All Things Lovely

Christmas Cards

Oh yes....I know it's only October!! But for some reason I'm very excited about Christmas this year. And, I'll be away for a fair bit of November, so I'm trying to be Little Miss Organised this year.

I love to put lots of thought into my theme, and wrapping for Christmas, and of course the gifts. There's something so special about the planning, isn't there? So, I went for a homemade, doiley and brown paper kind of theme for this year and I really love what's come so far.

These are my cards. Very simple, far from perfect but pretty. Usually I'm quite a perfectionist, but I think the imperfections are what makes them charming.

Brown card, a cute doiley, some alphabet stamps and thread. I'm so happy with them. The stamping took me forever though, and unfortunately the white ink just didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. Oh well.

I decided to use some lines from Christmas carols as well, rather than the plan 'Merry Christmas'. I think it's fun. Now just to count down to the 1st of December to post them out!

Have you started any Christmas crafts yet?

Monday Flickr Lovin' - Wrapping

Happy Monday!! How was your weekend? It was pouring rain in Sydney, so it was a perfect excuse to read and just really relax.

I don't know about you, but I love wrapping gifts. I take so much delight in it, almost as much as buying the gift itself. I'm always inspired by how other people package their gifts, and thought you might be as well. So, here's how the good folks on Flickr do it.

1. ...minty fresh & cold..., 2. A gingerbread house giftcard holder/ornament for Kristen and Larry, 3. Calendar 2, 4. Osteraufkleber, 5. Packaging for large necklace and earrings, 6. jewelry box packaging for larger pieces, 7. Lovely Package Exchange, 8. Christmas Gifts 2009, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. Card Gold Oval Collage 5, 12. rose quartz, 13. PACKAGE, 14. Smock Recycled Gift Wrap, 15. Smock Recycled Gift Wrap, 16. Martha paper wrapping

Amy Ormond - Romantic Poetry

I heard this week about Amy Ormond of Wooster & Prince, who has a beautiful idea for Valentines Day. Using her letter sets, she's printed beautiful poetry onto them, such a lovely thing to do for someone you love. Especially one of my favourite poems, I Carry Your Heart, by EE Cummings.

Some of the poems are available as PDF's ready for you to print out.

There's also some beautiful new monogrammed cards. I really think you can't go wrong with monogrammed cards, I love writing cards to my friends, or just thank yous for something, these would be perfect.

I think all of Amy's site is lovely and inspirational. You'll find desktop wallpaper, home inspiration as well as lovely stationery and designs through Wooster & Prince.

Letters Lubell

I received an email this week letting me know about the launch of Letters Lubell, and once I opened it and saw the beautiful eco chic cards and other stationery I knew I had to share.

The new line of letterpress products includes letterpress notebooks, note cards, recipe cards, gift tags and message cards.

 
Hand-drawn designs and graphics are inspired by everything - think bold Mexican textiles, lush fruits and downy feathers and are printed with soy-based inks on museum quality 100% recycled cotton paper stock. 

There's also some gorgeous inspriation images so you can see the design process through from seeing some fabric to seeing that on paper...gorgeous! 

Hey Lady!

I found these fabulous cards via the SCOOP blog, and think they are just fantastic! From Etsy seller Squirrel In The Attic. Cute, hey?

I can see myself buying the Hey Miss or Hey Lady cards for my girlfriends; it's such a lovely invitation to an afternoon tea or picnic on a sunny day.

 

Beautiful Stationery

When I was up in Leura last week, I made sure to stop in at my favourite stationery shop. I could spend hours looking at paper, pens, books, journals and all manner of beautiful things.

What I love about this shop is that it seems to have that old world quality to it, beautiful embossers (which can be customised, I'm very tempted to get my own!) and wax seals. It sounds so romantic to have lived back in the day where all letters were sealed with wax. Almost as good as having Mr Darcy turn up for tea.

All images from Elizabeth Rosa Fine Stationery

Greeting Card Love

Oh boy, do I love this new collection from Made By Girl. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

I'm so sorry for the short and sweet posts this week, work has been fairly insane so no spare time for fun things! Hopefully soon.

Anna Maria's Gorgeous Paper Goods

I know these have been out a little while, but I thought I'd show them anyway. You know how much I love Anna Maria Horner's Drawing Room sketchbook fabric, well - hello notecards!!

Aren't they gorgeous? And there are also beautiful journals and notebooks.

Valentines Day

So, we're coming up to what is potentially one of the most depressing days on the calendar. I thought I'd share some of my favourite cards - maybe I'll summon up the courage to send one.

1. Pink Loves Brown
2. Cuore
3. Made By Girl
4. Sycamore Press
5. Freshly Skweezed
6. Wind Up Bird Studios

Book Plates

I think I'm falling in love with bookplates - they have that beautiful old world quality about them, plus there is nothing better than getting lost in a good book.

I'm really looking for ones I can stick into books that I buy for friends, I really like writing special messages in books that I give.

Anyway, here are my favourites so far.

Swan Girl Bookplates by The Black Apple

Little Birds Bookplates by Cabin + Cub Design

Mum Bookplates by The Petite Press

Glasses Bookplates by Pink Loves Brown

Little Lamb Bookplates by Sarah Jane Studios.