So long, 2013!

 (Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty Living) 


It's hard to believe that it is New Year's Eve once again. Didn't 2013 just start?

2013 was quite a doozy, if I do say so myself. From saying goodbye-for-now to dear Liz, to welcoming fabulous new members of the Gus & Ruby family (hello Todd & Byrdy!), from moving into a new print studio and all the bumps & warts that come with growing our small business to all the excitement and joy of growing a baby (hooray for mamas-to-be Whitney & Laura!), it's been a year of big change and growth for all of us. And through it all, we saw time and time again how blessed we are to have such an incredible community of support and guidance. It hasn't all been easy, but darn-it if we haven't made the best of it and laughed a lot along the way this past year.

2013 also meant a good bit of exciting achievements and recognition for our custom design work including several publications in national magazines (Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine and Brides Magazine, to name a few) and well-read blogs such as Grey Likes Weddings, Style Me Pretty, and Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Perhaps the biggest honor this year was being named the 2013 Best of Boston winner for wedding stationery. We were thrilled and honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award and in the company of many other fabulous vendors in the weddings, arts, shopping, food and service industries.

Yes, 2013 was a doozy - but a good doozy. The kind of wild ride where you get off at the end and your hair is all messed up, you can't quite catch your breath and your knees a little wobbly - but you have a huge smile on your face. Throughout it all, we have been and remain so thankful for you all and we are so excited to see what is in store for 2014. We just know it's going to be great!

Wishing you and yours a fabulous (and safe) New Year's Eve and a happy, healthy, peaceful and laughter-filled 2014.

Cheers!

xo
Sam & Whit

The most wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you are all snuggled up somewhere lovely enjoying time with friends and family today. It's been a busy few days here at the shop helping those last minute shoppers (and, with this short season this year, that was most of us!). It is such a pleasure and joyful aspect of our work that we get to see so many familiar faces around town this time of year. And, it is a time for us to pause and take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have you - our friends, families, and customers.

We simply can't thank you enough for your continued support, inspiration, humor and creativity. Thank you for giving us the honor of working with you on your most important celebrations and for sharing your incredible talent with us. And, thank you for supporting our small business. We are humbled and amazed every day at your generosity.

We hope you all have a most wonderful remainder of the holiday season full of delicious food, belly-laughter and peace. Wishing comfort & joy to you and yours this season and always.

With love,
Samantha, Whitney and the Gus & Ruby Letterpress team

PS - We'll be here today, Christmas Eve, until 3pm and then will be closed tomorrow, Christmas Day.

photo courtesy of Philip Case Cohen // follow The Daily Portsmouth

BYOB: Meriwether of Montana

As the week winds down and we gear up for the last weekend before Christmas, we wanted to give you a few last retail updates so that you can put your best snow boot forward as you visit us downtown to shop. And of course, if you won't be able to visit on foot, don't hesitate to give a call and order your favorite products over the phone and we'll send them via Santa express (his reindeer are ready and waiting!)

So onto the good stuff!

Today I wanted to share with you the story behind these awesome handmade beer carriers from Meriwether of Montana that have been rocking our beer-lovin'-socks since the start of November. Handcrafted in western Montana from local red cedar, each carrier is one of a kind and offers room for up to 6 bottles of beer. Fill yours up with a variety of local craft brews, or leave it empty and let that special someone fill at will! We love these as a gift for a group (a family of beer-lovers, perhaps), or for someone who you know loves to enjoy and share unique beverages at summer BBQs and wooded campsites. Just throw a big red bow on the handle and you're off!

We're here to help with last minute shopping!

With only a few days until Christmas, we know many of you are getting a bit panicked about finding the perfect gift. But, we've stocked up on some of the most lovely, thoughtful gifts around for just this reason.

If you're looking for something sweet and heartfelt for your significant - consider a gorgeous one-of-a-kind hand-made Forestbound Bag.

(photo courtesy of emilie inc. photography)

Or a sentimental piece of art from Sugarboo

(photo courtesy of Sugarboo)

If you need something fun and fabulous for you sis or best pal, she may love a Rifle recipe tin and an afternoon cooking together from the Kinfolk Table cookbook!

(photo courtesy of emilie inc. photography)

(photo courtesy of Kinfolk)

In search of something different and unique this year for your family? It's hard to go wrong with these hand-craft wooden bookends or a NH state-shaped cutting board.

(photo courtesy of Wolfum)

(Photo courtesy of emilie inc. photography)

Whatever you may be in search of, we are still full of gorgeous, artisan-crafted gift options for everyone on your list.

And, of course, we're happy wrap and ship anything you may need - so just let us know what we can do to make your holiday season a little bit brighter this year.

We hope to see you soon!

On the Rocks - Custom Portsmouth bar glasses!

Afternoon gang!

So we're into the final stretch. The shop has been filled to the brim with shoppers for the past few weeks and we have had such a blast helping you find the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list. We know that with the shorter season though, you are all still looking for ideas and pick-ups for those on your list who tend to be more difficult to buy for. If you're a local, or if you have a loved one who adores our little historic town as much as we do - this gift idea will blow your socks off!

Custom made especially for our store, these sets of bar glasses from Sisters of Los Angeles are so fun and a great gift for a guy or gal, young or old! The bright designs give a funky flair to the iconic details of the town of Portsmouth - from our beloved tugboats to the quick current of the Piscataqua river. Plus, they're designed and manufactured right in California with organic inks. We love these glasses and hope that you will too!

Happy shopping and safe driving during the next week and a half of madness. Take a moment to enjoy the snow, breathe deep and drink tea knowing that soon the rush will slow down, and sing some carols in the shower tomorrow morning. It's the holiday season for goodness sakes, you have to enjoy as many bits of it as you can because it will be over before you know it!

Oh, and BIG thanks to Matt Berkowitz for taking these lovely photos for us.

Big hugs and warm wishes, pals!
Lizzy

Something sweet for her: Accessories by Linea Carta

Last year just before the holidays we came across the amazing Diva Pyari's work at Linea Carta and fell in love. Her sweet stationery goods and gorgeous linen wares for the tabletop feature her own calligraphy and are some of my goodies that we carry here in the store. There's something classic and folk-y about her aesthetic, but also something whimsical and sweet. It's the perfect mixture, especially for the mediums she works in - linen accessories & paper goods!

Now that the holidays are here again it makes me so happy to know that families and friends are sharing her goods with each other during this festive time of year! We are carrying her gorgeous napkin sets (see the Bon Apetit style below), cosmetic pouches, and ABC cards in store - perfect gift goodies for those who love artisan crafted goods that are well made and great design in mind!

patterns still available in store:

 top left, lightening bolts / bottom left, ship pattern / top middle, washi tape / right middle, ladybugs

I am particularly fond of her individual alphabet cards that feature her calligraphy and sketches. These lovelies have a deckled edge and can act as a card, or be framed as a print just as easily.

Have a great weekend! 

Lizzy

For all those books: Wolfum Bookends

Hey pals!
Happy drizzly, rain, cold, raw, nasty Monday.
What a day, huh?!
How have you been keeping warm and cozy? 

We've been chatting cocoa mugs and peppermint marshmallows all day long trying to keep ourselves cheery and in the spirit (see here) ... oh and there was that bit about fresh, Vermont made maple syrup here . There are just so many great little stocking stuffer goodies this year  at Gus & Ruby Letterpress for those you know with a knack for sweet snaking and breakfast treats! Don't you think?!


Are any of you snuggling up with a good book this afternoon?
If so, I have to admit, this post is all for you! I am over the moon for these beautiful, made-in-California, nod-to-vintage-textile-pattern bookends that we just got in from Wolfum in all sorts of fun animal silhouettes. I first saw these at a lovely little beach-side store in San Diego, and they're honestly so fun that I wish I could get them for everyone on my holiday shopping list this year.

Pick up a single end... or better yet, a pair! For anyone on your list who lives for a good book or who has eclectic taste when it comes to home decor and interior design - these thoughtfully handcrafted pieces are a great gift idea. They could also be such a fun inspiration piece for a future mama- or papa-to-be for a baby nursery or children's bedroom! Each unique book end is just the right size and  comes in a different bright, beautiful pattern - not to mention they're all made from sustainable resources in the U.S.A. What's not to love?

 

There are only have a handful of patterns still in stock for these pretties, so if you like the idea for someone on your shopping list, don't wait too long to be in touch! 

And happy reading. Snuggling. Cocoa sipping. Grilled-cheese-in-Cauliflower-soup-dipping.
Just have a cozy evening, ok?
Lots of hugs -
XO Lizzy

Taschen Travel: The NY Times 36 Hours Series

Afternoon gang! 

How did everyone fare the week? 

Are you geared up for another fun and cozy holiday weekend? We definitely are here at the store! 

Today I wanted to chat a little about the collection of travel books we are carrying at Gus & Ruby Letterpress this holiday season. These bright and brilliant softcover books are regional compilations of the 36-Hour travel columns written by some of New York Times' finest travel writers. There's even a write-up about our very own Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the 36 Hours Northeast book! The pictures, hand-illustrated maps, and write-ups found amongst these titles outline the best in food, shopping finds, and all the things you have to see in every town and city reviewed! 

Check out some of the beautiful covers and interior pages you can expect from these books below...

 

 

Aren't they great?! 

Gift these books as a set to family friends who are always on the move, or pick a favorite region for that special someone on your holiday shopping list who has "travel more" on their 'To Do' list. They're fun and certainly a hit for anyone with an adventurous spirit!

Hope to see you all this weekend for more festive fun, bobbles and bows and holiday cheer!
xo Lizzy 

Holiday card round-up!

 (photo courtesy of emilie inc. photography)

Good morning friends! We're 5 days into December and things are hopping at the shop. With Thanksgiving a bit later than usual this year, many of you may be realizing that, gasp!, it's really high-time I picked out your holiday cards and got them in the mail. But, don't worry, we've got your covered in the holiday card department with a huge selection of boxed and single cards that are sure to bring joy to you and yours.

Here's a little bit of eye candy for you - but best to stop in to see the full selection.

 

 (Photos above courtesy of Smock Paper)

 

(Above photos courtesy of 1Canoe2)

 

(Above photos courtesy of Rifle Paper)

(Above photos courtesy of Waste Not Paper)

 

 (Above photos courtesy of Sugar Paper)

 

(Above photos courtesy of Ladyfingers Letterpress)

 

 (Above photos courtesy of Bears Eat Berries and 9th Letterpress, respectively)

 

(Above photos courtesy of Farewell Paperie)

(Above photos courtesy of Zeichen Letterpress)

(Photos above courtesy of Smudge Ink)