AWOL

Orange Beautiful's new TYPE line seems to say it perfectly, beautifully... Later! I will be up in Seattle again until July 8th. (I feel so lucky; two trips to the PNDubb in one month!) I apologize for my absence, but I have a few family commitments.

I hope to take a break at Velocity Art and Design and, if I can get to Portland, I plan to visit Pam's new store ink & peat. I love her blog housemartin, so I can just imagine how great the store will be!

xoxo, stets

(Thanks, E for the email; these are amazing!)

WINNERS

The hubby helped draw names randomly and the winners are... Brooke and Shannen! Congratulations, ladies! This was fun; I want to do another giveaway I think... any one up for another? I'll keep you posted!

BESTOW... FREEBIES

I would like say, "thank you" for all the interest and great feedback after the Love Terrarium with a set of twelve succulent flat-printed note cards for two MStetson readers. How do you enter, you ask? Just make a comment on this post. What should you say? That I leave to you! On Thursday evening, June 26th (7pm pacific time) I will select two readers randomly and then drop these suckers in the mail! It is that easy... you comment, I give away.

If you have a blog, feel free to spread the word!

xoxo, stets

LONG LAST

It is launch day for the Eames postage... if you are at the post office, watch out... here I come! I feel like we've been waiting forever.

LUCKY LADIES

The ladies of Hello! Lucky will be debuting their new letterpress personalized stationery line at the National Stationery Show. Look how pretty... beautiful florals, graphic patterns, elegant flourishes paired with bold colored envelopes. My favorite is sophisticate.

{ ...and as if that's not enough... }

The ladies will also be promoting their new book published by Chronicle Books, Handmade Hellos, with a Meet 'n Greet Giveaway valued at over $1000. They describe the book as:

Handmade Hellos features more than 25 projects from some of today's most talented professional paper artists, gathered by card-mavens Eunice and Sabrina Moyle of Hello!Lucky:
Abigail Brown, Amy Karol, Binth, Cielo Blu, Daniel James, Darling Clementine, Egg Press, Foxy & Winston, François Vigneault, Hearts & Anchors, Hello!Lucky, Julianna Swaney, Kate Sutton, La Familia Green, MikWright, Pancake & Franks, Paper + Cup, Petra Boase, Pie Bird, The Small Object, Shim + Sons, Two Trick Pony, You Send Me.
Inside this beautifully illustrated book, you'll find easy instructions to make cards that celebrate birthdays, holidays, new homes and new babies, weddings, friendships, parties and more. With designs ranging from elegant to striking and sometimes both sweet and snarky, there's a clever card for every crafter—and for every recipient.

SUSYJACK-ED

Sure wish I could slip away to the National Stationery Show and check out SusyJack*. All these colors and patterns make me smile. I heart colorful patterns… and extended sans serifs (in the logo). Plus, Susan Connor will be debuting her new 2008 line soon.

Stay in-the-know by visiting HeySusy, Susan's blog. Not in NYC for the NSS? Shop SusyJack* here or here.

ON LOCATION #2

I previously posted about how M & I were excited to be a part of Cotton Idea Studio’s lifestyle photoshoot. Here are some more images that photographer, Joshua Cloud took while assisting Trever Hoehne.

B–10

I am constantly purchasing journals with the intention that this is going to be the one I actually complete. I never do, however I don’t mind; it’s made for a nice little collection. One has become my logo sketch book, another full of creative concepts, but all with blank pages in case I want to add more later. I think I’ve found my next edition: the BINGO book by May Day Studio. These beautifully stitched books use bingo cards as covers and contain 8, 12 page cotton paper signatures covered with decorative flyleaves just waiting for my le pens. May Day Studio also has a great line covered in vintage fabrics… make sure to check them out here.

GIDDY UP

These screen printed, eco-friendly note cards from Two Trick Pony are kicking. As you know, I am way into the grey/yellow combo and have always admired a good blue/red. (M not so much a fan of red, except when used sparingly.) You can download their complete 2007 catalog here or check out their stock on etsy. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2008!

(I prefer to spell grey with an “e” versus an “a”... don’t you think it looks better? Or am I totally weird?)

XOXO

Good news… Cotton Idea Studio is offering 20% off all paper goods until February 22nd. Thanks, Mindy; you are spreading the love, for sure.

FINALLY

The United States Postal Service has just officially created the best stamps ever. As some of you might have heard, the design world is abuzz with the recent announcement of the Charles and Ray Eames first-class stamps. They should be available this summer. You better believe I will be buying out our local store… (I’ll be the one with my elbows up pushing through the design savvy crowds.)

Hopefully, they won’t change the price of postage just as they are released.

RETROMOD

Jenn Ski is an extremely talented individual, designer, illustrator, artist. She offers both original art as well as giclée prints on her etsy site. Talk about affordable… her prints start at $25! I’m thinking my dining room might need a few of these.

P I C K A P A T T E R N

Any pattern… ThomasPaul offers a wide variety of textiles and prints to allow for flexibility and they are sure compliment your look without being matchy matchy. ThomasPaul launched in 2001 and has evolved into a brilliant collection including dinnerware, lighting, rugs, bags, wall decor and stationery. ThomasPaul products are available at Velocity Art and Design [totally in my PNDub (Pacific Northwest) hub, Seattle]. If you have time, make sure to click through their delightful miscellany. But I am warning you, their selection is ridiculous; you could be lost for hours. Best wishes…

B I E N V E N U E

A few months back we posted of our dear friend Mindy Gayer’s store Cotton Idea Studio in Laguna Beach. Yesterday afternoon Cotton’s online Shoppe launched with oodles of tasteful flat and letterpress note sets, greetings, custom correspondence and accoutremonts. Congratulations, Mindy!



Make sure to sign up for her mailing list so you can receive updates on online specials.

100 PERCENT

The “paper set” has found it’s newest treat. Nestled in North Laguna, Cotton Idea Studio offers some of the most perfectly letterpressed correspondence pieces, note cards, personalized stationery, and invitations. You can also go home with a piece or two of lovely gift wrap, divine grosgrain ribbon, or scores of ideas on how to dress up your home or the perfect gift.





Friends of Cotton and Proprietor Mindy Gayer celebrated the sweet spot’s new home with a summer soiree to remember. MStetson was lucky enough to be on site for the delightful debut and our favorite photographer Trever Hoehne was kind enough to capture these images and share them with us. Hats off to our friend and bon chance!

MINDY MINGLES MERRILY.

M AND SOFIA MINI.

CRUDITÉS, FRUIT AND CHEESE FROM ZINC CAFÉ, SPRINKLES CUPCAKES, SPARKLING PEAR IZZE SODAS, AND CHAMPAGNE ON CUSTOM LETTERPRESSED COASTERS (OF COURSE).

For an appointment with Mindy...

Cotton Idea Studio
1000 North Coast Highway No.10
Laguna Beach, California 92651
949.715.3600
hello@cottonideastudio.com

WE WERE LEFT OUT

Both M and I ( Stets ) were the babies of the family. Competitive. Peacemakers. We would never make our siblings' mistakes. But when it comes down to it, we totally got the shaft. Our mothers had the best of intentions to create, and complete, our baby books. However, like most parents, when it was our turn to bask in the limelight, it seems they lost inspiration. And so, with the continued excitement from our previous post, we just had to show you Binth's Baby Book. If only our parents had known; we might not have felt so ignored. This sucker is so fantastic, we are confident it will be completed regardless of whether it's your first child or your fifth. The pages will guide you through the documentation of everything from “The First Big Journey” to “Third Birthday Firsts and Favorites.” The cotton bookcloth cover is screen printed in white and sits in a delightful keepsake box.




Make sure to check out the other products designed by one of our favorite companies, Binth.

“A” IS FOR

{ APIARY } We dote on the pattern selections offered at Apiary Design. Take a look at their online store where you can purchase a "hodgepodge" of note cards, gift enclosures or imprintable, do-it-yourself invitations. Using a process called thermography, Apiary prints "terms of endearment" messages which are stitched onto correspondence cards. Hand sewn paper you say? Yes, and we’re giddy with affection. Like the first bikini wear after a successful diet, our anticipation for their new product line is hardly bearable. It will be revealed at the National Stationery Show in just a few days and the online store should be updated shortly after... make sure to check back.

{ ABBY } The simple, classic style of Abby Jean Press makes it one of our favorites for wedding invitations and social stationery. Abby Jean features lovely engraving, understated elements like flourishes, a sensitivity to typography, and a style that is as elegant as white gloves in the daytime. In her "Style Me Pretty" blog, Abby Jean mentions her recent relocation from California to Boston. Though she’s trading the A’s for the Red Sox, we’re sure her designs will remain true to form. If you are planning a wedding, her site promises to inspire any blushing bride. Abby Jean’s designs can also be found at Fontaine Maury.