One of my favourite blogs to follow is oh so beautiful paper, which is a lovely American blog that showcases all the latest trends in stationery. It is a wonderful go-to site if you are looking for inspiration for wedding stationery, baby shower invitations or baby announcements. Every year they showcase the National Stationery Show, which is a HUGE trade expo in New York – showcasing just stationery!! Can you image the beautiful array of colours and designs on display!! For the past few weeks we have been seeing some sneak-peeks of a few of the new products that will be on show. I am going to tempt you now with some lovely eye-candy…..

images sourced from oh so beautiful paper . Links: fine day press, belle and union, moglea, smock paper, pei design, wild ink press

Once again I find myself drawn to Letterpress stationery!! Don’t you love it too?

One day (“when I grow up”) I would love to visit this show!!

I got an e-mail from Angela Liguori that immediately got my attention – you know in that way of “someone I really admire is e-mailing ME!!”. To explain – Angela has a business called Studio Carta in Boston. She has THE MOST gorgeous range of products – letterpress stationery, italian cotton ribbon (in every colour you can imagine), wrapping paper, vintage stamps and envelopes and tools. I dream of visiting her shop one day!! Well – it turns out I won a prize on her blog. A lovely set of the most beautiful letterpress cards which arrived in my postbox yesterday. I absolutely love them. One is going into a frame, and the rest will be used very sparingly for very special people!! Aren’t these divine…….

I can’t leave it there – you’ve all got to see her lovely store and ribbons…….

images: studio carta inc 

One day I will pop-in Angela and THANK YOU so much for my parcel.

Washi tape is finally here in South Africa, with more and more creatives learning about it’s versatility and how much fun it can be to work with. Most of the washi tape that you find in South Africa (including my stock) is sourced from various sources in the East and is cost effective to import and sell in South Africa (it’s like the generic / no-name-brand washi tape!). But the really “good” stuff is the genuine Japanese Washi Tape – brands like MT, Marks, Colte and Classiky. Often times well-known designers design the tape, one of my favourite’s being Lotta Jansdotter. The ranges change quite often to keep abreast with design trends which is also rather nice. Once you work with the Japanese tape you will immediately be able to tell the difference – especially in it’s ability to stick really well. Obviously (sigh…) it costs more and is more difficult to source, hence we don’t see it here.

So – here are a few images that I took today of what I am calling the “Japanese Designer Washi Tape Range”. (You will also see some gorgeous stationery in these pictures – I will make some of it available soon once I have sorted it all out!)

My full range of stock can be seen by clicking here. Go take a peek and drool – and maybe order some!. Depending on how well-received it is I will decide whether to bring more stock in in the future…….

Let me know what you think!!

My hubby and I escaped for a mini-break last Wednesday. We crossed over the mountains, went through Ceres and then up to Kagga Kamma (which is in an area which combines the Cederberg and the Karoo…..difficult to explain). It’s far away from tar roads, cellphones and city lights. Beautiful. Quiet. Unspoilt. We relaxed, walked, went on drives and made some new friends. Wonderful.

While we were walking it dawned on me that I was surrounded by what my friend Su calls “grungy colours” – those rusts, greys, chartreuses, purples and oranges that are both dull and vibrant, dirty yet alive…….. I found myself taking photos of colours and textures, as well as vistas, that emphasised these colours. (My hubby has become used to me constantly stopping and taking photos of a flower or a rock!!) Not only is Kagga Kamma beautiful, it is also very historical and spiritual as the bushmen and Khoi people have lived here over the past few thousands of years. We were able to see very well-preserved bushman paintings and learn about their “use” of the wide variety of plants and animals.

I think I’ve said enough – scroll through these pictures and enjoy the colours…….

all images: my own

And now it’s back to work and “the real world”. I hope that you all have a wonderful week!!

Of course – with Su here yesterday I was inspired again to play with washi tape!! It’s so exciting to find more and more people getting infected by the washi bug. And the ideas that fly around are great. We sit oohing and aahing over new colours and designs, and create ever-changing combinations. Such fun!! So to share a little inspiration with you all, here are a few more ideas of ways that you can create beautiful stuff with washi tape.

all images: my own

I am also “curating” a board of great ideas over at pinterest. Have a peek!!!

The washi stock list in my shop is updated here – feast your eyes!! (My shop will be closed from the 1st-5th of May so get your orders in quickly!!)

I am joining up with some of my favourite people next week to bring you a “Pop-up Market” at my home in Stellenbosch. We will have a wonderful array of goodies available for you all to buy – stationery from myself and Anja (Papertales), washi tape creations and gorgeous teacloths and bags from Su (Su Wolf), ceramics and ceramic jewellery from Dionne (clayhousedesigns), silver Jewellery from Debbie (ninetwofive) and Alicia (Pure), and fresh flowers from The Rose Room. And – tea, coffee and yummy goodies to eat!!

Bring your wallets and join us for a lovely day!!

The last few weeks have been good for me. I took a mental and physical “break” and have been re-focussing. I re-organised parts of the house that have been in a state of chaos since I did the markets at the end of last year (yes – it’s taken me THAT long……), and I finally got around to sorting out and organising my workspace. Bags and bags of recycling and donations later and I am once again feeling good about my space! Do you also feel happier when your environment is organised, everything has a place, and most importantly it looks good and makes you happy to be there! I do. So – want to take a little tour around my office with me?

This is what I see while I sit at my computer. I have my desk in the middle of the room, which is not always the most practical, but it works for me. I can see the sunshine coming in the windows, and keep an eye on the front-gate (to spot the all-important courier!!). Sometimes It’s VERY messy, sometimes there are flowers – at the moment it is relatively tidy and I have a lovely delicate Orchid keeping me company. Sammy also joins me on the desk quite often – but wasn’t around when I took these pictures.

I have displayed all my favourite goodies on the shelves directly across from me – lovely white ceramics, the cute owls, precious books from some of my favourte, inspiring authors (recognise any?), a lovely SweetWilliam print, and a collection of favourite stationery and the hanging birds from papertales.

And then – my worktable! Above which I have now organised and displayed my (embarrassing) collection of lovely washi tape!! I tell myself that I do NOT need more, and must not be afraid to use it – there is more than enough!!!

On the other side of the room is another set of shelves and work space, where somehow the colours are softer…….funny how that happened. Notice my lovely knitting bag from lovely leah at sangthebird. And I love the wooden pegs and spools in the glass jars – reminiscent of a candy-store. The map boxes remind me of my dad who is map-mad!!!!

So – this is where I spend my days making lovely things and packing orders to send off to all of you lovely gals!! I am really fortunate to have this space.

So now it’s back to normal – sending out orders, creating lovely designs and blogging!!!! For those of you who live nearby I’ll be hosting a pop-up market  here at my house next week. I’ll post all the details here on the blog a little later today!!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!! Big hugs.

This print (from Sweetwilliam) which I have on the wall in my office, basically sums up how I’m feeling right now…. I just need some time.

I may pop in to say hi during the next weeks, and my shop will re-open on Monday the 15th of April. Sending you all love.

So – today is exciting!!! I am updating my washi tape stock with quite a few lovely new designs!! Take a peek here….

And to get you all into the creative spirit (just before Easter) I’m going to share a few of the (very) talented (and my wonderful friend) Su Wolf’s washi tape card designs!! Su always manages to leave me speechless with her gorgeous creations!! She has become a TOTAL washi addict, and her enthusiasm is totally infectious. Her cards are available on her etsy shop, as well as at The Treasury Market. (and for those of you in Joburg – she’s soon to have a stockist there too!! Watch this space……..)

So – tell me you’re not itching to get a little creative after seeing these lovely cards?

And if some of these designs look yummy, and you can’t find them anywhere in South Africa – I have a BIG announcement soon………

So – besides all the mundane everyday stuff that keeps me occupied, I have been participating in another e-class (Blogging Your Way: Blog Boss) by my favourite blogging teacher Holly Becker (of decor8). This is my 3rd (really!!!!!) class that I have participated in and yet again I am loving it and learning so much. We’ll all benefit – I will be inspired to create an even better, authentic and original blog, and you will hopefully enjoy reading the fruits of my labour! Today I have a homework assignment that I am sharing with you – my favourite blogs “that rock”, and why they do so. ( I must interject here that there are 2 blogs not included on this list as they are part of my class - decor8 and Sania Pell at home - that  also really rock……..) Lets get started.

Leslie Shewring of acreativemint is one of my inspirational heroes. She creates THE MOST beautiful colour, pattern, paper and floral “stories” , and has introduced me to the wonders of washi tape, japanese papers and photo styling. She has not blogged as frequently in the last 6 months as she used to, but you could spend days strolling backward through time on her blog………

Ishtar Olivera is another inspiring creative, who blogs very regularly and shares really inspiring projects (washi tape, handmade stamps, snail-mail groups amongst others). Her blog is in Spanish, but has english translations built-in. The only problem is all the practical classes that she teaches are in Spain………

From Mexico, meet the very talented and creative Gennine Zlatkis. Gennine paints and illustrates – birds, plants, insects – beautifully!!! She is also a master stamp creator (I am waiting for her book to arrive in the post any day now). And she manages to be a Mom, wife, Etsy shop holder…..and is ,with her husband,  building the most stunning home….. Do yourselves a favour and visit her blog for constant inspiration! (and click on to her etsy shop, facebook page etc!!)

Moving along to Celine from France who curates BohemeCircus!! She features the most yummy collection of paper, stationery, goodies, snail-mail projects, moodboards – and she has an online store!! Although her blog is in French, the translations are pretty good – and the pictures speak for themselves!! I have a serious case of paper and stationery envy every time I click across…… Celine is also a classmate at Blogging Your Way: Blog Boss and I am still hoping to connect with her (like a true fan I will have to get over my stage-fright first……..!!)

Staying with the theme of Stationery is another blog that rocks – Oh So Beautiful Paper!!  This daily design, lifestyle and wedding blog features stationery for all occasions – baby announcemets, save-the-dates, wedding stationery, cards for all occasions – and the odd cocktail recipe thrown in every Friday!! It really is a go-to site for ideas and inspiration as well as to see the latest trends in Stationery. Especially interesting are their reviews on all the big stationery and gift shows in the US – great images to pour over to see what’s happening in the world of stationery!

Moving closer to home now – my favourite South African blogs. The Pretty Blog is a treasure trove of inspiration!! From real-life weddings, to styled themed shoots (think Spring or Easter), to stationery DIY and downloads. They feature the work of some amazing local photographers, florists, graphic artists and stationery design houses. As a South African creative, I am SO PROUD of what this group of young, dynamic gals put out there every day!! (And I’ve met a few of the contributors which makes it even more personal for me!)

Another homegrown blog (and also classmate at BYW: Blog Boss) is I Want That, the daily creation of Vicki Sleet a Cape Town based journalist. Vicki keeps us all on our toes with news of all the local design happenings and news, launches (with some great give-aways thrown in!) as well as international trends, decor, travel and food. I was so honoured to be featured on iwantthat last year after a put together a storyboard of my tools of the trade. Thanks again Vicki!!

And last, but NEVER least of my list of 8 blogs that rock is sang the bird, the creation of my dear friend Leah in Australia. Leah and I “met” in my first BYW class with Holly, and she remains such a great “blog-friend” and supporter, and I hope I am the same to her. Leah’s blog is different to all the others that I have mentioned in this list - in that it is very personal and authentic. A real glimpse into Leah’s life – her joys, sorrows, the lovely Miss S, her photography project and her enviable ‘simple, organic” lifestyle on the Queensland coast. This friendship has truly taught me how one can connect with the loveliest people through something as virtual as blogging. Sending you love Leah and Miss S!!

As I look back on this list that I have put a lot of thought into I realise that my favourite blogs are those that are original, creative, honest – and inspire me!! The subject matter is all close to my heart and reflects my interets and passions. These blogs are visually beautiful, the content is authentic, and there is a real personal touch to most of them. Something tells me that this is what I am looking to create here at Paperpeony!!!! Thank you all for sharing this little journey with me, and I hope I’ve introduced you to some blogs that will become your favourites too!!

Sending you all a hug and Thank You for spending your time with me!! Have a lovely weekend.