{Historic Covered Bridge in Oregon’s Williamette Valley}

Our big celebration will take place during our week-long trip to Oregon at the very end of the month, but we still deserve a few small tokens to commemorate our very first year on March 28th, yes?

Yes!

While I’m not always a stickler for antiquated ...]]> Our first wedding anniversary is quickly approaching – I cannot believe that its already been one year since we said “I do!”  {See the full wedding recap here, if you’re curious!}

{Historic Covered Bridge in Oregon’s Williamette Valley}

Our big celebration will take place during our week-long trip to Oregon at the very end of the month, but we still deserve a few small tokens to commemorate our very first year on March 28th, yes?

Yes!

While I’m not always a stickler for antiquated customs, I think following the “anniversary guides” at least somewhat is a fun way to mark the years!  The more traditional of the two  dictates that the first anniversary shall be observed by gifts of paper, while the more modern list tells me that clocks are all the rage for Year One (see both lists here).

I totally have “paper” covered…

One of our wedding readings was taken from Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit – one of my very favorite children’s books.   Evs had never read The Velveteen Rabbit as a child (shocking and oh-so-sad!) but loved the story when we read it together when picking out elements for our ceremony.  I originally wanted to hunt down a first edition copy from 1922… but it turns out those run about $16,500.  Bummer.  A newer edition with the original text and artwork (for less than $10 no less!) will have to suffice.

I’m well aware that this next token is really a gift for me, rather than for Evs… or as I like to say “A Gift for Us” (translation: Evs will say “oh yeah honey, that’s nice,” and not give it a second thought as he passes it each day in our hallway).  But come on, how can any lover of pretty paper pass this up?

{all images via Dancing Pen}

A custom calligraphy piece of our wedding vows would just look so lovely framed in conjunction with one of our wedding photos… I think our gallery wall is definitely in need of this addition!

And I know, I know… “Wood” is not until the Fourth Anniversary… but it is our fourth year dating anniversary and we’ve both been lusting after our neighbors’ Adirondack chairs.  Enjoying a glass of wine outside, relaxing in these babies would be the perfect way to welcome Spring!  Plus these would be a total and utter surprise for Evs.   Now, the big decision… Red or Yellow?

{via World Market}

So I think I’ll forgo the “Clocks” route this year… although I would be over the moon were I to receive this watch (over which I’ve been drooling for a year now).  Um, yeah, ain’t gonna happen.

How did you celebrate your first anniversary?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 9 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Gift Guides, Newlywed Life, Stationery

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Amy says:

A few weeks ago, I started working on our personal holiday cards. I tried sayings like “Season’s Greetings” “Happy New Year” and “May your season be bright.” Nothing seemed right. I decided to wrap things up on the computer and go clear my head with a good workout. Right before I closed our holiday ...]]> Our very own ABCD has created the most perfect holiday cards that I just had to share with ya’ll (heads up, they are not kid friendly)!

Amy says:

A few weeks ago, I started working on our personal holiday cards. I tried sayings like “Season’s Greetings” “Happy New Year” and “May your season be bright.” Nothing seemed right. I decided to wrap things up on the computer and go clear my head with a good workout. Right before I closed our holiday card file I wrote this:

Belly laughter ensued. I forwarded the file to Mr. D and received the same response. (At least we had something to laugh about in 2009!) Mr. D shared it with all his buddies. In an email, his friend Jake wrote back “This is AWESOME. I mean really, who had a good 2009?” About the same time, I posted a twitpic on Twitter. Within 30 minutes I had 150 views. Inquiries came in left and right.

Amy’s fabulous “2009 Sucked Ass” holiday cards are available at the ABCD Designs Bespoke Pop-Up Holiday Shop on etsy.

About the cards, Amy shares:

The cards are printed on thick, luxurious, crisp white Cranes #110 lb paper. They are printed in just the right shade of warm “holiday” red. There is something completely ironic about a gorgeous letterpress card with such a sweet, happy image combined with those three *sassy* words in a beautiful calligraphic font. Can you say “snarky?”

If your inner brat has yet to shine through, you’ll be happy to know that she also has two other “traditional” holiday card offerings available at the pop-up shop.

Go have a look and give ABCD some love!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 2 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Holidays, Just for Fun, Stationery

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Since I design stationery for weddings, ...]]> 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.

If you enter to win and are lucky enough to be chosen – You’ll not only get the custom design, but also receive 100 thick, creamy, luxurious folded and channel-scored custom cards with your design printed on them. The package will also be finished off with perfectly coordinating envelopes, of course! The very best part? The winner gets to choose between custom holiday cards, personal stationery cards, or bespoke thank you notes!

I have teamed up with Samantha over at Pretty Lovely Things who will be hosting one of the ABCD Design 2nd Blog-i-versary contests. You can get the details on how to enter by clicking here.

Best of luck!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · Comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Blogging, Good Things, Stationery

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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 ...]]>

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

From Etsy Seller Dingbat Press

From RedStamp.com

From RedStamp.com

From Moo Cards

From the Mandate Press

From the Mandate Press

From Crane Paper

Social calling cards have evolved to include Mommy and Daddy cards. These cards include child(ren)’s name(s). These are especially useful when parents meet at their children’s group activities. Having their child(ren)’s name(s) printed on the card helps give the recipient a frame of reference.

Here are some examples of Mommy and Daddy cards.

From Etsy Seller Oh Smile!

From Etsy Seller Oh Smile!

From Etsy Seller Deidamiah

I ordered Moo cards and love them. Have any EAD readers purchased social calling cards?If so, please feel free to share where you purchased your cards from.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 4 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Good Things, Stationery

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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:

You can find directions and the free downloadable file here.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · Comments · StumbleUpon It! Posted in: Stationery Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

*above 2 images from Minted

Minted was very easy to order from!  It’s great because you can personalize your notes to ...]]> 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!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 2 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Stationery

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

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · Comments · StumbleUpon It! Posted in: Stationery Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

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).

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 3 comments · StumbleUpon It! Posted in: Beautiful Things, Eco Living, Stationery Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Photo by Maria of Ritzy Bee

By far, my favorite part of the gift bags was the package from Fresh.  They hooked all of ...]]> 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

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · Comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Blogging, Stationery

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