Stationery Love for The Finders Keepers

So I think I have been pretty open about my love for paper and stationery in general. I mean, I still have my special Derwent pencils from when I was 8. Plus, it is part of the reason I decided to design my own after all. 

Luckily for you, the lovely people from The Finders Keepers recently asked me to name 6 of my favourite stationery prodz for their July Gift Guide. So here they are for you: 

1. Best Ever card by truth.be.told
2. Handmade letterpress tags (5 pack) by The Collectors Room
3. Pencil Hardback Book by Ask Alice
4. I like to draw pencil pack by The Small Object
5. How wonderful life is tray by Hanna Melin from Hello Polly
6. Award Ribbon Stickers by BLANK

Their are a bunch of other gorgeous products picked out by 5 other designers for you as a part of the July Gift Guide - check it out over here : http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/blog/2012/07/july-2012-gift-guide-stationry-lov/

Thanks again to The Finders Keepers for asking me to share my faves!

Etsy Success Sydney

I'm sure anyone who stops by these parts knows that truthbetold is well and truly a solo outfit. And I love it for that reason. But I also equally love working with others and hearing their stories. I always feel recharged and inspired after meeting up with others who also have the same dreams and value creative pursuits in their lives. As sappy as this sounds, for me hearing how others have made their dreams come true is enough to set keep me on the right path.  

Last Saturday was one of those days for me to recharge and inspired. I headed up to Sydney for the day to attend Etsy Success Sydney presented by Etsy as a part of Vivid Sydney program. In a nutshell it was a day of sessions presented by people who are at the top of their game and putting their talents and passion to great use in their own careers or community. 

Staged at the new MCA wing - which by the way has the most amazing view going - the day began with a passionate introduction from the amazing Angela D'Alton who put the whole day together with the help of her team. I have mentioned how much I love this lady before and just being around her is to be inspired because she is one clever and all round kick-ass person. Sappy much? But it's 100% true.  

Anyway - Angela introduced Chad Dickerson - the CEO of Etsy - who unsurprisingly is very inspiring himself. I really took a lot away from Chad's presentation, it reminded me how important it is to make your life into the life you want and that just going ahead and following your own path. 

One thing he said in particular struck a cord with me - 

'Finding your courage is really finding your heart'. 

It will stay with me for a very long time. 

I also really enjoyed the session presented by the girls from TMOD - and not just because we all got to wear one of their cool party hat cards. They delivered a really fun and insightful look into how they created a successful and fun business. It really reminded me that if you believe in your ideas and be open to changing your direction then you can create something very special. 

Another highlight for me was the last session I attended for the day - where in a nutshell Jo Walker (the editor of Frankie) spoke about DIY PR, and likened editors to monkeys. It was pretty funny and full of incredible information about how to get your goods seen. 

Oh and another highlight - I won this book, took in the view, spent time with some lovely ladies - like Jacinta, Jordan and Renee - and I also ate a whole lot of yummy food - mini burgers really are irresistible hey?

Thank you again to the amazing Etsy team and the gorgeous Aussie community managers Angela and Kirsteene on putting together a super day! 

Life & Likes - Mini May

Its been a little while since I stopped by these parts for an update for a couple of reasons. I wish I could say it was because I was off relaxing on a tropical island with this guy but alas its all a little more mundane and normal. The truth is I have been working really hard and I can't do everything, so this little space has gone untended. But soon I will be able to share what it is I have been working on (eeppp!) and also get back to normal with this whole truthbetold website caper. 

In the meantime here are a few happy snaps taken over the last month. As you can see I didn't do much entertainment wise apart from eat and bake. Luckily I am quite fond of both or this would be slightly tragic.

Sneak peek - new products & designs!

As you know by now,  here at truth.be.told headquarters we are busily preparing for our stall at the Finders Keepers Market that is taking place in Melbourne next week (eeeeekkkkk!!!!) 

For a while now I have been working away on some new products and designs for the truth.be.told range and at Finders Keepers I will finally be sharing these with you. All of the designs will be up in the shop before the market also and I have a series of posts planned introducing the newbies. 

But in the meantime I thought I would share a little sneak peek of the action in the studio at the moment and some of the new card designs while I am at it - spot them if you can!

Interview feature on the CWC

Sometimes when I get busy my brain starts to give up on me and I do things in my mind and not in reality. it is usually something along the lines of buying paper in my mind but not actually going. My mind ticks it off the list and then it is 'done'.  This time it was amongst the craziness of preparing for the Finders Keepers that my brain completely forgot to share my interview featured on the Creative Women's Circle last week.  

Now that my mind and reality have caught up - here it is! 

Thank you to the lovely Roslyn Russell from Sew Delicious and of course the Creative Women's Circle for the opportunity and well for being just plain awesome. 

If you haven't checked out the CWC before then do so NOW! Sorry for being bossy but there are a load of great things happening over there you should check out.  You can even be a member too like me or just sign up for the regular newsletters. Either way, you will thank me later.  

Life lately (according to instagram)

It's pretty well known that I am a little addicted to instagram. Ok, I am addicted. Follow along at truthbejess if you like.

But the great thing about this addiction is that I can share with you all of the things that are happening at truth.be.told headquarters. And lately life around here has consisted mainly of preparing goodies for the Finders Keepers Market here in Melbourne - 2 weeks to go eek!! 

I've been busily making some new products (can you spot them) and organising other fun things like new business cards for the day. This coming weekend is my major production weekend so I will have lots of new pics to share next week. 

And of course a girl can't work all of the time so life has also been about yummy brunches, pretty dresses and seeing fun movies. I also made an epic rainbow cake for my friend who has left home to live in Sweden. 

Oh and did I mention that I got an AMAZING new table and chair set? The folks at my favourite cafe Fandango gifted it to me - how nice is that? They remembered how much I loved it when they got it and now it is sitting happily in my house. How nice! If you are in North Melbourne you must go and visit them.

Likes + Loves : Paper + Music

images via creative review

I've always had a habit of collecting images I love and find inspiring. I have clippings, pinboards, photos of things. But no scrapbooks, don't worry - I haven't gotten quite to that level as yet.


Anyway - I've always collected images I find inspiring, and advertising campaigns that I love. I know this seems kind of weird but I am a sucker for an innovative marketing campaign. And when I saw this one on Creative Review I swooned. Yes, I understand how sad it is that I swoon over ads. I need to work on it. This campaign of band posters for the debut album of British band Dry the River was created by FOAM. 


I love that the campaign goes beyond being a standard band poster that we don't even notice for more than a second. By incorporating some artistry and tangible elements that passersby can interact with you are able to actually experience the advertising with more of your sense. It doesn't just capture your attention, it leaves a last impression. 


I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to slow down and actually interact with your surroundings. It is so easy in our ultra connected lives to forget the value of being disconnected. That is why I think this is such a successful campaign - you actually have to stop and be in the moment. 


In any case - who can resist a 3D paper horse?







Image, Video & Campaign Credits
Creative Directors: Phil Clandillon and Steve Milbourne
Creatives: Keighley Allen and Sophie Yeoman
Producer: Simon Poon Tip
DoP: Greg Taylor

Likes + Loves: a labour of love

This weekend was a long weekend here in Melbourne and I'm not going to lie, I live for public holidays. There is nothing like that sneaky extra day to recharge the batteries and put a smile on this girls face. 

Now while I may be back at work in the real world today I am not going to forget this one any time soon. I got to work on a little secret project which took me all over the city and beyond with cute props, a handsome gent and an even cuter friend, but more on that later. 

I also spent a pretty great portion of my days going to markets, drinking tea and sitting in cool cafes with friends. I checked out 3 markets this weekend - the new The Melbourne Flea down at Docklands, old faithful Camberwell Market and the North Melbourne Special Designer Event. It was only the first week of the Melbourne Flea and I was really impressed by the set up they have put together, especially the food vendor area, where they have managed to create a pretty nice little area in what is normally a pretty unwelcoming part of Docklands using shipping containers and a few milk crates. The farmers market area was also fantastic and while the flea stalls themselves weren't great I am sure this area will only improve as the weeks go on. 

And while I only got to drop in briefly to the North Melbourne market, it was fantastic to be able to catch a couple of the runway shows by The Professors Daughter and Lady Phillips. I have dresses and homewares by both of these labels so I was very excited to see the lovely items in the new collection. Do check both of these fantastic Melbourne labels out! 

So here are some of the highlights. Hope you had a lovely weekend too.  

We visited a new market here in Melbourne down at the Docklands, The Melbourne Flea . Check it out if you are in town, it has a farmers market, flea market stalls and a pretty cool food and drinks set up - with a bar of course!

How great is the signage? I'm such a sucker for cursive signage. The set up at this new market is pretty inviting. 

Details from the 'peoples market' The Melbourne Flea - there are loads of great food stalls but my fave was the guys at Farmer Joe's - they were so friendly, I even got some camera & avocado storage tips. 

I love this dress by The Professors Daughter - seriously - how amazing is that rainbow pattern!

More gorgeous pieces by The Professors Daughter  whizzing past on the catwalk at the North Melbourne Market

Just a minute in....March

I've decided to join in a little series called Just a Minute that I found over at Daydream Lily. No while I am completely terrible at keeping up with any regular meme, I think maybe I can keep up with this. I mean it is only once a month! 

So without further ado - here is my minute in March

Reading... I just finished the super light but totally great The Younger Man by Zoe Foster. Now back to the classics with The Beautiful & the Damned by F.S Fitzgerald. 

Listening... Passenger All the Lights 

Watching... Movies: Like Crazy, My week with Marilyn. Both were amazing  

                      TV: Woodley, New Girl 

Buying... paper, paper & more paper for new products & invitations. Oh & the latest issue of Paper  (well the latest issue here in Australia, which is actually 2 months old. Grrr)

Loving... having brunch with friends at my faves 20 & 6, Fandango & my new like Carolina

My new O&M shampoo minis from AdoreBeauty. I know it is vain to love shampoo but I would marry this shampoo if it wasn't so weird.  

Wanting...desperately to go on a holiday. Anywhere. But preferably New Zealand. Or you know, NYC would be nice too. But really - anywhere is fine

Kate & Luke - custom wedding suite

Ever have moments when you could just pinch yourself because you can't believe you are so lucky? Well for me, designing the wedding stationery for Luke and Kate was one of those moments. You might remember this speak peek I shared here. Kate is one of my favourite people and I can't say how much I enjoyed working together on this throughout last year. 

Now for a little bit about the design. I was lucky to have a lot of creative freedom and developed a whole range of concepts inspired by the gorgeous wedding location, fresh summer colours and the romantic, vintage and elegant styling that was planned for the day. 

The lovely colour scheme chosen by the couple is also my personal favourite - a palette of pink, peach and spring time green. The design also has a strong floral theme, featuring a series of flowers that I illustrated by hand.  Each piece in the suite features some form of floral motif including cascading flowers, a simple posey and a heart shaped arrangement. 

I also illustrated a cute little bus for the information card - so much fun!

The suite features two typefaces - the feature type is the gorgeous vintage style script Buttermilk, offset by a simple san serif script. The overall look is romantic and modern. 

This suite was the largest I have ever designed for anyone. In total there were nine pieces in this suite including save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards, information cards and invitations for the day after celebrations. On the day items included programs, seating chart, advice cards and place settings in the form of round labels that doubled as stickers for gorgeous macaroons at each place setting.  With so many pieces it was important to make sure they looked beautiful individually but was also cohesive as a suite. 

I am so grateful that Kate & Luke asked me to design their invites for them. And seeing how well everything we had done fitted in with their gorgeous styling on the day was seriously amazing. 

Oh and by the way - I have been to a whole bunch of weddings but Luke and Kate's was by far one of my favourites - so much love, it was a seriously beautiful day. 

PS - If you would like to check out some photos of the big day please visit their amazing photographers website here. Katie and Sarah of Love Katie & Sarah are pretty amazing - they captured the day so well and I still can't get over how gorgeous the photos are. 

And without further ado -here are a few photos of Luke and Kate's wedding stationery - I hope you love them as much as I do. Thank you again Luke and Kate for asking me to design your wedding stationery xx

Square format invitation

RSVP cards

the day after celebration invitation

detail of the 'day after invitation'

Information card 

information card detail - including the little bus I illustrated

Advice cards - for guests to write a word of advice for the happy couple

Advice cards on the day - how great is the styling? 

Seating chart

place setting labels

programs - A6 size with a sewn spine

Film Clip Friday - New Girl!

It's been a long week here at truth.be.told headquarters. Long hours at the day job and lots of things to get done around here have left me a little bit flat at the end of the week. 

Luckily when I was about to slip into a comatose state I came across something to lift my mood that also happens to make a perfect entry for this weeks Film Clip Friday. 

So this weeks Clip is the interactive film clip made my the clever kids behind the New Girl - it's like a choose your own adventure film clip for the shows theme.  Cool huh? Check out the pics below!

Now again, this isn't strictly a film clip in the traditional sense. In fact it is better. 
Why? Well it brings together a few of my favourite things: 

1. Choose your own adventure. Yes you get to choose how this film clip comes together. Seriously, the 8 year old in me that used to love those choose your own adventure books just passed out with excitement. And the grown up me isn't far off.   

2. New Girl is my fave show around at the moment. I can't get enough of it. Cute cast, quirky storylines and the lead character is named Jess just like me. Plus the character and I are kind of twins except she gets to use glitter more than I do. What is not to love.   


3. I think Zooey is the coolest, I've been on this bandwagon since I picked up my first issue of Nylon with her on the cover way back in like 2001. Seriously, who doesn't love this lady?


4. I like musicals a whole lot. So the fact this clip has a bunch of different dance numbers you can choose from is pretty much amazing x infinity in my books. 


5. I love colour. People in this clip are wearing some rad colours and there appears to be a whole ot of velvet involved in their outfits (check out the guy in the golden suit!) - my wardrobe is like a rainbow so this is what I wished my world looked like. Choosing to work in architecture wasn't a great way to make that happen. 


So anyway. Watch the clip. Choose your own adventure and have a happy Friday.

Last chance for Valentines Day goodies!

Just a quick little remind that it is less than 1 week until Lovers Day, or Valentines Day as most people call it. 


Why am I reminding you? 


Fear not - it isn't because I would like you to send me flowers. Although.....


No, it is just to tell you that if you were planning on buying your sweetheart something from our online store you have to do so by close of business this Friday 10th February. 


We have a few cute love themed cards - check out this one and this one and of course this one - plus all of the usual gorgeous prints in store. 


So take a peek at the shoppe and get your loved one something sweet xx


Happy lovers day! 

Likes & loves - a few of my favourite things

There are two things that I know aren't cool to really love. They kind of make it onto my favourite things list - who needs whiskers on kittens or brown paper packages? 

So you might be wondering what they are. 

Number 1. I love giant kitsch things. The Big Pineapple is kind of the coolest in my eyes. Even the Giant Macadamia next door scores points with me. Anything oversized and handmade looking is pretty much going to cause me to smile like a kid in a candy shop. 

Number 2. I love Photoshop. No, not a photo shop - but the Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop. Yeah it is my favourite program. I like to call it P-shop, that's how much I love it. Oh yeah I have a favourite program - yes I am truly that cool. 

And now more than ever I'm sure more importantly you are wondering why I am telling you this.

Well today via Frankie's Facebook page I spied something that brings my two favourite things together - a GIANT handmade version of Photoshop. 

image credit - As real as it gets flickr stream    Check out the flickr stream for more pics of the process. 

agency : Bates141 Jakarta
creative director : Hendra Lesmono
art director : Andreas Junus & Irawandhani Kamarga
copywriter : Darrick Subrata
account executive : Nitya Priyahita
photgrapher : Anton Ismael

Oh yes. That is a giant real life version of Photoshop. Can't think of a better way to celebrate my 500th post!

Baking: Salted Caramel Tarts

Without wanting to sound like Oprah, baking is my bliss. I would bake every single day if I had a never ending supply of butter and sugar; and I didn't have to work. Awkward. 

One of my resolutions for 2012 was to try out new recipes more. And I've decided to blog about my experiments. So here is the first one - salted caramel tarts. 

I know salted caramel is all the rage these days but there is a reason - it's the BOMB.

If like me you love this salty sweet mix, you will love this recipe. Plus it is easy as pie.... or in this case little tartlets. So here is the recipe so you can get your fix :

Salted Caramel Tarts   adapted from Donna Hay's recipe in Simple Dinners

Ingredients

1 pack Butternut Snap biscuits

Sea salt flakes to serve

1/4 - 1/2 cup Caramel sauce - you can use store bought or make your own, I used this recipe

filling

100g milk chocolate, chopped

100g dark chocolate, chopped

125ml of light pouring cream

Sea salt flakes to serve

How to:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 C. Place the biscuits into a shallow cupcake tin. Bake in oven for 2-3 minutes or until the biscuits start to soften. Press the biscuits into the tin using a tea towel to form a little biscuit shell. Leave to cool, then place on wire rack. Repeat with remaining biscuits. 

2. The chocolate filling is super easy to make - it almost makes itself. In my case it didn't so, I did the following. Place the chopped chocolate and cream in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir gently until smooth and glossy. Take the mix off the heat and transfer to a bowl to cool for 20 minutes. Once cool spoon the mix into the shells. I found that each shell took about a teaspoon. 

When all of the shells are filled place them in the fridge to set for about an hour or two. 

3. Once set it is time to add the caramel. Spoon a small amount over each tart. Now this is a little messy and nearly impossible to do neatly but I think the rustic look adds a little charm. 

Sprinkle a little salt over each tart. Don't be concerned if the salt dissolves a little - it will still taste yummy. Place the tarts back in the fridge to allow the caramel to set. 

4. And ta-da! You are ready to feast on your salty and sweet treats. 

Hopefully you guys enjoy the recipe - let me know what you think!