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?

checkin' it twice

'tis the season (apparently...according to every store front i pass). i thought i'd gather up some cute lists and booklets to use during this crazy shopping time, whether it's christmas, solstice, etc. if you're gonna fight crowds for good bargains, you may as well have cute paper to keep you company!

these are from a really cute site i love, knock knock:

these are from my expression:

these are from paper source:

and, i think i've settled on a color scheme for my christmas decorating and wrapping:

cute, huh?

friend thanksgiving

dave and i started a tradition with our friends called "friend thanksgiving." we try to get together each year for a dysfunction-free meal without our respective families. here's the invite i made up real quick for everyone:

and above are a few offerings from paper source. i think i'll end up using the gourds and thankful cards.

oh, and here is a thanksgiving video for your viewing enjoyment:

it's easy being green

if i could re-do my wedding, i'd do it in green stripes. i think this would also work well for a birthday party or baby shower. so cute.

link it up: the knot, martha, paper source, tie, necklace, bouquet, shoes.

halloween paper crafts

i wish i was throwing a halloween party. i have a good friend who's birthday is on the 30th, so maybe we could throw him a halloween-inspired party?! hm...i better get on that. all of the following are made from paper!

pumpkin candy holders and lanterns:

kitty candy holder:

pumpkin bags:

buckets covered in candy wrappers:

invitations:

bat bags:

paper shadows:

"don't forget" finger invitation!

"mad scientist" invitation:

bat pinata:

pumpkins:

trick-or-treat bags:

food tags:

paper:

kitty invite:

gorgeous paper wreath:

via martha, of course (and her craft store).

notebooks!

ok, i own too many notebooks. there. i said it. none of the above are mine, though i want them very badly. this weekend i'm going to put together a tutorial based on a notebook a friend made for me. it's a cheap and easy way to make a plain old notebook your own. i'll share it with you next week.

for now, check out this flickr pool for inspiration: notebooks

pink

i know a lot of people have been doing this, but i wanted to spend some time searching for beautiful pink papers in honor of breast cancer awareness month. my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, and after being clear for a few years, it came back with a vengeance this past summer. my mom spent time with her in california to care for her during treatment. the breast cancer has spread to her nervous system, eyes, and skull. my aunt is a very strong woman, but breast cancer is a very aggressive and tricky disease.

please, please do regular exams and get screenings, especially if cancer runs in your family. there is no reason to wait and hope for something strange to go away or get better. if you suspect anything, go to your doctor.

links for the collage (click image for larger view):

• 3d flower cards - karterskardz
• hot pink owl note cards – snew
• 3d pink tags – NYPapercrafter
• painted cards – tinacarroll
• pinwheel notebook – suzyjack
• xoxo paper – rose and radish
• and the rest is from, of course, paper source (i'll get over my obsession soon, i promise)

black and white (aqua accents)

ever since amy's comment, i've been thinking about how aqua and black could compliment each other in a wedding. i think it works! and, it would be unique, because i couldn't easily find any weddings that used the scheme. the last box on the bottom right is a sneak peek of a wedding i'm working on (they're just using black and white. i substituted the aqua to see what it would look like) some other ideas:

• vintage typewriter with aqua paper for guests to write notes (use as guestbook)
• white cake with black and aqua polka dots
• b&w polka dot bridesmaid dresses with aqua sash and/or jewelry
• bridesmaids with white flowers, bride with aqua
• black tablecloths, white china and napkins, aqua flowers in pewter/silver vases (or maybe aqua glass beads and a candle scape)

photo credits: vespa, paper flowers, teacup and typewriter, dress, shoes, wrapping, cake

gocco

i really want a gocco. i've been more and more impressed at the quality of craftmanship out there with this little machine. i think i might be attracted to it because my favorite art class in highschool was when we created hand made prints. sometimes i want to go back to highschool and be an art major all over again. :::sigh:::

here's the gocco:

(image via paper source)

and here are some favorite flickr finds:

orange

I think orange is WAY overlooked for weddings and special events. This would be a great color for a baby shower, especially if it isn't a traditional boy/girl blue/pink type of shower. Orange is wonderful paired with a hot pink, lime green, or yellow.

I'm going on vacation tomorrow and I'll be back next Wednesday. If you haven't already, sign up for the swap and I'll see you next week!

(all photos via the knot. paper from paper source)