OK, I'm amused. Holiday Mixed Tape cards, set of 10, $14. Printed on recycled paper with soy inks. Available on Plasticland.

[images from 30gms]

I have a graphic designer friend, Jodi, who loves all things stationary including Russell+Hazel, as do I. I think she would probably love these X Bands. And for $5, I don't see why I shouldn't rush right over to the Moma Store and acquire some. Hey, Jodi's birthday is coming up. I think I will send her some. I wonder if she will read this and spoil the surprise...

'Henny Penny' from the Blush collection

'Bliss'

'Mod Vases'

'Polly'

I found Fabulous Stationary this morning by clicking through an ad on Decor8. Aren't these cards fabulous? I was most attracted to the Blush collection for the 50s quality of the line and color, and selected these four examples above. I love the wry expressions on the birds' faces. All cards are customizable with your desired message, monogram or name. Each set contains 25 notecards and 25 envelopes. Customization options are numerous, so be sure to scroll down on the order form and thoroughly explore your options. Production time is quoted as 5-7 days. That seems super-speedy and great! Even if you are short on time for planning a fun party, you can still get customized invitations.

You may also love the fabulous Metropolitan collection, if you love bold flat pattern. I do. Ok, I'll let you start browsing. And coincidentally, Fabulous Stationary is based in Philadelphia!

These Picasso Morph notepads displayed in the window of the Kitano Hotel gift shop on Park Avenue and 36th Street lured me right into the store, which was filled with tiny gifts. A fun store to browse. I like the sculptural quality of the pads. Designed by Schleeh, $20.

Luxe Paperie is quite a one-stop-online-shop for well-designed handmade and small label paper goods. It is worth a long look. Great stuff! And for all you silhouette fans, the card pictured above by PINK LOVES BROWN is on sale for $1.99.

Avian Collection


Avian Collection


Romance Collection


Botanical Collection

If you love bright color, graphic birds and the textured goodness of letterpress, I have a feeling you are going to love the Avian Collection of cards and prints by Old School Stationers. And if two birds are better than one, the Romance Collection, depicting two lovebirds on every card, should enchant you twice as much. Old School Stationers, based in Portland, Oregon, uses extra thick custom handmade paper and old world technology to create their beautiful designs. Each card is hand printed four times on their one-ton cast iron printing press, manufactured in 1890.

Although Old School Stationers does not e-tail, their cards are available online on Luxe Paperie, a wonderful card and wrapping resource in itself, stocking many special handmade collections. They also produce ready-to-hang prints, 8" square by 1/2" thick, hand printed by letterpress and mounted on a light wood frame, which are available on RareDevice.com. Alternatively, if you would like see their designs in person, you can visit these stores around the country.

If you are a letterpress enthusiast, it may interest you to know that letterpress -- printing from raised metal type and custom-engraved plates -- began in Europe in the 14th century as an alternative to calligraphy. The appealing tactile quality is achieved by pressing the metal plates into a soft paper. Compared with offset printing of today which is a four-color process, the letterpress process prints one color at a time and transfers more ink to the paper, creating more intense and vivid color results.

I thought you might like a break from reading. Here is a purely gratuitous post about pretty things found on other design blogs this week.


(I think I smell a regular feature on this blog. Blogger Roundup! I rather like the ring to that. Consider yourself a reader of the first installment of Blogger Roundup. gee)

Bowls from Sally McCubbin
Post by Happy Mundane


Letterpress cards from New Egg Press
Post by PoppyTalk


Porcelain from Lorena Barrezueta
Post by Apartment Therapy


Stone Doormat from Acacia
Post by DesignMilk

Tell someone you love them today, with this great stitched hugs and kisses card from Wonder Threads. I just met the designer, Diana, past Sunday. We were both showing at The Market NYC. Not only did she have a really cute display, which included her cards, small zippered bags, and baby onesies, she also has an excellent website. Her cards incorporate sparkly textured fabrics, friendly fonts, appliqued shapes like cupcakes and thread, which of course caught my eye immediately. Her zig-zags and straight stitches are meticulous! And I love the inset sparkly fabrics. Order online, or check her out in person at The Market.

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This just in: Diana will be showing her collection in person at The Market NYC this Sunday. So will I! :-)