Giving to the Pandas in 2010

A couple of years ago I designed a Panda Bear graphic after being infatuated with the birth of Taishan, the Panda Cub born in the US. I have always been a Panda lover ever since I saw a Panda in person in a zoo in Japan when I was 7 years old. I watched Taishan on TV and even got in touch with some folks in DC who worked towards the well-being of Taishan by throwing him a birthday bash each year. They loved my design so much they asked me to donate an item (baby blanket) for their auction.

So, even after a few years I have found this design is still very popular. Giant Pandas are so loved throughout the world and I love them so much. Because they are so highly endangered there have been many organizations formed to work towards their conservation. I myself belong to a few such such as World Wildlife Fund and Pandas International. In my personal efforts in helping the pandas a portion (1% of my profits from any Panda design) that I make off any Panda item on Jennifer G Designs or Hapa Girl Designs on Zazzle will be donated in equal amounts to both these organizations. The donation will be done annually and announced right here on my blog, my Zazzle stores, Twitter and Facebook.

I hope giving to the Pandas will further conserve their species. I recently learned that Taishan will be returning to China after being born and living in the US for 4 years. This saddens me as I have never been able to visit him. But, it does give me comfort knowing that China will give him a good home.


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Planning a Surf Theme Baby Shower ?

Nowadays people are really going "all out" with baby showers. They are doing all sorts of unique themes starting with cool invitations, party favors, gifts and thank you cards. Since I am in the business of designing I have designed quite a few baby shower invitations and one of them is my Happy Honu Loves Surf baby shower theme. With my Happy Honu being one of my best selling designs, I modified the design to have the turtle surfing on some cool modern surfboards. I honestly didn't realize how much of a positive response I would have to the design. I am seriously thinking of expanding the line of Happy Honu Loves Surf but I currently offer the design on baby shower invitations, stickers, thank you cards and birth announcements on My Zazzle Store. For future products I will most likely offer the design on skateboards, Keds Shoes, framed prints and get back into my handmade items and create one-of-a-kind blankets, bibs and t-shirts. But, in the meantime, Zazzle offers really cool gift items that feature my Happy Honu Loves Surf design which would make coordinating gift items for that surf theme baby shower.


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Business Changes are "OFFICIAL"

I'm not sure if "officially" is the word, but for some reason I feel like using it because a big weight has been lifted off of me. I have OFFICIALLY closed my handmade business FOR A WHILE. For a little over a year I have made quite a few blankets, nursery sets, onesies, and other miscellaneous items and although I have gained a lot of experience designing and working with various customers, it has been a very time consuming "project". Here's the thing... I LOVE designing, but I HATE sewing. I can't afford to hire people to produce my designs so I am the one making the items which takes me away from what I am really good at - designing. It was just too much to juggle.

For the past few months I have been designing for my "print-on-demand" invitation, announcement, greeting card and gift business on Zazzle.com. This allows me to focus on designing exclusively without being hassled with producing my items. Zazzle produces all the items that I sell, handles the business end of things such as payments from customers, having a functional store and much more! I love Zazzle. For me they are a godsend. It is exactly what I needed to run a successful business right out of my home so I can stay home with my boys while making money.

I have BIG plans in the next year while utilizing Zazzle. I have two successful stores up right now and I am working three more as we speak. Stay tuned for more on that.

Back to handmade items. I know there will be a small following of people that will miss my creations however I am not eliminating that business 100%. I am going to still make handmade items, but my items will be ONE-OF-A-KIND designs. I will create items pretty much when I feel inspired and have the time. Unfortunately, I will not be accepting anymore custom orders or duplicate requests. Some folks may get lucky as I may create an item again but may have a slight modification. I am hoping this will ease my stress of deadlines and mistakes (which often happen when I'm rushing). I do my best work when I am relaxed and actually enjoying creating something rather than HAVING TO DO IT.

I am quite excited as the new year approaches and once the holidays are over - it's full speed ahead with designing. Hmmm... Valentines is next. Look for some new designs on www.zazzle.com/keanusmom AND www.zazzle.com/hapagirldesigns.

Single Honu Hawaiian Hibiscus Skateboard from Zazzle.com

I am so pleased that one of my first Skateboard designs on Zazzle.com got a Today's Best Award! I am not sure why I didn't put my designs on skateboards sooner! So fun!

Single Honu Hawaiian Hibiscus Skateboard from Zazzle.com

Modern Owl Designs on Zazzle by Jennifer G Designs

My modern owl designs have become quite popular and I really enjoy creating different products with the designs. My newest design is "Snowy Owl". There is just something about owls that really intrigue me and I just love designing them!


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Little Pumpkin Halloween Applique Toddler Tshirt

Just in time for Halloween is this cute orange pumpkin appliqued on a brown toddler t-shirt. Perfect for boy or girl! Made of 100% cotton.

Please specify size upon check-out.
2T, 3T, 4T, 5T

PURCHASE HERE

Modern Cherry Blossoms for a Modern Baby Girl

A very feminine yet modern design of pink satin cherry blossoms (sakura) on a dark chocolate brown onesie / bodysuit. Perfect gift for a new baby girl!

Symbolism of the Cherry Blossom:
"In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol of feminine beauty. It also represents the feminine principle and love in the language of herbs."
~Wikipedia

Size; 3-6 months
Made of 100% cotton and pink satin applique

My Studio and Work-In-Progress

New Clothing Line - Island Kids - Baby & Toddler Casual Wear

I'm launching a new baby and toddler clothing line called Island Kids. As a true island girl I am taking what I already created from my Jennifer G Designs label and expanding it to a specific clothing line which will feature casual attire for our little tykes! Production of new outfits is underway and I hope to have some items listed on my new Etsy in late August (earlier would be even better). I am still going to have my Jennifer G Designs products, but I will focus more on my clothing line.

Some of the new outfits/items will include cute shorts and skirts with matching tops for baby boys & girls, toddler boys and girls and newborns. I'm really excited about designing these unique items. What will make them super unique is that like my Jennife G Designs items they will feature my original design appliques. I am currently shopping around for unique "island/tropical" fabric and making buying trips to my hometown (where I was born and raised) Honolulu, Hawaii will certainly happen more often!

Planning a Luau, Hawaiian or Tropical Party?

Send out my Modern Hawaiian Hibiscus invitations and purchase matching Thank You Cards. These cards can be customized to your needs whether it is a Baby Shower, Baby's 1st Birthday or Graduation!

Visit hapagirldesigns.etsy.com to browse and purchase.



























Thank You Card

Happy Honu Birth Announcement - Blue with Three Sea Turtles and Three Photos

Three "Happy Honu" (sea turtles) on this modern design birth announcement. This card can easily be modified for a baby shower invitation.

THIS LISTING IS FOR THE DIGITAL DESIGN FILE ONLY (You print on your own). I will send you the digital file and you may choose to print it any photo retailer you choose. You control the amount and the cost. The following explains this option better.

The photo has a feathered and overlayed filter and can be applied to any high resolution photo.

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STANDARD MODIFICATIONS:
Colors, fonts and verbiage can be easily modified at no extra charge.

Major modifications are considered a customized card design and would have significant changes to the layout. Please consult with me prior to purchase if you have more than just the standard modifications. I will be happy to give you a quote. ANY CARD CAN BE MODIFIED TO MATCH YOUR EVENT NEEDS.

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I have several different options for printing so you can choose the right one for you!

Here's how the Digital Design File Option works:

1. Choose and purchase your favorite design, or contact me to request a custom design.

2. One payment is sent, attach your photos to an e-mail and send them to hapagirl [!at] jennifergdesigns.com along with any special requests or changes you'd like made to your design. You can have your design as a 4x6 or 5x7, so let me know which you would like. Anything can be customized on these cards...colors, fonts, sayings... so you get to be as picky as you want and it will be uniquely your design.

3. In less than 24 hours, you will receive a proof. Once it's approved you'll receive a high resolution file to have printed anywhere you'd like! You can print them from home, send them to your favorite online photo retailer (snapfish.com, target.com, walmart.com) With this option, you can have prints made for as little as $.12 a piece! That's 100 cards for as little as $12.00!

Please submit your photos as a .jpg (best if the reslotuion is 300dpi or higher) and let me know if you want any editing or cropping and if you want your photo in black and white, sepia or color.

OPTIONAL PRINTING: (additional charges and fees apply)

You can choose to print through me. I will obtain the printing cost and shipping for you and send you the quote. My fee for print set-up for is $10.00. When emailing me please tell me your quantity, if you want return address on envelope, if you want matte, glossy, or linen card stock, if this is a RUSH job, and the address to send it to. I will then collect the price from my print vendor and give you the exact price breakdown. Email me any questions regarding this print option to hapagirl [!at] jennifergdesigns.com. PLEASE INFORM ME PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CARD IF YOU WANT THIS PRINTING OPTION BECAUSE PRICE WILL BE MODIFIED FOR PRINTING CHARGES AND FEES.


I will fully uphold the legal rights of photographers. It is illegal for me to use images that are copyrighted without the permission of the photography or company that holds the copyright. By submitting me photos, you agree that you are the photographer or have permission in the form of a copyright license from the copyright holder.

Zou-e the Baby Elephant Onesie

I don't need to say much when one sees Zou-e the Baby Elephant on a onesie. Currently for sale on my Etsy site comes in 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. Zou-e can also be appliqued in green and blue.Visit www.jgdesigns.etsy.com to view more photos!

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Zou-e the Elephant - Revisited

It's been over 2 years since I designed my first animal image for my business. I called the image Zou-e and it was so well received. The original design was an abstract image of a baby elephant holding on to its mother's tail as they do in the wild.

So, why the name Zou-e? Well, Zou in Japanese means elephant thus formed the name.

I played around with this design a while. A few earlier versions ultimately were ruled out until I finally felt good about the Zou-e design. I simply showed the design to my husband and when he said he really liked it I knew it was the one to go with. He's not an artist like I am, but he does have an eye for good design.

After the initial blue Zou-e which I appliqued on dark brown fabric, I decided to offer the design in varying colors - pink, green, white, lavendar

It's nice to reflect on a design that launched my little baby business. Although other designs have become more popular I truly have a connection with my Zou-e design.