

Delightful two-color silkscreen prints of the Northern & Southern hemispheres by Brainstorm Print+Design.


Delightful two-color silkscreen prints of the Northern & Southern hemispheres by Brainstorm Print+Design.
I’m happy to announce that Pencil Shavings Paper has been accepted to Cargoh, a handpicked shopping community full of independent designers, self-described as “a social marketplace for independent art + design + culture.” I’m really impressed with Cargoh; the layout and design is lovely, and I really appreciate the Twitter & Facebook integration.
Yes, I still maintain my Etsy shop, but I’m excited to be the newest member of the Cargoh family, and hopefully gain more exposure for the products I design.
SO! Hop on over and check it out – you might find all kinds of cool things you didn’t know you need!
This series of logotypes designed by Albin Holmqvist makes me smile. Clever design with great personality.
(update: Sorry the photos were so large! Just resized to make them actually fit on the page.)






Seen via Above All, Be True
I’m late in getting a post up today, but I wanted to show you the latest invitation set I just wrapped up.
Carter contacted me about doing a monkey-themed party for her one-year-old Thomas. Carter has an insane sense of style and we quickly hit it off. I’m always happy when new clients become new friends. I’m happy to show the final product of our collaboration!
The invitations were actually double-sided and I somehow didn’t get a photo of that. We did the back of them in the blue and curry chevron pattern with the monkey in the center, peeking out of the envelope when you opened it.
I’m madly in love with the curry-colored envelopes. MADLY.
We also did 3 different sets of cupcake toppers – I can’t decide, but I think the bananas were my favorites.
Also included were (not pictured) water bottle labels, a mini bunting for the cake, and then the happy birthday bunting banner shown below.
I plan on putting a variation of these up in the shop when we return from France – be looking for them in mid-June!
There’s nothing better to me than when a client challenges me with a vision for a great party. Kristy was one of those clients. After having the pleasure of doing invitations for her a few months back, she emailed me and asked if I was up for a challenge. A dare, if you will! Her daughter loves the Daring books — have you seen them?

Here’s how the publisher describes them –
Whether you’re a girly-girl, an athlete, a brainiac, or a little bit of everything, The Daring Book for Girls gets you ready for anything—from pitching a tent and building a campfire; to running a lemonade stand and learning about female heroines in history; and even to tying a hitch knot and organizing your own spy team. The Daring Book for Girls is the can-do, how-to manual for enthusiastic, unfettered adventure, cheering girls on to be curious and brave—and above all, to have fun.
I was familiar with the boy version:

Seeing this book in the store always reminds me of the infamous tale of my brother who was caught planning an event that was termed (in a note passed between him & his best friend, and subsequently found in his pocket by my mom doing his laundry) “Something good and dangerous.” It’s infamous family lore and a term that has stuck with all of us ever since. So I have a definite soft spot in my heart for these books. I believe firmly that boys should do something good & dangerous and I believe that girls should definitely have a dose of daring! And can you even think of a more exciting party theme? No – too many good ideas to name.
Thus, I present to you my version of invitations inspired by the Daring Book for Girls –

Check out the Daring Book for Girls and the Dangerous Book for Boys – you will love them!


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