ABCD Design is celebrating it’s SECOND Blog-i-versary on October 7th! I wanted to celebrate in a really big way as a thank you to all my lovely readers. When it comes to birthdays and anniversaries, what would you say is the best part? Yep, you got it. The presents! I figure when push comes to shove - what’s a blog-i-versary without prizes? I am super excited about the first ABCD Design gift because it is…

Since I design stationery for weddings, new babies and other big social events, I figured this milestone in life should be marked with a Bespoke Stationery giveaway! The winner will receive a completely bespoke personal stationery design by (yours truly) ABC Dragoo.

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photo by Zvone Lavric, Slovenia

I’ve been on the hunt for social calling cards. Before you say that I can buy them at my local corner store, I’m not looking for those kind of cards. I’m looking for what is also known as a visiting card. In Victorian times, they were were used when making introductions and home visits. They had their own set of rules and etiquette. It’s actually quite fascinating.  You can read about them here and here.

Essentially, social calling cards are just like business cards except they don’t “state your business”. They simply have your name and contact information. I am interested in them because frankly I’m tired of scribbling my name and personal email address for people. I could use my business cards, but there are instances where I’d like to give people my personal contact information and keep my business separate. Social calling cards are also useful while traveling. You can meet some wonderful people during your journeys and they make it very easy to exchange personal information. For Newlyweds, they are a great way to share your new name (if you went that route) and/or your new address. Because there are no rules for today’s social calling cards, they are great avenues of self-expression. These can be less serious than your business card.

Most calling cards have some, but not all of the following information:

• Name
• Phone Number
• Address
• Email address
• Blog or website address
• Twitter username
• Facebook or Myspace name (if it’s different than the one on the card)
• Instant message name
• Blackberry PIN

Here are some examples of social calling cards.

from Etsy Seller Armato Design

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I puffy pink heart Sara from Stinkerpants Designs. She’s so sweet and uber-talented and her hand-drawn stationery is just to die for!

This week, EAD and Stinkerpants are teaming up to give one lucky EAD winner a sweet prize - your choice of:

* 100 Save the Dates
* 100 Thank You Cards
* 1 Framed Family Portrait
* or 100 Holiday Cards!

Just check out this cuteness!

So how do you win? You’ve got up to four chances to enter. You can:

• Leave a comment on this post
• Blog about the contest and link to EAD and Stinkerpants Designs (leave a link here to let us know you blogged about it!)
• Become a fan of Stinkerpants Designs on Facebook
• Tweet about the giveaway (make sure to include the hashtag #stinkerpantsEAD and link to this post or it doesn’t count! And while you’re at it, follow @stinkerpants and @amiatead and say “hi” to us!)

We’ll pick a random winner from all of the entries on Friday - contest closes at 12PM CT.

Good luck!
E.

Aren’t these Printable Apple Note Flats adorable? One of my favorite design bloggers, Ez at Creature Comforts, created them and is generously offering them as a free download to her readers.

You can find directions and the free downloadable file here.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sample some “Thank You” notes from Minted, which came at a very very opportune time for me as anyone who reads my other blog knows!  I still had the last few of my wedding thank you notes to write and send out, and I had just run out of the other note cards I had been using!

*above 2 images from Minted

Minted was very easy to order from!  It’s great because you can personalize your notes to say anything you would like, from a basic “Thank You” (like mine), or something more elaborate with your names and a date, or even a favorite quote.  You can play around with it online and see what the design and wording will look like before you place your order, and after you order you’ll receive an email “proof” showing exactly what they will look like.  After I approved the proof, it was only about a week until I received my cards in the mail!

They are a nice weight of smooth paper, not glossy, and are a good size for notes - folded, they are around 4.5″ wide by a little more than 5.5″ long.  I love how friendly they were when I called, and how easily you can customize your cards.  Since these are not inexpensive, it makes them special that you can have them say whatever you want them to!

How creative is this moving announcement?  Found via Oh So Beautiful Paper!

Looking for an eco friendly gift for the mothers in your life?  Craft Pantry has an entire shop stocked full of tote bags, lunch bags, produce bags and stationery.  Prices range from $8 to $30 (for custom bags).

Anyone knows that the mark of a great conference is the goody bags.  Well, all of us were blown away by the products and coupons found in our bags. From handbags to headbands, tropical lip balm to pearl earrings, the sponsors went above and beyond in providing some fantastic products for all of us to experience and review.

Photo by Maria of Ritzy Bee

By far, my favorite part of the gift bags was the package from Fresh.  They hooked all of us up!  I’m also overwhelmed by the stationery included in the bags (none of us will need to purchase stationery for a loooong time).

Here’s a complete list of the sponsors…Abigal Kirsch, Bella Bridesmaid, Blue Ribbon Design, Blue Orchid Designs, Blurb, Chronicle Books, City Pass, Delphine Press, Fresh, Fritts Rosenow, Gumdrop Cookie Shop, Hallak Cleaners, Hello Super8, INK + WIT, lomoi, Jennifer Behr, Jessica Rust Designs, JimmyJane, Jones Soda, Karen Wise, Linda+Harriet, Minted, Mohawk Paper, Nantaka Joy, NELLE Handbags, Nunu Chocolates, OneWed, One Love Photo, Papabubble, Paper+Cup, Paperwink, Poseprints, Ritzy Bee Events, Saipua, Sarah Drake Design, Smock, Sonya Renée, Stuck Labels, Style Made Simple, Thoughtful Day, Two Bees Press, Union Photography, Viv&Ingrid, Wedding Paper Divas.

All of you rock for sending such great stuff to us!  Thank you so much!

Here are a few last images from the conference…

The incredibly beautiful arrangements done by Seaport Flowers.

Photo by Jenny Ebert

Photo by Jenny Ebert

Kelly from Santa Barbara Wedding Chic, E and I at Downtown Atlantic for brunch

Photo by Brooklyn Bride

Oh So Beautiful Paper is a blog you should be reading.  Nole finds the best images, products and stationery.  She’s a columnist over at EAD Weddings as well.

Chellé Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Harmonie-intérieure via Oh So Beautiful Paper

The Beautiful Project via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Am completely blown away by these baby shower invitations posted over at Mint!  Everyone should have friends as talented as these two ladies.