Happy Holidays

You know I am a traditionalist - it took a lot for me to make the conversion to photos printed on the cards but even I must admit it was so much easier and with our new paper - the photo quality is amazing. Hope you are yours have a very happy holiday!

Hampton Highlights: Gable Boxes

When the volunteer list came out to participate in Thomas' holiday party, I quickly nominated myself to make the goody bags. One because its my favorite thing to do and two because it was a great way to give you all a sneak peak into a new product Hampton Paper will offer in 2011.

Creating your own to accompany any type of party will be easy - choose your favorite image and we will make large gift labels, personalize them and ship with these very cool gable boxes.

I can tell you first hand the kids were beyond excited to take these boxes home!

List of Supplies to Make the Perfect Teacher Gift

Looking for the perfect teacher gift? Why not give them something they can use every day (and think fondly of your little angel while they do!). Hampton Paper recommends our personalizaed note pads avail from $32.00-$40.00

List of Supplies to Make the Perfect Teacher Gifts

• Hampton Paper Notepad - personalized and with an image to coordinate with teacher's subject, interest or hobby(think paint palette for art teacher, pen and pencil for counselor, tennis raquet for gym teacher, record player for music teacher)
• Gift Bag
• Tissue Paper
• Hampton Paper Gift Label
• Ribbon

Simply assemble and deliver!

This also makes the perfect gift for the dance instructor, swim coaches, music teachers etc!

Holiday Flasback: The Flocked Tree

Circa 1975 in Lake Oswego, Oregon (you might have guessed the year given my sister's Farah Fawcett haircut) my sister Meri (left)and I with our dalmation Spot and in the background our Flocked Tree! There are a million memories tied to this photo. This was the year of the Gerbils, a Snoopy watch, board games including Payday, Life and many more.

Our biggest decision during that time was if we wanted the tree "flocked" or not. Flocked was code for fake snow (who knows what chemicals it was make from!) but Meri and I took the decision very seriously. This year we choose to make the tree look like it was chopped down on a snowy winter day. I guess that's no surprise given it was the decision was made by 2 girls from NY evident from the fact that we are wearing turtle neck night gowns. Did you ever have a flocked tree? Do share the photos!

I've Discovered - Tee Time!

Who doesn't love a a great white T-shirt? I wear them all the time as they are part of my everyday "uniform". You know what I am talking about - those go to outfits in your closet that you can throw on with out thinking and know you will look, and more importantly feel, fabulous. As I have said before I buy in multiples when I find something I really like and Tootle lu T-shirts are my new obsession. They are adorable, fun, unique and the best part, machine washable! I met the designer, Terri Westerlund at the Washington Jr. League show in Nov. As you would expect she looked chic and stylish with a stripe shirt layered underneath her flowered t-shirt, skinny jeans and a Burberry belt.

And these shirts are not just for grown-ups. If you have little girls on your holiday shopping list they are sure to be thrilled with them. This will be my "go to gift" for girls birthday party presents this year. (love the navy blue and pink flower combo!)

If you are local to the DC Metro area, check out The Dandelion Patch to purchase. If you are not, send Terri a note to order and tell her I sent you!

The Dandelion Patch

11923 Market Street

Reston, VA

phone: 703.689.2240

Terri Westerlund

Tootle lu Resort Wear
terriwesterlund12@gmail.com

PS. Many more color options avail other that what is posted - including my fav, white on white.

PSS- They run VERY small - I purchased a large.....

Party Time!

I love a good Hampton Paper party and was thrilled to receive these photos from Hampton Paper fan Jennifer who used the party hats as the theme for her daughter Gigi's third birthday. The birthday girl's grandmother, Cindy Foley, called upon her favorite bakery, Incredible Edibles in Reston, VA to make the cake. (If you haven't tried Incredible Edibles, I highly recommend them - they are my new favorite cupcake place)

We would love to feature your Hampton Paper party on our blog. Send us photos!

Invitations starting at 10 for $40.00

Round Beaded Stickers starting at 24 for $18.00

Hampton Highlights - Ta-Da!

Another new product that will be available in January - Framed prints with a coordinating color mat. Total Size 12 by 12. Personalization is available.

Holiday Flashback!

It's no wonder I would love sendingChristmas cards with photos considering those that my great -grandparents William and Marie Bendel sent out so many years ago. The house in the photo you may recognize and its the inspiration for our image, House on Loop Road which is located in Monroe, LA. If you look closely, you can see my grandparents on the front stoop. This photo was taken circa 1950. What classic photo cards do you have in your family?

Meet My Best Friend!

My best friend during the holidays (actually all year long) is the Automated Postal Center aka the APC at the Post office. Are you laughing that my BFF is a machine? Seriously, it's a lifesaver. There is NO reason to wait in long lines at the post office. If you have never tried it before, its genius! You can pick up boxes for FREE at the post office or even better order them online and they are delivered to your door, again for FREE! All you have to do is package your items and you can --get this-- ship ANYTIME! It's always open even when the post office is closed.

My favorite time is at the crack of dawn on my way home from the gym - no lines, no issues parking. Its quick, convenient, easy and your packages will arrive in 2-3 days! I recommend having one of the post office employees give you a quick tutorial the first time. Maybe you will make the APC your BFF! Let me know....

More info can be found at

http://www.usps.com/

Hampton Highlights - Secret Revealed!

The samples arrived yesterday and I couldn't wait another minute to share with you the prototypes of the new products we are working on for 2011. Did you guess wrapping paper? If so you are right and if you know me, you know its a dream come true to be able to create wrapping paper using these amazing watercolor images hand painted by artist Lucy Borge. Stay tuned for photos from our Hampton Holiday!

Looking for a Great Gift? Check out Tate's Bake Shop

Every year I send a little something to the stores that carry Hampton Paper as a "thank you" for their business. Last year, I sent the best cookies on the planet - Tate's Cookies from Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton, NY. They are perfect gift for a hostess, someone who is difficult to shop for, someone who has everything, or a someone with a sweet tooth!

I placed a call to spoke to Peg who wrote down personalized notes to include with each order. Give em a call at 631.780.6511 and ask for Liz or Peg. You are sure to get fantastic service!

My fav is chocolate chip. Give them a try and let me know, do you agree they are the best on the market?

Tate's Bake Shop

www.tatesbakeshop.com

PS. The Cookbook is a great gift too. I gave it to my husband Greg last year and the recipes are outstanding!!

Hampton Highlights....TOP SECRET!

We are working on a new product to be released in 2011 and its TOP SECRET. Since you are followers of my blog and fans on facebook, you deserve to be "in the know". SO, I will keep you informed and let you know that the prototypes shipped today and should be here this week. Here's a hint, the images we used for the protypes are the wagon, elephant, trees, snowglobe, 3 ornaments, wreath with holly and a flower image. Any guesses?

The excitement is mounting and I cant wait to share it with you all......

Love, Love, Love

One of my favorite parts of running Hampton Paper is to see the images come to life when printed on a card with personalization added. Here is a few of my favorites from the recent orders. Love, love love !!!

Hampton Paper Bookmarks!

I admit, I am traditional. I purchased an ipad to read books but I still love going to the bookstore to buy a book and enjoy reading it the old fashion way - holding it in my hand, turning the pages and putting my bookmark in when I am ready to stop. Given that, you can imagine how much I love a beautiful bookmark. I was thrilled to see this latest order of bookmarks. So fabulous!

Why Didnt I Think of That?

So many good ideas out there - so happy to have read in a magazine a great idea about what to do with all those beautiful baby clothes! The magazine suggested to take some outfits and have a small baby blanket made. I took it to another level and had a queen size quilt made for my guest bedroom. I saved the clothes from 0-18 months and then found a wonderful quilt shop in Anderson, SC to make this gorgeous piece of artwork. Now, I can easily recollect the wonderful memories tied with those darling outfits my boys wore when they were babies.

Thanks for Stopping By...

Thanks to everyone who came by to say "hello" to Hampton Paper at the Jr. League show this weekend. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and of course to hear such great feedback on the products.

See you all next year if not sooner!

Sometimes It Just Takes a Bit of Color.....

Sometimes it just takes a bit of color to make things POP! That's what I recently found when I added these gorgeous colored mattes to the Hampton Paper prints. I image a few grouped together would be sheer heaven.

Matted Images $20.00. Limited Quantities. Contact Hampton Paper or get first dibs at the Jr. League Show this weekend when they make their debut.

Are You Thinking About 2011 Yet?

We at Hampton Paper have been thinking about it all year long as we worked long hours to select the perfect images to include on the new 2011 desk calendar. We hope you like what we choose. Its sure to make your year sparkle!

Hampton Paper 2011 Desk Calendar comes with an easel and is packaged a beautiful white Hampton Paper box with a grosgrain ribbon. $66.00. Refills are available for $32.00

What Was Your Favorite T-Shirt Growing Up?

Ohhh for me the list is long, very long. I had a favorite each season every year. Of course I grew up in upstate NY and while it is undeniably beautiful it's also COLD, frigid actually. I was layer tees before layers tees was even cool... I told you I have always been a trendsetter! In order to carry my favorite short sleeve favorites into winter, I wore my favorite long sleeve shirt underneath to ward off the cold.

I am certain that ones my boys will remember as favorites will be the Hampton Paper tees. I am forever having to throw in a load of laundry because they absolutely MUST wear them tomorrow and a panicked search reveals that they are in the hamper. Fortunately - they have held up well wash after wash (after wash!). It's fun to look through the pictures of the boys over the last few years and see the shirts pop up on so many photos. Sometimes worn by my older son and then passed down to be the favorite of my younger son!

What was your favorite T-Shirt growning up?

Baby Boom

Have found numerous baby announcements or shower invitations (all HPD I am sure!) in the mail thanks to the recent baby boom? I think we can thank the 2 major blizzards earlier this year. Are struggling to think of the perfect gift? Well, Hampton Paper help! We have a variety of gifts for baby that are sure to impress and you can get all your shopping done with ease. Take a peek at our personalized burb cloths and baby blankets.

Personalized Burp Cloths 16.00

Personalized Baby Blankets 32.00

Please visit our website for all the options http://www.hamptonpaperdesigns.com/

What Are You Asking Santa For This Year?

What are you asking Santa for this year? Regardless of what is on your list (something that sparkles and is on page 86 of the NM Catalog) experience the fun of the season by helping your kids write their letter to Santa and address it to the North Pole this year with Hampton Paper "Dear Santa Cards". Avail for $3.00 each. It makes a great keepsake for years to come!

Journals for Kids - November Challenges

I hope you enjoyed working on the October Challenges with your kids and compiling the info in their journals. I must admit I had to look up a lot of info on the web!

November journal challenges for Kids are finally here. Enjoy!

1. Why do we celebrate Veteran's Day? When is it?

2. How many words can you spell using the letters in THANKSGIVING

3. List 5 parts of the body above the neck that have 3 letters (only 3!)

4. How many animals can you name that begin with a vowel?

5. What was the first space shuttle launched? When did it happen?

6. Add the digits in your phone number.

7. Games manufactured Milton Bradley was born on Nov 8, 1836. How many Milton Bradley games can you name?

8. Practice saying the months of the year. Put them in ABC Order.

9. Claude Monet, the famous artist was born on Nov 14th. What is his style of painting? How is it different from Picasso?

10. The flying squirrels are preparing for winter by storing away food in trees. Can they really fly?

11. What is the heaviest fruit in your house? The lightest? Which weigh about the same?

12. If you bought something for a dime each day during the month of November, how much money would you spend? How about a quarter?

13. What are the different time zones in the US? Where are they?

14. Samuel Clemens' birthday is Nov 30th. By which name do we better know him?

15. The Suez canal opened on Nov 17th. Where is it? What does the canal do?

16. November is the month when the grass, cornstalks and some leaves turn golden. List as many things as you can that are gold. Name books or song with an Autumn color in the title.

17. Birds migrate during November. What are some other things that move or change locations?

Why?

18. The answer is "It's hot" What is the question?

19. When was Daniel Boone born? Why is he remembered as a Famous American?

20. What did Zebulon Pike see on Nov 15, 1806?

21. How would it feel to be an Indian or Pilgrim at the First Thanksgiving Feast?

22. Children's author Madeline L'englewas born on Nov 29,1918. What is her most famous book?

23. Practice skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's

24. Write a letter to someone telling them why you are thankful

25. The first formal intercollegiate football gaem was played on Nov 6th. Who were the teams that played in thsi game?

26. Who is Ruth Nicols? What did she do?

27. How was popcorn invented?

28. Make up your own invention for something. How does it work? What will it be able to do?

We're Off to See the Wizard!

As promised the final outcome of the costumes in 2010- The Tin Man and Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz. An unprecedented amount of candy came home with my Trick or Treators!

Next year we are going to characters from one of my all time favorite movies, The Sound of Music! Cant wait to work on the costumes!

What Are You Thankful For?

Find out what your family and friends are thankful for by including Hampton Paper Thankful cards on your table. Their answers may just surprise you!

A distinguished guest of ours last year was thankful for his 6 speed transmission- which is not a surprise given his longtime love of BMWs but... it was #1!

Thankful cards with 2 new options this year are 8 for $6.00. Please email info@hamptonpaperdesigns.com to order.

The Ghost of Halloween Past!

My mom has been making Halloween costumes for over 40 years (just to clarify, I have an older sister). She has quite a following, as people who have seen and marveled at her work, began to look foward to her next creation. Many neighbors still talk about her stunning masterpieces.

Each year, hours were dedicated to selecting the pattern & fabric and sewing elaborate costumes. Many pieces were sewn by hand - every stitch was done with love. The tradition continues now that my mom, "Marmee" makes costumes for her 3 grandsons. This year is no exception..... trick or treating in the Norther Virginia suburbs will be the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Pics will be on the blog on Monday.

For fun - some pictures included from the 70s and 80s. Happy Halloween!

I LOVE Mail

Yes- its true. I am obsessed with getting the mail. All morning I look forward to it's arrival. I don't know why, I have always been this way. It may be the hope that something really great will arrive - a beautifully written letter, an invitation to a party, one of my favorite magazines (Bazaar just arrived today -yippee!) or even a check of some kind!

Since the debut of Hampton Paper, I have found an all new love with the mail - invitations and note cards sent to me on Hampton Paper. Just something small that really makes my day!