Monday, November 30, 2009

Holiday Season Cards


As the holiday season dawns, one of the things I enjoy doing is selecting the 30+ cards that I will send across the world - remember the ones I sent last year, illustrated by Yoshimoto Nara and dear Fifi Flowers?
This year, I chose these graphic, fun, green cards from Kate Paperie in New York. I also chose some plain ivory-color cards that I will decorate with stamps I bought in Amsterdam - I especially love the paw stamp, which allows Benjy to co-sign my cards without having to dip his precious pads in messy ink.
Finally, on the back of these beautiful, delicate and creamy envelopes, I will apply the spectacular stamp designed for me by Etsy's Asspocket Productions - mention AUREA if you purchase from her store and you'll get 15% off!

Writer's Almanac - my dear, worshiped, adored Oscar Wilde died on this day, Nov. 30, back in 1900; his "Canterville Ghost" is my favorite short story of all times (download it for free here).

27 comments:

Hila said...

One of the great things about having an artist as a mother is having her paint personalised cards. I love getting cards, sometimes more than the actual presents.

Taocito said...

These cards look so lovely! And it is so thoughtful of you to send them to your friends around the world (and Benjy's).
I seem to remember that as a child your dear mom used to enjoy sending cards with photos of your sister and you in whatever country you resided in.
A question for the Oracle: what is the etiquette for pooches and greeting cards? Should I send glamor shots of me with antlers to my friends?

Joyful said...

Oh I love your ideas for greeting cards and getting your own personalized stamps. I don't have stamps but I do have wax embossing with my initial (all the rage a few years back). I may just have to get a personalized stamp though I admit I send so few cards these days compared to my 60+ for years and years. Postage costs got the best of me. But it is so nice to get a card these days, esp. one that is hand made or added to in some way.

Kwana said...

These are so cute. I have to get on my cards for this year. Yikes.

Stéphanie said...

Lovely !

Debra said...

Won't you have fun. Such nice cards and I love your personalized stamp. I'm creating my own cards this year and have the envelopes all addressed. I bet you get some pretty wonderful cards in return too.

Laura in Paris said...

I love the stamp! Can you send me a letter?

Leia said...

Those cards are so pretty! :)

Mary-Laure said...

HILA - I had no idea that your mum was an artist, how great that must be!

JOYFUL - I absolutely love wax embossing, it's so beautiful!
I agree that postage costs have become way too high, especially for international mail (it costs about $1 to send a card to Europe or Uruguay)...

DEBRA - I'd love to see your home made cards!

Benjy The Oracle said...

TAOCITO - Ah yes I have many fans I need to send cards to, so many autographs to sign with my light paw!
I am sure that sending a glam shot of your fluffy white self would make many people happy. And who knows, maybe you will get your paws on some cards illustrated with your unique silhouette but, shhhhhhhh, I should keep my "museau" shut.

Fifi Flowers said...

Ooooh thanks for the mention!!! THose look like FUN cards... LOVE the stamp for Benjy!

Maidenearth said...

Thank you for the mention of my stamps! Drop in to my shop at asspocketproductions.etsy.com, start a conversation with me and tell me that Aurea sent you and I will give you 15% off your order. There are 2 ways I can do that, I can set up a custom listing for you to purchase, or simply refund the amount through paypal once your order has gone through, its easy! Thanks!

Stacey

Anonymous said...

Fab cards! and the bird stamp is FANTASTIC! I must admitte i always buy these standard cards but perhapse this year i will try to personalize them. You inspired me!
-M

Giulia said...

Very nice, M-L. I've three designs on my coffee table (for the last 8 weeks...I was eager, I guess).

On another note. I wanted to do a post on Oscar's death but after I downloaded the photographs of his grave...I lost steam. Couldn't find a good enough photo of ghastly wallpaper either.

xoxo

Susan & Giulia

Mary-Laure said...

STACEY - great! Thank you so much on behalf of my readers.

MEL - cool, I hope that you will show us what you come up with. You are so creative and tasteful that I am sure you will imagine some lovely things to personalize your cards.

Miss Cavendish said...

Love, love, love Kate's Paperie. Is there one in LA? It codes so New York to me . . .

And I agree with your first commenter: I prefer to get cards over presents!

Mary-Laure said...

GIULIA - ah yes, "Either the wallpaper goes or I do". Witty to the end, wasn't he?
Unfortunately, I too have seen my share of depressing wallpapers in my life.
"Ghastly" is such a Brit word! It reminds me of Nancy Mitford.

MISS CAVENDISH - No, no Kate Paperie in LA; I visited it (or rather raided it...) when I was in NYC a couple of months ago. Yes, in early October I was already thinking of X-mas...
While I was there, I also bought some nice little presents for some LA friends, such as journals etc.

marie said...

very nice! i still have the nara card on my fridge!

Beth said...

Those are beautiful - so unique.
I'm feeling like a Scrooge as I go through the blog world and read what everyone is up to re: Christmas. I am so behind - cards, decorations.
Perhaps our Christmas will be a little different this year...

Laura said...

I ordered one stamp! Great finding, Aurea!

Unknown said...

oh thanks for the wilde link...!!!!

Angie Muresan said...

Gorgeous cards! And I adore Oscar Wilde too. His story of The Happy Prince is a holiday favorite in our house.

mansuetude said...

o yes, Benji's paw has better things to do, like basketball practice. Lovely choices.

Thanks for the link, as well, its so easy to forget about that amazing collection. (No flimsy paper in a download)!

Sherin said...

These are so cute! I love the design on them.

Mary-Laure said...

BETH - I wish I were more behind, as I'd have more shopping for presents to look forward to...

ANGIE - ah, yes, I love Wilde's fairy tales too, including The Happy Prince, such a gem of a story.
I only discovered his fairy tales a few years ago, actually.

MANSUETUDE - fret not, Benjy's little paws are also very very busy with ball games. And he scores!

bookbabie said...

Very cool cards! Every year I think I'll make my own but never seem to get to it. I am using a pic of my new granddaughter on one this year...but having it printed the lazy girl's way:(

billie said...

For the first time (since I was a kid!) , and thanks to the help of one step-by-step website, I decided to make handmade pop up x-mas cards for everyone, and I'm delighted!
It's also so exciting to finally send the cards ;-)