NEW IN THE SHOP

Just a quick little update today, there are a few new cards in the shop that I am so excited about.  Easter and a few new birthdays are coming soon! 

Check them out here

Hope your week is going great! 

XO 

GIFT GUIDE FOR THE TRAVELER

photo from Iceland this summer

A few favorite travel related gifts for the gal who is always planning her next adventure...XO

Passport Holder // Suitcase // Headphones // Backpack // Vacation Funds Jar // Water Bottle // Emergency Kit // Laundry Bag // Places to See Book // Travel Journal // Eye Mask // Rose Water Spray

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

print in my shop

Happy Thanksgiving! 

There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for.  I am especially blessed by my family, friends, and career.  Looking forward to fun long weekend ahead when the people I love! 

As a way to say to thanks to you all, I'm offering 20% off in my shop through Sunday! Enter the code 'THANKS1' at checkout.

Wishing you all a happy holiday weekend. 

XO 

FLORAL RECIPE CARDS IN THE SHOP

I might be a littttttle too excited about these guys!  The recipe cards are in the shop, available as sets of 10 (but you can custom request a larger quantity if needed).  

This is a weirdly late blog post for me, but I needed a little break from editing photos and was excited to share these. 

Monday, you've been conquered. 

XO

NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY

I typically roll my eyes at the "national [insert random object] days" but with one like handwriting, I guess I can't help but indulge in the silliness of honoring this special day. 

I looked for some quotes about handwriting to letter for this post, the only thing that really struck me were a few about it being a lost art and to think about how important handwriting used to be.  There was a day when letters were the only form of communication, I mean that's crazy (and kind of awesome). 

I was then lead to think about my journey and love for lettering.  How did this happen anyways? That I have created a job partially dealing with my handwriting?  If you would have told me this years ago it would have been confusing and funny. Years ago when I was lettering my name and the names of my friends over and over on wide ruled paper instead of listening to my teacher in class… I guess that's how it started. I remember getting boxes upon boxes of new markers all the time.  I had all the fun crayola ones.  I'm not sure when I had time for this in class but I made tons of "signs" for my friends all the time.  I was constantly writing my name on a page underneath the paper I was taking notes.  I was a cheerleader and would always be asked to make signs for the games, our hallway, any school event really.  Heather would do it with me, which is just hilarious because she is designing stationery these days as well (hi Paper Please!) To make a long story short, fast forward all those years (while keeping in mind that every stage of my life that involved me being in a classroom, there was doodling involved) and "modern calligraphy" started popping up around the web.  It was funny to me that people were "selling their handwriting".  I thought, I know and love this, I could do that.  With the help of some friends passing on a few small jobs, I tried my hand in professional handwriting.  Over the past three years I've written and written and written some more. Through many trials and experiments, my writing grew into something I love.  Something I am proud of and excited to share with others.  It…is…mind-blowing! 

I'm going to wrap this up with a story.  For the majority of my life grandparents have lived out of state.  For as long as I remember, my grandmother has sent me (and many others) handwritten cards and letters.  They didn't mean as much as a child but as an adult calligrapher it is truly a prize.  She still loves to write letters to this day.  She writes A LOT of letters. When I visited them early last year she made a comment about being proud of me for writing and making handwritten things.  She mentioned that schools once taught penmanship and today most people don't even know a true cursive alphabet.  This year for Christmas, she gave me a book filled with some photos, letters I had sent her as a child, and then pages upon pages of her handwriting telling her story.  Tears filled my eyes as I opened such a priceless gift.  Something I will always treasure. I can't wait to finish reading it and then visit them again to hear more stories.

Leaving people notes and sending letters is so special and personal.  I'm thankful I will always have something written from most of my family members and my close friends.  Step away from the e-mail today and send someone you love some snail mail.  Your handwriting doesn't have to be perfect, just meaningful.  

xx 

CYBER MONDAY SALE!

Happy Cyber Monday! 

I decided to extend my sale with an extra little discount for today only! 

shop now: etsy.com/shop/shannonkirsten

And a few favorites around the web today:

J.Crew : 40% off sale, code: MONDAY

Anthropologie: Free Shipping 

French Connection: 40% off

Forever 21: Free Shipping

West Elm: Up to 25% off, code: SUPERSALE

Asos: 30& off, code: ILOVEMONDAYS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING + A WEEKEND SALE IN THE SHOP!

Hope everyone is getting excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow! We plan to have lunch at my grandma's and then we head out to go camping in Lake Panasoffkee (Hunter's families annual tradition).  I will be a little out of touch with reality until Sunday evening. Soooo, I've decided to go ahead and start my black friday / small business saturday sale early!  I've added two new calendars, the new treat prints in two sizes, and there are lots of holiday cards and other fun gifts (for friends or yourself).  So shop now while you can get a little discount.  Enter "THANKS15" at checkout to receive 15% off through Sunday only!  This is the only time of year I offer a sale and the shop will be closing early this year (Dec. 17) so stock up while you still can! 

I am so thankful for this little place on the web to share my work and thoughts.  Between my shop, here, and instagram reading your comments of encouragement means so much to me.  Feeling beyond grateful lately.  Love to you all.  xox 

TREAT PRINTS IN THE SHOP!

A little Monday morning pick-me-up!

A few new prints I added to the shop this weekend. They are available in 8" x 10" and 11" x 14".  I picture these in sets hanging in cute kitchens (that's what I'm doing with mine at least!).  And perfectly sweet gifts for the coffee lover or foodie friend.  xx 

shop here

HOLIDAY COLLECTION IN THE SHOP! (PLUS INFO + SHIP DATES)

Whooo! I'm excited to officially be finished with my little Christmas card collection! I have created eight new designs plus listed seven of my all time holiday favorites on Etsy.  All original designs were created with gouache paint.  They are then re-printed on thick premium card stock and include white envelopes.  I have also been adding some general card sets and new prints that are great for gifts. 

There has been a ton of excitement and growth happening with SK illustration lately.  This year has been incredible, overwhelming, and filled with so many great projects.  After much debate, I've decided to close my shop for a little while over Christmas.  I realized I need some time to catch up, regroup for an already jam packed new year, and just have some down time with my family.  Plus my sister and I are taking a very exciting trip right after Christmas.  We are going to Antarctica! So umm yeah…I guess that's part of the reason for closing the shop for a while.  I'll be just a little out of touch with the world while we're there. lol.   So that being said, you have until December 17th to shop holiday cards, prints, gifts, etc.  The shop will close on the 17th, all items will ship the next day in order to make it for Christmas. I will be re-opening the second week of January.  So get yo' shop on while you can! 

(p.s. this was a really difficult decision for me to make, I thank you in advance for understanding.  I also promise that with this break, I will be returning with LOTS of new items and exciting news!)  

Shop Holiday HERE 

y'all are the best. xoxoxox times one million.

NEW PRINTS IN THE SHOP

Excited to post a few new prints to my shop this week! 

You can find these here along with some other past favorites.  

xox

THE HOLIDAY COLLECTION IS HERE!

I'm so thrilled to have a little holiday collection complete and in the shop this morning! There are 10 new greeting card designs to choose from, a 2014 wall calendar, and some other fun gifty items.  I am especially excited about my new products because I have recently switched printers and upgraded to finer papers, I couldn't be happier with the quality!  All designs are printed on a premium, thick matte card stock, scored, and folded to perfection.  The sets are packaged in kraft paper stationery boxes and tied up with my favorite black and gold bakers twine.  The single cards come in a protective clear sleeve.  I used mostly watercolor, gouache, and ink to create the original designs. 

I hope you enjoy sending some of these holiday cards to your friends and family this year.  If you have questions or custom requests feel free to e-mail me at shannonkcouch@gmail.com or get in touch through Etsy message.  Follow on bloglovin for new updates, products, and special offers through the holidays.  

Click here for to shop!

for daily updates and studio snaps @shannonkirsten

BLOOMS IN PROGRESS

A few sneak peeks of some work in progress.  All things floral lately!  I have been working hard to wrap up holiday designs and get them in the shop.  Plus all of these pretty flowers that will be a new collection of prints and cards.  

Keep up with my daily updates and studio snaps on instagram - @shannonkirsten 

xo

ICED PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES

I made these pumpkin spice cookies for the first time over the weekend...they were reallllllly good.  I can't even tell you how many Hunter ate.   I thought this recipe was a pretty perfect mix of spice and sweet, not one being more overpowering.  Before all things gingerbread starts taking over, whip up a batch of these babies, you won't regret it: 

You will need:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder 

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened 

1 1/2 cups white sugar 

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

For the icing: 

2 cup confectioners sugar 

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt then set aside

2. Cream together butter and white sugar.  Then add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla to the mixture and beat until creamy.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Drop onto cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls and flatten slightly. 

3. Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Cool cookies than drizzle glaze with a fork. 

4.  To make the glaze: combine the confectioners sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.  Add milk as needed for drizzling consistency. 

Happy Baking!