Creative Christmas Cheer

Tired of the sending the same type of Christmas Cards year after year? The designs from Two Punks and a Princess are just the remedy for boring Holiday Invitations, Cards and Photocards. Here are a couple of designs from their latest release. The designs are so creative and all of the illustration is original artwork by the the company's in-house designer (and owner). Such a fresh take on the traditional. Makes me want to start planning a Holiday Soirée--or two!

Desk Doldrums?

Is the doom and gloom of the current economic state getting you down? While you research the stocks you want to buy at a bargain, why not have a fun, vibrant mousepad by Kate Sumner Designs to help you surf your way to success? Get one to complete your office look or pick something fun and fabulous to spice up your desk--and your mood!

And, while you are at it, check out the fun kids' items.

Kate Sumner's got you covered with mousepads, correspondence cards, enclosure cards, and more. So cute. Budget friendly and on-trend? Sign me up.

Printing Process Primer

Will you Engrave, Blind Emboss, or Thermography your stationery? Perhaps Letterpress printing is more your style? With so many options, choosing which one to use can be daunting. Fear not, see below for the ins and outs of some of the more Common Printing Techniques. I suggest sitting down with a local Experienced Stationery Retailer to get a true feel (literally, you want to feel the weight of the paper and appreciate the differences). They can also help walk you through which items are best suited for the different techniques!

Flat
Technically known as Offset/Lithography and is recognized by clean edges and smooth print.
Thermography
Freshly printed inks are dusted with a powder compound. After the excess powder on the non-printing areas is removed by vacuum, the sheet passes under a heater, which fuses the ink and powdered compound. The printing swells or raises to simulate the look of engraving, but shiny.
Engraving
Letters and designs are cut or etched into a copper plate. The plate is inked so that all sub-surfaces are filled with ink, then the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the depressed (or sunken) areas of the plate. The paper is forced against the plate with tremendous pressure, drawing the ink from the depressed areas. This produces the characteristic indented or bruised impression on the back of the paper.
Blind Embossing
Similar to the Engraving process, but without ink. The plate is pressed into the paper creating a raised look to the text or design.
Letterpress--My Personal Fave!
The oldest and most versatile method of printing was originally produced from cast metal type or plates on which the image or printing areas are raised above the non-printing areas of the plate. Ink touches only the top surface of the raised areas; the surrounding (non-printing) areas are lower and do not receive ink. The inked image is transferred directly into the paper. Sometimes a slight embossing (because of denting) appears on the reverse side of the paper. The letterpress image is usually sharp and crisp. A heavier, more substantial paper is typically used.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and get in touch with paper!

Making "Green" Gorgeous

Eco-chic never looked so good. Say farewell to the days of "green" looking drab and way too "recycled." Smock's new line of Letterpressed Wedding Invitations and Social Notes are so beautiful! Smock is the first and only print shop in the U.S. to offer printing on a luxury bamboo paper.

Why bamboo? Bamboo is a truly sustainable and renewable resource. It needs very little water to grow, grows quickly and doesn't require pesticides or fertilizers. It's extremely soft, luxuriously thick, and elegantly textured--the prettiest paper around! I know I've said it before, but this is definitely a paper you've got to feel to believe!

Letterpressed Wedding Invitations are definitely front-and-center in all of the Wedding Magazines. Discerning Brides looking for elegant, distinct invitations are opting for letterpress in droves!

Ignoring R.s.v.p. is R.u.d.e.

R.s.v.p. is short for the French "Repondez s'il vous plait." It means "Please reply."

The trend toward disregarding the reply process completely escapes me. What is the point? Someone took the time to think of you and include you on their invitation list, does it really take that long to dial the phone number or shoot a quick e-mail to the address listed and indicate whether or not you will be in attendance? We are all so busy, but how hard is it to mark the Response Card, put it in the envelope (which should have postage already applied) and drop it in the mail? Now, on occasion, you may encounter a Formal Invitation that does not include a Response Card. They did not forget it. In this case, write your reply on your own formal stationery and mail it to the host(s). Simple as that!

Beyond exhibiting poor manners, not replying leaves your host(s) unsure of how to plan--something that can be quite an expensive gamble. If you do not reply, they will likely not plan for you so DO NOT DROP IN. And if you said you will be there, honor your commitment.

Make it easier on yourself by responding to the invitation as quickly as possible. That way you minimize the risk of misplacing it or, as is often the case, completely forgetting about stashing it in your "Things To Do" file!

Tip: When I receive a Wedding Invitation, I promptly reply (see above) and also put a little square on the top of the invitation. Once I send the Wedding Gift, I check the box. As I pull out the invitation to head to the wedding, if the box remains unchecked, I put the invitation in my purse as a daily reminder to send the gift.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

...Christmas, Hanukkah, and all things Holiday! Can you believe it? Thankfully local retailers are at least giving us a break by offering Special Early Bird Pricing---makes seeing Holiday Decor a whole lot more palatable! I'm trying to decide between these Page Stationery designs. They are beautifully letterpressed and so unique. I guess the decision will be made for me--if we don't get a good picture, we'll just go with the nice sentiment!

Houston Invitation Service has all kinds of Holiday Cards and Invitations (including the ones I'm eyeing from Page!) from totally distinctive to ultra traditional. And, they are on sale! I'm ready to do my part to get the economy moving! I wonder, will getting my Christmas Cards ordered early help me get them out on time? Hmmm...

Hurricane Hangover

Looking for things to keep the kids occupied while you try to get back to "normal" following our recent visit from Ike? Get a copy of 100+ Activities for Houston Kids and you'll be set! This book was written by a Houston Mom and is full of fun family ideas, kid-focused community events and even family-friendly restaurant suggestions! Be sure to check out the Kids Activity Queen Blog too---she's got tips and advice on what to do with your little ones as well as fun personal anecdotes sure to make you smile!

Here's the only Hurricane I care to see for a long, long while...Enjoy!