May
3
We would like to offer some fun and unconventional ideas for inviting friends and family to seasonal get-togethers that keep in mind the true spirit of the holidays. You will surely be invited to plenty of traditional Holiday parties this season, but why not start a few new traditions of your own? The following are some suggestions, that will continue over the next two weeks, for parties that can help us help others as we celebrate this happy season. And, because we are American Stationery, we also like to offer some elegantly engaging invitation ideas! End of Summer Celebrations "Sweet" Halloween Gestures Giving Thanks and Giving Back "It’s a Wrap" Holiday Party New Year’s Resolutions Celebrations Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Apr
2
One of the many great new items being offered by American Stationery is our table placemats. Our placemats are currently being offered in Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fall and Halloween themes. These placemats are offered in two different types. The first type features your personalization printed on paper. The paper placemats are designed for disposal once used. The second type is coated in teslin and is designed for multiple uses. The choice is yours; however, each of the designs is sure to impress your guests. Currently two types of Christmas designs are available. Our Snowflakes placemats are green and feature a few snowflakes of different sizes as well as personalization of your choice. These I I" x 17" placemats are sure to add a touch of elegance to your holiday table setting. The other design available is our Sleigh Ride placemats. These placemats feature a red sleigh centered on the front with your personalization printed underneath. Either placemat will certainly show your holiday spirit. If you enjoy Halloween, our Halloween placemats are a must have for your annual costume gala. Ghosts, pumpkins and black cats are the themes in these designs. Our Ghost Part placemats feature two spooky ghosts on a black speckled background...Read More
Feb
26
For centuries, vellum has been synonymous with a high quality writing surface. Originally, "real" vellum was made from animal skin. The process of making vellum was complex and very time consuming, but it is still universally acknowledged as being the finest of all writing papers, and is still used for some official documents. While most vellum stationery today is made with cotton rag – the finest of 100% cotton fiber – the process of making vellum is fascinating. How "Real" Vellum Sheets are Made Vellum starts with an animal skin. The highest quality vellum – smooth, translucent and free of blemishes – is made from the skin of stillborn calves, though other animal skins are often used as well. Sheepskin, more commonly used to make parchment, is a second choice, but goat skin or deer skin can be used as well. The process used to make vellum has survived for centuries. Once the skin is removed from the animal, it is placed in a barrel of clean water to soak for a day and a night, then removed from the water and washed to remove any debris. From there, the skin goes into a lime bath to soak for several...Read More
Dec
9
Read Part 1 We know it is only July and your December holiday preparations are probably at the very top of your to-do list, so we are going to go over some of the reasons people send holiday cards and help you get started. Mailing Christmas CardsAs soon as you finish addressing your last holiday card envelope, you should mail them immediately. That is, if it isn’t July. Our advice is to order your cards no later than the end of September and get them signed, addressed and sealed as early as possible. Mail your finished batch of holiday cards all at the same time, so no one thinks you forgot them unnecessarily after seeing your card at the home of someone else. A good rule of thumb is to mail your cards between Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas. That way, they are in people’s hands before the holidays and mailing them earlier will avoid them getting lost in the shuffle with the thousands of other cards. Just like a wedding invitation, sometimes holiday cards are a little heavier than an average letter would be, especially if you’ve included a photo or Christmas letter with the card. It is...Read More
Dec
7
We know it is only July and your December holiday preparations are probably at the very top of your to-do list, so we are going to go over some of the reasons people send holiday cards and help you get started. Holiday Card ListFirst things first, who do you send cards to? We are a bit biased, so our first answer is as many people as possible, but there is also some truth to that. Traditionally, holiday cards are a way of re-connecting with people you do not necessarily see or speak to very often. In today’s digital age, that could amount to a fairly large number. To get a general count of cards to order, start with last year’s list and/or your current address book. Remove old business acquaintances and loved ones who have passed away. Add any new family members, friends or colleagues. This will give you a preliminary count. It is always cheaper to order a few extra on the initial order than it is to come back and place another order, and it is inevitable that between the purchase and the sending, there will be new folks to add to the list or you will realize...Read More
Dec
4
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...Read More
Nov
27
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 Read more from Mindy Mac
Nov
13
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 Read more from Mindy Mac
Oct
30
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 Read more from Mindy Mac
Oct
23
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...Read More