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Carrie Beth Champion, owner and designer of Sugar B Designs, “specializes in watercolor and custom graphic design, merging the two together to form a unique piece of art.”
“Individualizing each item from the invitation down to the thank you note is what puts the ‘sweet’ in Sugar B Designs.”
Sugar B Designs is located in Birmingham, AL and was recently named Best Invitations by Birmingham Magazine. Carrie Beth was also named one of Birmingham’s Beautiful People in the 2011 issue.
With the holidays around the corner, we saw it fitting to feature her beautiful, festive invitations.
Even though handwritten cards and notes have become a lost art form, Carrie Beth’s designs will have you desiring to get out the ol’ pen.
Her designs speak for themselves.
Fall birthday party invitation
Christmas Stamps- ink color choices are red, green, blue, black, brown and violet
Bridal shower invitation
A hand sketched and inked silhouette
Christmas celebration invitation
Pre-order your Christmas cards by emailing orders@sugarbdesigns.com. View the 2011 Holiday Collection.
Photos by Leslee Mitchell Photography.
Christmas presents alone can stretch our budget, not to mention all the wrapping paper and ribbons needed for the gifts! This year at our last Winter Workshop, we came up with some creative and budget-friendly ways to wrap your presents.
#1:
Rags Aren’t Just for Washing- The pink fabric tied cutely around this small gift is actually a rag from an auto store. These rags came in a pack of over 10. We simply took the ends of the fabric and tied two bows. Then for an added accessory, we tucked pine securely in the bows. For a creative name tag, we tied a deer stencil onto the gift with green twine.
#2:
Dress Your Wine Bottle - Give a host their favorite bottle of wine with a personalized touch.
Cut the sleeve of an old sweater. Put it over the bottle and roll down the top. We added feathers and a name tag. We sewed the person’s name on a canvas type fabric layered with other fun patterns. You can get as creative as you’d like – buttons, felt flowers, etc. Choose colors and fabrics that fit the personality of that person.
#3:
For Those Hard to Wrap Presents- There are always those awkward shaped presents that won’t fit in a box and look odd wrapped in paper. For those hard to wrap gifts, we suggest using a burlap sack. Some burlap providers will actually sew the sacks for you in the sizes that you need. Or you can simply cut a strip of a coffee bag or burlap sack and hand stitch the sides.
We used holly berries, pine and Twizzlers to make it festive. If you want to get even more creative, sew on felt flowers and a name tag much like the stockings we made at the first workshop.
#4:
Craft Paper & Voila! – Instead of the usual wrapping paper, we used craft paper. With a few scraps of fabric and leftover burlap, we created one of kind gifts. Not only will they love the present inside but also the personalized touches you made to the gift wrap.
A suggestion for the kids: Use the craft paper on their play table to wrap the gifts for the grandparents. Let them color the paper. The grandparents will love it, and the kids will have fun doing it!
Lafco House Candle- Featured as one of Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things 2010- “This is the perfect amount of scent and the perfect amount of wick,” Oprah says.
White Wine Decanter- Made of recycled glass, the decanter’s ice pocket keeps the wine cool without watering it down. This is the perfect gift for the wine connoisseur.
Deer Wine Bottle Cover – Give the host a bottle of wine topped with this adorable Deer Wine Bottle Cover. This is sure to be a conversation piece at the party.
Grey Bird Jewelry Holder- For the jewelry lover, give her a gift that allows her to display her beautiful pieces. Making it easy to find and see, this Grey Bird Jewelry Holder is whimsical and serves as art.
Pom Pom Comfy Throw- Everyone needs a nice, warm blanket in these cold months. Place it on the couch or at the end of your bed for a stylish accessory. The Pom Pom Comfy Throw is a great gift. Monogram someone’s name or initial for a personalized touch.
Resin Coaster Set- Needing a small gift? Coasters are a great addition to kitchen linens or glassware. These coasters are stone and come with an easel.
It’s official! The holiday season is in full swing! Christmas time is very exciting from decorating your home to hosting a holiday dinner party.
But when it comes to holiday parties, knowing where and how to start can be challenging and sometimes intimidating. Thankfully, there are resources available to help you in your hour of need. Pizzazzerie is the premier online resource for all your entertaining needs.
Recently, Courtney Dial, editor and founder, styled a holiday table scape with moxii products. The beautiful table looked like a winter wonderland! As always, we were inspired and impressed with her styling expertise; so, we thought we would ask her a few questions to get you started in your holiday party quest.
Q: When did you first start Pizzazzerie? and what was your inspiration to start it?
A: I started Pizzazzerie in March of 2010 as a blog. It’s grown from a blog to a larger site with services, etc. My inspiration to start it was from my love of all things creative. I wanted to have a place to share my own love for parties and entertaining. I also love websites, and other computer type things so it was a match made in heaven to run a website. It’s a good balance between online, business type work and creative, crafty “work” too!
Q: What is the main goal that you want to accomplish with Pizzazzerie?
A: I want Pizzazzerie to be the guide for entertaining inspiration on the web. We’re not just children’s parties or just wedding, but we’re really a place for anyone to come and browse ideas for whatever type of entertaining they are hoping to do 
We also hope to help people realize that it’s not intimidating to host a fabulous dinner party or whimsical birthday party with just a few tips and tricks! Anyone can be a fabulous hostess with the mostess!
Q: Where do you find your inspiration when it comes to the themes of the parties? What kind of event is your favorite to design?
A: My inspiration comes from all over. Sometimes I just “dream” things up when I’m sitting around, but most often, it comes from a fabulous piece of fabric, walking by a darling storefront, a certain color combo I love, a theme such as “Old Hollywood”, or by browsing magazines and books (I could spend hours in a bookstore).
My favorite event to design is a dinner party. It’s classic and can be twisted so many ways for new looks and designs. I also love a traditional place setting. Though I love “dessert tables” and “buffets,” the dinner table design allows that place setting which is something I love. I own *too many* dishes for that reason.
Q: What advice can you give those who don’t know where to start when planning a dinner party?
A: When starting to plan a dinner party, always pick some sort of “theme” whether it’s something general like “birthday” or even just a color you like. Use that as you shop around and build your table. For example, if silver is the color you have in mind, then start with silver chargers. Simple white dinner plates atop silver chargers make a beautiful match. Print place cards and frame in small 3×4 silver frames. Use candles when looking for an inexpensive yet elegant touch to a table. Out of college, I invested in a number of nice, crystal candlesticks, and I’ve never regretted it. I use them almost weekly!
Q: What are your tips for planning the perfect holiday dinner party?
A: For holidays, I love decorating with greenery! A simple dinner party can be made fabulously festive with touches of greenery and holly berries down the center of the table (as a “runner”). A few glittered trees set atop candlesticks (for height) down the center of the table amidst tapered candles makes for a glowing ambiance. Send guests home with a packaged favor bag of peppermint hot cocoa wrapped with a festive bow.
Q: What are some of your favorite holiday gifts this year from your gift guides?
A: My favorite are the white cake stands from Martha Stewart. They’re square which is a unique look and the white color adds such a crisp, clean element. Another great thing about them being white is that you can really use them anytime throughout the year! I also love the Posh Paperie yearly calendar. I have one on my desk now and the whimsical shape is very cute.
Q: You recently featured moxii on your website, what is your favorite moxii product?
A: I love moxii for so many fabulous home decor and entertaining products. It’s so hard to pick just one favorite. I adore the birdcage card holder though, and it has a prime spot in my office. I use the clothespins to hold up sweet notes, pictures, and other memorabilia. I’ve also used it in several party designs! It’s great.
moxii holiday shoot- photography by Kristen Steele Photography
Magnolia, driftwood, and limbs- who would think that items from your yard could make such a sophisticated and beautiful setting for your holiday table?
We love our holiday decorating series “Decor from Your Yard” for so many reasons! It’s affordable, easy, and creative.
Another setting used in the Birmingham Magazine feature was this table scape crafted by Katherine Bailey. She used magnolia and cypress from her back yard to trail along the center of the table. The two vases became the focal pieces with rustic ornaments hanging from limbs that were placed in the vases. The pop of color from the turquoise vases and the white driftwood makes you begin dreaming of a white Christmas.
The look is simple, green and non-traditional.
For a list of items, how-to instructions and complete table scape, visit the Birmingham Magazine article here.
Driftwood and ornaments are available in the retail store. Call 1-888-mymoxii to order.
Take a look at how Kelley from Eclectic Owl used the angel ornament as an accessory on her wreath here.
Photos taken by Sylvia Martin for Birmingham Magazine.
If you’re a fan of moxii, whether on Facebook or Twitter, we’re sure you have heard the Winter Workshop buzz. We hosted the first workshop a few weeks ago, and it was a blast! (See pictures here.)
Why did we decide to host these workshops? We know there is definitely not a deficit of projects for you to find on various blogs and do on your own at home.
However, we know that projects can be intimidating to some. Plus, who has the time to go to Hobby Lobby to get all the materials? Then once you finally start the project, when you hit a snag, you’re left alone to figure it out.
With moxii’s workshops, we provide all of the materials for you. All you have to do is show up with a drink of choice and a friend. If you don’t think you’re naturally creative, then this is a great opportunity to learn valuable skills and knowledge from interior designer, Katherine Bailey. It’s a fun night out with your friends while at the same time getting your home ready for the holidays.
The workshops currently scheduled will be held in Birmingham, AL at Innovation Depot, home of our design studio, and Auburn, AL at the moxii retail store. We will be hosting Stockings from Scratch, Give Your Tree Moxii Style (ornaments) and Beyond Wrapping Paper (a class on wrapping presents moxii style).
This holiday season, create unique, handmade holiday decor for your home.
RSVP on Facebook and to secure your spot, register online here. Space is limited.
If you didn’t get out Friday at 3:00 a.m. to participate in all the sales, we don’t blame you! Getting up before the sun rises and fighting the aggressive crowds aren’t exactly top on our list either, which is why we are so excited about Cyber Monday.
Today, you can receive a great deal without leaving your home or the office. Visit moxii’s online store and receive 30% OFF your entire purchase. Our unique items provide you with great gifts for the holidays. Or maybe you’ve been eying a featherweight for yourself. Now you can get it at a great price. Don’t pass it up!
Shop now and use promo code 30OFF.
It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and most of you will be pulling out your Christmas decor the day after, or maybe you have a head-start already. Recently, our holiday decorating tips were featured in Birmingham Magazine. What made our feature unique was that we used various things from the yard to decorate.
Katherine Bailey, interior designer, used a simple piece of wood in a creative way.
The first way that she used it was as a candle stand. She cut pieces in varying heights and placed candles on top, which served as a beautiful touch to the mantle.
She also used pieces of wood, which served as place cards on the table.
Use what’s in your yard to create a one-of-a-kind look for the holidays. This look is understated and budget friendly!
To see the complete mantle and table scape, visit here.
This past Tuesday night, moxii hosted its very first Winter Workshop Series: Stockings from Scratch. The first one was located at Innovation Depot in Birmingham, AL. We had such a blast and the stockings turned out wonderful!
Here are a few pictures from the event. We hope to see you at the next workshop. For workshop details, including dates, times, and projects, visit here.
