Bennett Schneider - Invitations and Stationery

oops! Missed Yesterday's Christmas Card

2011-12-09T13:12:00.005-06:00

So today you get two!

The first is somewhat academic in light of my son's spectacular performance in the school spelling bee yesterday. I know, math and spelling are a little different, but you get it.

The second card - just for my Clara. Who after getting her two front teeth pulled today, definitely makes the nice list. No doubt. And the girl did not even shed a tear! No, she is not asking for her two front teeth for Christmas - the new ones are already there.

17 Holiday Cards - December 7th

2011-12-07T10:00:00.003-06:00

News Flash! In case you didn't catch this morning's edition of Morning Joe!

17 Holiday Cards - December 6th

2011-12-06T10:15:00.004-06:00

We had our first snowfall of the 2011 - 2012 winter season this morning - just a dusting, but beautiful none-the-less. I am slowly starting to get in the holiday spirit!

17 Holiday Cards - December 5th

2011-12-05T10:52:00.003-06:00

Today's card should make most parents nod their heads in agreement and dismay. It rings especially true for us this year. We bit the bullet and bought a beautiful, "permanent", pre-lit tree this year. It is very pretty and we have no pine needles, water spills and our tree will not fall over. How beautiful. The box this tree came in was huge - it has served as a row boat, TV watching home for my twin girls - no joke - they filled it with pillows and blankets and laid in it to watch movies, and they are constantly hiding in it! What fun.

So, in light of that - here is today's card - enjoy!

17 Holiday Cards - December 2nd

2011-12-02T12:51:00.003-06:00

If you caught last nights local FOX news broadcast you will have seen Bennett Schneider, as we were host to an award winning gingerbread house. We even had Santa in the shop for a while. While in the shop he made a comment about how I made the nice list - which my kids thought was so great. Now I need to make a really good Christmas list - so today's card ... is only fitting.

17 Holiday Cards - December 1st

2011-12-01T14:17:00.005-06:00

Check in with us daily to see our countdown of great Holiday cards. Some we have in the shop - others, we don't have in the shop, but love just as much!

Starting off with something sweet!

Pack a Lunch

2011-06-06T16:54:00.005-05:00

Hey brides and grooms, your wedding day doesn't start fifteen minutes before the ceremony for your attendants. No, it probably starts early in the morning and ends late in the evening.

So we recommend you do something very special. Pack them a lunch. And not just a brown paper bag. We think these boxes from smock paper, available at Bennett Schneider, make the perfect "boxed" lunch. Fill it with a great sandwich, some locally made chips, some dried fruit and nuts and a delightful custom sugar cookie. This is a great way to pack up your gifts to them also.

I chose to display the navy and white shades here, because I am knee deep in navy blue silk ribbon right now for an August wedding. There are many colors to choose from and lots of great patterns.

Stop in and we can take care of everything from ordering sandwiches and cookies to delivering them on the wedding day.

Matchbook Magazine

2011-04-25T06:43:00.005-05:00

We love sugar paper here at Bennett Schneider. Their product is one of the best we have seen and the style is the perfect blend of traditional, modern and, well, just perfect.

Matchbook Magazine recently featured an article about owners, Chelsea and Jamie, the co-founders. You can check out the magazine article here.

Then you should stop in to the shop and let us help you design your own sugar paper custom calling cards, stationery and invitations. You will not be dissappointed.

Photo credit Matchbook Magazine

Lobster on the Brain

2011-01-28T15:58:00.004-06:00

We have been working with a bride whose May wedding will be a tropical one and we are working on some fun custom lobster bibs for one of the dinner events. We don't sell many lobster invites around here, but here are a few I really like - and yes, if you can get the lobster here, we can do the invitations.

All of My Love...

2011-01-23T09:39:00.012-06:00

We have some of the cutest Valentine's Day cards in the shop right now. My favorites are the boxed sets from Rifle Paper Co. The set includes eight cards (two of each design) - think valentine's for everyone - mom, dad, grandma, gramps, husband and kids - all in one box. And they are so very stylish!

How about these ... from Mr. Boddington. I am going to give my Dave the eye chart card or maybe the cute "pairs" card or maybe ... I will just have to decide later. They are all very cute.

For the kids to give to their friends? You can't go wrong with these Meri-Meri boxed valentine's.

So, stop in now to get yours - you don't want to be late.

Perfect for new moms, dads and...

2010-12-14T16:46:00.006-06:00

people like me who are terrified of books with no lines and empty pages. I can do this. Just jot down one line a day - funny things your kids say, random thoughts or even that great glass of wine you had ... but nonetheless ... a great (and easy) way to document the small things.

Perfect for chef, hostess, friend and foodie ...

2010-12-12T16:08:00.007-06:00

Rifle Paper Company Heirloom Recipe Box

These heirloom recipe card boxes are made by local craftsmen from locally salvaged hardwood (trees that were destined for landfills). All of the boxes are unique and hand-crafted during a 3-month-long process (a month for the mill to source the salvaged wood, a month to build in the workman's studio, and a month for the hand-rubbed finish to dry). The lids are then screen printed with two different design options.

Lists and Calendars

2010-08-03T15:31:00.002-05:00

Yes, we have the 2010 - 2011 momAgenda in stock. If you are new to these calendars they begin August 1st and go through December 31st of the following year! A great long term planning tool!

And how about this for lists - letterpress and in a really cute wicker holder. Looks great on your desk and is functional - can't beat that.

Party with Pica Press

2010-07-21T10:05:00.005-05:00

We just received our new Pica Press party album last week. The designs are fresh and modern. I am going to be using one of their designs for a dinner party I am having in the fall. In addition to the invitations, they also have some great personalized recipe cards, calling cards, etc. Stop in and take a look, and because it is new, we are offering 15% off all orders placed from their new album from today until August 31st! What a great way to plan ahead for that fall event!

Summer Vacation

2010-07-10T07:13:00.006-05:00

I have been taking some additional days off this summer to spend more time with my kids (mostly my twin daughters since they are heading off to all-day kindergarten this fall). So when I do show up at work on Friday, after three days off - it is like Christmas! Very exciting. So this is just a post of some of the fun new things that arrived in the shop this week.

And...don't forget our sidewalk sale begins next Thursday, July 15th. We have some great stuff that will be at least 50% off, if not more. This is not stuff we don't like, most of it is great stationery, invitations and gifts that have been discontinued and we only have one item left - since it is hard to retail and display just one one item, we are selling them to you at a very generous discount. So, stop by on Thursday to catch the best of it!

I think I am taking one of those sugar paper recycled To Do List pads home to make a list of all the fun things we still plan on doing this summer:

1. Take in an outdoor movie at Briarcliff Village - Our choice - Free Willy
2. See the Paul Mesner Puppets present "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
3. Shawnee Mission Parks Theater in the Park - Cinderella
4. Get out to the Gardner, Kansas pool - they have a great lazy river and slides and not nearly as pricey as World's of Fun
5. Camp at Shawnee Mission Park

and much more, but that is a start!

Jewel Ball Party

2010-07-01T09:18:00.007-05:00

We did a lot of great invitations this season for parties surrounding Kansas City's Jewel Ball. This one was probably my favorite. I love the idea of a F. Scott Fitzgerald themed lawn party. The attire for the party was white and I can't wait to see some photos of this event. Invitations are by Karen Adams Designs - don't you just love the colors!?

Summer's Favorite Food

2010-06-29T14:59:00.007-05:00

I am obsessed with ice cream lately! I am especially loving the concept of custom, hand-mixed ice cream and gelato made-to-order. The good kind, fresh milk, all natural ingredients, local fruit, etc. In fact, don't be surprised if Bennett Schneider soon launches an ice cream business. I think paper and ice cream are a delightful combination.

So I have been online checking out all the great designs surrounding the ice cream business! Keep your eyes open! You never know when your favorite paper shop will soon be the place to go to order custom, hand-mixed ice creams and gelatos!

Hello Summer!

2010-06-21T21:07:00.007-05:00

I know that today is the first day of summer - but here in Kansas City my kids have been out of school for a month, the temperature is well into the 90s and the humidity - yuck! And, oddly enough, as retail goes, we spent two hours today with a manufacturer rep ordering Christmas and fall seasonal items. In addition to that, I actually caught myself in a conversation with a customer about how we are beginning to transition to our fall invitations and when exactly we would be putting those out! I still want to sell invitations for pool parties, summer bar-b-ques, ice cream parties and I really want to spend a lot of time outdoors, sipping margaritas with friends and family. I know that it is a cliche - but time sure flies.

So, I raise my margarita glass - welcome summer! So glad you are here. And if you want to celebrate summer - please come in and we will help you find just the right invitation whether it be for five people or 50!

Photo Style Me Pretty

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-18T08:51:00.004-05:00

Don't forget Dad! We have some great gifts in the shop right now - clocks, a place to put his glasses, something to make those drawers smell a little bit better and some really great cards!

Congratulations

2010-06-17T07:21:00.004-05:00

Another wedding we worked on this spring! This is one of elum's newest designs (in fact, we were the first to order). The wedding planner and bride were going for a very modern black/shades of gray reception - very hip and swanky! I think this invite fit perfectly. Congratulations to the newlyweds - hope we get to see some photos soon.

The wedding and party was held at an event space located north of downtown called Black on Burlington. The place looks awesome and I am sure Ellyn Bold did a fantastic job with the space.

Don't forget ... an invitation truly sets the tone for your event. Elum is still offering the address printing for free when you order invitations and response card sets - until the end of June!

No More Belated Birthday Cards

2010-06-14T07:28:00.005-05:00

I have always been a fan of Linda & Harriett's designs - calendars, notes, notepads, etc. Recently, there company has made some changes and this amazing birthday calendar is a result of that change. I wish I could show all the months here...but I guess you will just have to come in and take a look. Calendar contains an adorable, letterpressed graphic with one month on a page and lines to fill in birthdays by the day. Get one for yourself and everyone else on your list.

Bar Mitzvah II

2010-06-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Another great Bar Mitzvah - this one is this weekend. For his service project he is collecting old game systems (Wii, Playstations, XBox, etc.) and donating them to charities for children who have less. (I hope I got that right.) Anyway, the event is this weekend and so, best of luck.

We really loved working with these guys - we based this invitation on the greens and blacks of the Xbox 360 Box, which will be used for table decor at the party. Our goal was to keep the invitation very sleek and modern. I think they were perfect. If anyone ever asks you if an envelope lining really matters - I think you can say yes! We kept most of the print black and called out his name and his Jewish name in that great green - love it!

Invitation design by us - printed by Crane & Co.

Bar Mitzvah

2010-06-01T09:16:00.005-05:00

We have had a lot of fun and met some really great people while working on some Bar Mitzvah invitations. Having not grown up in the Jewish faith, I had no idea the amount of work that went into these events. And it isn't just the planning. Do you know how much work it is for the kids involved?

The animal invitation is letterpress printed by Mr. Boddington's Studio of New York. This invitations was chosen as a result of the service project this boy was working on - don't you just love that lining?

If you know someone preparing for a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah have them stop in. We have lots of great ways to personalize invitations to meet their needs and tastes.

National Stationery Show: Pica Press

2010-05-27T20:08:00.003-05:00

We are very excited to have the new party album from Pica Press on its way to the shop. We have had great success with their baby announcements, holiday, wedding and stationery albums - we fully expect this to be a big hit! Should be in the shop in a few weeks.

Get ready ... here comes summer!

2010-05-26T20:08:00.005-05:00

Well, whether or not I was ready - my kids were all dismissed from school today and summer is upon us. Looking forward to lots of great get-togethers with family and friends. So, I am going to stock up on some of these great fontaine maury items - love the tray, party tub, cooler and especially the great soy candles - which by the way would make a great hostess gift - and we stock the single letters in the store.

Stop in and order some summer plates for eating outside ... then enjoy this time with your family and friends. See you this summer.

Party Tub - $45
Candle - $45
Drink Cooler - $25

Soup to Nuts

2010-05-24T09:17:00.005-05:00

Often we are asked, "Do you (fill in the blank)?" And most of the time, the answer is yes. If you are planning a wedding, you can count on Bennett Schneider from everything from save-the-dates to the programs, menus and placecards (even the "Just Married" sign for the car).

This invitation is a sugar paper letterpressed invitation on a creamy deckled-edge paper. The program is tied with hand-dyed silk ribbon in the lavendar color to complement the flowers and other wedding colors. Not pictured - the adorable save-the-date, the tablecards and placecards, and "Just Married" sign for the car. Congrats to Lauren and Andy - whose lovely wedding I can't wait to see photos of!

Where has the time gone!

2010-05-18T21:06:00.006-05:00

Okay - I took a very long break from posting (didn't even realize how long it had been until I went and looked)! We have just been very busy with weddings and I was feeling somewhat uninspired - but now the weather is starting to look good, Memorial Day and summer vacation are right around the corner and I just returned from the National Stationery Show - full of new ideas and inspiring new products. So keep following and I will have lots of new product photos as things begin to roll in. I am also going to post some great photos of some of the invitations we have been working on since I last posted. Stay tuned...

In the meantime, enjoy this photo - we are going to be carrying this great line of new but very vintage alarm clocks - they will make awesome graduation gifts, father's day gifts and will truly liven up any bedside table. Truly a great gift for the guy in your life.

Old Tom Foolery

2010-01-27T13:55:00.005-06:00

New Cards! How simple...new cards! They can really perk up a sunless stretch of winter - just a few of the new headline series from Old Tom Foolery. View the whole collection here and stop in and pick up a few!

Wedding Advice

2010-01-26T14:48:00.005-06:00

So..we are often asked, "what is the best advice you can give an engaged bride?" And, not out of character for a custom invitation/stationery business, we often stress the importance of the printed materials. We usually tell people to scour the many bridal blogs out there and what they will see is that the truly memorable weddings use small things, like placecards, menus, info cards, favors, etc. to really personalize a wedding. Well, today I was reading one of those blogs (Snippet & Ink) and came across the above image from a lovely wedding. The images are lovely - the little touches of red and those shoes. But the best part, directly below the last photo is the bride's advice..."Pick the right groom!"

Love it - that is going to be my new advice to any bride-to-be! So simple - so true! By the way, Dave, if you are reading this - I think I picked the right one!

OMG!

2010-01-21T06:28:00.003-06:00

I LOVE In-N-Out Burger - in fact I have been known to plan entire vacations around a trip to one...or two...or three. I was recently online perusing some great event planning sites and came across this and now, if possible, I LOVE In-n-Out Burger even more!

This is a super fun idea... at the end of your evening whether it be wedding, cocktail party, rehearsal dinner or birthday dinner find a fun catering company, I am thinking doughnuts, ice cream sandwiches, taco truck (if you are in Houston where my sister is they are everywhere) and have them stop by just as your guests are leaving - the perfect tasty treat sendoff!

Now, if I can just get that In-n-Out Burger truck to come here!

Sneaking Out Early...

2010-01-18T14:13:00.002-06:00

Today my kids are all off enjoying a cozy day at home with their dad for the Martin Luther King holiday. So, I have decided, since I own this shop, we are going to sneak off at 3:00 p.m. today to get home early! Fun for us - see you Tuesday.

Reply Card Fun

2010-01-13T12:01:00.004-06:00

Saw these adorable (Mr. Boddington's Studio) letterpress reply cards posted on Once Wed the other day. How fun! These are definitely my favorite style of reply cards - the kind you just write a message on. Anyway - they had the reply cards printed with a table number on it and then used them as the table cards for the wedding! Now that takes some serious planning ahead!

Photo courtesy of Inspired Goodness and event planning studio in New York City!

Thank You

2010-01-11T21:10:00.006-06:00

So...if you are anything like me, you sometimes struggle with what exactly to write on your thank you note. I was reading over Crane's Wedding Blue Book today and rediscovered their very simple formula:

Greet the giver.
Express your thanks.
Say something nice about the gift (or the party, or dinner, etc.)
Mention the past, allude to the future.
Repeat your thanks.

Perfect! And what a great way to make it easy for all of us to help our kids with writing thank you notes, also. So, don't delay a minute longer. Start writing those holiday thank you notes. Or you could wait until we get these cute new thank you notes in the shop - just ordered them today!

Sugar Paper in 15th Anniversary Martha Stewart Weddings

2010-01-09T10:54:00.004-06:00

Our new favorite line, Sugar Paper, was recently featured in the 15th Anniversary Martha Stewart Weddings. And as you can see from above - it was an amazing choice. The feature was all about sparkle with a star theme. These are the perfect complement - with the clean, classic style we love Sugar Paper for - but with that amazing star lining and outer folder. If you need stationery, invitations or announcement, please stop in and let us help you. You won't be disappointed.

(And I think the bride in this feature is wearing those shoes I love.)

Vogue Wedding

2010-01-06T06:30:00.004-06:00

The bride was inspired by a May 2008 issue of Vogue in which all the bridesmaids chose their own outfits. Love it - especially when they are all so cute and stylish. I think this is a super fun way to do a wedding - especially a chic, evening event.

And yes - the bride is wearing the same shoes I posted about on Monday.

To see more photos of this wedding, visit Once Wed

Twenty-ten vs. Two thousand ten

2010-01-04T19:41:00.006-06:00

What is a bride to do? There has been much discussion regarding how to pronounce the New Year we are in - is it Twenty-ten or Two thousand ten? I thought this was all much ado about nothing until I had a 30 minute conversation with a bride regarding which version to spell out on her wedding invitation. We erred on the side of tradition (Two thousand ten) - but it does make you wonder.

Anyway - Happy New Year to all. We have been crazy busy. We had the best November and December ever - thanks to all our great customers and are looking forward to a great Twenty-ten (already very busy with weddings/spring showers, etc.) Stop in to the shop - we will be getting lots of new things over the next few weeks!

(Okay, I know the shoes have nothing to do with this post or paper - but they are very sparkly, remind me of New Year's Eve and who wouldn't want to look at them.)

Vanity Fair Hot Gifts

2009-11-17T14:34:00.004-06:00

If you are flipping through the December 2009 Vanity Fair Hot Gifts guide and a few things catch your eye - I know of a great little shop in Kansas City where you can find them ...

Heather Moore Personal Charms - Create a treastured mememto with a personal message or design - prices range from $100 - $5,000

Graphic Image - luggage tags - starting at $23 - get these personalized!

Did you know...

2009-11-13T21:08:00.005-06:00

...we design dessert/candy tables for weddings, showers, bar and bat mitzvahs, etc? If you are interested in booking us for your 2010 event please give us a call...soon. We can't wait to sit down and talk with you about your event.

Trying not to Rush

2009-11-01T07:05:00.006-06:00

Being a retailer around the holidays is very challenging for me. I am one of those people who can't stand when people turn their Christmas lights on before Thanksgiving, or when the radio stations start playing holiday music on November 1st. Most of all I hate it when I walk into a store in October and they have Christmas cards out. What I really hate is that I have to participate in this rush because I own a retail store.

So, that being said - we waited as long as we could. We now have our boxed cards out, gift tags, wrapping paper, etc. We will wait to decorate the store until after Thanksgiving - but you would be surprised how many people have been asking us about our holiday items - I guess we finally got tired of digging through boxes to find things. So, here are a few fun things for wrapping, mailing, baking, etc.

One Day At A Time

2009-10-29T12:49:00.004-05:00

Okay - if I could really live this way - it would be great. But the next best thing - these amazing gold leaf pads from russell+hazel. Their newest notepad set will inspire you to make the most of each day. With a nod to the hours, minutes and seconds in the day this classic trio of pads will keep your thoughts well-ordered. Makes a great holiday gift for those of you planning ahead. But hurry! They are bound to go quickly.

Photo courtesy of russell + hazel

Holiday Photo Cards

2009-10-27T20:01:00.004-05:00

We have some really great designers offering some truly unique designs for holiday digital photos - these are not the same designs you will see online. Stop in the shop on Wednesday, October 28th, mention this posting and receive 25% off your holiday card order!

Boo!

2009-10-27T19:53:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder - our Halloween cards and gifts are 25% off until Halloween - invitations too! Buy now for next year.

Line A Day

2009-10-14T08:46:00.005-05:00

I don't keep a journal. I have a degree in English/Creative Writing and I still don't keep a journal. I think journals, with their blank pages and open format, give me that Sunday-night-writing-assignment-not-done-pit-in-my-stomach feeling. BUT, this I could do. Five lines, each day and this would also really help my issues with not being able to remember what I did a week ago, let alone three years ago. Plus, it is adorable - keep it by the bed or by the phone and there you go - instant memoir. I know exactly who is getting this for Christmas this year.

Snow & Graham 2010 Calendars

2009-10-13T20:24:00.003-05:00

It is hard to believe we already have calendars flying out the door. We have several styles we have already had to reorder! Anyway, here are some photos of the 2010 Snow & Graham calendar - we have the desktop, mini desktop and large wall calendar all in stock.

Bella Bridesmaid

2009-10-06T12:22:00.002-05:00

If you are a bride and you have not chosen a bridesmaid dress for your ladies, you have to check out Kansas City's newest location for dresses - Bella Bridesmaid. Located at just north of 63rd on Oak Street - they have a great selection. I know they have all my favorites - Jenny Yoo, Amsale, etc. And to make it even better the two ladies who own it are so nice! Meghan and Danielle the owners also own an event planning business. There shop is adorable and I am certain any bride would truly enjoy this environment. They are open by appointment only! Stop in!

Halloween Invitations

2009-10-03T07:51:00.004-05:00

Hey all - we are offering 25% off our Halloween Invitations now until October 31st! Did you know Halloween is on a Saturday this year - what a great excuse for a party. Don't want to host in the evening because it will interfere with Trick or Treating? How about an afternoon event - invite your friends and family over in the afternoon for chili, corn muffins and cookies and milk before heading out for the evening. That is a great way to start the day!

Invitation by Meri Meri

October Anniversary Trade-In Event

2009-09-24T09:58:00.003-05:00

This October, Bennett Schneider, will be celebrating 80 years. We have a really great event planned for October 16 and 17, 2009. In addition, we are offering you the opportunity to recycle your old stationery. If you have some old stationery you just don't love anymore - you can bring it in to the shop and we will recycle it for you and give you 20% off the purchase of new stationery. This includes Crane, William Arthur, kate spade, Vera Wang and sugar paper. Now is a great time to stock up on new notes and cards - as there are always lots of thank yous to write around the holidays!

2010 Calendar

2009-09-24T09:46:00.007-05:00

Okay - I admit, I love fall - and all the changes it brings. Love that I have not had the air conditioning or heating on for two weeks at home. Love that I can start making chili for dinner. Love high school football on Friday nights. Love Louisburg Ciderfest. Love the Plaza Art Fair. Love that our shop is now filled with lots of fun things for fall holidays - one of my favorites - these 2010 calendars from sugar paper. They are going fast so stop in and grab one today - they make a great holiday gift. I think I can check two people off my Christmas list with these.

Also in stock - 2010 Linnea, Snow and Graham, Linda and Harriett and momAgenda calendars

Photos courtesy of sugar paper

Linda & Harriett 2010

2009-08-28T07:52:00.004-05:00

Linda & Harriett posted photos of their 2010 calendar this week, so I thought it would be a good time also - we have these great calendars in stock and the best part ... the back of each month is printed so that you can cut the design off and send them as postcards. Assuming you can part with these calendars. I have had 2009 hanging in my kitchen and love it! Makes my day - as they are so happy! Visit www.lindaandharriett.blogspot.com to view more photos.

Sweater Love

2009-08-26T17:10:00.006-05:00

It is no secret that we have always had a certain amount of love for MJK Knits personalized hand-knit sweaters - but now - even more. Look at these adorable hand-knit stocking caps, stockings and holiday sweaters. We have some great samples on their way to the shop. The hats are $44 and the stockings are $52 - they take about three weeks from when you order to when they arrive and we are also happy to package, wrap and ship them for you. Call us! Don't forget - if you order between September 1st and September 30th you will also get 10% off!

Refreshingly Honest

2009-08-18T14:32:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I received the new Saks Fifth Avenue catalog in the mail. What a breath of fresh air to open the front cover and find a two-page spread listing the seven things they believe in - right there. What I really loved about this was how honest it felt - no apologies. In fact, Number 1 said "We're a fashion company. There will be no apologies for loving fashion. Now more than ever." And this is exactly how we feel.

We are a paper company. We love high-quality stationery and invitations and we will not apologize for that either. We look for designers who love what they do and who are very good at what they do. We don't sell products that aren't special and just like Saks "we would feel guilty selling them to you." Finally, reason Number 6 for Saks states "Boring is Bad. Our customers have a right to smile when getting dressed in the morning." And so it is our belief - that writing notes, sending invitations and hosting a cocktail party should make you smile.

Honestly!

Ben's Garden - New to KC and Bennett Schneider

2009-08-04T13:39:00.003-05:00

We are so excited to have this great new line of decoupage plates, coasters and paperweights in the shop. We received them about two weeks ago and have been selling through them quickly. These make great housewarming gifts, birthday gifts or just somewhere special to drop your keys or glasses! We are getting ready to place another order so stop in soon and let us know if there is something you want.

Don't forget - though Christmas is still months away - it is never to early to start thinking ahead!

Kdog Photos of My Kids

2009-07-25T14:25:00.005-05:00

Hey all - if you read this and need a super great set of photographers - see these guys - Rachel, Phillip and Doug! I asked for some fun, summer, overexposed photos and I get exactly what I wanted - what to buy first? Anyway, see some more of the photos here

My kids are already asking me when they can have Phillip out to the lake with them again! Like it is a playdate - hey Phillip - I am up for it anytime you are!

Custom Ice Cream Sandwich Bar

2009-07-25T12:14:00.003-05:00

Want something different at your wedding than the traditional candy bar - how about a custom ice cream sandwich station! Several flavors of cookies and even more ice cream flavors - how about a double chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter and chocolate ice cream! Yum! And the perfect way to wrap up a summer wedding.

Contact us for more information and pricing!

Bridesmaid Flowers

2009-07-17T07:19:00.005-05:00

Wouldn't these look adorable on your bridesmaids? I think putting them on the waist of a dress would be amazing. Image ban.do

KC Weddings Article

2009-07-06T21:26:00.007-05:00

I love press, especially free press - but only when it is correct. I was quoted in the most recent edition of KC Weddings magazine in an article about wedding invitations being environmentally friendly. The quote I gave was correct. I do believe that just because an invitation is environmentally friendly doesn't mean it can't also be stylish. However, the article goes on mention a few other things about inks, etc. and I just want to clear the air.

Bennett Schneider does not do any in-house letterpress printing. We work with some great designers who use 100% cotton paper or bamboo paper and those vendors should be given all the credit for their designs and efforts. The invitations pictured in the article that we sent in were from Smock Letterpress and Mr. Boddington's Studio. The article also mentioned that we only sell paper that is environmentally friendly - and though we try very hard to do this - there are a few lines we carry that may use wood pulp for paper but do so in a way that minimizes the impact on the environment as best they can. We make it a point to do our part by recycling and informing our customers the best we can.

I hope this clears things up - I just felt the article was misleading and wanted to be certain there was not information floating around that was not completely true.

Our sincere apologies.

Invitation shown by twig & fig

You stopped me in my tracks...

2009-07-03T07:27:00.005-05:00

Yesterdays New York Times had a great article about personal stationery and it really spoke to me! Here is the link The Lettered Set.

My mom and I were very saddened when we learned Mrs. John L. Strong was going to go out of business. But, we have also seen an increase in our personalized stationery. If you have not been in lately to see some of the amazing new options in personalized stationery you will be so surprised. Any color or typestyle you can imagine is available and the sizes and paper colors are endless.

So please - check out the article, I think you will find it very interesting.

Photos from The Printery

Something Borrowed

2009-07-02T13:35:00.003-05:00

So we have a great idea - make your wedding invitations your something borrowed. Ordering Smock Letterpress wedding invitations is a great thing. All of their invitations, notes, cards, etc. are made of bamboo paper - the rate bamboo grows makes is a great source for paper. So...basically you are just borrowing from earth to send your invites - and oh, did we mention that environmentally friendly doesn't have to mean boring or plain!

Stop in and let us help you!

WOW!

2009-06-29T21:50:00.007-05:00

This is really all I can say about this amazing new line of custom invitations and stationery that is on its way to Kansas City. I can't say the name for fear that I am not supposed to announce this quite yet. The New York Times writes this about this amazing L.A. based company:

"In our email-ridden world, a little bit of thick, creamy card stock goes a long way. Who doesn’t appreciate a proper handwritten thank-you note on luscious letterpress-printed paper, or a crisply engraved custom invitation or announcement? [Name removed] and [Name removed] opened their first [Name removed] store in 2003, and have since added a second location in Brentwood. Over the past few years, the pair’s sweetly nostalgic but seriously high-quality stationery has garnered a following of polite young Hollywood types, including Katie Holmes, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner."

Ever since I have been in stationery business I have wanted this line. We will get more details tomorrow and hopefully be able to tell you all who it is and provide you with some more photos of some of their amazing work. In the meantime, I am going to be dreaming of some amazing new personal stationery and my daughter's wedding invitations (I know they are only four, but you haven't seen these invitations!)

It's the little things

2009-06-23T07:20:00.007-05:00

We find that it is usually the little details that can really make your event special! Simple cocktail napkins - if you find yourself asking, "why didn't I think of that?" make your way down to see us and let us help you with some fun napkins! They are not expensive and can be really fun. You don't even need a special event - have some fun napkins made for yourself this summer and everytime you have friends over pull them out! Can easily make a casual evening with friends into a summer event.

Fun Ideas:

1) Pick a few different quotes you love and put the quotes on the cocktail napkins.
2) Put fortunes on napkins - then mix them up and stack them at the bar - what a fun surprise and great way to generate conversation between guests.

Photos courtesy of Snippet & Ink

Fancy Evites?

2009-06-15T15:00:00.005-05:00

The New York Times recently published an article about a company that swears it is okay to send a fancied up evite for your wedding. They are trying to sell people on the idea that if the e-mail looks nice, it is as nice as an invitation that is professionally printed, mailed and opened! What do you think?

Obviously, we are not fans. Do you really get as excited about an evite as you do an invitation you get in the mail? I hope not. This article has a great quote from Pamela Fiori who is the editor of Town & Country magazine - "In a world increasingly uncivilized," she said, "it’s important that we have some ties to tradition. And I honestly think that what we’re losing with e-mail are our memories."

We could not agree more!

Summer Party Idea #1

2009-06-13T13:33:00.003-05:00

Obviously our favorite idea is for you to come in here and ask us for more ideas! Did you know we can also plan your event for you? Yep - from idea to invite to getting the show on the road! Ask us. But, thought I would pass this along - we have all heard of candy bars, pastry bars, etc. - how about this a retro soda bar? Love the rainbow hues. You could do this with beers for the older crowd! Enjoy.

Photo credit - Project Wedding

Summer Party Idea #2

2009-06-11T15:11:00.004-05:00

The dreaded RSVP. So you invited 25 couples over for disco night and noone has replied? Want a sure fire way to increase your replys? Send along a reply card - self-addressed and stamped - and ask them to select their favorite disco song! Then create a music mix with all the songs. Not having a music themed party? Let us help you think of creative ways to get them to respond! We can make it easy for you, super fun for them - then everyone will be so much more excited about the event!

P.S. Postcards work great! Especially vintage ones!

Summer Party Idea #3

2009-06-11T14:59:00.004-05:00

No summer party would be complete without firing up the grill. There are so many great grilling books out there to choose from - my new favorite is Bobby Flay's Burger, Fries & Shakes. Plan a summer party around this - my favorite so far - Garlic Butter Burger, Sweet Potato Fries and the Toasted Almond Milkshake complete with Amaretto (which you can leave out for a kid friendly version). Is your mouth watering? For the recipes pick up the book - I got mine at Williams-Sonoma. So...what's left to do? Just send out these invites, head to the store and fire up the grill.

Summer Party Idea #4

2009-06-09T07:15:00.004-05:00

We saw this idea in Martha Stewart Weddings and thought it would apply equally well to a summer party. Let your guests have some photo booth fun without the photo booth expense. Hang a sheet of fabric between two trees, set up a table with a camera on it and let them snap away. Not only will they have fun, but you will have some fun and fashionable party pics. Whent he party is over get the photos developed then send all your guests a summer thank you with a few photos inside!

For a fourth of July themed party encourage everyone to dress in red, white and blue and hang a large flag - Uncle Sam would love it.

Summer Party Ideas #5

2009-06-08T07:09:00.004-05:00

Put away all the boring plates you use everyday and switch to some fun personalized plates just for the outdoors. To view all the patterns and colors stop in today - all plate sets (set of 4 for $80 or set of 8 for $160) ordered this week are 15% off!

Summer Pinwheels

2009-06-07T22:23:00.009-05:00

My daughters and I were looking for a fun summer activity to do and I came across this - super easy and very cute. They make great party decorations - place them in buckets for a fun, summer centerpiece. Or just something fun to do with the kids this summer - use red, white and blue paper and decorate for the fourth.

For everything you need to know to make these yourself check here

Sycamore Street Press

2009-06-04T09:10:00.006-05:00

New cards and these really cool letterpress prints. These would make a great baby shower gift and wall hanging for a child's play room. They are 11 x 14 - which makes them easy to find frames for! And at only $30 a print - you can't go wrong.

They come in three color combinations- apple green/chocolate, robin's egg blue/red and red/pink.

National Stationery Show - More New Cards

2009-06-02T21:22:00.004-05:00

We are always looking for cards for kids that are well-designed. Look no more - we found them. Paper Loop's illustrated cards are amazing. We now have a very cute group of cards in our shop just for the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews in your life. My favorite - the root beer float card.

Cute New Pens

2009-06-01T13:32:00.002-05:00

These just in! Make a great gift when packaged with a box of notes or cards!

Cards, Cards, Cards

2009-05-31T07:40:00.004-05:00

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this great new line of cards. The designer is so great and very nice. We are also going to be carrying her line of silkscreened prints in the store. They are a great price and make a great housewarming gift. Should be here soon - we will let you know when they arrive.

Here We Go!

2009-05-26T20:16:00.003-05:00

I am always so happy to be in this business after I get back from the National Stationery Show. We had a blast, hung out with some really cool people and have lots of fresh fun ideas for the summer. Keep watching this blog as we will be posting all our new finds. Also - watch for us soon on facebook and check out all our new summer events coming up. Lots of fun wedding things for brides, grooms, bridesmaids, etc.

Featured is the new social occasions from Smock Letterpress. These photos do not do this stationery justice. Did you know you can get any piece edged in any color you want! Love that!

Lilac

2009-05-13T06:32:00.006-05:00

I have three of the most beautiful lilac bushes in my backyard and right now the flowers and smell are so overwhelming. It is one of the many things I love about spring.

Just in case you are as inspired by this color as we are - Kate Spade and Vera Wang both have some great stationery available in this super fashionable spring color. Don't forget - if you order 75 notes or cards from either Vera Wang or Kate Spade you get 25 free - don't you think you deserve some new stationery.

Bike To Work Week

2009-05-11T18:56:00.008-05:00

Perfect Timing - I just got a new bike. Yep - that is it! And it is my plan to ride to work every Monday during the summer. Though this will involve some planning and a shower stop at my parents' house, I am so excited to get started. I wish I could start today and help observe Bike To Work Week - but I am going to do my best this summer to make up for it. So if you can, bike to work this week, you will be doing good for your heart and your environment. And if you aren't biking to work - please be nice to the bikers who are.

Ever thought about a bike motif invitation? This makes a great save-the-date, rehearsal dinner invitation or anniversary celebration. Need help planning a party around a bike theme? We have lots of great ideas - just give us a call.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T06:36:00.004-05:00

This is for my mom, friend and partner - you are the best!

Mother's Day Gift Idea

2009-04-28T13:46:00.004-05:00

These stamps make a great mother's day gift idea! Can be used for labeling books, recipe cards, return address stamps, stationery designs - lots of fun and you can get them in other colors besides black. Don't delay ordering.

Graduation Invitation

2009-04-27T21:43:00.004-05:00

We still have lots of fun invitations for graduation. But don't delay. This is one of my favorites with the pearl beads and yellow rhinestones! Who wouldn't want this for a graduation party!

Stray Dog Designs

2009-04-23T21:37:00.003-05:00

Two years in a row...HGTV Green Home. Congrats to our friends at Stray Dog Designs. This is the second year in a row their earth-friendly home accents have been featured. This year their lamps and accessories are used in the girl's bedroom in a bright pink. We carry this great line and are happy to order any of their lamps, tables or accessories for you. Tell us you read about it here and we will pay the shipping to get it here.

Earth Day - What can you do today?

2009-04-22T07:40:00.003-05:00

- Try your best today to not use paper towels. Just one day.
- Make sure you don't have any leaky faucets or toilets.
- Recycle anything and everything you can.
- Pack your lunches using plastic containers and not sandwich bags.
- Don't wait in a drive-thru. Go in! Think how much better this will be for your health too!
- Take your own shopping bags to the store - and not just the grocery store.

These are only a few things! But every little bit helps.

Your planet will thank you!

Mr. Boddington and Double Envelopes

2009-04-20T20:53:00.006-05:00

Rebecca and the crew at Mr. Boddington sent us a new package full of really great new samples. We wish all our invitation vendors would do this. Brides are always looking for what's new - and this is great. We have attached a really great folder in the back of our album for all the new stuff. So if you are getting married or know someone who is - you have to see these in person.

In addition to the great new samples they enclosed a card about double envelopes - here is what is says:

"Springtime is on its way and we know that eager brides are hopping along to their local post office to mail out their summer wedding invitations.

Don't let those May showers make their correspondence mucky. (Even though our beloved postal system has come a long way since the Pony Express, when double envelopes were a proper necessity!) But for brides who want to maintain tradition or simply crave a sparkling correspondence set, do take note that all of Mr. Boddington's wedding suites are available with double envelopes.

Happy Spring!"

We couldn't agree more!

Rain, Rain Go Away

2009-04-13T20:50:00.004-05:00

I love green grass as much as the next person, but so far this year it has rained on our spring break, half of my son's soccer season and Easter and we are expecting rain next Saturday for Davis' First Communion. Rain and 70 degrees is one thing - rain and 45 degrees - yuck! Anyway - thought I would post some recent photos of the kids.

For Tim

2009-04-09T06:49:00.009-05:00

My brother might be the worlds biggest and best baseball fan. He lives for opening day and so I planned our table at the 2009 Delta Gamma Tables That Bloom event in his honor. The Royals' home opener in the newly renovated Kauffman stadium is Friday and Kansas City is waiting hopefully for our Royals' to come home and kick off a good season. The pennants on the table were made from wrapping paper and double-faced satin ribbon, no baseball table would be complete without ballpark peanuts and cracker jacks and the cookies are by our favorite cookie chef (those cookies will be available in our store on Friday and Saturday for purchase). We had a lot of fun getting this ready. Invitations on the table are courtesy of Itty Bitty, Stevie Streck, Inviting Company, Picture Perfect, Cross-My-Heart and Oddballs. Not sure how you can use a baseball theme at your summer event - how about a 50th birthday party, a graduation party, bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner (this is what my brother would want), day after wedding brunch, retirement party, etc. Who doesn't love baseball!

Stop in to see all the invitation samples and let us help you plan a great baseball-themed summer event! We can even help with favors, table decor, etc. And we know a great florist who can work with you to get the job done!

Batter up!

This Photo Says It All

2009-04-01T19:31:00.005-05:00

I spend a lot of time researching wedding trends and trying to come up with new ideas to share with all the brides that come in! I was checking out one of my favorite wedding photographers - she is in the D.C. area - and came across this photo! This is the couple's favorite donut shop! I think the photo says a lot - and not just about donuts!

I have been thinking about some new photos of my kids and I really like the idea of taking them to some of their favorite local places and staging some photos! Sipping smoothies at latteland, climbing the rock wall at the gym, shooting baskets, etc.

More Cookie Love

2009-03-30T21:10:00.002-05:00

The amazing pastry chef who makes our delicious and beautiful cookies made this for a charity event she did as a favor! Don't you love it. The "pot" is made of cake with cookies and icing on top! How adorable.

Easter Cookies

2009-03-30T21:02:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to order these by April 4th (that's this Friday) for Easter. And they are not just for Easter baskets - use them for placecards for brunch!

Day After Brunch

2009-03-13T18:06:00.003-05:00

These cute invites went out today for an after wedding brunch. We substituted the rafia with a pink and lime green ribbon to match the decor for the event in early May in St. Louis. Great choice.

Seltzer Goods

2009-03-13T17:46:00.006-05:00

Button Up!

Inside: Happy Easter

Inside: May your good fortune continue. Happy Birthday

Inside: Parenthood is about to get a lot cooler. Congratulations!

Inside: Everything you do, you do with style!

I love it when we get new cards. First, they don't cost much. Second, they make me smile. Third, and best of all, they make our customers smile. These new ones are from Seltzer Goods. We also got the cute buttons. Throw a couple on your jacket. I love the Super Fly, Smile and Twisted. Stop in and grab a few.

All images courtesy of Seltzer Goods

Old School Tools

2009-03-09T22:19:00.004-05:00

Since I spent the majority of this afternoon finishing up some pencil drawings for a fun custom project I am working on, I thought I would post this. Today, I fell in love with my no. 2 pencil again and my pink eraser - have had no use for the elmer's today - much to my daughter's dismay.

To purchase this Gocco screen print look here!

With this ring...

2009-03-05T21:46:00.002-06:00

These invitations are ready to go out today! However, we changed them up a little - switched the pink ribbon to a beautiful green, added some sparkle to the diamond and of course, changed the wording. We will publish our version later, but we don't want to ruin the surprise for the bride-to-be!

Is it really March already?

2009-03-02T21:37:00.006-06:00

Yes, and these cute invites went out today for an early April lingerie shower and bachelorette. Most people might not have picked this invite for a lingerie shower - but I can't imagine anything else. Don't you love the wording we chose...Before the Miss becomes a Mrs...

Sorry about the photo quality. Took this with my iPhone.

Happy Friday

2009-02-27T14:10:00.006-06:00

Here it is another Friday. I was checking out some of my favorite blogs the other day and came across an advertisement for this bike. I live in the burbs and my shop is not within a reasonable biking distance (unless reasonable is an hour plus bike ride in either direction with three kids in tow), but if it was - I would have this bike and look like this! Anyway - I can dream.

I apologize - I can't for the life of me remember the name of this company as I forgot to write it down! As soon as I find it I will edit post.

Get Lucky!

2009-02-26T14:39:00.004-06:00

Don't you think these would be so much cuter on your coat for St. Patrick's Day than an ugly, plastic shamrock? And they are very environmentally friendly - made from letterpress rejects and a great vintage button. Hard to call them rejects. Hurry in fast we only have a few of the green!

Birthday Fun

2009-02-25T18:56:00.006-06:00

These candles will look so cute on a birthday cake. Love that you can do a 29 again. Or a 40 ish. Or simply old. And how about those adorable cupcake candles. We also have some really great birthday invites to go along with all of these. So stop in and let us help you with your invites and all the extras!

Loooong Weekend

2009-02-18T14:15:00.002-06:00

And not just because we closed the shop Monday for a little R&R. I have been home with three cases of the stomach flu - yep, all three. Anyway - because noone around here has felt like eating until today - wouldn't it be great if we could eat these all day!

Photo courtesy of cannelle-vanille - check out all the rest of her yummy things on her blog.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T18:59:00.004-06:00

We made up these cute tags using vellum over heavyweight card stock (back card says "...you") to send out some valentine greetings to our bennett schneider friends!

Need some cute tags like these for your event? Let us know colors, event details and we will get you some design ideas!

Journal Update

2009-02-13T18:54:00.003-06:00

We just got these cute new journals in today from Compendium - this company make some really great inspirational stuff! Great little gift treats for your best girl friends! We can package them up with some tokyomilk lipbalm and a crystal pencil and you are good to go!

Wrap it Up

2009-02-12T18:11:00.002-06:00

We are offering all our cute wrapping paper 25% during the month of February. Bring in your gifts to be wrapped and we will wrap them for free!

What's your number

2009-02-09T10:15:00.003-06:00

How cute are these number tags? What a fun way to label your tables at your wedding - they would be so cute hanging from a really fun table arrangement! You can even get them in the color of you choice! OR - use a string and tie the number card to a table card with your guests name on it! Fun way to do a tablecard.

Perfect cure for the recession depression

2009-02-05T20:13:00.005-06:00

Invite some friends for Valentine's dinner, Easter brunch, a St. Patrick's day pub crawl, a Humpty Dumpty baby shower, rehearsal dinner, guy's night out, Sweet 16, beach wedding, baby's first birthday, class reunion, etc. Don't forget we can print your invitations too!

Bridesmaid Love

2009-02-04T06:41:00.004-06:00

Love, love, love this dress! I am not sure if it is the green color, the fabulous purple eye makeup on the model or the simplicity. I am going to see about ordering this for some of the fun spring and summer events we have planned. This is from the Amsale Crinkle Chiffon collection.