Muffy and Biff are dancing for joy with the news that there will be a sequel to The Official Preppy Handbook.
True Prep is scheduled to be published in September, just as the nation's prepsters head back to school.
So, aside from a turned-up collar and penny loafers (no socks!) what would the well-turned-out preppy covet most? Here are some thoughts:
I'm really excited about lots of new items being introduced at the National Stationery Show next week. I'll show you as many as I can over the next couple of weeks. In particular, I'm taken with the retro motifs that adorn two new kate spade gift box sets:
The weather report is calling for snow this weekend here in Vermont which will call into question the Sunday round of golf and tilling the community and school gardens. Given that dreary outlook, I needed something bright and cheery to ponder in order to elevate the gloomy mood.
First off, Mr. Random reports that the number 3 was generated to select the winner of this past week's pet journal prizes. And number 3 is Little Lamb Design. Please send your shipping information to peter (dot) hopkins (at) comcast (dot) net.
Now my mood is beginning to elevate, so let's get this week's Freebie Friday kicked off with some bright and cheery and springy and summery notes from Crane's kate spade stationery collection.
We were thrilled to learn yesterday that three Crane products have been selected as finalists for the 22nd Annual Louie Awards, presented by the Greeting Card Association. The Louie Awards are considered the pinnacle of recognition by our peers in the industry, and it is indeed gratifying to receive such acknowledgement. All finalists will be displayed at the National Stationery Show in May, and winners will be announced at a special event on Monday, May 17, in
Here are the finalists:
"A Little Bird Told Me" letterpressed birthday card
"Love is merely madness" anniversary card
And,the kate spade all-occasion greeting card gift set
In honor of their selection as Louie Award Finalists, I am going to give you a chance to win all three. Simply leave a comment below to enter.
And, before I forget, the winner of the Little Papers You Can Write Your Name On giveaway is commenter Dave Marler, who wrote:
While I would prefer the printed cards because of my poor penmanship, I do think the hand-written versions create a more personalized impression on the recipient. I would love to have the cards as I could make great use of them in spreading the word about my new business.
Dave: E-mail me your mailing address at peter (dot) hopkins@comcast.net
I am planning on giving away Crane stationery every week, with new offerings every Friday, but tomorrow is shaping up like I may not get my head above water, so let's start today. Plus, I just got through photographing these items for a major lifestyle magazine, so I'm ready to roll.
This week, I have two (2) boxes of the new classic kate postcards, designed by Kate Spade and printed on Crane's 100% cotton paper. Each box contains three (3) each of four (4) designs:
I noted with interest the other day that the price of gold has topped $1,000 per ounce. The only gold I have is engraved on Crane's stationery. For those of you who possess some of that magic metal, you can part with only a shaving or two to own some of these:
The tomatoes in my garden that weren't done in by the dreaded late blight this year (the blight got Martha's tomatoes too, so I don't feel too terribly awful) are starting to turn from green to yellow hopefully on their way to red before the dreaded first killing frost does them in.
In honor of the first change of color as we enter September, here are some beautiful and fanciful stationery treatments in yellow by kate spade.
Top, from left: personalized yellow duckie announcement cards, letterpressed awning stripe calling card, lemon frame small correspondence card.
Bottom, from left: yellow adhesive note set, long list pad, slowly moving along printable cards.
I hope I'll be able to follow this yellow post with one on red!
Several times a year, there are specific Crane products that generate a lot of interest. This summer, following its introduction to the media at the National Stationery Show in New York, the little number below is getting quite a bit of attention. I have reason to believe it will be featured in a prominent magazine this fall. I'll let you know when it comes out; I don't want to jinx its chances.
You'll never be at a loss for words (or something to send them on). This all-occasion greeting card gift set by kate spade has nearly every sentiment covered and does it all with style and color. You get 3 each of 5 designs all with matching lined envelopes. The entire set comes in a crisp brown box with tabbed dividers to help keep your thoughts in order. All for $35.
But alas, I have no talent. So, I must live vicariously through the works of others. In this case, a New Year's card from Crane's kate spade holiday collection.
I love the cover.
The inside is bright and fun.
And it took me a while to understand that "Cheers" is constructed with little holes punched in the paper with a laser die-cutter. Such fun!
Thirteen days to go until the opening of the National Stationery Show. Here's another sneak peek at some of the items making their grand entrance May 17. Today, the wit and whimsy of kate spade.
Every year I get calls from magazine editors asking for samples or photos of Crane stationery and accessories for their holiday gift guides. I was mulling over if there might be some trends over the years, but struggled to find any. But then it occured to me that I was taking the wrong perspective.
Philadelphia Style magazine with Crane's Cartography Notes.
Canadian House & Home magazine with, clockwise from top, kate spade word place cards, kate spade vintage cocktails invitation, Crane's Aqua Squiggle Printable Invitation, Crane's Regency Stars Thank You Note, and kate spade lobster printable invitation.
Lucky Magazine and kate spade playing cards.
Scottsdale Magazine and top, kate spade letterpressed elephant calling card; bottom, kate spade letterpressed awning stripe calling card.
Today's edition of Friday Eye Candy focuses on selections from the kate spade by Crane holiday collection of boxed stationery. I know, it's only April and last year's holidays are closer than this year's, but these bright and whimsical designs should give you a chuckle no matter what time of year. The kate spade collection is large and varied, and you can see it all here.
