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A few new product proofs arrived at our door yesterday and I just had to snap a few pictures on my way out the door. Extra large giclees will soon be available and they are just too beautiful for words. The "Gnome Hat" (top left giclee) will be 26" x 36" and looks absolutely stunning. "Hummingbird" (top right) will be 36" x 48" and "Lighten Up"(bottom) is 24" h x36" w.
Here's a peek at some product shots I took last week, for our upcoming tradeshows. The new line of "little sweeties" are total wonders onto themselves. I just love them!
(Shown above: New Little Sweeties mini greeting cards)
(Shown above: new 5x7 greeting card designs)
(shown above: printed envelope sets )
This year we kept our Christmas party to a mild roar with just a little get together in the design studio.
We took some time out of the day to enjoy a few glasses of wine....
Open up some gift bags....
and we definitely didn't forget to get our grub on.
At the annual Papaya Christmas party, we were all required to wear these antlers (last year it was fuzzy santa hats with our names glittered on them)... in the end, I think these look much better adorning my favorite little Buddha lamp in my office. One of life's happy accidents.. now he's got it going on!
Wishing you all a lovely holiday.
Every Wednesday night I am invited to "Music Night" with a wonderful group of friends. Every week, I leave with a belly full of amazing food, a head buzzing with interesting conversation (and A LOT of great wine). Last week, "Music Night" was held at my friend Cathy Dorris' house in Talent, Oregon. Cathy and her husbands' lifelong love of traveling it is reflected in almost every inch of their home. Always a good sport, Cathy had no idea I'd be snapping pictures of her home that night but allowed me to explore anyway.
Dinner at the Dorris' feels like you've traveled across the world. Reflections of Europe and Central America can be seen in almost all artwork and fixtures. Not only is the home beautifully decorated, but also efficient. Cathy's husband, Gary Dorris, is a contractor who specializes in green building and "net zero" homes.
Last year, several folks from this group decided to make their own wine. They rented land from a local vineyard and planted, cared for, and harvested the grapes. Their "Cave Aux Vins" (bottom left) holds their barrels of wine and an elaborate process for aging and bottling. Once, I was even able to create my own blend from their different grapes.
After a filling dinner of hearty winter stew with delicious root vegetables and savory meat, Cathy gave me a quick peek into her studio and a few projects she's been working on.
After that instruments were tuned and the cups were filled with Bailey's, the music began.
I think one reason I particularly love "Music Night" is because I see this group of people, who are extremely busy with their lives, take the time to cultivate friendships. They are busy nurses, attorneys, musicians, artists, and contractors who set aside this one night to devote to their friends. They drive from far away, prep for large meals, leave work early, and lug their instruments to a different house each week. Every week feels like a celebration.
I highly recommend a "Music Night", "Art Night" or anything that creates a community like this. I'd love to hear similar things you do in your lives to feed your soul and stay connected with your friends and family.
The first Papayariffic Challenge has completed, everyone contributed their beautiful works, and we loved each and every one.
But the other day, we got a lovely surprise!
When I set up the challenge, I wasn't very clear about the need for people to be in the United States. This was important, because we were shipping the products to the people for a timed project. Well, two people signed up from abroad. I notified them that they were more than welcome to receive their product and create something, but due to time constraints, couldn't participate in the challenge.
I had forgotten all about those contestants, getting ready for our new trade show season, but we received a lovely letter from New Zealand the other day. Here is another lovely description in pictures of the Gift Challenge in action.
Today I'd thought I'd share a few of the hidden members of the papaya team... our pets!
This is Bonzo, Anahata, Eli and Gina Katkin's family kitty. I took this shot of him for Papaya's spring 2009 catalog. (Gina's stylish living room was the perfect backdrop!)
Gigi, my Cavalier King Charles spaniel has been visiting the Papaya studio ever since she was a tiny puppy. This little lady is a wonder to behold in my bright pink office!
Sabrina Ward Harrison recently adopted this little guy, a regular visitor to the Papaya studio. Hearing the tapping of his little paws coming down the hallway is always an instant smile. (He's named after the Italian city, Rome. She took this shot of him at home soaking up the sun this winter.)
This is an outtake from a fun holiday shoot from last year. Liz, one of old our receptionists used to occasionally bring her sweet little dog "(Pink) Floyd" around to the office. I asked her one day if she could bring him in on the fly to take some photographs, a natural born model... he even showed us a few tricks!
Ahhh, tis the season to be merry. I think the song goes something along those lines. As we are all way to aware of, it appears our time for Christmas shopping is quickly coming to an end. Which means with every passing day the mall parking lot is that much harder to negotiate.
In attempts to save you from the Mall parking lot we thought we could extend a little Christmas spirit, Papaya style.
Receive $10 off your order of $40 or more from www.papayaart.com between now and Sunday. Use Promo Code XMAS09.
Also if you missed it yesterday, in Sarah's post she had a link to download free desktop wallpapers. Check um out, so cool!
Here are a couple of desktop wallpapers to brighten your Monday morning. They are also available in wrapping paper. Enjoy :)
Birds and Blossoms (Above)
1440x900
Pheonix
1440x900
Just right-click the image and save to your computer. Then, navigate to your settings or system preferences to assign the image as your background.
