new designs for my paperie shop

i've been busy filling orders this month for newlyweds, new business owners and new babies too. i absolutely love creating designs and am thankful i can keep busy working at home as a freelance designer.

i love september

i've been busy updating the mini mart shop with all kinds of invitations, cards and these latest rounded square halloween gift tags. pop over and check it out. my christmas card designs will be on sale october first. i would love to customize your season's greetings this holiday. let me know if you're interested! thank you for supporting small businesses and my passion for paper. i love running this little online shop!

kids camping party ideas & printables

purchase this camping party invitation printable here.

school's almost out and my little ones are already gearing up to camp out in the backyard!! benji is getting old enough to enjoy hiking, going on nature walks, and even loves listening to spooky stories. (scooby do is on repeat these days, whether i like it or not.) thanks to his mountain man dad, my boys are learning about explorers and the great outdoors. since benji is nearly done with kindergarten, i started imagining up some fun traditions to help swing in the season of summer! my sister has a shaving cream slip n' slide party in her backyard. another mom loves pelting the kids with water balloons at the bus stop for a sneak attack water fight! i also like the outdoor movie idea of cozying up under the stars. i'm dreaming up a special cousins camp out, a perfect way to celebrate the summer, teach my kids the joys of the outdoors and give my siblings the night off.

throwing a casual (and often, spontaneous) party that focuses on the kiddos is key; no birthday cake or presents or too much decor to worry about, just pure fun designed with kids in mind. benji loves making lists and schedules, so i usually let him help me dream up our events. anticipation is half the fun. here's to happy campers!!


our brainstorming came up with these camp out party ideas...

flashlight fun / sleeping bag sack races / s'more brownies / daytime scavenger hunt / glowstick tag / dot to dot constellation games / nature walk / pajama dance off / lantern-lit bracelet looming / make your own trail mix / camper camper bear (instead of duck duck goose), paint wooden snakes (available on amazon.com) / mix up kool-aid bug juice / rope tug o' war / eat ants on a log, oreo mud pies, cheetos (fire flames) and mini hot dogs / nerf gun bullseye target practice / battery-operated candles / spooky stories...



find this camping party printable invitation in my shop! a scavenger hunt printable is also part of your purchase. please note: if you're not keen on hosting a sleepover, there is also a blank camping invitation included for you to write in your own information; whether it be for a family reunion, a scouts meeting, a group hike, a couples shower or a late-over for friends! customize this printable to suit your needs. 

national chocolate chip cookie day

to celebrate national chocolate chip cookie day, i've rounded up ten of my favorite cookies. these are all tried and true favorites that i keep coming back to. i also have a handful of Cookie Friday cookbooks stocked in my shop! happy cookie day.



oatmeal white chocolate chip craisin cookie.


peanut butter dipped in chocolate cookie.


valentine sugar cookies.


peanut butter blossom cookie.


coconut krispie chocolate chunk cookie.


peanut butter cookies.


pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.


soft gingersnap cookie.


homemade cookie dough ice cream.


hilary's milk chocolate carmelita bars. 

burlap pennant banner & full alphabet stencil

one of my most-pinned posts, this DIY Burlap Banner Pennant tutorial, features a banner template and stencil download which is so easy to print at home. my stencil has just been updated and now contains EVERY letter in the alphabet, not only the Christmas words that it previously did. now you can truly customize every special occasion with a burlap banner. (thank you for your inquiries and suggestions on this!)

visit my shop for the full details.

fall in love | autumn is the season

here at our house we are excited for fall. i love september! what about you? autumn is one of my favorite seasons to decorate for; you can use so much of nature to create a smashing display!! lookie here and here for more of my autumn decorating tips. benji loves changing up the house with me and we can't wait to decorate for halloween. last week he helped pour some corn kernels, lentils, pumpkin seeds, black beans, and other dried grains into glass vases to create simple (and inexpensive) harvest decorations. i plan to leave them until we're ready to deck the halls after thanksgiving.

thanks to some sweet instagram encouragement & inspiration, i've created an autumn bucket list for my shop. it's an 8x10 print and fits neatly into a standard frame. you can purchase either the download option or order the print straight from me (domestic shipping is free)! the prints are ready to ship this week. for my own fam, i've also made an ongoing specific Fall Fun list on my phone to refer to. here are some activities we plan to do this season. what are your autumn faves? (why let summer have all the fun? bring on the bucket lists.)

our autumn bucket list | 2013
+ brunch at Ruth's
+ hot dog cook out with church group
+ pumpkin patch
+ make Nutter Butter ghosts
+ host a cider & donuts party
+ carve jack-o-lanterns together
+ dip caramel apples
+ have chili in breadbowls
+ celebrate birthdays & anniversary
+ check out halloween library books
+ take a sunday drive to see the changing leaves
+ candlelight read-a-thon
+ bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
+ make homemade applesauce
+ trick or treating, pizza & home-brewed root beer
+ Disneyland (!!!!)

shout outs (and small businesses!) all around

marta dansie designs / images via twig 

hello again. (i'm so rusty at blogging. ugg!) thank you for the kind comments and cheers for my grand shop opening. it's a little thing, but pretty big in my world, so i appreciate the enthusiasm for the long hours i put into opening shop. merci. i have a few bits of featured news...

+ one of my favorite blogger friends in the world, michelle of TWIG–the cutest wooden handiwork around–just had her second baby girl. this past year, i was delighted to finally meet mama michelle, in the flesh. her friendly, genuinely thoughtful and happy demeanor solidified our friendship and we discussed her baby girl's birth announcement. she gave me some ideas and i ran with them. a little Aztec pattern meets soft warrior princess. and, of course i had to include some faux woodgrain into the design as an ode to michelle and steve's TWIG business! she was so kind to do a write-up on marta dansie design, check it out right here. thank you!!!

+ i'm loving the talents of crafty artisans far and wide. i've discovered a lot of incredible new-to-me calligraphers, letterpressers and designers circling around instagram. please check out who i follow to see a seriously talented bunch. you'll want to follow along too. @martawrites

+ i've been meaning to mention a few wonderful LOCAL ladies who have started their own businesses. i am a big believer in following your dreams and striving to make them happen. (of course we mamas must remember there is a season for everything. it took me a lot of late nights and no blogging, tv watching or folding clothes :) to get my shop open!) ever since starting this blog, i've wanted to support women and small business owners in featured posts and in using and buying their products. in fact, all of the packaging supplies for my shop come from small business owners. anyway, please check out these new businesses for me and tell them i sent you! they are each oh so talented...

• INSIDE AND OUT COSMETICS this is an incredible new line of all-natural and organic makeup! i'm blown away at the time, effort, market research, testing, science, creativity, trial & error and beautiful packaging this company has been involved in. what an accomplishment in creating a healthy and nourishing cosmetics line, i'm so happy for them. one of my personally favorite things is how they've named their lipstick shades after history's influential and powerful women! go girl power.

• OH CARROT STICKS my friend becky creates adorable artwork with a simple photo of your child's favorite beloved toys! i just love this idea. what a sweet keepsake after these stuffed animals are tired, worn out and tucked away. benji's bear has definitely seen better days, capturing it up into a pretty print is definitely a sweet piece of childhood!

• PRINCESS PENPAL my friend elizabeth is always creating something darling for our kiddos; cute quilts, super hero capes, dinosaur digs and more. her new business focuses on making children feel special with their very own penpal! what kid doesn't love receiving mail?!

hip hooray for the handmade movement. 
keep up the good work!

the mini mart re-launch party

hello out there!!! after neglecting my blog for much too long, i hope there is still some of you out there checking in. i have exciting news to share: my online shop The Mini Mart is finally stocked, revamped and ready for its big debut.  from thank you notes to dollar downloads to fill-in invites to wedding suites; i hope there is a design that will strike your fancy!

thank you for being patient and supremely supportive. i love the online community that has surrounded this blog and befriended me since way back. i have high hopes to fall into the groove of writing again after all the shop dust settles. this custom designed paperie pop-up shop has been a goal of mine for awhile now. i never wanted to launch it without plenty of pretty pictures and wordy descriptions in tact, which is my excuse for letting my blog lay quiet for so long. i appreciate your kindness throughout all the endeavors i take on. blog readers are the best! thank you for your support, for your enthusiasm for the handmade, and for cheering on small businesses and bloggers!

please feel free to pop in and take a look around!
minimart.martadansie.com 
don't forget to use one of these discount codes as a thank you for being a loyal blog reader.
20% off today only: LAUNCHPARTY
OR all month long: FANCLUB for free shipping!

christmas subway art / a perfect gift for under $10

my christmas subway art design from last year is back in business! for a mere seven dollars, you can own this digital pdf. file. print it, hang it and enjoy it all season long. the colors are woodsy and warm; modern gray, santa red and forest green. click here to purchase the poster download.

season's greetings!

the mini diary meets honduras & closing shop

snapshot of one of my mini diaries in honduras.

i love thinking about where you are all located, where my design clients live and where some of my paperie goodies get shipped off to! this blogger packed her mini diary up and took it with her on her adventures in honduras. completely rad. thank you, daisy for sharing!


FYI: next friday i'll be closing up my shop for awhile. quantities are limited, but please make your last minute purchases! i appreciate your business so much and i have big plans for the re-opening of the mini mart, once i get back into gear post-baby. i'd love to offer fill-in the blank party invitations, more handwritten artwork and other to-be-dreamt up goods! if you have a suggestion, i'd love to hear it. 

the mini diary meets france.

image by daisy reyes

thank you, daisy! these snapshots brought a huge smile to my face. wow! i just love them. if you are toting around a mini diary (old or new), i'd love to see it in use (wherever you may be, even at a bus stop)! email me a pic.

Marta, 

I've been a fan of you, your blog and all you share for a long time. Last spring I gifted myself a mini diary for my birthday just in time to take a trip to Europe to visit my sister and was just going through my pictures and came across this one... 

Thank you for writing and inspiring!
- Daisy

shop update / blog & business workbook now on sale

right now until leap day, my best selling blog & business workbook download is available for only six bucks (originally $15). click here and enter code leapinlizards for your discount. this workbook is still a favorite resource for me to page through; it's packed with pertinent information about being brave and gutsy enough to open up an online shop and blog from the heart. you'll find handy worksheets and advice from gals who have been in the etsy selling and blogging business for a long time.

p.s. the mini diaries are stocked and my take on st. patty's day designs can be found right here.

cyber monday sale & dollar downloads / hip hip

hop on over to my shop for free shipping on any mini diary order.
enter discount code CYBERMONDAY at checkout.
they make a perfect little stocking stuffer. 
quick, this promotion lasts only until midnight. 




last year's december dollar downloads are still available. this designer duo (pictured above) is only a dollar. after payment, you'll instantly receive (via email) a pdf. printable file including both the holiday gift tags and the ugly sweater & egg nog party invitation. what could be more festive? click button to purchase.



thanks for supporting handmade this holiday. xo.

the shop is now open for (holiday) business!

hooray, it's november and the mini mart shop is re-stocked and ready. thanks to all that sugar from last night's homemade root beer, i stayed up late in hopes to get this party started early. i was delighted to discover left-over christmas inventory (in mint condition) from last year's harvest boutique; some of my favorite holiday essentials. however, quantities are limited, so snatch them while they last. i'll be shipping orders (perhaps with a few freebies included) only on weekends. thanks for supporting small businesses this season!

p.s. if you're new to my blog, you may not know about my blog and business workbook pdf. download featuring tips about blogging, starting an etsy shop and small business success stories from my favorite online entrepreneurs. there are even printable worksheets included for you to get started.

the mini diaries are in.

the spring 2011 edition of mini diaries are stocked! they are back by popular demand (thanks to you) and are now available in the mini mart shop. i hope you'll love the cover designs as much as i do. once again, i've created two separate collections for your shopping convenience. find the subtle, charming designs in the sophisticated collection and the spunky, energetic designs in the youthful collection. for an assortment of diary designs, order the party of five pack.

mother's day / please place your mother's day orders by monday, april 25th. (i have upcoming getaway plans and need to ship them beforehand.) that way they have the best chance to arrive in time for gift-giving to your grandmas, mamas, sisters and daughters.

shipping details / please be sure the paypal address on your account is your correct shipping address. if you'd like me to ship it straight to a gift recipient, please note it at checkout. at this time, i am not taking any international orders. so sorry. (if you're located out of the country and would really like me to reconsider, please email me directly with your wishes.)

a big thank you / i am so grateful i get to do what i love and sell diaries on the side. i feel so happy many of you take time to write in them and jot down your favorite thoughts of the day. binding these babies has become one of my favorite springtime traditions. merci.

pre-holiday special event

greetings! the mini mart shop is fully stocked. happy browsing.
scroll down for my giveaway and special offers from other boutique vendors!


happy homemade holiday cards: individual and set of six.


happy harvest pennant diy banner kit or design download.


handmade striped merry christmas button cards.


a dozen darling tags: matryoshka dolls or merci tags


fancy birdcage flats, set of eight cards & envelopes.


jolly old st. nick labels coordinate perfectly with spools of divine twine.


the dear diary stories, my new book and e-book! straightforward and straight from the heart.


pretty packs of assorted scalloped rounds, available in christmas colors or a variety.

to enter to win a pre-holiday giveaway please comment on this post and tell me about a favorite family tradition, a link to the best recipe in the world, a fabulous holiday gift idea or a diy project that is calling your name. surprise me. comments close on saturday at midnight.

don't miss out on more goodies featured at our boutique from the following vendors
• abby of gracie lane quilts is offering free shipping for orders over $20 until sunday when you enter "BOUTIQUE" in the notes at checkout!
• polly makes darling fabric flowers with vintage flair. she will be opening an etsy shop very soon but you can order her versatile lovelies directly. see her blog for her great selection!
• contact kathy for gourmet goodies, ruffly aprons, crayon rolls, matchbox car rolls and darling oilcloth aprons for children.
• mary is a utah photographer. view her photography blog and check out her etsy shop. feel free to contact her directly about a portrait/family shoot this season (just in time for christmas cards). she is currently offering anyone who mentions the BOUTIQUE from martawrites 20% off her regular session pricing!
• whitney still has some darling stitches and fun screen-printed tea towels left too! let her know if you're interested or want something custom made.

coming up...
i have so many posts brewing. firstly, i made my very first pan of lasagna yesterday. yay. i'll have to tell you how it went. monday i'll begin project thankful, i hope you'll have an i am thankful list to share. it'll get us into the spirit of the month. tuesday i'll be doing the how-to post for my method to surviving christmas and remaining inspired year to year. it's one of my favorite projects ever.