Hi.

Quick reminders about Unique LA…it’s almost here! (we are sooo excited to see you there!!):

• Be a fan of Unique LA on their new Facebook page.
• Order pre-sale tickets online and get extra goodies in your goody bag. Everyone receives a cotton tote, but pre-sale ticket holders will get extras…like a CD from Delicious Vinyl, Numi Tea samples and free entrance to the Craft and Folk Art Museum.
• A portion of your entrance fee will go to Architects for Humanity’s Japan Relief efforts.

And if you aren’t already, be a fan of Spiffy Press too. When you shop at Spiffy Press at Unique LA, May 7-8, 2011, you’ll also be giving to Armory Center for The Arts, in Pasadena. Five percent of proceeds go to the Armory.

You give and you give!

See you soon!

BTW, I'm thinking of you!

Congratulations to A. Hayes of Arcadia, CA, Spiffy Press’ February Letterpress winner of the month!

You too can sign up to win a free box of missed letterperess card designs each month at www.spiffypress.com/signup.html

Good luck!

One way to get trendy ideas

I love to keep in touch with Trendwatching.com….have you seen this site? It’s a global effort to spot trends based on what people report seeing in their local hood. Then, it’s all collectively brought together to share themes about everything.

Every year they publish a report, in case you’re interested to buy it. If not, then sign up for their emails, they are a great way to keep your finger on the pulse or register to be one of their trend spotters.

We love modern ideas!

Congrats to A. Kitt!

A quick shout out to A. Kitt of Littleton, Colorado, our October letterpress winner!! [Throw confetti here]

Thanks for signing up to win, hope you enjoy your cards.

And to everyone else, you could be next month’s winner….just click here.

Chill card featured on Got The Knack Blog

I’ll start this post with a quote….

A huge thank you to Got The Knack blog who posted the most complimentary blog today it sort of made me blush…aww, shucks, you really think this, really? I’m sending them a hug!

They mention nice things about all of our greeting cards, from CHILL to TWSS (look it up), and MOM and more!

If I could start every Monday with a blog like this, I’d be the happiest person alive.

Thanks Got The Knack, you made my day!

Best looking skull I've ever seen

My friend Roberto Benavidez is an amazing sculptor and artist. I was recently reminded of how patient, creative and talented he is when I ran across this link to his skull pinatas.

Take a look! They are amazingly crafted and beautifully designed. No, you don’t fill these with candy and break them open. They fill your room will color and bring you joy. I love them and want one for my home. In the meantime, enjoy the pix and details on this site and if you’re not the Halloween type, maybe you’re the Dios de los Muertos type, which these are perfect for. He’s sold out for now, but he’s making more, so check in often and admire ‘em!

My favorites are the pink and black ones. And really photos don’t do them justice. They looks more dense in the photos, but they are light and almost feathery in person. A great contrast of the subject matter and materials, with a dash of lucha libre!

Way cool!

Sweeter than a real one

My wife recently visited a friend in Toronto who makes the most amazing cakes, and I’m not exaggerating. See for yourself. She gave my wife a beautiful souvenir, something totally unique that can’t be found in stores, which is pretty cool in our globalized retail world where you can get everything from just about every city on the planet. This lovely flower is always fresh and brightens her desk.

My wife said this flower looked so real when she saw it among trays of flowers in her studio. It took a double-take to realize it’s frosting! Roxy makes these fresh beauties by hand to adorn her cakes. She can sculpt just about anything from frosting to look real, not to mention elegant and completely beautiful. Check out her blog.

And I’m poaching a photo from her blog to show you a recent special-tea cake. Breathtaking.

A special-tea cake

All of the flowers on her cakes are hand-made, pieces of art. I see that most wedding cakes today use real flowers, which are pretty, but a frosting flower is an unexpected gift. Your mind’s eye assumes it’s a real flower, but then you take a double-take and realize it’s hand-made, sculpted from frosting! It’s unreal and fun, and then you stare it again and again.

Most of all, I love that Roxy Cakes embraces artistic, handmade objects. Just like Spiffy Press’ wedding invitations and greeting cards.

Thanks to Jen Moody of Chicago, IL for sending these pictures of her recent trip to Orange Beautiful’s new store to scope out Spiffy Press cards. And thanks to her son, Fred, who was a good sport for letting his mom drag him along and take a picture.

Congratulations to K. Kwok of Arcadia, CA, our May letterpress giveaway winner!

You too can win a mixed set of letterpress cards by simply signing up. Couldn’t be easier!

See you on the site.

How can you not heart this?

Yes, I corazon Spiffy Press today because I am in Bucerias, Mexico and my “Yo Amo Bucerias” cards are now in stores! Ok, so they are now in store.

If you are ever in Bucerias, Mexico, you can find my letterpress panel card, “Yo Amo Bucerias,” at Sandrina’s Restaurant. She has an amazing selection of hand-made, local artistic goods and gifts in her boutique and a unique blend of Greek/Mediterranean food with a Spanish flair in the restaurant. Get their Cioppino for sure! Es muy excellente!! This photo is the cafe counter where my cards are by the register. Just want to be specific to make sure you find them if you are there. Don’t you wish you were?

Adios Amigos.