in the mail

Welcome wee-little one! sending out a baby congrats and I am in love with this charming lil' card from Elum, so sweet and still cool.

in the mail

Yes, I am patting myself on the back. Holiday cards are in the mail. I love sending them out, I love addressing each and every one by hand but I do forget how long it takes! I sent out these fun a.favorite design letterpress cards, complete with labels from Wiley Valentine. Ok now I gotta finish up the holiday wrapping....

so many reasons to adore chronicle

Chronicle Books always has the most visually stimulating books, stationery & paper goods. They promote the work of small independent artists, bloggers & designers so we can all become fans. Chances are you'd recognize one of their publications, they have something for everyone. Well I am a fan and it's hard to not want everything they sell but one of my favorite Chronicle products is there stationery line- Pantone, Liberty of London, Girl Scouts, and my new (it's from 2008 but I love it now) favorite is the amazing Grady McFerrin illustration collection. I would like one of each of these under my Christmas tree Santa...is that doable?

Pantone collection //  Grady McFerrin Stationery box: check out his latest work here 

 Liberty stationery set // Theatre of dreams collection 

Girl scout mix & match collection // John Robshaw collection: check out his latest work here

color love today

I was searching for a photo and came across some photos I took of La Sainte Chapelle in Paris, France. It was the most colorful, bright and graphic church I have ever seen. Hard to believe this was built in 1248! The colors are amazing and each pattern is hand painted perfection.

in the mail today

Sending out this great Chicago postcard created by Star Shaped Press.

snail mail love at postcrossing

If you are a lover of snail mail, you need to check out Postcrossing. It is such a great global project and it's all about sending and receiving post cards. The goal of the project is to allow people to receive postcards from all over the world for only the cost of a stamp & a postcard. The whole thing is based on give & you shall receive- I love that! Check out Postcrossing and send a postcard, really it's fun- think of the sweet sentiments & smiles your sending across the world.

Once you sign up and send a post card, Postcrossing tracks your cards- above is my map 

(I've only sent one so far but some postcrossers have sent thousands!). I got an address and a 

little information about the person who would receive my post card plus a code to track it. 

Here is the a.favorite design postcard I sent off to Rosrath, Germany.

Postcrosser event held in Baia Mare, Romania. They hung 400 postcards in the 

local post office received by postcrossers. See more about this event here.

Check out the Postcrossing Facebook page. Postcrossers from all over have been posting pictures of their favorite mail boxes. I love this one at the Vatican posted by Herald Ket- see post here.

is there an apron on your list?

I found myself shopping for an apron for a gift and coincidentally I have an apron on my
want list this year. I am one messy cook and an apron is a necessity. I've decided in order for
it to be practical it has to have a pocket, be a full apron (none of this skirt business), and
I've got to be able to toss it in the wash and know it'll get cleaned up easily.

Green julep petal pocket apron from Anthropologie $38 // Black & white Marimekko 

fokus apron from Crate & Barrel $49 // Upside down apron with cooking guide from 

Perpetual Kid $25.99 // Scandanavian tree apron from West Elm $12.99 // Color block 

cuisine coutoure apron from Anthropolgie $32 // Lemon slice apron from West Elm $14.99 

// Retro polka dot apron from Vintage Galeria $25 // Rustic denim apron from  

Meyer Textile Co. $48.50 // Retro red bow apron from Rosie Ann Shop $36.33 // Apron 

with built-in oven mitts from A+R Store $32 // Stripes abound apron from Anthropolgie $36 // 

Rustic kitchen workshop apron from Meyer Textile Co. $52

2013 is an emerald year

I was so happy to see this in my inbox today. I must admit I am kind 

of excited about the Pantone color of the the year...drumroll...emerald! 

I love this green and love it mixed with a cool color palette.

Aren't these colors so fresh & bright? I know mood and your personal environment 

has a lot to do with the colors you respond too. On a cold Midwestern day with 

little greenery out my window these emerald colors make me swoon.

all photos kindly borrowed from the Pantone website.

in the mail today

This stationery is one of my favorites. I've had it for a very long time but I love these simple monogram note cards with printed envelopes. I was sending a note to one of my east coast pen pals as I was sitting in front of the TV- 3 sharpies later I created a doodle masterpiece. Well maybe not a masterpiece but some fun mail. Now I want to doodle-up all my mail!

colorful gifts to give

1. Yellow ceramic ball necklace from Mariaela $29 // 2. Brilliant orange earrings from Mariaela $25 // 3. Neon infinity triangle necklace from Yellow Owl Workshop $44 // 4. Feather collection decoupaged tray from Jayson Home $35 // 5. Red flag zipper pouch from EggPress: includes pouch, 2 pencils & notebook $20 // 6. 4 piece Safia tea towel set from Joss & Main $19.95 // 7. 3 mini IKAT journals from Crystal Faye $30 // 8. Cercle pillow from Joss & Main $32.95 // 9. Birch bird card from A+R: mail a piece of art $17 // 10. Yellow dahlia vase from Joss & Main $34.95 // 11. Colorful wooden 7" salad bowl from Wind & Willow Home $39 // 12. Cammeo porcelain storage container with rubber band stripe from A+R $50-$59 // 13. Mustard dahlia ring from Lauren Blythe Designs $12 // 14. Blue glass ring from Mariaela $35 // 15. Color wheel necklace from Yellow Owl Workshop $44 // 16. Red vintage cocktail ring from Mariaela $31 // 17. Brass colored pencil set from Jayson Home $75 // 18. Cobalt blue resin frame: 18.5" x 23"n from elemental $250

wrap it up

I've got a lot of my Christmas shopping done and I can't wait to start wrapping presents. 

I thought I'd see what cool stuff I could find to inspire myself to wrap up a pile of gifts!

Some kraft paper & DIY options, I am partial to simple kraft paper & baker's twine but 

these would all look great under any tree, plus they are good options year round.

Washi tape gift: check out 15 easy ways to make gift wrap \\ Button kraft bags

Simple kraft, baker's twine & tag seen here \\ Newsprint & kraft package seen here

Kate & Birdie gift wrap: 2, 22"x34" sheets, $7 // Chewing the Cud reusable give wrap: 28"x28", $16 // Smock Holiday gift wrap & tags: wrap-2, 24"x36" for $8 | gift notes-6, 3.5"x2.5" for $8 | gift bag- 8"x4"9.5" for $8.50 // Snow & Graham gift wrap & notes: 2, 20"x30" sheets for $6.50 | Classic Holiday set-8, 20"x30" sheets, 12 gift cards for $40

color love & a great 2013 gift!

I love this simple geometric pattern in this updated jewel tone pallette. 

It is bright & fun but has a sophistication. It jumped out at me today from the Satsuma Press line.

Satsuma Press 2013 calendar & gift tags. 7 color letterpress printed (wow! 7 colors!-nice work).
The tags are cut down from imperfect calendar prints, a way to recycle plus make some
great gift tags.

in the mail today

Unfortunately, I do not know who is the creator of these cute cards. I love these wintery illustrations and thought it was the perfect time to send a couple.  These are adorable postcards plus I love that the envelopes are printed to match.

i adore best made company

I was searching for some great guyish gifts and stumbled on the most amazing company and product line: Best Made Company. After wondering through their lovely website I am totally geeking out over all of their work. I never knew an axe could be such a beautiful, inspiring piece of functional art.

"We paint our axes as a measure of respect for this tool and all that it represents". See all here.

 

These caught my attention and well, I do love maps as art! I will have to forgive Best Made Company & artist Nick Zdon for not including a Chicago in it's remarkable & cherished locations, however, there are many to choose from plus a national park series. The sentiment is great "Wonderful Forever" for our amazing national parks and "Everything here is Wonderful" for 15 great cities.

Printed on topographic United States Geological Survey maps by designer and printmaker Nick Zdon.                             City Series / $140. National Park Series / $250

 

 

 

More cool stuff to adore at Best Made Company.

7" x 5" "What good..." enamel steel sign $28 // handyman in your pocket $12 // Musson's lumber & log pocket book $12 // the wonderful badge $7 // eucalyptus-cedar soap 3 pack $30 // campfire lapel pin $72 // be optimistic felt badge $5 // famous red notebook 3 pack & pencils $32 // playing cards $8

typography meets scrabble

I was just discussing Scrabble yesterday and well my lack of wordsmith talent when it comes to this game. I do love seeing a Scrabble aficionado in action though! When I saw this amazing scrabble typography edition I had to post it. I am in love with this dark walnut wood, magnetic interlocking board, fancy stacking case and all these fonts mixed together- it is scrabble art! I found a great article about this lovely set on the Fast Company website: The world's sweetest scrabble set is now a reality. This is a limited edition hand signed and numbered, cost $199 and you can buy it here.

color love today

Every year we each pick out a new ornament or decoration for the holidays. I'm usually about non-traditional or pure sparkle. Well the color of this one caught my eye and now it sits on my tree. Hand blown glass in this bright color palette.

it's time for ornaments!

I hope you all had a lovely turkey day. It was a fabulous long weekend and time to start thinking about Christmas. I do love all the ornaments, here are some great additions to any tree or gift.

Red, white & green rosettes from Pony Up Designs, $18 | Japanese Temari thread balls from Penny Fabric Art, $30 each | Santa Lucia Snowflake set from Anthropologie, $20 | Alphabranch monogram from Anthropologie, $8 | Bike chain stars from Uncommon Goods, $15 each | Porcelin wheel & cog from Uncommon Goods, $30 each | Pantone ornaments from Uncommon Goods, $15 each

in the mail today

OK, yes I've sent this card before and I will send it again. I love this simple "HI ya!", perfect for a simple note to a friend. This fun little snail mail treat is from our friends at a.favorite design.

in the mail today

Egg Press makes some great letterpress cards, I love this one because you make your own message; I chose a simple "hey! hey! HEY!" for my east coast pen pal. Plus the envelope is vellum so you can see the color & design the second you get your mail. I decorated mine with a little washi tape and voila a little snail mail gift!

quintessential love

I was taking a peek at the fantastic blog, The Design Files, and I saw these beautifully curated images. The article is great, the magazine is fantastic and the lovely collection photos are superb. I love everything in this magazine. Take a look at Quintessential Magazine, an Australian digital publication from the owner of Quintessential Duckeggblue & DuckeggBlue. In the words of Lucy of Design Files...it is SERIOUSLY stunning.

 "the appeal is in discovering covetable industrial & antique objects – many of which are one offs – and making the most of the original imperfections, the aged patinas and the off-beat and quirky."

- Leanne & Tracy of Quintessential Magazine

oh, how i do love a sharpie

My colorful Sharpie collection was dwindling in usable colors. So I made my way to Staples and I now realize that a new pack of Sharpies can make the day better. Next to my imac and my right arm, definitely my favorite tool!

color love today

Sweet Paul magazine always has the most amazing photographs. They are colorful, simple and draw you in to his colorful world. I am going through a blue phase, anything blue catches my attention. I love the blues mixed with this beautiful gold. Plus this soup looks and sounds delicious pumpkin soup with chanterelles. Thanks Sweet Paul & friends for some much colorful inspiration!

photo kindly used from sweetpaulmag-digital.com

the traveling notebooks!

This is such a fun & fantastic project, The traveling notebooks.  You sign up, receive one of 3 notebooks and one day a beautiful little, well-traveled package shows up in your mail box. I received the "snap" journal 2 weeks ago. It is a collection of photos and anything you'd like to write, doodle or add about the photo and you. There are some amazing snapshots and lovely people included in the journal. I just loved reading through every page and exploring every photo. Each journal is tracked via twitter at #travellingnotebooks & #snailmailisnotdead, or you can visit the blog here.

Here's what the Snap Journal looked like when I got it. The photos were great but reading about them was even better!

 It was hard to decide and I narrowed my photos to 3 of my favorite Chicago summer photos. 

I couldn't pick 1, so all 3 are now documented and traveling in the Snap journal.

Here it is, and it is now on it's way to @BeckyArblog in Leeds, England.

in the mail today

I am trying my best to send one card a week. It has been so fun searching for new cards, discovering old ones and laughing out loud at the unexpected cards you can find. Well this card from Red Camper made me laugh out loud while standing in the adorable Paper Doll store. Then I had to buy it for my gluten-free friend. How cute is Timmy?

holiday cards from some of my favorite letterpress companies

Well it's about time to start sending and receiving holiday cards. I like to think of holiday cards as a little snail mail gift to all the people I love. Here are some of my favorites:

 Holiday music card from Wildhorse Press | Happy holidays Chicago from Paper Parasol Press

Sending holiday cheer from The Permanent Collection

Peace & Joy Trees | Joy to you ornament | Flock Merry Christmas | from Egg Press

 Vowels & Consonants | Ribbon gift | Folk art snowflake | from Igloo Press

 Library Card | Knitting Holiday | Sending holiday love | from Greenwich Letterpress

Christmas typewriter | Bike & Tree | from Blackbird Letterpress

Xmas rock ticket | Hoppy Holidays bottlecaps | from a.favorite design

Be Merry | Merry, Merry red & green | from Wiley Valentine

happy socks

Well it's getting cold here in Chicago, and I find myself in love with eye-pleasing, bright, warm socks. I love fun socks and I see these peeking out with a pair of converse or hiding under your knee-high boots. Either way, aren't these fun? The name is fitting, check them out at happysocks.com.

Five color sock in black, blue, red & white | Stripe half sock in blue, white & red

Stripe half sock in brown, orange & pink | Faded diamonds in brown, purple, red & yellow

election day color love

Happy voting & happy election day! Ya gotta love the good ol' red, white & blue. I have an fondness for baker's twine and these images are beautiful, filled with vintage touches and a patriotic theme. I couldn't resist showing you these photos from Becky & Kurt's- Piggy & Dirt Shop. You can find baker's twine in every color and much, much more...plus Becky & Kurt would love to give you 10% off! Here's the coupon code from them just for you: MEMORYSTAR.

color your mood

I think the color your drawn to can tell a lot about your mood but color can affect your mood in so many ways which is just another reason to love these these pencils! I saw these featured in the New York Times Magazine, you can get your own set at Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store.

in the mail today

I think it's probably a good move to let mom know you're her biggest fan once in awhile. I love this card from Gilah Press, found at my favorite one of my favorite shops, Foursided.

are you ready for this election?

I couldn't help it. It's November first and even though we've been inundated with election hoopla constantly, I now feel like election time is here. I'm loving some of this fun & funny election paraphernalia, I can't think of a better occasion to get custom photographed marshmallows?!

I love this baby election getup! baby onesie & matching leg warmers from Chic Couture Boutique | Election gloat or mourning cards from Eye Dot | Awesome doggy bow ties from Chuckle Hounds | Political party candidates jumbo marshmallows from Fete Setter | Election campaign coasters from Ruff House Art | Hilarious political gold drink stirrers from Gnome Sweet Gnome Shop | Lefty election pencils from Word for Word Greetings

in the mail this week...trick or treat!

I wanted to send some Halloween wishes to my favorite little trick or treaters. I know Halloween isn't exactly a card mailing holiday but wasn't it fun to get something unexpected in the mail when you were a kid? Well it's still fun!

Cards bought at Enjoy, an urban general store 
All letters hand-addressed & decorated by yours truly
Ready to mail out & waiting for the mail carrier
Fun & whimsical Halloween cards created by Design Design

happy halloween

I thought this was creepily beautiful and oh so Halloween! Enjoy a sweet-filled day today.

I stumbled across this on Design Crush. This amazing sculpture created
by Joshua Harker and you can check out his etsy shop Shhark.

color love today

 Yes, I am on a fall focused kick. I am lovin' the changing colors of my neighbor's tree. 

Each week this Japanese maple is a new beautiful shade.