Baby Boy Announcements

In gearing up for a baby boy, I realized that all the designs I had stock piled for baby announcements were very girly.  So I set about creating some for boys! Its been a lot of fun, and I've gone a more simple route this time, which I'm liking.  Here are some of the roughs that we decided not to use so enjoy! The real announcement will come to everyone in the mail or get posted here once pickle has arrive and it is truly finished.  :)

[*No, those are not real baby names we're considering, and no those are not photos of any babies we know personally, they're cute though!] 

Inspired!

Today after I got home from an all-day retreat for the designers at my work and I felt really inspired! 
When I got home, I really just wanted to tackle some of the creative projects I've had in the back of my mind, but havne't gotten to yet.  I think a lot of these items will end up in my office because there isn't necessarily room in my house, but I was excited to finally put them together!  Remember all that paper I bought a few months ago, I finally used most of it.  Enjoy!

A magnetic board I covered in this hand screen-printed paper I bought 2 years ago from RiffeRaff.  I just got this magnetic/cork-board from JoAnne's a few months ago, and this was so easy to cover, just staple gunned the paper right to it. 

I've had this frame lying around, and tonight I just sanded it down to give it a more interesting texture and put the paper in without the glass.  I think its my favorite paper!  It will hopefully go perfect in our future office. 

I finally put this fabric over the cork-board in this frame and I had these matching pins to go with it perfectly.  This frame has been so many colors, gold to orange to black and now white, but I'm most happy with this white. 

More Paper (Bien Sur!)

As I continue to look for interesting wedding invitations to inspire what I'll be doing for my aunt's invitations, I stumbled across three places that for me, everything I saw was lovely!  These blogs/sites are Wedding Paper Divas, Oh So Beautiful Paper, and Delphine.  These three websites post mostly on printed wedding pieces pieces in a variety of styles and colors. They also act as great inspiration (for me on this project) for fancier events you might be planning or just cute little host gifts or dessert or decor tips in a larger space. 
Here's a few previews from Wedding Paper Divas.

I like how they group images together from weddings with a particular theme, i.e. vineyards or the coast etc.  It's nice to get the whole picture of the event from start to finish, in addition to just showing the invitations the couple sent out.

2011 Calendars Cont'd

So I think the last post on calendars was the most popular thus far!  And since I've got calendars on the brain, I figured I'd continue the post.  (If you didn't read the previous one, check it out here). 
I mentioned before in this post how lately I'm really into letterpress.  I found a lovely combination of the two!

This is a letterpress calendar created by Linda & Harriett.  I found it on Luxe Paperie but you can also find it on their website.  A bonus to this calendar (similar to the Paper Source calendar I have!) is that each sheet turns into a sweet postcard you can tear off and send when that month is complete!  Pictured below. 

Another company I've talked about before is Egg Press.  They have a 2011 calendar also that goes right with their style; upbeat, cheerful, bright colors and very festive! 

I especially love August page with the bounty of vegetables, so fitting! 
This next calendar is done by a company called SusyJack*.  I had never heard of them before I found Luxe Paperie, and now I'm a huge fan!  Their products are all eco-friendly and are all printed and assembled in the U.S.  The website is here, and their 2011 wall calendar is below.

 And last is Snow & Graham's 2011 calendar.  They're using many of their classic patterns/designs but I still love it!  (I got some of their items on my paper buying trip to Chicago!). 

More posts to come on other types of calendars for this coming year!

2011 Calendars

I just got a catalogue in the mail from Paper Source, and their 2011 calendars are out!

I don't know about you, but I go crazy for calendars.  Each year I look forward to getting a new one for my office, desktop and one I can take with me (although now that our calendars are online I get sad that I don't have uses for as many as I used to!).  I received Paper Source's 2010 calendar for Christmas from Josh's parents and its been something I've enjoyed in my office all year long!  Here it is on my wall. 

One of my favorite parts about this calendar is that after each month is over, I rip out the paper with the lovely design and I get to make something out of it.  They make it so easy for you by printing templates on the back, I've loved having each month become my new favorite file folder or bookmark or card to send to someone.  Here are my most recent creations.

Next person that gets a small gift from me will get it in the sweet penguin pillow box!

Yes, Even More Paper

A few samples from what I bought on the paper shopping spree a few weeks ago.  I had so much fun (thanks Lex!).  We went to Paper Doll & Greer and I found beautiful things, wanted them all and only bought a precious few. 

Notepads by Snow & Graham.  I love the simplicity and brightness in their patterns.  See all their products here.  I've been writing many more notes at work now and clipping them to papers.  Adds a little flavor and makes me happy throughout the day.  Great purchases to spice up my work life!

Little blank note cards from EggPress.  I'd never heard of this line before but all their products I saw at the shops we went to were spectacular.  Their products here. Some of you should expect these in the mail...
And here's a couple shots of the large scale paper in one of the stores, most of it was Snow & Graham designs. More photos of what I bought (hopefully before & after style) to come! 

P.S. Thanks to all who've read my blog and told me they have.  Everyone has been so complimentary and I'm really grateful!  This is my 50th post, can you believe it!? 

Beautiful Paper Prints

I'm just about to head into Chicago to meet up with a friend. Our objective today is to go on a trek all over the city and visit many delightful paper stores.  I'm so excited!  This got me thinking about beautiful paper designs I've seen recently.  I've shared some of them below, and don't miss the best one at the end...plantable paper!  Enjoy!

A beautiful find, an amazing 4-color screen print.  I love how the red birds stand out, this would go perfectly in my red & blue kitchen no?  Find it here. 

Two pieces of large size paper that Paper Source produces or imports..not too clear on which.  But great designs, I love the simplicity of the silver & white.  Plus the large sized flowers in the bottom print. 

Fabulous Wallpaper

There's a small shop in MA that creates some of the most beautiful wallpaper I've ever seen called Nama Rococco. They only have a few lines, but I think all of them are excellent.

Everything at Nama Rococco is hand painted and hand screened.  Amazing!   The detail and hard work that must go into every order makes me want to get enough to paper my whole house. 
As I think about what I want to do in the last bedroom in our house to be designed (bitter sweet) I think about wallpapering just one wall. I want it to be a neutral color with pops of color, similar to these.


Or maybe doing some splash of pattern/color in the closet, I like that idea a lot.

Perhaps I'll use this couture line of Nama Rococco's paper. Oh the choices!

Facelift for the Bedroom

Josh & I endeavored to redecorate the second bedroom in our house this summer.

It wasn't a remodel, just a face lift with some paint, curtains, bedspread, lamps and wall hangings. I love the colors we chose (indigo for the back wall) and a light (not baby) blue, kind of a cornflower blue.

And the 'headboard' is just a giant vinyl sticker. I ordered it on Etsy which is actually where I got a lot of the things in this new bedroom (love that site!). It was not that expensive and beats buying a brand new headboard. I bought it from Leen The Graphics Queen.

But, my favorite thing about this room is the paper that I framed on one wall. It is an amazing blue (with hints of purple and green) hand marbled paper imported from France. Isn't it gorgeous!?