Who would ever have thought that something as mundane as a security envelope could provide so much inspiration? The patterns on the inside of the envelopes, used to secure things like checks and personal information, aren't something I ever noticed. Leave it to the eternally clever minds in Blogland to see the potential…

Check out over 120 security envelope patterns on Joseph King's flickr set.

Or wear one on your jean jacket or laptop case, by Sweetie Pie Press, via Parcel Post.

Or turn them inside out and mail someone a letter, via Design Sponge.

Also, Ez always has some really fun free downloads over at Creature Comforts, and she's got some cute labels that she designed using security envelope patterns. Check it out here.

I am just crazy over these vintage labels from Found Vintage Style.  They’d be so fun to include in a gift-wrapping or to frame for inexpensive artwork.

Photo Credits: Found Vintage Style

The Dieline is a blog that's all about packaging – new designs, new products, and why the packaging works or doesn't work. To be honest, I almost never read the text – I just scroll through the photos. And every once in awhile there's something that really inspires me – that I could just see translated into a wedding invitation or party favors or a birthday gift. Here are some of my favorites…

Belvoir Fruit Farms via The Dieline. Don't you think the angled label, and the font, along with the simple floral illustration would be lovely as an address on invitations?

McCraw's Confections via The Dieline. I love how retro this is, while at the same time clean and modern. I think the colors would be nice for a stationery set, maybe with a monogram inspired by the company's logo.


Mast Brothers Chocolate via The Dieline. Wouldn't you love to see envelopes lined in paper like this? It would be a great way to dress up an otherwise simple invitation or note. Or maybe favors wrapped in a variety of fancy papers and displayed together. Okay, and I'd really like to try this chocolate, too…

I love letterpress, but during this recession, I’ve had to re-think my letterpress snobbery just a little.  One of my favorite invitation girls, Christine Van Duyn, recently made her gorgeous minimalist style available to one and all with printable invitations. Download them through her Etsy shop, Pretty, Pretty Paper.