Fall is my favorite time of the year. Leaves turn colors, the weather is crisp and cool, and you know Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. I love the warm golds, browns and reds that denote Fall. Here are a few colorful and fun ideas you can make to liven up your living room, porch or kitchen. These pumpkins bring variety and fun to the season.

Craft decorated pumpkins

Fall painted pumpkins

Decorated pumpkins at fireplace

Why Send Business Greeting Cards?

Keeping your name in front of your clients on a regular basis helps ensure that no one comes between you.Significant occasions when your company might like to send a personalized card or note include:

Birthdays
• Secretary
• Client and Customers
• Employees
• Prospects

Holidays
• Holiday Greetings
• Thanksgiving and New Years
• Secretary’s Day
• Any fun or imaginative Holiday

Customer Service
• When asking for suggestions
• Reminding a client of your service

Prospecting/News
• With a clipping or pertinent article
• When sending a hot tip
• Announcing a new product or service
• When opening a new store
• An invitation to an open house
• When changing your address
• When networking with colleagues

Follow up
• On a sales lead
• When you don’t get the sale
• To keep in touch with established clients
• When you couldn’t get through on the phone

Thank you
• For the order
• For the referral or lead
• For your time, lunch or your extra help
• To your secretary, assistant or team member

Congratulations
• For a job well done
• On the promotion or raise
• On the new office or home
• On the great sale

Occasions
• Let’s have lunch or dinner
• Anniversaries
• A get well wish
• A new home or office
• Welcoming a new employee

Follow these steps to get the most our of your free demonstration.

1. Think of a client or friend that you want to show appreciation to, say thanks to or just say hello.
2. Make sure you have their mailing address.
3. Click on the FREE Demonstration link below.
4. When the new page opens up, click on the Send A Card icon.
5. Follow the audio directions to set up a Gift Account and send out your card

Wedding and Event Planner Logo

Logos are another aspect of design I enjoy. Recently, I was hired to create a logo for someone who started an event planning group. She requested the logo have clean lines and a “Madison Avenue” look. This was interpreted by me as being upscale and affluent, to reach her clientele. After brain storming ideas and inspiration surrounding her concept, I was able to create several initial designs.

EndoPalmProductions_logo drafts

The customer ended up picking marrying ideas from a few of these logos. Here is the final logo she chose to brand her business.

Endo Palm Productions-LOGO

Love and marriage

Are we not like two volumes of one book? ~Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever. ~Author Unknown

As a multicultural stationery card designer, I often have people write me notes or send emails about my stationary or stationery. Which way do you spell it? Recently, at the National Stationery Show in New York, this bag was featured to answer the age old question.

stationery-vs-stationary tote bag

E for Envelope. That’s an easy way to remember stationery……….

These are available at Sapling Press shop! Get yours right here.

Pre-written affordable press releases for your business. Who doesn’t want their business featured in newspapers and magazines or be featured in radio and television interviews??

Press Releases Are The BEST Way To Get Noticed

Pre-written press releases are a great way to receive publicity. It’s true, the media LOVE press releases. Reporters, editors, and producers rely on press releases to stay up to date on new trends, new products, and so forth.

Unfortunately, press releases can be really hard to write. There’s a certain formula that needs to be followed, and if the press release looks unprofessional, it’ll end up in the trash!

All that hard work you spent on that press release – for nothing! And unless you have lots of money to spare, forget about hiring a professional press release writer. Some of them charge upwards of $100 – for a single press release!

Finally! A Simple Solution To “Press Release Problems!”

Visit Indie Biz Chicks to check out her great offer http://www.indiebizchicks.com/press-releases.html

Here is an article that Emily Post wrote on Mother’s Day etiquette and gift giving. You can appreciate and show your gratitude to a grandmother, aunt, teacher or other mom like figure in your life

http://www.emilypost.com/everyday/mothers_day.htm

Grandmother and Granddaughter

Q: Ms. Bea,
In the past year I have received several wedding invitations requesting cash in lieu of gifts, is this in poor taste as I would like to respond as requested, though I have friends whom believe this appropriate my mother does not. What do you think?

A: Dear Sister,
Listen, now when I was growing up , to ask for any specific gift , unless you were a registered bride was seen as being ungrateful and rude. It was expected that you kindly and appreciatively took what you were given with a smile, for God’s blessing. However, I do understand requesting so boldly for cash, understanding that many of your girlfriends (bride to be ), has already been playing house with her intended. Therefore, many things they needed for housekeeping have already been purchased. Now, they want the big show that cost money, yeah they want you to help them pay for it. Or they may have some debt from when they went to school five or six years ago, children still in daycare  (cost bout ¼ of what you got to pay for college). Or chile, just like any financial hardship in 2k, blame it on the recession. Give the money for what you were gonna use to buy a gift, lovingly place it in a nice card and bless them. Obviously, they need it. That’s with love I spoke.

Miss Bea
circa 1966

Q: Ms. Bea: I have a cousin coming to visit me for a weekend, along with her boyfriend of two years, (they are unmarried),this  is okay with me. However, my 70 plus years old mom and I disagree about this. She does not think they should be allowed to stay in the same room during the visit.  Who do you think is right ?

A :In circa 1950’s and even the early 1960’s,  they would in no way allow this type shacking under  her roof, even for a weekend visit. Mother would kindly suggest that the woman was welcome, but the man had to find himself another place to stay. I , on the other hand believe that it is an acceptance issue and simply commonsense. One way to handle this is to have them sleep in separate rooms. If I invite or accept a request for lodging from someone who is involved, then I can certainly welcome their friend or significant other. Now if its that cousin that visits often, and changes men as often as she changes her underwear, then no to her or him staying. He could be an axe murderer chile, she aint knowed  him long herself!

Miss Bea