Quintuplets - wow!

Recently we were contacted to create a gift for a family welcoming quintuplets to their family...all I could think was, wow! The least La Plates could do was provide placemats for the "fab 5" and their big sis!

This really lit a fire under us to figure out a way to show our custom placemat designs online. We always offer them at trunk shows, but it's tough to show the endless possibilities online. Right now we are offering a Dots (side 1) & Stripes (side 2) combo. Be sure to check back soon, as we continue to add new designs and options.

Only one boy in the bunch and they picked one of my favorite names!!

Blogorama for Mabel

One of our favorite mompreneurs, Mabel's Labels, is posing the question, "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogging community?" I must admit, when I began this adventure in an internet business, I was a newbie to the blogging world. I quickly realized that bloggers were the link to entertaining/prep/mom/monogram junkies of America! I will never be able to properly thank the number of bloggers that have mentioned La Plates in their postings. Truly, they are what gave us our confidence to keep going in the beginning and what continue to give us happy boosts when they send us a link to a new posting.

A woman in my home town is a national phenomenon of a blogger...some of you surely read Mrs. Blandings. The first time I was introduced to her, I literally hugged her, as she was the first person to blog or write about La Plates - she was our first national PR! At that time, I mentioned to her that I had been thinking about starting a blog. She told me to go for it - and I did! Needless to say, I don't have the enormous following like Mrs. B, but it adds a personal touch to our website.

For anyone starting a business, do not underestimate the power of the blogging community - they are a powerful and fabulous crew!

Luck of the Irish

After a request from our favorite travel agent, we added a La Plates shamrock retro Holiday Plate. It's perfect for the upcoming holiday. Feel free to customize with a name, monogram or phrase. We think white and black text shows best, but it's up to you!

Hoohobbers

I was fortunate enough to run into an old friend at a recent holiday faire in Chicago. Wouldn't you know, La Plates' first customer was a sorority sister from college?! Now, I must say, I wasn't the most active member and I was a couple of years older, but I still remembered this great woman!

Courtney and her family have a fabulous company, Hoohobbers, which has designed and manufactured its own line of products since 1981. They are based out of Chicago, but you can get everything online too. I highly recommend stopping by their website or retail store!

Here's my artist enjoying his new Hoohobbers easel

Cabin Fever

It's been a long couple of weeks with the crazy cold weather. Everyone in our household is getting a little stir crazy. If you have kids and are looking for some artistic fun in your house, head to Michael's for this fabulous contraption! I remember having something like it back in my younger years...somehow mine seemed bigger and more sturdy. However, the Paint & Swirl has been a huge hit with old and young in our home!

My 4-year old following my direction in taking the "guard" off to make it more fun. It's not as much fun for mom to clean up a entire paint splattered kitchen!
Really cool finished product...we "overpainted" the upper right paper!

Another Valentine Idea...

If you are thinking about plates for Valentine's Day and aren't into hearts year round, just add a little message of love on one of our standard designs. We can't share our design for our Nana plate, because she is one of our loyal blog readers...sorry Nana, yours will be to you in a couple of weeks!

Keeping up with the Kardashians - holiday style

When we got a call from The Silver Spoon to set a holiday table for the Kardashians, we had to say yes. We think the women in the family are fabulous (Keeping up with the Kardashians), but we really did it all for Bruce. Ever since the Wheaties box, I've been a sucker for him. So we're not sure if Bruce Jenner actually noticed the La Plates - squares design plate set, but in our hearts, we know he loved them! You're a lucky lady Kris!

We did alternating red & green SQUARES La Plates for the Kardashian Krew!