Happy Holidays!

Just dropping in to let you all know that I am closing up shop until Thursday, December 30. I will respond to all emails at that time. Thanks for your patience, and happy holidays.

Image found here

New letterpress gift tags!

New in the shop: letterpress holiday gift tags! Created from 100% cotton, tree-free delicious Crane Lettra, these tags are ready to dress up your holiday packages.

Please note that all orders must be received by Friday, December 17, for shipping within the US. I'm sorry, but I cannot accept any additional foreign holiday orders at this time. Happy Holidays!

The cards are in the mail.

Last month, I acquired a 2,000 lb. beast of a letterpress. It's been an absolute joy to work with as I've been cranking out personal stationery orders, gift tags and even my own holiday cards over the past few weeks. The card I created this year ended up being quite complicated, but I'm really happy with them. They are accordion-folded with a circle-shaped photo affixed to the front and our holiday letter making up the back panel. I wrapped the entire package with a lovely moss green and gold sash. I hope our friends and family enjoy receiving these cards as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Sending a card isn't that hard.

When I began reading this Real Simple column on manners and the role of holiday cards in today's technology-heavy society, I immediately felt resentment bubbling to the surface. Why would a columnist focusing on manners urge against sending cards by basically calling them a waste of time and money?

Fortunately, author Michelle Slatalla questioned herself and gave this annual tradition further thought. After discussing card sending habits with friends, she concluded that a meaningful card is indeed worth the time and effort. I couldn't agree more.

While email and social networking sites may keep us connected (in some form) to friends and family, what we communicate is usually brief and impersonal. Keeping this in mind, I don't necessarily believe sending cards is an obligation, but being the recipient of such effort at this busy time of year is certainly appreciated. I personally take correspondence a few steps further by sending postcards and thank you notes (the very definition of manners perhaps?) throughout the year.

So, I continue to send out holiday cards each December. My husband and I enjoy sitting down and reflecting on the past year and composing a letter filled with photos and memories. And if I don't get a card back from you? No worries. I wouldn't dream of crossing you off our list next year.

Tomorrow, I'll share our holiday cards with you. Have you sent yours?

It's holiday party time! Wanna see the invites?

We are hosting our annual holiday party this weekend, so I'm in full on baking, cooking, decorating and wrapping mode. I look forward to this party every year and usually starting planning it in October. Crazy, I know!

Since we gave our living room a mid-century makeover this year, we decided to go with a vintage vibe at this year's shindig. This started with choosing a pretty metallic paper reminiscent of that era to dress up the invitations. You can see the results below.





Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Urban Craft Uprising picks.

I spent a good portion of the weekend exploring the handmade shows happening around Seattle. The Urban Craft Uprising is, by far, my favorite. This year's show was incredible, too. There were so many good vendors! I picked up a raccoon print by one of my favorite illustrators, Ryan Berkley. His work simply makes me smile. There were many fantastic pieces of jewelry I would have been happy to take home, as well. Here are a few of my discoveries:


Alisha Louise Designs
{website}


Elisa Shere Jewelry
{website}


The Sprinkle Factory
{website}


Material & Movement
{website}

Le Wedding Party.

Just wanted to alert you to a sweet new blog, Le Wedding Party! The bride-to-be, Elsie, is very creative, so watching her big day come together should be good fun. Enjoy!

New heart letterpress cards.

New in the shop: blind debossed heart notecards lovingly designed and printed by me. They come packaged with kraft envelopes, and are printed on 100% cotton, tree-free Crane Lettra. Enjoy... =)

My stocking stuffer picks.

So, it's nearly Thanksgiving and I'm pretty much done with my holiday shopping. I have only a handful of gifties and some stocking stuffers left to buy. Here are just a few of my personal faves. Hope you all have a great turkey day!

a chevron jotter

pretty recycled paper pencils

Theo Chocolate Bars (love this year's milk & cookies bar!)

Vosges Bacon Caramel Toffee

Lake Champlain 5 Star Bars (the peanut: oh my!)


adorable owls

Cherry notecards turned stocking stuffers.

I was so excited to see my Cerise Notecards recently chosen by Etsy as a stocking stuffer idea. Thanks so much, Etsy! Check back later in the week to see some of my own stocking stuffer ideas...

Wanna swap cards?

If you like to make and receive cards, I'd highly recommend the Brooklyn Bride annual card swap! So many fun designs came to my house last year, so I'm excited to participate again. If you look closely at the image below, you'll see my little cardinal card in the bottom left. =) Here are full details if you want to join in...

Wow.

How insanely inspiring is this editorial shoot from Jose Villa? The colors! The patterns! Yet, it somehow feels so natural, too? I simply love it.






via Oh Joy!

High time for pie.

Not a fan of cake, or do you have a family recipe you want to share with family and friends? Why not serve pie at your reception? Here are several cute ideas for displaying and decorating your big day treats. I especially love Lily's Apple Pie Pops. Yum! Have a swell weekend!


via Martha Stewart, Project Wedding, withlovelily, The Knot

Orange + Gray.

I just love this orange + gray inspiration board found at Snippet & Ink. It's bright and cheerful, yet sophisticated. And, if you're lucky enough to find a venue with these wire Eames chairs? Sigh...

November.

Well, it's November 1 and here in Seattle, it's pouring outside. I'm never a fan of this month as it tends to rain non-stop and can feel a bit grim as a result. I hope to have my hands full with a few projects to create a distraction. =)

Anyhow, wouldn't a fall-inspired dessert buffet be lovely for a November wedding, or even Thanksgiving? Sweet Table Chicago put together this stunning look. I just love the pie-inside-of-a-dome, the sweet glasses of cider and the macarons. It's all too tempting and pretty.






Via Postcards & Pretties

K is for Calligraphy.

K is for Calligraphy offers custom monograms, envelope seals, gift tags and much more. The custom monograms, in particular, would add a lovely hand drawn touch to any wedding. Be sure to visit the shop to see the full line. Enjoy!

Chalkboard-inspired holiday cards.

I'm super excited to share my new holiday cards with you today! I know it seems early to be thinking about this, but I'm ahead of the game for a change and that makes me happy! Chalkboard-inspired and definitely different, these cards were lovingly screenprinted and come in a set of 8. You also have your choice of sour apple or dark cherry envelopes. Thanks for looking!

Marshmallow favors.

When I was in Paris this spring, I purchased many a handmade flavored marshmallow. The verdict? They're delicious and fun. When I saw Oh Yum's cute shop earlier this week, I thought that these tasty treats could also make great wedding favors. Take a peek and decide for yourself... and have a great weekend!

Banners by Earmark.

I love these fun banners by Earmark! They could be used in so many fun ways at a wedding (I'm thinking thank you cards), or could be customized for a shower or engagement party. How would you incorporate one into your big day?

Holiday cards are back!

New designs will be coming soon, but for now, holiday cards are back in the shop!