December 25, 2010

just wanted to say...


{image & overlay via pugley pixel}

December 24, 2010

and the joker got away!


{batman smells card}

It's pretty late to tell you about this funny card from Port Home Press, but I've had it desktop for at least and month and giggle every time I catch a glimpse. If that's not a good reason to share the love, I just don't know what is.

{image via port home press}

December 22, 2010

call for entries: 23rd annual louie awards



I'm brimming with excitement over the upcoming LOUIE awards! I've been selected to be a judge this year, amongst some highly esteemed people in the industry including Kate's Paperie, Oh So Beautiful Paper and a host of other greats.

If the National Stationery Show is like Fashion Week for paperistas, than the LOUIE Awards can easily be compared to the Oscars of cards. Judging will take place during NYIGF and winners are announced during the Stationery Show on May 16th.

If you are a manufacturer that is interested in entering, click here - entry form and rules are at the bottom of the link. Looking forward to seeing some amazing entries!

December 20, 2010

chalk it up to a brand new year




Paper + Cup has had a busy year! Not only did they release their new book, Paper + Craft, but this innovative calendar is hot off the press too. The concept is super fun; instead of a calendar with images included, you have the freedom to add your own personal photos or monthly inspiration. The other awesome component, you can customize the cover with an image and/or name. Excellent gift idea!

{images via paper+ cup}

December 17, 2010

printmaker dujour: ali douglass


{modern chairs print}

{clouds print}

{eyeglasses print}

Before starting my own business, I worked as an optician for several years. That being said, I still have an attachment to art depicting vintage eyewear and that's how I got hooked on Ali Douglass' work. I love her focus on objects and distinctive illustrative style. I can't think of a single design enthusiast that wouldn't want to sport the "modern chairs" print on their walls.

{all images via ali douglass}

December 16, 2010

perpetual bliss.


{embroidered calendar from by sara lynn}

{letterpress perpetual calendars from orange beautiful}

{vinyl wall calendar from simple shapes}

As a self proclaimed calendar addict, I love the idea of a well designed perpetual calendar. This is the first year that I've seen any that truly float my boat. I have three, okay fine four, 2011 calendars, but am thinking that I may invest in a nice perpetual calendar for 2012. Getting excited for the new year ahead!

{all images via designer's site}

December 7, 2010

foodie cards for thought.


{thank roux very much card}

{holy mole, it's your birthday card}

{lard work card}

I'm quite crazy for this line of cards aptly named, Nourishing Notes. A gourmet pun card, it's as though they have my name written all over them!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
And... the announcement of winners for the 'Gratitude Campaign'

- Hammer Press thank you cards go to Hello, I'm Emily Clare
- Ghost Academy thank you cards go to Molly
- Snow & Graham thank you cards go to ktcrusher
- Crow & Canary's assorted thank you cards go to Angel Jacklyn

Thank you for sharing what you're thankful for, it was a pleasure to read every comment!

{images via letterform}

November 29, 2010

old school flair


{USB Typewriter}

Greetings from gorgeous Mexico! I hadn't planned to post on vacation, but thought this find was simply irresistible. While catching up on Vanity Fair, poolside of course - I was completely captured by their brief feature on this USB typewriter modified for an iPad or any other device that uses a keyboard. Mucho gusto!

While I'm here, just a little reminder to enter the current 'Gratitude Campaign' giveaway - you have until Friday, December 3rd to post your entry.

November 25, 2010

day of thanks


{thanksgiving card by foxy & winston}

I am thankful for countless things. Here are just a few:
- having a job i adore
- a close relationship with my parents
- my sweet pup, ula
- a healthy body
- learning new things and taking leaps
- my mister and his perfectly off beat sense of humor
- my small town girl and best friend of 27 years
- the kindness of strangers and loved ones

At this very moment. I am particularly thankful to be en route to Mexico with my mister. We're taking a week long vacation that will consist of swimming, sunning, reading, eating, relaxing, and exploring. See you back here in December, dear ones...

November 24, 2010

gratitude campaign {thanksgiving edition}






I'll just come out and say it, I've really fallen behind on my monthly 'Gratitude Campaign' posts. I've been feeling guilty and decided that the impending Thanksgiving in the US would be the perfect opportunity to make up for my negligence.

My first offering is a simple thanks for reading this little blog. Being self-employed and often working from home, I really take comfort and delight in the connections I make via blogging and tweeting. I have a healthy group of people that I count as friends made through these avenues. So... thank you for taking the time to read and connect with me on some level, it really means more than I can express.

Now, getting to the goody giveaway part of the post!

The mister and I have a tradition of writing down what we're thankful for each and every Thanksgiving, it's something that I really enjoy reflecting on and thought it would be the perfect question to pose for entry.

To enter to win:

|| Please leave a comment answering the following:
What are you currently thankful for in your life?

|| Anonymous comments will be disqualified.

|| Giveaway is open through Friday, December 3, 2010 at 11:59 PST.
Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced Monday, December 6th.

|| One comment per person, unless... Hey, want an extra chance to win?
Blog, tweet and/or facebook about our giveaway and post an additional comment(s) with the link.


One lucky winner will receive the thank you card set from Hammerpress, one winner will receive the set from Snow & Graham, one winner will receive the set from Ghost Academy and one winner will receive the assorted 'grab bag' from our archives. Best of luck!

{images by crow and canary}

November 16, 2010

printmaker dujour: leah duncan


"growing horns" print

"hills" limited edition print

"harry had a bad feeling" print

"darling i'm leaving" stitched print

Leah Duncan's calendar has been making the rounds on many of my favorite blogs - and it's really no wonder, as it's just plain gorgeous. Thought I would take a moment to highlight some of Leah's unique prints - her etsy shop is brimming with perfect gifts for the holidays.

{images via leah duncan}

November 4, 2010

stuck on stickers




I picked up a pack of these precious stickers from Moomah at Lark Press earlier this year. I think they are the bee's knees, hence they are still unopened. As a child of the 80's, I was/am a sticker collector. I still have my original sticker book from 1983. It includes a really creepy oversized Michael Jackson sticker, in case you were wondering.

Fast forward and here I am still unable to use stickers I deem awesome. Hopefully I'll work up the courage to bedazzle one of my next pen pal letters with some of these gems. No promises.

{images via moomah}

November 3, 2010

par avion: candyspotting





Hot off the press, err... laser, I present these glimmering and sweet laser cut cards from Candyspotting. Could they be any more darling?

{images by candyspotting}

November 2, 2010

creative crush: ask alice


{set of 4 greeting cards}

{envelope set}

{paper plane mini book}

{gift tag set}

{fox hardback blank book}

I wasn't the least bit surprised to learn that Ask Alice Stationery is based in Melbourne, Australia. I've found that a great number of talented stationers and enthusiastic paperistas seem to hail from Australia. I know I'm not alone in obsessing over the Sydney based, Upon a Fold. I placed an order from them recently and am already plotting my next purchase. Coincidentally, you may find Ask Alice's adorable postcard books stocked by Upon a Fold, take a look see here...

{all images via ask alice}

October 12, 2010

owl always love calendars

Attention fellow calendar enthusiasts! I have two big pieces of news in the world of pretty, little yearly planners...

{image via design crush}

I have no clue how I managed to miss out on this swap last year, but luckily I am totally dialed in to the 2010 calendar swap organized by Design Crush and Greedy Girl. You can read all about the details of the swap here. I can hardly wait to start my search!


{image via my owl barn}

I had to share the love I discovered over at My Owl Barn, this morning, too. They've teamed up with a bevvy of lovely artists, each contributing a unique owl illustration. You can select your favorite images from the 30 available to make a customized calendar. Uh, did I mention that this is entirely free? What an excellent holiday gift! Make your very own here.

October 5, 2010

paper goods proselytizer: pushing papers




I'm overjoyed to share that Molly of Charlotte's Fancy fame, has launched an entirely paper-centric blog: Pushing Papers. I've been a fan of Charlotte's Fancy for a spell and am always blown away by Molly's stationery and paper finds, so this seems like a natural progression.

Also, if you act quickly, you can enter to win a jam-packed grab bag filled with the likes of Egg Press, Rifle Paper Co. and more paper goodness. Giveaway closes on 10/8/10. Enter here!

I'd wish you good luck, but I'm secretly hoping that I score this lovely prize. ;)

{screen shot via pushing papers}

September 23, 2010

par avion: holiday goodness from ghost academy






It may seem a bit early to be featuring holiday stuff... Keep in mind, in my world of wholesale, holiday cards have been on the brain for months. And let me tell you, I've been keeping some dynamite designs under wraps. Lucky for you these gems from Ghost Academy arrived this week and there was no way in Jehovah I was going to not share the love. These block printed beauties are all original designs and handmade by the ghostly pair at the academy. Did I officially put you in the holiday spirit?

{images via ghost academy}

September 20, 2010

printmaker dujour: oh my cavalier!


{'two girls and their friends' print}

{'bicycle club rider' print}

{'let us not be disconcerted' print}

{'sky pack' print}

Oh My Cavalier! is the brilliant work of fellow Portlander, Julianna Swaney. I'm hard pressed to choose a favorite of the prints in her shop, but thought I ought to at least highlight a few of my favorites. Julianna also designs mechanical animal paperdolls, one of my favorite things! They can be found here and locally at Noun, another Portland treasure...

{all images via oh my cavalier}

September 16, 2010

announcing: cartograms by cartolina



Oh my goodness - It's here, it's here! Cartolina's iPhone app has officially arrived in the iTunes app store. Customizable, gorgeous greetings from your iPhone to a friend's inbox, did I mention you can also send as a text?

Seriously, what are you waiting for? Search "Cartolina" in the app store to get your own this very minute...

{image via cartolina}

September 9, 2010

dance break!



I enjoyed this video so much that I thought I ought to share it! Irish hand dance perhaps? Check out their website here.

September 7, 2010

ch-ch-ch chia postcard






How have I not heard of the ingenious creation known as Postcarden until now? These clever postcards unfold into three-dimensional structures that contain edible cress seeds. Just sprinkle the seeds into the base, water and voila... Your very own miniature garden, I mean carden.

{images via postcarden}