PAPAYA! BLOG

Creative Graduation Invitations

Next month my dear friend's daughter, Mary, will be graduating from high school. Mary is a very unique young woman so when it came to her graduation party, an off-the-shelf invite just wouldn't do. We whipped up the text and printed it directly onto an envelope set. The note card artwork is so beautiful the invite ends up looking sweet and deliberate.

Christmas bags sneak preview

 

Our new Christmas bag samples also arrived last week. I snapped a quick photo with my iphone, of them sitting on my desk as I was reviewing and re-working the final designs that will debut.

Bad Santa (front and center) is always a seasonal favorite!

 
 Wanted to give a big thank you to Terra Firma Home for hosting a lovely open house benefit for Haiti last week.  Terra Firma Home has been a Godsend in our region of limited design resources.  We've stock piled our homes, offices and design spaces with their outstanding furniture and goodies.  
The space was filled with PAPAYA giclee canvases and originals from local artist's.  This little area was my favorite.  The owner, Chrissy did a beautiful job using felted wool, hanging pockets for her tropical plantings and island inspired artwork from PAPAYA!  (My apologies for the pic quality.  Seems like I am relying on the iphone a wee bit too much!) 

Messages of Empowerment: Hope Notes

Recently, we received a note from a volunteer at a domestic violence center in Asheville, NC named Liz who initiated a program called Hope Notes. A Hope Note is a card made to give the women staying at the shelter or attending a support group. Inside the cards are messages of empowerment and encouragement from members of the community.
Liz made her own cards and sold them at a local grocery store to raise money for her organization. She was able to raise $650 dollars in three days with the help of her friends.

If you're in the Asheville area, Liz is coordinating a fundraiser scheduled for July 15th with Hope Notes as a primary feature. The Hope Notes will be on display to show the community support and inspire guests at the event to write their own messages of empowerment. Find out more here: http://www.hopeinthehandwriting.com

We were happy to support Liz in this cause. If you would like to find out more about Hope Notes or how you can help go to http://helpmateonline.org.

Cheers to Liz for her devotion and compassion for a wonderful cause.

Papaya's Newest Wrap Sets Preview

It's been sample review & revision time again here in Papaya's design studio... so I thought I'd give you another sneak peek of our newest up and coming fine paper wrap sets that I designed in collaboration with Papaya artists Anahata Katkin, Flora S. Bowley, and Pam Garrison.

The papers are backed on strong cardboard with top grommets that are strung with velvet hanging ribbon, with serrated papers (at the top of each sheet) for easy removal. 

Each set will have four styles of complimentary designs, with 12 sheets.

See previous posts with previews of Flora S. Bowley's, Pam Garrison, and Anahata's (flower) wrap set.

(Below, from left to right wrap themes: Flower, Birds & Blooms, (Artist) Flora Bowley, and (Artist) Pam Garrison.

You're the Bee's Knees!

We just thought you should be reminded!  (This image available late summer 2010) And a special shout out to Sarah, Brennan and Eli who are currently at the NY, International Stationery Show!  Workin their booties off in the PAPAYA! booth.  

Lanterns and Peonies

I love my gauzy lanterns (from Leekan Designs), they've got a special place in my pink office here at Papaya. I've been eyeing this orange one, and the green one...  they make me think of a cute quote I read once in a decorating magazine that said, "Being afraid of color is like being afraid of being happy". So why shy away from a whole rainbow of happy?! Not me! 

Coordinating with today's lantern theme, is my cherry blossom lantern paper. My favorite gift theme for spring. I spotted this photo when I was uploading my post and couldn't resist.

Wishing everyone a great weekend...

Judging a "Book By Its Cover"

Whenever I need to update my bookshelf I check out Book By Its Cover, a blog by illustrator and pattern designer Julia Rothman. 

Max macht einen Ausflug  

Noonie’s Masterpiece + an interview with the illustrator Sarajo Frieden

Julia shares books she finds interesting on all sorts of topics (design, typography, illustration, art, binding, etc.) as well as interviews (love the interview called "Your Copyright Questions Answered" with Amy Everhart) and the entire sketchbook series.

"Drawing Autism" by Jill Mullin

 

"Printing by Hand" Lena Corwin

"The Exquisite Book" Making the Cover Sketches from the process

"Exciting World of Pattern Design"

PAPAYA! Staff Tribute to Moms

Crush: Pip Studio

Thanks to a fantastic tip I received we found the lovely website of Pip Studio from Amsterdam.  It's so refreshing for us here at PAPAYA to find other companies using their creative talents in bold and unapologetic ways. Pip Studio is a delicious hot bed of yummy and bright textiles, wallpaper and home goods.  
I had seen their wallpaper while in paris last fall.  Bright yellow pattern with birds and flowers.  Just intensely happy.  But I wasn't able to find out who made it until today!  I think it's worth ordering in Euro's to get your hands on their lovely bits.   And if nothing else have a peek into Pips world. Beautiful.