Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht

We've been having so much fun these days, dolling-up our space with beloved decorations both new and old. One of our favorite decorations is our paper Christmas town. It's a replica of an historic town in Germany, complete with a cathedral, several churches, at least 20 town homes, a town hall, a tower and Christmas market stands. About four years ago, I sat down and studiously cut out and pasted together the entire village which originally came as flat pages in a book. We added the tiny bottle brush trees and vintage mica snow.

The silver tinsel tree was a new find this year. I added hand-folded paper ornaments (purchased from a wonderful local retailer, Lucca Great Finds: www.luccastatuary.com) and tiny, gold star ornaments.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Jingle Bells and Tinsel Galore

It's that time of year! Holiday decorating, tree shopping, gift seeking, cheerful music and that strange mix of both chaos and calm in the air. We LOVE the holidays here at Driscoll Design and look forward to it all year long. Well, at least I (Angela) love it. Charlie is a bit more of a curmudgeon but I like to think that in the past ten years of knowing him, I've been able to pull him towards the more jolly, less "scroogy" side. Sometimes I feel like a perky Christmas cheerleader and even I have to roll my eyes at myself.

That said, we are wrapping up last minute holiday orders that are being rushed out to our beloved retailers and are also getting ready to send out our 2010 Spring Collection to our reps. It's so cute and special, if we do say so ourselves. If you are a retailer and would like a copy of our new 2010 In Addition Catalog, please let us know and we'll send one to you right away! You can email us at info@driscolldesign.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ONE AND ALL!

A Chipmunk Thanksgiving

It's a quiet Sunday and the damp, Seattle air is all too willing to chill me to the bone if I don't fight it off with hot beverages and my trusty wool sweater that is rabbit-soft from almost daily wear and washing. After quickly downing a cup of hot espresso this morning, I mustered up the courage to stick a hat on my head and take a walk around the old neighborhood. It really is beautiful right now and I was reminded of how much I love this city. The maple leaves are spectacular in a variety of gold hues, there's a fresh breeze in the air that faintly smells like the ocean and a few of our old craftsmen style homes have smoke coming from their chimneys. All signs that Thanksgiving is almost here.

Eye Candy for the New Year

Don't forget to get an order in for our 2010 Calendars! It's the perfect, little gift or stocking stuffer for folks of any age. Our adorable calendar features our unique designs, both US AND Canadian holidays, as well as space for personal notation. Oh yeah, and you can either hang it or set it on your desktop since it has a built-in easel. A holiday treat that won't add to your waistline! Quantity limited. To order: email us at info@driscolldesign.com or call 206.789.1978.

Fabulous Birthday

Ladies and gentleman, feast your eyes on our Fabulous Birthday card, adorned with a trained circus elephant, giant beach ball, brilliant colors, stars and sparkly glitter! Now that's something to celebrate. For wholesale inquiries, call (206) 789-1978.

Holiday Cards Discount at Cardstore.com!

To reward the early birds, Cardstore.com is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50 placed between Oct. 8th and Nov. 7th. This discount only applies to the 'mail to sender' option, not the 'mail to recipient' option. It's easy, just enter promo code earlybird at checkout.

Plus, Driscoll Design's newest holiday card offerings, exclusively designed for Cardstore.com, will be available Oct. 15th so check in soon!

http://www.cardstore.com/designer-cards/driscoll-greeting-cards.html

Simply Ducky

Wouldn't it brighten your day to find a cheerful, yellow envelope in your mailbox? It's the rainy season but you can lift your spirits (and someone elses) by sending this card to let them know that you're still thinking sunny thoughts about them! Quack quack.

Trick Or Treat?

In our efforts to conserve, we've promised ourselves to not turn on the heat until October 1st. Today was the first time since last winter that we didn't crack a window in our studio space in spite of the brilliant sunshine outside. Crisp breezes over the choppy waters of Elliot Bay and Lake Washington, maple leaves turning red and gold, Halloween decorations in the windows of our neighborhood boutiques, and shopping for new accessories to help dazzle up last year's winter wardrobe... Fall is creeping in and we love it! In the spirit of the season, take a look at our latest Halloween card design, sprinkled with candy corn, licorice bats and sparkly glitter!

I Have A Vision

"I HAVE A VISION"! My husband and partner in all things paper related, Charlie, has learned to cringe at this proclamation of mine because it usually means that more manual labor tasks are barreling his way. This time he's been assigned to repainting our office from a dingy-looking mustard to a light sea foam color with white trim. It looks so fresh and clean, it is inspiring! I can't wait to start working in the "new" space, dreaming up new visions and card designs.

Summer Has Left The Building

Signs of Fall have arrived just in time for Labor Day weekend in Seattle. A gray sky, steady rainfall and a dampness in the air. It's the perfect day to stay cozy and warm indoors, make something tasty to eat and maybe even light a candle or two in homage to a fleeting Summer. Sigh...

Send Hope

We just wanted to let you know that you can send a free personalized card on Cardstore.com from September 1-7, 2009 for the Hope is in the Cards movement.

Two of our designs were chosen for Cardstore's Hope Collection, which features uplifting cards of encouragement and thanks. You can personalize any card in the collection with your own message and photo, and Cardstore will mail it directly to whoever you choose, at no cost to you! Use coupon code: SENDHOPE (expires 9.7.09 at midnight PST.)

The Week of Hope is an event supporting a grassroots movement called “Hope is in the Cards”. This effort was started by an American small business owner whose goal is to send 300 million messages of encouragement by mail during the first week of September.

Please spread the word by forwarding this blog to anyone who you think would be interested! Feel free to blog and Tweet about it, too!

Now take a few minutes to send a free personalized ‘thank you’ or ‘thinking of you’ card, and make someone’s day. To personalize your free card click here: www.cardstore.com/hope-cards.html.

Thanks!

Vintage Tart Blog

It's the ultimate compliment to be recognized by a fellow card designer. Amanda Chenevert of Tart Paperie included our Graduation Hot Air Balloon card in her August 10th blog post. Thanks, Amanda!

http://vintagetart.blogspot.com/2009/08/full-of-hot-airballoons.html

Look, Ma!

Gift Shop Magazine, a guide for savvy retailers, and Stationery Trends, one of the stationery industry's leading publications, have recently featured our 2010 calendar and journals as a nod to our fresh design approach. We love coming up with new ideas and products that (hopefully) bring a little happiness in people's lives. To be recognized for our design work is the cherry on top!

DRISCOLL DESIGN SIGHTINGS!

We've recently been seen in Martha Stewart Living, Pottery Barn Kids and Traditional Home magazines! Have you spotted our cards as you leaf through other publications? We'd love to hear about it so please zip us an email at info@driscolldesign.com

Cuckoo-Cuckoo!

Growing up in Germany and as the daughter of a German mother, it was protocol to have at least one cuckoo clock in the house. I still remember the little colorful one in my childhood bedroom whose little bird didn't seem to ever really adhere to chirping at the appropriate hour. Sometimes it would chirp at five minutes after the hour, sometimes five 'til, sometimes not at all. I can really appreciate that kind of schedule.

Out of nostalgia, I have replicated my childhood cuckoo-cuckoo clock onto a new birthday card to help you know that it's time to celebrate. Herzliches Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag (Happy Birthday)!

A Bright And Hopeful Future

Can you believe that this year is already over half over? Some might be thankful for this, considering these tumultuous times. As a nod to what we believe is a bright and hopeful future, we have already displayed our 2010 calendar to remind ourselves of the good times to come. Plus, it's just so gosh darn pretty if we do say so ourselves.

Driscoll Design's 2010 Desktop Calendar has both a built-in hook for hanging and an easel for the desktop. Includes space for notations plus lists major US and Canadian holidays. $15 retail. To order: 206.789.1978

Joyeux Anniversaire

Say "Happy Birthday" to the friend with a sweet tooth with our newest card featuring an apothecary jar filled with green and pink bonbons. Carefully hand-detailed sparkle details are included, of course. Délicieux!

On Display In Seattle

Bailey Coy Books, one of Seattle's best bookstores (and a customer, we are proud to say,) located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, recently asked us to enlarge our two same-sex union greeting cards into 4 feet tall window displays to help promote Gay Pride Month in June. We were honored to do so and we think the window displays turned out fabulous! One window featured a male union theme while the other featured female. Michael, the kind owner of Bailey Coy, even had us promote our own company with large signs for the display featuring Driscoll Design's biography.With the displays now taken down, Michael intends to donate the signs to a charity auction in support of the gay community.

Bailey Coy Books has contributed to the fun and vibrant personality of the Seattle community for many years. Here you'll find a fantastic selection of ecclectic books, journalistic publications and greeting cards to suit your fancy. For more information go to: www.baileycoybooks.com

Thank you, Bailey Coy Books, we love you!

Writing Never Looked So Pretty!

Cardstore.com, our fabulous online retailer, has made mention of our new journals on their blog! Cardstore.com is great if you are looking for uniquely designed cards to personalize and add your own photos to. Need a birthday card? How about some baby or bridal shower invitations? We have contributed many of our own designs exclusively for Cardstore.com!

http://www.cardstore.com/cardstyle-blog

Subscriber for Life

Something amazing happened today. A lovely lady sent us a photo of her new tattoo: an image of our Chinese Lanterns from one of our greeting card designs, beautifully emblazoned across her arm. Yeah, it's like, permanent! Now, we think THAT is the ultimate compliment! Thank you, lovely lady. We hope that you love it forever.

Dear Ol' Dad

Father's Day is Sunday, June 21st. Wish you could show him your love and admiration with a classic convertible...but you haven't won the lottery yet? Our "Dad" card goes a long way to show him your good intentions. Beep Beep!

Hark! A Message to the Online Shopper

Need some cards now and at a super price point? We have designed a fabulous assortment of Driscoll Design cards exclusively for Cardstore.com, an online greeting card retailer. Birthday cards, wedding and baby announcements, holiday cards and so on...you can also personalize them to say whatever sweet sentiment you wish!

Find them here:
Driscoll Design in Cardstore.com

Sitting Pretty

We're happy to announce that Greetings, Etc. magazine, one of the leading publications in the stationery world, has chosen to feature our new peacock keepsake journal for its article "Peacocks Show Pretty Profits"!

Check it out at:
Peacocks Show Pretty Profits

To order, please email us at: info@driscolldesign.com or call (206) 789-1978.

Chirp, chirp!

The birds are chirping outside and sunshine offers joy and comfort. Welcome little ones into the world with our "Lil' Munchkin" greeting card. Frame it as instant wall art or carefully place it in your baby's album as a reminder of fresh beginnings and a hopeful future.

Twittering On Paper

Call it Twittering with a pen and paper. Whether you need to keep notes on your fancy-free thoughts, to-do lists or doodles of the fellow commuters on the bus ride home, we now have a choice of five gorgeous journals in which to jot it all down! Each journal cover is carefully hand-embellished with glitter and contains 150 lined and blank pages, bound together by a sleek, black coil so that it lays flat while writing. The coil is cleverly hidden by the fold-over cover. At 5" x 7", it fits perfectly in most purses. Printed with soy ink on 100% Post Consumer paper, of course.

To order or for more information contact: info@driscolldesign.com or (206) 789-1978

Get moving!

What kind of housewarming gift do you give someone who seems to already have everything (that you can afford)? Keep it simple with our beautiful moving announcements! Each flat card is adorned with either a critter-sized mushroom post office or a sparrow nest housing vibrant, turquoise-colored eggs. Cards are printed on luxuriously heavy, cream-colored paper and are 100% post-consumer, of course! 8 per pack accompanied with matching red or aqua envelopes.

You are Beautiful

These days we can't seem to get away from dreary news. It's a time to give pause to our fast-paced lives and to reevaluate our priorities. Take a closer look at what you are thankful for now. It is the loving relationships with family and friends that bring true happiness. Let someone special know how beautiful they are to you.

Hopes and Dreams

It's about that time of year when many students complete another school year and move on to fulfill their hopes and dreams. Send them off with finesse with our striped hot air balloon card adorned in bold colors of turquoise, gold and glitter. Destiny awaits!

Party On

Don't be a party pooper! Help set the festive mood by sending your favorite birthday guy or gal our dandy popcorn themed card, hand-embellished with glittery "salt" and delicious colors. Cleverly tuck a couple of movie tickets inside the card and you have an instant gift that anyone would eat up!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is May 10th so why not start thinking about mom a little early this year? We are and we're reminded of the many things we love about her, both inside and out. Here's one of our newest cards to help tell our mom that we're thinking of her. Purple and golden yellow with oranges and delicate blossoms. Pretty...just like her.

Here comes Peter Cottontail

Easter is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with our new card featuring a beautiful big, turquoise decorated egg adorned with pink blossom branches! To purchase, contact us at (206) 789-1978 or via email info@driscolldesign.com

Trophy Cupcakes: A Winning Bakery!

Most people have a favorite bakery in their town. One of ours is Trophy Cupcakes! With its absolutely delectable, fresh cupcakes and a sweet (pardon the pun) storefront, it is a real treat stepping inside. So playful and charming, we can't help but smile despite the gray Seattle weather outside. And here's the best news, they are opening a new store in University Village, a swanky shopping area with park benches and elegant white lights. We can't wait to go!

http://www.trophycupcakes.com

Spring is here!

FINALLY, a sunny day in Seattle! Although to be fair, it did pour only twice today and then the sun showed it's sheepish face. Spring was in the air today and it reminds me of sweet things like fluffy lambs and buttercups. Kinda like our new spring baby card. Awww...

FREE SHIPPING SPECIAL!

For our wonderful retailers, we are now offering a FREE SHIPPING SPECIAL on orders shipped in the U.S. over $250 from April thru June! To request a catalog, please contact us at 206.789.1978 or visit our website for more info. www.driscolldesign.com

Struwwelpeter: A book of German Fables

Growing up in Germany with a German mother and American father, I was surrounded by multi-cultural books, toys and entertainment. One of my favorite books was (and still is) a book of fables that were written long ago by Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann. The book contains stories of children who reap the consequences of their misbehavior. Although the fables can be a little gruesome, the morals and illustrations within the book still inspire me in life and work. I bought a brand, new copy of the book a few years ago and keep it on display. It reminds me of home.

Driscoll Design...entering the blogging era (finally)!

Phew! Driscoll Design has finally done it! We're really excited to get in touch with friends and customers alike this way. Stay tuned for product updates and sweet, sweet deals on our merchandise! Cheers!