Leigh Wells.

I came across illustrator Leigh Wells on design*sponge a few weeks back and was really taken with her. Leigh creates images for advertising, design, publishing and editorial clients out of San Francisco. Some of her clients (out of a rather lengthy list) include Absolut vodka, Atlantic Records, Convers, The New York Times and Rolling Stone.



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Linda & Harriet.

Linda & Harriett letterpressed notecards and hand-stamped invitations will remind you of your grandmother’s quilt, your mother’s kitchen towels or your favorite children’s book. They are the designs of Liz Coulson Libré and inspired by her mother’s taste for the beautiful, the practical and the whimsical.

I’m especially into these tags. Why aren’t more tags available anywhere? I can think of about a million things I could use them for!

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Special Topics in Calamity Physics.

I just started the book Special Topics in Calamity Physics but Marisha Pessl two days ago and am so impressed and intrigued by it that I had to share. The book’s layout is an elaborate construction modeled after the syllabus of a college literature course—36 chapters are named after everything from Othello to Paradise Lost to The Big Sleep—that culminates with a final exam. It even includes reference “diagrams.” I’m only three chapters in, but can’t put it down.

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Peculiar Pair Press.


Peculiar Pair Press is made up of Amy and Mary Beth – two paper crazed graphic designers (man, can I relate to that!). Their wedding invitations, which are mostly custom with a small selection of retail pieces, were beautiful. But what really impressed me was their site design. I’ve been getting more and more into web design in the past few weeks – possibly because I’m branching out into that realm myself career-wise. I thought that the use of color and details on Peculiar Pair’s site was awesome. Quite a few of their invitations reflect the design showcased. A new line of stationary is anticipated and due to arrive in the near future. Take a look at the site.



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Milkfed Press.

Milkfed Press has long been one of my favorites. After a short hiatus and giving birth to her daughter, Astrid Jane, Victoria is back at the press with some adorable designs. She’s also just completed a line for Martha Stewart Weddings – look for it in the Summer issue!



These table cards are amazing, you can pick up a whole pack for $22. (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ numbered cards from 1-15, plus two Guest of Honor cards.)

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Buy Olympia.

Buy Olympia is a cool, small, more indie version of the Etsy Shop. They have so many amazing creatives that you would never, ever find on your own. Nikki McClure and Sarah Utter are only two of my favorites.

Nikki McClure uses an x-acto knife to cut her designs into paper with a result that’s elegant and intricate. I love her First 1000 Days journal and 2007 wall calendar. You can pick up the book for $12.95 and the calendar for $16.





Reading is sexy? Sarah Utter think so. There’s a variety of Reading is Sexy apparel available as well as Knitting is Knotty, Punk Rock Saved My Life, Future Librarian, Raised By Wolves and Crafty Lady.


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Presslings by Megan Creates.


The newest card in the “Presslings by Megan creates…” card line. A fun simple card that could work for any occasion. These hand screenprinted cards feature a drawing (by Megan) of an antique phone with the cord spelling out hello. The background pattern is a metallic/pearly Robin’s egg blue/Tiffany-like blue. With coordinating yellow envelopes. You can pick up a set of five for $10 here at Etsy.

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Pointed Press.


While browsing sites today I came across Pointed Press out of Philadelphia, PA. They focus on limited edition fine books as well as stationary and invitations for special events using a variety of letterpress techniques. My favorite was this lovely little business card.

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Ad Goodness of the Day.

If you look closely at the different elements of the room you can see that it’s not really a sketch at all, but words put together in a way such that they take on the shape of the different pieces of furniture. Not that I’ve ever seen this done before or anything, but it really took me a moment to decipher that that’s what was going on in these ads.




And I just thought this was the coolest, most unique idea for a “business card” that I’ve ever seen…

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