Up Up Creative

February 20, 2009 // kristen // 0 replies

I’m loving these pretty and modern printables from Up Up Creative, created and run by independent designer, Julie Green, and named by her then 15 month old son, who answered, “Up up?,” when asked what he thought the shop should be named. Up Up’s goal is to provide modern, clean design and handmade goods that have practical and lasting applications. Much of the products are downloadable, DIY, and very economical, an increasingly important thing to consider these days.

I’m really digging the growing trend in shops offering printables. They’re wallet-friendly, and they offer you an opportunity to customize to your hearts content with the paper you use to print the notes, stationery, invitations, and recipe cards on.

images from Up Up Creative

Studio on Fire Design & Letterpress

February 12, 2009 // kristen // 0 replies

I recently discovered Beast Pieces, the blog of Minneapolis design and letterpress shop Studio on Fire and, wow, talk about an amazing portfolio.

Studio on Fire has letterpressed a little bit of everything, from posters and invitations to postcards and stationery suites that include amazing die cut business cards. And omigosh, I’m swooning over this promo piece that they printed for Swink!

I’m also excited that Studio on Fire has their own line of paper goods, which includes a card line and a desk line. Check out more here.

images from Studio on Fire

The Paper Apartment

February 12, 2009 // kristen // 2 replies

I was introduced to the work of Boston-based The Paper Apartment through a post on decor8 and just had to post about their delicate and lovely line of paper goods. I’m completely taken with the ruffle and bubble note cards, which feature hand cut edges, and the wonderfully etherial illustrated cards, also available as prints.

More pretties from The Paper Apartment:

images from The Paper Apartment

Paper Crave Printable Valentine’s Day Cards

February 11, 2009 // kristen // 2 replies

I got an itch to use a funky font (in this case, Fink Sans) and designed these three Valentine’s Day printable cards. Download the PDF (77 Kb), print them onto cardstock, fold them in half, and spread the love! Oh, and if you like bunnies, you’ll want to check out this Valentine’s Day printable card from 2007. Happy Valentine’s Day!
images from Paper Crave

New Sponsors : Bella Figura and Smock

February 10, 2009 // kristen // 0 replies

Paper Crave is delighted to welcome sister companies, Bella Figura and Smock, as our newest sponsors. Both letterpress companies are known for their gorgeous custom invitation work and eco friendly printing practices, which you can read about here and here.

selections from Bella Figura

Bella Figura just launched a brand new website, as well as 40+ new customizable letterpress invitation designs by 6 new designers, including Tara Hogan of Ink+ Wit, Jamie Karoses (winner of the design*sponge scholarship), Heidi Arrizi of Heidi, and Amy Graham Stigler, founder of Snow & Graham.

selections from Smock

Smock recently introduced an all occasion greeting card line, and they have a swoon worthy portfolio of custom work, which includes letterpress invitation suites, Bar Mitvah invitations, and announcements.