Airplane Treasury

Thank you to Masha Baranets from Majesty Hobbit, who featured my wooden airplane charm  in her treasury on Etsy! You can view the treasury here.

Sneak Peek: Lasercut Invitation Cut from Recycled Cardstock

I usually publish designs for my Etsy shop on Etsy before I share them here on the blog, but today I will be doing things differently. I have quite a few people waiting for these images and since a blog post takes less time to publish I've decided to give you a sneak peek of a new invitation/save-the-date, while I still get my ducks in a row for the Etsy listing!

This invitation will be available in two sizes: a taller card to fit a DL envelope and a shorter card to fit a C6 envelope. The taller card will be perfect for wedding invitations with a longer text while the shorter card will be perfect for those who want to keep the text on their invitations short and sweet. The shorter format is also suitable for a save-the-date card. The same design can also be converted into table numbers and menus. I recommend the taller card for a menu and the shorter card for table numbers.

I am in the process of streamlining my paper options for my invitations this year, but I will talk more about paper in a follow-up post. What I can tell you so long is that I've added a stunning natural white cardstock to my standard stock and the good news is: it's recycled! The paper was delivered yesterday and I am over the moon! The paper is eco-friendly, but so pretty and versatile! I love the fact that I can use recycled paper without having to sacrifice quality and style! 

The recycled natural white paper is matt with a little sparkle! It's not a shimmer paper as such: but rather a matt white paper sprinkled with delicate flecks of silver. The silver isn't really noticeable, until you tilt the paper at just the right angle to catch a beam of sunlight. The paper reminds me of those pretty white pebbles with the flecks of mica that you will find in nature. The paper looks beautiful with kraft paper too: rustic chic personified! If you do prefer shimmer paper you can still choose your favourite from quite a few pretty shades!

I hope to have the Etsy listing for these invitations ready within the next day or two. In the mean time you are welcome to e-mail me with questions: almostamsterdam{at!}gmail{dot!}com.

New in my Etsy Shop

These map sleeves/pouches are now available in the Almost Amsterdam shop on Etsy. They are perfect for boarding pass or travel-theme celebrations and will convert the simplest of flat invitation cards into something special. You will find them here.

I make these sleeves by die-cutting them from quality artist's paper, digitally printed with an antique map of Europe. Each sleeve is assembled by hand and has a lovely vintage look and feel. Need help with the creation of your invitations? You are welcome to e-mail me or convo me via Etsy.

Dutch, Naturally

I've stayed up quite late last night. While watching Grey's Anatomy I was cutting and folding some of these mini envelopes for my Etsy shop:

These little envelopes are made from quality recycled kraft paper and very versatile. The paper that I use has a lovely natural look and feel and is eco-friendly. This makes these mini envelopes the perfect choice for those who love quality stationery and the planet! Despite the fibers which brings the paper to life, the paper has a lovely smooth surface which is easy to write or stamp on. The envelopes are perfect to hold a love note, small gift, a business card, escort card, or other little treasure. My favourite use is to fill the envelopes with a few bird seeds or paper confetti for weddings.

I was still in "envelope making mode" this afternoon when my little envelopes were featured in an Etsy treasury called "Dutch, Naturally". There is something special about seeing your items as part of a collection put together by someone else, so this really made my day!

You can find the Etsy treasury here. Thank you for including my paper goodies in a lovely treasury, Miellyn!

Snow and Carnivals

Since this is my first post for 2013 I would like to start off today's post by wishing all of you a happy new year! May you be blessed with health, love and the things that make you happy in 2013!

Those of you who know me will also know that I love snow! This winter we had to wait a while and I was beginning to think that we might not get any snow at all - much to my disappointment! A while ago we had a few lost flakes, but these were almost instantly melted by the rain that followed. Then, last night, when I took the doggies out just before bedtime, there were a few tiny flakes - the kind that is only noticable to those who are looking very hard for and waiting almost desperately on this beautiful gift from nature. I told myself to not get my hopes up, but of course I wasn't listening! In bed, before I fell asleep, I lay there in the dark, wondering if it was perhaps snowing. So this morning, when the alarm went off, my first thought was of SNOW! I ran to the window and there it was: our neighbourhood covered in about a centimeter of snow on the ground and more flakes dancing down! I was instantly taken to my happy place! And, while writing here, I cannot help but staring at the window more than at my computer screen!

But snow wasn't the only good thing that happened to me today: one of the items in my shop were also featured in a bright and cheerful Etsy treasury, called "Colorful Carnival".

This fun treasury, full of fun and playful items (a beautiful contrast to the white outside my window) was done by Orsolya Springer from Hungary. Orsolya's Etsy shop, called SILHUETTE, is still relatively new, but definitely worth a visit. I especially love the tatted ivory necklace and earrings available from Orsolya's shop. These are SO perfect for a wedding!

Thank you Orsolya for featuring my straws which are sold with a custom digital file so you can print your own personalised flags: 

New in my Etsy Shop: Lace Paper Bags

 

I don't watch a lot of TV, but when I do I hardly ever just sit and watch something. I always find something to do with my hands while watching some of my favourite shows such as Grey's Anatomy or The Big Bang Theory. Lately I've been making these lace paper bags in front of the television!

 

These delicate paper bags will add a vintage touch to any occasion! They are perfect to hold favours, treats, and so forth at weddings, baby showers, or other special occasions, but of course you don't need to host a special occasion before you buy them. They are also a perfect replacement for gift wrap, should you wish to spoil a loved one with a small gift. The bags look lovely as is, but you can also stamp on them or write on them. (Tip: write guest names on them and use them as placecards and hide the menu or a thank you card inside!)

 

The bags are available in white and kraft and may be purchased from my shop. Alternatively you may e-mail me directly at almostamsterdam[at!]gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

New in My Etsy Shop

I've just listed some fun striped paper straws in my Etsy shop. They are sold in packs of 25 of the same colour and come with a DIY printable file consisting of pennants/flags in a colour of your choice - an excellent way to add a personal touch in your colour scheme.

The straws themselves are made from paper, but nice and sturdy so you don't have to worry about them becoming soggy.  I'm still deciding which of the three colours are my favourite. I love the cheerfulness that comes with the red and blue, but the versatility of the grey will probably make them my favour. They will look so great with pink or yellow flags or even silver shimmer pennants for a more formal affair!

You may order the red straws here.

The grey straws can be found here...

... and the blue straws here.

You are very welcome to e-mail me at almostamsterdam{at!}gmail.com, should you have any questions!