Monday, January 31, 2011

Matchbook Magazine


Matchbook Magazine is a fun, new on-line magazine.  As much as I adore holding and flipping through the pages of real magazines - it is fun to see good on-line magazines too (even though I usually don't read the articles of the on-line ones).  I was super excited that Matchbook had an article on Mr. Boddington's Studio.  I love when deserving companies are highlighted in magazines.  As you all probably know by now, I adore Mr. Boddington's Studio.  In addition to having a wonderful product, they are truly a wonderfully kind company to do business with.  I need to make a stop at their studio the next time I'm in NYC.  What's not to love?  Go to Matchbook Magazine and at least look at the pictures!

Photos from matchbookmag.com

Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Little Turley Lagniappe


So you know that I try not to post too much about Turley, our little shop dog. But, it's Saturday and it's quiet in the store - so I'll use that as the excuse.  So many months ago I wrote this post - click HERE.  It was about a Christmas gift for Dr. Mark, that Patricia at PVE Designs was going to help me with. Well, I told you it was a quiet morning - so I was just catching up with my blog reading and found these on Patricia's blog!...


That's right - I had Patricia do portraits of Turley for Dr. Mark for Christmas!  I thought Patricia would just select one photo - so you can only imagine how excited I was when I received 2 portraits of Turley.  I thought I would show you the photos I sent her so you can see what it was based off of.  Didn't she do a phenomenal job?  


Just in case you are wondering where this is - that's right, it is in the car.  He loves his spot in the car.  Sometimes I literally have to drag him out of the car.  Which is not a lot of fun when I am in a hurry and he is comfortable.  The previous picture is in front of the store. 


Aren't they Awesome (with a capital A)!  When Dr. Mark unwrapped them on Christmas morning he was SUPER surprised and excited. I now consider Turley famous since he has been featured on Patricia's blog. Thank you so much Patricia for making my man and my Christmas a happy one! Check out the Turley post HERE

Friday, January 28, 2011

TGIF

It's Friday!!!!
I hope you all have a great weekend.
(And what says weekend better than glitter letters?)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wedding Invitation Sales



It is not customary that wedding invitation vendors have sales.  However, right now I have 2 companies with the same sale.  Both Prentiss Douthit and Crane & Co. are offering the following: buy 75 (or more) wedding invitations and get 25 for free!  Every little bit counts! If you have any brides in your life now's the time to buy your wedding invitations.  

Crane & Co. is also having a engraved stationery sale too!
Click HERE to view that sale.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Tweet Stationery

Here is a sample of some sweet stationery
we designed for a baby boy.
I love the birds!
Click here to view some baby girl stationery we designed as well.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

New Page




I LOVE PAGE!!!
I used Page for my own save-the-dates and for this last years Christmas card.  They only letterpress and they certainly have perfected their technique.  You can only imagine how excited I was when I got an email that they are updating their wedding album with some new designs.  Thought I'd give you all a teaser as well!  Even if you are beyond planning a wedding don't you just feel like you need some of their stationery or coasters?!?

Monday, January 24, 2011

New Year, New Mariposa


As previously promised, I am posting photos of things I ordered at market in Atlanta.  Today I received a shipment from Mariposa - which is always fun to unpack. I adore this tray and think it would be a lovely wedding gift (I actually just sent one of these as a wedding gift to my cousin - I hope I haven't ruined the surprise).
Bamboo Tray - $110 (measures about 14" wide x 9" tall)


I adore this Cosmos dish!  The inside is the yellow enamel and the underneath side is silver.  It would be a beautiful catch-all, or decorative bowl or candy dish.
Yellow Enamel Cosmos Dish - $48 (about 8" wide)


I have to appologize for the photography of this one.  It is a bunny porriger and would be such a sweet baby gift or would be wonderful in someones Easter basket.
Bunny Porriger - $37


This is actually 2 separate items.  The bunny standing up in this cup is actually a baby spoon (the bunny is the handle of the spoon).  Again - this was the easiest way for me to get a photograph of the spoon. Then the cup is a 2-handled baby cup - so cute, right?  Either would be a precious baby gift or Easter gift.
Bunny Spoon - $16
Two-Handled Bunny Cup - $35


Right in time for Valentine's day we have this enamel heart dish.  It measures about 7" tall and would be a sweet and versatile Valentine's present.  It would be nice on a bedside table or even as a soap dish in the bathroom.  I'm sure little girls and adults alike would enjoy this fun heart dish.
Heart Dish - $35


Finally, we've gotten some new frames.  I love the simplicity of these.  Both the bamboo and the beaded border hold a 4"x6" photo.  Again, I'd like these for myself...
Bamboo Frame - $42
Beaded Frame $42

Saturday, January 22, 2011

A Day Late & A Dollar Short


I'm running a little behind on my blogging (among other things).  I've been super busy this week (which is great).  In addition, all my help has been sick with the flu so I've been solo and busy.  Back at the very beginning of January one of our long time customers (and friends), Erin Driscoll, asked if she could borrow some stationery samples for her Fashion segment at News 8 Austin.  She was doing a segment on writing thank-you notes. I was flattered that she asked to use samples of ours.  Here is the link to her segment:

Sorry I'm so late in posting this - but better late than never, right?  
Thanks Erin!

photo credit: News 8 Austin website

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

It's Been A Week


Wow - It's been a packed week since I last wrote!  I had a successful trip to Atlanta's Gift Market.  Once I start getting some of the items I ordered in the store I'll share them with you. I flew to Atlanta Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. and then flew out of Atlanta at
8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

I thought I'd left the store in perfect order for the girls and I also left a long "to do" list as I thought they'd have plenty of time to do some house keeping. Well, I was wrong (in a good way). Apparently, five brides came in to the store on Saturday morning (if you are one of those 5 brides - thanks!).  It's a good time to need wedding invitations though, as Crane & Co. is having a wedding invitation sale.  If you order 75 or more wedding invitations you get 25 for free.  If you are in the market for wedding invitations - stop by!  

I came back to lot's of notes and things to do on Monday morning (I do love notes). I've been playing catch-up since then.  Not that I am complaining - it is always better to be busy than slow.
Hope you are having a good week!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I Heart Stripes






You may or may not know that we carry Dash & Albert rugs. We carry the small size that's perfect at your doors, at your kitchen sink or even in bathrooms.  However, we can always order any of their other sizes for your home or office. They are such fun colors and I think they are also nice house warming gifts.  I have one in my guest bathroom and one at my kitchen sink.  I throw mine in the washing machine anytime they are looking dingy (even though they suggest you Don't put them in the washer and dryer, mine have held up quite well). Dash & Albert is coming out with some new rug designs (that I love and can't wait to see in person at Market). I've been wanting a rug with bold stripes and my unvoiced wish was granted! I want the Yacht Stripe Green for my house. I think they have great photographs and love that they incorporate Annie Selke's dogs in the photo shoots. The rugs come in an array of sizes and unlike most rugs for your home the price will not break the bank. I think everyone should have a dose of Dash & Albert in their home.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A few of my favorite things


I love design magazines. I really like on-line design magazines as well (although I don't read as many of the articles in the on-line versions). So you can only imagine how happy it makes me when I see some of our favorite vendors in design magazines.  


In the most recent Lonny, editor-in-chief, Michelle Adams highlights Mr. Boddington's Studio for their stationery perfection.  It's so nice to see deserving vendors featured in magazines.
As you all know - I'm "mad" for Mr. Boddington's too!

Photos from lonnymag.com

Monday, January 10, 2011

Ann Marie Murray


One of our most special vendors is Ann Marie Murray. I had the pleasure of meeting Ann Marie Murray last January in Atlanta.  She is a wonderfully warm woman with such talent.  She lives and works in Pennsylvania and hand paints some of the prettiest porcelain items.


She is one of the vendors that I am most looking forward to seeing again in Atlanta.  Meeting people like Ann Marie Murray is one of the best things about owning my store. Her items are on my "wish list" for Atlanta as well. 


Ann Marie Murray's hand painted trays, bowls, plates and more are such perfect, special gifts and they come in all price points.  She has the perfect Baptism gifts (which I always think are a little difficult), like this dish that says "Grow in Grace."


An item we always keep in stock are her ring dishes.  We have them in pink, green and blue.  We also have the pink and green ones with the single letter initial.  Perfect for an engagement gift! Although there are a few other stores in Austin that carry these ring dishes, Hayden Avery is about to start carrying one that no one else in town has...  Check back with me in a few months.


One of the things that I personally want (and can't wait to look at in person again) are her single initial dinner plates.  I think these would be so special to have.  They'd also be a special gift to give. What's not to love about these plates? 
 

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Market Wish List


On Friday I leave for the Atlanta Gift Show.  I am taking a small "wish list" with me in hopes of picking up a few new vendors, as well as restocking some favorites that have dwindled due to the holidays.  One of the vendors I would like to pick up is Mustardseed & Moonshine. I adore their delicate flower ramekins.
Please let me know if you would like me to add anything
to my wish list for you.

photo from Mustardseed & Moonshine website

Friday, January 7, 2011

Baby Stationery


I just reprinted 50 pieces of this sweet baby stationery for one of our customers.  I originally printed it in November or December and loved them then and thought it would be a good one to share.  It is just so sweet! Because I print these in-house it is so easy and fast to reorder. Since everything is already set-up it only takes a day to reprint.  Which is especially nice for the moms on-the-go.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Start 2011 off "Write"


Happy New Year!
Crane & Co. is running their annual engraving plate sale now through March. It is a really great sale (that I have partaken of often). If you order 100 or more pieces of stationery you receive your engraving plates for free - which you can reuse in the future on more stationery.  The engraving plates are are etched pieces of copper that usually cost $48 each.  So, if you want to have engraved monogrammed notes with your return address on the envelope flap Crane & Co. makes an engraving plate for the monogram and one for the return address.  In that case your engraving plates would total $96 - right now you'd get to deduct that $96 off the price of your stationery.  
Good deal, right?