Custom Postcard Design

Hi Friends! How's your week so far? Normally on a Tuesday, I like to write about travel, but I couldn't wait to tell you about something new I added to my shop... Custom Postcard Design! This is great for small businesses who want to include a little something in their shipped orders, or might want to send out a special "Holiday Note". It's a great way to get images of your products and your shop name in front of your clients again. I've been designing postcards for clients for a quite a while, but officially added the option to my shop recently. Additionally, anytime you want me to update that postcard design with new images or a new message, the cost is only $10. You're a busy shop owner, and the time it would take you to design a postcard every time you want to send out a new mailing is worth more than $10! So let me take care of it for you. 

This two-sided postcard design features the fun goods from Milo and Molly!

Another get way to use the postcard files (front and back designs are included in the cost), is to add them to your monthly digital newsletters. It's another way to get your brand out there to your clients and look professional.

A few custom postcards designed for Sweet & Simple Bake Shop.

While I won't be offering the printing service for the postcards, I will supply you with all the files you'll need to have them printed by an online shop or local printer. Of course, you can print them at home as well, if you're so inclined.

A few ideas for using your custom postcard designs:

• Add them to your Monthly Digital Mailing
• Snail-Mail: Quarterly Postal Mailing to offer a seasonal discount or just to say "hi"
• Special "thank you offer" to be included in shipped orders
• Postal Mailing to potential clients (addresses you've collected at craft shows perhaps)
• Give a set of 5 postcards with your products on the front, but leave the back of the card blank for clients to use as their snail-mail
• Hand out at craft shows or in your brick and mortar shops
• Postal mailings to your clients when they have a birthday
• Promote, Promote, Promote your brand whenever possible!

Let me know how I can help you with your business mailings, digital or postal. I'd love to work with you to create custom postcards just for YOUR business!

Cheers. -Patti

Travel Tuesday: Good Eats, Europe

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Not use to seeing Crocodile, Zebra, Emu and Kangaroo on a menu like they offer at the Outback Lodge in Zürich, Switzerland

This past summer Matthew and I spent 23 days traveling Europe. The majority of our time was in Ireland, France and Italy. On a spur-of-the-moment decision, we traveled up to Innsbruck, Austria where we spent two nights (more on that part of the trip at a later date). We took a scenic drive through Liechtenstein (a tiny and beautiful country) so we could have lunch in Zürich, Switzerland before finally heading back into Italy for our final 3 nights of vacation. It was an incredibly fun trip filled with delicious food and drink plus plenty of sweets. 

While I didn't take the challenge to eat Zebra, Emu, Kangaroo or Crocodile in Switzerland, I did enjoy plenty of fruits, vegetables, beef, chicken and seafood during our travels. And I might have had more than one helping of gelato as well. My favorite breakfasts were had in Ireland where we were offered a hearty buffet selection of meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and pastries (though no pastries for me), plus we also ordered from the resort's menu where I enjoyed the best eggs and bacon along with perfectly prepared mushroom caps. And the silver pot of tea, that was frequently refilled, ensured a leisurely start to the day.

Italy offered delicious meals, but I believe the best lunches and dinners were had in France. The French know their sauces! And the seafood was incredibly fresh, as it was in Ireland, but the French seem to really know how to do everything just right. From salads to elaborate dishes, our palates were most happy in Provence! Here are a few shots of some of our favorite dishes. Enjoy!

Breakfasts in Ireland, France and Italy

Ireland's seafood, beef, fish & chips and more

France really knows how to season and sauce their foods

Beautiful and delicious... France

More from La Petite Cave in Saignon, Vaucluse, France

Seafood and Salad by the sea in Cassis, France

Dinners in Italy

Desserts in Italy, France and Ireland

Of course we enjoyed French Macarons!

Latest Logo Client: Kelly Higgins Real Estate

I'm part of a Facebook group formed by some moms in my town. It has proven to be an amazing resource for just about everything. Someone came up with the idea to create files where we could share local contractors, painters, doctors etc. It has really come in handy when I need a recommendation for a home repair or basic "who has the name of a good...".

A few weeks ago someone asked if anyone knew of a designer who could help her with a new logo for her business. I was really flattered that a few women mentioned Easton Place Design Studio and posted my web address. The woman looking for the designer is still interviewing potential candidates, but I received an email from another mom who just happened to be looking for an update to her existing logo! I love the power of community, don't you? I'll keep you posted on whether or not I land the original account, but today I'm happy to share with you the design inspirations, a few concepts and the chosen logo for Kelly Higgins Real Estate.

After the initial feedback from a client, I like to put together an inspiration board to get my creative ideas flowing. This is especially helpful when added design elements are requested. For Kelly, I focused on old keys and door lock plates.

Below is a sampling of logo concepts Kelly had to choose from over the course of the design process. The ideas come from the feedback given to me via the short questionnaire I sent to Kelly upon the start of the project. In total there were roughly 20 designs created for my client. To see the final decision, click through my portfolio!

a sampling of logo designs submitted to client

Since finalizing the logo choice, I've also designed a brochure and postcards for Kelly. All of her paperwork and mailings will now feature her logo and have a coordinating look and feel. It's all part of making her business into a brand.

If you're ready to work on your business branding, let's work together! As of today, I have one branding spot available in November and two spots available in December.

Travel Tuesday: Good Eats on MV

Hello, friends! I've just returned from a long holiday weekend on Martha's Vineyard. We had some rain, but mostly lovely sunshine with cool temperatures. I'll take that any day! 

My husband and I have been going to Martha's Vineyard nearly every year since our honeymoon (19 years ago tomorrow!). And there are definitely some eateries we absolutely love and must visit with each trip. We give it our best at trying at least one new spot with each trip, but as this visit was so short, we chose to enjoy our favorites and forgo new. I know I've blogged about these restaurants before, but they deserve another shout-out, so here goes...

My absolute favorite eatery on the Vineyard is State Road Restaurant. After this trip, I can tell you with all honesty, every meal (breakfast, lunch dinner) is amazing. This time around we had breakfast there, and it was amazing. I asked for a special scramble of eggs-cheese-spinach and they agreed to it. Add to that a side of applewood bacon and THE most amazing duck confit breakfast hash and you've got yourself a really special breakfast! I'd never had duck confit hash, but I'm glad I gave it a go. It was delicious.

Another of our favorite eateries is Chesca's. We've been enjoying Chesca's for years and it has always stayed true to form. Hubby enjoyed their chowder while I devoured the grilled romaine wedge salad. Our dinner choices were the lobster ravioli topped with scallops for him, and braised beef short ribs with whipped potatoes and broccoli-rabe for me. Dessert was a créme caramel custard which I basically ate by myself. 

Our favorite lunch spot is Espresso Love. They make delicious salads and sandwiches, and serve a perfect espresso. But the thing I love most is their house made veggie burger. Being grain-free meant I couldn't enjoy it myself, but my son (the "rather picky" vegetarian) was able to try it for the first time and he LOVED it! Lucky for us, the recipe is included in their cookbook, which we also purchased, so now we'll be making a grain-free version at home! (Sorry I've no photos from our meal, but stay tuned for a post on the homemade veggie burger.)

Side note: On this visit we happened to stop by to watch the fresh catches that came in that day at the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Probably the most "New England Moment" I've ever had on the Vineyard. Listening to all the people talk about their catch from the day, watching the fish pile up for cleaning, the smell of the salty-fishy air... it was so fun! I love Martha's Vineyard and feel so lucky that I get to enjoy it year after year. If you've not been, add it to your travel list! If you have been, let me know the name of your favorite places to dine.

Cheers,

Patti