Paula Deen Paper!

Paula Deen is everywhere you look these days & rightfully so, it's hard not to fall in love with a classy, good-cooking, sweet accented, southern lady. (Just ask my husband.) (kidding.) Today, International Greetings announced a Paula Deen partnership with products launching in May 2010. Although Gray Papier won't be carrying the goods, I looove the idea & Michaels is a regular shopping spot - can't wait to check them out!

A line of Paula Deen-branded stationery and more from International Greetings will hit Michaels stores nationwide in May.

Beside stationery, the range will include recipe cards, organizers, boxes and food containers. It will be available in more than 1,000 Michaels stores. Discussions are under way with other major U.S. retailers.

"I am looking forward to working with International Greetings in designing my signature paper products," says Deen. "I am confident that their reputation for quality and creative goods will result in great products at a good value."

International Greetings is headquartered in Deen's hometown of Savannah, Ga. (Stickin' to her southern roots!)

{Question: do you use recipe cards? or are your cookbooks stuffed with magazine tears, print-outs & crusty folds like mine??}

Apologies for the holiday hiatus!

Life got busy & the 8-5 turned into 8-8, shew!

Wishing you & yours a holiday filled with glimmering lights of laughter, memories & hope.

Holiday Shopping tips for Men

Ladies, does your man need a little assistance in the gift buying department?

Pass along this article featuring my awesome friend Bethany, a Pittsburgh based personal shopper, discussing "Holiday Shopping 101: Tips for Men at a Loss".

Or watch the video!

Doesn't she ROCK?!

{*so proud*}

perfectly anxious

'missing a perfectly good day because she's sure that she should be anxious about something'

It's holiday time! How festive, and fun, and ssstressful!! Between decorating, shopping, wrapping & of course, my favorite - sending out the Christmas cards - there isn't much time to actually enjoy these tasks. It feels like the older I get, the bigger the 'to do' list grows. We leave town in 2 weeks, so that means 1 more weekend to wrap it all up (no pun intended. Or was it?!) We've already crossed a lot off the list, so why is it, when I have a perfectly nice evening to spend with the husb + kitties, I feel like there is something more I should be doing instead of enjoying their snoozing company in front of our pretty tree?

Anyone else have this problem? How do you stay sane during the busy holiday season? do tell.

The quote above comes from one of my favorite product lines - Story People. (If I ever have a store, you can bet this will be the 1st thing in my assortment!) Hang around the blog long enough & you're sure to see more of these. I fell in love with a book of drawings & stories about 11 years ago while browsing with my Mom during her lunch hour in a cute little shop in downtown Jonesborough, TN. Ever since we've been emailing ones we find meaningful. Sometimes funny, sometimes sappy, always sweet.

One more, for your enjoyment :)

'She asked me when the season of joy was supposed to end & I said I didn't really think there was an exact date, so we left the tree up till June that year.'

Thanksgiving!

This year, I'm thankful for being able to spend the weekend with my family in North Carolina - a long time tradition that I've missed out on since we moved to Chicago* 4 years ago. But we've decided to make the 13 hour trek & I know it will be worth it. I love my family dearly; the silliness, the chaos, the laughter - these are the things that make my heart flutter. My favorite piece of this tradition is the mandatory Black Friday shop-a-thon. { all.day.long } You won't find us returning home after doorbusters have ended, we'll be forging ahead, onto the next bargain (and there will be plenty!) Call us crazy, but this is a day full of fun & excitement, more about the fellowship than accomplishment. Some families do football...my family does fashion!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

What traditions do you love? (feel free to comment below, really. no login needed, no real name even!)

*I am also thankful for our wonderful friends in the city that we shared the past 2 Thanksgivings with - the food, fun & fellowship will be missed this year :(

Definitely on my wish list this year…

The L Letterpress by Quickutz

AAAAHHHH. That’s all can say to sum up how excited I am about this nifty new tool! For those of you that don’t share my love of paper & crafting tools (yet) let me fill you in…

Letterpress is a beautiful, old school (and I mean ooold) method of printing. (Can you imagine a time before we could just push a button & ‘voila’ a beautiful creation popped out?!) The technique involves printing words or designs with ink while simultaneously debossing the image into thick, soft paper. (Deboss means indent.) For anyone interested in creating letterpress in the modern century, it was an expensive & intricate process to fiddle with. But the L Letterpress is changing that!

Nothing compares to the look & feel of letterpress, it's luxurious & decadent!

See how pretty:

*Disclaimer: this invitation was not produced on the L Letterpress, it is only shown as an example.This invitation is available for order on www.graypapier.com

Look how easy it is!

Step 1: Place design or text

Step 2: Roll with ink

Step 3: Place paper


Step 4: Squeeeeeze!!

{images via lifestyle crafts}

Next on the wish list... more TIME - - to play with the L!!

The Kharismatic Kardashian girls held a baby shower for pregnant sis Kourtney this weekend in California. Here's the shower invite- what do you think?

Need invites or announcements for someone in your life? go here & here!

Image via People

Word of the Day:

{Paraskevidekatriaphobia}

I hope you don't suffer from it! I suffer from the quite the opposite, 13 is my lucky number! Happy Friday the 13th. Off to cuddle with my 2 black kitties...

Our Kissing Tree

Fewer things seem more romantic than taking a leisurely stroll through the fall leaves & carving your names in a tree for the world to see... This makes it possible without damaging mother nature's gifts! Be sure to check out the rest of the site, I fell in love with the theme, so sweet & lovely.

Ashleigh + Alex, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s, i-n-g :)

Jenna Fisher appreciates quality invitations!

The Office's Jenna Fischer is usually a pretty sensible person, but all that goes out the door when it comes to her upcoming wedding to screenwriter Lee Kirk. "I thought I was going to be one of those easy-going brides," Fischer, 35, tells Bonnie Hunt in an interview to air Thursday. "I never really thought about it. Whatever … a piece of paper, words – send it out." But that attitude disappeared at the store where she bought the invitations. "Three hours I sat there with the all the books," she says. "I turned into a crazy person. My fiancé was like, 'What about the slap it on the piece of paper with crayon and send it out?' But now I'm pouring over the paper quality!" Guests need to appreciate the invitations when they get them, she says. "Don't just throw it on the counter! Touch it, feel it, love it!" she commanded. But not many people will be seeing the results of her sudden wedding-prep obsession: The wedding will be "very small ... sort of immediate family and friends," she says. "Are you a brother, sister, mother or a father? That's it."


via People.com

It's a Party!

These invitations were a custom order for a 14th birthday party. The request came from our product showcase & Mom had so many great ideas for the party - including a 'Fame' themed invitation in black & pink. I loved working on these!! Happy 14th Stephanie, your Mom is awesome!

Wednesday Trendsday - Olive & Brown

Although it doesn't feel like very long ago that I was planning my own wedding, let's face it- styles & trends have changed a lot in 6 years! Which is why I still enjoy perusing bridal magazines, websites & blogs. Plus, it keeps me up to date on trends, what brides want & search for. How can I help you if I don't understand what's going on out there? Bridal is a big world & I'm committed to assisting you in every way possible regarding your wedding paper decisions. One way I find helpful to make decisions is to see the "big picture", to imagine all the little details coming together to create a wonderful celebration, which is I why I've created Wednesday Trendsday here at the Gray Papier blog. On select Wednesday's, a beautiful invitation will be featured along with other amazing products to add to your special day. I'll list vendors in case you see something you can't live without!

Since we're in the midst of fall wedding season, first up, Olive & Brown! A unique pairing that's gorgeous & timeless. These colors look amazing against the natural beauty of the changing leaves & crisp sky. They enhance an ivory gown like nothing else & pair perfectly with gold accents, even brushed silver!

Invitation: contact Gray Papier to order, Ring Bearer Pillow, Faux Fur Stole - ebay (similar), Necklace, Shoes - endless.com (similar),

Bridesmaid Dress, Pumpkin Pillow, Feathered Headpiece

Event Photo's

Enjoy the photos from the product showcase - future event details coming soon!

Fall Product Showcase

Gray Papier is excited to be a part of a Fall Product Showcase alongside 2 of our favorites:

Pampered Chef & Brooke-lyn Designs!

Please join us for a afternoon of browsing! Learn more about our products, receive special discounts & win a door prize!

Wedding Invitations: The 3 Pieces of Stationery You Really Need

I won't deny my love for theknot.com - a brides dream for every inch of wedding planning! Check out this super helpful article from from The Knot on what I like to call "Paper Planning" :)

Invites, Save the Dates, Menu cards, Programs...

Puzzling out your wedding paper can be very confusing. But just like any other part of wedding planning, it's all about figuring out what it is you really want. So read on for the scoop on what every single card is for, which ones are must-haves and which ones you can skip.

It's not too early...

Contact today to schedule your holiday consultation!

Order before September 30 & receive FREE Return Address Imprinting or 10% discount on your Carlson Craft card order!

Step 1: open boxes & absorb the loveliness

All the planning & pondering finally coming to fruition... I received 5 boxes of prettiness today!! (aka: albums) Pouring through them is so exciting & I can't wait to share this with all of you. The designs are spectacular & the quality is superb. Gray Papier is off & running!

What's a Gray Papier anyway??

One might say, "what exactly is a Gray Papier?" If you're that one, let me explain...

Before my last name became 9 letters of Ukrainian, I was simply Gray.

And Papier, (pronounced pa-pee-yeh) the French word for paper, because life just sounds better in French. Oui? Bonus points for rhyming!

It's Official!

Gray Papier is up & running!

I'm more than estatic to announce the grand opening of Gray Papier! Featuring fine paper & stationery, Gray Papier offers beautiful products to cover all your paper needs.

I've personally selected a wonderful assortment of suppliers based on their stylish, quality product & incredible reputations within the paper industry.

As many of you know, I've been dabbling in custom cardmaking for a little while now on Etsy. I plan to keep it open & updated so don't forget about it. Gray Papier is just another way to broaden my assortment & expand my clientele by offering products & services I couldn't provide as a one woman show ;)

This blog will be updated frequently so check back often for exciting news & special announcements. The website will be up & running soon!

Gray Papier is currently accepting Chicago based consultations. Please call or email for scheduling:

312-753-8655
info@graypapier.com

*Update - this post was on the original Gray Papier blog. Since it's a huge part of my life & I'm 'Little Girl Big World' I just left it.  I hope it's not confusing, I just merged the two into one....

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