Shopping: Cath Kidston and Amy Butler

I've only been to one Cath Kidston store. It was in Thailand.

I was surprised when I found some authentic Cath Kidston and Amy Butler (and other cutesy patootsy brands) stationery here in the Philippines at ... tan-tan-tanan ... where else but National Bookstore.

Found them at National bookstore Greenbelt 1. Hurry, once the Cath Kidston and Amy Butler fanatics learn that they sell it, they'll be gone in an instant.

Love: The Day I Got Something from Love vs. Design

A week and a half ago, I received a sample packet of the baby stationery collection of Love vs. Design. It was supposed to be a preview, but because of the uber slow postal service here in the Philippines, it took forever for me to receive it. Getting it was the highlight of my day. I get really giddy receiving packages with pretty things inside.

It came in this. The sticky address label was so pretty. I really, really love it.

Inside was this card stock folded envelope of pastel parallel pattern and color block. It was sealed with a gold polka dot washi tape. Super cute!

It even came with a handwritten note on this flat card with a royal blue and peach color combo.

What's inside you ask? They're a sampler of the new baby collection from Love vs. Design. Most of them are birth announcements and they are so awesome. They are a great way to give out to relatives and friends who want to see your new baby. I know, I know, there's facebook and all. But there is something about receiving something that you can actually hold that I really love. I had one made when Allie was born. But that's for another post. Maybe I'll share it with you someday. Now, you have to check out these goodies.

First up are these flat cards/postcards and gift tag. They are free printables and you can download them from here.

Now for the other lovely prints --

Thank you Love vs. Design for this adorable treat. It really made my day. Thanks so much!

For more information, visit Love vs. Design's Baby Collection.

Love: (Eye) Candy Business Cards

All 101 grams of it.

I had our business cards made by Pat, the stationery printer behind the blog 101 Grams of (Eye) Candy.  I've learned of her blog through mommy circles, and when she decided to create a small printing business, I knew I was going to order at some point.

It was this variety of patterns that got me.

Image from 101 Grams of (Eye) Candy

Now, the company I'm in has gold and grey as the main colors. Too bad they can't change the colors of the patterns available. I requested for the catalog, and luckily, there were designs that have those colors. I ordered three sets.

The package came in this simple white paper bag, sealed with a gold candy cane stripe washi tape. Inside was another waxed paper bag with a few freebies.

On to the good stuff. The business cards came in the usual boxes.

The first thing I looked at was the patterns at the back. Look at how pretty they are.

Pat is so easy to talk to (quick response and turnaround) and has great customer service, and those are the main things that define a good shopping experience (at least for me). I had a great experience with Candy Shop Prints and I am already thinking of ordering some more. :-)

If you want to know more about Candy Shop Prints' products (they don't just make contact prints), go and visit their website here, or their facebook page here.

Crafts/DIY: Make Notecards More Special

I've been following Aimee, of iamaimeediego, on Instagram. She usually posts photos of her adorable little girl Tala, and her constant cravings (she has a bun in the oven -- exciting times!). One time, she posted a yummy photo of a green mango. My MIL has a bunch of organic green mangoes from the family farm, and I thought why not send some to Aimee.

I put the mangoes in a cute little basket, and decided to just add in a personal note. I used the very beautiful Isabel Gatuslao paper, which I wrote about here. The black envelope was an opportunity for me to apply what I learned from Fozzy Dayrit-Castro's Calligraphy Play workshop. I used white Speedball ink. Not bad for a first-time white ink user huh?

Isabel Gatuslao's Agador:

Here's a quick photo of us at Global City. :) It was great to finally meet you Aimee!

Crafts/DIY: Digital Embossed Label Image Generator

Are you into the Dymo craze yet? Well, I am, and I've found this online digital embossed label image generator from Fuzzimo that you can use for free. It's so cool. Go ahead, get your fill!

Stationery Love: The Met's Ionic Correspondence Cards

Let's start the week with another stationery love.

One of my personal favorites is this set of correspondence cards from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was given to me by my dear sister-in-law. It features a gold-embossed Ionic column, the design of which was adapted from the actual marble Ionic column part inside the museum. The capital and shaft was once part of the Temple of Artemis in Sardis.

It's very simple but very elegant. It comes in a blue sturdy box, which contains 25 cards and envelopes. Each correspondence card has the gold-embossed ionic column on top of fine white stock.

You know, I always feel short-changed about stationery sets with only 10 pieces in them. It makes me hesitant to use them. Haha. I think 25 is the perfect number.

Stationery Love: Sunnyblooms by Amy Butler

If you are an avid crafter, chances are, you know who Amy Butler is. She is an amazing artist, crafter, and fabric designer extraordinaire. Last Christmas, I got a box set of Amy Butler's Sunnyblooms from my sister. I was ecstatic.

It comes in this flip top box. I love product boxes that you can keep after... like this one. It's just too pretty to throw away, and besides, it's very sturdy to use again.

The set has 20 correspondence cards and envelopes. The cards are postcard-like. They come in 4 designs and each one has 5 cards. In true Amy Butler fashion, the patterns are flowery and bright.

The envelopes have a very light blue but fairly distinguishable leafy pattern. The back of each correspondence card also has the same color scheme as the envelopes but the pattern is different -- it looks like paisleys.

The prints, up close.

I don't know about you, but these prints just make me happy.

Stationery Love: Isabel Gatuslao Paper

Let me start by saying that I have a collection of note cards in our house. I bought most of them because they were on sale, but some were received as gifts.

The first Isabel Gatuslao Paper I had was her artichoke wrapping paper. I got it at Kish. I used it last Christmas and I posted about it here. The paper was really thick compared to the wrapping paper you get from the local department stores / bookstores.

When I heard that she was launching note cards, I knew that I was going to get some. I got two boxes of each design. 

The sets came in acrylic boxes adorned with the Isabel Gatuslao logo. All her designs in these sets are black and white, and each one has a patterned back and a black envelope.

Let's go to the designs one by one. I know you're in it now that you saw the whippet up close.

Pero wait lang. I'll show you the other ones first.

Here's the Chevron. Obviously the pattern at the back is chevron. The front reminds me of a shield. Very regal. I am a sucker for chevron patterns, so this is my favorite of the bunch.

The next one was inspired by Sherlock Holmes, and is named Pipe. The pattern at the back symbolizes smoke and is inspired by the fret, according to Isabel.

And the whippet called Agador, named after her friend's pet.  It comes with the very appropriate houndstooth pattern. How adorable no?

So much pattern! I am in heaven.

A box doesn't come cheap, but it's not super expensive either. P475 for a set of 10 note cards, 10 black envelopes and 10 seals. 

Just look at how thick each one is.

I can't wait for the next set of designs.

Find them at:

National Book Store Alabang
National Book Store Glorietta 1
National Book Store Greenbelt 1
National Book Store Quezon Avenue
National Book Store Rockwell
National Book Store Shangri-La
Powerbooks Alabang
Powerbooks Greenbelt
Powerbooks Shangri-La
Powerbooks Trinoma