Stationery Scoop

Weekend Project: Plantable Pillow Boxes

This weekend, we're getting ready for the holidays by making plantable seeded pillow boxes! This is an easy, DIY craft that gives the gift of flowers in a completed recyclable package because the seed paper grows wildflowers when you plant it. Forget creating tons of paper waste this holiday season; grow flowers instead!

Instructions and a free downloadable template are available here: Make Your Own Pillow Boxes.

Handmade seed paper is available here: Buy plantable seed paper

Manitoba's Green Future - Special Event

For all Winnipegers and Manitobans, I just received word of an upcoming conference to be held on Tue, Oct. 23, 2007 at the Fort Garry Hotel. Called Manitoba's Green Future, A Dialogue on Climate Change Action and Greening our Economy, it promises to be an important event. Registration is $60, so please consider attending!

Journaling

It is good to collect things, but better to go on walks.  Anatole France

I took note of this saying because it captures that process of release and clarity that comes from going for a walk. I love getting away from my office to go for a walk, and these days with the crunchy Fall leaves, it seems like an excellent time for personal reflection and clarity seeking.

That's also why I'm drawn to journaling. Journaling gives me the chance to work out my thoughts on paper and to go back and review where I've come from. I write in a number of different journals, including a Moleskine for jots on the go and prototypes of our new Think & Write & Grow Journals.

Steven Covey in First Things First writes about the impact journaling can have on nurturing self-awareness. There's nothing like looking back on entries from six months ago to gain some insight into struggles and successes in life!

While we were researching and preparing to launch the Think & Write & Grow Journals, I polled two dozen friends and acquaintances to understand their journal-buying behavior. I was thrilled to find out how many people give journals as gifts. What a wonderful gift to give!

If you're wanting to get into journaling, read this article on how to get started. And don't forget to get yourself an awesome journal to write in!

Plantable Eco-Calendar

One of my favorite new products in the 2008 Designer Series of stationery is this Plantable Eco-Calendar. There are so many cool things about it:

• It's completely recycled and recyclable, leaving no waste. With pages made from recycled paper which can be planted and a a reusable tin, this is a Holiday gift you can give with pride.

• The keepsake tin is going to be awesome for collecting business cards, desk accoutrements like paperclips and post-its, special notes that you want to keep forever and more. I've already nestled a special pair of earrings in some tissue paper to "regift" the tin to a friend!

• The monthly illustrations and special saying are just lovely, and inspiring, and timeless

• 12 months of flowers - does it get better than that!

The idea for this calendar was rattling around in my brain since January of 2006. Yikes! That's way too long for a good idea to be trapped. It wasn't until I met with Kal and shared this idea that she was able to release the idea and make it happen. And here it is.

Don't forget that the calendar is being printing in a limited run, so please order yours early. We don't want you to be disappointed!

2008 Designer Stationery Series - It's Here!

It's here - the 2008 Designer Series of plantable stationery! Designed by Kal Barteski, this new line is innovative, beautiful and 100% recycled/recyclable. The collection includes:

• Plantable Idea Journal
• 2008 Designer Edition Plantable Calendar
• Greeting Card Set
• Holiday Gift Tags

I'll be writing more about each item during these next weeks, including an insider's look at the design process including how each product came to be.

There are limited quantities of each product available, so don't hesitate...start shopping now!

In the press: Winnipeg Women Magazine

Wow! There I am in the Fall 2007 issue of Winnipeg Women. Editor Lindsay Stewart Glor wrote a fantastic article about me and my Mom, Mary Reimer, and the story behind Botanical PaperWorks.

Ruth Bonneville took this lovely photo of me in late August. She set the shoot up in a field next to the St. Norbert Monastery Ruins. I'm crouching in a field of grain and flowers and THISTLES!

During the shoot, Ruth encouraged me to relax and pose creatively, sometimes holding plantable butterflies, as shown in this photo, and other times holding a stack of paper.

I tried to pretend that I was on ANTM (that's America's Next Top Model for anyone who doesn't watch) and that Tyra Banks was there encouraging me to be "fierce"! ANTM has always been my not-so-secret vice (I get together with Kara, Bonnie and Lavonne to watch the finales), and after all those years of watching, it actually helped me out. Thanks Tyra!

Read the entire article for a great snapshot of Botanical PaperWorks, where we started and where we're going. These are exciting times!

Thanks to Venus Zine for including Botanical PaperWorks in the Fall issue!

We're working around the clock here at Botanical PaperWorks to get the new plantable stationery products ready for the web. At the same time, we're also doing a complete website redesign...nothing like two ambitious projects at the same time! I'm a little tired (too many 2 am nights trying to get all of the details pulled together!) but excited about what is to come. The new website will have the same fresh n'wonderful look as this blog, thanks to designer extra-ordinaire, Kal.

So I was at the office today and decided to clean out my in-box while I waited for some files to load. I ripped open Venus Zine, a new magazine that had come across my desk and WOW...there we were on page 74!

A huge thanks to the editors at Venus Zine for including Botanical PaperWorks in the Fall 2007 issue. Check us out page 74 in an awesome feature called "Pulp Friction".

This special feature on papermaking and paper crafting has tons of DIY crafting projects and a gorgeous photo of our Butterfly in Flight personalized seed favor. I'm definitely going to try that Paper Wall Decor project on page 66.

And, we love the Mid-Century Modern-Style Paper Lamp on page 70. All in all, an awesome magazine. I think we'll have to look into getting a subscription!

New Hues of Stationery

I'm loving these colors of our new designer series of plantable stationery. Kal had a sneak preview yesterday of the journals and the inspiring message of these "think & write & grow" journals. Just a couple of days until launch, so check back often!

It's Fall and Botanical PaperWorks is producing lots of autumn-colored wedding favors, just like this Plantable Heart Wedding Favor with bordeaux ribbon. It's a classic color combination and looks great with my favorite Gala apples, these ones from British Columbia.

New stationery products are a-coming

Phew...Stephanie and I spent most of Thursday finalizing the new plantable designer series of stationery products that will be launching this weekend. Designed by Kal Barteski, the collection includes journals, a limited-edition 2008 calendar, notecards and holiday gift tags. Just wait until you see it - we're totally in love with every piece, and we think (and hope!) that you will be too. Stephanie and I have already planned who's getting plantable stationery gifts from us this holiday. We decided to print a bit more just because of our orders!

Also, the Fall issue of Winnipeg Women comes out on Saturday and there will be a little feature of yours truly in there. I'll post pictures when I get my copy.

Have a great day and more from me on Friday.

Fun with wedding invitations

I love it when clients inject their wedding invitations with a big dose of specialness, and one way to do that is with some humor.

Here's a Sydney photo invitation that we did for Nicole and Neil that is fun and fresh. I can only imagine the laughter and good feelings that abounded when each lucky recipient opened up the invitation envelope and found Nicole and Neil in the bathtub!

Check out more recent customer orders on the Absorb Creative website. Each invitation is a reflection of the special couple, whether it's Jane & Jay's beach photos or Harold's 80th birthday party invitation with a photo of him as a kid.