merry christmas, all

i realize i'm still not good at blogging, so i think i'll just be honest. i probably won't post again until january, because we're going out of town for a bit.

the good news is, my new camera is being shipped to dave's parents' house, so i'll be able to update my portfolio and take photos again!

enjoy the holidays!

12 Days of Christmas #12

umm...how about...

PAPER?!

from martha and paper-source.

12 Days of Christmas #11

a beautiful journal and really great pens/pencils.

i know there are some people who hate having journals around, but i think it's a lost art. and, really, you can always use them as notebooks:

from kate's paperie

from jenni bick bookbinding

12 Days of Christmas #10

gift cards...better yet...E-gift cards:

• martha stewart crafts


• paper source

12 Days of Christmas #9

treat him/her to a seminar or lessons. check your local paper for offerings. a lot of cities have craft and/or art guilds that hold regular classes. there are even some craft stores that do pretty good classes.





some suggestions that will help people who make paper crafts:

• calligraphy/penmanship: having good penmanship can only make things better.


• book binding: personal wish of mine. i'd make books all the time.


• scrapbooking/card making: even though some of this can be cheesy, it's a good way to get a sense of how to do a simple layout.


• photography: the use of your own photography can really personalize a project. it's important to learn about composition, lighting, etc.


• art: sometimes a basic 101 type class is a good way to learn about color schemes and simple techniques

12 Days of Christmas #8

paper tools from martha. things like a bone folder, rulers, cutting tools, adhesives, etc:

12 Days of Christmas #7

paper organizer/tote and a gift certificate to a local art or craft store.

from ac moore:






from creative memories:

12 Days of Christmas #6

anything from lovely design:

she uses beautiful found paper in all of her creations. a lot of items are sold out right now, but she seems to turn over new stock quickly. i love everything she makes.

12 Days of Christmas #5

personalized stationery, return address labels (or stamper), and stamps.

we don't write enough letters anymore. give the stationery and make sure to write the person a letter yourself and mail it off sometime in january. get the ball rolling!

there are lovely selections of personalized stationery at papyrus.

check out these cute return address labels and stampers:

12 Days of Christmas #4

some things to spice up his/her office:

notebooks:



magnetic/tack board:



cute papers:


magnetic frames:


CD labels:


desk organizer filled with cool papers/supplies:


i absolutely love this book. inside, are inspirational quotes laid out in different type. i would look at it every day:


(all from cb2)
also, i've posted a cute photoshoot i did for a family. check it out. opinions would be greatly appreciated!

12 Days of Christmas #3

cool gift wrap inside of a really great space-saving organizer.

like the ones from the container store:

martha, paper source, and the container store all have great paper offerings (click image for larger view):

make sure the wrapping represents a wide selection that can be used for any occasion...and don't forget tissue paper, great tags, and ribbon!

12 Days of Christmas #2

a beautiful desk and/or wall calendar


i know these are all over the blogosphere, but i wanted to mention them as a gift item. to be honest, i think it's probably some form of heresy NOT to have a beautiful calendar if you love paper/design. i want one for my house and two offices...three different calendars...sigh...

letterpress:


from moon tree press





from satsuma press





from green chair press





from indiefixx




from linda & harriet




from paper source


hand/screen printed:

calendar on luggage tags



from annacote




from happify (and they double as postcards)


from snow & graham (they can be framed after each month-the images are printed on the back)

it's settled. next year i'm making a calendar.

The 12 Days of Christmas

i wanted to start this on black friday but didn't get around to it. plus i'm glad i waited because i've stumbled upon a great starter! i will post 12 awesome gifts for the paperphile in your life (or, ahem, me...DAVE).

here we go!

12 Days of Christmas - 1 of 12:

Structural Greetings

by Josep Ma Garrofe:

"Structural Greetings is a selection of best designs for invitations, cards, Christmas greetings, pop-ups, promotional brochures and other similar way of communication. This selection stands out for its originality, for the technical features of the die-cut and for its exceptional aesthetics, concepts and contents. The projects carefully selected for this book show the power of a well-executed die-cut to convey efficiently, with a highly innovative level and surprising design any type of messages." (summary and pics below are from indexbook)

via swissmiss

christmas cards

i just want to post that i have a GREAT IDEA for our christmas card this year. dave and i didn't do them last year because of thank you note timing (got married on 12/1), but i'm all set this year. i even bought a special font! it's gonna be cute. i hope.


also, karla gave me a great idea for getting addresses, so i'll be shamelessly ripping that off soon.

usually, i want to punch hallmark in the face, but they do have some decent offerings this year:



how about you? are you sending out cards? making? buying? what's your deal?