05/10/2013

NSS Sneak Peek: Kate & Birdie

Our final NSS sneak peek of this week comes to us from Kate & Birdie (Booth #1755-1757)! Gloria and her team are debuting a new collection of notepads at this year’s show, along with new greeting cards, holiday cards, and gift wrap. The notepad collection includes four designs: two lined, two blank, and each with a hand illustrated design on each page. Each 70-page notepad is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper with vegetable-based ink. I’m so happy to see that they included a market list in the collection â€“ I always need more of those!

Thanks Gloria and Julie!

Photo Credits: Kate & Birdie

05/10/2013

NSS Sneak Peek: Steel Petal Press

I always look forward to the lineup at the Ladies of Letterpress booth (#2374-80)Â at the National Stationery Show â€“ so much wonderful letterpress talent! This year’s list includes Steel Petal Press, Grey Moggie Press, Pressbound, Bowerbox Press, and more! Shayna from Steel Petal PressÂ sent over a sneak peek of some of the goodies she’ll have at the show. Take a look!

Thanks Shayna!

Photo Credits: Steel Petal Press

05/09/2013

DIY Tutorial: Vintage Floral Border Save the Date

Spring has arrived and we couldn’t be happier! It’s always a refreshing and inspiring sight to see all of the little buds form on branches, knowing that soon they will burst into a gorgeous show of flowers. With this save the date design, we wanted to capture this brief moment in time and create something fresh and beautiful.Â â€“Â Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Step One: One of the key elements to this save the date is the border card on which you will print your stamp. To start, print out the border card file onto heavy card stock (as heavy as your printer will allow) and trim to size. If you would like to use this spring blossom border design, email us for the free printable download! Other borders can be found onÂ Graphics Fairy.

Step Two: Now that you have your cards printed and cut, you will want to print your stamp (we used our Calligraphy Save the Date Stamp, No.2). Set your card on a firm, hard surface. Ink your stamp well and center it over the card. Press down firmly, making certain that you apply even pressure to all areas of the stamp. Lift the stamp off and set the card aside to dry. For more information about this process, please watch this video.

Step Three: We’ve dressed up the save the date card with a gorgeous sage gray ribbon. Simply cut a length of ribbon and tie it into a bow. Trim the ends with sharp scissors so that they are even and do not hang off of the edges.

Step Four: Next, you will want to stamp your return address (we used our Calligraphy Return Address Stamp) on the back flap of your envelope. Follow the same printing instructions from step two.

Step Five: Now all that’s left to do is to address the envelopes, add postage (we used vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way! This design is sure to bring a fresh dose of spring to every single guests mail box.

Materials:

Calligraphy Save the Date Stamp, No.2

Calligraphy Return Address Stamp

Stamp PadsÂ (in Wicked Black & Seattle Grey)

8.5×11 Cover StockÂ (needs to be able to run through your home printer) in Eco White

Free Border Card Download (Please email usÂ for the file)

Scissors (or an X-acto Knife & Self Sealing Mat)

A7 Envelopes-in Sage

Hug Snug Rayon Seam Binding in Khaki #503Â Â (it’s actually a sage-grey color)

Verde Studio Vintage Postage

AntiÂquaria is a memÂber of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can see more of their beauÂtiÂful workÂ right hereÂ or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

05/09/2013

NSS Sneak Peek: Fig. 2 Design

I’m thrilled to share a special NSS sneak peek from Claudia of Fig. 2 Design (Booth #1771)! Claudia has partnered with some super-talented calligraphers to create a collection called Letters for Love, of which a generous portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity. The collection will make its debut at the show and grow over time. Such a wonderful idea!

From Claudia:Â This is a very special project called Letters for Love whereÂ Fig. 2 Design + calligraphersÂ unite to give back.Â I’m so honored and excited to launch this collection with help from Feast Fine Art and Calligraphy, Lindsay Letters, and Meant To Be Calligraphy. Calligraphers donated their talents, and in turn Fig. 2 will donateÂ a generous portionÂ of the proceeds to charity.

I asked each calligrapher to write out a fun catchy phrase which I then paired with a pattern and a hashtag. I also asked each one to write the word Love any way they wished. It was so wonderful to work with all three calligraphers. The real treat was getting to work with Alissa from Feast since she and I had not worked together before. I was so thrilled when she agreed to be part of the project!

The line will continue to grow, so if you’re a calligrapher interested in working on the next series you can contact Claudia right here!

Design: Fig. 2 Design

Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy, Feast Fine Art and Calligraphy,Â Lindsay Letters

Arrow Props: Britt Bass

Photo Credits:Â Mary Kate McKenna for Fig. 2 Design

05/09/2013

NSS Sneak Peek: Farewell Paperie

Farewell Paperie (Booth #2158) was one of my favorite new discoveries at last year’s National Stationery Show â€“ I love their collection of bright and funny greeting cards! And I was even more delighted to discover that Jen and Lisa, the powerhouse duo behind Farewell Paperie, are two of the nicest ladies around (love it when that happens!). Here’s a little peek at what they have planned for this year!

Thanks Jen and Lisa!

Photo Credits: Farewell Paperie