The story for this week’s design begins with Haley’s friend, Nita, who mentioned to us that we should design a pink poodle note card to add to our children’s line. This got us thinking about vintage 1950s Europe – I immediately think of the old 1955 Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelley and Cary Grant set in the south of France in a grand hotel on the beach. Everyone is dripping with glamorous diamonds, pearls and, of course, elegant outfits in pastels to perfectly complement the seaside setting.

And when you think about the glamorous 1950s, you can’t help but think of PINK! So, we go on our search for vintage (and glamour) inspired objects showcasing our pink infatuation.

All of theses shades of pink made me recall one of my favorite wedding-time quotes from yet another movie, Steel Magnolias:

Julia Roberts in an overly-done Southern accent: “My colors are Blush and Bashful.”

Sally Field: “Her colors are Pink and Pink.”

And without further ado or movie references – we present our new pink love – The Pink Lady note card!!!

This set of 20 notecards features a vintage inspired peony damask print background in three shades of pink along with a dotted-and-solid line nameplate and monogram with a retro feel.  This set would make a great gift for a super-girly friend or loved one that is all about the glamour!! Or, indulge in a gift for the inner Grace Kelly in you!

Have a terrific weekend – go out in the sun and get a little pink yourself!

Marya and Haley

Let me state for the now second time that this was all Haley’s idea. I’m kidding – it was a collaborative one – I just like blaming Haley for everything.

But, before I officially announce the idea – let’s back up to <yet another> “discussion” between Haley and me during which I want to design something big and bold and Haley glares at me. Are you catching onto our behavioral patterns yet?

So, I have this sweep-me-off-my-feet inspirational moment to design a brown zebra print note card and invitation. I see brown zebra print rugs and chairs in all of the magazines today, so I’m thinking it HAS JUST GOT TO BE put on paper. I design it and – VOILA! – proudly reveal it to Haley. Here’s where the glaring comes in…

Haley: “That doesn’t look like us.”

I go on and on about how I love it, and it’s so trendy right now. And that’s when the idea began to take shape.

Haley: “But I don’t want us to be trendy. Look at our designs – we’re a bit more…timeless.”

I begin to show her other websites of popular stationery designers that have zebra print designs.

Then she gives me a “tough love” discussion about how I get all caught up in my obsession of studying the competition that I start, even unbeknownst to myself, DESIGNING like the competition, which then doesn’t make us competitive at all. We just look like everybody else.

I think about this for a moment and finally admit that I had been toying around with the idea of sticking within a vintage/retro revival design niche. Our favorite designs fall within this category, so why not keep chuggin’ down this track? But, my fear that we may not be “trendy” enough was holding me back from committing.

Haley didn’t blink before committing and yelling, “YES! That’s it!”

She then adds: “I’m so excited about it, yet I feel it’s just what we’ve been doing all along, especially with the children’s line.”

Marya: “Well, it gives us more concrete guidelines to design within.”

So with great excitement, we’d like to formally announce that we are OFFICIALLY The Paperie Pear – Vintage-Inspired Stationery and Invitation Design. And we kick off the announcement with – of course – a new design!

Allow me to introduce the Anne Marie note card:

We got this inspiration from an old book on fabrics that my mother found at a used bookstore.  One chapter discussed floral fabrics created from block printing – and so this design born, but with an updated color palette featuring a black, white and French Blue combination.  We just weren’t feeling the pale mustard yellow and olive green combination we saw in the book’s dated pictures, you know?

Have a friend’s birthday or bridal shower coming up? Stumped on a gift? We’ve received several orders this week for note cards sets as gifts for these occasions, and wanted to share the idea with you! The children’s line also makes a great present to celebrate the arrival of a new baby boy or girl! Mommy has to write those thank-you notes!

Haley and I would like to thank everyone for their orders of the new vintage-inspired children’s line painted by artist Elizabeth Holmes. It has been a fantastic hit, and it has given us the opportunity to hear from our customers regarding their thoughts on our take on children’s stationery. We’ve gotten even more ideas for upcoming designs that we cannot wait to reveal. Stay tuned…

Have a great weekend!
Marya and Haley