I love presents!

If I were to write a book about my life, I would call it: “I love presents!” because I do. Which is why I was so excited when I received this wonderful package from the lovely Carina of Crow & Canary last week. But I’ve been so busy that I didn’t have time to post about it til now. Check it out:

My sentiments exactly bookmark by Ghost Academy. Gnome card by Owen Says

Happy Birthday card by Egg Press, Beautiful Day card by Cartolina

2010 Calendar by Oddball Press

Check out Crow & Canary for more awesome designs.

Last image by Oddball Press

School Inspired

I’m feeling very inspired by school ever since I announced the paper swap. Here are a few things that I’m loving:

From the top:

Old School Tools print by Jesse Hora Dot Com

Library Birthday card by Papermash

Geometry Set Jotter notebook by Present and Correct

Primary School Thank You cards by Cutie Pie Company

Cafeteria Tray print by Mrs.Loaf

I Hate Cursive button by Zomb

Ph Design Shop

I went to Houston a week or so ago and stumbled across PH design shop while I was there. What a great little store! I just wrote them a glowing review on Yelp because I thought that some of the reviews were a bit off putting and didn’t reflect the marvelous selection of great designers they have. Here’s what I bought:

Anyone who’s ever met me knows how much I love a good letter set and this set my heart a flutter. (No pun intended). Five beautifully designed sets of paper and envelopes and a nifty little box to store them in by Grady McFerrin. (Top image by Ph Design Shop, bottom image by yours truly-forgive my atrocious photography skills!)

It took much self restraint not to buy absolutely everything by Linda & Harriett including their gorgeous 2010 calendar. (Beautiful colors. Simply stunning in person). I’m also the biggest sucker for thank you cards because they’re so “practical”. (Image by Ph Design Shop).

I’ve always loved Yee-Haw Industries, but I’ve never gotten a chance to see their stuff in person. This letterpress frame is just gorgeous (I think I may have blogged about it before?) and just had to come home with me.

I have a serious crush on Mr. Boddington’s Studio and on this visit I think I converted my sister to the cult. They’re another brand that I’ve been following for some time, but have never seen their work (or their occasion cards) in person.

Last but definitely not least, I found these lovely holiday cards by Parisian based artist Nathalie Lete produced by Paper Prince. They’re are another example of paper goods I love, but can’t find anywhere on the web. It’s also precisely why I come to small boutiques like Ph Design shop.

There was more (so much more!) that I wanted to buy and blog about, but somehow I managed to only come home with the above. Suffice it to say, if they were to open a branch in the SF bay area, I’d be a regular customer!

100th Post! + Renegade Round Up

I made to 100!! Woohooo!!!!!! It took two years, but it was worth it. And now on to the good stuff..

The Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco was this past weekend and I hope you got a chance to stop by and check it out. I was extremely impressed by the turnout, both in terms of the number of booths and people there. There was lots of good stuff and I spent quite a bit of my hard earned money. Here’s what I bought:

Some of these are gifts for friends who read this so guys: act surprised. Let’s start with some old favorites:

The bookplates are from 16 Sparrows who gave me a discount and a goodie bag for being a member of the LWA! Thanks guys! The little rude gift cards are from Sweetie Pie Press, who did the security envelope buttons and secret message envelopes. (I also bought one of the envelopes, they were too cute to resist).

The stationery set is also from 16 Sparrows and the card is from Dutch Door Press.

I also love discovering new brands, like Paper Parasol who did these cute aqua cards. The birthday card is from Sycamore Street Press.

Last but not least, I picked up this bacon card from Sweet Meats.

Painted Tongue Studios

I just bought one of their birthday cards on a trip to Maido (come back to Palo Alto!!!) and then I started doing “research” for the paper swap and I find their store on etsy! I love love LOVE all their cards, they’re so gorgeous. Judge for yourself:

/gush.

Monthly Etsy Inspiration

Cards by Productsuperior

Postcards by Mulberrymuse

I love Calligraphy

A few of my favorites:

Paper Dragon Fly

Carol Lee Designs

K Is For Calligraphy

Renegade Round-up

What a weekend! The Renegade craft fair went well as expected. There was lots of great talent, although I expected more vendors. I guess the $300 booth fee put off a lot of small time designers like myself.

Anyway, here’s what I found:

Hearts and Anchors: LOVE their stuff! Their booth was mobbed and I could barely get a look in. But what I did see I was very impressed with.

Upper right and bottom left – Gold Dust Studio: I bought the above cards. Great design work and their booth had something I think everyone should have had: A BARGIN BIN!!! it’s a great way to get rid of less than perfect cards or designs that didn’t work out. I actually liked some of the cards in the bin more than the ones that were on display and they were half price!

Upper left and bottom right – Pie Bird Press/Wet Foot Publications: I wish I could show you their business cards cause they are so cute. They’re cards are a little pricey, but they have some interesting designs.

Dandy Lion Press: I couldn’t find a picture of the set of cards I bought, but I definitely contemplated these shiny pocketwatch cards at the fair. Very beautifully done.

If I had my drothers…part III

I should just keep naming my posts “If I had my drothers..” so I never have to come up with another title. Also, it’s pretty fitting as these cards have nothing in common other than the fact that they’re all handpicked by me. They’re also all from etsy, but that’s to be expected. God knows I love etsy! Anyway, the favs:

left: Happy Birthday card by Cutie Pie Company

right: “Oh Deer” card by Oh My Deer Love

left: Hi Top card by Papa Studios

right: Chairs card by Pearl Marmalade

I guess I’m a fan of pictograph cards at the moment. I was always pretty good at pictography puzzles as a kid and it seems to have carried over into adulthood. They’re just a cool and clever way to say hello.

If I had my drothers…Part II

More great etsy finds!

Left: Flowering Trees Mini Prints by Yee Haw

Right: Cruel Sea Triptych by Treatzone

Top: Blue Baroque Oval Frame by Sycamore Press

Bottom: The Multiple Occasion gift card by Anna Ruby King

Can I just say:

-I LOVE the multiple occasion gift card! It really comes in handy when you’re in a bind.

-Treatzone is local (hurray!)

-There is nothing I love more than letterpress, except maybe mini letterpress or a letterpress frame