Oh So Beautiful Paper

Archive for 2011

I’m just about ready to head out for the holidays!  But first – a quick round up with some last minute DIY holiday gift wrap ideas for those of you who feel like getting crafty this holiday season!

Top Row: Washi tape gift wrap via The Sweetest Occasion; Second Row: Present and Correct via Design Sponge; Printable gift tags from Lovely Design; Pipe cleaner tutorial by The House that Lars Built and eLove Photography via Oh Happy Day; Third Row: Printable gift tags from The Black Apple; Eat Drink Chic; Bottom Row: Washi tape via Sarah Hearts; Wine bottle wrap via Grey Likes Weddings

Top Row: Printable gift tags from Brooklyn Limestone; Typographic gift wrap via Man Made; Middle Row: Printable gift tags by Julia Rothman via Design Sponge; Grey Likes Weddings; Glitter clothespins via Creature Comforts; Bottom Row: Ellinee; DIY bow via How About Orange

Clockwise from top left: Creature Comforts (1 + 2); Shopping bag gift wrap via A Creative Mint; Upcycled gift wrap via Craftzine; Natascha Rosenberg gift tags; Rubber stamp gift wrap by Ink + Wit via Design Sponge

A few more resources:

• Tons of ideas over at Studio DIY!
• Odessa May Society: DIY Metallic Gift Wrap; Handmade Woodland Gift Wrap
• Knit printable gift tags from Eat Drink Chic
• Ez has a couple of awesome round ups over at Creature Comforts: Gift tag printables; Gift wrap ideas
• Say Yes to Hoboken
• Christmas printables on How About Orange
• Printable cards from Eva Juliet and gift tags from Ash + Anchor

You might remember the awesome guest posts from Carina of Crow and Canary this past April – she’s a fabulous independent stationery rep who spends much of her time touring the country talking about beautiful stationery.  Well, today Carina is back with a profile of three wonderful stationery boutiques in the Midwest.  Welcome back Carina!

Hello there!  Carina from Crow and Canary here.  It’s my sincere pleasure to return to OSBP with a guest post profiling some of the finest stationery boutiques in the Midwest.  I think you’re going to love what you see – I was truly in paper heaven!

::MONOGRAHAM::

Let’s start off by taking a peek into Monograham Paper & Gifts in Delafield, Wisconsin.  This stunning boutique is run by Amy Graham Stigler, creative director and designer for Smock.  Every corner of Monograham held some lovely treasure.  It’s certainly the type of shop that you could plan to spend an afternoon shopping in.  I only wish that I could visit regularly!

A real treat to see the shop decked out for the holidays!

Left: Washi tape adorned bags were set up for an upcoming craft class that Monograham has recently begun offering.  Aren’t they adorable? Right: Some of the amazing wedding invitations available at Monograham.

A bright and colorful assortment of paper goods, including: Smock, Susy Jack* & Paper Source.

A peek into Amy’s adjacent studio space: Breathtaking wall of smock gift boxes, they make quite an impression.

A bit of designer’s inspiration, such a cozy space.

::BROADWAY PAPER::

Broadway Paper has been on my radar for some time, I was so excited to finally have an opportunity to visit, as well as to enjoy a few precious minutes with Kate Strzok, Broadway Paper’s owner and fearless leader. Kate is always a delight! Broadway Paper is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Historic Third Ward and is surrounded by other great boutiques and cafes. I loved getting to ogle BP’s creative merchandising and handmade touches. I’m still obsessed with the paper log display below, so very clever.

Near the entrance to Broadway Paper: Snow & Graham 2012 calendar window display.

I couldn’t resist one of Avie Design’s sweet hand-folded bows; luckily it made it home unscathed.

These modern card racks are a sight to behold, not to mention all the cute cards that fill them.

A display of Cream City Ribbon, an eco-friendly ribbon manufacturer and Milwaukee based company.

Little Book of Letterpress and Little Book of Screen Printing sandwiching Mara Mi ribbon.

Very cute display, including the infamous handmade cardboard logs that I so admire.

::GREER CHICAGO::

GREER Chicago and proprietress, Chandra Greer, are true legends in the stationery world. I’m fortunate to count Chandra as a friend and mentor and I know that her positive attitude and giving nature have been paramount for many emerging stationers over the years. GREER is beyond my wildest dreams fabulous. It’s very clear that Chandra hand picks the merchandise and works with an above average staff to maintain stunning presentation; you don’t have to take my word – have a look yourself…

Left: This Hammerpress calendar makes me think of pink lemonade, love! Right: I only wish I’d had time to look through every drawer, so many hidden treasures!

Left: Luscious ribbon in a vintage card catalog. Right: GREER’S Love Civilettes are perfect for “Spontaneous Adoration.”

Perfect Chicago holiday greeting from La Familia Green.

A sincere thank you to Amy, Kate and Chandra for finding time to meet with me and allow me to come into their lovely spaces to take photographs, not always the easiest feat during a weekend in December! Their grace and generosity are much appreciated. And if you see something that you’re dying to get your hands on, both Broadway Paper and GREER Chicago offer comprehensive online shopping.

And last, but far from least, thanks to my traveling companion and partner in paper crime, Kimberley Yurkiewicz.

Photo Credits: Carina Murray

“On the road with Monograham, Broadway Paper and GREER” is a guest post by Carina Murray of Crow & Canary

These birth announcements from Elpitha at Print in Cursive are so clever – for a November baby, why not combine two projects and turn the announcements into a family holiday card?  New parents Chris and Amy did just that for little Mila, including a darling photo of baby Mila by Bella Baby Photography in lieu of a traditional holiday family photo.

From Elpitha: Tis’ the season for… babies!  I’m so pleased to honor another birth with these announcements for baby Mila.  Parents Chris and Amy wanted to combine their news with a little holiday cheer.

As usual, for birth announcements, I like to start with the photo and Amy knew she wanted olive green, pink, and Lily of the Valley incorporated into the design.

Thanks Elpitha!

Photo Credits: Announcement by Print in Cursive, baby photo by Bella Baby Photography

You might remember these fun letterpress cards from Richie Design last year… including these popular bacon cards:

…well, due to  Richele turned the card into an 8.5 x 11″ print!  So awesome.

Check them out right here!

Photo Credits: Richie Design

Since this is the last week of new content before the end of the year (next week I’ll be revisiting some favorite posts from 2011), it seems fitting that we squeeze in one more calendar round up before 2012!  Even if you think you’ve already found your 2012 calendar, you might want to make some wall space available – there are some pretty incredible designs below!

First up, a limited edition 2012 block printed calendar from Katharine Watson

A beautiful tea towel featuring hand lettering and illustrations from Linea Carta

A stunning limited edition letterpress calendar from W + K Studio with illustrations from some seriously talented artists

A bright + colorful yet minimalist calendar from The Made Shop

For all of you crazy cat people (like me!) – the 2012 dreamcats calendar from fieldguided

A stunning calendar from Mink Letterpress inspired by vintage handkerchiefs

This year, Erin from The Indigo Bunting has three calendar formats available – a small accordion calendar (above) and two illustrated calendars (below)

Indigo Bunting

An awesome lasercut calendar by Nando Costa

I’m kind of obsessed with this intricate “Twelve Months of the Apocalypse” letterpress calendar from Moon in June

Neon owl calendar (fun!) from Wishbone Letterpress

Cute bunting calendars from Curious & Co.

A farm-inspired monthly letterpress calendar from Brown Parcel Press

A pretty botanical monthly calendar from Honizukle Press

Screen printed calendars – in gray and black + white – from Yellow Lion

A cool die cut calendar from Lettuce Press

A pretty feather letterpress calendar from Tiger Food Ephemera

The 2012 calendar from Bird Dog Press features an homage to climate diversity in collaboration with Theresa from WonderBound Press

And just in case you missed them, check out the earlier calendar round ups right here!

{images via their respective sources}