Post: Paper Love

Wedding Invites in your Inbox?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:20:00 +0000

Sorry Post fans....it's been a while since you've heard from me. Nutty summer, but no excuses. Time to get back to the blog.

In honor of my third anniversary with my super amazing (and paper-appreciative) husband, Dave, I wanted to share a wedding invite debate with you, that Dave sent me, courtesy of Slate.

The question posed by Slate's ethical gurus Farhad Manjoo and Emily Yoffe is whether it's acceptable to send wedding invitations by email. Manjoo doesn't seem to appreciate the power of the invitation to set the tone for a wedding, arguing that it's a waste of energy and money and should be left to personal preference. But Yoffe made some compelling arguments in favor of keeping up the tradition of sending paper invitations.

To those who hail electronics invites as a way to save the planet from invitation paper waste, Yoffe says: "The really seriously green are not gonna have weddings. Think of the gas it takes to get there, the waste in packaging gifts." And in the grand scheme of things, she adds, the waste created by paper invitations is minimal.

"Right now an Evite says 'Come to my barbeque," Yoffe goes on, "I do think you want to set a tone for your wedding. That doesn't mean each invitation has to cost $5 dollars. You can do it economically."

What do you think? Have you gotten Evites in your inbox (or your junk box - shudder!) this season? Would you one day use them for your own big day?

For kicks....a peak at our own invitation.....

Great Friends//Good Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:51:00 +0000

I'm a very lucky girl to have friends and family who understand my appreciation for beautiful paper. This past weekend, I was treated to all kinds of paper goodies that friends had picked up from me in the midst of their summer travels.

Friday night at Betsy's birthday bash, the birthday girl herself slipped me a note written on gilded Italian paper adorned with peacocks. Che bello!

I was so smitten with this delicate design that I tracked it down online so I could buy a set for myself.

Then, Saturday morning in the mail I received a package of hiking gear from my mom that I had lent to her for her trip out west. Inside was the best kind of thank you gift - a hand-painted watercolor postcard. A Joan Green original on Strathmore 140 lb cold press paper.

Sunday I met Nina at Mischa's for an early morning cup of coffee. Nina just got back from Japan where she swore she saw the most beautiful paper at every turn. Even in big box office supply stores there were great paper finds, she said, like this rice paper notebook decorated with painted carp.

The best part about gathering up all of these goodies over the weekend? They give me more excuses to write my own thank you notes on my latest paper from One Canoe Two:

Picking the Perfect Birthday Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:47:00 +0000

My college roomie Ali is gearing up to celebrate her baby girl Emma's first birthday and she asked for help picking out the perfect invitation. I happily oblige!

Wedding invitation suites abound, but when it comes to donning party hats for the little ones, it's harder to find something as adorable as the birthday boy or girl, and the cutest invites require shelling out major bucks for custom designs. Here's a look at my top picks for Emma's first birthday:

There's something really quaint and delightful about sending out paper invitations for a birthday party. To honor that aesthetic, I like these homey berry invites from Loralee Lewis ($34 for 20 printed invitations).

For a more DIY approach (suitable for a local guest list), check out this great invitation idea courtesy of Inchmark (I think these guys need to be hand-delivered):
Looking or something a little more dainty? Check out the pink and polka-dot duo from The PC Press ($166 for 50 invitations):

If you like photo cards, I like the simplicity of this design from Mink Cards ($15 for the design, printing costs additional):

And if the whole party planning process is turning into a circus, why not make it one officially? A carnival-themed party announced with these adorable cards from Sweet Life Designs might be just the ticket ($45 for 20 invitations):

Happy almost birthday, Emma! Ali - I can't wait to see what you pick!

Wearable Letterpress?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Before we get started, know that I love Egg Press. They're one of my Portland darlings - great designs with a clever sense of humor. I first spotted EP's cards with their signature peephole last summer at Rock Paper Scissor in Charlottesville and I've been a big fan ever since.

So....I want to be on board with their latest innovation - wearable letterpress. But somehow these cards miss the mark for me. Tell me what you think?

Top Five Creative Wedding Invitations Suites of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:28:00 +0000

I’ve done a lot of digging this week on design and paper blogs and I’ve come across some really fantastic wedding invitation suites unlike anything I’ve seen before. I highlighted my first find earlier this week. Today I’ll share with you my top 5 finds of the week:

#5 For Wanderlusters: The Hemingway collection from Lucky Luxe.

#4 For Seaside Sweeties: A wash of watercolor from Swiss Cottage Designs.

#3 For the Ultimate Love Birds: A ballet slipper pink + gray invitation spotted on Printerest. Sadly, I couldn’t figure out who the artist is.

#2 For Peace-Loving Brides and Grooms: Molly + Max’s bric-a-brac custom creation invitation from Wiley Valentine.

#1 For Big Fish Couples with Flair: Whaler Wedding Invites Courtesy of Ryan Feerer.

Watch how Letterpress Works

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Thanks to blogger Pia Jane Perjkerk for scouting out this beautifully rendered video graphic designer Naomie Ross on how on the letterpress process. Watch this short but sweet video here.

Tips for Thank You Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Crane

This afternoon while digging around for my (missing!) passport, I came across this tip sheet on writing thank you notes that I picked up last summer at the Crane museum.

It takes a lot of the pain out of writing thank you notes. Here are the highlights:

Write your note as soon as possible. You don't want to begin your note with an apology.

Write on the best paper available. A thank you note is actually a gift from the writer.

Start with these two words: "Thank you," and just state why you're saying thank you: "For the beautiful pair of candlesticks," "for the wonderful weekend at the beach house," "for your kind note after Dad passed away."

Your second sentence should establish the personal, emotional connection.

"We just finished a quiet dinner together, illuminated by your thoughtful gift."

"Although we won't be able to have a clambake on the shore, we look forward to your visit to the city so we can return your wonderful hospitality."

"I know you never had the chance to meet Dad; you two would have enjoyed each other's company."

Now for the closing:

"We promise to use them for only the most special occasions."

"I hope the rest of your summer is filled with sunshine and warm breezes."

"It's great comfort in this difficult tune to have such a good friend."

Simple as that!

I Want an Invitation to This Wedding!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:29:00 +0000

Courtesy of Pouding Mill Press. Mattie, Lou - excellent pickin'. Email me for my address! I'll wait by the mail box.....

Poppies for Grace: Beyond Wedding Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:55:00 +0000

Check out my latest post for Fantabulously Frugal Weddings on eco-friendly wedding invites from Poppies for Grace, an Australian print shop that focuses on whimsical earth and sky drawings.

Like what you see but not in the market for wedding paper? Poppies for Grace offers a complete line of paper products, including notecards, notepads, drawstring envelopes, journals and more. Here's a peek:

From the Desk of Mark Zuckerberg

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 22:28:00 +0000

Check out Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg's personal stationery - embossed with his own seal, courtesy of Gawker. I kind of LOVE it.

Here's a peek at the envelope liner:

Graphic designer Ben Barry, a member of the Facebook team, explains his inspiration for this perfectly packaged paper:

Mark gets a lot of mail thanking him from people with amazing personal stories made possible because of Facebook. We wanted to make something a little more personal and special for him to respond.

Kate's Paperie

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:23:00 +0000

I have such a warm fuzzy spot in my heart for Kate Spade. Just about everything she touches turns adorable.....and pricey. Which is why her paper line gives me such a kick - it's a great way for me to get my Kate fill without breaking the bank. Here are a few of my new favorites:

A set of 10 cards, complete with lined envelopes, are just $25. And a pack of 3 mini-journals, like the ones above, are only $12, and right now shipping is free. A perfect little Kate Spade treat!

Good Monday Morning!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:41:00 +0000

A little pop of color to match my cheery Monday morning mood, courtesy of Sparrow Nest Sript!

Zenith Horn: A Life in Letters (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:52:00 +0000

Last week, Dave's grandmother, Zenith, passed away at age 96. She was a smart, tough, clever, and welcoming cookie, and she accepted me into her clan of grandchildren and great-grandchildren as if I was one of her own.

Z was 94-years-old at our wedding and she spent the whole party on the dance floor, cha-cha-ing and hora-ing with the rest of us - a wave of blue in 3-inch heels.

Before my father-in-law left Z's home last week, he brought back a few of what he promises is a very large and thorough stack of Z's correspondence over the last seventy or so years. Birth announcements, summer camp post cards, congratulatory telegrams....Z kept them all, carefully persevered and well documented in her Florida apartment.

Over the next few weeks I'd like to explore Z's life through her letters and share my findings with you. In this way, we can honor Z and remind ourselves why, when it comes to personal correspondence, paper beats email every time.

Let's start with my father-in-law's birth in June of 1948. Z and Grandpa Sid sent an elegant little engraved birth announcement:

And Z's friends responded in kind, with little notes on personalized stationery of their own:

But the best card written and received upon the arrival of Marty to this world came from his sister, Nancy, who at the time was about 10 years old and not necessarily looking for a baby brother:

My favorite part:

"Am I mad! All because of Fred's briss [sic] I can't go to the country. I suppose you've gathered that I don't like the name Martin so I'll call him Fred."

And a postscript, on the back of the envelope:

"PPPPPS: Maybe if he comes home 21 1/4 inches I'll change my mind and love and take care of him."

Sounds familiar. I remember telling my mom that my brother could sleep in the basement when they first brought him home from the hospital!

More to come. Readers, if you've saved notes from long ago and would like to share them on this blog, send them my way. I'd love to read them with you.

Over at Fantabulously Wedd....

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Check out my latest post for Fantabulously Wedd about creative DIY save-the-dates that pop!

Apple Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:21:00 +0000

When I close my eyes and conjure up classic Americana, the first thing that pops in my mind is hot apple pie coming out of an old O'Keefe & Merritt stove.

So, naturally, when I don my paper-thinking cap and think about Americana, I head straight to Pie Bird Press, a homespun print shop located in Albany, California, just north of Berkley that celebrates, "the good things in life that put a smile on your face: fireworks, glazed donuts, puppies, lunchboxes, and pumpkins on the vine."

Pie Bird's cards have a vintage vibe, but the colors and patterns bring them into the 21st century. Still, I like the idea of writing on cards adorned with images most associated with a time when people always wrote on cards.....does that make sense? Here's a peek at more of Pie Bird's designs, available online at the Felt and Wire Shop.

Of all of Pie Bird's designs, the pencil shavings are definitely my favorite! Reminds me the draft notes I like to write before putting pen to paper and writing to that special someone.

Back to Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:24:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Peyton and Clark.

There wasn't a whole lot of new stuff at this year's Stationery Show to knock my socks off. A surprising pop of color here, a modern cut out there....but on the whole, everything - every vendor - seemed to be churning out more letterpress.

Which is why I was delighted to meet Jeannette Yudes, who, along with her mother, Bebbins, runs Peyton and Clark, an engraved stationery shop based in Springfield, NJ. Jeannette is the business woman, Bebbins is the artist, and together they make a pretty adorable team. I know what it's like to appreciate fine paper and want to join the family business, and so I instantly took a liking to Jeannette!

Combining elegant paper stock with beautiful artwork and copper-plate engraving, Peyton&Clark reminds me of what fine stationery is meant to be. Very traditional-chic.

Which is why my heart fluttered a little when I found out that this new line launched last month! It's so refreshing to see stationery producers repurposing traditional techniques to make paper that's inspiring.

The company has 15 designs to choose from and boxes of eight engraved cards are available for $48 on their website.

"What Brides Really Want" - an Update from Brides EIC

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 19 May 2011 20:22:00 +0000

Check out my latest post on Fantabulously Wedd featuring the newest line of wedding invitations co-created by Checkerboard and Bride magazine:

Trends at the 2011 National Stationery Show

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:42:00 +0000

OK - I promised yesterday that I would dig into some of the big trends I spotted at this year's Stationery Show. Here's the rundown. Readers - tell me what you think - I'd love to know if any of these trends get a big thumbs up or thumbs down from you!

Trend #1: Neon. Yesterday I shared a shot of Fig 2 Design's neon inks. But there were lots of others. I loved the shift from earthy colors we've seen in year's past to something so much happier. May be too bold for some brides (not me - I love it!), but it also works really well with greeting cards.

Printerette Press

Sesame Letterpress

Smock Letterpress

Trend #2: Blind Emossing. On the other end of the color spectrum, I noticed a lot of white on white/blind embossing used as background texture on wedding invitations and business cards.

La Fontane from Elum

Pistachio Press

Umi Blind Deboss

Trend #3: Stitching + Letterpress. I have to say I'm really not a fan of this trend. It just seems like needless add-on. But it was everywhere. Here's a peek:

Gilah Press

Good Girl Gifts

Trend #4: Laser Cutting. This technique has been around for a while - Art Scroll used to put out a bunch of laser cut Jewish New Years cards like these:

SHUDDER.

But now laser cutting is back with an updated, modern feel. Clean lines, clean cuts. Here are a few examples:

Wedding invitation from Gilah Press.

Place Cards from Papyrus Cutters.

Die cut calling card spotted on Etsy this week (not at the show) from Ready Go.

Spotting Letterpress Standouts at the 2011 National Stationery Show

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:20:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Printerette Press

Back from the 2011 National Stationery Show! I had a fantastic time shopping the show with my mom, chatting up some incredibly talented artists and perusing lots of great paper.

But the truth is, my head isn't buzzing with new ideas like it usually is after the show.

This year's show featured so. much. letterpress.

So much.

Sifting through my show loot I counted more than two dozen business cards from letterpress designers. Ask me how many engraving companies I came across this year...

(go ahead- ask me!)

...fine, I'll tell you. Two. And one was so over the top expensive it wasn't even worth looking at. Have I maxed out on letterpress? Not sure. It's still really pretty and elegant when done right.

(I'll write about the one extra special engraving company in tomorrow's post. For now, let's dive into this letterpress mess.)

What I do know is that while prices are roughly the same from one shop to the next, the quality can vary dramatically. Taking a closer look at these different letterpress lines side by side, I noticed several key elements that can distinguish one from the next:

Paper

Most shops print on 300 lb cotton paper - sometimes made by hand, sometimes made by Crane. A few shops print on 220 lb paper and it feels a little flimsy. Others print on 600 lb paper - it's super thick, like a book! 600 is great, but 300 fits the bill.

300 lb Crane Lettera paper from InkPetals

Paper weights aside, there are a few paper options that are really standout. One is bamboo, used by shops like Smock - can you see how soft it looks? Feels pretty great, too:

Smock was the first high-end letterpress shop to offer letterpress on bamboo paper, which is not only soft and elegant, but also sustainable. Read more about their bamboo paper here.

Another press shop featuring standout paper is Portland's Oblation Papers & Press.

Oblation makes all of its paper in-house, using old-school techniques to make cotton paper by hand using recycled remnants from the garment industry.

Being able to feel the quality of letterpress paper in your hand is one of the (many) reasons why checking out papers in person - at the show and in stores - is so critical before making big buys.

2. Ink.

This is my biggest pet peeve about letterpress - the colors can look faded. I'm not sure what causes that - whether it's due to the quality of the ink or the quality of the press. I suspect it's a little of both. In either case, the best letterpress features clean, fully saturated color (unless the design calls for a more distressed finish). Here's an example of distressed color that seems lacking:

Photo courtesy of OhSoBeautiful Paper

Fig. 2 Design took the prize for best ink palate. Bright neons were one of the big trends at this year's show - more on that in my next post - and Fig. 2 had some really killer shades (again thanks to OhSoBeautiful Paper, who expertly documented this year's show):

So did Printerette Press, my favorite newcomer at this year's show.

My mom especially fell in love with this card! So happy, so bright. Great ink.

3. Design

Great/unique/creative designs are easy to pick apart from the ho-hum that's cluttering the letterpress scene these days. Today, over at FantabulouslyWedd, I highlighted some of my favorite letterpress designers at this year's show, including Bella Figura (which offers more than 250 creative letterpress designs) and Gilah Press, a quasi-local shop based in Baltimore. Be sure to check out that post for some great photos.

One other design leader that I'd like to point out is Anemone Press, a member of the Ladies of Letterpress collective and all around superstar.

It's flowers done very right. Modern designs with well apportioned color and a beautiful backdrop. A standout!

First Big News - Then an updated from NSS - Promise

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 17 May 2011 00:18:00 +0000

Big exciting wonderful Post news! I am thrilled to be a a contributing blogger to Fantabulously Wedd, the sister site to the uber-shopping deals and sales site Fantabulously Frugal.

I get such big kicks out of sifted through virtual shops to scout out the best/newest/most creative paper products out there and I have a serious soft spot for wedding invitations.

Needless to say - I'm excited! First post coming soon!

Oooh lala!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:22:00 +0000

Hello gilded age!

We're here!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:20:00 +0000

New goodies at the Stationery Show!

Look Who's Calling

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:11:00 +0000

I love this piece in the Wall Street Journal about the resurgence of the calling card, "the kinder, gentler business card."

[P]ersonalized business cards are enjoying something of a revival as reactions to, and against, our own recently concluded Gilded Age. The updated versions, increasingly referred to by stationers as calling cards, differ from conventional business cards in that they provide as little information as possible: a name and a single contact number is common. Examine one closely and you might be able to glean the bearer's profession, but any hint of corporate conformity has been stamped out.

I'm totally on board with classic calling cards. They're classic and sparse and oh-so-alluring. Why calling cards in a digital age?

[A] personalized card acts as a quiet rebuttal to the white noise jabber-jawing of Twitter and Facebook. A rectangular symbol of restraint, the well-conceived card provides its recipient with just enough information.

Interested in investing in calling cards but intimidated by their uber-cool factor? The Journal goes on to decode calling card speak:

Glossary of Terms

A layman's guide to calling-card jargon

Engraving | The most traditional process for social stationery, it involves the incising of letters or images into a steel die or copper plate. The plate is inked, wiped clean to remove excess ink from the plate's surface and then run through a high-pressure print press that pushes the paper into the grooves of the incisions. The result: raised typeface or imagery above the paper's surface.
Embossing | Paper is pressed into an engraved metal plate without ink, creating a raised image or lettering.
Letterpress | Ink-covered type is pressed into the paper, so lettering is below the surface. Like engraving, letterpress printing yields a three-dimensional product.
Foil Stamping | Metallic foil is stamped into the paper, creating metallic letters.
Watermarking | A translucent design, impressed upon paper, that is only visible when held up to light.
Offset Lithography | Letters are transferred to paper from a plastic plate. The result is flat, smooth and cheaper than engraving or letterpress.
Digital Printing | Inkjet or laser printing. A cost-effective alternative to flat printing, allowing for often rich colors.

Mail Time

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:06:00 +0000

Look what came in the mail today!! Congratulations Bethany and Ryan! So excited for the big day.
This calligraphy is SWOON-worthy! And the invitation from Designers Fine Press is stunning!!

Lovely Favor idea

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Attention Philly brides: Here's another great wedding find from Bird and Banner -- City of Brotherly LOVE soft pretzel bags perfect for a delicious wedding favor takeaway.

These come in packs of 10 - a perfect way to treat guests to a taste of Philly (without any messy cheese whiz....)