Free design goodies

CHIC FOR FREE: A relatively new blog on the scene has caught my eye and I wanted to share: Free Design Goodies, a side project of Summer Allen-Gibson's Design Is Mine site, is an awesome one-stop-shop to see all the clipart, stationary templates, desktop wallpapers, etc. that various sites are offering for free. I have used it a couple times already and use it a lot just for inspiration. Check it out for your next birthday cards, dinner invitations or bridesmaids gifts (the stationary is perfect for this!).

Amy Smyth, she made it

MODERN-DAY GREETINGS: I first learned about Amy Smyth and her unique greeting cards more than a year ago, but I am still amazed every time I see any of her new designs; and her new 2008 collection is no exception. The Virginia-based illustrator turned card designer has creative and often-humorous cards for just about every occasion — and there are a lot of holidays coming up. The pop-art-heavy greetings, invites, and announcements are made on recycled paper and are surprisingly well priced. Available at Paper Source stores nationwide, as well as several card boutiques and online at amysmythmadeit.com.

Seedy invites

In the eco-style of Cargo's PlantLove Lipstick and Pangea Organics, now Baltimore-based letterpress Gilah Press + Design is making greetings on seed-paper stationary. Custom design your own invites or order pre-made styles and when the event is over, guests can toss them in the garden instead of the trash — the wildflowers that emerge will be a longterm reminder of the fete. Another similar option is Canadian Botanical Paperworks, ay! They make greeting cards, stationary, and, get this, paper favors that you can give out anytime from a wedding to a Bar Mitzvah to a birthday party. So cute!