The Gift Insider

Lindsay from The Gift Insider contacted me last week about my Thumbprint Heart Posters.  I'm excited to share that this has led to an upcoming feature on Fox Chicago's morning segment. 

If you are in Chicago, check out the segment on April 23rd.   Also, you can get a coupon code for 15% off!

Fresh Colors for Spring!

Using the Inkless Fingerprint Kit

Here is a short video on how to get the best prints when using the Inkless Fingerprint Kit.  

 

 A better look at a good print vs. a bad print.

 

Good Print, Bad Print

I've been meaning to do this for quite some time, and with the big summer wedding season behind me, I've finally had a chance.

Getting a good print is crucial to achieving a high quality poster. The true beauty of the poster is created by each person's own unique fingerprint lines. Unfortunately, if the print I receive is not clearly defined, there is not much I can do except request a new print.

Here are a few tips:

– Use a blank piece of paper. If the paper has something on the back, it will probably show through in the scan. Also, don't use lined notebook style paper!

– Push finger straight down and don't roll it.

– Use any color of ink, but really light colors aren't recommended. DO NOT use metallic inks (i.e. silver)

– It is important not to press too hard. It will make it very difficult to get a print with clear lines .

In the Mood for Fall?

'losing my marbles over pumpkin' by nicoleap

French roast geometric casse... reconstitution... $26.50	Clear resin ring, Chocolate ... sisicata $40.00	Coconut and Brown Sugar Scru... leboxboutique $14.00
I Think I've Lost My Mar... becaruns $18.50	16" DECORATIVE PILLOW C... JillianReneDec... $36.00	Natural drilled beach stones... MedBeachStones $19.90
Fall Poster - Autumn Decor ... FlutterbyeNote... $17.00	mahogany guest book with woo... ThreeTreesBind... $185.00	French Red Soap - All Natura... RightSoap $6.00
PUMPKIN PIE Lip Balm - Vegan... soap $4.50	Carnelian Leather Bracelet /... byjodi $55.00	Sterling Silver Earrings - D... maldonadojoyas $24.00
Hand Dyed Yarn / Worsted Wei... phydeauxdesign... $22.00	Acrylic Abstract Art Paintin... T30Gallery $14.00	Arethusa - Leather handbag a... milloo $220.00
Leather iPhone wallet case i... BluePetalz $35.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

How to Stay in a Real Spanish Castle for only $164 a Night (buffet breakfast included!)

Sigüenza

If you mention Spain to me, be prepared to hear me gush...extensively. I love Spain. My husband and I hope to move our family there for a year (or five), sometime in the future. Our last trip there was last spring, and we dedicated the trip to Northern Spain. I fell in love, the scenery and people are both wonderful.

Now, we usually backpack on our travels and find rooms as we go. This has led to some very interesting accommodations – our rental car, an empty train car (off the rails), a very crappy Japanese business hotel outfitted with a TV that had a coin slot to turn it on. Which by the way, unless you are in a certain…ahem…mood, I would not recommend putting any money in.

However, on our last trip to Spain, we wanted to plan the entire trip around a wonderful hotel network know as Paradores Hoteles, which we had stayed in one night on a previous trip. They are a network of 4 and 5 star hotels in gorgeous buildings (many are restored monasteries and castles!) set in the most scenic locations (cliffside beaches anyone?).

Aiguablavas

The best part for us was the awesome Young Persons Getaway (ages 18-35). I loved being included at age 30! The deal includes a very delicious buffet breakfast. Each Parador is committed to focusing on the rich culinary traditions of the different regions of Spain, and this is reflected in the breakfast as well. We never had to eat lunch because we were always so full from the breakfast!

León

The promotion also gives you 30% off the room rate, which is not that pricey to begin with, especially considering the accommodations.  We had the great fortune to visit all of the locations pictured, and also Cangas de Onís, Santo Estevo, as well as Ronda on a previous trip.  In León we stayed in the San Marcos Monastery, whose construction began in the 16th century, which replaced another 12th century monastery from the times of King Alfonso VI. It was an amazing and new experience to stay in a hotel that was also a museum.

Bielsa

My personal favorite, and a place I dream of today, was in Bielsa. At the end of a canyon nearing the border of France, the Pyrenees mountains are filled with peaceful, fresh air and the sound of cow bells in the nearby meadow.


We stayed at so many unique locations, with so much history, that this trip was made much richer than many of our other explorations. The Paradores website has many suggestions of great routes for wine, castles or monasteries. If you are planning a trip to Spain, I highly recommend the Paradores Hoteles!


P.S. I was not offered anything to give this endorsement - I could only wish! We just REALLY loved our experience there.

Story Behind the Gift

I love hearing unique stories behind my customers' purchases - it really emphasizes the personal quality of my products. With permission from the customer, I'd like to share her story; it's super fun!

Anniversary and Secrecy:
"Hi :) I'm very interested in ordering this item for our upcoming 3 year anniversary. When we got married my husband and I actually created our own invitations using our thumbprints as hearts on the invites. I think this would make a perfect third anniversary gift.

I'm going to get my husband's fingerprints tonight and then send them to you in the mail (along with my fingerprints). My scanner is currently disconnected and this is supposed to be a surprise for my husband for our third anniversary. So I came up with this crazy story (which he seems to be buying) that I'm experimenting on a graphic program and I need a fingerprint to work with manipulating. When he asked why I can't use my own I told him it's because he has bigger fingers, lol. When he asked how I'm gonna get the picture on the computer since our scanner is disconnected I told him I'd e-mail it to myself, lol. And I guess it's not that far fetched because I enjoy doing graphics and I designed our wedding invitations with our fingerprints as hearts. I know he's gonna love this :) "

Hiding the Goods:
"Hi!!! I got the poster today and it is sooo amazing! I LOVE IT sooo much!!! Thank you for doing such an awesome job! I got an amazing frame for it and right now it is hiding at my mom's house. I'm very bad with surprises so hopefully I can wait until our Anniversary to give it to Justin. Thanks again!"

Happily Ever After:
 " I wanted to let you know that I gave my husband his gift early (I'm so bad with surprises!). He LOVES it and immediately hung it up in our living room. Thank you so much again! This was such the perfect Anniversary gift :) ~Joanie"


It was really fun sharing Joanie's excitement for her gift, and I'm so happy she shared the details with me!