From fun images (owls in love and yellow umbrellas) to cheeky names and cute fonts, Etsy seller Ello There will have you at … hello. This Salt Lake-based shop spins out semi-customizeable save-the-dates and wedding invitations that allow you to choose your own wording and color schemes. Cheery and just a bit campy, we dig designs like the chalkboard-inspired Jackie & Robert and the eye-catching Big Red Balloon.

As an added bonus, Ello There works on a wind-powered press so your invitations can come guilt-free. And they’ll throw in rounded corners for free, if you like.

{Say Hi}

Ello There
www.etsy.com/shop/ellothere

They’re intended to make you smile. And things under this umbrella ella-ella-ella definitely do. Designed for “rainy days,” Utahn Ashley Giessing makes stationery that’ll have you reaching for the stationery drawer rather than the cell phone. After all, when was the last time your iPhone gifted your friend with a cheery owl, wide-eyed octopus or chummy garden gnome that she can frame, if she wants to?

The mailbox delivers magic with Giessing’s originals. With a style that brings together Matryoshka dolls and little Bambis, this designer delivers a lineup that includes party invitations, artwork and magnets in addition to stationery. Check out the thick and thin of it at the Isabell’s Umbrella Etsy store.

{Sign in the Rain}

Isabell’s Umbrella
Isabell’s Umbrella on Etsy
www.isabells-umbrella.blogspot.com

There’s nothing quite like an endless supply. Especially when it comes to thank you and recipe cards that you always need more of. Same goes for gift tags and notepads. And when they come with cuter doodles in the margins than our pens could ever leak out, you’ve got us sold.

Local lady Michelle whips up a mean batch of printable paper designs at her Etsy shop, Little Paper Dog. She makes it easier than ever to get things on paper in style, whether it’s a tested recipe from Real Simple or tag for a last-minute gift. There are Gocco prints for your walls, too. Get your HP ready: You can see her latest work and make a purchase here.

Along with our crafty pal Cupid, we’re gearing up for one of the loveliest times of the year. Time to share love, give love, make love. Here are a few of our favorite paper valentines to send to your loved ones or one and only. Be sure to follow the “where to buy” links to track down local and online retailers of these pretties (or funnies).

links, left to right:

“Hooked on a Feeling” by Sidepony
“Jungle Love” by Hello! Lucky
“Sasquatch” by Egg Press
“Lovey Giraffe” by Egg Press

“Ninja Love” by Two Piglets
“Clams in Love” by Egg Press
“Be Mine” by Dutch Door Press
“Pig Love” by Linda & Harriett

“Couple in Love” by Egg Press
“Cuckoo for You” by Dutch Door Press
“You + Me Bench” by Good on Paper
“Miss You” by Papered Together

“Thinking of You” by Linda & Harriett
“Two People” by Sweetbeets
“Lost Without You” By Hello! Lucky
“I Love” You” by Two Piglets

“Suspenders Valentine” by Egg Press
“Tic Tac Love” by Seraph Stationery
“Hot Stuff” by Snow & Graham
“Valentine Whale” by Hello! Lucky

“

Here’s a shark you’d like to get bitten by. Based out of Draper, Utah, Card Sharks whips out greeting cards that are—in their own words—”tasteful, whimsical and different.” We also find their products to be humorous, cheery and often, downright cute, though there’s a definite cool factor making its mark, too. (Sharks have a way of doing that.)

Check out Card Sharks’ “Little Beasties” series, our personal favorite, designed by Californian John Hersey. Or, browse through Michael Bartalos’ “Animal Alphabet” for nursery-decorating ideas. The illustrated “Animal Science” box set would make a nice gift for a mom-to-be, while the airy “Ailes” series will give you nine timeless ways to say hello, thank you, or I’m sorry on paper.

See more and make a purchase or two at www.card-sharks.net.

By Rachel Jones

Are you a fan of paper products? Gifts tied up with string? Or how about ribbon, cardstock, wrapping paper, markers, albums or various scrapbook supplies?

If these things sound like you, then I’ve got just the sale to make your holiday merry. I don’t even scrapbook, but the American Crafts warehouse sale is the kind that can make a girl giddy. I picked up canvas 8.5 x 11 albums for $5 apiece and 80 (yes, eight-oh) spools of ribbon for $30. You’ll also see Christmas-themed wrapping paper, bags, cards and tags. Check out the website to get a feel for the kind of items I speak of. My only warning? A paper-crazed spender could do a lot of damage to her holiday budget here. Give yourself limit before you set foot in the door or else things could get dangerous fast.

Tip: If you call three people while you’re at the sale and let them in on the news, and then leave your cell phone log at the register, you’ll get $5 off your entire purchase and another $5 to use on your next visit. And sometimes you’ll get an extra gift if you spend over $50.

{Stock Pile: Updated!}

American Crafts Warehouse Sale
Now through December 23, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Sunday
476 N. 1500 West, Orem
Exit I-15 at 800 N. in Orem and turn west, then turn south at 1500 West
www.americancrafts.com

Check out what Ashlee Andrews in Ogden is doing to make paper prettier. It was her Elissa and Spencer design that first caught our eyes, but it looks like Ashlee and Eric (thee Ashley?) had some fun with their cheery chartreuse mailings too. And only we Utah lads and lassies would appreciate just how well one Park City bride’s winter evening idea was interpreted by this Utah paper princess.

Brides-to-be, design lovers and any curious souls can peruse more of Ashlee’s work at her website, www.ashleeandrews.com. By the looks of it, she’s also into baby invitations, menu layout and any other fun event that needs a fun invite. And she’ll do letterpress, too.

Do we love letterpress? Yessir! Or … make that Mister.

When we came across bold and colorful cards exclaiming words like “fancy!” and “swell!” in an old-timey, Western-ish font on the World Wide Web, we knew we wanted in on the fun. And that was before we discovered that Mr. Letter’s Press, the stationery line producing the hot little numbers, is based right here beneath the towering Wasatch.

The brainchild of graphic designer and letterpress aficionado Chuck Williams, Mr. Letter’s Press keeps an office in Salt Lake City but the printing is done at a home studio in Ogden. Chuck’s MRLP project (for short) began back in 2005, but like many creative ventures, had to take backseat to family and professional obligations for the last few years.

But Mr. Letter’s Press is currently undergoing a re-launch and we’re stoked to see what this home-based operation will crank out next. Where most letterpress designs are pretty, Chuck’s work is also humorous, cool, simple and guaranteed to bring on a chuckle. (When was the last time you used a golden haybale to say “hey” to your pal?)

We’re patiently waiting for the website to be updated. In the meantime, you can browse Mr. Letterpress items and goods at the Etsy shop. We challenge any and all local paperies to begin carrying this stuff.

It’s become clear over the last few years that scrapbooking can definitely be hip to the hop, despite opinions formed during the ’90s, primarily.

Nowadays, they’re making the preserving-memories hobby as fab as possible. As Utahns, we’re all privy to the knowledge that scrapbooking is a bada-boom-bada-bing industry, but Orem duo Bam Pop, comprised of JJ and Jen, is making the hobby cooler than ever.

Your husband will want in on the fun, with illustrations of robots, monsters and ninguings (ninja penguins, of course) decorating Bam Pop designs. As for us, we’re fans of cute French robots. Also refreshing are Bam Pop’s illustrated fonts and frames.

Bam Pop whips up collections of stamps, die cuts, papers and toys. Visit their store here. And see what other scrappies are doing with Bam Pop goodies here.

We like to be reminded that people still use pens and pencils. That they jot things down in notebooks, write thank-you cards, use the Postal Service. So tuck away that iPhone or Blackberry (unless you’re reading this right now courtesy of one of those devices, of course), and step into Salt Lake’s Floribunda where you’ll find Crane, Vera Wang, Kate Spade and PaperSource stationery alongside Moleskines and address books. Maybe even a fancy pen to go with.

Another local staple that we’ve mentioned time and time again, this bundle of a shop serves as the go-to place for classic and classy paper goods from personal stationery to greeting cards, whether elegant or humorous. Some of our other Floribunda favorites include sold-separately sheets of designer wrapping paper, stylish datebooks and a great selection of 2009 calendars from Cavallini and Co.

Also keep your eyes peeled for timeless home accessories like glass birds and artisan jewelry as well as brag-worthy seasonal collections—the kind devoted patrons anxiously await. (Halloween isn’t too far off, you know.)

And if you’re planning a fall or winter wedding, you might consider a Floribunda stop more seriously. We’ve located tasteful guestbooks here, and Floribunda will gladly arrange your letterpress invitations for you. And have them printed on environmentally-friendly paper recycled from cotton, if you so desire … a good option for the 2008/2009 bride.

{Bunda of Joy}

Floribunda
920 E. 900 South
Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 359-4013

Spotted: Rolls of Japanese rice paper

Good For: Making your bookbinding dreams come true

Where: Floribunda (920 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City)

How Much: $14 per roll

Our girl Heidi is starting up her own business (yahoo!) and in need of someone to design a business card for her, as well as a referral on printing. Anyone have a company/firm/freelancer they love? We sure like the team at Seraph for some pretty, cool letterpress.

Share your thoughts below, por favor.

Let’s hear it for local lady Nicole LaRue, who made her very first showing at art-and-design mecca Surtex and the National Stationery Show this year, and to hot reviews. Also the mastermind behind “101 Hip Handmade Gifts” (and they really are hip)—Nicole applies her illustrations and designs to T-shirts, fabrics, children’s books and her very own line of stationery.

Nicole’s stuff is never fussy but filled with color and originality. Quippy one-liners like “Does this hat make my butt look big?” complement her greeting cards. Combined with her sometimes-pretty, sometimes-cool creations, you can’t help but wish you were friends with her.

Check out more of Nicole’s work here.

We were thrilled to be tipped off to works by graphic designer Valerie Jar. This recent University of Utah grad (just a month out of school) has one of those portfolios that’s fun to peruse even if you’re not in the market for design work: colorful, inventive, inspiring and hip.

We were even more thrilled when Valerie tipped us off to her new Etsy shop, which made its debut over the weekend. At Cityablaze, Valerie lets her creative side run rampant. You’ll find Valerie’s illustrations turned into cool owl pillows, whimsical screenprints and relief prints—and all at reasonable prices. Our hearts went pitter-patter for her spiral-bound 2009 calendar.

Check it all out here.

Spotted: Polka-dot Cath Kidston paper plates in spring green, pink and blue

Good For: A cheery salad at the shower or a whimsical slice of birthday cake, of course. Polka dots don’t need explaining, do they?

Where: On Occasion (6910 S. Highland Drive #4, Cottonwood Heights)

How Much: Approximately $4 – $12, depending on size

Napkins were made for wiping your mouth and preventing water rings, not passing on your contact info. Ick. Who wants to tuck that old thang in their purse or coatpocket?

Next time you’re at lunch and run into a friend of a friend who know this guy who knows this girl that’s an up-and-comer in the business you wanna be in, don’t even think of reaching for the napkin. You’re a class act, and you know better.

Instead, make an impression and pass along your digits and ‘dresses with these cool letterpressed business cards from Salt Lake’s own Mandate Press. These hip cards come in six customizable designs and are printed on true white durable 110-lb. paper (the kind with the rough texture you like to run your fingers over) in statement-making black ink.

Super sleuths will swoon over the super sleek Secret Agent. Or you might try unleashing your inner superstar (on paper) with the Rockstar. You can keep it cheery with the ironically-named Femme Fatale, or make more mateys with our favorite, the Pirate. You can see all six designs from the Mandate Press here.

A run of 250 cards will cost you less than $100, and custom jobs are available via this link. Rather than plug your digits into her cellie or Berry, your gal might opt to pin your card on the walls of cubicle. Or maybe even hang it on her fridge. And that’s just where you want to be.

YHO Deal: Enter coupon code “heartout” at checkout and you’ll get 10% off your order!

{Pass It On}

Customizable Letterpressed Business Cards
The Mandate Press
1-888-373-7274
print@themandatepress.com
www.themandatepress.com
Get 10% off when you enter “heartout” at checkout

Spotted: Rolls of wrapping paper, racks of ribbon, shelves of bags, and boxes of boxes

Good For: Wrapper’s delight

Where: On Occasion (6910 S. Highland Drive #4, Cottonwood Heights)

Prices: Prices are as varied as the selection

Spotted: Notebooks, address books and mouse pads from favorite Thomas Paul

Good For: Keeping your day job looking good

Where: Flower Basket Boutique (409 N. University Avenue, Provo)

How Much: $10-$20

Spotted: Old books with cool covers re-bound to make journals

Good For: Jotting things down, gifting to artsy friends, displaying on your shelf

Where: Kayo Gallery (179 E. Broadway, Salt Lake City)

How Much: Around $15

One of our resolutions, stolen from a friend, was to write more thank you notes. For little things as well as the big things, and for the formal and casual event. If we’re really going to stick to this, we’re going to need quite a few thank you cards. So we took it to the web, to see what we could find.

One of our favorite online paperies, Broadway Paper, seems to have an unrivaled selection as far as quality, taste, humor class and general prettiness are concerned. They stock stationery from favorites like Kate Spade and Crane, with lots of small vendors, too. Here are a few of our favorites:

Imagine your recipient smoothing her hand over the pressed-in dots on this one. Or the smile that will come to her face when she gets this in the mail. And it’s so easy to let little notes like this do some of the talking for you.

Now, remind us to send a thank you note to that friend whose good resolution idea we stole.