Felix Doolittle Sketches

February 13, 2013

Valentine’s Day through a different lens

by lorendoolittle

Antique Valentine 1909

Some call Valentine’s Day a “Hallmark holiday.” That’s crazy. St. Valentine was martyred over 2,000 years ago after being jailed for presiding over soldiers who wanted to marry against the decree that they shouldn’t because it would make them soft. He was sent to jail, fell in love with the jailor’s daughter and before his death, wrote her a note that allegedly said, “From your Valentine.” Well, that’s one story. Either way, it was centuries before the printing press was even invented. Hallmark may have exploited the holiday, and maybe that’s what some people react against – the codified way of expressing our affection on Valentine’s Day and the emphasis of being part of a couple.

I have a different way of understanding Valentine’s Day that makes it easy and fun for anyone, in couple-hood or not, to celebrate. Here’s my take: Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of winter, during the one of the coldest months of the year. Right?

And how are we supposed to celebrate?

By giving beautiful and fragrant flowers, eating delicious foods including chocolate which has a secret door to some woman’s hearts, giving gifts that are soft to the touch, putting on romantic music and writing our loved ones that they are loved. All of these are meant to reawaken our senses and open our hearts in the midst of time where we’re often hibernating against the cold and wondering if Spring will ever come again. In fact, reawakening our senses, opens our hearts, and in turn, the opening of our hearts revitalizes our senses. Valentine’s Day is a chance to rejoice in life and love by knocking on the door of our senses and inviting them back into your life.

So, go ahead, there’s still time to buy some beautiful flowers, eat sumptuous foods, listen to music that moves you, and to write to your honey how much he/she is appreciated, admired, and loved.

Keep the spirit of Valentine’s Day alive by joining our Love Note Writing Challenge where you choose the frequency per week to write to your loved one(s) for one month’s time. We’ll check back in together along the way to see if there’s been any changes. Hope you’ll join us! You can sign up here: http://wp.me/p2gNiq-mQ

And Happy Valentine’s Day! We wish you a sensorially delicious kind of day!

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January 29, 2013

Love in Central Park

by lorendoolittle

Valentine’s Day in Central Park, New York? Yes, please. These four drawings that Felix created in different stages of completion make me want to book the next train to New York City with him along with my most dramatic clothes and accessories!

We love these drawings! How about you? Would you want these as posters, as Themed Note Cards (with or without the couples), or do you have another suggestion of how we might use these romantic love-inspired drawings? Let us know in the comments below.

Possibly these drawings depict the beginning of a relationship. Keeping the love alive is the part that really takes energy (I don’t like to say “work” because that doesn’t sound like love or fun, but it does take energy!) Want to add energy to your relationships? We hope you’ll join our Love Note Writing Challenge and be part of a group love experiment to see how writing to your loved ones positively impacts your relationship. It starts on Valentine’s Day so now’s the time to get your stationery together. Of course, you know a great stationer already. ;D Please consider choosing our brand new Petite Love Notes with their many new drawings by Felix!

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January 22, 2013

Writing Love Notes – Join the challenge!

by lorendoolittle

Did you know that “words of affirmation” are considered a language of love? According to New York Times best selling author, Dr. Gary Chapman in the 5 Love Languages, writing or speaking your gratitude, appreciation, and endearment can do wonders to make a loved one feel fabulous about a relationship. Dr. Chapman’s basic idea is that we all have one or two main languages in how we understand and experience love. The five languages are: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.

That’s where we come in with this year’s Valentine’s gift in the language, Words of Affirmation. Petite Love Notes are little love themed note cards for penning sweet nothings (or an apology perhaps) to a loved one. Felix created 5 unique collections. Here are a few of the sets below. To see the entire collection, click here.

Join me in a love note writing challenge!

We’re having a Love Note Writing Challenge starting on Valentine’s Day for one month. You decide to write between 1 and 7 notes a week to your honey(s). All loved ones are included. Sign up and we’ll do this love experiment together! I’ll be writing to both Felix and my son. Along the way, we’ll check back to see if there’s any noticeable positive changes from the practice. I hope you’ll join me in this love experiment. Let me know in the comments below! And of course we have the perfect little cards for your sweet nothings… ;D

We’ll giveaway one set of Petite Love Notes for every 20 people who sign up. So please share this post with your friends! Also, we’re offering those who sign up a code for 10% off our Petite Love Notes and if you have more to say, on our personalized Themed Note Cards and our non-personalized Note Cards – Themed Collections. The promo code, LOVENOTE, is good on those three items until the end of February.

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January 18, 2013

New Year’s Resolutions, Letter Writing, and a Party

by lorendoolittle

As part of a New Year’s resolution concept that proposes choosing a word to BE in the upcoming year, I am trying to be more organized. So, I was cleaning my desk at home of all the papers and things accumulated in 2012 when I came across one of my Letters in the Mail, and even though I was trying to stay focused, I re-read the letter to see why I had put it aside, and there it was — Matthew, a novelist and screenwriter, commenting on the large number of letters he received in response to his previous Letter in the Mail where he “panhandled” for return mail. He writes:

“Even the simplest (letter) had an emotional concentration I couldn’t parse in a hurry. …Every letter, every page, every ink blot and hesitation, felt something like a novel and nothing like an email.”

How beautifully said Matthew! Seeing someone’s handwriting is so intimate and full of story.

It made me think of how I want to carve out time to write more letters and thank you notes this year, not because I have to, but because it is a gift to the recipient and I get to express my gratitude or our shared truths. I have five people in mind: Renee W.T., my friend from college who I’ve dropped the friendship ball with and whom I truly miss, Lorie T., my high school English teacher that I’m still friends with and with whom I feel I share a deep soul connection, Alice M. whose perspective and enthusiasm I miss, Maria L.P. a Facebook friend, and my mom because she deserves a real letter from me because you send letters to the people who are important to you and you don’t overlook the most obvious person!

My new favorite note cards – Personalized Themed Note Cards

It also reminded me of the note and gift Felix received after our holiday party which took place at a (believe it or not) Japanese-Brazilian restaurant with table-side chef performances. Crazy! Here’s a picture of us at the end of the party with the buddha I call, The Sleepy Buddha.

The FD Holiday Team with The Sleepy Buddha

The company gave gifts to each member of the Felix Doolittle holiday crew, and we had a humorous Yankee Swap. A completely unexpected gift to Felix came from Daniel Seaward, a high school senior this year who has been helping us with the holiday rush at Felix Doolittle for the last five years. He initially started coming to the studio to get feedback from Felix about his own drawings and watercolor paintings. Daniel gave Felix an original drawing and a handwritten letter on a note card with one of his paintings on it. It really moved Felix and I that Daniel gave two such meaningful gifts. Here’s the picture he gave to Felix. We’ll miss his happy outlook, gracious persona, and humorous way of looking at things when he’s working hard in college next year.

Drawing by Daniel Seaward

Note and card drawing by Daniel Seaward

Well, who will you write to in the year ahead?

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January 9, 2013

Studio Tour and Why Paper Still Matters

by lorendoolittle

Did you ever want to see a bit more of our studio in Newton, Massachusetts? Did you ever want to hear our voices speaking about the care and craftsmanship that goes into every Felix Doolittle item? Were you curious how the name Felix Doolittle came to be? Did you need to hear another reason why paper isn’t dead?

Well, take a look at this 2 minute video created by nice guy, Andrew Eldridge who works at the local TV station, NewTV. We donated several sets of note cards for their charity auction, and they in turn produced this fabulous little video to accompany the giveaway. Thoughts…. besides that I look nervous and Felix looks so natural?

Click here to see the Video of Felix and I at the studio or watch below.

NewTV Auction Profile: Felix Doolittle from NewTV on Vimeo.

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January 8, 2013

New Thank You Note Cards – 20% off

by lorendoolittle

Did you receive some wonderful gifts that you need to send thank you notes for? Or did you just vow to do the right thing this year, and truly acknowledge gifts with handwritten thank you which are so much more meaningful than the quick text or phone call. Felix updated these usually non-personalized note cards with the words “thank you” handwritten across the top. Perfect! They’re available in the Stationery Boutique.

And if you can use the code: THANKYOU you’ll get 20% off until Monday, January 14th

Let us know your favorite illustration choice for these cards by visiting the site here.

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December 20, 2012

The Value of Tradition: The Doolittle Team Shares their Holiday Memories!

by lorendoolittle

Meet the Felix Doolittle team, the small group of people who carefully created all the Felix Doolittle products you ordered for holiday gifts, and read what everyone’s favorite memory and traditions are.

	Felix – Growing up in Hong Kong, Felix loved the weeks of anticipation leading up to Chinese New Year. His smile lights up when he tells stories of causing mischief with his two brothers! The Fu boys liked to play games and then scurry off to watch the parade and fireworks; excitement was in the air! Felix also has warm memories of helping his parents prepare their home for the coming holiday and praying at temples for a good year ahead.
	Loren – Loren claims her family invented the Jewish Christmas tradition of Chinese food and a movie – of course, many will say it was their idea. Christmas Eve was viewed as a secret pocket of time that was spent together joyfully with her family. The magic of sitting by candlelight and the festive outdoor lights of the holidays are also one of Loren’s favorite elements of the season.
	Jenny – Each year on Christmas Eve, Jenny attends her church in Chinatown, Boston. The most exciting time for Jenny is around midnight, when the whole congregation gathers for the big celebration; sharing gifts, food, and blessings with one another.
	Victor – As a boy, Victor always tried to stay up late and catch a glimpse of Santa…but around 1am he would fall asleep on the couch by the Christmas tree. His dad would carry him to bed, and in the morning he would run down to find all of the gifts that arrived so magically! As an adult, Victor loves to give gifts because it makes him happy to see someone else happy.
	Jorge – Jorge was a youth group leader in Bolivia. One year, he was charged with building the nativity scene. There was one problem….the branches they needed were high atop the treeline. Jorge took action, climbing high to gather supplies! Everyone was nervous and told him to get down – but soon they were laughing when they realized his skills. Project manger was a success!
	Ying – Ying enjoys the overall mood of celebration! He loves walking at night when the streets are lit up and decorated with wreaths. Most of all he looks forward to the way people get caught up in the holiday spirit, and go out of their way to spread good cheer!
	Faye – Faye enjoys gift giving and has warm memories of window shopping in China, where she grew up. There is something to be said for admiring the gifts and décor that surrounds us, without getting caught up in the holiday rush. She likes to relax and enjoy the season!
	Qui Lan – Qui Lan admires all of the decorations of Christmas and Chinese New Year. The traditional Chinese ornaments hold meaning and blessings for the future. Her favorite Christmas decorations are the twinkling lights on the trees!
	Molly – When Molly was young, she and her brother ‘found’ their presents in the attic. Her father told her that the gifts were for someone else! If she wanted something special she would still have to ask Santa. On Christmas morning she looked out the window and noticed something in the backyard—it was the same gifts she so badly wanted, wrapped, and waiting….as if they had fallen out of Santa’s sleigh! She’ll always remember running through the snow on that special Christmas.
	Robyn – One of Robyn’s favorite traditions is last-minute shopping and wrapping with her fellow procrastinating siblings. When she was little, her brother, being in college, (not exactly organized!) used to take her on secret shopping missions on Christmas Eve day. Over the past few years, the tradition has reinvented itself, and they end up sneaking off to the mall a day or so before the holiday for last minute gifts! She’s looking forward to lots of laughter this year!
	Daniel – Daniel loves having family over to celebrate Hanukkah! Also, Daniel loves to watch all of the Christmas movies that run during the holidays. He especially loves “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And…he appreciates snow more than anyone we know – and paints beautiful landscapes and winter scenes!
	Barbara – Every year Barbara makes Spritz Cookies, also known as Swedish Butter Cookies, and turns the dough into shapes like Christmas trees. Barbara brings these delicious treats to friends & neighbors to add a little more joy to their holiday!
	John – John looks forward to his big family gathering at his cousin’s house—over 40 people! The food is one of the best parts: from rare dishes made only once a year, to comfort foods and staples, the spread is incredible. What John really enjoys is seeing all the generations of his family come together on one special day.