This week we are focusing on growth. We all know how brutal it feels when things are stagnant and, oppositely, the sheer joy that comes from becoming a better version of yourself. Whether it is personal growth, business related, relationship-wise, or with regard to your health we want you to stop what you're doing and:
It's that time again! The One of a Kind Show in Toronto is right around the corner and we are gearing up to present some new card designs once again. As it turns out, we have a different booth size than we were anticipating and, so, we've had to do some playing - here is a sneak peak of what you might see starting on the 26th of March at the Direct Energy Center.
In addition to a new layout we are also introducing a number of new card lines for this coming show. We like to keep things fresh and continuously update our look and concept. These cards will be EXCLUSIVE for the One of a Kind Show in Toronto as it will be the first time we've presented them to the public. My last post was a taste of what you might expect and my next will be of a second design for Wedding Favours, Shower Cards, or Special Occasion gifts. Check back again tomorrow for an advanced look at what to shop for this spring at the One of a Kind Show.
If you'd like tickets to the upcoming show, message us! We have a number of free pairs to give away and would be happy to give you some!
Also, let us know what you think of our layout so far! We would be more than happy, however, to see what you think of it in person!
See you soon!
Drew
So, as usual, I wasn't on the ball and completely missed the Oscars this year. It's unfortunate in some sense but also - not really. I still got to see all the hilarious moments from the BEST - Ellen. True, it's late, but I figured I should give a little something back to her because of all of her Twitter Breaking / Pizza Delivering awesomeness.
and so it begins... As of the past couple months, our place has been over-run with Kat n' Drew Cards. Cards on tables, in the living rooms, filling up multiple rooms.. and it is getting kind of hard to find what we need. We, more than likely, have 10 pairs of scissors somewhere but do you think I can find one pair? Negative. So we've decided to expand some empty space and make a place just for the cards and the creating :) So we figured we'd do a little before and after and during piece to keep you in the loop how things are working out.
This is currently the only sane space we have... pretty, yes, but not very practical by way of building cards
So we are going to knock down some walls and make some space! The insulated wall backs onto our current studio. So basically the old studio and this new area will become one big workspace for Kat n' Drew!
As you can see, we are going right back to the studs with this one. We will certainly keep you updated as we work away with this. As a matter of fact, you can find updates periodically on our Facebook. Follow us on Facebook and watch our studio transform into a beautiful butterfly... well, you know what I mean
Drew
I've been thinking more and more about the story section of this blog and find myself liking the idea even more than when I started. Cards really do follow the stories of our lives - the biggest occasions - and give us the chance to reflect on how cool we really are!
More than that however, by posting these stories about all of our lives, the seemingly regular stories that we might find mundane, we are really showing the world how exciting we all are one person at a time.
When you stop to think about Movie Stars or Pop Stars and how much they are followed and envied by the general public, you start to notice how little there actually is behind most of the stories.
"They got a new outfit" - "They're dating this person" -
and we neglect the big picture in our own lives while we pay attention to all of the "exciting" things that the celebs are doing. The point I'm trying to make here is that most of our lives are far more interesting and full than many of the lives of people we follow and idolize. It's not that they are all uninteresting but they are not always the most important stories in the world.
WE should be the ones people follow! -
or rather, when we step back and look at all that we accomplish, all we dream about, all of our relationships and jobs and journeys, you can start to see how believing in yourself and your significance makes you bigger than any star. Sure, we aren't on TMZ but our stories are still interesting and our lives are still bright.
I like that the everyday person has their own interesting stories to share - that we don't have to be fed our entertainment and emotions from shows and movies all the time. And I like that, if even in a small way, we are helping people realize just how much of an adventure and grand story their lives are.
True I've been thinking about this for a while but it also comes as I notice a neat posting that pictures what stars might look like if they were "average" people. We are all stars! sometimes it just takes believing in our own journey :)
oo and have a look at the average joe movie stars from Planet Hiltron
also! the top photo is from Madison at LivingLifeNoRegrets
Ok! Here it is! Part two of Tania's story :) Hope you enjoy!
"The best part of it all is that we are all different, and so my baby will have advice and love of all kinds. When my child is heartbroken, my oldest sister Betty (with her romantic personality) can give hope. She is the sensitive artist, making art out of photography, music, and paint. If my child needs loving but strict advice (not to mention makeup and fitness advice, if I am having a girl), then there is Lily. She is the free spirited, pink loving, makeup expert! Now if straight honesty is needed, then there's Soozee with her straight forward answers - and oh how she loves cuddling! My baby will not be needy of hugs around her. She is the chocolate lover, hug giving, sarcastic answering one. Last but not least there's Briana! We may not be blood related, but she has surely earned her place in our crazy sister world. She has been our home, and shared our sadness and our happiness, been at our weddings, birthdays, holidays. Most recently she has had the loss of baby Sophia, and that she is even here for me now, as hard as it has to be, is beyond appreciation. I know if my child wants to play and have fun, Bree is the one to go to! She's always ready to make you laugh and has a witty remark for everything! Even now in her sorrow, I can see her always funny personality shine through. I know her daughter is proud of her."
Special Gifts for Special People
"Being so grateful and excited that my
baby would not lack love, hugs, laughs, safety, I decided to get each
of them a gift! Something that would express without words that I
would always love them, and that now my child would as well. I stumbled
upon Kat n' Drew's shop of charms & cards and I was so delighted
by their approach to gift giving! I had Kat (whom was amazing) create
a charm for a bracelet for each one of my sisters, that would match
their personalities. I had stored them hoping to reveal the sex of
the baby and would get another charm to add to their bracelet as soon
as I knew. However, my sister Lily came down to visit, so I decided
since we were all together it would be great to give them the first
charm now. We gathered round and I pulled out the light turquoise
jewelry boxes holding their charms. It was a sweet experience to
share this together as I had not expected to have them all in the
same place. I am now looking forward in a week to know the sex of the
baby and to be able to share even more memories of this process with
each of them."
"I look forward to continue buying my sisters charms for each special time in their lives and also, of course, to being Kat n' Drew's loyal customer. I don't think I could have found a better place to build memories with."
We simply cannot thank Tania enough for sharing her story - it really is something special and we are proud that we could help be a part of this story. Thank You Tania! I wonder whether the baby is a boy or a girl!
Today we have a story written especially for us from the story teller herself. Tania recently looked into getting some charms from us for some extra special custom gifts and, when we heard the story behind them, we were absolutely speechless for how wonderful it was. Kat's first words were literally "I'm speechless.... This was amazing to read, it makes you laugh ,teary and smile all at once." So without any more introduction, I give you Tania and her story
"My parents punishment if we fought was to make us hug “Until we learned to love each other”, and their constant words were 'You need to be there for each other, what if one day we are not there for you?' Naturally we grew up very close. Yes, there were fights, (we are all girls), but there was more doll playing and fort building. It is not until now that I understand fully what they had meant, and in everything that has happened, that is the most valuable thing they did for us - raise us to be united."
"I am the trail blazer in the lot and the first one to have a baby. Of all my pregnancy worries, the biggest one that plagued me was that my child would grow up without loving grandparents. I was sad for days concerned that if something happened to my husband and I, then my baby would have no place. Then I realized that I was wrong, I have had my sisters! Those childhood memories and the words my parents had said plenty of times rushed in and I felt relieved."
We will continue Tania's Story Shortly in another installment! Stay tuned for Part 2: "Meeting the Family"
Today we are proud to announce that we have sponsored our 5th entrepreneur through Kiva Microlending. As I'm writing, I'm realizing we have not included our participation with Kiva on the site but, basically, we take 5% of our profits and use that money towards supporting entrepreneurs all over the world through Kiva. As a greeting card and gift company, we are all about giving and whether that means we help YOU give gifts or we enable others to chase their dreams with small monetary gifts, we're down. Because we know how much work is involved in small business!
We have supported a number of different endeavors in the past but, this time around, we will be supporting a woman by the name of Sandra Elizabeth. She is from El Salvador and is looking for $275 to buy beans to help support her farm and family. She lives with her husband and children and, together, they grow beans and corn to sell at a local town market. This is the only source of income for the family. The loan will help her see her dream of filling all of her land with crops to provide a larger income for the family and help make a better life for her kids!
Feel free to support Sandra on your own or any number of people through Kiva to help people realize their dreams. It certainly makes us happy to see them succeed. We'll be sure to post information about Kiva and about the people and businesses we support in the future!
You can find Sandra's Profile by Clicking the Link
Today, interestingly, is about more dogs and the cards that come along with them - or in this case, small horses. One of Kat's greatest friends in the world, and my aunty, Lisa just visited us from her horse farm in Johnson City, Texas! We try and visit, in either place, at least once a year when we can get time but WOW has her year ever been a busy one. Yes, Lisa has a horse farm with 7 horses but more importantly she has 3 mini horses; Great Danes.
Lisa has just recently started showing her Great Danes - first Ruby and now Ty - and has been doing kind of well. Ruby became a champion first and now, the puppy, Ty, is going for his Grand Champion honors. And when I say small horse, he is almost 4 1/2' tall and weighs 185lbs and is the biggest suck in the world :) So because she has been doing so well at the shows and attending more and more, she figured it might be a nice touch to send "Thank You" cards to the judges and show organizers. Just another interesting application of wild stories that our cards come into contact with. Also, he may be here in August for a show in Toronto - I will have to let you know how he does :)
Apparently it's the small dogs you've gotta watch for! The big ones are babies..
Today's story comes from Ireland - or rather, we've added to their story.
Susan decided on a magnet note card in aqua with the quote portion "You Make Me So Proud". She needed something special for her eldest daughter Cassie who is just graduation elementary school and is headed to the scary world of high school. As the eldest daughter (12) Susan told us of the difficulties of seeing their eldest grow up so quickly. She knows that the next few years will be filled with challenges and tantrums! but also potential and happiness - It is that fragile balance between wanting to keep someone close while at the same time glowing with pride as they make strides to become their own person.
With three more daughters to follow, Susan knows she'll expect battles to come but she wanted to mark this special occasion for Cassie and leave her with a little something to remind her that she loves her and supports her - and is proud of her! A young woman herself, we certainly wish the best of luck to her and Cassie as they take on the new challenges ahead.
Thank You Susan!
Should you want to take a look, here is the card Susan should expect for her daughter:
