just because....

Have you ever had such a nice week where you had so many lovely little things happen that you just want to send everyone you ran into a note to say, "Hey, I love you. Thanks for being you!"?

That was sort of how my week went. It was a nice surprise after a few weeks of some serious crazy :)

So here's my thank you to-do list...

To Mike Lapan...
"Thank you for being the top Pops. I know that you were a sleepy bear last weekend after all of the nice weather and all, and we didn't get to chat for too long after dinner, but I love ya like no otha!"

To Brianna and Jason...
"You guys seriously rock. Thank you for letting me borrow your car to move that big ole' piece of wood last week. As you both know, there aren't words to describe how rad I think you are :) Lots of 3s love to you always XO"

To the guy at Target last night who helped me find the last oscillating fan in the whole store!
"Thank you is really all I have to say here. Oh, and you should get a belt, your pants were falling off your behind while you were working. What's up with that?!"

To my boss ladies, Samantha and Whitney...
 "Thank you for everything you do. For letting me be a part of Gus & Ruby Letterpress, and for finding me the most beautiful and thoughtful gift I may have ever received in my entire life - a perfect gift to outfit my studio no less. You are incredible and I am the luckiest."

To Meghan Hale, the genius behind Milkweed and these adorable reclaimed-fabric bowties...
"You inspire me every day Meg. I don't know how you manage all that you do - but thank you for showing me that nothing should every stop a person from creating beautiful things!"

 To Jay Curcio...
"I just need to thank you for always keeping things light, and for always making me laugh."

To whoever it was who was responsible for getting the power back up and running today downtown...
"I am eternally greatful."

And, to all of you taking the time to read this blog right now...
"Thank you for being the raddest fan club this side of the universe. We love you and honestly are so thrilled to have you in our lives! XO"

There are more people on my list - but I don't want to overwhelm you folks. Just have to approach things with a 'handful-of-thank-you-notes-at-a-time' kinda mentality.
 :)


Lots of love and cool, popsicle thoughts to all of you on this fine Friday!
xo Liz

Designer Spotlight: MaeMae Paperie

I have been wanting to write this post for weeks now and I've just finally had the time to give it the attention that it deserves. Paper hounds, I am so SO very excited to introduce to you all one of our newest albums of invitations: MaeMae Paperie!!

MaeMae Paperie is the brainchild of the incredibly talented Megan Gonzalez. Whitney and I have been huge fans of Megan's work for some time now. We've been following her blog and oohing and aaahing over her custom designs and were just GIDDY when she finally announced that she'd be putting out an album. Dream come true!! 

A little background about the name & logo: MaeMae means "little sister" in Chinese and has been Megan's nickname for years and years (given to her lovingly by her little brothers).  And, the pony in her logo is a nod to her childhood stuffed toy and bestie (see below for evidence). Ponies + adorable nickname + stellar design = obvi I'm in love. Really, she had me at the pony.

(Hi baby Megan!  Hi today-Megan! You guys are adorbs! So is your pony!)

The collection that Megan has put together in this album is truly incredible.  Her sense of pattern, color, typesetting and whimsy combine to create pure magic and I've been spending lots of free moments just pouring over her designs.  Customizing is definitely a passion of hers and you can tell; each suite is designed to encourage mixing and matching and customizing the package to create your perfect vision. I really dig that she offers fun embellishments, too, like custom rubber stamps so you can DIY envelopes and wax seals.  And that's on top of all the incredible colors, fonts, patterns and illustrations that you can mix and match to craft the pieces. All suites are available in flat or letterpress printing and you can even add some foil stamping magic for that extra shine!

Did I mention that she's offering a promotion, too?  Woo hoo!!  Check it:

You really have to see this album in person to understand its total genius, but here's a bit of eye candy to hold you over until you get your tail into the shop.

Pretty amazing, right?  We think so!  Call or email us for an appointment to come see the pretty for yourself.  


xo

bottle of whiskey...

These good grief glasses from Set Editions = HILARIOUS

A good bottle of scotch = DELICIOUS (according to some people... not me necessarily, but i'm sure you know someone who loves scotch. i'm more of a fill-a-glass-1/4-full-of-wine-and-add-seltzer-and-lots-of-ice kinda girl)

Combine the two, and this card from Dude & Chick, and you have your Father's Day gift squared away. Just saying...
Time's closing in on us.



:) big smiles and lots of love,
Lizzy

Happy Birthday, Whitney!

 (Isn't she a beauty?  Gorgeous photos courtesy of Emilie Inc. Photography) 

Today, I hope you'll help me wish the one and only Whitney a most joyous and wonderful birthday! Whit is the creative genius & letterpress phenom of the Gus & Ruby team and we couldn't love her more.  I know I'm a lucky duck to have such a hilarious, kind and talented business partner and an even luckier duck to have her as a friend.

Happy birthday, Whiz!  I think you're the bees knees!!! 


xoxox,
Sam

Round 'em up!

Well, it's official, one week to Father's Day peeps!
What are you doing for your Daddyo?

Hopefully writing a clever little note in one of these fabulous cards :) at the very least!

Gotta love a little fire-breathing dragon from Eggpress for good-old Dad?

Or maybe a little stroller set courtesy of Mr. Boddington's Studio for the Papa-to-be?

And you can't go wrong with Smock's blue and red crosshatch!

For those of you with a sneaky-Pops, this Oddball Press card is the perfect fit...
Or a little something to make him laugh from Uncooked...

:)
I think I'm going to have to go with the fancy tweed from Rifle Paper Co.

See you in soon so you can get yours, k?!
xo Lizzy

Gotcha' Covered!

Afternoon guys and gals.
I have some pretty splendid news to share with you all on this fine, sunny afternoon :)

The news is that Father's Day 2012 is tip-toeing around the corner, and you all should plan to be prepared. A few of you missed out on or fabby-tabby Mother's Day cards back in May, so get your cards for good-'ole Papa Georgio before it's too late! K?!

Great!

Oh, and have I mentioned that we have some of the best and most unique gifts for you to get your Pops this year?! I'm seriously so proud of the spread we have here in the "Man Department" of G&R....

Loving these new goods from Izola - 100% cotton hankie sets and stainless steel cocktail shakers...

And a little soap. It's not on a rope, but it is in beautiful packaging - so giftwrapping's a sinch!

Our super sturdy dopp kits made from 100% reclaimed sailcloth are a great gift for Dad too! These suckers are made right in Portland, Maine (you guessed it - Sea Bags at their old tricks again!)

Maybe you get crafty this year and give the old man his gift before he opens his awesome card ;) Because if you're giving him this awesome old-school ruled letter opener, he'll think you've got it all figured out!

Happy weekend pals - and remember - Father's Day is coming. Sunday, June 17th. You know that it will creep up on you, so be sure to get out to see us early for some of the best cards goin'!

 (photo courtesy of Rifle Paper Co.)

xo Lizzy