Stationery Guide Shakespeare's Bride Nominated for a LOUIE Award

Stationery Guide, Shakespeare's Bride has been nominated for the Greeting Card Association’s highest honor, a LOUIE Award - the “Oscars” of the Greeting Card Industry.

Nominated in the Best Thank You Card Category (budget priced under $3.00), Shakespeare's Bride’s nominated card was a humorous “Thank You for Being My Bridesmaid” card entitled Helpful Bridesmaid , pictured below.


Out of the thousands of cards and invitations published each year, 176 made it to the final round in the 21st Annual International Greeting Card Awards competition, better known as the LOUIEs. The competition drew over 800 entries in 58 categories from nearly 140 U.S. and international publishing companies, including those in Brazil, Canada, England and India.

The awards are named after German lithographer Louis Prang who is credited with the birth of the U.S. greeting card industry in the 1870s. The LOUIEs are presented in conjunction with the National Stationery Show taking place in New York City this week, May 17-20.

You might have noticed that posts have been light here at the Guides this past week or two, as many of the Guides are busy prepping their stationery show exhibits. We wish them luck as they roll out all their great new products! And we wish Shakespeare's Bride good luck with the competition!

From "Will You?" to "Thank You:" Bridesmaid Cards

Bridesmaid stationery is a popular way to both ask and thank your Bridesmaids for agreeing to be a part of your wedding. We love the below "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" cards from Designed By M.E. Stationery.


Inside Reads: "I promise the dress will be Fabulous."

When it comes time to thank your girls for all the time and work they've put into your wedding- why not do it with a sense of humor? These cute cards from Shakespeare's Bride acknowledge just how much effort goes into being a bridesmaid.


Inside Reads: "After everything you've done for my wedding, I guess now we know why they're called Bride's Maids."

Finally, if you're planning to throw a Thank You Bridesmaids Luncheon, don't forget that great stationery can also make a great gift. These cute notecard folios from Jilly Jack Designs could be set at each woman's place as a cute favor.



Diane, Shakespeare's Bride

Photo Credits: Designed By M.E. Stationery, Shakespeare's Bride, Jilly Jack Designs

Reader Question: Bridal Shower Thank You Notes

Got a stationery related question? We've got answers! After our reader Micah read Molly of Artful Sentiment's posts on thank you cards, she contacted Molly with some follow-up questions. We were thrilled that Molly was able to put Micah's mind at ease, and would love to help more readers. Check out their exchange below, and if you have your own stationery related questions, please write us .

Question:
I have a question, if you don't mind. I was just thrown a bridal shower with over 50 guests and 11 hostesses. Half of the hostesses I had never met, and half of the ones I had never met were not even at the shower. I have no idea how to word thank you cards for the hostesses, especially the ones I do not know that were not at the shower. Thank you for hosting? Thank you for wanting to be a part of the most special time in my life?

Also, How do I keep from copying the same thing for each hostess? What if they compare notes and the sentiments are too similar?

Thanks for any advice you can give, because I've been stressing myself out for the last week about this.

-Micah

Answer:
Micah, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! It sounds like you have a lot of lovely family and friends wanting to make your whole experience special. I have a few thoughts on your hostess thank you notes. You can thank them for being generous with their time and talents in hosting such a lovely event. If you know of any of their specific contributions, you should hightlight them. For example, if they worked on invitations or decorations, let them know how special those were. That will help you to send different notes to each hostess. For those that didn't attend, and that you don't know, express how you are looking forward to meeting them (at the wedding, perhaps?). Another tip I use whenever I'm writing... I use the thesaurus endlessly. There are some words I just adore, so I use them often, but the thesaurus really helps when I want to say something a little different...

Oh, and one more thing. Breathe... this shouldn't be stressful!

-Stationery Guide Molly of Artful Sentiments

Response:
You have made it all seem wonderfully easy- thank you! And here I was, not utilizing thesaurus.com that is blatantly poised in my search toolbar!

-Micah

A Thank You Cards post-holiday round up!

Well now that we all know how to write a proper thank you note here are some lovely cards for the task! Cartolina Cards (1) offers this gorgeous lotus flower thank you note. I love this cute paper airplane note card (2) from Pink Loves Brown which is blank on the inside and waiting for your thoughts. Rock Scissor Paper (3) offers this lovely card as a boxed set if you have a few thank you notes to send out. This letterpress card from Shimmer Studio (4) features a cherry blossom illustration. Paper Stories (5) has another perfect letterpress option! And (6) Artful Sentiments has this lovely zinnia hand block printed card. So go on and write some thank you notes — I know I will be!

(note: to purchase any of the featured stationery please follow the links on the company names above.)
Photo credits; (1) Cartolina Cards, (2) Pink Loves Brown, (3) Rock Scissor Paper, (4) Shimmer Studio, (5) Paper Stories, and (6) Artful Sentiment.

Thank You Very Much!

With the holidays just passed, it's the perfect time to send those little hand-written thank you notes for lovely gifts received and parties and visits hosted during the season. Writing thank you notes may seem a bit daunting, but it really is easier than you may remember - as with so many things, just starting is the hardest part.

First, choose your stationery. A beautiful folded note card or personalized flat notes would be the perfect backdrop for your note. Full sized stationery may be a bit large, as your note will likely be brief, but if you're up for filling a page, then you can certainly make that your choice. There are loads of wonderful options out there, both specifically for thank you notes or just lovely stationery, many suitable for children as well as adults. Make your stationery choice speak to your personality!

Now, for the note.

1. Start with a personalized greeting.

Dear Auntie Mary,

2. Express your gratitude, specifically. “Thank you for the gift” doesn’t cut it.

Thank you so much for the beautiful hand-knitted scarf and gloves. You are so talented!

(Easy, right? Just a couple more guidelines. For a monetary gift, do not mention the specific amount, but thank the gift-giver for their generosity. If the note is for a host or hostess, thank them for their hospitality.)

3. Describe how you will use the gift or provide more specifics.

We are off to a cold and snowy start to the winter, and I'm certain they'll get much use over the coming months. The raspberry color is gorgeous, and will brighten the gray winter days ahead.

(For a monetary gift or gift card, you may also mention how you plan to use it, for example "I have been saving for new golf clubs, and now look forward to having them before golf season begins". For a host or hostess, give some specifics about your visit that were particularly memorable, for example "Dinner was fabulous, as always, and you invite such an interesting group of friends, making the conversations unforgettable".)

4. Personalize a bit more, mentioning something in the past and / or future.

I have always wanted to learn to knit, and am hoping you'll come for a visit and perhaps give me a little lesson. I'll give you a call in the next week or so to see if we can arrange a date.

(You're almost done.... this isn't so hard, is it?)

5. Give your thanks again, and close.

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly

And there you have it! Here are examples of a few completed notes….

Dear Auntie Mary,

Thank you so much for the beautiful hand knitted scarf and gloves. You are so talented!

We are off to a cold and snowy start to the winter, and I'm certain they'll get much use over the coming months. The raspberry color is gorgeous, and will brighten the gray winter days ahead.

I have always wanted to learn to knit, and am hoping you'll come for a visit and perhaps give me a little lesson. I'll give you a call in the next week or so to see if we can arrange a date.

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


Dear Larry and Michelle,

Thank you so much for your hospitality. Dinner was fabulous, as always, and you invite such an interesting group of friends, making the conversations unforgettable.

I am planning to get some friends together next month for dinner at my house, and will call to check dates with you!

Thanks again!
Fondly,
Molly



Dear Uncle Pete,

Thank you for your generosity. I have been saving for new golf clubs, and now look forward to having them before golf season begins.

I can’t wait for the first day of golfing (after the snow melts, of course). I’ll give you a call so we can make a day of it!

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


See how easy that was! And if you check back later today, you’ll find a post with a lovely selection of thank you cards. Surely there will be at least one to inspire you to write your notes!

Molly, Artful Sentiments

photo courtesy of Artful Sentiments

Wedding Gift Thank You Cards: 5 Don'ts

1. Don't Embrace Modern Technology
Don’t send a thank you email. Don’t post a mass thank you on your wedding website. Don’t social network your thank yous on Facebook. Don’t text your thx u. It's time to put down the cell phone and pick up a pen. Even in our fast paced, tech infused world, proper thank you note etiquette still dictates putting pen to paper. These are your friends and loved ones. If you loved them enough to invite them to your wedding, and they loved you enough to bring you a gift, then don’t Twitter your thank you.

2. Don’t Send Out Pre-Printed Thank You Notes
All stationers who print custom stationery have faced this: the bride and groom who want to mass-produce a pre-printed thank you to mail out after the wedding. Don’t put your stationer or yourself in this spot. Proper etiquette calls for a handwritten, personal note. Just as your family and friends did not all get together ala a Verizon Wireless Network commercial and shop en masse for one gift, don’t lump them together as well. They spent time, money, and gas shopping for your present. You owe them a personal note.

3. Don't Combine Marry with Merry
If yours is a fall or winter wedding you might be thinking that a combo Holiday Card/ Wedding Thank You Card might be just the thing. You’re sending out holiday cards anyway, why not slip in a little “P.S. By the way, thank you for the great panini maker Aunt Sue!” Well sorry, even if you’re making those paninis to leave out for Santa himself, now is not the time. (C’mon we bet you also buy those poor souls born in December the dreaded “combo gift” as well right?) And don’t try to hide behind the idea of being eco-friendly by sending out a single card. With all the environmentally friendly stationery products on the market today, you can find holiday cards and thank you cards that let you practice proper etiquette and be green - even at this red and green time of year.

4. Don’t Think You Have a Year
Contrary to what you might have heard, you do not have a year to send out your thank you notes. Thank you cards for your wedding gifts should be sent within three months of the wedding day. For gifts shipped and received prior to your wedding date, you should send thank you notes within a few days of when the gifts were received. Sending out thank you cards as you go, and in a timely manner, not only lets guests know you actually received their gifts, it also shows them that thanking them for their generosity was a top priority. If this shortened window is making you scramble, take solace in the knowledge that according to Peggy Post of the Emily Post Institute it’s also “urban legend” that guests have up to a year to send you a gift in the first place. When you’re done, you'll likely be done.

5. Don’t Forget He Knows How to Write Too
Don’t think that as the bride you have to write all the thank you cards alone. You just got married remember? What better way to start shouldering responsibilities as a couple then sharing the task of thanking your family and friends. He’s going to use that ice bucket too, so chill a bottle in it, break out your new cheese platter and make an evening out of it. Each write half and then swap stacks so that the other can sign their personal signatures as well. Trust us, your loved ones will notice what a classy couple you two are.

-Diane, Shakespeare's Bride

Photo courtesy of Baron Cards