National Letter Writing Month, 2014

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I nearly missed the fact that April is National Letter Writing Month! In a slight defense of myself, it's been a really busy month. Holidays, Spring Break, family visiting, writing a blog post everyday this month, regattas nearly every weekend, running a household and a business... whew! April has been a fabulously busy month. That stated, it's still tragic that I didn't pay better attention to a recognition so important to my business; Letter Writing!

mustache stationery

The month is not over so there's still time to write and mail letters. There are 8 days left in the month and I vow to write and post 2 letters per day (on average). Some days might have 3 or 4 letters posted, and some of those days don't have postal service. Sixteen letters written and posted before May 1, 2014 may sound like a big task, but it's not impossible. I certainly have more than 16 loved ones and friends that would enjoy a handwritten note from me, right?

flower jar stationery

Who would like to join me in paying tribute to National Letter Writing month? Even if you write a handful of letters and post them, that would be fun! As a fun gift for the remaining days of April, I will include with every order of stationery purchased from Easton Place, a coordinating pen and a set of Easton Place pencils at no charge! NOW, who's with me?

luxe whale stationery and Staedtler fineliner pens

Let me know if you decide to join in the letter writing fun!
xo
-Patti

Is the Handwritten Letter an Art Form?

Question: Do you really believe traditional, posted mail is an art form? If it is, then each and every one of you reading this, has the potential to be an artist! I rather like that thought. We all know art comes in many forms and some are better at it than others, but that doesn't keep people from continuing to pursue it. So why do you think the "art of letter writing" is decreasing? Allow me to list a few reasons people have given as to why they don't write and mail letters.

• It's old fashioned. (yes, well, so is love and I'm certainly glad that's still around)
• It takes too much time. (time yourself writing a letter, and let me know)
• It costs too much money. (for less than the cost of a drink from your favorite cafe, you can brighten someone's day and possibly their week)
• Writing an email or text is just as good. (not even close)
• I don't know what I'd write. (Dear Friend, I hope you're having an awesome day! Thinking of you made my day better. Love, The Letter Writing Artist)
• My handwriting is messy. (write more letters and it will improve)
• I'm lazy. (now we're getting somewhere)

images via Pinterest

I think the main reason people don't write more letters for the post is laziness. I'm one of those people. It's true. I have fallen into the lazy track and it's time I pull myself out of it. Honestly, I need some motivation. While I was "chatting" with an online friend, Viv of Poppy Sparkles, I had this idea. I'd like to encourage more letter writing and at the same time, write more letters and be held accountable. So here's my challenge:  I challenge anyone reading this blog to write a letter to a friend or family member, mail it straight away to them and include a blank piece of stationery or plain paper with a stamped blank envelope for that person to then write a letter of their own. Once you've finished brightening their day with a few kind words about them (or about you), tell them what to do with the blank page and envelope. It's a "written-letter-pay-it-forward" sort of thing. Who's with me on this? Would you appreciate a small reward for your efforts? Okay, fine. 

Each person who posts a photo of their handwritten note (and blank extra note) on Instagram, Twitter or the Easton Place Facebook page, tagging Easton Place so I can see it, I will send you 2 pcs. of stationery so you can write a couple more notes along with a handwritten note of my own, of course! I would love if you follow me on all of those sites just mentioned, but you don't have to in order to receive your reward. If you do follow me, thank you!

Another online friend, Nancy Sheed, had sent me this post about "The Vanishing Art of Letter Writing" and I shared it with my Facebook fans. That's what Viv and I were chatting about when I got this idea. So, thank you, Nancy and Viv. 

images via Pinterest

As a side note, I promise not to send you any unwanted mail to those who take me up on the offer above. The only strings attached here are the ones pulling you to write and mail more letters! Again I'll ask: Who's with me on this? If you are interested in playing along, tag Easton Place when posting your photos on Twitter or Instagram and use #EPHandwritten so anyone reading this can find your posts. You can send your mailing address by post to:

Easton Place

PO Box 451

Easton, CT 06612

or

patti (at) eastonplacedesigns (dot) com

Happy letter writing! I'm really looking forward to seeing all your handwritten posts and sending out your rewards. (Please be mindful of the addresses in your photos. Be sure not so show mailing addresses online as to keep them private. Thank you.)

xoxo

Patti

Housewarming Gifts Summer 2013

Several of my friends are in the process of either selling / buying a home or they're realtors. I decided to put together a collection of lovelies from Easton Place that are sweet housewarming gifts. Pricing of these gifts range from $16 - $40... perfect for saying "Congratulations on your new home!"

• Personalized Notepads
• Social Correspondence
• Topiary Rubber Address Stamp (NEW!)
• Glass Paperweight with Zip Code
• Set of 50 Personalized Paper Placemats

Of course there are many other gift items in the shop! These just happen to be some of my favorites! Which item would you like to receive as a housewarming gift? 

Happy Summer, friends. If you're buying or selling a home this season, best of luck!

xoxo

Patti

For The Love Of Cheese... and Cookies!

Hi friends. It's been nearly a month since I last chatted with you here on the blog. Eep! Sorry. Good news is the studio has been a jumpin'! My last post I shared with you a custom birth announcement suite for beautiful Ella. Happy to report, Ella's mama loved everything.

Today, I'm thrilled to show you a fun custom project I recently completed for a client of mine: Michelle Buffardi. Michelle's new book, "Great Balls of Cheese" launches this October! She asked for a set of business cards and custom stationery that would coordinate with the color scheme and feel of the book. Of course, I was more than happy to design something for Michelle.

Without further delay, I give you the fun, cheese inspired, stationery and coordinating business cards for Michelle Buffardi (writer - editor - cheese lover).

Fun little side story... Michelle had mentioned on Twitter that she was looking for custom stationery. One of her twitter friends, Gail Dosik (aka THE Tough Cookie of One Tough Cookie NYC) suggested Michelle talk with me about the custom cards. Long story short = today's blog feature! Gotta love the beauty of Twitter. Thanks, Gail, for the introduction. xoxo Please be sure to visit Gail's site! She designs amazing cookies. Delicious bites of art!

photo courtesy of One Tough Cookie

photo courtesy of One Tough Cookie

photo courtesy of One Tough Cookie

photo courtesy of One Tough Cookie

Hello, April!

I know I'm not alone when I say the month of April (and it's lovelier weather) has been wonderful to greet this year! The return of green grass, peeper frogs in the pond, singing birds in the trees and significantly warmer temperatures have helped to chase away my Winter blues.

I'm also excited for April to arrive because my new designs have launched! I spent all day Sunday with final photos and write ups for the online shop and the big "Ta-Dah!" is here. I introduce to you the new stationery designs of Easton Place. (press recorded audience cheers now.)

A few designs have returned and several new have made their debut in the stationery shop!

I've also launched my brand new custom stamp shop! I'll be adding several more stamp designs over the next week, but have a look at the initial stamps. I think you're going to love them!

I've offered stamps for both your books AND your written notes!

And as a teaser, I've posted one photo of the new paper placemats line! With Summer parties coming, these are going to come in mighty handy! And they're a fabulous hostess gift as well.

Sorry, it's just a tease. Designs will be uploaded over the next week or so!

March was a very busy month. All the hard work has paid off with newly stocked designs for your home and writing desk.

I want to take a quick moment to congratulate Jenni of Jenni 20 Designs, and Marnely of Cooking with Books, on winning the Easton Place Instagram contest. And a special thank you to all those who played along and asked for mini sets of our stationery! I hope you all had fun. I sure did!

Cheers to a wonderful second week of April!
If you have a moment, comment below letting me know what you think of the new items in the shop! What's your favorite? Thanks, friends.
xoxo
Patti

Instagram Contest!

I love seeing people enjoying my Fine Paper Lovelies & products, and I thought others might enjoy it as well. In honor of our brand new custom stamp and stationery shops opening in April, 2013,  I am asking fans of Easton Place to share a photo of an Easton Place product on Instagram with the hashtag #EastonPlaceLove.  The photo with the most likes will win from our new stamp and stationery shops: 1 Custom Stamp Set and 1 Set of Stationery of their choice. The photo with the second highest number of likes will win 1 Custom Stamp Set.

a little sample of two of our new stamps launching April, 2013!

You say you don't have any Easton Place products to show on Instagram? Huh.  No worries!  I don't want you to feel left out, so I am offering to send a free mini-set of stationery (3 pieces of my choosing) to the first 25 people who ask me on FB or Twitter. (Note: you must follow me on Facebook & Twitter for your request for free paper lovelies to be honored.) You'll then have your own Easton Place goodies to share on Instagram. That's easy, right?

Rules & Such:

• Upload a photograph (taken by you) of your favorite Easton Place product to Instagram and use the hashtag #EastonPlaceLove.
• Share your Instagram photo on Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler... and get your friends to give it some "love" (ok, it's actually a heart, but you know what I mean).
• Photo used for this contest must be yours and must have been taken no earlier than today, Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
• Contest is open from Tuesday, March 19 - Friday, April 5, 2013.
• Free Mini-Sets are only available to US Residents because I can't be sure the they will make it abroad in time for the contest. (sorry friends outside the US. I still love you!)

Who's excited? Me! I am!! I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your Easton Place goodies on Instagram! And I'm also looking forward to sharing some stationery goodness with 25 lucky people! Well, what are you waiting for? Go share some love on Instagram and don't forget to use hashtag #EastonPlaceLove on your entry!

Good Luck!

xoxo

Patti

2012 Holiday Gift Guide at Easton Place

Easton Place as something for so many on your gift list! Here is a handy guide to help you find your way around the shop.

1. Custom Serving Tray
2. Personalized Note Pad
3. Keepsake Glass Paperweight
4. Initialed Coasters
5. Social Correspondence (for all those post-holiday thank you notes)
6. Fun Desktop Calendar
7. Custom Recipe Cards
8. Gift Tags with Coordinating Cotton Ribbon

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season!

Très, Très... Trays!

I'm really excited to introduce the latest goodies to you! Newly added to the shop are the sweetest melamine trays just in time for the upcoming Autumn and Winter holiday seasons! These 12"x12" trays will be a lovely addition to your holiday hosting and gift giving, or as a special touch on your writing desk, night stand, dressing table or coffee table.

Currently there are designs featuring our best selling ikat patterns, as well as some nautical-inspired trays. Looking for something specific? Let me know! I'm happy to create a pattern to fit your decor.

2011 Holiday Event Continues!

Hello, friends. How has your weekend been? Mine has been packed full of holiday parties and cheer! Three nights in a row I've had the honor of attending amazing parties and today I'm trying to recuperate and get ready for the third week in my 2011 Holiday Event.

Cute #JingleTweet Logo

Before I remind you of of this week's giveaway, I want to say a special thank you to the lovely ladies of Quintessence Blog and Ridgely's Radar. Stacey and Ridgely hosted an amazing holiday (JingleTweet) party on Thursday night at The Audiocom Group. The evening was perfect with great gifts, delicious food and drink, an amazing venue, lovely guests and of course the very gracious hostesses. When you have a moment, please be sure to stop by Quintessence and Ridgely's Radar. You can follow Stacey, Ridgely and The Audiocom Group on twitter as well!

Starting Monday, December 12, with every purchase of stationery from my online shop OR my etsy shop, you'll receive a complimentary Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pen! I've been using these marker pens for a while and I love them! Head over to my shop or my etsy and pick up a few sets of stationery for yourself (remember to write those thank you notes after the holidays!) or others on your gift giving list. Each set will come with a lovely marker.

If you're reading this on Sunday, December 11, you still have time to receive a complimentary greeting card of your choice with each set of stationery purchased from my shop! 

This Week's Holiday Event: Greeting Cards

Last week's event is done and I'm thrilled to know so many people will be receiving petite cards along with their EPD stationery! Starting today through Sunday, we'll be giving away a greeting card (of your choice) for each set of stationery purchased. Buy a set of stationery for a favorite teacher... get a lovely greeting card to go with it! Buy a set of stationery for your boss & assistant... get a lovely greeting card to accompany each set: Free! It's that easy and fun. It's also a great time to prepare for Valentine's day, birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. Yes, I'm a planner. Perhaps you are also a person who thinks ahead!

Upon checkout, leave me a message telling me which card(s) you want to accompany each set of stationery you purchase. And as always, orders over $70 receive free shipping. Happy shopping!

xoxo
Patti

Keeping Up with Easton Place Designs

I have had the great honor of creating some designs for so many lovely people the past couple of weeks. I am so excited to share with you what's been on my "drawing board" as of late.

First off is the Sassy Bride series created exclusively for the Martha's Vineyard Wedding Studio. You can read all about her here. It was so fun to continue my work with Ms. India Rose! Next up for her is a flirty Soiree Girl. Keep watching for that design. It's just around the corner!

Next up is a preppy card I created for the talented bag maker, Jen St. Jean of the Itty Bitty Bag Company. Those of you who follow Jen on facebook, twitter or on her blog know she has fabulous style, an amazing line of handmade bags and a love for daschunds. So with this in mind I created this card for her...

Next week I'll show you two more custom designs I've been working on including a logo design. Until then, I hope your weekend is a good one! Being on the East Coast of the USA, my weekend is going to be wet and windy with the arrival of Hurricane Irene! Stay safe friends!!

We Have A Winner!

The winner of a set of 12 greeting cards of their choice is...

Aubs... Otherwise known as "hiaubs" on Twitter! Congrats Aubrey.
Thank you to all of you who participated and helped Easton Place Designs celebrate it's first year as an online shop!

National Stationery Show 2011

Whew! What a whirlwind of a walk I had Sunday at the National Stationery Show. This was my second year to visit and so I was a bit more prepared with what I wanted to see and who I wanted to meet. That said, it was a quick visit. My wonderful family agreed to drive me door to door and take in a museum while I was taking in all the lovely paper & displays and meeting some fabulous people in my industry. I will be the first to admit, I didn't take nearly as many photos as I had wanted. And I will also admit I was a bit timid upon approaching some booths as I didn't want to interrupt a possible sale! (Robyn Wehab of Meant To Be Sent I'm talking about you!) I also got so busy chatting with some designers that I just completely forgot to ask for a photo of us together. (Ahem, Katie of Kelp Designs, Jaimee of Bushel and Peck Papers and Dianne & Ed of Ttulip Greetings.)

Okay, enough apologies... Lets get to the photos I did manage to take!

As you can see, there were so many lovely paper items and most importantly talented people to meet. I stopped by the Fresh Bunch booth and chatted with the wonderful Molly. I had the chance to talk with fellow Connecticut Yankees, Dianne & Ed of Ttulip Greetings. So funny that we had to travel to the Big Apple to meet instead of grabbing a coffee at one of our local Starbucks! A meet-up at Ikea is in the works this summer. I finally got to meet Jaimee over at Bushel and Peck Papers as well as her sister, Kristin of Lather Soap Company. The visit was short but lovely. I know Jaimee and I will be paper pals for a long time! I would loved to have spoken with Robyn from Meant To Be Sent, but her booth was SO busy when I stopped by, that I didn't want to take time away from clients. I was SO happy for her to see so much activity at her booth. And sadly I also did not get a chance to meet up with fellow paper girl Lori from Paisley Wallpaper Blog. I got her twitter message after I got home. The day went so quickly and I really could have stayed for a few more hours, but my chariot was waiting for me. 

I've listed all those mentioned in this blog below. When you click on their name you'll be taken one of their websites! I'd love to hear about your visit if you went to the National Stationery Show! Feel free to leave a link in the comments if you've written a blog post about it. If you're not a fellow paper person, have you ever gone to a trade show? If so... do share!

Meant To Be Sent

Kelp Designs

Bushel and Peck Papers

Ttulip Greetings

Mr. Boddington's Studio

Haute Papier

Printerette Press

A Fresh Bunch

Dempsey Press

Preston Paper

Jonathan Adler

Lather Soap Company

Paisley Wallpaper Blog

Sneak Peek Spring '11

I've been in the world of "Holiday Design" since somewhere around July 5th. So as the first snowflakes start to fall I'm thinking about Spring, of course! Here's a glimpse of what's coming soon to Easton Place Designs!

New stationery designs with color coordinated envelopes.

Square gift tags inspired by Pantone's colors and my own garden!

I'll keep you posted as to when these, and other, new items are available! Until then, stay warm and enjoy the hot cocoa weather.