Hi! My name is Mindy Mac and I’ve been a satisfied customer of American Stationery for 15 years or so. A few weeks ago I drove to Peru, Indiana to visit the American Stationery factory. Now I’m a very impressed customer! To be honest, I never really gave much thought to how my personalized writing papers and cards were made. I called or sent in an order and waited for my indigo box to arrive. After meeting the men and women who work at American Stationery and watching the process for myself, I was delighted to know that they put as much time and care into what they do as I put into each letter I write. I had a wonderful day touring their facility! And I look forward to being an impressed and satisfied customer for many more years to come! Check back every Friday for my suggestions and thoughts on different aspects of American Stationery and their products.

- Your fellow American Stationery customer, Mindy Mac

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Have you seen the new American Stationery catalog? There are several new items that I can’t wait to order for myself; and there are quite a few new items I’ll be ordering as gifts for family and friends this year. The new self-inking square stamper looks great—functional yet distinct. My mom still gets compliments on the round stamper I gave her last year. Her friends always ask where she got something so unique. Like me, my mom writes a lot of letters and sends out a bunch of cards. American Stationery’s self inking stampers are practical, easy to use and look fantastic on your correspondence! I’m also working on a list of those who will like the newest American Stationery initial memo set in the convenient acrylic holder. These personalized sheets are the perfect size to have on hand at your desk — and they’re perfect for men or women. They’ll be great for teachers, administrative assistants, executives, busy moms or anyone else who needs to jot down a quick note or message. I’ve got to keep on looking through the Early Autumn 2009 Catalog... be sure to check it out for yourself! 

-Your fellow American Stationery customer, Mindy Mac 

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I’ve never been good at waiting in lines. I feel like I’m wasting time when I’m just sitting somewhere thumbing through an outdated magazine. That’s why I always keep writing papers with me. American Stationery has several styles of note cards that are easy to keep in my purse or car. 

The Single Frame Embossed Notes and The Ultimate Embossed Double Border Notes are two of my personal favorites! I like that I can choose the color of paper and have my monogram or name embossed on the notes. These writing papers look sophisticated and rich but are sold for a fantastic price! And they’re the perfect size for a quick "hello" or "thank you" as well as for a more wordy correspondence—it depends on how long you have to wait!

I also like to use the Multitasking Padded Memos with Envelopes. They’ve been a lifesaver when I’m sitting on the sidelines of one of my kids’ sporting events, or while I’m waiting during one of their lessons, or when I realize that I’ve forgotten to write a note for early dismissal and I’m driving up to the school to pick up one of my kids for an orthodontist appointment. These memos are very practical — the name Multitasking Padded Memos is just perfect! If you don’t keep some kind of writing paper in your purse or car, I suggest that you give it a try. You can make good use of your "waiting room" moments!

--Your fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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I have a pretty long list of people who have helped me out with various favors for numerous reasons throughout the year. Instead of buying everyone Christmas presents, I like to express my gratitude in a special way at Thanksgiving. We’re already focused on counting our blessings which makes it a marvelous time to express gratitude to those individuals who have done so much for us. American Stationery has a wide selection of memo sets that make wonderful gifts! I really like the new Bordered Memo Pads: 800 personalized sheets that look great in the Black Wire Basket! My other favorite gift item is the Personalized Desktop Memo Organizer Set. I like it because the pads come in 3 different sizes. The acrylic holder is personalized as well. The new Executive Desktop Memo Set comes with 6 different memo pads in 3 sizes. Everyone keeps lists during the hectic holiday season — so your thoughtful gift will really come in handy!

- Your fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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Have you seen the American Stationery High Fashion Favorites? This is such a tremendous idea! You get to choose your favorite pattern, or swatch, for the envelope lining, envelope seal and/or address label. What a great way to showcase a traditional white correspondence card. There’s a variety of colors and patterns to choose from so it’s easy to find something that will reflect your personality and sense of style. Envelopes don’t have to be boring anymore!

-Your Fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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I’m not sure who dislikes writing thank you notes more: my husband or my teenage son. Thankfully, American Stationery has a great selection of manly correspondence cards that come in different sizes. If the men in my life only jot down a few quick lines of gratitude, their personalized notes look sophisticated and thoughtful. The Classic Stripe Gift Set is very masculine and comes in a sturdy gift box which keeps the cards neat and "at hand". The unique shape of The Slender Hand Bordered Single Panel Cards make an immediate impression—they look great! My husband prefers the traditional appearance of the Embossed Border Correspondence Cards. There are so many more options to choose from—check them all out for yourself and the men in your life!

-Your Fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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Have you ever found yourself digging into your purse to find a pen and some paper to write down your phone number for someone? Or have you experienced the awkward business card exchange when you don’t have one to offer? I think that the Initial Business Cards that American Stationery sells are ideal for everyone—whether you have a job or not. Presenting a professional yet unique card with your contact information on it makes a terrific and lasting impression on the recipient. My kids’ teachers meet dozens of parents during Open House, but they’ll have an easier time connecting me to my child and remembering me when I contact them the next time when they have my card. If you’re out looking for a job, having a business card to leave with the manager or your potential new boss communicates that you’re well prepared and serious about working for them. These Initial Business Cards are so affordable that they’d even be ideal for my daughter to give to a neighbor with young children interested in hiring her for babysitting jobs! There’s a numerous variety of purposes for business cards—and you won’t have to write your name and number on the back of a receipt ever again.

-Your Fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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The holidays are coming and it’s time to order my personalized partyware from American Stationery. A few years ago I discovered that napkins are the key to successful casual entertaining. I can get away with using a sturdy "paper" plate or clear "plastic" plate when I have a fancy or funny napkin to go along with them. American Stationery has several choices and options for the perfect napkin for any and every occasion! I can select the ink color, design & typestyle and the personalization for the DYO White Cocktail Napkins. The Colorful Party Napkins are imprinted in gold or silver foil—perfect for any holiday party you’re hosting this year. American Stationery’s Textured Napkins are more like cloth than paper and I use them for even formal social events. The DYO Tumblers come in 5 different sizes, clear or frosted and can be personalized or imprinted just like the napkins. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to host a simply elegant holiday gathering; and your personality and sense of style can shine through during a casual get together. Best of all, you can just throw everything away at the end of the night! The hard part for me will be deciding which design and personalization to go with this year...

- Your Fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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My mother-in-law, Toots, is a funny and fun loving woman with whom I share a very special relationship. I’ve written to her once a week for as long as I’ve been married—21 years! She appreciates the personal mail; but she’s not much of a letter writer. Her idea of writing paper is sticky notes! She uses them for everything! When I discovered that American Stationery sold personalized Self-Stick Memos I knew they’d be a big hit with Toots! If you’ve got a sticky-note-aholic in your life, they’ll love these self-stick memos too. They’re incredibly practical and are of the quality you’ve come to expect from American Stationery products.

- Your Fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

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What is a gift enclosure card and why do you need them? These versatile cards are not very big... less than 3x4 inches; but they make a huge impact when they accompany your gift. I like to use these cards when I want to write a quick line for the recipient. "Thanks for your hospitality!" ... "Thanks for watching our dog while we were away." ... "I enjoyed working on this project with you." ... "Congratulations!" ... "Thanks for being such a reliable babysitter." ... "We’re glad you’re our next door neighbors." Any heartfelt sentiment looks larger than life on these practical little cards. Gift enclosure cards can be tucked inside a gift bag, taped to a package or attached to a bottle of wine with a ribbon. Gift enclosure cards also add a touch of class to a bouquet of flowers you pick up at the local grocery store! A sticky label the size of your thumb is a good way to indicate who a gift is for and who it’s from. Using a personalized or monogrammed gift enclosure card makes a fabulous impression—and it won’t get tossed out with the wrapping paper it’s permanently stuck to. American Stationery also sells really fun gift bags! These are personalized and imprinted with the holiday greeting of your choice. They’re a wonderful way to share your personality and sense of style when exchanging gifts! If you’re like me you’ve spent a lot of time choosing just the right gift. Take the time to wrap it and present it with as much thought as you’ve put into your gift selection. Those little details really can make a big difference!

—Mindy Mac

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I know it’s appropriate to take a hostess gift to those who have opened their home to me for a meal or an overnight stay; but I’m not always sure what to take. American Stationery sells quite a few items that make perfect hostess gifts! The Original Trio Spa Soap set with your hosts’ monogram carved onto the surface is elegant and compliments any color scheme or style of home. Personalized Bow Pads or monogrammed Coasters are practical vet impressive gifts. When you arrive at your host’s home with a personalized gift you also demonstrate your premeditated thoughtfulness of their hospitality! Are you going to be traveling during the upcoming holidays? Will you be attending any dinner parties or holiday social events? Check out the American Stationery catalog or web site and select a few unique hostess gifts!

—Mindy Mac

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My patents have been retired for almost 20 years and enjoy traveling together very much. They have 5 daughters, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren to visit in addition to taking trips to places they’ve always wanted to experience.  American Stationery carries Gold Stamped Luggage Tags, Big ‘n’ Bright Luggage Tags and Engraved Luggage Tags. These personalized and durable markets are perfect for them! They don’t have to worry about someone else picking up their luggage by mistake. Like everything that American Stationery sells these luggage tags are quality products—they can stand up to any rough trearment they may encounter. I can’t always travel with my parents; but I can help make their adventures less stressful by helping them locate their luggage as soon as it shdes onto the baggage carousel!

—Mindy Mac

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I am a bargain hunter. When I walk into a store I seek out the sale racks and head immediately in that direction. So it’s not a big surprise that I shop in American Stationery’s clearance stationery section on their web site. There are 48 items listed right now—prices are reduced and there’s a huge selection to choose from. You can fmd just about anything there: note cards, memo pads, correspondence cards, gift bags, napkins, holiday items, fabric notepad & checkbook covers, place cards & holders, hand bordered writing papers and envelopes, playing cards. . . even nautical swizzle sticks! I strongly urge you to visit American Stationery’s clearance section for yourself.

-- Mindy Mac

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There are 19 grandchildren on my side of the family ranging in age from age 4 to 29! Family reunions are a little chaotic; but it’s always good to be together. We’ll have three weddings within eight months as excuses for a little family togetherness! My nieces and soon-to-be niece in-law love the idea of starting a new Life. Everything is new—especially their last name! So giving these brides personalized stationery and address labels to help them announce their new identities to the world has been a huge hit. American Stationery has a vast selection of writing papers, labels and stampers to choose from allowing me to select a very personal gift in every sense of the word. For the traditional bride I’ll go with something classic like the Timeless Embossed Notes or the elegant Black Hand Bordered Cards. For the bride with more contemporary taste the Hot Pink Hand Bordered Correspondence Cards or the Fun Personal Notes are perfect. These young ladies appreciate the fact that I choose something that reflects their individual style and personality. It lets them know that I care about them and their new adventure; and a personalized gift always stands out in a pile of small appliances and towels!

—Mindy Mac

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