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…

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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!

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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

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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!

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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

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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}

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors

With the holidays right around the corner, we’ve definitely got gift wrapping on the brain! This tutorial is great because not only would this make a great hostess gift but it would also be a fabulous favor idea for a party or wedding. The steps are super simple, so it’s easy to make one box – or one hundred! â€“ Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step One: Start by creating the little hang tag for the outside of the box. To do this, cut your card stock (we used our Old West Patterned Paper) into rectangles measuring 2.5″ x 5″ with a craft knife and ruler on a self healing mat.

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Two: Next, you’ll score the card so that it will fold nicely. On a scoreboard, run your tool at the 2.5 inch mark to make the score. Don’t fold the card yet!

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Three: Now you’ll get to stamping! Stamp your monogram (we used our Seal Monogram) on the tag in the lower lefthand corner. You’ll also want to stamp your muslin bag with your monogram, or if the goodies are homemade, a kitchen seal stamp works perfectly! With the stamps that are mostly black, like ones shown, you’ll want to take extra care that they are inked really well (see picture below). If they aren’t, your image will be too light to be legible. We’d suggest starting the project with a brand new stamp pad. You can watch our step-by-step video tutorial about the stamp printing process here.

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Four: Once your ink is dry, it’s time to fold your little card! Use a bone folder to get a crisp, clean fold. Then, punch a hole in the top left corner for the string to go through.

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Five: Homemade treats make the holidays truly special. We decided to make a batch of these yummy spiced nuts (we used pecans) from a Martha Stewart recipe. Once the nuts are cooled, scoop them into clear food safe bags and insert them into your stamped muslin treat bag! Draw the string and tie the bag closed.

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Six: Now it all comes together! Gather all of your wrapping materials together and get started. For the large box “belly band” we used a sheet of wrapping paper cut into thirds. To pad the wine bottle in its box, we used kraft crinkle packed snuggly around the bottle. Lay your treat bag on top of the wine bottle and fill up around everything with more crinkle. Now slide the box closed!

DIY Tutorial: Gift Wrapped Wine Box Favors by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Seven: Once everything is secure in the closed box, wrap your decorative paper around the box and secure on the back with double sided tape. Tie around the middle with hemp twine, threading your stamped monogram tag before tying a bow. The gift is now ready and your friend and loved ones will be as thrilled with the gorgeous presentation as the yummy gifts themselves!

Materials

Old West Patterned Paper in Turquoise Card Stock

Seal Monogram Stamp

Kitchen Seal Stamp, No.2

Muslin Bags

Stamp Pad (we recommend a brand new one, this one can be heat set and made permanent on fabric)

Self Healing Mat, Craft knife and Metal Ruler

Score Board

Hole Punch

Wooden Wine Box

Food Safe Plastic Bags

Decorative Gift Wrap (you can have this pre-cut for you before having it shipped)

Hemp Twine

Kraft Crinkle

Phototgraphy: Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper