Scoutie Girl

pressing the letter to the metal

you know a card is on-the-spot when you immediately conjure "the perfect recipient" of the message in your head - good and bad alike! i did that through the entire collection of these retro-styled and lampoonish cards. these 2 sister-in-law designers teamed up when one purchased an antique letterpress and had some big ideas. their cards are printed on recycled paper and come with a coordinating envelope. they also design custom cards, posters, coasters, cd covers and any manner of collateral biz materials. [zeichen means 'character' - love the dual meaning here] Designers: Fran Shea and Jen Shea

$4-4.50 from zeichen press

what goes around comes around

spotted these amazing notecards on the orange beautiful blog, the Scoop. each design is meticulously hand-drawn by the artist, who worked as an architect before she launched her stationery collection. i am in complete awe of the detail - tiny line after tiny line! her designs give a heavy nod to Mother Nature through her subject matter as well as her choice of raw materials: all of her paper projects are Forest Stewardship Council Certified (responsible forestry) and use as much post-consumer recycled content as possible. sets come in sets of 5, 8 and 10, with a choice of natural white or kraft stock. the bottom 2 images are from a collaborative collection of doodles {doodlespark} mailed back and forth over many years from mother to daughter, each one progressively adding to the design. how cool is that! truly, she has a great reverence for the circles and cycles of life - the loop. Artist: Elissa Barbieri

$15-25 from loop

friday scout out: reused

1. men's football watch from refinding, $55
2. keyboard magnet set from acorn studios, $9.95
3. crocheted plastic bag purse from cara taylor, $60
4. vintage kook-whoo necklace from buzz jewelry, $26
5. discarded printer paper notebook from subu, $6
6. rebar fireplace screen from one eighty design, $250

** everyday is earth day **

friday scout out: cherry blossoms

1. set of 10 blank cards from oh man creations, $8
2. porcelain mug set from Jessica Rust Designs, $45
3. fitted, silkscreened tee from ahpeele, $28
4. "Pale Earth" print from Julie Beck, $24
5. chiyogami candle set from gamiworks, $15
6. glass & wire necklace from photoglassworks, $25

bookish passion

inspired by just about everything around her, this designer creates bound journal/books that will make you smile (and wish you had half her talent). her binding techniques cannot be touched, and she adds details like beading or handmade polymer clay shapes for extra pizzazz. exterior paper combinations are unique and eye-catching (like flocked paper); interiors vary from fine watercolor papers to yummy drawing papers depending on book, most with deckled edges. her site is worth a visit to see the books in her "structures" and "handbag books" categories - all exceptional! Indie Designer: Jen Kaiser

$30-55 from deckled edge bindery

friday scout out: spring green

1. vintage-fabric skirt from glamspoon, $34
2. button ring from crazy dreams studio, $24
3. recycled barnwood birdhouse from poppy's birdhouses, $19.99
4. custom fabric from daisy janie, $17
5. mini art quilt from liz plummer, $30
6. collage paper magnet from milkshake crafts, $6

rapt with this gift wrap

these simple, organic designs are a nice bridge between beatnik and chic. light tones on natural papers make for lots of versatility - i can see these used for just about any gift-giving occasion...guys, girls, kids, birthdays, weddings, showers. each piece is silkscreened by hand, and the designer has gone above & beyond in conscientiously producing an eco-friendly product - 100% recycled content in paper, water-based inks, minimal waste, small scale production. sheets are 19 x 25; rolled sets of 2 or 3 sheets. designer has been documenting her progress in starting this business from scratch on her blog make it - good stuff. she also features card sets, paper pack and gift tags. keep on eye on this one. Indie Designer: Shannon Riffe

$8-12 from rifferaff

edgy sentiments

i found these brassy cards when this designer left a comment on the paper wallets post - thanks! sometimes it pays to be vocal. in her case, that might be true in more than one way. she makes artful and original cards that run the gamut from gritty and nasty (see nastee notes) to super-sweet and sentimetal. she'll customize invitations for any occasion. these 4.38 x 5.34 cards are printed on white acid-free linen paper, some are embellished with a swarovski crystal. individual and sets. she has other fab stationery at bluesugarpress.com, nasteenotes.com, and vanessacavacodesigns.com. Indie Designer: Vanessa Cavaco

***From Feb 14th to Apr 1st, 50% of each item sold in her shop will be donated to the March of Dimes "March for Babies"  Not only will you be getting cool stationery, but you'll also be helping a worthwhile cause. Her son was born 13 weeks premature, and the March of Dimes is near and dear to her heart.***

$1.75-8 from vanessa cavaco designs at etsy

paper wallets for your paper money

i guess i'm on an unconventional container kick today. i was pouncing on etsy and found these must-post, outrageously cool paper wallets called "moolas"! they're meticulously folded by hand to yield a sturdy, clever, ready-to-go wallet. each one measures 3.75" x 2.75" (closed). will hold 4 credit cards or license(s) - please tell me you don't have 4 of either one! inside center holds your cash. no tape, glue or staples. for men or women! they wear very well, but at this price, you can afford to recycle and replace them as needed. a tres nouveau leather-free idea! moola designer also has this very cute site: we & the bean Indie Designer: Kris

$2.50 from moola

edesse journals & notebooks

i rec'd a nice note from this designer about her journals and notebooks. i've seen her work around the blogosphere before, mainly for her hip tables shaped like eggs and puzzle pieces. i wondered how much of it she actually did on her own - so i asked her. turns out her father was a furniture maker, and she grew up cutting, assembling, painting and staining - and she's quite adept at making all her designs with her own hands. for the notebooks pictured here, she starts with her own photography, decides on an image and goes from there with the assemblage of each book. i'm very, very impressed with these! so sleek, original and refreshing - they definitely say, "use me!" (i don't like notebooks that look like they're just for show - and these are not!) notebooks come in small, med and large with blank, unlined pages - but you can swap out lined pages for a tiny fee. laminated for durability. lots of other lovely journals and dayplanners, too. Indie Designer: Erica Walker

$6-10 from edesse designs

birthday loot

my birthday was dec. 23rd, and i was one lucky chica this year! seems a blog about fabulous handmade goods is akin to a grade-A, spit-polished birthday list...not bad! these are items or designers i've featured previously, and i am so happy to be their proud owner now.

wool felt and fabric rings from greigh's layne. just what i need to keep my fingers warm on this frigid morning! the handstitched needle work is unbelievable. to see creativity and perfection take such a tiny, tiny form is very inspiring! see original post here.


etched and oxidized silver necklace from please bloom. the detail is striking. i love this design my husband picked b/c it reminds me of my family: papa bear, mama bear and baby bear (who is now 10!). and i love being reminded of the "circles of life." good stuff. see original post here.


glazed stoneware from liz kinder. my photos don't do her work justice, but - trust me - they are lovely. the strokes and palette are bold but harmonious. a signature style for me. my MIL was kind enough to peruse Scoutie Girl to find my post about liz's work, and she purchased these bowls at redelephantgallery.com. what a score, if truth be told - thank you riva!


letterpressed thank you cards from deluce design at modishoppe. i purchased these myself in anticipation of sending out a few once my bday and the holidays had passed (glad i didn't jinx myself). first letterpressed item i've ever owned - i don't know if i'll be able to go back to the land of lasers! see original post here.

a simple 'thank you' will suffice

overdue for a papergoods post, i was just about to start my search. then, as timely as ever, Jena from modishoppe dropped an email. she stocks lovely items and takes such great care in photographing them - it's a pleasure to browse her site! {tip for indie designers with websites: the images you capture of your items are equally as important as the items themselves - figure out a system that works and perfect it - you won't be sorry!}

back to papergoods...
add "thank you cards" to your shopping list b/c soon enough it will be time to send a note of gratitude to your gift givers. here are a few from 2 different designers featured at modishoppe:
the top 2 are from DeLuce Designs. these simple and delicate designs are letterpressed onto eco-friendly, luxe card stock, making the final piece more pillowy and tactile. $13 for a boxed set of 6 cards.
the bottom 2 are from Good on Paper. these cute, sweet, clean-lined cards are handscreened onto high-quality recycled stock with vegetable-based inks. (i included a birthday card in honor of the countdown to my 38th b-day on 12/23!) $4.50 for single cards.

**i just bought the top-right design. as usual, i cannot resist a daisy motif. i think she has one more in stock of this particular design.

tellin' it like it is

sometimes you just need to cut to the chase with people (what's with all the coddling anyway?). these notecards and memo pads allow you to get your point across in minimalistic style - wouldn't you love to send a note that has "you're on my sh*t list" at the top or an office memo that says, "stop complaining" checked off, especially since whiners and complainers are such a drag! i think i'll suggest, "get over yourself" or "alright already." cards come in packs of 8 with a mix of sayings and pads are 40 pages. other cute, sweet and simple designs available, if being brusk isn't your thing! you can customize signature sets, too. Designer: Jenn

checkout her blog just jenn recipes - she has some tasty looking mini-caramel apples up there right now with all sorts of happy sprinkles - and those make as much of statement as her stationery!

$6-8 from just jenn designs

biblio cards

i love artists who can translate their work into different media...takes great vision and organization. i posted about the beautiful glass jewelry by this artist a few months back. she's been busy, busy, busy building her company one piece at a time, and she's recently made the jump to stationery. her designs are delicately understated and very unique - a signature look to be sure. her cards and journals are inspired by vintage card-catalog-cards - a neat and tidy way to jot a note! don't forget to check our her glass jewelry when you visit. Designer: Laurel Denise

$3.50-16.00 from laurel denise

so many clocks, so little time

sweetness all around on these clocks and wall squares! each one is handcrafted and features an original paper collage on a sturdy wood base. attractive compositions for any decor style. i love the inspirational words, too - it's like finding a little upbeat note whenever you see it. clocks are 10" square; wall squares are 4.25"...both are ready to hang. many, many other gorgeous paper crafts on this website including cards, pendants (adorable!) and magnets - see them here. Designer: Lisa Kelley

$20-48 from milkshakecrafts.com

birds on a wire

when i was looking for something to illustrate the art of "scherenschnitte" below, i found cindy ferguson's blog of the same name. scherenschnitte means "scissor cutting" but refers to the broader, ancient folk art of papercutting...once used to make birth certificates. cindy's designs are super-mod and very cool; she does a ton of commission work. she mentioned that she'd like to get an etsy site up (please encourage her to put one up ASAP!). in the meantime, she offers this "thank you" card for sale on her blog. it's not an actual papercutting, but she designed it in the spirit of scherenschnitte. she's also a talented graphic designer - check out her site here. cards come in a set of 5; size: 5.5" x 4.25" - and you can choose from cream, white or robin's egg blue for your cardstock. Designer: Cindy Ferguson

$7.50 from papercutting.blogspot.com

notecards with a twist

bright and cheerful notecards with a citrus-bird motif. great for "just because" personal notes! love the coordinating envelope liner - nice touch to finish off this charming, limited edition design. choose your combo: chartreuse bird/blue envelope or blue bird/chartreuse envelope. purchase single cards or a set of 6. designer also does custom work for invitations and stationery...cute graphics! Designer: Christine Koh. check out her blog, boston mamas

$4-16 from poshpeacock.com

an affordable red lotus

it may not go from 0-60 in under 5 seconds, but this red lotus is proabably a better place for a handwritten note! and it's certainly in your price range! these lotus flowers were block-printed one-by-one from a block that was hand-carved stroke-by-stroke. each set includes 3 cards (with pretty rounded corners) and 3 coordinating envelopes - all wrapped in a red band. cards are 4" x 5.5". each image varies due to the printing method. thank you for introducing a new motif in indie-land! Designer: Jenna Lou Dauer

$6 from jennalou at etsy

note cards with a message

rare and threatened creatures become simple yet intriguing objects of art on these beautiful, hand-embossed note cards. they're also printed with eco-friendly paper & ink. and if that's not enough of an expression about mindful living, 10% of profits support U.S. wilderness conservation. 4-3/16" x 5-1/2" - hand-embossed envelopes included. Designer: Anne Johnson

$14.25 from passionfly

indie fundraiser

i rec'd information recently about a grassroots fundraiser taking place for fellow indie designer/event organizer/all-around-indie guru, alison gordon. alison had to undergo emergency surgery recently and is without health insurance to foot the bill. some of her indie designer friends put together a shop of incredible handmade items - ALL donated - in the hopes of raising some money to ease alison's financial burden. there's a lovely assortment of jewelry, accessories, stationery, clothing and artwork. so check out the wares, buy something fun and help out in the process!!

from wonderland retreat at etsy

sponsor showcase

more Spring gloriousness from our sponsors. please visit soon and often.

1 - big mama handbag from daisy janie - $55
2 - green floral notebook from milkshake - $15
3 - brigadoon necklace from nek jewelry - $150

a cardful of creativity

these imaginative cards bring together a lively "nature meets fantasia" aesthetic. after opening a flower shop with her sisters, this {graphic} designer re-discovered her love of color and pattern and decided to switch gears. now, her daydreams take on a physical form in her wild & glittery cards. 4.5 x 5.5 folded cards, printed on heavy cover stock. sold in a set of 8 cards (2 of each) in a signature Charlyn Koo box. Designers: Dorothy Teng, Charlyn Koo

$23.50 from thesucculentwife.com

modishoppe has hung a shingle!

if you're in tune with the indie design world and you've been waiting with bated breath for this announcement, well, wait no more...the modishoppe is officially open for business!! jena {blogger supreme at modish} sent a note today with the wonderful news, and i'm happy to pass it along! modish has become a trusted resource in the land of indie design b/c jena brings an immense amount of enthusiasm, knowledge and devotion to the indie designers she writes about. it looks as though that will be equally true with her modishoppe...lucky designers! so go check it out. all the groups are well-repped: accessories, apparel, bags, home goods, jewelry and paper goods. little bit vintage, little bit bohemian...all handmade and hip. use code "conrgats44" until 4/11 to get free shipping on orders over $75. way to go, jena!!

from modishoppe

bringing bookbinding back

a simple but necessary job at a bindery led to this designer's passion for paper. to fuel her fire, she continued with apprenticeships, formal schooling and began collecting gorgeous papers from all over the world - which allow her to create unique journals, albums and boxes of all sorts (see the tissue boxes above). her techniques & materials are remarkable. custom work for commemorative keepsakes available. Designer: Judith Cohen

$40-85 from sevenhillsbindery.com

whose books these are i think i know

bookplates - just in case you want to get your robert frost back after your best pal borrows it. clean, fresh and happy designs in retro-inspired styles and hues. great idea for the book club gift exchange! can be personalized, self-adhesive, 2.5" x 3.75", sold in sets of 8 or 24. other mentionables: cute stationery sets. Designer: Nicole Balch

$8.50-18.00 from pinklovesbrown.com

handmade notebook

the art of keeping notes just got a whole lot sassier with these funky spirals! exteriors feature vibrant shades of bookcloth, while the interiors compliment with a bold graphic paper design. front pocket has a diecut business card slot; back pocket holds a spiral notebook with life & love quotes...which we ALL need to see more often! other mentionables: book exterior measures 6.5 x 9; pen loop; pewter clasp button; customizable. Designer: Kristen Yarranton

$35 from taylormadedesigns at etsy

upbeat stationery

engaging silhouettes from nature set the stage for a sweet message. two-toned and tone-on-tone hues are chic and classy. other whimsical designs available; sold individually and in sets. customization is very welcome! Designer: Johanna Anderes

$3-20 from 12fifteen.com

flock of birds

line, shape and subject marry well in this print. the result is strikingly simple yet requires a second glance to make sure your brain is seeing what your eyes are seeing. seems to evoke nature's golden rule: every creature is essential in the big picture. print is 18" x 24". many clean-lined prints available. t-shirts, too. designer's style has a keith haring-ish feel; good flow. Designer: Wayne Pate

$30 from goodshapeshop.com

kindness & consideration in kid-cool gifts

personalized gifts never go out of style...it's the cherry on top of an already great idea! here, "Itty Bitty Books" and pint-sized tote bags are customized with child's name, likeness, initial and/or style. many variations on this basic design, and they're always open to your ideas; personalization is free! company uses 100% recycled paper and donates 2% of every sale to 1 of 4 worthy charities - you choose! that is indeed living kindly. Designer: Kristie Piacine

$16-18 from kindlivingdesigns.com

torn between cards

hard to decide, isn't it? these cards are an assemblage of carefully hand-torn papers, layered & sewn together with a handmade embellishment. perfect accompaniment for notes containing exclamation points! cards are 4" x 5.5" and blank inside. limited quantities but lots of great styles. Designer: Melissa Ivone

$6.95 from melissahead.com

write some love notes baby

write a crazy love note on each page for your honey and stick in his pocket. why not! 3" x 5" hand silk-screened metallic notepad. so many cool designs I could barely stand myself!

$2.49 from hamblyscreenprints.com

get on your soapbox

luxurious soaps that are 100% handmade from natural ingredients paired with beautiful (re-usable) boxes. 2 bar sizes included; comes in one of two refreshing scents - fig or green tea. box design exclusively from deweyhoward.com (a post on this designer is forthcoming).

$24 from brickhousesoap.com

abstract print cards are attention getters

modern styling and a hip print are always winners with Scoutie Girl. the use of recycled, ultra-textured paper that resembles cloth is a plus as well. 8 cards per set, blank. Designer: Loose Petals

$12 from notepolish.com

the finishing touch to a gift worth giving

retro wrapping paper? say no more. but we have to! high quality, double-sided paper with geometric shapes and pattern in one of our many favorite palettes. collection comes with 4 designs altogether, 2 sheets of each.

$4.50 from whimsypress.com

bold greetings

these simple but strong cards make their point in style. cutouts w/ fabric inset and topstitched border are creative details. set of 6 (2 of each); other cards, t-shirts & home goods available. customizing, too.

$25 from wonderthreads.com

collage magnet

beautiful handmade paper, fiber & jewel collaged onto a wood-base, 2 in. square. cards, bookplates, notepads, photo albums, frames...all in custom-designed patterns from a talented graphic designer.

$5 from milkshakecrafts.com