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!
• 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!
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…
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!
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 functionality of the Coffee Time Coffeeset is awesome. Designed by Elise Berthier, the porcelain set of six coffee cups and stirrers comes with its own serving tray. The cup lids keep the coffee warm and then offer the dual function as saucers. And it’s compact, making it perfect for apartment living where cupboard space is so scarce!
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.
I have a thing for tiered servers, I just can’t help myself. There’s just something about them that draws me in. I’m loving the clean, modern lines of this one by Koziol Design. I’m partial to white, but it’s available in four other vivid colors as well.
I’m really excited about this week’s giveaway from Whitney English. First, it’s Design Crush’s very first local company giveaway. Second, because it’s an absolutely amazing product line. And third, because it’s massive! Whitney English is known for their stylish personalized stationery, in both trendy and classic designs, so everyone is covered.
To Enter, Tell Me: • About the best letter you’ve ever received (email doesn’t count!) • Your email, should you win (those who do not will be disqualified) • Do it all before Monday, November 23rd at 9am CST
A roundup of my favorites from the past week, a few printables and a wish for a Happy Weekend! Also, a reminder that you only have until Monday at 9am CST to enter Win It: THe Paper Apartment. So hop to it!
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• in my family wine is a big deal during the holidays so I’m digging this Thanksgiving Wine Guide :: Sippity Sup
• enviable Thanksgiving invitations :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• make your own coffee stencil! :: How About Orange
• don’t have a clue what to cook up for Thanksgiving? check out 172 recipes from 9 leading food magazines :: The Bitten Word
• check out the new design look on Unruly Things!
• don’t miss a week full of apple recipes :: A Field Journal
• get your mind churning over homemade holiday gifts with these ideas :: Wiley Valentine
• take a trip over to Feather Report to see my week of outfits
• a pale and pretty fall download from Ez :: Creature Comforts
• a sweet CD template and playlist suggestions for wedding or party favors :: Benign Objects
• printable pumpkin goodies :: Love. Obsess. Inspire.
• write a note on this downloadable set of stitchy stationery :: Bread of Many
• download these ABC cards and join in on a birthday tradition :: Design*Sponge
To say that I’m obsessed with this paper floral wreath from Dana and Carol would be a huuuge understatement. It also makes me think that a red/pink/silver/champagne Christmas might not be such a bad idea for decorating my own little cave. (There are only a few wreaths left in the shop right now, but you can convo them about other colorways that aren’t currently for sale.) {via That’s Happy}
When Caroline and I hit up the Girlie Show last weekend, one of the booths that really stood out to me was Oklahoma’s own amelia mae. Her prints are very graphic-based and I ended up buying the postcard version of this one.
But what really got me was when Caroline told me the tale of the artist’s other shop. Project 8256. All of the profits from Project 8256 go directly towards an adoption fund for her sister and brother-in-law who are in the lengthy process of adopting two children from Ethiopia. And to AHOPE, an orphanage in Addis Ababa that cares for HIV+ children. You can find out more information about both Amy and Project 8256 by visiting the blog.
