Scented Holiday “Air Freshener” Letterpress Invitations

December 13, 2011 // kristen // 0 replies

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after seeing the awesomeness that is these unique letterpress holiday party invitations. These fantastically festive invites were created by Morgan and Arley of Ladyfingers Letterpress and feature so many things that I love: letterpress printing, super cool lettering, a wonderfully clever concept, and an evocative seasonal scent. Yep, they’re scented!

Please Note : The tree design is a registered trademark and is displayed here with permission.

Here’s what Morgan and Arley had to say about this fun project:

We had a very big year and were looking for a way to celebrate the end and beginning of a new era at Ladyfingers Letterpress, our design and print shop. Between opening a new shop, getting married and both of us being full time, we felt it was time for a party.

Holiday cards generally have a “shelf life” and don’t stick around all year. It was important that some part of what we were investing in lasted beyond December and made an impression beyond the holidays. A very dear friend of ours collects air fresheners that she finds in parking lots (keep an eye out, folks just toss them on the ground when the scent expires). The icon of the air freshener wasn’t particular to any religion or day, but it felt festive because it kinda looks like a Christmas Tree, which we loved. Also, what would an air freshener be if it wasn’t smelly? We decided to investigate ways to add scent to the paper.

We had a custom die made, and die cut them here in the studio. Each invitation came complete with a kraft-lined red envelope and the red and white bakers twine to hang from your favorite rear-view mirror. We started by mixed peppermint essential oil directly into the oil-based ink. Initially the smell was amazing, but over the weekend it dissipated. The back of each card was then sprayed with the peppermint oil from a spray bottle. By using a fine mist, we were able to avoid any bleed though or oily marks and it dried without being visible. And the scent is much stronger and our shop still smells like candy canes!

Thanks for sharing these awesome invites, Morgan and Arley!

Ladyfingers Letterpress is a Rhode Island-based design and print shop with a primary focus on wedding invitation design and printing. Be sure to check out their portfolio to see more of their incredible work.

images from Ladyfingers Letterpress

Pleased To Meet Paper Goods

December 12, 2011 // kristen // 2 replies

It was squee at first sight when I spotted these awesome holiday paper goodies from Berlin, Germany based shop, Pleased To Meet. Daniela and Marcel of design studio, Februardesign, are the duo behind this fun line, and their wrapping paper, greetings, gift tags, prints, and ornament cards are simply fantastic. I love the retro modern vibe!

Pleased To Meet ships internationally from their online shop, and if you’re in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Spain, or the UK, you can check out the list of brick and mortar businesses that carry their line to see if there’s a shop near you.

– found via Bloesem

images from Pleased To Meet

Signs of the Zodiac Prints

December 12, 2011 // kristen // 1 replies

These Signs of the Zodiac prints by JSGD, a Boston based graphic design company, are a great gift idea for the holidays or, really, any time of the year. The bold, modern prints feature three personality traits which correspond to each astrological sign, along with an emblem and date span for the specific sign of the zodiac.

Customize your print with your choice of six vibrant background colors, including Peridot, Amethyst, Citrine, Emerald, Garnet, and Smokey Quartz. Prints are available in 8×10 (shown below) and 13×19 sizes.

images from JSGD

Weekly Wrap #98 : Red + White + Black

December 09, 2011 // kristen // 0 replies

1. Polymer clay gift tags by M Stetson Design 2. Floral with Birds screen printed gift wrap by Dutch Door Press 3. Scriptura Feather gift wrap by Ink + Wit 4. #WhatIWishIGot & #WhatIGot wrapping paper by Underconsideration 5, 6, 7 Vintage Santa Season’s Greetings, White Trees on Red, and Diamond Santa gift wrap at The Container Store 8. Marimekko Pienet Kivet black and white gift wrap at Crate & Barrel 9. Alphabet & Numeral letterpress swing tags by Bespoke Press 10. Winter Woollies Tape Shapes from Wrap Shop 11. Keep Your Mitts Off by Sophia Victoria Joy 12. St. Tropez red and white striped ribbon at Save on Crafts 13. To From V2 gift wrap designs by Design Army 14. Perforated Number Tags by Present & Correct