The sweetest love story

A couple of weeks ago, I opened my email and found this beautiful message from (almost) 90 year old Keith, whose grand-daughter had given him one of my cards... 

From time to time people who've received my cards send me emails, but this one will be hard to top - and a warning, you will need a box of tissues (I certainly did).

This is probably the most special story I've ever received from a stranger, so with Keith's permission, I thought I'd share it here:

Dear Miriam,
A few months ago I received from my Granddaughter a card designed by you. It features "Grandma & Grandpa" sitting together at a park bench a thermos at one end and a walking stick the other with 2 hearts (airborne) from steaming cups of coffee. I am certain you will remember as it was mentioned "Made with love in Australia.- - - - by Miriam"

This card is an absolute gem and since I continue to enjoy this card so much I thought "why not tell you so!" Not only is the so so expressive design wonderful but the painstaking method of preparing the intricately cut out & photographed images is remarkable work and I offer my congratulations (and thanks!) for the excellence of your artistry.

Later in the year I will be 90. My wife Vel passed away last December age 87 after 7 years of dementia and I was fortunate to be fit enough to care for her at home throughout the whole period. Your card I feel personifies the pair of us! We were favoured by 65 years and 3 days of marriage at the time of her passing and to me you have captured the essence of contentment and joy of a long marriage in the way you have portrayed the elderly couple on your card.

Well done! I am sure your imaginative work brings joy to many many people!

Best wishes,

Keith

Since I received this email, Keith and I have written back and forward a couple of times. I asked if Keith would share a couple of pictures of himself and Vel, and he has. 

Funnily enough, the old couple in the papercut artwork, who are completely from my imagination, have never had names. Many of my other card characters do.

So I think that in honour of this very special story, the "Old Couple" will now be known as "Keith & Vel". It's like they've been waiting for this story to arrive all along.

When I asked Keith if this was okay, he sent me another email (with the photos below attached):

Well you really floored me!  That is a beautiful gesture to rename your wonderful card design "Keith and Vel". Thank you so much!  At times in our lives there are moments when emotion cannot be controlled and reading of your decision to commemorate Vel & myself in this way was such a moment! It was inevitable that when I read your words tears just "popped'' from my eyes.

I have attached three photos which I hope will be suitable for you to use. One is of Vel age 19, myself 21 - (young love!)  the next on our wedding day 13 Dec 1947, and the third was Mothers Day about 4 or 5 years ago. 

Many thanks Keith for sharing your story of life-long-love. It is so wonderful. 

  

Bursting Hearts: New designs for Valentine's Day 2013

Happy New Year all!!

It's time for another overdue blog update, as I resurface from a very busy few months at my new job with UNICEF Australia (by the way - go here to download a free 2013 child rights calender, made by yours truly).

However, I had a burst of creative inspiration during the Christmas break, and am very pleased to profile the latest collection of designs - ready for order just in the nick of time (with Valentine's Day just over a month away).

Let me know if you'd like some!!

Peace, love and bursting hearts!

xx

Sneak peek

Wedding invitations are in progress...

Here's a sneak peek of something Kitty and I worked on today.

And what are your thoughts, lovelies? What images would you like to see in a papercut on a wedding invitation? What can you never find?

Flat-packed boy

At the moment I'm super excited to be working on a short animation with the amazing team from 16Corners.

I've never done this before, and it's going to be very fun to see this flat-packed boy (made of paper) turn into a moving, talking character!

STUDIO!

Here it is!!

It is real!

And pretty much finished!

Yay!

Sister talent

How amazing are my sister's line drawings?

She is an art genius - and only 17. Mmmhhmm.

 

Another giveaway and more news!

The lovely blogger Claire from The Home She Made is doing a little giveaway of my cards via Card & Caboodle.

Pop over and leave a comment to be in the running for a lovely pack of cards!

In other news... the studio is getting there. Painting double-height ceilings is turning out to be more challenging than first anticipated. But - the last of the mint-green and peach edging has been concealed with a second coat of Fair Bianca White, and the space is starting to look really dreamy. Super looking forward to moving all the art and business out of my bedroom and into the studio - it's getting claustrophobic in here!!!!! And really looking forward to working alongside the gorgeous Kitty Chan. Check out her photography via her facebook page.

Here's a sneaky before pic featuring some of the peach (isn't it revolting? And yes, there are some massive holes in the walls, where poles have been ripped out because - fun fact - this used to be a pole dancing studio. Mmmm.):


And if you're in Paddington this Saturday, I'll be selling some cards and a few original artworks at the lovely Paddington markets. So come and say hi!

Spy me in Card & Caboodle

At the Life InStyle Feb trade fair, I was lucky enough to meet the lovely Debra O'Donnell some of the team from Card & Caboodle in person. And now I'm thrilled to say that a selection of my cards are selling both through their Melbourne store and online! How lovely!

It's also so nice to be selling through and supporting Australian-owned small businesses like Card & Caboodle. Family owned and operated, Card & Caboodle opened it’s original store in November 1989 in Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

Sisters Judy Katz & Debra O’Donnell discovered their passion for paper products whilst working in a small wholesale greeting card company.  Now, after over 20 years in retail, they still work with their parents, daughters and a fabulous & inspiring team to run Card & Caboodle’s four stores.

In an age where shopping and retail is becoming increasingly impersonal (has anyone else had a run-in with those nasty self-service machines?), one on one interaction and personal service are at the heart of the Card & Caboodle philosophy. Plus, their shops offer a beautiful range of gift-cards and wrapping papers, many of which are designed by local and developing artists.

So when you're in the area, pop in to one of the stores, say hello and buy a beautiful card! You can find all the location details and more on the Card & Caboodle website.

Have a very happy Monday! x

All images used with permission.