On My Bookshelf: Are You A Jackie Or A Marilyn?

So excited to read this book I just received from my friend Kathleen. Obviously no suspense on the answer on this one but cant wait to read the details!!

Lily's Skating Party

There are great parties and then there are GREAT PARTIES! Lily's 8th birthday party held at a local Skating Rink was so much fun.... for everyone! Hampton Paper created the ice skate image just for Lily!

Lily is turning 8, please join us for a birthday skate!

Gift and Favor Table.

My friend Kim (Lily's mom) and I used HPD place cards and attached to small bags filled with lip balm. It was such a great idea and worked perfectly with the theme. I would have loved this when I was 8. ( remember Bonne Bell lip gloss?)

I had a print personalized, matted and framed for Lily. As soon as her younger sister Lauren saw it, she had to have one too. I should have known since I am a younger sister too and had to have everything my sister had when were were that same age.

The Hershey bars were part of the favors too and were a huge hit.

Kim had an instructor give a 30 minute lesson for all the kids. It was so special and generous!

The Birthday Girl Lily on the ice.

Lily's sister, Lauren, gets warmed up too.

Whoa... Jackson looks a bit wobbly.

Are my knuckles white holding on to the wall? Really, I am just catching my breath after the triple toe loop I just landed.

Kim had cake served before we hit the ice. Everyone was having a great time.

The Darwaza Family, Kim, Basil, Lily and Lauren. Thanks so much for sharing the big day and the photos with us and for inviting Hampton Paper to work on it with you! It was so much fun and will be remembered for many years to come!

Photos compliments of Tina Bazala Photography

HPD Products:

Invitations 25 for $75.00

Hershey Bars 25 for $75.00

Place Cards 12 for $12.00 (on lip balm)

Framed Personalized Print $75.00

HPD Gift Guide for Kids - Everything Under $50.00!

Are you making your list and checking it twice? Looking for some good ideas? Check Hampton Paper Designs gift guide for kids. Personalized gifts under $50.00. Remember, any image on any product in the stationery portfolio. We have over 300 images to choose from and just added new ones last week.

Can You See A Resemblance?

I see a resemblance on these two images to two adorable children. Do you see it too?

Something about the face on the soldier looks like my son Thomas (standing in the back)

I think the joy in the doll's eyes and the head full of blonde hair looks like Lucy's granddaughter Zoe.

First Love....

Long before I feel in love with my husband Greg, my 2 boys and my stationery company, I fell in love with Chris Gleason. I was so sad to find out yesterday he passed away Sunday unexpectedly while running Philadelphia Marathon a 1/4 mile from the finish. Chris was so brilliant and accomplished. A thousand memories have run through my head in the last 24 plus hours. My thoughts are with his family.

Chris and I at his house in Clifton Park, NY circa 1984.

Place Your Bets

We are busy getting ready for Thanksgiving (translation is I am setting the table and executive Chef Greg is pouring over cookbooks and going to Williams Sonoma for all the cooking supplies!).
Do you remember last year my dad wrote on his thankful card he was thankful for "his car, tennis racquet and lastly his family?" Will we be able to climb the charts this year? Time will tell. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!!


Thankful cards $6.00 Etsy.

All I Want For Christmas.....

All I want for Christmas is this adorable Gucci Fiat. I dont think its too much to ask for - I have been really good and told Santa if he brings it to me, I promise I wont complain about DC traffic.... for a whole week. What's on the top of your wish list?

I have never seen better looking stripes on a car.

omg- just love the seatbelt.

This would be my view from the driver's seat. I am putting my wish out to the universe today to get this car!

Career Day

I had the opportunity to speak to the kids in Jackson Jr. K class last week during career day about Hampton Paper Designs. I focused on the idea that everyone can start their own business and they should start by thinking of something they love to do and are passionate about and see how they can turn it into a business. My love for stationery and stickers dates back to the early 70s- I love that I turned my passion for paper into a business! I hope I provided inspiration to Jackson and his friends! (side note I know these pictures of me are awful - would you believe they were the best of the batch?)

Showing that the images can be turned into great items such as wrapping paper.

I showed the kids the original image (the boat water color is on my lap) and then how I turned it into personalized correspondence cards.

Original water color - the elephant. No only one of our first images, by far the best seller year after year. Jackson peeks at what's next!

You have to "drink your own champagne" as they say in the business! Jackson models the whale hat and t-shirt - his favorite image! Shirt and Hat avail on Etsy.

HPD FAQ Can I put the name at the bottom?

Happy Friday! Here's a HPD FAQ for future reference. I often get requests to put the name at the bottom of the notepad or correspondence card. It's no problem at all. Here is an example for a few notepads in acrylic for an order we just completed. Love the way these turned out! Notepads in acrylic make great hostess gifts for all your upcoming holiday parties.

HPD Notepad in Acrylic. 150 Sheets personalized $40.00 (32 unpersonalized)

dear santa

My kids mailed their letters to Santa in September. Proactive and organized. I know exactly where they get those traits from! I must admit I feel a little competitive with Santa each year. I accept that he is suppose to give the big over the top gifts but I am jealous. I do all the work and he gets all the credit. Am I the only one?

I am really trying this year to get ahead of the game an order early. The kitchen set I wanted for Jackson from Pottery Barn Kids is already back orderd. Not getting what I want makes me CRAZY. I know better than to wait. I love some of the new Lego offerings, including this adorable VW Camper Van. Let me know what's on the top of your list to Santa this year. I am looking for some good ideas!


Hampton Paper Santa Cards $3.00 on Etsy

On my Bookshelf: Cabin Fever

After waiting for many months, finally, November 15th arrived along with the release of the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, Cabin Fever! I purchased copies for all of Thomas friends at the bus stop. It was a huge hit. One little boy who also loves the series, literally stood there with his mouth open. He was so shocked and excited and couldn't believe I had a copy for him! I am reminded that giving is better than receiving. Did you get your copy?

Every Year....

Every year I swear I am not going to wait till the last minute to get a great photo of the boys. Last year I was in luck because Tina Bazala from Tina Bazala Photography snapped this amazing photo. I will keep my fingers crossed that at the wedding I am going to this weekend I get a great shot of the boys. I purchased their first ties from Vineyard Vines for the event and hope to capture this exciting moment. (btw finding a great tie for young boys is no small task. a big niche in the market!)

We had a very busy week this week with all the photo card orders. If you are looking to get a head start on your Christmas cards we would love to assist you. We have 2 sizes and can print your photo on the card. Send us your image preference, text and photo and we will do the rest. No charge for the proof or any changes to the proof!

HPD Photo Cards 75 for $170.00.
Etsy

New Holiday Images: I Can't Decide

I cant decide on my new holiday favorite... I know its a huge decision. I am leaning toward the soldier - love the colors and the details but... the nutcracker is amazing too!!