Monday, February 1, 2010

Sooooo....

I think I'm going to retire this blog in favor of another more different social media.

Facebook.

If you'd like to keep up with olliegraphic, please become a fan on my facebook page!

Love and kisses! See you there.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

New Product at Little Cupcakes Company

Get a custom melamine plate featuring your child's face at Little Cupcakes Company!


Not guaranteed to result in your child's sudden consumption of peas.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

All is Full of Love

New Valentine's Day cards just added to the shop! Three styles to choose from. Check 'em out!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

At Home

December 31, 2009 was the last day of my "real" job. Going forward, I am pursuing olliegraphic as a full-time venture. And I'm thrilled. Or terrified, depending on when you ask me.

I did not make this decision lightly. I've been running the line for over a year now on nights and weekends. After a lot of discussion, penny pinching, number crunching, hair pulling, forehead slapping and working long looong hours into the night, Mr. Ollie (I need to come up with a better pseudonym for him...) and I decided that it was time to make a real go of this thing.

I'm a business owner. (Gulp.) Wish me luck.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Printable Holiday Cards...totally absolutely free.

You're on top of things this year, aren't you? You sent your holiday cards out the Monday after Thanksgiving, right? No? Me neither.

Maybe a free printable holiday card could help. Yes... it's totally free! Just send me an email to me - olliegraphic [at] yahoo.com - with your preferred design (blue tree, dove or pink tree). I'll send you the file within 24 hours.

It will be our little secret!




The final card is 4.25 x 5.5 and fits in in an A2 envelope. The file is formatted to print on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. File will come with printing instructions.

Now go spread some cheer!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Olliegraphic Gift Guide - Part 2: Make My Walls Pretty

Our apartment has plaster walls. They're great for keeping out sound, but not so good for hanging stuff. Getting a picture on the wall takes a drill and plaster screw, and usually a few choice words from yours truly.

One of my plans for next year, however, is to create a "lovely" home. And I imagine most lovely homes have art. Here are my picks...can you suggest any more?

"Central Park," Limited edition print. (Matte Stephens). I love everything about this. I may have to break down and make it mine.

"yellow apple, horse," (amandakindregan). Love.

"winter wonderland II print," Limited edition letterpress print 50. (12Fifteen). Something tells me this will look even better in person than in the photo.

"Baby Crowned Crane No. 1," 7 x 8 Fine Art Print. (SharonMontrose). Why yes, I DO need a photo of a baby crane in my home. I absolutely do.

"Steve Zissou," (AutumnAndEve). This one is for my significant other. "Intern, get me a campari." "On the rocks?" "((snaps, points))"

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Very Own Personal Etsy Gift Guide. Part 1 - Three Sweets and a Savory

Over at everyone's favorite holiday shopping venue (yes, I mean etsy), the Holiday Gift Guides are in full swing. The guides are certainly not representative of ALL the great things on etsy, but they are a good place to look for ideas.

The guides are a coveted spot for etsy sellers, but there are a ton of folks who don't get featured. So, I decided to make my own little Gift Guides this year and am going to post my favorite items not listed in the etsy guides!

A tiny disclaimer: Items in the olliegraphic Gift Guides were not featured in the etsy Gift Guides as of my original post date! If the great staff at etsy.com posts something after I do...well, great! I'll still keep it here. If only to give my significant other gift ideas.

Like the etsy guides, I think I'll arrange my picks by category. I'm feeling munchy this morning, so today's selections are of the edible-variety. Get ready to drool....


First up: Fleur de Sel Chocolate Caramel by the Calabasas Candy Co.

Oh my Lordy. A deep dark Peruvian chocolate caramel with a little sprinkle of fleur de sel. Calabasas...why do you torture me?



Chocolate + salt not your style? What about gingerbread? In fudge form? Ooohhhhhhhhh (drool). Vintage Confections sells their gingerbread fudge by the pound. Which is exactly how much I plan to eat this year.


Did I ever tell you about the time I tried making macarons? Not macaroons, those big coconut globs. I mean the delicate sophisticated french macaron... two airy wafers that melt in your mouth...a ruffly foot... filled with some preserves...or ganache...or buttercream....

Oh, I didn't tell you? Well, see that picture right up there? My macarons didn't look like that. At all. That's why I leave it to the experts at Lemonade Stand NYC.




And after all that sugar, I need something spicy. Or salty. Or garlic-y. I need something PICKLED.

Lucky for me, there's a Choose Your Own Adventure Pack at Sardine and Anchovy. Thank goodness.

Monday, November 16, 2009

A New Twist on the Family Holiday Photo Card


Why not send something different this year? All of my designs are fully customizable! Find more ideas in the shop!




Saturday, November 14, 2009

New Items - "Themed" Party Invitation Sets

Does your daughter love mermaids? Maybe your son fancies himself a super hero? Why not build a birthday party around the theme? I did some custom work for two clients recently and was inspired to add similar items to my shop! Take a look -- and watch for more "themed" party invitations soon!




Sunday, November 1, 2009

olliegraphic for Sarah + Abraham

For the first time ever, olliegraphic designs are being offered on a full line of PRINTED items! We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Sara Tams of Sarah + Abraham!

The collection features over 60 items and is full of options to make your personalized stationery and custom art prints truly one-of-a-kind. On every purchase, hair, skin color, clothing and expression will be customized to resemble your little one!



As always, you can order PRINTABLE stationery, calling cards and invitation sets and fully custom designs at olliegraphic.

Find the collection at www.sarahandabraham.com!


Friday, August 28, 2009

August Sale and Gift Guide Feature!

AUGUST SALE! BOGO 1/2 off! Buy one item, get the second item of equal or lesser value half off. Buy a design for yourself and give one as a gift! Simply purchase the two sets and I will refund you through paypal! Offer ends 9/1/09.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Put me in my place (hint: not the kitchen)

Sometimes I pretend that I am a good baker. I think this is because

1.) I *wish* I was a good baker,
2.) I worked at a bakery for a year, and
3.) I own a fancy mixer.

However, I have gathered hard evidence to support the conclusion that I am NOT a good baker, but a mediocre baker at best:

1.) Many of my baked goods are lopsided, under-baked, burnt, or missing a key ingredient.
2.) Ninety percent of my time at the bakery was spent helping customers (not in the kitchen), and
3.) I rarely use my fancy mixer.

Despite my findings, occasionally I pick out a recipe, head to the kitchen and pretend to know what I am doing. It doesn't always work out, but that makes the odd success even sweeter.

On Sunday I attempted a recipe I've been thinking about for a long time: the rustic Carrot Cake recipe at 101 Cookbooks. I loved that it was semi-healthy (no refined sugar!) and fairly easy (stir, pour, bake, frost!).

My results didn't turn out quite as lovely as the website picture - the cake was a little under-baked and the agave syrup made the cream cheese frosting a melted-ice cream consistency. But...YUM, it tasted pretty good.

Do you think I'm ready to move on to these?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Holy Moly!


I am honored, excited and just darn giddy to have been featured this week on Cool Mom Picks.

On the site's About page, the moms humbly claim to be "just a few moms that track down cool stuff so you can stay busy being fabulous."

But, I'll side with one of my new customers who said, "Everything they touch turns to gold." I like to think those slender blue fingers are grasping not an "L" but a lightening rod that jolted a new life into my business!

I would recommend that any crafter who makes mom/kid stuff should submit their wares to the Moms. And everyone should check out the Cool Mom Picks site for gift ideas for yourself or the mom in your life!

Thank you Cool Mom!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Another More Different New Item!

Yes, I just blogged about my new Custom Mommy Calling Cards...and now I'm back with another treat. What can I say? I'm feeling creative these days!

Introducing the Custom Printable Birthday Invitation, featuring your little one! Invitation comes with a perfectly coordinated thank you card file.

This is the first item of the new Print A Party line - everything you need to plan that special birthday celebration, personalized just for you! More items coming soon!



Sunday, May 10, 2009

New Item! Custom Calling Cards!


Keep your contact info close at hand with these adorable personalized calling cards featuring your little one! Perfect for moms or dads!

Printable files are quick, easy and inexpensive. Print 1 sheet, print 100!
Customize the design to look just like your little one. Choose hair color/style, clothing style, skin color and facial expression.

Check my shop for more info!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mercy Seat, Filigree and Fresh Water Pearls


A couple weeks ago, I wasted some time at work used one of my fifteen minute breaks to enter a drawing for some lovely earrings from LolitaRose. To enter, I had to list my favorite song that had been covered by another musician. I chose "The Mercy Seat," written Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, covered by Johnny Cash.

And guess what recently came for me in the mail:


Yes, I won! And the earrings are just lovely. Check out LolitaRose's shop to see all of her pretty and affordable styles!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Oh my goodness!

I am in a gift guide! My first! I am on page two of the Mother's Day Category "Greetings and Flowers" and couldn't be more excited!

http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/greetings-and-flowers/143?&page=3

You can see the listing there in the second row, second from the left. Here's hoping this will drum up some more business!


Monday, March 30, 2009

Perfect for Mom!

Mother's day is coming up. Is there a special mom in your life with young kids? Check out the new print I just added to my shop! It's completely customizable - like all the olliegraphic designs!