Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Playing in Shadows

Like many women of her day, my mother kept bundles of stationery on hand at all times because, as she would say, “you just never know.” Births, deaths, marriages and divorces, cancers and Christmases and kindnesses that no self-respecting lady would leave uncarded; the endless rotation of these constants, like a fine office whirlwind, spun my mother into action. Those memories of finding her so often at her desk, head bowed as if in observance of sacred liturgy, her hand scripting a letter of encouragement on thick-stock paper or a thank-you in some elegantly embossed notecard, have always made me wonder what happened to the practice of card-giving. I suppose, like most things, it has gone the way of specialization—an obligatory discipline still practiced at gift showers, but widely considered no more than a cute hobby preserved by Emily Post groupies. Frankly, I think it’s a shame that we’ve forgotten what a thoughtfully-composed card can really accomplish.

Fortunately, however, not all have forgotten. Thanks to Megan Nutley, creator of Silhouette Blue Stationery, it’s still possible to find that darling card that says “I’m thinking of you.” Illustrated from vintage photographs, these tastefully-designed cards present simple, rustic and recognizable silhouette images of everyday life, with the options of personalization and custom color available on almost every design. Bicycles or popsicles, birdcages or tree etchings, the choices are many and the appeal consistent. The only challenge is deciding which design best suits the occasion. And speaking of occasions, Megan is committed to making sure you never forget another one—so much so that she will present a beautiful 2009 Silhouette Desk Calendar, featuring her artwork, to the winner of this giveaway. To qualify, visit Silhouette Blue, then return here to tell us about your favorite product. Wishing Willow subscribers receive a second entry, so be sure to let us know in a second post that you subscribe. (If you do not have a Google account, just click “anonymous” to leave a post.) Contest ends 10/14/08. Happy posting!

**We have a winner! Ms-Texas who said "Very lovely items - I like the Morocco Personalized Stationery Set. Very unique." Please email us to claim your prize.

194 comments:

Jenn S. said...

I really like the Love Greeting Card. So sweet.

Croasla0 said...

wow all the cards are great! i like the hoola hoop personalizes- so cute!

thanks for the chance!
croasla0(At)sewanee.edu

Michelle said...

I like the bike, the hula hoop and the calendar

Anonymous said...

I love the bloom personalized. Its lovely.
Autum H.

Unknown said...

I like the "onesie greeting card"

Unknown said...

I love the Degree Personalized Stationery Set

terraLjones(@)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I LOVE THE SUMMER LOVIN CARD COLLECTION.

rebbi511 at peoplepc.com

Kirby McCauley said...

The Aviary stationary is so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
Swing Personalized Stationery Set
cute stuff

Anonymous said...

I like the "swing" greeting cards.

roblyn66 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I love the hula hoop card!

frogz60@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

The Swing Personalized Stationery Set is nice ;o)

dukier44 [at] aol.com

AmandaK said...

I really like the Hula Hoop Personalized Stationery Set. It's sooooo cool looking!

orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

Denice P- doozercries said...

the 4 ever stationary set. cause i can put mine and my husband's initial in it!

Anonymous said...

I'm lovin' the summer lovin' collection! Thanks for offering this giveaway....And I LOVE your site. =)

Rita M said...

My favorite was the Vine Personalized Stationery Set... very classy.

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Degree Personalized Stationery Set

kristin said...

i love the bloom personalized!

kristin said...

and i subscribe!

Jessica @ Piece Of Me said...

The Flourish Personalized Stationery Set is really pretty.
livlifelov at yahoo dot com

mrs.mommyy said...

love greeting card


Mrs.Mommyatgmail.com

mrs.mommyy said...

subscriber

The Jackson Family said...

I love the float card! So whimsical!

The Jackson Family said...

I am also a newsletter subscriber:)

Unknown said...

I have to go with the Hula hoop! that is awesome. would bring s smiles to anyone's face!


karissag at gmail.com

Maja said...

love greeting card

angelina115@hotmail.com

Maja said...

subscriber

mverno said...

the hula hoop is nice

Miss Spoken said...

Love the Bloom Personalized Stationary.
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Miss Spoken said...

Subscriber
gkstratos@yahoo.com

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I love the Swing Greeting Card.

lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

Unknown said...

I like the swing greeting card.

Anonymous said...

I like the Bloom Personalized Stationary.

Mia J. said...

I like the blossom personalized stationery.

Anonymous said...

In addition to the desk calendar being given away, I also really like the Balloons Happy Birthday Greeting Card.
-Terra
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i like the birthday cake greeting card.

texan_michael(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

Swing Greeting Card, I love this as it is so vintage and it reminds me of carefree times.

Nora
neneelynn@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I just love silhouettes, don't you? I suppose since I am required to pick a favorite, it would be the Aviary Personalized.
I can certainly see myself having a supply of those on hand though. As convenient as an email is,doesn't everyone love to get "real"mail?

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber. Thank you for the extra chance.

idahomom said...

The personalized Bloom card is awesome.

Kathleen W. said...

The Summer Lovin set is cute! I hope she eventually makes a package set of all occasion cards. That would be what I'd buy.

The silhouette never goes out of style!

Kathleen W. said...

I'm a subscriber too, at katwalck at hotmail dot com

kygirl said...

Degree Personalized Stationery Set is my pick

Irishmama said...

My favorite item is the Summer Lovin' Card Collection.

Buki Family said...

i like the oooh baby! greeting card. very cute!

Start To Finish Supplies said...

So many cute cards. I like her style. My favorite is the 4-Ever Personalized Stationery Set. How clever and cute!!

katie[at]starttofinishsupplies.com

Anonymous said...

I likw these: Filigree and Bloom Personalized Stationery Set, and of course the calendar!

applez_55@yahoo.com

PS said...

I think the Vine Personalized Stationery Set is just adorable! I'd love to send out little notes on it!

cl said...

My favorite is definitely the Bicycle Personalized Stationery Set. I love cycling!

Sara said...

I love the personalized cards-the Vine one! I LOVE stationary!

Thanks for the giveaway.

Sara said...

and i am a subscriber!

Lani Robertson said...

I have long admired this shop! I love her unique cards...this one is really great~

Birthday Cake Greeting Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13704046

I also signed up for your mailing list today!

Thanks,
Lani :)

Anonymous said...

The baby business cards are great!

Anonymous said...

I also subscribe to the rss feed!

Wehaf said...

I love the Hula Hoop stationery; it's retro and fun and sweet!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Ann said...

I love the Bloom Personalized Stationery Set, it's fun and fresh!
Thanks for the great giveaway!

ann dot guns at mac dot com

Ann said...

I'm a subscriber.
ann dot guns at mac dot com

Anonymous said...

I love the Oooh Baby greeting card! Precious!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

janeh said...

I love the Pirouette Personalized Stationery Set......elegant!

Rebecca said...

I just subscribed to your site.
Please count me in.

rebecca.ddesigns@gmail.com

Rebecca said...

And I love the "ooh baby" and the "swing" greeting cards. The swing just reminded me of being a little girl - I loved swinging; I would swing for hours and hours.

redron said...

Hula Hoop Personalized Stationery Set

vboackle said...

i like the hula hoop cards.

tatertot374 said...

Thank you for having this! I really like the Vine Personalized Stationery Set. Pretty. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

The Hula Hoop Stationary is my fave..how fun! Thank you for a great giveaway!
anthonlm01@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I also subscribed! Thanks!
anthonlm01@aol.com

The Saunders Family said...

i love the "love" greeting card!
mom2maria at hotmail dot com

Sunnyvale said...

blossom personalized is pretty

Just A Mom said...

I love the onesie greeting cards. Thanks for the chance to win!

cathirushing said...

SUMMER LOVIN CARD COLLECTION

Xenia said...

Maybe I just have babies on the brain (I'm due in two months) but the Onesie Greeting Card is absolutely adorable.

Thanks!
xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

The Bloom Personalized Stationery Set is really pretty. I think it's my favorite.

ptice.08 @ gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like the love greeting card!

jamieATohhowlovelyDOTnet

Jen and Ash said...

I like the swing greeting card best but it was a hard choice!
Thanks
mountaingoats at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I love the Float Personalized Stationery Set... there's nothing more uplifting then a ride on the swing... no matter how old you may be!

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Unknown said...

I'm a subscriber :O)

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Anonymous said...

My favorite item is the 2009 Silhouette Desk Calendar. Thanks for sharing this great Etsy shop. I love her work.

EJW said...

I love the Hula Hoop personalized stationary. What a lovely gift!

Kelly said...

The ooh baby greeting card is precious!

Donna said...

I like theFiligree Personalized Stationery Set.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I subscribed.
donna444444@yahoo.com

sunnymum said...

The anniversary greeting card is sweet! Thanks for the chance to win!

Tammy said...

I like the Aviary Stationary its charming

mom2boys said...

I love the Birthday cake card. Please count me in Thanks!

hottmomma_03(at)yahoo(dot)com

rosannepm said...

The Swing greeting card

Anonymous said...

I like the Aviary Personalized Stationery Set. Thanks for the contest. Charlotte
charlottewinters@cox.net

idahodad7 said...

Birthday cake greeting card.

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

I just love the 4-Ever Personalized Stationery Set. It reminds me of being young and of the book "The Giving Tree."

nateandjakesmom at gmail dot com

Nikki said...

love the bloom and hula hoop designs

janetfaye said...

I like the Morocco Personalized Stationery Set.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I am subscribed.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

i like the birthday cake card!

fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

malleycc said...

I like the summer lovin cards. So cute.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I LOVE the hula hoop cards! I miss my hula hoop!

delilahhhhh@msn.com

Unknown said...

2009 Silhouette Desk Calendar is my pick.

Thanks Amy

amy in kamloops @ gmail.com

Unknown said...

I love the Bicycle Personalized Stationery Set.

rebbi511 at peoplepc.com

susie said...

My fav. is the squirrel painting. just great. Many thx!

contact susan wiener, swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com

Sara's Goodies said...

I'd say the calendar is actually my favorite from their store! But after that, I also really like the Balloons Happy Birthday Greeting Card.

Sara's Goodies said...

And I'm a RSS subscriber.

monky said...

The Bloom Personalized Stationary is awesome!!

:) Thank you for the great giveaway! :)

Unknown said...

I like the Swing greeting card.

idahomom said...

Swing Personalized stationary

Unknown said...

I like the Blossom Personalized Stationery Set

jeanie530[at]gmail[dot]com

danosor said...

I am a subscriber.

Viv said...

I really like the Float Personalized Stationery Set.

littlelatina said...

the love cards

kktwins said...

My favorite item is the Aviary Personalized Stationery Set . Thank you.
kktwins22@aol.com

miller lawn service said...

Pirouette Personalized Stationery Set

miller lawn service said...

I just subscribed too. Thanks!

windyrose7 said...

I love the tree with the initials carved in it. It certainly brings back memories.

ms-texas said...

very lovely items - I like the
Morocco Personalized Stationery Set
very unique

Annie1 said...

I really like the Flourish Personalized Stationery Set! Gorgeous!

thanks

nancyrobster@gmail.com

peony paperie said...

I can see my mom using the cowboy party invitation when she moves out to her ranch soon! Very adorable stuff!

michelleharrod at hotmail dot com

huggr1960 said...

I enjoyed the hula hoop cards.

mverno said...

love the Aviary Personalized Stationery Set

Anonymous said...

I really like the Aviary Personalized Stationery Set, it's so classy!

sundaygirl at gmail dot com

chromiumman said...

love the Summer Lovin' Card Collection

Cjnedrow said...

I like the Oxford Personalized Stationery Set!
cjnedrow@gmail.com

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I love the LOVE Greeting Card set.

lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

Kari said...

Vine Personalized Stationery Set is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I like the Flourish personalized stationary, but would love to win this calendar! Thank you for having the contest.
paulakmail-2008@yahoo.com

mensa63 said...

I really like the Sullivan personalized cards with the initial. It is elegant without being pretentious and could be used for personal greetings, RSVP's and a multitude of uses. I would be proud to send it to my family and friends and business acquaintences.

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Hula Hoop Personalized Stationery Set

tatertot374 said...

Thank you for having this! I really like the Float Personalized Stationery Set. Very pretty. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

redron said...

Aviary stationary

janeh said...

I love the Bloom Personalized Stationary Set......

Sunnyvale said...

filigree personalized stationary

Suburban prep said...

I like the swing greeting cards.

fancyfeet48 said...

like the blossom personalized stationery

monky said...

The Float Personalized Stationery Set looks great to me! :)

:) Thank you for the great giveaway! :)

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

My favorite is the Love Greeting Card.

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I am a subscriber!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com
legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com

cathirushing said...

Summer Lovin' Card Collection

mogrill said...

This would be a fantastic win! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I liked the Sway greeting card, thanks for the giveaway.

davidjnorris at ntlworld.com

cathyhall said...

I love the OOOhh baby gretting card, thanks so much.

cathyhall said...

I also subscribe, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Great cards, I am an avid fan of the handwritten word. I loved teh Anniversary greetings and the onesie cards.
thanks so much.

rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber.

rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

Tonya said...

My fave is the Bloom Personalized Stationery Set.

tmf315@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I really like the Flourish personalized set. Beautiful.

Unknown said...

The hula hoop personalized set reminds me of my childhood!

Unknown said...

Bloom Personalized Stationery Set is my favorite.

Unknown said...

I subscribe in google reader.

Anonymous said...

I really like the swing greeting card (in pink).

Thank you!
onenightoff@gmail.com

Faye said...

I love the Blossom Personalized stationary set. I actually like them all, but the Blossom one is so cheerful.

Anonymous said...

Bike, hula hoop and the calendar. I really need to stay "on track". Thanks for the contest.

Michele P. said...

I really like the Blossom Personalized Stationery Set, very pretty!

micaela6955 at msn dot com

Unknown said...

The swing greeting card is definitely ME. I have a love of a good swing on a pretty day....on any day for that matter! :-)

LilyBiscuit said...

The Summer Lovin' Card Collection is my favorite! Thank you!

MaggieM said...

I love the cards and stationary showing the female silhouette with a hula hoop. Boy, that really takes me back a few years:) Fun giveaway, thanks.

Charlotte said...

I love the Classic Car Moving Announcements. They're so cute, they almost make me wish I was moving...except for all the packing and unpacking.

charlotte(dot)evard(at)comcast(dot)net

Keeling said...

Everything is so cute! I hope I win though, because the desk calendar is my favorite of all!

delovelydetails said...

Cute giveaway. I really think the Pirouette Personalized Stationery Set are lovely. Very classy.
Thanks again! Keep up the great work.

wahine021 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Anonymous said...

I really like the Bloom personalized stationery!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I'm subscribed too.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

katylinvw said...

i love the vine personalized stationary set so classy!

katylinvw(at)yahoo(dot)com

Giulianna said...

I really like the bloom personalized set. Great products and unique in the market.

Calypso said...

Summer's over, but I still *love* the summer lovin set...

Anonymous said...

Morocco Personalized Stationery Set

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

cpullum said...

I like the Summer Lovin' Card Collection!!!

Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like the blossom personalized stationery set. it's so pretty.

Christal said...

The card collection is neat

Anonymous said...

bloom personalized

jdmimi [[at]] gmail [[dot]] com

yellowlabs said...

I really like the Flourish Personalized Stationery Set

rlr260 said...

I like the Oxford personalized stationary set. It is very classy and understated.

Susannah said...

Summer lovin is my favorite - but it's so hard to pick just one!!

susalaska at yahoo dot com

sheriamore said...

I like the desk calendar the best!

sheriamore said...

I subscribed to Weeping Willow

Princess Golden Hair said...

the Degree Personalized Stationery Set is my very favorite. thanks for the giveaway and thanks for the wonderful blog

Kari said...

Love the Bloom personalized!

Mommykat007 said...

The Birthday Cake Greeting Card is my favorite. It reminds me of how things used to be, (making cakes at home) instead of buying them at the supermarket.

ladyvon5845 said...

I really like the Bloom personalized stationery.

klp1965 said...

i love the Morocco Personalized Stationery Set

Anonymous said...

I like the Aviary Stationary.
AztecFeller@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I love the Wedding Greeting Card. it so beautiful. I have some friends getting married soon that I would love to give this to. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

The 4-Ever Personalized Stationery Set is my facvorite. garrettsambo@aol.com

kat said...

I just love them all. I am always sending someone a card. I would love to have 2 of everything to put in my card holder.

frugallm said...

I love the Hula Hoop party invitations!

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

Amanda said...

The pirouette personalized cards are beautiful!

cman said...

I love the photo here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9833193

Anonymous said...

The desk calendar really is wonderful and would help me organize my life. ashlyn@chuparkoff.com

Deb Anderson said...

The Flourish Personalized Stationery Set is gorgeous!

Sahm Lee said...

I love the Vine Personalized Stationery Set! Thanks for the contest!
airalynn(@)gmail . com

Karen said...

I like the hula hoop the best.

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Karen said...

Love the Love Greeting Card :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Rockin' Mama said...

The ooh baby greeting card is adorable!

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com

page38 said...

Brownies are my all time favorite!

masonsgranny59 said...

Degree Personalized Stationery Set

acirerica said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I really like the Vine Personalized Stationery Set. Very pretty products!

Anonymous said...

I am also a subscriber! :)

lilyk said...

I love the Aviary stationery!