The Little Things

5 Reasons to Shop Small

Today is Small Business Saturday, and we've got 5 reasons why you should "shop small" with businesses like ours (Calligraphy Etc.)!

1.  Sometimes Less is More

No need to drive all over town or stroll down aisles and aisles in a big store to find the perfect gift.  We've already hand-picked a great selection of gifts just for you in our little shop!  Quality and value are important to us too, so you can rest assured that we've selected items with this in mind.

2.  Help a Neighbor

Shopping small supports local jobs.  Each time you purchase an item at a local store, you're helping us provide a paycheck to a friend or neighbor (and sometimes in our case, a poor college kid)!

3.  Show Love to Your Community

Small businesses give back to the community.  We donate money and/or volunteer to benefit local charities, schools, churches and other organizations that YOU care about.  Shopping small allows us to keep pouring more into the community we share.

4.  Friendly is Better

At a small business like ours, you won't be waited on by some random teenager who just "needs a job".  Our employees are bright, friendly folks who genuinely want to help you!  Customer service is our priority, and that's harder to find at larger stores.

5.  Support the Dreamers

Do you have a dream?  Well, small business owners do too!  Shopping small  helps keep the American Dream alive (and tells us that we're doing a good job for you).

In Love with beve! Paper Straws

We're all about party details, so naturally we love the rising popularity of the paper straw- it's the  littlest party accessory that can make a BIG statement at any special occasion!  Paper straws are perfect for sippin', but they also add color and pattern to any tabletop.  Plus, they're just so versatile!  (Not sure what all the hype is about?  Need ideas?  Check out our Pinterest Board, Paper Straw Love.)

Calligraphy Etc. is proud to announce that we've partnered with beve! to carry what we think are the best paper straws around.  The designs are fun and bright, and the quality is the best we've seen.  Each paper straw design is offered in our exclusive packaging- 25 straws per box for only $5.99. (Click here to see all of the available designs.)

beve! is a small business based out of Charlottesville, Virginia.  It's owned and operated by Lauren Boggs Meslar, a young designer who loves bold color combinations and fun, graphic patterns.  Her design style is pretty, yet playful, and functionality is a must!  We love supporting small businesses like beve!, especially when their products are so darn cute!

In fact, they're so adorable, you don't need a special occasion to use them.  They're great for Saturday morning Bloody Marys, evening cocktails on the porch, Root Beer floats with the kids after school, or as a quick grab-and-go gift (paired with a fun cocktail napkin and sleeve of foam cups, designer paper straws are perfect)!

Need "flags" for your paper straws?  We can print those too.  Just come in and let us help walk you through the options.

Cheers!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's time to start getting excited about the cooler weather, changing of the leaves, and the holiday season ahead! To help celebrate this exciting fall milestone, we thought it would be fun to share one of our favorite pumpkin cookie recipes.  Try making these for the kiddos after school or for dessert this evening. They're sure to get everyone in your house ready to pull out the sweaters, scarves and mittens in anticipation of the season to come! 

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies  

1 c. butter (room temperature)

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 can pumpkin

2 c. flour

 1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 t. nutmeg

1 T. vanilla

6 oz. chocolate chips

1/4 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In one bowl combine the butter, sugar, egg and pumpkin.  In another bowl, combine the flour and the next six ingredients (all the dry spices).  Mix bowl one and bowl two until combined.  Add the vanilla, then fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.  Scoop onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 13 minutes.  Let cool on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoy!

DIY Turf Tailgate Runner

The first Texas Tech home football game is this Saturday, so I thought we would focus on a favorite pre-game activity - Tailgating!  If you're a fan of the ultimate pastime of pre-gaming, then this easy DIY is right up your alley.  It's the perfect accessory for any tailgate - an adorable turf runner.

Photo credit:  Linda McMillan Photography

For this project, you will need:

 

6x8 astroturf rug (I purchased mine at Home Depot - they  have pre-cut ones in the outdoor department)

gloss white spray paint

packaged stencil set

a manila folder

scissors

1. Measure your tailgate (or table that you plan to use the runner on).  Cut the rug to the desired dimensions.  I folded mine over to use the clean edge as my "straight edge" and I just cut along the fold.

2.  Cut out a thin rectangle in the manila folder, approximately 1 inch x 6 inches.  I used the fold of the folder as a guide so that at least one of my sides would be straight.

 

3.  Starting in the middle of the turf, position the manila folder at the bottom edge of the rug.  (You may also want to protect the surface the rug is on with a plastic tarp or paper - I used some leftover wrapping paper.)  Spray the paint to create a stripe.

4.  Repeat step 3 on either side of the first stripe, about 1 foot apart.  I only painted the stripes on one side of my runner, but if you're making it for a table or want the stripes and numbers on both sides, you'll want to do all of the stripes at this stage.

5.  Once you're done creating the stripes, cut the manila folder in half.  At this point we're just recycling, so you always have the option of using another folder or piece of cardstock instead.  Position the number stencil at the bottom edge of the folder and trace the outline. Remove the stencil and cut slightly INSIDE the outline.

6. Place the protecting folder and stencil next to your painted stripes - the 5, 4 or 3 on the left side and the 0 always on the right side - and spray the numbers.  (If you need help, google search what a football field looks like so you can mimic it.)

7.  Once the paint is dry, you have a festive addition to your Game Day Tailgate (or Table).

If you're a Red Raider fan, you might want to check out the Calligraphy Etc. Tailgating Essentials Guide to get other great ideas for your Game Day parties!

Paper Straw Pennants

Photo credit: Linda McMillan Photography

We love the idea of having a "little something extra" to amp up your decorative paper straws for any occasion... so why not a pennant for football season?  It's perfect for other sports themed events too- maybe a baseball baby shower or basketball birthday party?  It's kind of like a new twist on the classic, felt pennant on a wooden stick (except more cute and more useful)!

Today We've got a very special FREE printable to help you get into the school spirit this football season!

It's easy to do, and you'll only need a few supplies:

a printer

colored paper

scissors

double -sided tape or glue

cute paper straws (you can get them here)

Ready to get to making adorable straw pennants?

1.  Download the "GO FIGHT WIN" straw pennant sheet HERE.

2.  Print it out on colored paper (to match your favorite sports team).

3. Carefully cut out the pennants on the dashed gray line.

4.  Apply double sided tape to the back side of the pennant.

5.  Approximately half an inch from the top of the straw, gently wrap a pennant it, being mindful to match up the pointed ends.

Easy, right?  It's a quick way to add a little punch to your next Tailgate, Game Day party or sporting event refreshments!

All About Twine!

We just got in a new shipment of Divine Twine, and we're feeling a little inspired!  There are so many great ways to use twine - from tying up homemade baked goods to embellishing greeting cards, to pretty-ing up packages and stringing bunting - the possibilities are endless!

We especially love this idea of storing the twine in a sugar dispenser.  We got ours at a restaurant supply company that sells to the public for less than $2.  It keeps the twine nice and tiny (and completely untangled)!

Want more ideas for what to do with twine?  Check out our Twine Board on Pinterest!

Ready to get to "twining away"?  Shop available colors here!

DIY Felt Bunny Napkin Rings

With Easter just two weeks away, I'm loving this DIY bunny napkin ring project!  Check out all of the details on Barque and Bite!

Heart Attack Valentine's Day Idea

We love the idea of surprising your loved one with a "Heart Attack" this Valentine's Day!  No, not a real one... a crafty one!  Check out Barque and Bite for the instructions (and the FREE DOWNLOAD imprintable that we designed)!  Happy Valentine's Day!

World's Smallest Post Service

When I came across this tiny post service kit, I just knew I had to get it for our customers.  It's simply adorable!  Imagine how fun it would be to leave tiny love notes for your sweetheart, or a note "from the tooth fairy" for your child.  This is definitely one small set that has a big impact!  Watch the video below to see more!

You can also buy it on our website.

Kit Includes: 0.2mm fine-tipped micron writing pen
40 mini writing sheets
40 mini envelopes
60 envelope seals
4 mini gift boxes
4 sheets Kraft wrapping paper
4 sheets miniature "newspaper" packing paper
44 inches twine
40 postage stamps
32 special delivery stickers
Instruction sheet

The World's Smallest Post Service is an ongoing project by artist Lea Redmond. Since 2008, she has been setting up her miniature post servicein cafes and shops, transcribing tiny letters for passersby.

Top 5 Holiday Gift Ideas

We have so many great gifts for this holiday season that we're just brimming with ideas!  Here are a few of our favorites, our Top 5 to be exact- short and SWEET!  In no particular order:

1.  Personalized Jewelry & Accessories - It's not just any monogram, it's your monogram!   Monogram necklaces, bracelets, scarves,bath wraps, tumblers... anything with a monogram or initial is an excellent gift idea!  {Ordering deadlines for Christmas are this week, so you'll need to order quickly!}

2.  Vera Bradley - Classic and colorful totes, travel bags and  accessories from Vera Bradley are sure to be on
every gal’s wish list this season!

3.  Elf on the Shelf - A family tradition that's sweeping the nation, and we've got elves that need homes!    A really fun gift for any young family, teacher, or grandparent!  There are so many great on Pinterest (you can even check out our board!)

4.  Candles - You can't go wrong with any of our candle lines this season - whether you want a holiday fragrance or not.  Aspen Bay, Voluspa and Frasier Fir are a great gift for friends, co-workers, neighbors and teachers too!

5.  Tech Accessories - technology and gadgets are only gaining popularity, so all things “Techie” are hot gifts right now- from e-reader sleeves and iPad folios, to carrying cases and styluses!  They’re the go-to stocking stuffer this holiday season!   We’re especially loving the stylus pen sets!  Pen on one end, stylus on the other (practical), with a swarvoski crystal touch (fun).

Okay, okay, we picked Our Top 5, but we think these options are good enough to earn a mention as well:

Coton Colors Ornaments - These are great because we can personalize them (for FREE) with a name or date- great for newlyweds or a new family!  Such  a personal gift that the receiver can enjoy year after year.

Barr Co. Personal Care Products - luxurious hand lotion, bath salts hand salve and bar soap are always a welcome gift, especially when they contain oatmeal to sooth dry skin, and a fresh scent to make you feel refreshed and renewed!

Cider Fixins - We love a great cider, and with Cider Fixins, every cider is worth mentioning!  This unique blend of mulling spices is great when added to apple juice or apple cider!  Small enough to be a great gift for co-workers, teachers, or secretaries... big enough to be an amazing gift for anyone who loves to celebrate the season with a warm, cozy beverage!

Corkcicle - Oprah recently gave this product her stamp of approval by being one of her Top 25 gifts under $100.  Corkcicle keeps your wine cold by utilizing the re-freezable "cicle" center, attached to a wine cork.  It's a genius and wonderfully simple idea, but an amazing gift for any wine lover!

Now that we've given you lots of great ideas... go forth!  And give great gifts this holiday season!