Blame it on the dog

Nine times out of 10, this is the scene at my house when I'm blogging. Baby girl wants to snuggle in Mama's lap. I'll admit that it's difficult to type...or use the mouse...with one hand, but when she is so warm & snuggly, it's also hard to tell her no.

I'm not a total cream puff though. Five minutes of this & I force myself to put her on her bed. Which is right next to me on the floor...

Get Down, Get Down :: A Full on Trunk Show Wrap-up

What makes a good party? Friends? Check. Beverages? Check, check. Food? Got that too...

I had heard about trunk shows. Thought, that's a great idea! but never done anything more. With Mother's Day approaching I called a few of my seller friends - Roots in Rust, Be In The Moment & Ilara Design - & we hatched a plan. This would be a perfect time for a trunk show. I had the space, so a party was planned...

Melissa, enjoying her Blanc de Blanc & socializing. 

Great party! Lauren of Lola Falk who was with us at the Dekalb Market came to show her support.

Angel of Astrodub also came by for a glass of wine.

Be In the Moment jewelry on the left. Some of my cards + notepads on the right.

I have some very talented friends! Ilka's felt-applique onesies on the left. Zsuzsuanna's ABC block planters on the right. She has TONS of letters if you'd like to spell something specific!

Ilka has so many great pillow covers! They are linen with hand-cut & hand-sewn felt appliqués.

Sophia was a huge hit & also very well behaved. Good girl...

I love this photo of me & one of my BFs, Sara. So grateful for my friends who came! 

Here we are, the merry party-makers from left to right: Me, Ilka Werner of Ilara Design, Melissa Kelly of Be In the Moment & Zsuzsanna Barbu from Roots in Rust.

HUGE THANK YOU to:

Everyone that came. Yay!! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Eric Vitale of Eric Vitale Photography for taking a bazillion photos.

It was a nice small gathering with some sales, but we were all very happy with the way it turned out. We will definitely put together another trunk show later in the year. Thinking holidays...

Stay tuned here...and on Facebook & Twitter...for news on our next soiree!

Paper Porn :: Kentucky Derby Style

{Hand Engraved Stirrup Correspondance Card}

Hand engraved & worth every penny in class & sophistication. I {heart} Crane & Co.

I found this on their tumblr. Or purchase the cards on their website.

**  Paper Porn is a column about paper products & accessories that elevate your everyday life. Love stationery & paper products? Submit something for Paper Porn via email: Kbatty {at} ymail.com or twitter @kmbatty **

Paaaaaaart-ay!!

Last night's trunk show was loads of fun. My friend Eric of Eric Vitale Photography took tons of pics...not the one above. That was my quickie iPhone shot. He'll be sending me some quick takes in a week or so & I am anxious to share them. I'm sure they'll be as awesome as usual. I love this shot he took at the Columbus Citizen's Foundation's Scholarship Fundraiser last year. It was a casino night! 

Looks like fun! He also has a budding retail business on Etsy. He has a great eye for composure & color. 

After a quick final clean up this morning, I am finishing up last minute things for the Spring Handmade Cavalcade tomorrow. You're coming right?? Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 10am to 5pm @ The Space. Check out the map here for directions.

Onward & upward! Happy Friday!

Paper Porn :: Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Paper Co seems to be everywhere these days. Looking at this awesome thank you postcard, it's easy to tell why.

**  Paper Porn is a column about paper products & accessories that elevate your everyday life. Love stationery & paper products? Submit something for Paper Porn via email: Kbatty {at} ymail.com or twitter @kmbatty **

Get Inspired to Send Those Cards!

Last week, I outlined 5 simple steps to improve your ability to send cards to friends & family. Let's review shall we?

I also mentioned waaaaaaay down there at the bottom of the post that I started a Pineterest board to help keep you inspired. I thought we might revisit that today. 'Cause I want to procrastinate & what better way is there to do that than on Pineterest??

How about a fun way to keep your stamps to start?? It's totally uneccessary & that's why I love it. This stamp holder from the USPS is cute & reminds me of the old days when my parents ordered stamps by the roll.

One of the things that makes me excited to seal up an envelope is the return address. It just goes to show you that it's the little things in life that make a difference :) Like this one from 2712 Designs...

Oh, and then there's the cards...Don't be afraid to get some all purpose cards to start your collection. There are plenty of lovely cards that can be used for anything. I found these on sale on One King's Lane this morning:

I could go on! Especially with ways to corral all these goodies & keep them handy for use. Stationery boxes!!

See more inspiring ideas on my Stationery/Cards/Accessories board. AND!! Look for my Paper Porn column here on the blog for chic paper & stationery related products of all kinds!

Top image from Veer.

Free Friday! :: Free Shipping for You

YAY!!! For the second time this week I am a PNS Daily Pick! I am so excited that I'm giving everyone Free Shipping in my shop today. Check out my PNS items OR go straight to my Etsy shop for a larger selection. It's all free shipping today!!

Enter code FRSHIP at check out. Happy Friday!

Paper Porn :: NY Ships Harbor Birthday Calendar

Oh. My. Goodness!!!!! How awesome is this calendar? I'll tell you...SUPER AWESOME!! It will be mine.

NYHarbor Ships Birthday Calendar is the creation of Bowsprite on Etsy. Check out the Bowsprite shop for more fabulous ship art & other products.

**  Paper Porn is a column about paper products & accessories that elevate your everyday life. Love stationery & paper products? Submit something for Paper Porn via email: Kbatty {at} ymail.com or twitter @kmbatty **

Mother's Day Trunk Show :: my first!!

I did it! I've had this idea for a while & it is FINALLY going to be a reality!

Thursday, May 2nd, from 6 to 9pm I'm throwing a trunk show with some of my partners from the Dekalb Market. At my house. For real.

Soooooooo excited!

With me will be: Melissa Kelly of Be In The Moment (jewelry), Ilka Werner of Ilara Design (great pillows & felt appliqued onesies) & Zsuzsuanna Barbu of Roots in Rust (terrariums). All great products & great women who I am so glad to have the chance to not only work with, but to call my friends. I know the show will be fun & a success because they are a part of it.

Also exciting is that my friend Eric will be coming to take pictures at the event. His photography business is doing really well & I am so flattered that he's fitting in our event. YAY!! See some of his work on his Facebook page - Eric Vitale Photography.

I wish I could invite everyone who reads this blog, but 1. my house isn't big enough & 2. not all of you live in the area anyway. Bummer! But, after this is a wild success, we'll move it to a bigger venue & then everyone can come! Cool??

PS Don't forget that Mother's Day is Sunday May 12!!

Paper Porn :: Laundry Day

Today is National Hanging Out Day! It's a day that encourages people to learn about energy consumption & reducing it by drying your laundry outside on a clothes line.

In honor of that, Paper Porn is featuring this Clothespin Art Print by Kristina Proffitt from Baby Bird and Bub on Etsy. There is also a set of 3 of these laundry-themed prints. Super cute!

Obviously these are for hanging inside...not on your line. :)

**  Paper Porn is a column about paper products & accessories that elevate your everyday life. Love stationery & paper products? Submit something for Paper Porn via email: Kbatty {at} ymail.com or twitter @kmbatty **