I am so excited to talk about Pearl Papers launching that I’m not quite sure where to start. So, let’s just say that I’ve been enthralled with Elisabeth’s lovely letterpress work ever since I first stumbled onto her Black Pearl Press site about 18 months ago …. and I love her designs! Pictured above is her adorable 2008 calendar. (Don’t you love the sweet letterpressed bag that holds it for gifting? Great packaging! And the line drawings are so sweet!)
But Pearl Papers is more than just a place to pick up a nifty calendar. It’s a (my words) “semi-custom way to customize your letterpress” site. You can select from the eight design collections the components/card sizes you want, and personalize with typeface and color. Mix and Match, Coordinate, Just Pick Up Some Notecards Because You Love The Design. (okay, that was me talking – I just love the “into the woods” collection pictured above. love it.) If you’ve been on the fence about picking up letterpress stationery for yourself, for an event, or as a gift, it’s time to jump down.And it’s printed in Boston, so you know it has to be good (can I say go Red Sox again?) Elisabeth’s studio is so charming – I can’t wait to see it again.
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I am beginning to develop my holiday 2007 strategy: I’m thinking either newsprint or kraft paper to wrap, baker’s twine, and then tags attached with these totally adorable clips from Susy Jack. I have two sets of the “Merry and Bright”, and one set of the “Good Fortune”. I love those good fortune clips! Wouldn’t you like to get a fortune like “Look for new outlets for your creative abilities” clipped to your Christmas present? They are going to be hard to part with – I’d better order another set. Susy Jack’s etsy store is chock full of cute and colorful paper goods and accessories. Or, check out her website for inspiration. (Love the orange and blue – great combo – so cheerful!)And if you’re looking for gift ideas in order to use those cool clips, check out Poppytalk Handmade’s November Market. Lots of great gifting from a wide variety of indy designers. My new crushes? Lauren Alane and Pistachio Press. Fav’s Laura Crow Miller, Papered Together, and oh yeah, Susy Jack are there too. Start surfing …..
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photo scanned from Martha Stewart Living magazine – March 2007?
Thanks to Martha Stewart (and her talented staff, of course) I am continually tempted to learn a craft that I really have no need for. It just looks cool, so I rip out the article, and think “some day”. Take for example ribbon embroidery. It was featured in the March 2007 issue (I think? No date on the ripped out pages), and I was so smitten with the carrots and the corn that I thought “Hey, I’ll save this. And some day, I’ll embroider cocktail napkins with these cute vegetables.” Never mind that I don’t know how to embroider, never mind that I’ve never had a cocktail party. These things were all hypothetically possible. So it was rip and plan and dream.Ah, but now, Soutache, a charming ribbon shop in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, sent me a postcard (I got three, actually – maybe that was a sign in itself) announcing ribbon embroidery classes! And wouldn’t you know, there were carrots, and peas, and cauliflower pictured. Too cute! $65 includes materials. Twelve different class times to choose from. Three hours of instruction. Will the hypothetical become actual? Stay tuned.If you’re a Chicagoan ready to take the ribbon embroidery plunge, contact Soutache at 773/292-9110. Or drop in at 2125 North Damen. They have lots and lots of gorgeous ribbon, and ’tis the season ……
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Good morning! I awoke to a starry sky, and frost on the lawn. November is here. This weekend marks the end of fall soccer – just in time, as the temps are forecast for the 40s next week. That would be the highs.Here are the Five:
- A morning in the park
- 3
- when red is hungry
- smartie pants
- Humboldt Park,
Enjoy Friday! Don’t forget to “fall back” on Sunday morning ….. and I’ll see you on Monday.
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Halloween is over. We didn’t run out of candy, despite my husband’s frequent updates to the contrary. Didn’t even have to dig into Charlie Brown’s stash (other than for a treat). Now, my attention and fears are directed toward Christmas: what to buy, which cards to send, how to wrap.Holiday cards are both easy and hard: easy because there are is such a great variety to choose from, and etsy has helped in that regard. Hard because how do you choose? My recommendation for today is from Amy Armato’s etsy store.
photo from Armato Design @ Etsy
I love simple designs, and these Armato Design “tree and snow” cards are perfect! Love the snow falling diagonally; love the olive green tree. I’ve already picked up a set. (Yes, I keep track of who gets what in the card department. It’s a good outlet for my ocd, and I can buy a wide variety of cards that way, too.)On to fashion: I have a sister getting married on December 1, and so I’m looking for something fun to wear to either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding. Remember: “fun” for me evokes Prada-esque design. You may look at this and say “That’s not fun!” But opinions are welcome: what do you think? Blogger does not want me to post pictures for Nov. 1 – I’m sure you can envision a black short-sleeved sweater tee, and a silvery, knee-length, pleated, bubble skirt? I give up!
