Christmas Cards for The Soap Kitchen in Old Town Pasadena, California

Hi guys, I'm so thrilled to reveal my collaboration with The Soap Kitchen in Pasadena this Christmas season!  Check out my 10 Christmas cards designs, now available at The Soap Kitchen in Old Town Pasadena at 25 N Fair Oaks Ave.  And join me on Instagram @ct_sketches for my countdown to Christmas - only 9 days left! :-)

Dali Yu, the owner of The Soap Kitchen, is an incredibly multi-talented person: not only does she make all the soap and lip balm by hand, from scratch, using only natural ingredients, but she also designs all the packaging, the gift baskets and wrapping for everything in her shop!  The soaps and lip balms are so good for you and they look so pretty, they make the best gifts either on their own or as part of a gift basket.  With Christmas fast approaching, picking up a cute pre-packaged or custom gift basket with yummy soaps and bath accessories and a Christmas card to go with it is a no brainer.  Christmas shopping done and done!  So check out The Soap Kitchen shop in Pasadena and treat yourself or someone special this holiday season.

Dali has an amazing eye for detail, and she puts so much love and care into ever single product, from the all-natural ingredients, all the way to the wrapping and the bow on top.  And to add to it, she is one of the most gracious, kind-hearted and thoughtful people.  Dali, you are such a joy, and I feel so lucky we met!  Thank you for your generous spirit and open heart, my friend <3

I'm so excited about our collaboration and so happy to share these paintings with you all! 

The card above was inspired by Pasadena's rich history and architecture: the beautiful old Pasadena Colorado Street bridge (which also happens to hold a special place in my heart) as I imagined it decked for the holidays with evergreen wreaths and a touch of festive red bows.  Very classic, very Pasadena!

The card below is my Christmas fairy, inspired by the joyful spirit everywhere this time of year.

Another classic: Christmas presents.  Cuz who doesn't love a pretty Christmas present box?

'This The Season was inspired by the fashionable Pasadena woman, getting ready to host her Christmas party with impeccable style.

You'd better end up on this guy's 'Nice' list this year!  ;-)  Santa's portrait was actually inspired by my mom's husband, Bob, who does a perfect Santa every year - check him out here!  And my mom, Ari, made his entire Santa's outfit and hers too, she's amazingly talented!  So yeah, I actually do know the guy from the North Pole and Mrs. Claus, so I can put in a good word for you if you need it :-))

Had to do a Christmas tree!  Right?  All decked in gold ornaments and a gold star, since I'm a newly converted gold lover, ha!

Merry Christmas with a bow on top!  I wonder what's in the box??

One of my sources of inspiration is scandinavian design, and these scandi gnomes are so cute and minimal, I just had to paint them!  Gnomey holidays to you!

This is what Christmas here in LA LA LAND means to me: my beloved palm trees with a touch of the holidays.

Cheers to you all!  Let's raise a glass to a Merry Christmas, a happy and healthy holiday season, and a bright and fulfilling 2018!