The Party Studio Blog » {Hello…}

{Hello…} Tracy | eclektic photography + design

Pauline — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:53:05 +0000

If you’ve seen our photo gallery, my daughter’s cooking party or our latest photoshoot, and loved what you have seen, then you have had a peek at the work of Tracy from eclektic photography + design. She was kind enough to share with us a little more about herself and what she does.

Tracy, tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in Singapore and moved to Sydney when I was 7. I’ve always been into art and being creative was quite natural to me (thankfully, as the maths/science part of my brain didn’t seem to work!). I started Eclektic when I finished uni and am now blessed to be working with my husband, Paul, a talented self-taught photographer who understands my love for shooting people in beautiful light and all my idiosyncrasies! I love working in our home studio with our two Burmese cats, who act like dogs, Charlie + Crosby.

When did you first discover your love for photography?

My journey began in the darkroom in my first year of university at COFA (COllege of Fine Arts) as I waited in anticipation for my photograph to appear in the developer. Yes, it was the days when developing film was the way you got your photographs! Digital cameras had only just started to appear on the market and it cost thousands of dollars for just a basic digital camera. So, back to my discovery…you know when you get those lightbulb moments? This was one of them. Except it was dark…! When I saw my photograph appear in the developer in that darkroom, it was then that my love for photography was confirmed and I decided to major in Photomedia in my Fine Arts degree.

What would be your favourite object to photograph?

Hmm, this is interesting as I don’t have favourite objects as such but anything that has amazing light falling on it is something I am drawn to photograph.

Do you have a favourite photo that you have taken?

Just love the moment between mother and daughter.

Can you share with us one tip to help us become a better photographer?

Capture real expression and emotions as these photos will speak louder than words.

And some quick ones…

Tea/Coffee? Tea. Coffee makes me dizzy.
Movies/DVDs? DVDs
Flowers/Chocolate? Chocolate or potted flowers that last!
Ugg boots/Slippers? Ugg boots
Swim/Sunbake? Sunbake
Sweet/Savoury? Sweet

To see more of Tracy’s creative work or to find out how she can capture some special moments for you whether it’s for a family photo session or a party, check out the eclektic website + blog.

{Hello…} Li-Ann | Ham and Pea Design & Paperie

Pauline — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:21:13 +0000

It’s time to meet another designer of special occasion printables. Today, it’s Li-Ann from Ham and Pea Design & Paperie.

After the birth of her twin boys, Li-Ann decided to put her architecture career on hold and embark on the wonderful journey of ‘mumpreneurial-hood’ sharing her love for design and stationery. Having a family background in paper and printing along with her design skills, she started up ham&pea (affectionate nicknames for her boys Hamish&Luca).

The Party Studio also been privileged to have been a part of Li-Ann’s work when she designed a yum cha party for her boys. See our gorgeous wooden accessories at their best and read about the oriental Yum Cha first birthday here and here.

Li-Ann, tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, I’ve lost a few marbles along the way since the twins arrived in March 2010 -mainly assuming the role of superwoman, juggling a new business and home/mum/wife/sister/friend but I love it all that I’m trying to find a better word to describe my job other than “work/job” because it doesn’t feel like it! I am an architect by profession but have put aside my hard hat (although starting on plans for home renovation soon) when the twins arrived. My dad was in the creative line and used to run a printing plant so I had a lot of exposure to paper, printing techniques and design and grew a deep love and appreciation for it. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to run my own little business (well I wanted to own a paper shop or a gallery) but for now I am just living my dream of being able to design my own stationery line. I am also enjoying coming up with new ideas for my Party Printables range and so blessed to have super customers to work with for custom designs and of course planning a party or two along the way.

When did you first discover your love for designing stationery and printables?
I have always loved to draw, paint and get crafty for as long as I can remember so I suppose it was only a matter of time before that actually clicked for me to realise that this ‘hobby’ of mine can actually turn into a business. I have been designing wedding and party invitations for friends and family for many years now and have always been encouraged to pursue it further. If my kids weren’t born, I would still probably be working in a very demanding career with long hours and putting that dream on hold. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason so timing, faith and a lot of hardwork brought it all together. I have on a few occasions prior to starting the business, sent completed design files (printables) to friends overseas to organise their own printing and so knew that it could work as a more inexpensive option. I love the fact that printables are so readily accepted and easily accessible by everyone which allows for many more people to have professional well designed invitations/party decor without the hefty price tag! I’ve come across so many gorgeous printables out there and each unique in their own way and my designs just reflect my personal style and way of presentation that I hope many can relate and enjoy!

If you could throw a party tomorrow, describe how you would theme it.
I think it would have to be a ‘Shrek’ inspired party! During my recent trip to New York I had the opportunity to catch Shrek the musical and the creativity of the set/props blew me away. I love that there are so many familiar characters from old classics as well as new ones and I’m sure it would be a party for everyone! It would be great if it could be outdoors near a lake so we can turn that into swamp/Ogre land. There would be plenty of lime greens and foresty colours to tie it all together but what I think would be very fun is using as many of the characters in the movie to inspire the type of food/dessert table and we can get creative with names for it too. We could have the famous gingerbread man cookies perhaps, assorted cake pops for characters like the 3 little pigs, donkey, dragon, Pinocchio . It could be a 2-3 tiered/layers dessert table.. the first being the swamp, second the journey along the way (and characters you meet) and third the castle/fairyland/princess (Far Far Away). Plenty of fun games for the kids such as pin a tail on the donkey, save princess Fiona (?!) from the dragon, mirror mirror on the wall! We could find chips of wood (from your backyard?!) as labels, keeping things raw and organic but I would also love a little Lord Farquaad touch (perhaps masks with cut outs faces in the classic Lord Farquaad hairstyle).. oh if only I could take you all into my headspace!

What is your top party tip?
I believe that a great party doesn’t have to cost the earth so get creative with everything you have in your home. I have dressed up milk tins and turned it into serving trays with a large plate on top, recycled food jars, tea tins as flower vase an even used a colander as decoration once for a cooking party! Printable patterned sheets within the theme also comes in handy as you could so easily print, cut and fold them into napkin rings, create DIY paper fans, wrap them around drink bottles, party favours, cut them up and create paper mobiles or even just cut them to photo frame sizes to add consistent colour to the party. I offer patterned sheets with all my printables as I often tell my customers it is a good one to have handy when you run out of decorating ideas. They even work well as paper placemats! The possibilities are endless.

What would be your favourite printable/invitation from your current range?

I love them all but perhaps my latest Mermaid Party Printables would have to be
my favourite to date as it is girly yet balanced well with the aquas- a great
colour combination. I also love the tea bag printables I have in the Olivia inspired
tea party.

And some quick ones….
Tea/Coffee? Coffee!!
Movies/DVD? Movies (I’m an old fashioned kind of girl!)
Flowers/Chocolate? Chocolate
Ugg boots/Slippers? Slippers
Swim/Sunbake? SUNBAKE!!
Savoury/Sweet? SWEET

To find out more about what Li-Ann is up to on Ham & Pea Design & Paperie and her latest designs, you can drop by her website or facebook or twitter accounts.

Thanks Li-Ann!

{Hello…} Jordan | Polkadot Prints

Pauline — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:17:59 +0000

A new and exciting feature of our blog will be to introduce you to some amazing, creative and talented people and their work. The first in our line up is Jordan from Polkadot Prints who also happens to be the creative talent behind all the invitations and printables from my Peppa Pig inspired party.

Jordan, tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in a large family (9 kids + mum + dad). We moved a lot with my dad’s work and so have lived in nearly every state of Australia! This makes for lots of friends and me not liking change too much!

When did you first discover your love for designing stationery and printables?
It wasn’t till I was out of school for a few years that I left my full time job and decided to go to uni and study design. I covered all subjects from film, multi-media, marketing etc, but it was the print and design subjects that I loved the most. Having something tactile at the end of the day is really rewarding.

I started designing printables after noticing it was an economical way for people to have well designed stationery that didn’t cost the earth!

If you could throw a party tomorrow, describe how you would theme it.

I have always wanted a circus party…for me! But not the primary coloured circus – the vintage, old school, a little bit Parisian, circus. I would love to get my hands oon a beautiful merry-go-round or giant swing with festoon lights and beautiful paintins all over it (I can dream!). This would be the basis of the side shows, activities and food stalls – Oh I could go on and on…

What is your top party tip?

Create a party or even that reflects the uniqueness in you, and not just the current trends.

What would be your favourite printable from your current range?

I think my Ice Cream Sundae Party range is my favourite. So fresh and reminds me of sorbet – I love it!

And now for some quick ones…

Tea or coffee? Juice??

Movies or DVD? Movies!

Flowers or chocolate? Flowers

Ugg boots or slippers? Uggs!

Swim or sunbake? After living in sunny Queensland for over 12 years, I worked out the best of both worlds is to Swim in the pool & Sunbake on the beach (don’t like the sticky salt water…fussy!)
Sweet/Savoury? Savoury!

Thanks Jordan for sharing yourself and your work with us. Don’t forget to check out all of Jordan’s work on her website and blog.

{Hello…} My Family

Pauline — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:09:49 +0000

I’ve never been one to enjoy being in front of the camera, just ask my family the number of times I would run and hide as a kid or conveniently find something very important to do as a teenager, whenever the camera came out. But as a mum, there’s something really special about looking back over photos of your little ones so I grin and bear it…literally!

Here are some pics that we took on our latest family photoshoot. The photos were taken by Linda of Linda Truong Photography. She managed to capture the personality of each of our three kids and even snapped a couple of whole family shots with everyone looking at the camera AND smiling at the same time. Amazing!

A huge thank you to Linda for capturing these moments for us!