It’s my (Marya’s) birthday today. Yep…34th to be exact – I’m just an old Gen-X-er. And I think I’m just going to stop right here with the age progression thing. I like 34, so I’m sticking with it for a few more years…or decades… I’ve decided I’m going to be timeless – as timeless as this week’s design (You totally saw that coming, didn’t you? I’m becoming more predictable as I age.).

So, speaking of timeless, this week’s design was inspired by the Victorian Era of architecture. Ornate columns, highly detailed gables, intricate ironwork – it’s all gorgeous and EXPEEENNNSSSIIIVVVEEE to replicate. Unless you’re in the invitation business – then it’s only a few hours’ worth of work.

Check out the image we created below that shows a sampling of the inspirational images of Victorian Architecture:

And, as timeless as Victorian architectural design is, we wanted our color scheme for this note card and invitation design to be equally so. So, we went straight for the Queen of timeless colors – Madame Noir herself! “Noir” is French for black. The color I’m attempting to REALLY build up here is black. Well, with some white, too.

Presenting – the Sarah Elizabeth Scrollwork note card and invitation design:

We think the invitation would work beautifully for an evening dinner or cocktail party – which is why we chose the wording for the sample. The note cards are perfect for thank you notes after a black and white wedding.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks so much!
Marya and Haley

Let me begin by stating that the record should show this was all Haley’s idea.

I (Marya) have a three-year-old son and, with my past stationery business, OutLoud Designs, had created bold, graphic note cards that featured diaper pins, bows, strollers, rattles – you know, the usual. As Haley refers to it – the “clip art-esque” note cards that you find just about anywhere these days. So, as a mom, I insisted that we needed a children’s line for The Paperie Pear – much to Haley’s dismay. Haley has not yet been blessed with the opportunity to experience sleep deprivation, formula-stained shirts and a once immaculate home now overflowing with toys, baby safety gear and the scent of a failing Diaper Genie. In other words, she and her husband have no children at this time.

And then inspiration struck Haley just in time. Her relative, Birmingham artist Elizabeth Holmes, had just published her illustrated Christian Children’s book, “The White Trees,” featuring beautiful watercolor images of a family of panda bears. Instead of the typical bright and bold “clip art” images that have been the standard of children’s stationery, Haley wanted to go back to images that captured the innocence of childhood. Inspired by “Peter Rabbit” author/illustrator Beatrix Potter and “Winne the Pooh” illustrator E. H. Shepard, Haley collaborated with Elizabeth to create simple, yet elegant, watercolor illustrations of young animals and their surroundings.

The result is our first installment of a beautiful line of vintage-inspired children’s stationery. Now that Haley has “the itch” (for desigining for childen, not for ACTUALLY HAVING them at this time), her ideas for future designs have expanded beyond the Animal Kingdom, but will not be revealed at this time…CLIFFHANGER! But, in the short term, check back for these illustrations featured on invitations as well.

Below is a small sampling, but be sure to click here to check out the entire line.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this new approach to note cards for children and babies. Please leave a comment below or shoot us an email at info@paperiepear.com for any idea you may have for future cards and invitations.

Have a friend expecting a new baby, or are you possibly a “non-Haley” and are expecting a child of your own? These cards make great gifts for an upcoming baby shower or baby’s first birthday!

Have a great weekend!

Haley and Marya

Hi there and WELCOME to The Paperie Pear blog! You may be asking yourself “Why did they misspell ‘Papery?’” or “The Paper-what?” Well, we get this a lot, so here’s our official explanation of the name BEFORE we write our celebratory “Woo-Hoo – we’ve launched the site!”

And, yes, I (Marya) am a “Woo” girl, but, lucky for you, Haley is NOT.

A “Paperie” is, simply, a store or business that deals with paper and products made from paper. The English word “Papery” is an adjective that describes something that appears to be made from paper. With our use of “Paperie,” we like it to mean BOTH. So, yes, we’re grammatically incorrect, but doesn’t it sound nice? We also like using “Pear” in two ways: we love the graphic illustration of our pear in our logo – and plus, the two of us (Haley and Marya) started this business, so we’re also a “pair.”

In other words, we’ve put a lot of meaning in our name, as we’ve put a lot of heart, thought and inspiration into our designs.

So now <drum roll…> “WOO HOO! The site is LAUNCHED!” When you’re finished reading this post, be sure to click on the “Shop” tab and check out our freshly-posted note cards and invitations – just ripe for the adding-to-cartin’!

Now, what can you expect from this whole blog thing? Here’s the plan (subject to change at any time, as we get new ideas in our sleep) – twice a week we will post to the blog and will be showing you our inspiration behind selected designs so that you can see the “Before and After” of a new invitation or note card.

We will also use the blog to spread the word about new products or services in the future. Again, we get ideas constantly and want to bring them to life as soon as humanly possible. SPOILER ALERT: I see monogrammed melamine plates, decorative customized stamps, labels, and, above all A GORGEOUS CHILDREN’S LINE in your future!!!

So, please sign up for our Blog RSS feed, bookmark this blog OR sign up to receive our monthly newsletter to receive our latest product updates and inspiration! Also, please share our site with your family and friends with the “Share This” link on the right-hand sidebar on this page.

Above all, we would love to hear from you! If you have any ideas, feedback – or just want to tell us how much you love our designs (hint, hint…) – please shoot us an email.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

Marya and Haley