National Stationery show

A big thank you to everyone that made it to the Stationery show and for making it a success! Hope to see you in Atlanta too - lots of new cards in the pipeline.

Above: My Mum and Colleen in a relatively serious moment on the stand

The art of writing

I love receiving hand-written letters and cards. The choice and texture of the card or paper, the character of the handwriting and the stamp chosen all make it so personal and something you want to keep. E-cards feel like an afterthought by comparison and a love email doesn't quite have the same ring to it does it?

On my trip to Bath, I went to the Jane Austen centre, which had a letter written to her sister Cassandra (see above). At the time Jane Austen was writing, letters were written on paper that was folded into four with one side being used for the address as envelopes weren't used. The recipient of the letter had to pay for delivery costs and part of that was determined by the size of the letter, so it was polite to fit as much writing on the page as possible. Letters were written with quill pens, usually using goose feathers and on personal letters, the sender would often spritz the letter with their personal scent or use scented ink to write with.

To make your own scented ink:

Mix 100 drops of essential oil such as rose or lavender with a teaspoon of vodka

Then very gradually add the mixture to 2 ounces of ink (dark colours work better)

Stir and use

The finishing touch would be a seal (have your own personal seal, or use a signet ring for the imprint). At the stationery show, my Mum spotted a stand just selling sealing wax. Have a look at their things on www.nostalgicimpressions.com

Poppytalk

I would like to say a big big thank you to Jan over at the Poppytalk blog for featuring anzu and our luggage card in her National Stationery guide. I always click in to see the latest inspiring things they have found be it cards, illustrations or pictures of artists' studios and am delighted to be shown on it! You can view the Poppytalk blog and our feature on www.poppytalk.blogspot.com

National Stationery show!

BOOTH NO 2646

National Stationery Show

Jacob Javits Centre (or center for US readers!)

New York

18th - 21st May, 2008

Please come and pay us a visit!!

Above image: our cherry blossom gift enclosure card