It’s been quite a while since paper goods have made an appearance around here.

They haven’t been in the shop for ages. Back when there were paper goods in the shop, they were A2 sized notecards with a felt-design front. Over the past few months, I’ve been working on word shapes. I didn’t even have a name for what I was doing, just a long sentence sort of describing what they were. “A collection of words or phrases to describe a person or event arranged in the shape of something that made a connection to that person or event.” Heh? Exactly. There was too much effort to explain and by the time I was done explaining, there was a faraway look in the other person’s eyes. I definitely lost them.

But, worry no more. They are here and they have a name: Word Form. There are ready to ship occasion cards as well as personalized prints that are perfect for a new baby, new home, or wedding gift. And, there is a set of notecards, too. Just the thing for family stationery. I’ve had an absolute blast working on these and hope you like them, too!

Happy Birthday to Bayleaf Studio! Here it is… my very first post.

I thought I’d start with one of my birthday cake cards to celebrate this occasion and say hello. For weeks, months even, I’ve been thinking about this blog. Now, sitting in front of the computer with the thing all ready for me, there’s nothing. Can’t think of a thing that remotely sounds interesting. So, let’s try for something…

With this blog I’d like to explore and share my love for knitting, cooking, paper goods and sewing. Almost anything handmade, really, works for me. Love it all.

I haven’t been knitting for so long, it’s been only 5 or 6 years. After a few days of trying to get a proper cast on and a decent row of the same size stitches, it was like I had been doing it all my life. Now I knit nonstop and have designed some of my own hand knits, available on my etsy shop.

Cooking, on the other hand, I have been doing for quite a while, having grown up in a traditional Portuguese home where the vast majority of our meals were home cooked and everyone helped out.

The image in this post is one of my handmade note cards. Part of the work I do is to design stationery, invitations, announcements and Christmas and Holiday cards. The cards came out of me having worked for 10 years in the graphic arts industry in front of a computer. I enjoyed the work, but it wasn’t rewarding in an artistic way. There was a need to make things with my hands. The note cards came out of that need.

For now, that is that. A little about me and what I do. Hopefully the photos will look pretty and there won’t be too many typos.