutions is what I offer my clients on a daily basis. When I had to turn the tables and think about how to brand myself and stationery line... it became a whole new challenge.

As part of my consignment/wholesale business series over on Lotus Events' blog, I've shared my insights on branding yourself in today's post. 

I'll be covering lookbook design, line sheets and catalogues over the next few weeks. Make sure to follow along!

Shop: Pretty Paper Please

I began sharing my consignment + wholesale experiences over at the Lotus Events blog last week. Over the next several weeks I'll be covering everything from how to approach prospective shops, creating/maintaining your brand's image, and the ins and outs of producing line sheets and product catalogues. 

Make sure to follow along!