Check out these wonderful letterpress cards from Otis & Bean. I’m digging the modern patterns, and the rich berry palette featured in many of the designs reminds me of the huge dark/berry trend that’s happening this autumn in cosmetics; i.e., MAC’s Cult of Cherry collection. Do I sense a future color trend in stationery? I hope so, because I love berry, plum, eggplant, and thistle shades! Check out Otis & Bean’s line at their Etsy shop for more letterpress lovelies.

I got so excited about the cards and colors that I almost forgot to mention that Otis & Bean’s letterpress cards are eco-friendly, printed on 30% recycled paper manufactured using windpower, and inks used are vegetable and soy based. The envelopes are also made from paper that contains 30% post-consumer waste.

images from Otis & Bean

I love, love, love Helen Dardik’s patterns and illustrations, so I was beyond excited to see Smarty, her new, back to school themed scrapbooking collection for Creative Imaginations. The collection just started shipping to stores this month, so I haven’t yet been able to find it at any shop, but you can bet that once I do I’ll be scooping up the entire collection in its colorful, whimsically illustrated glory!

More eye candy from the Smarty collection:

More details and larger images of the collection can be found on the Creative Imaginations blog.

images from Creative Imaginations

Is it really ever too early to start talking about holiday cards? Plus, I figure that I’m already checking out 2009 calendars, so why not feature some Christmas cards while I’m at it? Just try not to think about all of the chaos and hubbub that goes along with the holiday season, focus on the pretty cards, and you’ll be fine.

The MoMA store always has fun and unique holiday cards, and this year they have many cute illustrated cards, as well as wonderful pop-up cards by Robert Sabuda (check out how to make your own pop-up card on his site).

images from MoMA

I just spotted these beautiful, limited edition file folders from Nantaka Joy over on Joy’s blog. The set of 8 (4 each of the wonderful copper and silver patterns) is available exclusively at Anthropologie stores (physical locations, not online). It’s so exciting to see the Nantaka Joy collection grown, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

images from Nantaka Joy

I’m loving this series of summer-inspired prints from Labpartners. The blue and black on white palette is inspiring! Each is hand screen printed with a Gocco and is signed and editioned on the front. To see more prints and view details of this series, visit the Labpartners Etsy shop.

images from Labpartners

I’m always looking for images to inspire, and I was so jazzed to come across the work of Salt Lake City based graphic designer and illustrator, Valerie Jar. I just love the way that she put together her leave behind portfolio (pictured above). Oh, and she has an Etsy shop, too!

More of Valerie’s work:

images from Valerie Jar

Snow & Graham recently launched a lovely new website design to showcase their equally lovely work. No surprise that I found several new paper cravings as I was perusing the new site. Hey, it looks like they’ll have three different calendars for 2009! Some of the Snow & Graham pretties:

images from Snow & Graham

Wonderfully colorful line illustrations decorate the imprintable stationery from Cake + Milk Paperie’s new eco-friendly line, a.k.a. “The Green Line”. Print your own personalized invitations, announcements, and stationery using the imprintables, which are printed on recycled, cover weight kraft paper.

Also featured in “The Green Line” are gocco handprinted moleskine journals, scented flats (neato!), and moneyholders.

images from Cake + Milk Paperie