Hair New Era

I think the combination of lovely calligraphy and a variety of stamps on pretty letters might be my new go-to design obsession (see current exhibits A and B). Whew - thank goodness - because my silhouette obsession was getting quite out of hand (exhibits A, B, C, D, E, F - yikes).

Adding fuel to the paper-craze fire? These cards by Jenna Hein, which couldn't be more lovely:


Don't you agree? If not, speak now or forever hold your peace, because there may be a lot more of these where they came from (as evidenced by my previous posts - reference above in the plethora of slightly scary exhibits). ;)

Originally spotted on Clover and Bee.

Remember when I espoused my love for good stamps (they really are icing on the cake to a beautifully hand-written note!) and the round-up I did of my favorite stamps? Well things in the stamp department just got even sweeter.

The new 64-cent butterfly stamp - designed especially for square envelopes - was introduced in May and is available for sale online or in post offices.

I know this is the dorkiest thing ever, but I'm really excited to go out and get some of these stamps! I love square envelopes and always end up having to use two stamps to compensate, plus I think this butterfly design is really pretty. Kudos, USPS!

You can learn more about the stamp here or buy it for yourself here (or just go to a post office).
Originally spotted here.

I can only see the outer portion of these invites by Unruly Things, but I can already tell the whole wedding invitation suite must be drool-worthy. The slightly rustic kraft-paper color of the envelopes is perfectly offset by the more formal, yet totally gorgeous calligraphy and the amazing collection of colorful, vintage stamps. I wish I were getting one of these in my mailbox!

Invites by Unruly Things, calligraphy by Kathryn Murray, stamps from various eBay sellers. So cool.

I don't think most people are as obsessed with sending real mail - actual letters with handwriting and stamps - as I am, but I like everything about it. Selecting just the right stationery, taking the time to sit down and write by hand, dropping the note into the mailbox and eagerly waiting to hear that the recipient got it; it's all so personal and thoughtful. Did you ever notice that choosing the right stamp is like the icing on the cake? Take a look at these pretty examples:


Perfectly coordinated Greta Garbo stamp from Neither Snow Calligraphy


A cluster of vintage stamps from B Dunlap

Since the postage rate rose so much in the past few years (and I was not a fan of the eternity stamp's look), I have a bunch of outdated stamps, like these:


How cute are these children's book illustrated animals stamps? I have to use two when I mail a letter with them, but they're perfect for my friends and family members who are teachers or have kids.

These are my favorites from 2009. I'm just crossing my fingers that the rate stays at 44 cents for a while...


These dragonfly stamps were also beautiful, but at 62 cents each, I felt kind of wasteful using one on a single letter (though it didn't stop me!).


Now that 2010 is here, that means the USPS is releasing new stamps. I'm loving these newly issued stamps, all available here:





So hopefully next time you write a birthday card in June, you'll think about this before you slap on that old Christmas stamp and mail it out. :)