NSS 2012: OLD FAVORITES

This post is part of an ongoing series of wrap ups from this year's National Stationery Show. Please forgive any discoloration or graininess of the photos (the lighting in the Javits Center stinks!) and check out all the other NSS posts here.



    


Guess what, guys? Today is the last National Stationery Show post! Remember yesterday's whirlwind wrap up? Well today is part two! So strap in, get psyched and click through a big ol' batch of eye candy . . . 

NSS 2011: ILLUSTRIOUS ILLUSTRATION

This post is part of an ongoing round up of my favorite vendors at this year's National Stationery Show. Head here to find out more about the series.

You know what never fails to make me happy? Rifle Paper Co. goods. And this year's booth did not disappoint. Sweet and lovely as ever, I am totally obsessed with their new recipe cards, birthday cards and Halloween party invites (aka 90% of their shop!).

Check out the goodness here.








You may recognize the eye candy above from several Design*Sponge posts in the past. I certainly did. If possible, these illustrative beauties by Banquet Atelier and Workshop look even more better in person. I am completely in love with the 'Sea Animals of the Pacific Northwest'. It would be a fabulous gift for one of my Seattle-based friends (you know who you are!), but really any of the Banquet cards or posters would surely make a great gift for any person or occasion.

Check out Banquet here.

IT'S A RIFLE HOLIDAY!

Looking for a unique holiday card that doesn't seem too impersonal? Rifle Paper Co. is your place! I just bought my holiday postcard at their online shop (can't tell you which one, because it is a surprise!) and absolutely can't wait to get them in the mail. Better yet? The prices are really reasonable, the product quality is high and, having met the founders at the National Stationery Show last year, I can promise that you will be supporting some really great people. You can't beat that!

Check out their holiday selection at their shop here.

p.s. Did I also mention they have a fabulous blog? Take a peak here.

p.p.s. I have been in love with all things Rifle for a while, can you tell?

REALLY RAD RIFLE

I love Rifle Paper Co. products. No secret there! But I have never had the pleasure of owning one of their beautiful, elegant, illustrated calendars. With my honeymoon travel on the brain (Iceland here we come!), I am positively swooning over Rifle's new city calendars. Can't you picture having one of these on your wall to do a little mental traveling at your desk everyday? I would use it to inspire my travel bucket list with Istanbul and Cairo both very near the top . . .

See more lovely Rifle products here.

RING, RING, IT'S RIFLE CALLING

If you read the O.I. you know that I love Rifle Paper products. So imagine my delight when I found out that Rifle has designed and launched a whole range of iPhone cases. Did I just blow your designy mind?

They come in different levels of protection—from mere hard shell to a thickly lined case—and are competitively priced at between $30 and $32. Now we just have to make a hard decision: which one to choose?!

See all the beautiful options here.

RIFLE

I am really into Anna Bond's styling of her bright and beautiful blog RIFLE. Her header is super cool--the friendly hand drawn creatures perfectly show off her illustration talents. Also sweet are her photography and calligraphy skills, represented in many impressive and inspirational examples shared in her frequent posts. Check out more of the good stuff here. I promise RIFLE will be a site you will visit again and again.

p.s. I LOVE the design of squarespace-hosted blogs. So fresh and so clean, clean! Maybe I should make the switch . . .

RIFLE AND PAPERLESS POST: A DYNAMIC DUO

Have you seen the new line of cards, invites and announcements by Rifle Paper for Paperless Post? I got an email about their launch recently and immediately burst into a huge smile; I have been a fan of both companies for years and always delighted to see two quality brands team up (like these, for example).

The line features everything related to baby, wedding, moving, parties, graduations, stationery—you name it and you can find it at Paperless Post in all the signature hand-illustrated style of founder Anna Bond. Here are a couple of my favorites:

I also love Rifle designed options that incorporate photos as well, as they really make many of the wedding invites and birth notices seem extra special. And, like nearly all Paperless Post products, you can get them as e-cards or physical paper cards, a nice option if you have some non-tech savvy recipients (snail mail) or last minute invitees (e-vites). Which design is your favorite?Also, don't forget to enter the Uncommon Goods giveaway! One winner will be announced on Monday, so don't delay!  

NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW

On this rainy Tuesday I am headed waaaaaaay across town to check out the National Stationery Show (NSS)! For paper and stationery nerds like me, the NSS is the biggest ticket of the year. The HUGE event plays host to over 900 companies that sell stationery, wrapping supplies, cards, and other supplies. It also attracts the biggest buyers out there, everyone from ABC Home to Kate's Paperie. I am getting giddy just thinking about it!

I plan to take lots of pictures and have lots to tell you this week once I get back. But until then you can see a sneak preview of one of the most anticipated new vendors---Rifle Paper Co.---here and here. You can also check out the vendors on my "must see" list (in no particular order) at their websites below. More to come tomorrow!

Hello! Lucky. Egg Press. Sycamore Street Press.

Igloo Letterpress. Night Owl Paper Goods. SusyJack*.

Linda & Harriett. Albertine Press. Ink + Wit.

MoMA Store. Iota. Jack and Lulu.

Smudge Ink. Anne Taintor. Knock Knock.

Chronicle Books. Crane & Co. Russell + Hazel

LOVE, NOTED

As a stationery nerd, I have to say that my favorite part of Valentine's Day (besides cuddling with my sweetie, of course!) is picking out the right card for the right person and dropping it in the mail as a little surprise. Remember when we used to give everyone in our class a little valentine? Why does that have to stop? I would love to be able to send a note of love/friendship to everyone in my life . . . wouldn't you?


If you are looking for cards that are sure to make someone smile, the companies listed above—Egg Press, Walk Up Press, Fugu Fugu Press, Rifle Paper Co.—never fail to deliver. I am particularly in love with the heart shaped Egg Press cards and Rifle's 'You're a Fox' card. Too cute!


Have a great weekend all! Make sure to enter our delicious Valentine's Day giveaway here! See you back here with more 'obsessive images' on Monday!

MY (PERMANENT) VALENTINE

This morning I was lamenting the fact that I was behind on my Valentine's Day posts. But I realized something: why celebrate love only one day of the year? I really like the idea of doing small special things for your loved ones on unexpected days, surprising them with little notes or gifts just to make them smile. So, another idea: why not have your walls decorated with artwork that reminds you to spread the love? These are currently some of my favorites:

top to bottom, left to right:

I Love Us, KantanDesigns, $9

Personalized Couple Portrait, Rifle Paper Co., $250

I Have Always Known It Was You, Row Boat Press, $15

Heart Poster, Banquet Atelier Workshop, $50