Playing with Books Review + Giveaway!

September 22, 2010 // kristen // 103 replies

I’m giving away a copy of Playing with Books! Find out how to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Can I just say how stoked I am about the fact that so many wonderful paper craft and letterpress books are being published lately? When Playing with Books by Jason Thompson of Rag & Bone Bindery came out earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to check it out. Luckily, I had the chance to have an in-person look through the book at the National Stationery Show this past May, and I was instantly smitten. Jason & company were kind enough to send me a copy to review, and we’ll be giving away a copy, too! Keep reading for details about how to enter the giveaway.

I know that there are some who are against repurposing old books for crafts, and if we were talking about repurposing a Gutenberg Bible or something of that nature, I’d be right there with them. But there are so many old books languishing on bookshelves and in thrift stores everywhere that I think it’s a great thing to take them and breathe new life into them by using them as a medium for creative expression. In other words, I’m completely pro-book crafts!

Playing with books is an in-depth collection of book art and craft projects by Jason Thompson and several other paper artists, and I love that the book also contains a curated collection of inspirational and jaw droppingly fantastic pieces by paper artists like Su Blackwell, Jill Sylvia, Robert The, and Nicola Dale.

The book features a wide range of projects, which include everything from the lovely kusudama table number embellishment shown above (these would be wonderful for place settings at everything from weddings to dinner parties, too) to little paper houses, a butterfly mobile, a really cool business card holder (I saw this in person – it rocks), a “book” bag, several ornament crafts, and a woven paper basket.

You can also find a section at the front of the book with suggestions for materials and supplies, techniques, and sources for finding books to use in your projects. Very helpful, especially for those who are new to crafting with books.

Playing with Books is a very well-rounded collection of projects and inspiration for those who are ready to start using books and book pages as a medium, and it’s also a great resource for those who just like looking a pretty things made with books.

So, do you want to win a copy? I know you do! Here’s how:

From now through midnight eastern on Tuesday, September 28, you can enter to win a copy of Playing with Books (one entry per person) by commenting on this post and letting me know what paper craft or crafts you’ve made so far this year, a paper craft or crafts that you plan to make in the coming months, or a paper craft that you’ve seen and really dig. Just one of the above is all I need, but you can share as much as you’d like. The craft doesn’t have to incorporate books in some way, but it would be neat if it does. I can’t wait to hear what you all are up to and what paper crafts you like!

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 29.

images from Jason Thompson/Quarry Books

Constellation & Co. Letterpress Cards + Invitations

September 22, 2010 // kristen // 2 replies

I’m loving what I’m seeing from Sara & Brad McNally, aka Constellation & Co., the Seattle based letterpress and design duo who recently launched their line of Sweet and Snarky letterpress mini cards, clever greetings like the Want to See My Library Card above (love it!), and letterpress posters and prints. Constellation & Co.’s portfolio is also filled with lovely custom letterpress invitations and announcements, a few of which you can get a peek at below. Head over to Constellation & Co. to check out their portfolio, and have a look at their full line of ready to order paper goodies at the Constellation & Co. Etsy shop.

Sweet and Snarky Mini Letterpress Cards, perfect for many occasions and for your friends and family who are totally crushing on Abraham Lincoln:

Selections from the Constellation & Co. custom invitation portfolio:

images from Constellation & Co.

Shop Cottage Industrialist

September 21, 2010 // kristen // 1 replies

Cameron from Cottage Industrialist just launched a new shop, and it’s filled to the brim with lovely paper goodies like the fabric covered notebook above. Cameron also has a number of fun and stylish printable stationery sets that are just the thing for a correspondence collection that’s in need of something new. Oh, and did I mention that the fabrics covering the notebooks were designed by Cameron? You can actually purchase the fabric separately, so if you’re a seamstress or are looking for bold and vibrant patterned fabric for a project, you should definitely check it out!

More awesome goodies from the Cottage Industrialist shop (see the entire collection here):

images from Cottage Industrialist

Even More Awesome Business Cards

September 21, 2010 // kristen // 1 replies

The awesome business card designs have been building up in my bookmarks, and I think it’s about time for another round of swoonworthy business card design inspiration. Oh, boy, do I ever have some fantastic designs to show you!

First up are motion graphics designer Sophie Gallo’s handmade business cards. She calls this project “her Everest”, and I can see why. She used a combination of screen printing, Gocco, and letterpress techniques to create these beauties. I’m absolutely fascinated by her use of an etching press as a letterpress. Sophie actually shares a video of the process, so you can see how she used the press. Hmm, defnitely has me thinking. Here are the beauteous results:

How can you not love a business card that has been die cut in the shape of a pear, and a bearded pear, at that? And that logo is so memorable and fun! – via FPO

I’m swooning over these letterpress business cards for web development and design company Ackmann & Dickenson, printed by Studio on Fire. Custom duplex paper, a silver/gray/navy blue palette, custom die cutting, and a fantastic quilted letterpress pattern … just … swoon.

Ooh, this is one sexy business card. Created by Studio Z Mendocino for Maria Bernal Photography, the card features hot pink edge painting, clear, pewter-y silver and hot pink foil stamping, and it’s letterpressed onto ultra thick, museum mount paper. – via Card Observer

Love this letterpressed business card for Image is Found, part of the identity system created for the company by designer Lindsay Preston. Using the logo to create the pattern on the cards is so clever.

More fantastic pattern in a bold and lovely teal on Cleanwash’s letterpress business cards. I absolutely adore their logo, too!

These business cards for photographer/videographer Cale Glendening by Invisible Creature are little works of art. From the chic, embossed black mini envelopes to the die cut area that creates a filmstrip effect when the business card is pulled from the envelope, these cards are swoonworthy personified. – via Notcot

Letterpress plaid (!) patterns are jaw droppingly cool on these business cards designed by Mark Saunders for PlaidLab and printed by Studio on Fire.

Oh so adorable and lovely letterpress business cards for jewelry designer Elephantine by We Heart Paper:

Love the pattern and texture on these embossed, foil stamped, and engraved business cards for Vertical Product Development / Soudy Khan. – via Card Observer

images from their respective owners

Spring Olive Cheeky Phrase Cards

September 20, 2010 // kristen // 1 replies

I’m completely digging the new Cheeky Phrase Cards from Spring Olive. The fun letterpress greetings feature phrases like “You Rock”, “Chin Up”, and “Howdy” and are a great, more informal way to let friends and family know that you’re thinking of them. I just love the combination of hand lettered phrases and ornate pattern on kraft stock in this pretty (and fun!) collection. More cheeky eye candy:

images from Spring Olive