Smock Design Contest Winners

September 02, 2010 // kristen // 0 replies

I’m honored to have been asked to be the guest judge for the most recent Smock Paper Design Contest. The contest is a semi-annual celebration of Smock’s favorite retailer customizations, and this time around I had the chance to choose my favorites, too. Let me tell you, it was very difficult to pick my top three because there were so many lovely letterpress creations, and I’m so excited to be able to share the winners with you! And now, without further ado…

First Place : Salutations in Charlotte, NC

This invitation suite is simply gorgeous —delicate, romantic, and oh so elegant. I absolutely love the palette, which is subdued and very nicely balanced, making this a design that would appeal to both men and women. And the patterned pocket fold presentation really makes this suite special. I would feel like I had just received a lovely gift if I received an invitation to this wedding.

1st Runner Up : Luxe Expressions in Atlanta, GA

This letterpress invitation is so vibrant and fun, perfect for an ’80s themed celebration. The design is versatile and could be used for so many different types of occasions, but I love it as a 40^th birthday party invite. The message it sends is, “I’m turning 40, I am completely fabulous, and you are going to have an absolute blast at my party!”

2nd Runner Up : Judy Paulen Designs at Bloomingdale’s in Manhattan

This suite oozes class without being staid, and the fantastic color choices and patterns give it a very modern feel. I love the playfulness of the language on the reply postcard and rehearsal card, too. And the incredible, colorful patterned envelope liner is a detail that just had to put this invitation in my top three.

You can see more images of the winners and get more details and information about the individual suites over at Smock’s blog. Thank you, Smock, for the opportunity, and congratulations to the winners!

images from Smock Paper

New Advertiser : Sweet Harvey Letterpress

September 02, 2010 // kristen // 1 replies

I’m so excited to welcome Sweet Harvey Letterpress as the newest advertiser on Paper Crave. I’ve been a fan of Sweet Harvey’s letterpress lovelies for some time, and I always look forward to what Brandi Powell, the owner and creative behind Sweet Harvey, will design next. Adorable baby shower invitations and birth announcements, wedding invites, art prints, business and calling cards, bookplates, greeting cards, moving announcements —you can find a little bit of everything, all of it lovely, at the Sweet Harvey shop.

images from Sweet Harvey Letterpress

Starshaped Press Blox Letterpress Cards

September 01, 2010 // kristen // 3 replies

I love it when I can see peeks at the techniques used to create fantastic paper goods, and I’m absolutely enthralled by the new collection of letterpress greeting cards from Starshaped Press. The Blox series features four designs, each created by painstakingly hand setting each little block (as in the photo above —yep, every little block of both the shaded letters and the solid background had to be set by hand) to create the letterforms (with an awesome shading pattern, I might add) and the solid banner background areas.

The cards are printed on gray chipboard, and the end result is a very cool collection of letterpressed greetings with a stylized, retro modern feel. You can find the Blox cards in Starshaped Press’ Etsy shop, and here’s some eye candy from the collection:

images from Starshaped Press

Cut Paper Art by Lorraine Nam

September 01, 2010 // kristen // 0 replies

I’m amazed by the gorgeous cut paper artwork of paper artist and illustrator, Lorraine Nam. Lorraine, a recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, has been cutting paper and making books since 2006, but she’s always had a penchant for playing with paper. Here is more Lorraine’s wonderfully intricate cut paper work, and you can see more and check out her illustration work at lorrainenam.com.

images from Lorraine Nam

Printables and Paper Goodies, August 2010 Edition

August 31, 2010 // kristen // 5 replies

It’s been a little while since I’ve done a roundup of printable paper goodies, and I’ve got a bunch of great ones for you today. Is your printer fired up and ready to go?

Aww, these super sweet printable lunch notes by Mariah DeMarco are just that. Brighten someone’s day with a lunch hello, or use to make teeny lunch notes or sticker tags. Mariah’s website is super kawaii, too!

Lovely, South of France inspired menu and place card printables by The Left-Handed Calligrapher at Nonpareil.

Customize and download this gorgeous formal crest monogram, designed by Mae Mae Paperie, over at The Wedding Chicks.

Aww, love these darling printable sewing cards from Mini-Eco. What a fun way to teach little ones to sew. – via Ohdeedoh

Yummy caramel sauce and chocolate fudge sauce printable tags, along with links to recipes, by Ez at Creature Comforts. Tasty food + printables is always a winning combo.

Plummy printable favor box templates and Mr. and Mrs. signs by City Cradle Design at Nonpareil.

Cutie patootie award ribbon cupcake toppers in a rainbow of colors by Maddy at The Inspired Bride.

Linnette from Paperglitter shares several adorable, back to school themed printables, including apple cupcake toppers and coordinating cupcake wrappers that can be downloaded at Living Locurto, and pencil and Spanish back to school cupcake toppers that can be downloaded at Paperglitter.

Learn how to make little black dress cards in a variety of styles over at Carolyn’s Homework.

Download blue and brown bird-themed candy bar wrappers by Posh Pixels Design Studio at Nonpareil.

images from their respective owners