Since they have been in our window in different sizes and colors…we have made them for Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Anniversary Parties. Etc.…I even made them for my Grandmothers backyard BBQ this past summer…we hung them in the trees to create a bit of whimsy!

Let us know if you want us to create some PAPER ART for your next soiree…or if you’re crafty, see below for How-To Instructions!

Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inch-wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.

Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure.

When one of our customers came in looking for that “PERFECT and DIFFERENT” Rehearsal Dinner invitation we couldn’t wait to get started.

It all started with the FORK, why not send the guests their own fork???…and wrap it up in a napkin…with an invite…and a ribbon and mail it in a BOX!

We went to the talented ladies at Paper+Cup Design for the personalized forks and we took it from there.

The Rehearsal Dinner took place at DiBruno Brothers on Walnut Street, so we wanted a casual summertime feel.  Sunflowers were our inspiration for the colors and design, so we went with the yellows and golds and found the perfect napkin to wrap it up in.  A jewelry sized box fit the fork and napkin perfectly.  So the Papery girls got busy with rolling and tying napkins and twine around the invites…and “ta da”…That PERFECT and DIFFERENT Rehearsal Dinner invite has been created.

Let us know if you’re interested in something created just for you…or just like this!!!

We’re excited to participate in the “Love is in the Air” event again this year!

On February 23, 2012, we invite you to join Tiffany & Co., Stephen Starr Events & Uncommon Events for an evening of sophisticated wedding inspiration!  Some of the Philadelphia area’s best wedding professionals will be on hand to discuss what they do, the new wedding trends for 2012 and more!  Wedding vendors such as Tiffany & Co., Bridals by Danielle, Maggpie Vintage Furniture Rentals, Stephen Starr Events, Uncommen Events, CinemaCake Wedding Films, Beke Beau Makeup, Eventions Lighting, Black Tie Formalwear, Whipped Bakeshop, Signature DJs, Phil Kramer Photography and more.  It truly is the best Winter Bridal Event in the City of Brotherly Love!

BY INVITATION ONLY. Please contact Melissa@UncommonEvents.net if you are interested in attending. We’d love to see you there!

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:00am to 7:00pm;
• Wednesday, 11:00am to 8:00pm (for the late crowd);
• Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm; and
• Sunday Noon-5:00pm.

We’re winding down from an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G year at The Papery and we look forward to what 2012 has in store for us!  Thank you to all our clients, colleagues, partners and fans for their continued support and patronage throughout 2011!  We love what we do here at The Papery and look forward to sharing many more celebrations with you all in the New Year!

Cheers!

As I sit down to address my own large pile of holiday cards, it occurs to me, what should I say?  Should I be funny, sentimental, or simply autograph the darn thing?

Seriously, why are holiday card messages so difficult to write?  There’s so much pressure to be witty, emotional and creative. Or, lengthy! Usually, I tend to focus on being thankful, grateful, extending wishes of good cheer and wishes for a Happy New Year. I find Christmas or holiday card greetings are the ideal spot to reflect, encourage, thank or send warm wishes to those we don’t regularly see.  For many of the cards I’ll write this year, I’ll be including specific greetings that update long-distance friends or family on what’s happening in my little corner of the world.  However, for many other holiday cards; a short, meaningful message will be written.

Below you’ll find a list of holiday card greetings you may find useful as you write your own holiday cards.  Perhaps they’ll inspire you to write your own Christmas card signature message!

HOLIDAY CARD MESSAGES

1. “Hoping you are surrounded by love and warmth this holiday season.”
2. “May the magic of love twinkle in your lives throughout the holiday season and the upcoming new year.”
3. “We wish you health, comfort and prosperity this holiday season.”
4. “May beautiful moments and happy memories surround you with joy this Christmas.”
5. “Christmas is love in action.  Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.”
6. “May your home be filled with the joy of family and friends this holiday season.”
7. “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!”
8. “Wishing you a festive holiday season and New Year!”
9. “We thank you for giving us the opportunity to work with you this year.  We wish you a Happy Hanukkah and a New Year filled with all good things.”
10. “Heartfelt greetings and bountiful blessings to you and yours this holiday season.”
11. “Christmas is not a date. It’s a state of mind.”
12. “Hope the holidays bring you many reasons to smile.”
13. “Wishing you good times, good cheer and a Happy New Year!”
14. “May your holidays sparkle and shine with good cheer!”
15. “Wishing you the joy of family, the happiness of friends and the love of Christmas!”
16. “Write it on your heart: That every day is the best day of the year. Happy New Year!”
17. “May the peace and beauty of the season remain with you throughout the coming year.”
18. “The year-end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express to you season’s greetings and good wishes.  May your holidays and New Year be filled with much happiness!”
19. “May your holidays be merry and bright!”
20. “At this joyous time of year, we are grateful for our work with you. We wish you abundance, happiness and peace in a New Year filled with hope.  Happy Holidays!”

As you know, it can take some time, thought and care to send out holiday cards. So, if you receive a holiday card it is always thoughtful to graciously acknowledge you have received it.  Either by sending your own card or by mentioning it in person. Now, turn on that holiday music, pour yourself a tall glass of eggnog, and go tackle that pile of cards!  Happy Holidays!

Like the rest of the world around me, I lead a busy life.  As a wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend and entrepreneur.  But no matter how crazed I am, and I can get downright manic, I’m never too busy to look around me at the wonderful family with whom I share my life.  To say that I’m grateful, while completely accurate, is just simply not enough.  Words tend to fail me.  Particularly when I know that unlike many around me, I get to spend time with my mother, Mary Lou,  as well as HER mother, my Grandma Lena.  I know, I know.  Perhaps the words LUCKY, FORTUNATE, BLESSED should readily come to mind.  But trust me, they do.  And not just because it’s Thanksgiving week.  I know I’m lucky to have two generations of women to share the trials and tribulations of life with, the absurdness of it all and the beauty each day brings. It’s a luxury I don’t take lightly year-round. I’m so BLESSED to hear their stories, GRATEFUL to learn from their mistakes and FORTUNATE to share their love of food and family. Not to mention, hearing my Grandma Lena talk about my mother, sharing a laugh with her about one of the men in the family, or just getting to watch my mom and grandma cook dinner together. It’s the little things that matter.  And it’s truly a gift I TREASURE.

So this summer, when my Grandma celebrated her 99th birthday, it just had to be fabulous! I mean, come on, her  99th birthday!  Isn’t that incredible?  Entertaining is a family sport, passed on enthusiastically from generation to generation, and when it came down to celebrating Lena’s birthday, well, it had to be GOOD.  And by “good” I mean good old fashioned backyard fun!  My mother and I pulled out all the stops for a summertime family celebration for Lena.

Trees were filled with bright red paper pom poms, glass vases were filled with her favorite white flowers, white table clothes were layered with butcher paper runners, red-stitched dish towels became festive napkins tied with bakery twine, and tiny white pails filled with whole cherries became take-home party favors.

A serve-yourself homemade lemonade station was set up on an old wooden table we pulled from the house, and if you wanted to add a little Prosecco to your lemonade, that wasn’t a problem for Lena!  and then there was the food, lots and lots of it! (We’re Italian, of course there was a crazy spread of delicious food!)

Mini Cherry Cupcakes and a delicious Cherry Birthday Cake! The perfect little sweet somethings for the summer birthday party!

My grandma was so overwhelmed by all the family and friends who came to see her on her birthday, she just kept hugging my mother and thanking her for her thoughtfulness. We love you Lena, and we’re GRATEFUL to share your table.