IKEA...Paper Shop?!

We all went crazy when IKEA started offering textiles in their stores, but now there's something new to go gaga about: the IKEA Paper Shop! Gift bags and gift wrap, ribbon, tags, stationery, notebooks, stickers, journals, paper lanterns, and coveted decorative tapes...get ready to have your mind (and budget) blown! The shops are currently only in Sweden and UK stores, but will hopefully come to the US and other areas soon! Pictured are some of my favorite items, but you can view the whole range here.

A Whiff of Nostalgia

Several years ago I purchased my first issue of Uppercase magazine. It was issue #5, and I read it cover-to-cover that night. I subscribed the next morning, also buying #3 and #4, the only remaining back issues. Every few months the magazine arrives, the inside of the envelope filled with that fabulous fresh ink smell. I had always dreamed of being featured in the magazine, of course for my design work, but recently an opportunity came up for me to contribute in a different way.

Some of you may know that my obsession with collecting (hoarding) includes a passion for vintage stickers from the 1970s and '80s. For the first 10 years of the 2000s, right after I turned 30, I was consumed with finding and buying all the stickers I collected as a kid, replacing all those I had stuck to old notebooks and magnetic photo albums with pristine, unused stickers on their original backings. This included scratch and sniff stickers, which had to be unscratched and still have their smell. And I wasn't the only one--eBay was crawling with avid sticker collectors, especially those who wanted sniff stickers. It was a tense 10 years, watching hundreds if not thousands of listings and usually bidding at the last second to try to win. But my collection is nearly complete, and occasionally I am able to fill in some holes when I get the inkling to check out the eBay listings again.

During this time I was fortunate to collaborate with a fellow collector, bubbledog, writing a book dedicated to scratch and sniff stickers: The Vintage Scratch & Sniff Stickers Collector's Guide. It took us a couple years to compile all the information and images (working on opposite coasts while also having full-tme jobs didn't make it any easier!), but the labor of love has brought me full-circle to the latest issue of Uppercase, #17, in which I am thrilled to have contributed a short article about the stinky pieces of paper!

This issue is the "Special Stationery Issue", so inside you'll also find profiles of 50 stationers, stationery from around the world, a history of the envelope, and so much more--too much to list--on over 100 beautifully-designed pages. Oh, and did I mention the cherry-scented scratch and sniff cover?! If you're not familiar with the magazine, you can check out their website here, and even flip through this issue here. If you decide to subscribe, use the special code "CONTRIBUTOR17" at checkout to get $10 off your subscription!

It's Thank Your Mailman Day: A Preview of 2013 US Postage Stamps

It really is "Thank Your Mailman Day" today, so I thought we could celebrate by taking a peek at the new stamps that will be issued this year by the United States Postal Service. These are just a few that stood out for me, but you can view them all at the USA Philatelic "Beyond the Perf" website. Some designs won't be released until later in the year; buy those available now here, or keep an eye on the ones you like by following USPS Stamps on Facebook. Which one is your favorite?


Emancipation Proclamation, designed by Gail Anderson


Sealed with Love, designed by renowned letterer Louise Fili


Just Move!, designed by Eli Noyes


Kaleidoscope Flowers, designed by Petra and Nicole Kapitza [LOVE!!!]


Johnny Cash, designed by Greg Breeding, and made to look like a 45rpm record picture sleeve

12 DIYs of Christmas: Pretty Paper Baubles

For Day 7: make these pretty paper ornaments from Torie Jayne to add to your tree! Can you believe Christmas is only six days away?

Wrap It Up, I'll Take It!

Last night I discovered, by accident, and I think before it has officially been announced: Just in time for the holidays, you can now order any Spoonflower fabric design printed on...drum roll please...gift wrap! Each roll is 36" x 72" and costs $15. I have been waiting for this for a long time, hoping it would happen someday, and that day has come! I have already ordered four different rolls! Will be sure to show them to you when they arrive.



Also, in other "new product news": In my Society6 shop, I have added four new iPhone/iPod cases and skins, one with my Ornamental Circles, and three in my recent Tribal Arrows patterns. I also have tote bags, T-shirts, and hoodies available with my Washi Tape designs. Great deal going on now for all my friends: Get $5 off all items in my Society6 shop just by clicking here. You won't be able to get the deal any other way.

Friday Finds: Rainbow Connection

1 Paperthinks Recycled Leather Notebooks from Kate's Paperie || 2 Color Burst Temporary Tattoo by Tattly || 3 Color Wheel Umbrella from Karma Kiss || 4 Handy Bookmarks and Numberclips by NPW || 5 Rainbow Stacking Toy Necklace from You gNeek || 6 Tracing Rainbows Pencil and Eraser Set at ModCloth

Beautiful Boletos: Argentinian Railway Tickets

On Pinterest recently, I happened upon some images from an amazing collection of hundreds of train boletos from Argentina. The site from which they came includes the history of the tickets and the railway system in Argentina, plus images from the 1800s to present. It's written entirely in Spanish, but you'll find it hard to take your eye off of the tickets themselves anyway. So very simple and functional, yet beautiful for the same reason. View the whole collection here.

Party 'Arty with Alphabet Plates and Cups

Though I'd have a hard time taking them out of the package, these alphabet paper plates and cups from UK company Magpie would be great for a child's birthday party. The cups could also be used for storing pencils, crayons and small crafty items, and the plates might be fun strung on yarn like garland, in alphabetical order, and hung in a child's room. Great typography and color!

Is there a 12-Step Program for addiction to office supplies?

I admit it: I am a hoarder of beautiful paper, pens, pencils, and erasers. I have always loved them and don't dare use them because then they'll be gone. Forever. That's why I am obsessing over these erasers and sticky notes now available at Madewell. The beautiful erasers, made by Koh-i-Noor (pen- and pencil-making extraordinaires), remind me of rocks on the beach. The pads of sticky notes were designed by Korean stationer Pansydaisy and bring to mind 1980s stationery, which you might have heard me ooh and ahh about here. Just try to resist these!