I’m back this morning serving up another helping of highlights from the National Stationery Show! The second day of the show continued to provide more than ample opportunity to marvel over everyone’s new collections and to discover new favorites. Among those was the debut collection from Bench Pressed (booth 1365) and their amazing calendar featuring craft cocktail recipes and really fun letterpress cards. One of my favorite styling props of the show was also hanging out in the Bench Pressed booth – the most adorable porcelain squirrel lamp!
One of my surprise favorites from the show so far is the work of Girls Can Tell (booth 1377) and their collection of tea towels, lunch sacks, notebooks and little accessories all featuring the coolest illustrations inspired by architectural drawings, but with a playful twist. You know I logged a lot of hours drafting in my old architecture days so I love these!
Making their show debut in booth 1852, Sideshow Press rocked out a collection that has my name written all over it. With a vintage camp inspired vibe, their field notebooks, cards, gift wraps, packing tape and accessories play on colors and motifs that make me think of getting lost in the woods for a few days. You know, with a vintage cooler in tow.
Returning to the show for a second year, Belle and Union (booth 1853) brought loads of charm yet again with their impossibly darling cards, gift wraps, notepads and tea towels. They even introduced two new art prints this year that come framed on the underside of a barrel lid that I just love! It’s the whimsy of Meg’s illustrations paired with the simplicity of the overall designs that I just find so utterly charming.
I knew from her show preview that Sarah of Parrott Design Studio (booth 2168) was going to bring a whole lot of pretty to the show and that she certainly did. I am really loving her collection of letterpress cards even more in person, with their gorgeous color combinations. Sarah does all her own design, lettering and printing making her designs even more fetching in my eyes.
Sass & Peril (booth 2169) was at the show this year along with their new stationery line, The Paper Cub Co. With a whole bunch of crazy cute screen printed cards, I fell right in love. I am also really digging Sass & Peril’s art prints and little stuffed animal pillows. It would be completely appropriate to pile them all over the bed in our master bedroom, right?
Another new exhibitor, Thimblepress (booth 2167) made a real splash with me. Kristen has to be one of the most enthusiastic and sweetest people at the show this year and her collection is equally as sweet. From her oversized botanical United States map to her colorful letterpress cards, she has a little something for everyone. Plus her confetti poppers are a hit! Originally intended just as a show promo, they’ll soon be available for sale.
And that’s all she wrote for this installment, but you know I’ll be coming at you all week long with more paper goodness than you can shake a stick at…seriously. Does anyone have a favorite so far? More to come tomorrow! In the meantime, catch me on the flipside on Instagram!
[Photos by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion.]
Hi, guys! Welcome to the start of the official National Stationery Show coverage, coming at you live from New York this morning. The first day of the show kicked off yesterday and I had such an awesome time catching up with old friends, meeting new friends and seeing what everyone has been hard at work designing over the last several months. Jumping right into the fun, one of my favorites from the show yesterday was new exhibitor Brainstorm (booth 2271). Featuring a whole host of gorgeous screen printed art prints, their bold colors and awesome illustrations really hooked me. From constellations to regional maps of the United States, I just found their whole collection really charming. I basically want all of these prints in our home.
Next up, Yellow Owl Workshop (booth 1756) is rockin’ it at the show this year with a bold and bright booth loaded with their signature rubber stamp kits, party kits with fill-in party invitations and matching favor bags, and even an awesome carve-your-own stamp kit for you DIY enthusiasts. The bright rainbow colors of the booth drew me right in and I wanted to stay and play with stamps forever.
Headed into the show I was so excited about the debut of 9th Letter Press (booth 1754) and they certainly did deliver! With one of my favorite booths I’ve visited so far, their charming cards, prints and gift wrap are seriously too sweet for words. I also loved the gold foil-stamped luggage tags they were giving away as gifts, boasting the loveliest illustration of the Statue of Liberty. Too cute!
Returning to the show for the second year, Pei Design (booth 1774) delivered the goods this year with more of Pei’s adorable cards, new gift wraps in pretty neutrals and adorable art prints and calendars. Pei’s modern illustration style is just sweet and fresh in a really simple way that I love. And talk about one of the nicest ladies on the show floor!
Next up, I was loving some of the new treasures from one of my perennial show favorites, the ladies of Sugarcube Press (booth 2047). In addition to their signature cards, they introduced new DIY tea towel stamp kits that come complete with ink, stamp and flour sack towel – perfect for gift giving or making favors for a shower! Add in a whole host of new cards and darling favor tags and I was really loving the new goods this year.
Year after year I find myself completely enamored with the beautiful trimmings and ribbons from Studio Carta (booth 1762). From the loveliest rolls of fabric ribbon to big spools of baker’s twine, there’s a little bit of pretty for just about every package you could ever want to send. This year I was loving all of the new colors and once again decided I need a huge wall full of ribbon and twine in my office.
Last but not least, the ladies of Paper Boat Studios (booth 2264) always have a smaller but beautifully thoughtful collection, one that is loaded with goodness. Case in point, adding to their collection of paper board games, I love their new tangram puzzle – perfect for the backseat when traveling! I also loved their geometric calendar and all of their gorgeous letterpress coasters, some of which were printed with cocktail recipes. We know I love a good cocktail!
And that’s it for now, friends! So many of you have been following along on Instagram and Twitter, which I love. There’s so much more to come over the next few days. So be sure to stay tuned! There’s a whole lot more paper action coming at you throughout the week.
[Photos by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion.]
Well, friends, it’s about that time! I’ve been running around all day today finalizing my laundry and packing and errands in preparation for my departure for New York tomorrow morning. I am so excited to catch up with all of my friends and to spend time with my awesome roomies. (This lady, this lady and this lady!) I’d love to have you follow along in the fun! I’ll be blowing up my Instagram and Twitter feeds at near warp speed and I’ll also be posting daily with my favorite finds from the day. (Plus Kelly has a killer DIY project to share next week, too!) Tonight I’m kicking back with B, an icy cold glass of white wine and enjoying the last little bit of quiet before the paper mania begins. Here’s wishing you all a fabulous weekend – see you here on Monday! xoxo
[Photo from Topshop via Fashion Gone Rogue.]
Tomorrow morning I leave for the 2013 National Stationery Show! If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I’ll be sharing countless photos here and on Instagram as I walk the show, bringing you a sneak peek of the paper goods that will be hitting retailers near you soon. I can’t exaggerate how much I love show week. If you’re not familiar, NSS is like fashion week for paper. It’s a trade-only event where designers unveil their latest collections and buyers decide what new products they want in their shops. For a girl like me, it’s some kind of heaven.
Today I’m kicking things off by sharing my favorite NSS previews from around the web. If you’re attending the show, be sure to pop by and check them out! (Oh and be sure to let me know so we can hug it out. I’m a hug it out kind of lady.) For loads of stationery show coverage also be sure to also follow along with my girl Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper and get ready for a week a paper madness. In a good way. Click through for 15 NSS previews!
Today’s DIY tutorial comes to us from Maxine, creator of Tulle Box Designs, and a lover of packaging and DIY. (Yup, she’s totally my kind of lady.) Maxine is showing us the sweetest little idea for making ombre stripe favor bags. Perfect for parties, weddings, showers or even gift wrapping, I love how colorful and fun these favor bags are – and we all know about my love affair with stripes so I don’t need to fill you in there. Many thanks to Maxine for sharing this fabulous project! For more of her packaging ideas, pop over and check out her DIY gallery.
- Cardstock in assorted colors, in shades that create an ombre effect
- Paper cutter
- Glue
- Cellophane party favor bags (available at craft and party stores)
Using your paper cutter, cut 1/2″ strips of cardstock measuring the same width as your cellophane bags. You’ll need strips of each of your cardstock colors to help you form the basis of your ombre. These bags feature five stripes, each in a different shade of the respective color, but you can play around and see what you like best on your bags!
Apply glue to the backside of each cardstock strip. A glue stick works great or you could also used a double-sided adhesive, typically scored in the scrapbooking section of your local craft store.
Starting at the bottom of your bag, stick your cardstock strips to the bag, applying pressure to adhere them fully. You’ll want to start with either the lightest or darkest of the colors and repeat with the other colors, leaving 1/2″ space between each stripe. Allow the glue to dry and set completely and you’re all done! Now just fill up your bags with goodies or treats in color-coordinated colors and you have basically the coolest favor bags going.
[Photos by Tulle Box Designs for The Sweetest Occasion.]
The fine print: Please link with love! As with all of our posts, DIY projects featured on The Sweetest Occasion may not be copied, distributed or reproduced without express written permission. Love and links are always appreciated! If you’d like to share this post, please link to this post directly for the DIY tutorial and do not include the instructions in your own post. Thanks so much! xoxo
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