Peaches & Cream Styled Shoot with Christine Pegany—As Featured on Wedding Chicks!
I was absolutely blessed to be able to be a part of this gorgeous photo shoot, planned and photographed by Christine Pegany! She has so much talent and such an eye for details. Plus you know, horses!! Regarding my stationery: I loved the theme of Peaches & Cream too
Sam Allen Creates: April thru June 2018
The craziness of 2018 continued through the spring
One Little Word 2019: Refine
As I thought over my One Little Word for 2019, I kept thinking of my word for last year which was FOCUS. I'm tempted to just rephrase that with having my word be REFOCUS as I don't think I fully focused in on the year as much as I wanted. I still feel rather scattered and split
Sam Allen Creates: January thru March 2018
I've been working on this post for a year, adding to it over the year but never finishing it. I hope you enjoy a peek back at some of my favorite projects from the beginning of the year! A lot of these will just be a glimpse into the project, like for the styled shoots
Year in Review: July thru December 2017
Last month I shared the first part of the 2017 Review, and finally below you can read the rest. I just love looking back on all these amazing projects that got to cross my desk. So much good stuff! July The start of July was spent wrapping up the beautiful Kara's wedding which I blogged about earlier this year
Year in Review: January thru June 2017
2017 was quite a busy year! I was a horrible blogger all year too so please pardon me as I post a giant update on what I was working on the first half of last year! As you'll soon find out, this was the year I broke into the watercolor floral game and had a lot of fun doing it too! January To start the year off, I worked on some sweet little first birthday invites for some close friends. February The month started with first birthday prep for my bestie's little girl. Even though this was well over a year ago, I still plan to share a more in depth blog on it because it was so darling!! I was also working on another batch of designs to be presented to retail stores like Hobby Lobby! They were really my favorites and was so happy to see them in stores later in the year. February is also the month Disney released some of the most epic of their original animated films and I love to create some fan art in honor of their anniversaries! The month also included a few more custom pieces including this adorable woodcut sign! And lastly!! Handpainted Where the Wild Things Are
Geode and Succulent Styled Wedding at Estate on Second in Santa Ana, California with Events by the Cea and Harper & Grace Photography
The owner of Events by the Cea and I first met when I snuck behind the scenes at Kara's wedding (link) to photograph some of the pieces I worked on. Shortly thereafter I emailed her asking if she had any styled wedding shoots in the works that I could collaborate on and luckily she was just starting to plan one for that fall! I was so thankful for my first opportunity to work on a styled shoot (a mock-wedding photoshoot for wedding vendors to collaborate on to showcase their talents). And because it was local to me, I was able to attend the shoot too! The creative energy at the shoot was tangible! I soaked it all up and learned so much watching Christina and her team work their magic on decorating tablescapes, interiors, and floral installations. But now let me step aside and allow the photos to speak for themsleves, all taken by Harper & Grace Photography: As published on The Every Last Detail and The Perfect Palette! v e n d o r s : Planning & Design: Events by the Cea // Photographer: Rachel Matonis of Harper & Grace Photography // Dress Designer: Shop Blush Elegance // Hair + Makeup: Navany Macias
Romantic Winter Elopement at Sacred Mountain in Julian, California
Just wanted to pop in on this lovely Valentine's Day and share some of my favorite photos from this styled shoot I got to collaborate on last month! Katie Hammond gathered quite the team of vendors, models and even a horse to all come together for such a gorgeous set up! My favorite part would be the reception table surrounded by the draped white linens making a nice secluded and romantic area for dinner, however the ceremony floral circle backdrop would be a close second! This was my first styled shoot that I've participated in with multiple photographers. It's so amazing to see everyone's different perspectives of the same subject! Between the different angles and the post editing, each photographer created such unique pieces of art, moments captured in time forever
Your New Friend Sam Hits 10,000 Sale Mark!
When I opened my shop 5 years ago today, NEVER EVER would I have guessed this day would come. But it surely has and I am ever so thankful! This started as an Instagram post but after writing out this novel of thankfulness, I knew I needed to move it to a blog post! I never would have been able to imagine reaching 10,000 orders on Etsy and I never would have been able to without some help
My Etsy Shop: Your New Friend Sam’s 5 Year Anniversary
In writing out that blog post title, in writing out "5 Years," I am amazed at how much has happened in that time. Looking back to where I was 5 years ago, the night I opened my shop, I was working at a graphic design firm full time out of the house with a daily 90 minute commute each way. It was my dream job though so it was totally worth it. I opened my shop with just some printable invitations that I had already designed for friends. My plan was to not have to deal with shipping anything! (oh my, how that has changed!). And then it took a month to even make that first $10 sale. Later this same year, my best friend was getting married in the fall and as I had started to dabble in handlettering, she graciously let me write out her Save the Dates and address stamp. After which I added the address stamp to my shop