NSS ’12 : Craveable Cards, Part 2

May 29, 2012 // kristen // 0 replies

I always get a kick out of Fisk & Fern’s colorful, illustrated greetings, and seeing them all on display in one place made me one happy paper lover:

Such a sweet love-themed greeting from Rifle Paper:

Two Paperdolls had a bunch of wonderful new cards, including a collection that was rockin’ a navy, reddish orange and lime yellow color palette and a fun, guy-friendly line, too:

Plane Paper’s laser-cut cards were real standouts. Some of my favorites from their collection were these patterned note cards:

One of the first cards that I saw at the show, Orange Twist’s “You’re Right Honey” card stuck with me:

Egg Press had so much great pattern and color going on in their booth, and these birthday cards were some of my favorites:

I was totally gaga for this letterpress love card by Fancy Seeing You Here:

And these aren’t exactly cards, but how could I not give a mention to these awesome mullet coasters by Paisley Tree Press? Hee!

photos by Kristen Magee

NSS ’12 : Craveable Cards, Part 1

May 28, 2012 // kristen // 0 replies

If you’re looking to get some paper cravings going, then the National Stationery Show is certainly a great place to do that. Here are my picks for most craveable cards of the show, and stay tuned because there will be at least two more parts to come. What can I say? There were SO many awesome cards that it would’ve been impossible to compress them into one post!

Maginating has some of the cutest cards around, and I love how they incorporated foil stamping into some of their new designs. Check out the iridescent foil on the congratulations card – so cool!

Super cute, illustrated letterpress cards by Ilee Papergoods:

This bunny birthday card by Dear Hancock made me giggle:

As did these adorable birthday cards by Fugu Fugu Press:

I’m all about Yoda (he’s so wise), so this card from Paper Boat Studios’ new origami collection instantly caught my eye:

So many sweet, illustrated letterpress greetings in the One Canoe Two booth:

For those of us who have waited a little long to send a thank you (and who hasn’t at one time or another), this card by Sugarcube Press will really come in handy:

Printerette Press had oodles of fun, new greeting cards in their pom pom adorned booth:

photos by Kristen Magee

NSS ’12 : The “Food on Paper” Trend

May 28, 2012 // kristen // 1 replies

I briefly touched upon the “food on paper” trend last week, particularly with the mention of Belle & Union, whose booth featured plenty of tasty paper goodies. But a number of stationers at the show blended food with paper to create clever, “pun intended” humorous, and evocative items, all of which are a part of this growing trend. As someone who is really into home canning (I try to make at least a few batches of jam every year – mmm, jam), I also appreciated the focus on gardening, home canning, and simple/homemade food.

I love how SusyJack* incorporated her original patterns into this incredible collection of recipe cards, coordinating tea towels, and personalized recipe boxes. As soon as I saw these, I instantly thought, “talk about the perfect gift idea for a cook or baker!”

A little peek at Two Trick Pony’s 2013 calendar:

The “Backhanded Condiments” and “Howdy Foodies” collections by Wild Ink Press:

A clever get well soon card by Wildhorse Press:

Plenty of tasty letterpress greetings at Studio Olivine:

Rifle Paper Co.’s 2013 Garden wall calendar:

Adorable little Recipe Dice by Leafcutter Designs:

Mmm … ice cream cone letterpress card by Anemone Letterpress:

Peanut butter & Jelly and Salsa & Chips cards by Gilah Press:

A sweet and clever illustrated card by The Nic Studio:

“You’re the Milk to My Cookies” letterpress card by Two Paperdolls:

A collection of tasty-looking letterpress cards by Dingbat Press:

And more love for pb & j by Orange Twist:

photos by Kristen Magee

Weekly Wrap #118 : Gift Wrap, NSS Edition

May 25, 2012 // kristen // 0 replies

There was so much great gift wrap to be found at the show this year, and I was happy to see more independent companies introducing or expanding their gift wrap lines because their perspective tends to be so unique and daring. The result is gift wrap that’s definitely not run of the mill, and that gets me excited!

one Grey Cardigan, two Belle & Union (hand screenprinted) three Kate & Birdie four The Social Type five eieio (represented in the Crow & Canary booth) six Sky of Blue Cards seven Rifle Paper Co.

photos by Kristen Magee

NSS ’12 : Booth Details

May 24, 2012 // kristen // 0 replies

Several booths that I spotted during my NSS adventures not only held great collections, but they also contained little, eye-catching details that made me think, “ooh, that is SUCH a clever thing that they did there.”

Kristiana Pärn’s booth not only displayed her darling cards and art prints, it also featured playful paper cutouts of her characters here and there:

Studio Olivine’s oversized sign instantly caught my attention, as did their lovely letterpress cards (more on those later):

The Everything Little Miss team executed the chalkboard theme so well, and I loved that they blended tradition with trend by hanging neon paper cranes in the corners of their booth:

The ladies of Paper Lovely & Fat Bunny Press were also rockin’ the chalkboard look, and they cleverly changed up the color of the chalk “awnings” to reflect whose side of the booth you were on. Great signs, too!

Old Tom Foolery’s booth was slick. Great signage, and it was so smart of them to build in custom areas where they could display framed versions of their new “Words of Wisdom” prints:

Leah Greenberg’s bold and whimsical fabric backdrop was the perfect compliment to her fun line of illustrated paper goodies:

And, of course, Wild Ink Press’ ombré booth walls were showstoppers:

photos by Kristen Magee