Free Printable: Don’t Give Up

Pumpkins, and turkeys, and Christmas trees, oh my! I’ve been busy in the workshop working on all the (holiday) things. I adore working on the blog and learning, making, and sharing things, and then doing all of those things some more. But even with this passion for creating, things still get rough and I want to give up. A lot. Throw in the towel. Just quit. Be done with the whole thing. Here’s where this printable will come in handy for me, and I hope it will for you, too. I need to see it, even when I’m having a good day, to say, hell no, I am NOT giving up!!

Why do we want to give up? What makes us feel as though we’re not good enough, we’re not making progress, we’re stuck in a rut, we’re not successful, and that we’re utterly failing?

What Matters Most

Here’s what matters: I give a damn. YOU give a damn. If you love what you’re doing and you get satisfaction and joy from it, even if it’s miniscule sometimes, then keep going. No job, no passion, no project is perfect. And chances are, you’re making progress in some way every single day. Compare the you today versus the you one, six, twelve months ago. WHOA. Pretty big difference, right? I’m betting it’s gigantic. For me, the things I learn in a single week are pretty amazing.

Nov112015Sep 1 2019

It’s a Wrap, Yo! #1 (Wrapping Tips): Copper Tones for Fall and Masculine Gifts

This is the first of an eight post series called “It’s a Wrap, Yo!” that includes ideas, wrapping tips and tricks, and inspiration for your holiday wrapping. Check out the introduction to the series here and the dedicated page that will house all wrapping tips here.

This week’s post is fall-inspired. Target has coordinating plaid and copper wrapping and party supplies and they’re stunning—and affordable! I had some birthday gifts to wrap for a cute boy and the pretty copper paired with black ribbon is masculine and sophisticated and just so pretty too! This color combo would be beautiful for any Fall event, but don’t stop there–think about how you can use copper for your holiday gifts, too! Read on, friend.

Supplies

Gift Wrap, Boxes

1. Copper and plaid gift wrap, Target
2. Copper and plaid gift boxes, Target

Nov92015Nov 9 2015

Journal Cover (aka Fauxdori) Fall Designs are Here!

Happy Monday! I’m excited to announce that there are five new journal designs in the Gold Standard Workshop Etsy shop! And there are another four designs in the works. You’ll find a wide range, from bold florals to artsy boho stripes, and an adorable print with French city scenes.

In addition, our notepads and journal notebook inserts have new colors available for order!

Sign Up for the GSW Newsletter and Receive a Discount to the Shop!

You’ll also receive exclusive monthly printables, shop updates, DIY project ideas, and a birthday gift!!

Sign up HERE!

Handmade Journal Covers by Gold Standard Workshop — Kat

These journals would make great gifts for the writer/blogger/dreamer on your holiday list! xo

Nov52015

New Series: It’s a Wrap, Yo! (Weekly Wrapping Tips)

The holidays are upon us!! It’s both exciting and scary. I brainstormed a bunch of posts and came up with 39 good ones. And they’re all holiday-related. Whaaaa?! I know. That number is impossible, but I’m going to do my best!

So hey, guess what? I’ve created a weekly series called It’s a Wrap, Yo! all about you guessed it, wrap, yo. It might be a how-to, tips and tricks, inspiration pics with a buyer’s guide, or a roundup of pretty wrapping I’ve come across. I’m hoping, fingers crossed, that I’ll be able to make a few videos too!! I really want to help you get inspired, learn how to easily wrap beautiful gifts and make pretty bows, and have lots of fun along the way!! Yay!!

I love packaging and wrapping gifts and I believe packaging is important (and not just for gifts, but for branding, too). It’s the first thing people see! Get them excited early! Gift giving can feel forced and rushed; people often don’t have time to go the extra mile. But it doesn’t take much to make it really special. Really! Taking a few minutes to make the packaging special really adds to the overall feeling and thoughtfulness behind the gift. It doesn’t matter how much you spend—it could be an Apple watch or handmade cookies–pretty and creative packaging takes it so much farther!

It's a wrap, yo! Weekly wrapping tips from Gold Standard Workshop — Image via House and Home

My Credentials

Yes, I used the word credentials here. I have experience, yo. I worked at an adorable gift wrap studio and stationery boutique and learned gift wrap tricks of the trade from Anne, owner of Swee Swee Paperie (sadly, now closed). She was amazing at wrapping gifts and had a natural eye for putting things together, but she was also hardcore–she used a ruler!! I’ll show you how to do that, but I am not that nitty-gritty. Besides working at Swee Swee, I also worked at Paper Source for years, where I spent most of my meager paycheck on paper, stamps, and all things crafty. Add that to eight solid years of thoughtfully wrapped gifts, and I’ve gained a few tricks up my sleeve–that I can’t wait to share them with you! Lots of wrapping tips, tricks, and inspiration is headed your way!

Okay! Let’s wrap it up (see what I did there?). Look for the first post in the series tomorrow!

Nov32015Sep 1 2019

J.Crew DIY Feather Pin T-Shirt

I’ve been scheming some Fall style DIYs and I’m so happy with the way they’re turning out. Have you seen the glitter boot tutorial? You must!! They’re so pretty and easy to make.

This project stems from a pretty t-shirt I saw at J.Crew. Cute and simple with a pretty feather pin attached. The price was a little surprising, even for them: $85.00. The handmade pin is removable, which is great but makes it the price even more surprising. I loved the shirt, but I immediately knew I could make my own for a fraction of the cost: $18.00. Yes! Using a simple Target t-shirt, pretty (and cheap) feathers from Joann, and a few things in your craft stash, you can create the same look! They take minutes to make a whole bunch. And you’ll have lots of leftovers for other pretty feather projects–to adorn holiday gifts, perhaps?! Yup.

J.Crew version: