Alyson Brown is a graphic designer and first-time mom living with her husband Levi, little boy Wolf and two bad cats in Portland, Oregon. She writes the popular lifestyle blog Unruly Things, as well as its newest spin-off, Unruly Little Things. She loves printing paper goods and making pretty things from crystals for her shop Mossière. When she’s not blogging or creating, she enjoys the finer things in life, like crawling across the floor with her new baby boy, baking perfectly buttery pie crust, yoga in the afternoon and napping with the windows open.
[Clockwise from top: Terrarium postcards from Quill and fox; Red beast heart card from banquet; Chevron blank card set from Miles of light; Native note cards from Hero design studio; What to pack card set from Small adventure]
While I often revert to a quick and easy email, I’m a firm believer in a hand-written note. There’s nothing better than opening up your mailbox to find a pretty card, and I like to have non-specific cards around for writing on a whim. If you’re familiar with my blog, you might guess that I’m especially loving these terrarium cards.
[Clockwise from top left: Lunar calendar from Kin of kin; Wildflower calendar from Claire nereim; Letterpress wall calendar from Katharine watson; Buy local calendar from Claudia person; Quarterly calendar from Pawling; Vintage handkerchief calendar from Mink letterpress ]
This January is the first time in four years that I haven’t printed and sold my own calendar. Without one of my own to hang, I’m hunting for a well designed and handmade calendar to grace my wall. Here are a few that I’m loving this year.
[Clockwise from top left: Eli personalized letterpress stationery from Inhaus press; Mid-century modern letterpress stationery set from Seaborn press; Vintage wood type monogram letterpress cards from Blue eye brown eye; Personalized letterpress stationery from Honizukle press; Scallops personalized flat notecard from pinkly press; Regency initial flat notes from Missive; Oar personalized letterpress stationery from Inhaus press]
One of my resolutions is to be a better note writer and to find a good set of personalized stationery. I seem to be drawn to simple, classic designs on white paper. I’d like to order some cards for myself, as well as a set for my little boy, Wolf.
[Clockwise from top left: Love & heart card from Humunuku; Hey thanks card set from Starshaped press; I miss you card set from Tabletop made; 1982 birthday card from Cooljane]
I love making someone smile with a card, whether it be a thank you, birthday or just a plain old “hello there.” I pretty much died when I saw this birthday card. I know a soon-to-be 30-something I can send it to!





79 comments
Sign in to add your ownmyvintagecrush says:
A card in the mail makes all the bills seem happier :)
131 days ago
FullCircleRetro says:
Cute picks..! =)
131 days ago
elisemahan says:
i love them all! such great designs here!
131 days ago
packmatthews says:
Great choices! Love your aesthetic sensibilities!
131 days ago
volkerwandering says:
I love the nature themed cards! So pretty!
131 days ago
ZenBrush says:
Great designs!
131 days ago
sianykitty says:
so cute!
131 days ago
artnida says:
wow, I'd like to learn to make something like that and include pretty thank you notes when I ship my items. It's so nice!
131 days ago
beyondcharms says:
I was not even around in 1982! I suppose that makes it even better if I were to give that card :) Very Nice
131 days ago
EssWhyElle says:
Very nice!
131 days ago
VoleedeMoineaux says:
Love the flower card!
131 days ago
TheBloomingThread says:
i love sending cards too, with everything so "immediate" it so heart-warming to receive a note that someone sat down in a calm place to write. Now I jsut need more pen pals! ♥
131 days ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Beautiful!!!
131 days ago
NicoleNicoletta says:
i love sending cards...people are always so happy to receive something other than an email.
131 days ago
BirdEnergy says:
I too am a firm believer in a hand written note, it means so much more than an email. Someone took the time to hand write a note is a delight. It is wonderful surprise to get in the mail.
131 days ago
Mina1130 says:
I too love sending cards. I've also gotten back into the habit of sending handwritten invitations to parties. As much as my family and friends love to receive them, I think I enjoy sending them as much, if not more.
131 days ago
lethilogica says:
AWESOME POST! I totally need some thank you cards and I am shopping right off of this list.
131 days ago
bestfrienddee says:
Wonderful Items!! I love getting a beautiful card like the ones above in the mail. -Dee http://papercranedee.blogspot.com/
131 days ago
AlisaDesign says:
Beautiful!
131 days ago
Mclovebuddy says:
great selection. love the terrarium cards.
131 days ago
pipapiep says:
Great list!
131 days ago
SeaFindDesigns says:
Thank you!
131 days ago
MootiDesigns says:
I love card making and sending them too. Great post. Thanks for sharing!
131 days ago
madelinefeliciano says:
Great designs! http://www.etsy.com/listing/88464702/set-of-four-colorful-lanterns-scented
131 days ago
madelinefeliciano says:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/madycandles?ref=si_shop
131 days ago
auldlangsyne1 says:
I love getting cards in the mail!
131 days ago
violintide says:
Some nice picks there!
131 days ago
TwistedWhimsyDesigns says:
Beautiful finds! My grandmother writes little notes to her friends and family every afternoon. It's part of her daily routine. I love to get them. The computer makes things much easier and quicker but so much love and personality is lost with technology... nothing like a handwritten note!
131 days ago
elleestpetite says:
I couldn't agree more. I love hand written letters and cards in the mail. They're so much more personal and lovely than reading an email or a text message.
131 days ago
mymothershouse says:
I couldnt agree more! I received some lovely items in the mail from M&D Cards and could not have been more thrilled. And it does take the sting out of nothing my junk and bills! These are lovely examples too.
131 days ago
VictoryPaperDesigns says:
Lovely picks! There's such warmth in a handwritten note that can't be replaced with an eCard
131 days ago
twohanddesign says:
Thanks for supporting stationery designers! Lovely picks.
131 days ago
RivalryTime says:
Love them.
131 days ago
SprocketsandLockets says:
Awesome!
131 days ago
SprocketsandLockets says:
Me gusta!
131 days ago
CorinneLynae says:
Love all of these! Great post!
131 days ago
inkadinkadoodle says:
Paper goods are wonderful! Nice article and great finds.
131 days ago
verarodrigues says:
adorable article :)
131 days ago
PurpleToedGypsy says:
great graphics!
131 days ago
JasmineLund says:
Ach, love those! Off to check out some new shops! :oD
131 days ago
AstoundDevelopments says:
Love them all!! Thank you for sharing!
131 days ago
glitterglassjewelry says:
Fun items!
131 days ago
AmberGypsySky says:
i love your terrarium postcard prints! just wonderful!
131 days ago
5374dps says:
The only thing bad is so many items are gone!!! Sold out, happy for artist sad for me!!! Can't complain too much as I'm the very happy owner of much Etsy! Lover of almost all letterpress art. Thanks for sharing the talent, at prices a working stiff can afford.
131 days ago
elizasteindesigns says:
I love those terrarium cards!
131 days ago
OnlyOriginalsByAJ says:
I love those postcards! What amazing work! :)
131 days ago
ovationstudio1 says:
Very elegant selection.
131 days ago
SusiesBoutiqueTLC says:
Pretty cards. Great work.
131 days ago
HandmadeIsAllAround says:
Nice cards!
131 days ago
shoplvama says:
Great selection
131 days ago
peshka says:
So beautiful picks!
131 days ago
AlexWijnen says:
Two of my favorite things, cards and calendars! I have boxes full of cards I've collected over the years, ready to be released into the world as the occasion arises. And calendars, don't even get me started! I think every room needs its own :) Great picks!
131 days ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Nice I love the typographic style to these, especially the calendars with the florals - lovely!
131 days ago
PolClary says:
Oh, lovely. All these gorgeous paper items are making me greedy.
131 days ago
volcanogirlcreations says:
Here's to hand written cards..forever!
131 days ago
friendlygreenfrog says:
i love that pattern so much ....
131 days ago
kimberleeannkreation says:
With so much online communication in this modern age, my cards sell slowly, but just knowing that someone opened their mailbox and pulled out a kimberleeannkreation card and smiled makes it all worth doing!
131 days ago
WeeBindery says:
What a great collection! I love paper products!
130 days ago
theartfulbadger says:
I've just started doing cards myself so this is very timely! Thanks!! I like that red beast heart.
130 days ago
nearerthemoon says:
Oh you can't beat a hand written thank you note and these are all just gorgeous!
130 days ago
HeatherLucille says:
Never underestimate the power of SNAIL MAIL! Hooray for all things handmade and handwritten!
130 days ago
somsstudiosupplies says:
What fantastic picks! Thank you!
130 days ago
Annabhu says:
I agree. What better than to receive a card amongst all of our bills and junk mail!
130 days ago
RoughGems says:
Everything looks terrific! Thanks for sharing such splendid finds! This year I'm going to try sending out more handwritten mail and the above designs would be suitable for just that! :)
130 days ago
StephanieSanzo says:
I love these! For Christmas, a co-worker gave me 10 cards that she made for me to use for different occasions. What a fabulous gift. Perhaps you could assemble a package deal for each holiday and sell it as a bundle!
130 days ago
Honizukle says:
These are great choices! I hope handwritten mail makes a great comeback. Starting with these beautiful selections.
129 days ago
FunkyFriendsFactory says:
Hi Alyson - your designs are great. specially the abstract : )
129 days ago
MishaGirl says:
Very beautiful!
129 days ago
Alaroycreature says:
I need a calendar!
129 days ago
lindaketelhut says:
Beautiful cards. Receiving a note in the mail is all the more special these days when an invite or a thank you is a mouse click away. Thank you for sharing these great shops!
128 days ago
Melindamilkshake says:
I love paper, I can't explain it, I just love paper!
128 days ago
sermartinez says:
lovely!!
128 days ago
Maotu says:
It's so good~!
128 days ago
TropicalGarden says:
Wonderful picks!!
128 days ago
erindollar says:
Love the card from Small Adventure! Inspires the wanderlust in me!
126 days ago
chloekb says:
Gorgeous! Ah, I love pretty cards and stationary. I used to collect it, and now I'm out - might have to get more from some of these sellers soon! :) www.abirchformonday.etsy.com
126 days ago
chloekb says:
Gorgeous! Ah, I love pretty cards and stationary. I used to collect it, and now I'm out - might have to get more from some of these sellers soon! :) - http://www.abirchformonday.etsy.com
126 days ago
chloekb says:
Oops, sorry for the double post! My first comment on a blog post!
126 days ago
NitaSketchnStitch says:
Some very interesting artwork on these cards and calendars. Like them a lot.
125 days ago