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

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 6:07 pm and is filed under Announcements, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.