Paper Has No Bounds

I will admit, I am not the biggest fan of alternative wedding bouquets. If not done properly, they really can reach a super cheesy level.

Yesterday I spotted this on sfgirlbybay and I fell head over heels. I love paper, always have and always will. In fact the Hub's thinks I am a little delusional when I swoon over paper. He just doesn't get it, his loss. But back to the point, paper is an amazing thing. Etsy shop WhetherPaperworks knows that paper is an amazing thing as well. In fact she really pushes the bounds and makes the most beautiful creations.

And to make this piece even more amazing, she crafted this as her own bouquet, with a 1920's National Geographic! I mean, does it get cooler than that?!?

{image cred: Whether Paperworks via sfgirlbybay}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Food for Thought

I have been sitting on these a while, and I didn't realize it until today. I originally became obsessed with this recipie set about a year ago (see told you it was a while) and the fact that we are in the holiday gift season (cringe!) this might be a good idea to share.

Whisker Graphics is pretty brilliant, I am not going to lie. Let's take a step back and remember Grandma for a second. If your Grandma is anything like my Mom-Mom was, she has a slew of recipies and one tiny recipe box that is overflowing with oodles of delishious goodness. Now, I know I have always really liked the idea of having a box of recipies on hand to dig through when you want to cook. My only problem with this theory is I like things unified. More specifically I like things graphically unified. This lovely printable set makes all my recipie box dreams come true.

It is just utterly perfect! And the greatest part is, you can buy this .pdf set for $10. How perfect is that for Christmas. Buy it, buy some super fancy paper, a new ink cartridge, some bakers twine, and you have all the lovely ladies in your life covered! And if you are feeling extra crafty, I hope this inspires you to come up with your own recipie card set to distribute this Christmas.

{image cred: Whisker Graphics via Etsy}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

P.S. I am going to strive super, extra hard to keep up with the blog this week. I have a new, extra special loathing for my job, so that inspires me to commit to you readers instead! Thank you to those dedicated readers that still check up on me when I don't post. Here is to doing better!

Brown Paper Bag

Well, that is what Kraft paper reminds me of. Lately I have just had a thing for the stuff. I want to look at it, print on it, and just have it in my hands. Not only does it give you that "eco-friendly" vibe, but it helps give dimension to what would normally be printed on white stock. Which are all reasons why the stuff is perfect in my mind right now.

This Kraft paper on a pedestal standpoint is not helped at all by Etsy seller, TheCraftPantry. Their monochrome cards are absolutely killing me! They are super classy. Simple craft paper and a very simple but detailed monochrome image impeccably printed on top. I want a collection for myself! But I might frame them, and that defeats the purpose of someone being surprised by these lovelies in the mail.

No really, thank you for such amazing work! Sorry, I had to. Ha! I am really impressed with the vintage camera set, classic. And how much do you love that dog at the top? I really can't get over these.

I recommend checking out TheCraftPantry. Not only do they have even more of these note cards but they have some pretty awesome totes. They are along the very same lines as these cards; recycled materials, monochromatic designs. I might have to get one with that cute little dog!

Someone needs to get me some Kraft paper, stat!

Have any of you guys printed on this before? Or found a decent retailer for some? Let me know! Send me some info people!

{image cred: The Craft Pantry via Etsy}



Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Personalize It

I will admit, I have not been on my Etsy game lately. I have really been trying to get back to my roots and show you a lot of graphic design. The only problem is its not really working. Laying down the law to only hit one subject is not only boring, its not very much fun. I see it, it inspires me, it goes up on the blog. Those are my blogging rules, no more crazy structured posting rules.

With that said, lets get back to Etsy and all the cool stuff it has to offer. Today it has to offer some pretty fine personal stationery. Everyone should have some of this. The art of letter writing has literally been lost within our electronic culture. Boring. Get some stamps and go hog wild!

Naomilynn is a graphic designer from Iowa with an extreme love for paper. Her creative outlet is designing stationery, and it's a good thing because she is pretty darn good at it!

I find it a little refreshing that these are not letterpressed. I love letterpress don't get me wrong, but the average paper lover just can't always do letterpress. There is nothing wrong with some awesome paper, simple but strong design, some bright colors and some good old digital printing!

These would be great for Christmas! If you have one of those friends you have no clue what to get, some personalized stationery would be just the ticket. And they are especially reasonably priced. I especially love those calling cards, they are too cute!

{image cred: naomilynn via Etsy}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee



Back to Basics

As you may or may not know, the entire purpose of this blog is to catalog my own personal inspirations, a look book of sorts. Now I post tons of self-inspiring stuff, but I often neglect what I actually need this place for in the process. I like to share, so I share everything and sometimes I don't get down to the point. Well today is about getting down to the point.

Last night in an attempt to get some Nimble work accomplished (more on the spectacle that is Nimble in the near future, it's big things people!) I found myself not only brutally sick, but stumped. I think I have put too much pressure on myself to produce, and I have not been feeding my brain with the proper design nourishment. I need to go back to one simple rule, KISS aka; keep it simple stupid.

Dude and Chick, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota does just that. They keep it simple, and they make it blunt. And together it makes for all around great design, amazing letterpress and a good solid chuckle.

Pretty awesome right? And don't you love the subtle but effective detail that letterpress can provide. It really makes for a knee slapper! Ha! I now know where I will be shopping for the next birthday card I need, because who wouldn't want one of these? It is such a nice break from the box store junk. I seriously cannot wait to check back for a roundup of holiday cards. Oh, just image the amazing blog posts!

{image cred: Dude and Chick via their Etsy shop}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

P.S. I am still sick, it is worse than yesterday. I wish I was at home in my comfy bed, but instead I am at work. It's quite possibly the worst situation ever. I will stick to the Tazo Chai and honey and hope for the best.

P.S.S. Drink your Airborne people and hype up the vitamin C, you do NOT want this!

Pink Erases All Mistakes

Is this not too funny? I love it when designers put their witty powers to good instead of evil.

{image cred: a. favorite via Paper Crave}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee



Cooties

I don't know about you, but my elementary school experience would not have been complete without these things. You fate was in the hands of the cootie catcher! And you did not want to get stuck picking the flap that led you and all your friends to belive you were going to marry to dorkiest boy in school. Can you say embarrassing?

Well now that we are all grown up and super mature, we still make these awesome little predictors of our future. We are just classy enough to do it in letterpress now, well at least Sycamore Street Press is.

Gotta love it! Entirely sophisticated right? I think I am just going to have to make one and keep it on my desk for inspiration. It's nice to have reminders to stay playful. 

I bet you are thinking to yourself, "I wish I remembered how to make one of these!" No worries. I got your back. In case you are wondering Ruffled has a tutorial! Their intention is that you use them at weddings for menus and such, which would be cool but I am way more into just playing with them. 

Drop me a line when you finish! I would love to see your creations. It would be a worthy follow up post. 

Have fun! Ohh and don't forget to put an ugly boys name under one flap, you just have to!

{image cred: Sycamore Street Press}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

Garland

I love that word, it is just fun to say. Try it. Garland. Love it! Well I was struck with some kind of writers block the last couple of days. It might be due to all the craziness that is beginning to develop in my little world. Good craziness though, so no need to fret!

Anyway, back to, garland. On a lot of the wedding blogs I read I have noticed paper garland has become amazingly popular! Not only are diy brides using it, but it really is becoming a staple for vintage chic weddings. I really love the stuff! I have no clue what I would possibly do with it, but it is just so fine and delicate and its just one of those "I gotta have it" items.

So of course my first stop is to run over to Etsy (shocker right?) and find you some lovely images of the stuff. I looked around at a lot of different sellers, but I have to say KristinaMarie has it down to a science! Let's just take a look at all the visual wonderment shall we?

I absolutely adore that last one. It would have been a total fit at our wedding. We actually had the nautical chart for Rock Hall Harbor, MD as our guestbook! Yup, we were that classy.

Seeing these just makes me want to go out and buy a sewing machine so I can make these lovelies! I would have them strung all over our apartment, which I am most defiantly sure the Hubs would adore. Ha! It's probably better off I don't have one, I would make a total mess. Oh, and as a side note; how awesome are those spools?

The photography is defiantly spot on, it drew me in!

If you are interested in purchasing these, check out her Etsy shop. And if you can't get enough of what she does, take a peek at her blog.

{image cred: KristinaMarie}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee