The girls at Bird and Banner weren’t kidding when they opened their blog post about this website with, “holy wow.”  Dick Sheaff’s collection of vintage stamps, postcards, engravings, packaging labels, business cards and other ephemera is like stepping into the most amazing virtual antique store for designers.  It’s an incredible resource of gorgeous typography, sometimes over-the-top, but always thoughtfully designed items.  This is totally my cup of tea, design-wise.  I feel like a kid in a candy store… I think I’ll be on this site for hours.  Seriously.

PS:  On a corny note, an album specifically for People Holding Fish?  Awesome.

{images shown via Sheaff : ephemera}

This month my beloved grandparents have been married for 60th years – quite a feat for anyone.  A few days after Christmas with all the extended family visiting, we are going to have a fantastic party to celebrate, including having my grandparents renew their vows (I am beyond excited for that).  When my aunt came to me and asked if I would letterpress print invitations for the party, I jumped at the chance.  The colors of the invite, red and gold, coordinate with the party’s color scheme as well as with the holiday season.  I chose typefaces and illustrations that were elegant for this momentous and festive occasion.  My grandparents haven’t actually seen the invite yet, but I think we’re planning on presenting it to them framed, a keepsake of what will hopefully be an incredibly touching and memorable night with family and close friends.

{for more images of my letterpress work, please check out my Flickr}

This morning I was stopped in my tracks when I saw the breathtakingly beautiful photos of Sarah & Vincent’s wedding on 100 Layer Cake.  I am in love with her floral headpiece (which was made from vintage paper flowers by A Little Vintage) as well as all the paper details (the invite, menu, favor bags, etc).  The wedding was photographed by Charlotte Jenks Lewis; check out her portfolio here.

{images shown taken by Charlotte Jenks Lewis and found via 100 Layer Cake}

Hooray!!  One of my favorite illustrators and stationers, Rifle, finally opened their shop, and it was very much worth the wait.  Anna Bond’s lovely greeting cards, stationery, holiday items, and lots of other types of paper goodies are waiting for you to scoop them up.  Just in time for holiday shopping too!

{images shown belong to Rifle Paper Co.}

I am a BIG stickler for love notes, and I often stick them in with my husband’s bagged lunches.  However, he’s not so much a card person… when I ask what was in his lunch bag he’ll simply reply, “oh ya, thanks for the note.”  I’m always slightly disappointed because I want him to know how much I love him and to be touched by my thoughtfulness.  And as much as I’m writing a note to him simply because I love him, I have to be honest and admit that I would like to receive one in return!

After reading about these letterpress love notes by Truly Smitten (via Oh So Beautiful Paper), my heart has seriously melted.  An very romantic husband had these printed for every time his wife works an overnight shift at a hospital, where he always writes her a note to come home and read.  How sweet is that!  And, these are beautifully printed.  Love notes and letterpress?  I’m over the moon for this.

{images shown belong to Truly Smitten}

I had posted about Suann’s very cute invitations for her son Ike’s third birthday party, and today there are lots of images of the party on her blog as well as on Real Simple.  Every detail is perfect, from the photo stand, to the signage, to the boxed lunches and cake.  Suann has done it again!  She has such a great eye for detail.  I’d like her to design all of my parties!

{images shown belong to simplesong design and Suann Song}

I’m always on the lookout for beautiful letterpress work, so I was very glad to be introduced to Alee & Press this morning from 100 Layer Cake.  The studio is run by Amanda Clarno, and you can tell from the photographs that she does wonderful work.  The designs are clean, fresh, and have a little bit of whimsy to them.  Her typography is also thoughtful and refined (something I am a stickler for!).  Alee & Press is another letterpress studio I’ll be keeping my eye on!

{images shown belong to Alee & Press}

I’ve come across these invites before, but upon seeing them a second time I’m smitten all over again.  Charlotte & Justin’s invites from Ice Cream Social are so visually delicious… I am loving the apple and peach motif (a nod to the native New Yorker bride and Georgian groom) and adore the pattern used in the set.  The color is also perfect for a backyard summer wedding.  And the seersucker fabric is not only used on the invite, but is also the fabric used for the bridesmaid dresses.  After seeing how great these turned out, I’ll be adding a pinking rotary cutter to my tools wishlist!

{image shown belongs to Ice Cream Social}

I am absolutely in love with Dutch Door Press and their collection of limited edition letterpress prints, “Birds and Blooms of the 50 States”.  I am especially happy to see the little black capped chickadee for my home state of Massachusetts.  Check out their Etsy store for prints, as well as their website for more of their colorful and pattern-infused letterpress work.

{images shown belong to Dutch Door Press}

The new 2010 calendar from simplesong design have just arrived!  It’s simple and clean, not overly fussy… something I love about letterpress.  I also absolutely love the bottom scalloped edge.  Suann’s work is always so elegant, and this calendar will definitely be on my Christmas list!

{images shown belong to simplesong design}