Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! It’s always busy the first week back after a holiday weekend, and this week was no exception! I’m busy preparing for a big project this weekend, which I’m excited to share with all of you soon! Andy and I also went over to meet the most adorable two-week old baby – who also happens to be the most chill newborn in the universe. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Sophie was ever that small! Amazing. Anyway, I’m heading off to prep for our big weekend project! But in the meantime…

OSBP-Paper-Snowflakes

Photo by me via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Check back soon for this week’s cocktail! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week! xoxo

2013 Gift Guide: My Favorite Things

Um, so just kidding about that whole “last gift guide” thing! I was updating the gift idea round up page last night (which is available and updated year-round, just FYI), and realized that I really wanted to share a few of my favorite things from the round up. So here goes!

OSBP-2013-Gift-Guide-My-Favorite-Things

1. Rob Ryan Mug; 2. Kate Spade Push Pins; 3. Poppin Notebooks; 4. Muhs Home Copper + Brass Tins; 5. Russell + Hazel Acrylic Stapler; 6. Tattly Subscription!; 7. Yellow Owl Workshop Carve-a-Stamp Kit

OSBP-2013-Gift-Guide-My-Favorite-Things2

8. Rocket Ink Print; 9. Wind + Willow; 10. Forage Copper Hair Pin Tie Bar; 11. Paper Pastries State Return Address Stamp; 12. Fig. 2 Dip Dye Note Cards; 13. Midori Brass Case via Rifle Paper Co.’s Notable Collection

1 Rob Ryan + my daily morning coffee? A match made in heaven.

3 + 12 Personalized stationery is always good gift idea! I’m loving these silver + gold initial notebooks from Poppin, and the dip-dyed note cards (in various colors) from Fig. 2 Design are some of my all-time favorites.

4 + 5 I have coveted the Muhs Home copper tins and Russell + Hazel acrylic stapler since both came out a couple years ago (I already have the matching tape dispenser). Together, they’d make any desk a very, very happy place.

8 Yay for state art! These “Home Is Where The Heart Is” prints from Rocket Ink are bold and modern, which I love – and she even has one for DC!

More gift ideas right here!

{images via their respective sources}

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare

I love looking through old postcards and letters in antique stores; the handwriting transports you to another time and place. When I first saw the work of Signora e Mare‘s Katie Decker Hyatt, I got that same feeling. Romantic and organic, Katie’s lettering and calligraphy take these pieces to a different world. – Julie

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare via Oh So Beautiful Paper

It’s amazing how illustrative the work in Katie’s portfolio looks. It takes a few seconds for me to realize that I’m looking at a very simple piece brought to life by her writing.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare via Oh So Beautiful Paper

A perfectly lovely birth announcement, don’t you think? I love Katie’s use of subtle ink colors; the dynamic calligraphy style is enough on its own for that added pop.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Signora e Mare via Oh So Beautiful Paper

You can see more gorgeous calligraphy in Signora e Mare’s portfolio and blog. And be sure to keep an eye on her site for the opening of her shop!

Photo credits: 1, 3 l+r, 4, 5, 6 right - Laura Catherine Photography; 2 - Rylee Hitchner Photography; 6 left - Kayla Barker

2013 Gift Guide: For An Almost-Toddler

Today we’re wrapping up our gift guides with a final post of ideas for a favorite little munchkin! Sophie is in an in-between stage: not really a baby, but not yet walking or doing more complex activities. She’s past a lot of the gift ideas for young babies, but not quite ready for some of the more intricate toys or physical games for toddlers. So today I thought I’d share a few things on my list for Sophie in case you’re also searching for ideas for an almost-toddler baby!

OSBP-2013-Gift-Guide-Baby-Toddler-Ideas

1. How We Montessori Garden Set; 2. Shearling Booties; 3. Moccasins (for older kids); 4. Kitchen Set; 5. Pajamas; 6. Magna Doodle; 7. Rainbow Block Set; 8. Meowsic Keyboard; 9. Toy Piano

OSBP-2013-Gift-Guide-Baby-Toddler-Ideas2

10. Magenta Play Chair; 11. Ikea Play Table; 12. Pehr Canvas Bucket; 13. Bean Bag; 14 + 15. Wooden Toys; 16. Elephant Wall Easel

1 + 7 I love all the practical tools and fun toys from How We Montessori! This garden set will be perfect for Sophie when we’re spending time out in the garden again this spring, and this colorful block set would keep her happily busy for a long time.

2 + 3 + 5 If you’re thinking about giving clothes, consider shoes or even PJs. Hanna Andersson pajamas are our favorites so far, and these shearling booties would be great for keeping tiny feet warm during the winter.

6 Sophie isn’t quite ready for crayons and markers, but she played with her cousins’ Magna Doodle over Thanksgiving and LOVED it!

8 + 9 Sophie loves anything musical. I love this tiny piano for something that doesn’t require batteries or this keyboard (also discovered through Sophie’s cousins, and yes it looks just as crazy in person!) for something a bit more portable.

12 These canvas buckets from Pehr are the perfect size for corralling toys and loose objects in the nursery!

{images via their respective sources}

2013 Gift Guide: Designers + Calligraphers

Our next gift guide was inspired by a very sweet husband looking for ideas for his graphic designer (and aspiring hand lettering artist) wife. I turned to some friends, including Christine from Yellow Owl Workshop, Michele from Meant to Be Calligraphy, Courtney from Swiss Cottage Designs, Arley-Rose and Morgan from Ladyfingers Letterpress, and Liz from Linda & Harriett, for their recommendations. So whether you’re in the same predicament, looking for someone who dabbles in design or calligraphy, or just want to forward this post to your significant other – here are a few gift ideas!

 OSBP-2013-Gift-Guide-Design-Enthusiast

1. Wacom Tablet; 2. Pantone Guide Book; 3. Oblique Calligraphy Pen Holder; 4. Copperplate Nib Sampler; 5. Phantom Line Lettering Guide (found one on ebay here!); 6. Watercolor Set (and small pads of watercolor paper); 7. Calligraphy + Letterpress Classes (like this class from Meant to Be Calligraphy)

OSBP-2013-Gift-Guide-Design-Enthusiast-Part2

8. Calligraphy Starter Kit; 9. Moleskine Notebooks; 10. Calligraphy Light Box; 11. Micron Pens and black Uniball Pens; 12. Paper Source Swatch Book; 13. Poppin Metallic Folio

2 + 12 Pantone guide book + swatch books! Both essential tools for any artist, but also a great source of inspiration! The ladies of Ladyfingers Letterpress also recommend Soho Paper, French Paper Co., and Cards and Pockets.

5 + 10 Arley-Rose from Ladyfingers Letterpress also recommended a vintage tool called the Phantom Line Lettering Guide that projects guidelines onto a page, although you’ll have to do some digging to find one. Alternatively, a light box is an essential tool for any aspiring or hobbyist calligraphers!

7 + 8 Classes are such a great way to both learn and connect with fellow designers and calligraphy enthusiasts in your area! I’ve listed some DC-area classes here, but look for letterpress workshops and calligraphy classes in your area or even explore online classes. But if you really can’t find a class that works, a calligraphy starter kit makes a wonderful gift.

13 Pretty office supplies! Because really, nothing is more of a bummer for creative energy than sad pocket folders and organization supplies. Courtney from Swiss Cottage Designs and I are both loving all the colorful office supplies from Poppin these days!

A couple of additional ideas from Courtney: consider treating your significant other to their very own business cards, perhaps with a gift certificate to their favorite printer. Or track down a web developer who can help build a website or blog. These two investments are particularly big deals for any designers that might just be starting out, and any little help towards both projects can mean the world to a growing business!

{images via their respective sources}