08/04/2017

Eleven Awesome Pencil Pouches

It’s August â€“ which means back to school season! Here in DC, school starts on August 21, so I’ve been busy buying new uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies for my two girls. Back to school shopping used to be my absolute favorite part of the new school year when I was a kid, which I’m sure comes as absolutely no surprise to all of you. But you guys, school supplies are so much better now, and shopping for everything from pencils to backpacks is even more fun than it was back then! So today I thought I’d share a few of my favorite pencil pouches that I’ve come across in my searches, whether you’re like me and shopping for your kids or for yourself!

From top right:

1. You guys know I can’t resist the iridescent/holographic. This iridescent pencil case is calling my name!

2. Loving these new screen printed zipper pouches from Parrott Design Studio! This neon pink version would be perfect for holding pens and school supplies!

3. Did you know that J.Crew makes cute pencil cases through their Crewcuts line? Love this kitty version, but there is also a pink monster and a green glow-in-the-dark monster version!

4. My girls make a beeline for anything that glitters, especially that glitter happens to include pink and gold. This Yoobi glitter pencil case from Target is absolutely perfect.

5. Positive vibes to start the new school year from Ban.do!

6. Pretty gray stripes and a dreamy lavender interior from Kikki.K

7. + 8. Poppin makes fun office supplies in the best colors! I’m partial to this metallic gold pencil pouch and this blush pink version.

9. More iridescent love, but in a slightly larger size to accommodate even more school supplies â€“ or even use as a makeup bag!

10. This pink zipper pouch from Graphique de France would be perfect for a high schooler or college kid.

11. Iron Curtain Press means business with this striped pencil pouch! It’s made of tough engineer stripe denim and is a bit longer than your average pencil case to accommodate brand new pencils.

08/03/2017

NSS 2017: Flair!

So, you totally knew this one was coming, right? Flair was everywhere at this year’s National Stationery Show! Enamel pins have been pretty ubiquitous the last couple of years, and this year they were joined by embroidered patches, keychains, and pennants! Even Rifle Paper Co. joined the enamel pin action this year, with their signature florals and sunglasses in enamel pin form, plus a strong lady enamel pin that I absolutely ADORE. Let’s take a look!

Rifle Paper Co. (see the full booth here!)

AdamJK just makes the COOLEST stuff â€“ from his amazing books, journals, and postcards, to enamel pins and keychains, to embroidered patches and balloons! He’s also perhaps the nicest person I’ve ever met, which just makes me love his products even more.

AdamJK (see the full booth here!)

Tuesday Bassen is a ridiculously talented illustrator â€“ and she turned some of her illustrations into embroidered patches and enamel pins! So fun!

Tuesday Bassen (see the full booth here!)

CloisonnÃ© key chains and embroidered pins from Idlewild Co. based on her botanical illustrations â€“ the embroidered pins are individually hand embroidered over printed fabric with iridescent beads and miniature sequins!

Idlewild Co. (see the full booth here!)

Katie from The Good Twin was one of the first to pair enamel pins with a matching postcard, and I love how she has added to her collection over the years.

The Good Twin (see the full booth here!)

Sooooo much amazing flair from Valley Cruise Press, from enamel pins to keychains to GIANT embroidered patches. How cute are those emoji pins?? I’m also loving the rainbow Vibes pin below!

Valley Cruise Press (see the full booth here!)

An important reminder from Hello!Lucky:

Hello!Lucky (see the full booth here!)

I mentioned these embroidered patches from Frog & Toad Press in yesterday’s post â€“ they’re just the cutest! Also, I know pennants aren’t technically wearable flair, but I love them so much and just had to include them!

Frog and Toad Press (see the full booth here!)

Violet Clair flair!

Violet Clair (see the full booth here!)

Love these embroidered patches paired with gold foil cards â€“ and super bright paper! â€“ from The Social Type!

The Social Type (see the full booth here!)

So much fun flair! If you’ve missed any of our previous show recaps, you can find them here, here, here, and here â€“ or browse all the booths from this yearâ€™s show right here!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

08/02/2017

NSS 2017: New Exhibitors, Part 2

I’m back to highlight a few more of the first-time exhibitors at this year’s National Stationery Show! Today’s round up is full of colorful illustrations and playful hand lettering â€“ plus one booth with a totally different vibe from anything else at the show this year. Let’s start with one of my favorite booths from the show: Frog & Toad Press! They make the sweetest letterpress printed greeting cards, along with pennants and embroidered patches that you’ll be seeing in a separate round up a bit later on.

Frog & Toad Press (see the full booth here!)

Fun colors, seriously cute copywriting with a sense of humor, and pretty hand lettering from Friendly Fire Paper. I’m pretty sure I need the art print below in my office!

Friendly Fire Paper (see the full booth here!)

We saw Boss Dotty Paper Co. in last week’s Lady Power round up, but I couldn’t resist sharing a bit more from this booth! Also, I’m pretty sure La Croix was the food trend at this year’s show.

Boss Dotty (see the full booth here!)

First time exhibitor Frankie’s Girl came all the way to New York from Sydney, Australia! Aren’t these calligraphy greeting cards so pretty?

Frankie’s Girl (see the full booth here!)

The sweetest illustrated stationery from JooJoo Paper, with plenty of florals, animals, and gold foil sprinkled throughout the collection:

JooJoo Paper (see the full booth here!)

I’ve been a fan of Red Cruiser‘s foodie-inspired stationery for years â€“ especially the beer pairing cards! â€“ and this year they finally exhibited at the National Stationery Show!

Red Cruiser (see the full booth here!)

Tiny Bones Press was a complete surprise at this year’s show â€“ and I absolutely love their delicate, minimalist vibe. The entire booth was filled with the most beautiful, simple designs in letterpress and gold foil and looked totally different from anything else at the show this year.

Tiny Bones Press (see the full booth here!)

Love these colorful matchsticks in tiny glass jars and snarky prize ribbons from Frankie & Claude!

Frankie & Claude (see the full booth here!)

Such a fun preppy, nautical vibe from new-to-me stationers Grove Street Press.

Grove Street Press (see the full booth here!)

Colorful illustrated cards, gift wrap, notebooks, and notepads from There Will Be Cake:

There Will Be Cake (see the full booth here!)

Cute illustrated cards with a sense of humor from Tylre!

Tylre (see the full booth here!)

Browse all the booths from this yearâ€™s show right here â€“ check back tomorrow for a more favorites from the show!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey and Hannah Nowack for Oh So Beautiful Paper

08/02/2017

August Desktop Downloads!

Oh, hello there August! The sun is shining and the weather is hot hot hot, but pretty soon we’ll be talking about going back to school and changing seasons. So let’s enjoy summer while we can with three gorgeous new illustrated August wallpapers from The Good Twin and Li Ward! As always, we have both desktop and iPhone sizes, so you can pick your favorite for both devices or change it up with two different wallpapers. We’ve got watercolor farmer’s market vibes, cacti, and a bright sun â€“ which will you choose????

Desktop | iPhone

Illustrations Â© The Good Twin and Li Ward. All artwork is made available for personal use only. By downloading the wallpapers you agree to the terms of use.

p.s. If youâ€™re a designer or illustrator interested in contributing your own designs to this column, please email your design to hello(at)ohsobeautifulpaper.com with the subject line â€œdesktop downloadsâ€ and image files in both desktop and iPhone retina screen sizes. If itâ€™s a good fit Iâ€™ll add it to the post for the following month!

08/01/2017

Stationery A-Z: Sports Birthday Cards

Full disclosure: I’m not a big sports fan. But I am a big pun fan so when I was alerted to an increase in sports-influenced greeting cards I knew I had a winner on my hands (see what I did there?). Whether you score high in basketball, low in golf, or love in tennis, there’s bound to be something in the following round up to rank in your court. In the words of a certain blond individual, let’s get physical! Game, set, match and enjoy! â€“ Shauna

From top right:

1. May the day be fair and the waves righteous with this painted beach scene from Southern Californian Small Adventure.

2. Anne + Kate were the ones that alerted me to this trend (thanks, guys!) so including their basketball inspired design seemed like a three pointer and then some.

3. Be it a strike or a spare, this Lucky Horse Press card is anything but a gutter ball. Disco bowling, anyone?

4. There is strength in numbers making this strong man from Egg Press a perfect metaphor for birthday sentiments.

5. Send this biting, yet endearing, Wild Ink Press card to a spirited youth who knows how to take a joke.

6. Remind loved ones that a little friendly competition can be a celebration as well (gold foil doesn’t hurt either). From Hello!Lucky.

7. Technically merchandised as a congratulations card, this Emily McDowell design (for Paperless Post) works just as well as a birthday greeting (after all, aren’t you also congratulating someone on getting through yet another year?).

8. Are you as obsessed with watching synchronized swimming at the Olympics as I am? Is it true they put Vaseline in their hair? How many washings does it take to come out? Important life questions. From Rifle Paper Co.

9. Badminton + golf + tennis + croquet = Mr. Boddington’s Studio.

10. Lawn games are considered sports, right? From One Canoe Two for Postable.