A new address...

I've moved my blog - click on this link: www.byTanja.com to follow me on my new site! xoxo T

Treats! Spring Issue & Gallery Launch

To theme or not to theme

When I'm creating an invitation for an event near or on a holiday, the first thing clients ask me is if it's 'tacky' to incorporate a theme. My answer is no, not tacky at all. However, my answer comes with stipulations -- as long as the theme doesn't overpower the mood of the event itself. Recently I made wedding invitations for a client who was getting married on St. Patricks day. It was a traditional/black tie event where doing anything too bold wouldn't have been in keeping with the occasion. I opted for a green paisley printed paper with charcoal grey lettering on a white tri-fold enclosure (don't be afraid to use white - it's fresh and clean!) Along with using the color green for the theme I made a simple four leaf clover seal for the front. The invitation was consistent with the formality of the event but also had a splash of St. Patricks Day too...




Here are a few of my inspirations for this piece...






And of course...

Out and about

Loved making the invitations for StepUp's big event!


It's always a better party when she's here...

baby love

Alright, I know he's only a few months old but I HAD to make my nephew Vinko his very own personal stationary.


Me and the stinker...


You're never too young/old to say thank you, right?

Swag

Was so happy to help Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka with an amazing wedding shower for their close friends. The gift bags were incredible - hope everyone enjoys their byTanja notecard packs!

Another one bites the dust

I'm so bummed that my new fish, Little Richard, has passed away. I don't know what happened, I took such good care of him? Maybe I spoke too soon on the whole maternal instincts bit...

Better days. So happy, just swimming away


Little Richard LOVED my mama. Literally. All he did was stare at her ALL DAY long.


The beginning of the end


So long my friend...

Baby Vinko

I've never been a baby person. I've always felt slightly uncomfortable when people make me hold their baby -- or worse, show me the millions of pictures they've taken of them...until now. I am very happy to announce that the maternal gene has not passed over me, I have it! My sister Theresa has just had her first baby and I am in loooooove. Now, I don't know if my change of heart heart has to do with him being the cutest baby I've ever laid eyes on or because we share the same blood line, but I just adore the little one. I never thought I'd see the day. Here's the little stinker...

me, me and more me

A few more pictures from the COULEURS de SAISON photo shoot...

D.O.N.E.

A very big congratulations to my beautiful friend, Ryan, who just graduated from Pepperdine University with a Masters Degree AND a 4.0 GPA!!! She's quite the woman...


Making personalized cards for people is one of my favorite things to do. Here's the card I made Ry for her graduation...

Everyday = casual friday. For me.

I'm pretty sure if I was at any other establishment, they would kindly ask me to leave


You'd think for as many times as I've had to re-do projects for dropping food on it, I wouldn't eat (directly over) my work. You would think. This picture is just painful to look at


Why don't I dress up? Because every day I either get a sticker, a rhinestone, some glitter, even a brad on occasion, stuck in my hair. Sometimes all at the same time.


A few of the things I've made the last couple days...

COULEURS de SAISON

Here are a few snap shots of the shoot I just did with COULEURS de SAISON. Thank you Nancy for my gold clutch -- I've been toting it everywhere!

Mother's Day cards

Mother's Day is a BUSY time for me at work. Here are just a few of the cards I made for my clients...






Its a messy job


I was so swamped with work that I barely made the deadline for overnight delivery so my OWN mother would receive her gift on time. LOVE you mama!!!!!