Sponsor Spotlight: Stencil Revolution

Stencil Revolution Stencil RevolutionI’m so excited to introduce So About What I Said’s newest sponsor today! Emily Rosas is one of the graphic designer behind Stencil Revolution, the small, family-owned operation based in Spring Hill, Florida. Launched just two years ago, the family team (including a couple lovable dogs who keep everyone company) has grown from a two-person operation to a full-fledged team of skilled stencil designers, laser technicians, and customer service representatives who are experienced with all forms of stencil art and production. And all their hard work shows! Their online shop is stocked with all kinds of fun and festive stencils — everything from animals to nature to flags to sports to words to holiday themes! Read on to learn more about the appeal of stencils as well as tips for working with stencils… xoxo

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Stencil Revolution
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Tell me about Stencil Revolution. What’s the inspiration behind its launch?
One of our founders started cutting stencils with a small laser cutter in his house at the end of 2016. Things took off pretty quickly and before long, it became a full-time business with nearly everyone in the family pitching in. Now we have three lasers and several employees all thanks to stencils! When you place an order, a member of our family personally cuts, packs, and ships it directly to you! We don’t outsource anything and every dollar you spend with us stays right here in the USA, helping our family and friends live a simple, purposeful life.

What do you think are the appeal of stencils, even as an adult?
They are fun and easy to use. Crafting is so popular right now, with people having a greater appreciation for handmade goods. A stencil is a quick way to turn a craft into something special without a ton of effort.

What are you top 3 tips for being creative and working with stencils?
1. Always make sure the stencil is firmly pressed down when painting
2. Use a very light amount of paint on your brush or roller. Off load as much paint as possible onto your tray or a paper towel to avoid bleed.
3. Avoid using spray paint if you want the cleanest results.

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?
The world map stencil is my favorite! I love how versatile it is, it’s also very popular.

Stencil RevolutionThank you for sharing your story, Emily!! Be sure to visit Cherry Laurel Studio and check out these shops for more inspiration too! xoxo

Why It’s Important to Send Handwritten Letters

Handwritten LettersMost communication these days takes place through email, text messaging and social media. It would seem that traditional methods like a pen and a pad have all but become obsolete. There’s no denying that sending and receiving messages instantly is convenient in this fast-paced society, but these methods are also very impersonal. Handwritten letters, whether to your mom, dad, significant other or business contacts, will forever have meaning that far exceeds any other form of e-communication. Here are 6 amazing reasons why…

It Boosts Happiness

Writing has a therapeutic effect on people. When you hand-write letters, whether it be a love note to your fiance or a letter of thanks to your parents, expressing those feelings with pen and paper can help boost your mood. You’re essentially channeling positive energy as you pour out your heart to those closest to you. It can help you remember what to be thankful for in life and appreciate those relationships dearest to you.

It Makes It Personal

There is a time for auto-generated content and quick messages via text or chat and then there’s a time to send a personal message. Even in business, handwritten letters can take on a whole new meaning. Sending out a newsletter via email to your customer base may be fine for updating them on the status of your business, but if you’re thanking them for their support, it gives off a better impression if you write a note of thanks complete with your signature. Why? Well, your customers know that handwriting takes time and the fact that you’re willing to take time out of your day to draft a special message, stamp it and mail it to their residence says a lot. You don’t have to write everything, look for customized stamps to handle your return address or logo, but hand-write the rest.

It’s a Confidence Builder

Have you ever done something to someone you care about and wished you had the courage to let them know you’re sorry? A handwritten note can give you that confidence you need to say the words your mouth won’t let you utter. You can dig deep down and say, “I’m sorry. I wish I did more; I’m here for you now” and send the letter through the mail.

It Sparks Creativity

Writing requires you to utilize your cognitive, visual and motor skills to complete. As it takes more thought and energy to hand-write a letter than it does to send a text or chat message, it pushes you to tune other things out and really connect with your mind.

It’s a Physical Reminder That You Care

Handwritten letters are precious to receive. They require your undivided attention, creativity and innermost thoughts to complete. When your letters are received, it is a tangible reminder to the recipient that you care. It is something they can look back on years from now and remember a special time in their lives.

It Lets Unplug

If you’re focusing on writing a letter to your long-distance relatives or a gratitude letter to the love of your life, all of your attention will have to be devoted to writing. You won’t be able to draft a meaningful letter if you’re distracted by the television, computer screen or your smartphone. Thus, having some extra time to unplug can be great for your health.

People have been handwriting letters since the beginning of time. Though faster mediums have replaced the pen and pad, there’s still nothing as authentic and special as jotting down a message the old-fashioned way. Whether you’re writing a letter to friends, family members, blog supporters, customers or a significant other, the process can be very therapeutic.

Handwritten LettersSo, don’t be afraid to say thanks, “Thinking of you“, “I’m sorry” or “I miss you” through the snail mail. It’s gestures like these that let others know just how much they mean to you. Now, get out that pen and paper and get to writing those handwritten letters!!

–Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Compensation was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via We Heart It]

Should You Hire a Wedding Photographer Or Take a DIY Approach?

Wedding PhotographerMany couples who want to capture the moment by hiring a wedding photographer hesitate on making this decision because of the expense, which can take a bite out of a limited wedding budget. But here’s the thing: It’s money well spent. Professional photographers have plenty of experiencing capturing the best moments. They can also catch you when you’re not posing, but instead, looking like your natural, radiant self.

Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t snap your own pictures, too. While it makes perfect sense to hire a wedding photographer, you shouldn’t let him or her have all the fun. You may also want to take your own pictures to capture what you consider the best moments.

Here are some photography tips that will help you take great DIY pictures…

1. Wedding Lightroom Presets: After the big day, you’ll have lots of images to edit. You can make the whole process easier and more efficient by using Wedding Lightroom Presets. Think of them as the 20% of your actions that will deliver 80% of the results.

2. Tripods, Trigger Remotes and Self-Timers: How do you manage to be in two places at the same time? How can you be the one taking the photograph and still be in the photograph at the same time? While you could, of course, do a selfie, it won’t be possible to pose, too. So, you will need a trigger remote and a self-timer to manage this feat. While a tripod isn’t essential, and you could prop up your camera on a number of surfaces, a tripod makes everything much easier.

3. Rehearse the Pose: Since you will probably want the picture to be taken from 30 feet and you will have less than 30 seconds to pose gracefully as a cute couple, it’s best to do a quick practice on how you’re going to pose so that you know where to stand and how to assume a lovely pose. No doubt, you’re still bound to have a few bloopers, but they will be far less. In any case, bloopers are always good for a laugh.

4. Honeymoon Shots: Also, think beyond your wedding day itself. Think about your honeymoon. Why not pose for your own pictures using a timer when you’re on your honeymoon? This is where a DIY approach will serve you well. If you’re also taking pictures after your big day, when you’re on your honeymoon, think of the background as essential to the plot. So, if you’re in Waikiki, take them at places like Kaimana Beach, Kapiolani Park or Ala Wai Canal to get a great background. Or, if you’re at Yosemite, you want to have Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows or El Capitan in the background.

5. Prefer film: While there is much to be said for digital photography and it’s come a long way, film is often more fun. It’s fresh. It’s granular. It’s somehow more resolute. Film, in other words, still has the winning edge. For instance, it’s hard to enhance digital images because when you focus on any part of it, you’ll see the pixels.

6. Take a photography class: If you’re not sure about how to take good pictures but like the idea of capturing your own images, too, on your wedding day and on your honeymoon, why don’t you take a photography class before the wedding? You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn. In fact, you’ll have a blast because you’ll now have a clear purpose for learning essential photography skills. Think of it as part of your wedding day preparations!

Wedding PhotographerFinal Thoughts: What to Do with Your Photographs

Wedding days are memorable in many ways. It’s a day of nervous excitement, spontaneous laughter and explosive fun. It’s also an occasion where you must have great photographs to preserve your happiest memories for future generations. By hiring both a professional wedding photographer and also getting into the game yourself, you’ll get the best collection of pictures.
Additionally, besides adding your own interpretation to another special day and sharing your picture on social media, another thing you may want to do with the pictures you take is to create a pallet picture collage.

Now, go snap those photos and have a fabulous wedding day!!!

–Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Compensation was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via We Heart It]

That Time I Geeked Out Over Jurassic World and PEZ

Jurassic World Jurassic WorldAs I teased on Twitter this morning, today is a VERY special day, friends!!! Do you know what movie comes out tomorrow?? YES, I SAID TOMORROW!!! I’ll give you two words: Jurassic World.

Ooooh, yes!!! Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom hits theaters in less than 24 hours, and as you can probably tell, I’m positively giddy with excitement! Well, some of that giddiness may have come from all the PEZ I’ve eaten in the last two days, but it was worth it!

Why?

Because in honor of the Jurassic World sequel roaring into theaters (see what I did there?), I had the opportunity to collaborate with PEZ. If you’ve been a longtime reader of So About What I Said, then you’re well aware of my affection for all thing PEZ. The small, rectangular candy. The cute dispensers in which to place said candy — dispensers that feature the likeness of our favorite pop culture characters, from The Muppets to Marvel superheroes!

So when PEZ invited me to sample their new Jurassic World collectible gift tin, I was all in and as excited as Dr. Ian Malcolm was when he explained the wonders of Chaos Theory in the original Jurassic Park.

Jurassic World Jurassic WorldThe Click and Play Gift Tin ($12.99) is every super fan’s dream (Hi! Me!). It blends the best of PEZ with a fun game that you can play over and over. The tin comes with four dispensers (Blue the Raptor, T-Rex, Triceratops, and Mosasaurus), but these aren’t just any old PEZ dispensers, mind you! You can twist off the top and — voila! — you’ve got a game piece all ready for some fierce competition! And the tin comes with a snazzy game board! How cool is that?

Jurassic WorldPlus, the PEZ candy is sour blue raspberry flavor, and I love the subtle nod to Blue the Raptor, who just happens to be my second favorite dinosaur after the almighty T-Rex, of course! Smooth move, PEZ!

The Jurassic franchise and I have a deep, meaningful history, starting all the way back in 1993 when I sat in a movie theater as a wide-eyed 11-year-old and stared up at the screen in wonder. There they were!! Dinosaurs coming to life right before my very eyes; a lifelong love of dinosaurs was certainly born that day! My father took me two more times to see the movie and those are some of my most cherished memories with him.

Fast-forward 22 years and I’m sitting in that same theater with my mom. Now, she’s not nearly as excited about seeing those extinct animals as I am, but she’s a good sport about the whole thing. In fact, she even promised that she’d go see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom with me! I can’t think of anyone I’d rather go with; I’m still trying to convince my sister to go with us, so I’ll keep you posted on how that turns out!

Jurassic WorldIf you think about it, this fun tin is actually the best of both worlds. I mean, you’ve got the sugary sweet deliciousness of the candy coupled with the strong, powerful fierceness of those ferocious dinosaurs. I, myself, can be very sweet AND very fierce, so maybe dinosaurs are a lot more like humans, after all.

Remember the magic of PEZ when you were a kid, friends?? Did you collect them? Who were your favorite characters?? Are you excited for Jurassic World?? Let me know what you think of the movie!!! Thanks so much, PEZ… xoxo

(This post is sponsored by PEZ, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

P.S. Thanks to my mom for snapping these awesome photos!

P.P.S. Can’t believe my selfie with SUE was almost a year ago!

Sponsor Spotlight: Cherry Laurel Studio

Cherry Laurel StudioIsn’t it funny how serendipitous life is sometimes?? Elizabeth from Cherry Laurel Studio started following me on social media recently and I was so glad because that simple follow introduced me to her shop!! The Georgia-based designer named her Southern studio and business after her great grandmother’s home in Laurel, Mississippi. As Elizabeth says, “This stately Southern charmer’s legacy is at the root of how we approach design, romance message and spin stories. Think hospitality. Think all the details, all taken care of. Think a little southern comfort splashed right into the work.” Read on to learn more about the shop’s history and Elizabeth’s thoughts on email vs. handwritten cards… xoxo

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Cherry Laurel Studio
Become a fan on Facebook
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Join the mailing list

Tell me about Cherry Laurel Studio. What’s the inspiration behind its launch?
I went to design school at NC State in Raleigh, NC, and though I swore I was going into digital design, something about the hand processes kept drawing me back. Every time I had a miserable day at work, I’d whine that I was born at the wrong time and that I hated working on the computer. Finally, some lead type was gifted to me and the seed was planted. I bought my first press on eBay shortly thereafter and the rest is history. The name comes from the name of my great grandmother’s house in Laurel, MS. When I was brainstorming business names, I looked to my own family history for inspiration and Cherry Laurel was the name that just kept bubbling up as a keeper.

When did you become interested in stationery and design?
I grew up with an artist mother, so design and art are part of my genetic makeup. I remember trolling the office supplies aisle of the grocery store every time we went, looking for any kind of cute paper product or new pen I might beg for. And as soon as I found out what a graphic designer was — which was about 5th grade — I was relentless about becoming one! They had the best toys!

Why do you think a handwritten note is so important, as opposed to a quick text or email?
There’s something so thoughtful, honest and elegant about handwritten notes, even if you feel your handwriting is terrible. To take the trouble to sit down, collect your thoughts and put your pen to pretty paper and then to go through the process of mailing it speaks volumes of consideration for your recipient. It transforms a simple acknowledgement (in the content of your letter) into something sublime. Especially when you send that message on beautiful stationery. Buy the best stationery you can reasonably afford, and you will always make an impact when you send it.

What are your top 3 tips for writing the perfect note?
Keep it personal. Nobody likes to receive a form letter — even if it’s handwritten! If you’re writing a thank-you note, be specific about why you are so thankful. If you are writing a sympathy note, share a personal memory about the deceased that will always stay with you. If you are writing a simple catch-up note, refer to something you both share or the last time you saw each other or what you look forward to at the next visit. Keep it gracious. There’s that classic golden rule, and it applies to notes too. And finally, don’t make it too short. One or two sentences is probably not enough to convey your message. And bonus tip: Better late than never!

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?
I am still in love with my WWVD card because it feels like such an inside joke with customers. I originally printed it as my own personal laugh, then sold it to see if anyone shared my humor and it took off! I retired it for a couple of years and literally had people begging me to bring it back.

I am also quite fond of my Bushel and a Peck card, because of the stories I get from customers. For many, it’s related to a childhood memory. For one particular customer who gifted it to her quite elderly grandmother, it has become something so special between them that I cried when she told me her story. I love that a simple card can make such a hugely positive impact.

Cherry Laurel StudioThank you for sharing your story, Elizabeth!! Be sure to visit Cherry Laurel Studio and check out these shops for more inspiration too! xoxo