Wax Seals

I am IN LOVE with these... They make you want to write letters and hopefully in turn will let the recipient know there is something special inside just for them!  I even hand delivered two notes just because I was so excited about the SEALS.  As I was searching for pictures to put on the site, I found soooo many more things I can do with the seals AND more designs and some other cute fonts that I am going to order. 

Here are a few tips:

1. Light the wick of the wax and let it drip over the area that you are wanting to place the seal, usually the size of a dime or nickel, depending of the shape of your seal.

2. Blow out the fire and stir the puddle into a nice smooth shape.  (I mostly use the end of the wax, but sometimes use a toothpick)

3. As the wax goes from shiny to matte, press the brass seal into the wax firmly for about 5 seconds, then slowly peel away the seal from the wax.

You should have a nice, crisp impression

It will take a few "trial and errors" to get your technique down.  And remember that you are "playing with fire", as I have burned my fingers and some paper in doing this (I am sure my friend Ashley is NOT surprised, as her nick-name for me is "grace") That wax gets hot, so be careful and have fun adding a traditional embellishment to your notes and invitations.

More Blablas!

What is not to love about the squishy, soft, hand-knitted dolls? They are just precious!  It is no wonder that every child who comes into the shop goes ga-ga over the blabla!  We have all sorts of new styles in the shop... come in and touch and feel how soft and colorful these dolls are!

Outdoor Twin Party

When I saw this party on This Blessed Nest I immediately thought of my best friend and college roommate, Leanne. She is the mother of 5 BEAUTIFUL children, two of which are twins.  All are boys, except the youngest, precious Lila.  I think this party would be great for either the twins or for Lila's birthday. And her husband is soooo handy, I am sure he could make that adorable photo screen in one weekend.  I love that they give you step by step directions on making the photo screen here.

Write-on Wall Decals

This new school year is a year of growth in our house.  We have a new black lab puppy, Jet, and the girls are graduating from twin beds to full-sized beds and are getting room make-overs.  These wall decals from Spell it Out Designs on Etsy are a must for my girls. They will be a great fit for the classic, vintage style that my oldest loves and while satisfying the retro, glam style that the youngest will have going on in her room.  I can't wait  to get them. We may even order a couple for the shop!

Pirate Party

This pirate party from the vintage junky is just adorable and very budget friendly.  I love how they used the Dr. Seuss book as a guest book!  

Stacy Claire Boyd: Vintage Wedding

What a precious wedding... I love everything about this from the paper to fabrics to the brides bright red lipstick!!
Stacy Claire Boyd: Vintage Wedding

Scout Bins & Bags Are HERE!

When my friend Allison, a mother of four, told me how functional and great looking these bags and bins were I had to look into them for the shop.  They are everything she said and more...  They collapse, some have zipper tops, some are even insulated; they all are laminated so they wipe clean.  They have every size and shape you can imagine for every function.  A few of my favorites are the "shoulder holder" for file folders: it's a small bin with a strap that you can carry with you----GREAT for the office, teachers, PTA meetings or when you have to tote around all your design materials! The "couldah" and "shouldah" bins are a must for my trunk; Costco runs will be soooo much easier now. I also love the lunch boxes and laptop sleeves.  I could just go on and on.  To see their entire collection, visit www.bungalowco.com  We are so excited to to carry them in the shop!  Yay!  Thanks, Allison, for the tip.

Embossed Graphics Aug-Sept Sale

Embossed Graphics remains by far our customers' number one choice for simple, affordable personalized stationery. Here is the reason why. From someone who used to be on the other side of the stationery business, I just don't know they can do it!!  Now is the time to take advantage of it and buy those bridesmaids, birthday, holiday, Christmas and teacher's gifts....

Sweet Pea Twice as Nice Promotion

In this downtrodden economy, we have seen many of our vendors offering promotions for their products and we are passing those incentives on to you!

Sweet Pea Designs, a favorite of our customers for enclosure cards, is offering a "Twice as Nice" deal. They will double your order on 25 or more notes, folded notes, enclosure cards, bag tags and bookmarks at no additional charge. Just in time for back-to-school! Everyone could use a fresh bag tag on their back pack and gym bag, and we all need some enclosure cards for all those birthday parties coming up this school year....

http://justwrite.myspstore.com/

The Blushing Hostess

We have MANY etiquette questions asked to us each day.  For writing issues, we consult Crane's Blue Book or Crane's Wedding Blue Book.  However, here is a blog post from the "Blushing Hostess" on thelovelist.net that I am going to share with my own two girls.  Of course right now that just includes lip balm!

Dear Blushing,
I notice women putting on lipstick in public more often. Is this acceptable now for modern girls? What if I am just out with girlfriends?

Thank you,
Anne

Dear Anne,

Nothing has changed with regard to applying makeup in public. Make up, like all personal grooming tasks, should occur in private. It is simply in poor taste to apply make-up in public. It is best to excuse yourself and check your makeup, entirely, in the ladies room. It takes only a moment and chances are, there is more that could be repaired than simply lipstick (running mascara, faded blush).

I was present recently when a KKG chapter gathered at the Tea Room in Savannah for lunch and directly after their lunch was cleared, they excused themselves in groups of two or three to freshen up. It was beautifully, though not at all intentionally, choreographed. The ladies who trained them had been masterful. As a diner who does not wish to wish to see one put on makeup at a table, I appreciated the care they took in excusing themselves gracefully and returning with perfect light-touches of freshened make-up. It may have been only a nuance in their appearance, but the gesture on the whole spoke volumes on their impeccable manners.

A lady, even a young modern one, never preens in public.

Warmly,
The Blushing Hostess

Please check back regularly for The Blushing Hostess' continuing advice. Please feel free to contact her with questions of your own at TheBlushingHostess@thelovelist.net. Visit Catherine at her own blog, The Blushing Hostess Entertains.

Cupcakes!

http://www.muddysbakeshop.com/

How fabulous are these little bites of heaven from Muddy's Bakery here in Memphis? I especially love the bite-sized confections with their yummy, melt-in-your mouth icing! (grasshopper is my personal favorite) And what party wouldn't be complete without the super-cute invitations and thank-you's...

25 Reasons to buy Crane

Crane is amazing.  The 100% cotton paper and the individual craftsmen that have been perfecting each of their handmade techniques (some for over 20 years) are just a few of the qualities that set their cards apart from others.  

Being the "hunter and gatherer" of information that I am, I have included a couple of links that show the painstaking attention to detail that goes into making each of their cards.  In the words of my dear friend, Eleanor, these make my heart SING!

Engraving and Thermography processes by Crane & Co.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6N2r7zUv9g

Hand bordering cards by Crane & Co.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bClJvo4jro&NR=1

Calling cards

As summer comes to an end and a new school year approaches, I begin my own preparation for a "new year" and new "family cards" are in order.  Our family uses them throughout the school year. They are great to have on hand and store in backpacks and purses, especially as the girls start their sports and go on sleep-overs. 

Perusing through the various albums in the store, I started out set on letterpress, as I am in love with the process and the paper; however, as I thumbed through the albums, I found some super-cute designs by Kate Spade, Crane and Williams Arthur. I thought the the one with the "+" sign was too sweet. (maybe I should consult with Nick on that one first though...)

Annie B. Creations

Come and get them while you can.... Oh my!  When Stacy Claire Boyd and her two girls came up here on Monday to deliver Annie's new line of necklaces, rings and hair accessories, we knew they would be a hit, but we had no idea that we would sell half of them all the first two days that we had them!!  These are the cutest fabric covered button clippies, pony-tail holders, rings and necklaces that I have ever seen.  There are even some necklaces that are not fabric buttons, but other embellished fobs that are just precious.  And to top it all off a portion of the proceeds are being donated by little 13 year old Annie to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, here in Memphis.  This girl has her mom's eye for fashion and color when it comes to design.  Way to go, Annie.  We are excited to be carrying your line and have already put in a re-order!

Birthday Chair Banner

I always grew up with birthdays being such a special time.  Well, when I ran across this cute picture from the restaurant Spruce in San Francisco, I thought what a cute idea...  I need to eat there next time I am in San Fran.

Eye Candy

Eye Candy

Amy Atlas has a fabulous blog that I ran across this summer.  Here is a dessert table that she did that is just outstanding!  The way she utilizes color with the food and favors just amazes me and gives new meaning to the phrase "eye candy".  I used one of the ideas off her site for my 10-year-old's party this summer, and it was fantastic!  I loved how the treat bags looked.  You can see the ones like the ones I used on her site, under Eye Candy, photo #17. The treat bags are gorgeous!  We are going to start carrying the items to make those in the shop soon.  

Her Halloween table is precious as well... Look for some of those goodies in our shop, too!  Thank you, Amy, for sharing your beautiful talent and Karen Mordechai for the awesome photography.