December 31, 2009

Happy {2010} Weekend.

I cut out New Year’s resolutions a few years ago after making too many unfulfilled promises to myself and feeling bad about it. I’m not knocking them if you’re a fan, I’m just no good with such a big weight on my shoulders. (I’ll lose 50 lbs. I’ll . I’ll single-handedly be responsible for world peace.)

I’m more of a believer that instead of resolving to do something, we should try to make smaller life decisions that are part of our day to day existences. I plan on trying to drink more water, keeping in closer touch with friends and family and starting to landscape around my house. Easy enough because I know they’re all possible without too much trouble. What are your goals for 2010?

And because I’ve been out of the loop for the past few weeks, some of my favorite posts that have graced my reader recently:

+ DIY Origami Box Ornaments with a great step-by-step tutorial :: Creature Comforts

+ Super cute free holiday tags, perfect for a homemade goodie gift! :: Creature Comforts

+ A bevy of holiday packaging freebies :: Benign Objects

+ A clever free printable holiday card :: Creature Comforts

+ Sad I didn’t see these really well designed desktop wallpapers sooner! Downloaded for next year :: Nien Studios

+ A great Christmas mix of songs both new and old :: m.writes

+ And a fantastic mixcast full of indie Christmas tunes, too :: kitsune noir

+ Pretty red and aqua holiday downloads :: Eat. Drink. Chic.

+ Loving these type-centric gift tags :: Wiley Valentine

+ And these gift tags :: Creature Comforts

+ And these tags and labels :: Creature Comforts

+ And these gift tags, too! :: heysusy

+ Did you see Livy’s gorgeous vintage village that she made? :: A Field Journal

+ 12 Days of Christmas boxes for you to fill with goodies :: The Dieline

+ Insta-gift: print these free recipe cards and labels :: mstetson design

+ I’ll be busy printing out this 2010 calendar this weekend! :: poppytalk

+ And this one :: redblackbrown

+ I can hardly believe this printable pocket calendar is f-r-e-e! :: Creature Comforts

Happy Weekend + Best Wishes in 2010!

Posted In calendars, downloads, happy weekend, holidays, make it, music, new years, paper goods
10
December 4, 2009

Happy Weekend.

Good stuff from the past week:

A colorful, sweet garland to print out and create :: Angry Chicken

Festive printable holiday photo cards to make things personal :: Creature Comforts

The sweetest secluded tree house getaway :: Pia Jane Bijkerk

Printable label tags that are perfect for gifting baked goods, or maybe even your cookies swap :: Cottage Industrialist

Pretty little candle wraps to download and decorate :: sfgirlbybay

Swooning over this faux fireplace project :: Linda & Harriett

An adorable last-minute advent calendar constructed out of office supplies :: Design*Sponge

Keep track with this sweet December calendar download :: That’s Happy

A bright orange pillow box printable that sure to make things colorful :: How About Orange

Karey Mackin and Mary Ruffle opened the doors to the t.ruffle etsy shop this week!

An invitation modeled after a Penguin book cover. Genius. :: A Cup of Jo

Whimsically illustrated gift tags for you to save and print :: fresh picked whimsy

Happy Weekend!

PS: Don’t forget, you have until Monday morning at 9am CST to enter to win a mini goals chalkboard from Mary Kate McDevitt!

Posted In cards, christmas, downloads, gifts, happy weekend, holidays, house and home, make it, weddings
3
December 4, 2009

Gift Tag Roundup.

To me the gift tag is the best part of the wrapping. This year I went with these because I love the colors and the clean look. And they’ll compliment my mainly black and white wrapping paper fantastically. Here are ten of my favorites that you still have time to grab up…

Posted In christmas, holidays, paper goods
3
November 25, 2009

Christmas Card Roundup: Part 3.

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up
1
November 24, 2009

Christmas Card Roundup: Part 2.

{Rifle Paper Co.}
Garland Christmas Card

Stay tuned for Part 3 tomorrow!

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up
5
November 23, 2009

Christmas Card Roundup: Part 1.

I’ve already written out my Christmas cards. There, I’ve said it. It’s just that once Thanksgiving shows up everything seems to snowball, free time included. It’s all spent shopping for the perfect gift or attending yet another ugly Christmas sweater party. You know how it goes, I know you do.

But I always feel a touch of remorse once I see all of the beautifully designed holiday cards, so I bookmark them all for possible lovelies to send out next year. And of course, to share with you all. Over the next three days I’ll be posting a three-part roundup of cards from my very favorite shops. (Note: I’ll only be posting one per shop, so if you like what you see click on the link to check out more!) I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and maybe even find the ones you just have-to-have!

{Linda & Harriett}
Holiday Greetings multi-pack

Stayed tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up
3
November 20, 2009

Happy Weekend.

• another use for my ever-growing paint chip collection, these brilliant housewarming party invitations :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• simple paper hurricane covers for your Thanksgiving spread :: A Little Hut
• whimsical wedding programs and thank yous featuring a darling illustration :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• super cute printable cupcake and teacup notes for the holidays (or any days) :: Creature Comforts
• modern Thanksgiving invitations that I’d love to send out :: Blonde Designs
• clever invitations to a cookie swap :: Brooklyn Limestone
• a nice collection of miniature and tabletop Christmas trees for home or work :: Apartment Therapy New York
• Under $100 Holiday Serving Platters – because everyone needs at least one :: Shelterpop
• check out these DIY pretty fabric pumpkins for a little *pop* :: Design*Sponge

Happy Weekend!

Posted In downloads, entertaining, happy weekend, holidays, invitations, make it, paper goods, thanksgiving, weddings
4
November 20, 2009

Advent Calendar Roundup.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is the advent calendar. I’ve had one every December for as long as I can remember and my mother still buys me one each year (I’m not allowed to purchase my own!). As a child it always hung in the very same place, the closet door in the living room, and since college it’s adorned my refrigerator. Here are a few that really stood out to me this year, some you can purchase but most can be made with a few simple supplies!

A traditional take on the advent calendar, each of the twenty-five windows revealing a symbol of Christmas. Printed on thick watercolor paper, which gives a texture to the print and a substantive quality to the piece. Sturdy enough to be used year after year.

For the individual that never wants to leave home without receiving their advent treat. And those who like to wear the same sweater for twenty five consecutive days…

A fun project using mini envelopes and colored dot stickers from Nice Package to create a decidedly modern take on the advent calendar.

I love the huge numbers printed on the tall bags and strung from a clothesline. So pretty!

A two for one: twenty five sticker labels for advent gifts plus twelve for the twelve days of Christmas! That Marta thinks of everything…

This one’s a freebie! Just follow the link to an email address and they’ll send you a .pdf to download. I’ve already got mine and am planning on constructing it this weekend!

Each tiny gift box has two sides with adorable designs, the other two sides have been left blank to customize for you or your children.

I love what Hillary did here, instead of receiving a gift or treat each day a snowflake is unrolled and revealed. On Christmas Day the entire garland will be full and you’ll have one more decoration!

This solution is to make an advent calendar with notes and clues. Each spool has a daily note that wrapped around it will lead the recipient on a hunt for their presents.

The minimalist version. Makes me want to paint on my living room walls!

Posted In calendars, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up
2
November 19, 2009

2010 Planner Roundup.

Among many other obsessions lies a big one for planners. Here are just a few I came across that struck my fancy. Have you picked one up yet for 2010?

This charming French date book is perpetual – you can start it any time of the year! With beautiful watercolor illustrations on each of the 192 acid-free pages, this paperback, thread-bound date book is perfect for keeping track of a busy schedule, with the freedom to pick up on any day you fancy. Includes sections for scheduling the year, by month, by week and places for free notes and lists. Also comes with a small companion note book with lined pages.

Greet 2010 with this cheery pocket-sized calendar. Featuring Jen’s silkscreened galoshes illustration, this calendar has hand-lettered pages for each month, plus additional (lined and unlined) pages for notes.

When closed, the calendar measures 4.25×5.5″. The cover is a heavy, acid-free card stock; the sixteen interior pages are on a bright white, textured archival paper. It has been hand-bound with linen string for extra durability.

Full color cover, lush green interior pages with 8 repeating original illustrations of all the little details found in the forest and in the tidepools. The months and dates are blank so that you may begin, interrupt or end the book as you wish. Printed with vegetable-based inks on reincarnation paper [100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free] and wire-o bound. Measures 5.5″ x 7″ closed.

The 2010 Kate Spade desktop calendar turns a playful eye toward some of the most mischievous, puzzling words in the english language accompanied by whimsical illustrations by Bella Foster. The 12 month desktop calendar features 3 pages per month, notes, address, and restaurant pages. Measures 5.75″w x 8.75″h.

Elegant and eminently useable, this desktop planner turns organization into a breeze. A marvel of design, the multi-page format allows the user to survey their week-at-a-glance and month-at-a-glance at the same time, as well as all of their daily and monthly to-do lists.

An individual Volant daily planner for each month of the year. The 12 months are packed in a gift box that protects, organizes, and preserves. Month numbers are printed on the outside of each planner. Measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches; 64 pages (32 sheets) in each. Thread bound with a cardboard bound cover and rounded corners, acid free paper, a bookmark, an elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket.

Posted In calendars, paper goods, round up
1