The NSS Has a New Look!

Check out the new look of the NSS community website – www.nationalstatoneryshow.com. Chock full of new energy and great content (we think!), it features the first of three YouTube videos on the Home page, beginning with Trendspotting at the 2010 NSS. The next two videos roll out over several month leading up to May 2011, and highlight the many faces of the Show and our industry.

The site also reveals the Show’s 2011 marketing campaign “Paper Power”. Paper Power encompasses the impact of paper both as a product category and as a medium. Paper is profitable, high touch, personal, diverse, colorful, fashion-forward, on trend, a statement of personal taste and style - and is more in demand than ever by the end user! Pretty powerful indeed.

-Patti

Summer Camp Greetings

So the girls are off for their summer fun – one is at camp and the other, seeing the world. Boy, are they lucky! I remember my years as a camper; first ½ the summer, then the big 8-weeker kicked in, and then on to a career as a CIT and Counselor! No matter what age or stage, one of the best parts of the day was when the mail came in (in those days the package “restrictions” weren’t rigid and the boxes of fun, and candy, of course, would pour in). If you send your kids to camp, you know what I mean about “package restrictions”!

If I could send packages to my daughter, I would pack them with fun things she could do in her bunk with her buddies – lanyard string, stickers, jacks, mad libs, beads, silly string, a deck of cards and her favorite Starburst candy – not ½ the snack cupboard, money, extra clothing, clandestine electronics and the like that created the whole package restriction thing in the first place! So, to what do moms and dads turn in droves? Greeting cards! We send cards somewhat in excess I must admit – and would do so regardless of whether we could send packages or not!

There are so many fabulous cards out there, some camp-specific, but many are more general fun, cute and adorable “I miss you types” like the Carlton Card I sent today that simply says “Me? Miss You?” And on the inside, “Only all the time.” Of the 20or so I have stockpiled to use this summer, this card is the only one that doesn’t have a picture; the design is all about the typeface. But, I will tell you that animals rule in the “I Miss You” department – monkeys, puppies of all breeds, mice, bears and of course, kittens - are the most popular images. My arsenal includes cards from Avanti, American Greetings, Design Design, Recycled Paper Products, Carlton and Hallmark, versed with sentiments including:

“If I sent you a card every time I thought of you, you wouldn’t need a mailbox…You’d need your own post office!”

“On a scale of 1 to 10…I miss you a million!”

“Just sending you a little hug…Did you feel it?”

“You’re always on my mind… And always in my heart, miss you.”

On the back of the envelope, I, of course, embellish with stickers of all varieties and glitter. The one time I literally sealed with a kiss (kissing the back of the envelope like my mom did) she was mortified and begged me never to do that again! Corny, I know.

I run to the mailbox everyday so I have my “aha” moment when her letter is there awaiting me. She’s equipped with some of the best Camp stationery and postcards “this side of the Hudson” designed by Penny Laine Papers and purchased from the store I call “Camp Central,” Scarsdale Child’s Play.

So, in a couple of hours, I’ll be thumbing past the bills and credit card solicitations, eager to read about water flumes, ziplines, soccer, chili dogs, painting, jump rope and more contained within the envelope carefully addressed in the script of my eighth grader and embellished with, you guessed it, stickers and glitter.

Happy summer!

-Patti

There’s just nothing like the USA…

Nothing brings your hand to your heart faster than playing the Star Spangled Banner. This week the theme will resound as towns across the country commemorate freedom with marching bands, confetti and brilliant fire works. Yep, the 4th of July is a national holiday and this year America celebrates its 234th birthday!

History buffs claim the red of the flag represents valor, white stands for liberty or purity and blue represents loyalty and perseverance. And in the past few years, there’s been a noticeable increase in these colors being flown around town. People will wear the appropriate red, white and blue as they pass out hot dogs at the annual barbeque. (Hopefully they stacked up on Hangables’ food-safe acrylic bowls!) Tables will be set with themed color napkins and paper plates. Paper stars and little flags will adorn coasters and banners -- just look at the festive designs from Caspari! Party favors will be tied up with sassy ribbon from companies like Ampelco and houses will be decked out with red, white and blue streamers.

What a great thing to be able to express freedom, to stroll down Main Street without a care, to disagree with a neighbor in a fun and friendly way or exchange ideals with someone who’s new to the area. It’s good to live in America!!

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! Enjoy these simple precious things while sipping a cold one! Set aside a few minutes to remember what the colors of our country represent. And have a wonderful 4th of July!!

Later… Alyson