In Honor of Paper Favorites: Maybooks + Giveaway

The next paper goods shop that I had to share with you hits the monogram trend and my love for pattern and color. I first heard about Maybooks through Lonny Magazine, and I was immediately smitten. Not only does this site allows you to customize your notebook cover with pattern and monogram of choice, but you can make the inside a notebook, menu planner, wedding diary, bump diary, grid paper, etc. etc. Something for every phase of your life. I have to say I might be adding a few more to the stationary library;)

Maybooks is offering an IHOD reader their own custom notebook of choice! Enter the giveaway easily through rafflecopter below! In the meantime, you can check out how easy and user friendly (my favorite aspect of this site) here. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Honor of Paper Favorites: Nicely Noted

I have a few favorite paper companies to share with you all, and they each deserve their own feature. Have you heard of Nicely Noted? Well its a dream for the letterpress paper fanatic such as me;) You can sign up or give a gift of monthly delivered letterpress notecards and stamp mix. (Confession: I had a stamp collection when I was a girl.) They are so well curated as well. Here is a preview of what kind of papery goodness is delivered ...

Aren't they fun?! As you know, I am a sucker for a handwritten note. Especially when they are unique. 

You can sign up for your own set of high quality surprise deliveries here.

Have you hand written any notes to friends or family lately?

These motivated me to get moving! :)

*Thank you stamp from Olive Manna, Pencil Case: H&M

St. Nicholas Surprise Bags

My family celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas, where the tradition is to put out your shoes or stockings for him to fill. This comes from the story that St. Nicholas placed gold coins in a poor families' stockings that were hanging to try to help them get out of financial debt and slavery. (You can read the story here.)

Well yesterday, I wanted to create little packages to give to my 1st grade students and children (for their stockings) in honor of his celebration day:) You can easily create a version yourself...

I used the following:

Chocolate Gold Coins

Mini Paper Bags. 

(These Chevron bags are from Monograham. You can also find them here.)

Washi Tape (Mine is from Urban Scarlet)

 

Imagine the possibilities:) So many fun surprises you could place in these little packages.

They would make a fantastic advent calendar as well!

Do you celebrate St. Nicholas?? I loved hearing some of your traditions on facebook!

P.S. Thanks to all of you who have entered the giveaway so far!

Old-Young Hollywood Party Invitations

 

(invites made using this printable disguise kit, Urban Scarlet Tape, and glitter paper confetti)

When my husband and I were in college we loved going to theme parties. Gabe would manage to come up with the craziest get ups and it earned major points for him, because I thought his sense of humor was awesome. He still is able to make me laugh harder than anyone I know:)

Now that we have more space in our new home, we aren't wasting any time with hosting a theme party! Some of our close friends and neighbors are coming dressed as Hollywood characters of past or present:)

Here's a preview of the invites. Will make sure and share more details soon!

*Closed* Ultimate Valentine Party Package Giveaway

Because I love you readers so much (really you all are the best!), I wanted to hold the 2nd annual Valentine Party Package Giveaway! I gathered up some of my favorite items and shop owners to offer only some of the BEST party details to make someone's Valentine's Day one big happy party:D Can you tell I am excited about this??! So whether you are a fan of the day of love or not, this party package has to make you smile:)

TO ENTER (must be a follower or subscriber of IHOD) - up to 6 Entries! :

1) IMPORTANT: Party hop! Visit at least two of the shops below and leave a comment for each of your favorite items from the shops you visit. The more shops you visit, the greater your chances! They are being super generous to host, so show them some love!

1) Just Bitten Set of Three Poms - PomTree

2) Choice of TWO spools of Divine Twine (your cholor choice) - Whisker Graphics

3) LOVE Valentine Banner - BekahJennings (Also, she is offering a 20% discount this week only to IHOD readers! Enter IHOD20 at checkout!)

4) Be Mine Cupcake Toppers - ThePrettyPaperie (Be sure and check her blog for a budget friendly Valentine Party this week!)

5) Set of 12 Stir Sticks - LemonandLavender

6) 10 Valentine Design Gift Tags - InspireLovely

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2) Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway and let me know you did so!

example tweet: Just entered the #giveaway for a Valentine Party Package from @inhonorofdesign!

*Giveaway will run from now through Sunday night the 30th. Open to international readers.

Okay and finally, the lucky lucky winner of the Sienna Bag Giveaway .... #63 - AZ!! Will be emailing you for details on your new handbag! Thank you all who entered!

Sponsor Faves: Days Gone Design

I LOVE getting to do sponsor feature posts because I get to pick out and post some of my favorite items to share with you:) Nikki is one talented mama! She runs a business called Days Gone Design, which offers design work for Business, Wedding, and Celebrations! These are just a few of her gorgeous designs from her etsy line, Curtsy Invitations. Enjoy!

Days Gone Design

Website | Blog | Etsy

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Papery Goodness

1. Special Delivery Tags - Snicklefritzandpj   2. Letter to Santa - Chickabug

3. Holiday Address Labels - BlushPrintables   4. Merry Christmas Stir Sticks - LemonandLavender

5. Note Card Series - And Everything Nice   6. A Gift for You Tags - thePrettyPaperie

7. Mae - Christmas Card - SimplyStated   8. Chic Personal Stationary - PixieChicago

9. Spool Trimmings - Hooray   10. 2011 Desktop Calendar - Grace Hester Designs

11. Smoking Hot Gent - LittleRetreats   12. Converse Save the Dates - Curtsy Invitations

Handmade, Affordable, and fun Papery Goodness for you to dive into!!! 

Visit these shops! You will <3 each and every one! 

*CLosed* Handmade Holiday Giveaway - The Gilded Bee

My crafty little heart went crazy when I found the Gilded Bee Shop. This one is for all you ladies who love to gift wrap, scrapbook, or make pretty presents:) Eat your heart out! This shop is loaded with goodies, and Sasha has offered a huge bundle to giveaway to an IHOD reader!

Here is a list of the kit goodies:

* 6 asst. trifle boxes

* Roll of scarlet ruffled crepe trim

* 15 ft. thick white cotton twine

* 15 ft. thick strawberry striped cotton twine

* 1 bouquet Cream petite millinery daisy flowers

* 1 bouquet Shell Pink petite millinery daisy flowers

* 6 ft. Silver sequin trim

* 6 ft. Gold sequin trim

* 3 ft. Silver tinsel trim

* 12 Golden yellow wallpaper medallions

* 12 red mod seals

* 12 chocolate bows

* 12 Scarlet tags

* 12 Aqua/ cream label tags

How to Enter (must be a subscriber or follower of IHOD):

1) Visit the Gilded Bee and leave a comment with your favorite items from her shop.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2) Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway (separate comment for each).

example tweet: Just entered the @inhonorofdesign handmade holiday #giveaway from the Gilded Bee!

3) Add The Gilded Bee to Favorites on Etsy

4) Become a fan of IHOD on facebook 


Don't want to wait? She's having a Holiday Sale! You can stock up on supplies now:)

We have a lucky winner of the Lemon and Lavender Holiday Card Giveaway! #26 - Laure!!

Will be contacting you shortly! Thanks to all who entered!

Meet the Sponsor: Lemon and Lavendar

I really am SO excited about each and every one of my lovely sponsors.....so much talent loaded up on my sidebars!  I wanted to show you some goodies from one of IHOD's very first Premier Sponsors....Lemon and Lavender. You may remember beautiful Ashley from this post. Her shop is filled with exquisite paper goods. Here are a few of my favorites....

Aren't they lovely?!! If you are looking for an affordable and unique place to order your family Christmas cards, look no further!  And if you haven't visited her blog yet, now is your chance! ....Its just as pretty as the shop!!

Lemon and Lavender

Blog | Shop | Twitter

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

DIY Feature: Chevron Pilows + Wallflowers

I have been on the hunt for Chevron pillows so when I saw this, my problems were solved!

 Now all I need to do is bust out the sewing machine:D

Find the full tutorial over at Dana-Made-It

Easy, inexpensive, and fun! What a perfect party decor! Paper Napkins or Tissue paper is all you need. For the full tutorial visit Dana- Made-It!

Dana has a wealth of DIY's and tutorials that are worth a visit! She is so talented!

Is it Thursday already? Yay! I am looking forward to the weekend:)

DIY Feature: Printable Apple Cards + Tape Bags

Ez always has the CUTEST free printables. These can be used in multiple ways.

(Printable note tags via Creature Comforts)

Easy and adorable!

(DIY Pretty Tape Bags via How About Orange)

So many creative minds out there! I have quite a list of must-do DIY's!

Vintage Alphabet Prints

( ffffound, straighty180)

(Rifle Paper Co., Lettercult)

I would love to collect Vintage Alphabet posters and prints:)

Paperie DIY's

I came across some noteworthy DIY's this week....both using paper leaves! These projects are simple to make, require few supplies, and make fantastic decor!

Paper wreath DIY - Sassy Smolak via Avie Designs

(Book Flowers via Room Polish)

These are fantastic blogs by the way- you can find the full instructions there!

I finished Radiant magazine:) Thank you for the well wishes! Can't wait for the launch! 

Artistry Feature: Lemon and Lavender Designs

I have had bicycle fever this year...on shirts, in photographs, and now these paper goods!! I was so happy Ashley introduced her shop to me. I was immediately smitten by these...

Oh and wait, thats not all! Ashley also has a beautiful blog loaded with inspiration such as this flower girl board for a fall wedding...

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to visit!

Lemon and Lavender:

Blog | Shop

DIY: Paper Pleated Flowers + Party Round Up

Here is the re-cap from the "Headbands and Happy Hour" event my sister hosted for IHOD:) It was so fun for me to create the decor, accessories, and drinks. I wanted to share with you this fun DIY I did that can be adapted for any occasion! ....

I combined two DIY's. I created the pleated flowers via Shop Ruche's directions. (Give or take. Made a few minor changes) I then attached them to hemp string for a garland effect. This was inspired by Fee-Amore's Post.

For drinks we served a few of Imagine's lovely Weekend Warm-Ups including Pomegranate Margaritas and Strawberry Champagne. Divine. Thanks Jamie!

It is taking me forever to squeeze in time to post all the new items in my shop. One by one!

BY THE WAY- The Michael Buble concert was unlike any concert I have ever been to. Phenomenal. HIGHLY recommend seeing him live someday. He has a God given talent that is undeniable. I am so thankful to my hubby for such a sweet birthday/anniversary gift:)

Meet Emily Baker of Frenchie & Flea

Describe the girl behind Frenchie and Flea in 5 words! ;)

Colorful, Passionate, Giving, Innovative, Blessed

When people ask you what your occupation is, how do you describe it?

Eeeks, this is always tough!  I love anything hands on - working on a photo shoot, crafting details for weddings or parties, finding creative ways to package things, the list goes on and on - so coming up with a "job title" that encompasses everything that I do and all that I want frenchie & flea to be as a brand is really difficult.  I have a BS in Design with a focus in Visual Communication & Presentation, so anything related to graphics, arts, 3-D design, merchandising, interiors, etc, I LOVE!  SO...I guess my "occupation" is comprised of lots of layers and facets under the umbrella of "Designer & Stylist".  

You have so many fun aspects of Frenchie and Flea. Which is your favorite?

I don't know!!!!  Things are always crazy with f&f, and lately I've been loving photo styling and all that wedding season entails!  The blog is also a really fun part of my job...I love the fact that through blogging I have been able to connect with so many other talented people!  I thrive on creative energy, and LOVE that the internet has become a place chocked full of inspiration, ideas, and advice from all over the world.

Where do you find creative inspiration? (this can be websites, places, etc.)

I love that I am lucky enough to live in San Francisco.  It is FILLED with inspiration that I am lucky enough to experience right outside my front door every day!  Shopping, wandering around the different neighborhoods, the scenery...it is soooo lively and eclectic here!  Flea markets & vintage shops are great for sourcing photo shoots or finding crafting supplies, and I also cen't get enough of fashion & interior shops/magazines/blogs.  Websites & blogs I read daily include: Apartment Therapy SF, Design*Sponge, Oh Happy Day!, Oh Hello Friend, and a slew of wedding & photography blogs.  I am also very fortunate to have a ton of creative friends and family members, who are so inspiring and supportive!  My idea of a perfect day is doing something crafty, whether its  brainstorming ideas, or working on a collaborative project, with any of them - ooooh the creativity always abounds!

What would you say are your designer must haves?

EVENTS: When you are hosting or throwing an event, I think its all about infusing your personality into the details.  Focus on a handful of elements that are special to you and don't stress about the rest!  Have a focal point (a dessert table, a great centerpiece, a funky photo booth, a fun crafty project) and execute it well....don't get bogged down with trying to do everything.  Quality over quantity.  OH! And of course use a lot of layers, textures and colors :)
FASHION: scarves, layers, BRIGHT colors - I believe in a closet full of colorful cardigans and great accessories.  
HOME:  Again, I LOVE color (especially yellow!)!  Throw pillows are a great way to change up your look without breaking the bank.  I also LOVE quilts and throws, and great prints from Etsy or Indie Artists - art that's awesome, affordable, and supports other crafty folk! 
BUSINESS: I am a fan of great branding!  Conveying who you are through your logo, business card, packaging, blog, etsy shop, etc. is SO important in this social media world!  A cohesive brand and marketing are the best thing you can invest into your business - no matter how small it may be - especially if you are looking to grow.  So I guess my designer must-haves would be a great logo, photography and fabulous packaging :)

You can find more F& F here:

Blog | Shop | Portfolio | Twitter

Guess what?! This week only you can take 10% off your purchase at Frenchie & Flea Shop! Just let her know you are an IHOD reader! 

Thank you Emily for your time, and sharing this fabulous interview! 

Hope you all enjoy her blog as much as I do!