Greetings with Ellie Pooh

So I fell hard for Mr. Ellie Pooh Paper aptly named after it's source …err… you got it Elephant Dung! Our local eco-conscious, eco-friendly store supplies this in a range of jewel tone and natural colors, that is just fantastic paper to work with. Textured, sturdy, papyrus-like and of course saves elephants! The process is the collection, the cleaning (yes they sanitize), the dying, and the drying. Just like paper-making at home just with a smaller step (the cellulose is already blended, hee hee).

Not one thing gross about this stuff i swear. So this is what I gathered from my stationary stamp from them…In Sri Lanka there is a lot of conflict between agriculture and elephants so this business came in and started paying for the collection of elephant dung (which is basically raw cellulose as they are strict vege's) thereby decreasing the deaths of many large beasts as they were not seen as a commodity before rather a nuisance. With the dung being priced out many ellie’s are alive for that fact.

I highly support this stationary not only because it supports a great cause but because it is gorgeous! I swear it! Check out the website and order some, you won’t be disappointed.
Because I love it so much I have incorporated it into my annual holiday cards for the last three years. This year is no different. I got started yesterday and had so much fun with it. I am not completely done yet but I took some pictures nonetheless. I usually make an intricate stamp but this year went for an easy design inspired by a stamp I saw online. I also used banana paper stationery (the lighter colored paper) and printed "Merry Christmas" in ton's of different languages as a backdrop to the stamp. I decided on a pop out design for the inside and made a lil evergreen forest within each card. So much fun! I will be finishing them up soon and will post the final product. Merry Christmas!

I wanted to post some new pictures of the finished product so here they are!

...inside with added stamps and sequins..

..the front with added cream colored ric rac

giving thanks

Since Michael and I did not to head to our families this Thanksgiving we decided to host a little Thanksgiving dinner at our place. A few of our close friends came over for the feast that Michael and I prepared. I was so excited about Michael and I’s dinner a few weeks ahead of time I decided to make a table setting, with last minute attendees I had to finish up three extra settings the day off admist the cooking and I did it just in time. I even was able to rest and get ready for the event! Now that never happens, thank goodness for my wonderful man Satyavan *don’t be confused he goes by Michael.

So here is the table setting that I put together. I placed bird or tree appliques on the table cloth, place mats as well as on the cloth napkins. Each person had a little name card I photoshopped to look like the napkins I made. The floral arrangement was inspired by Martha Stewart, she had a great video for mums and I couldn’t resist! I had to use lots of candles by Vance Kitira ofcourse..and the setting was complete by Fire and Light candle holders and glasses.

I was going to use our dishware and then decided I didn’t want to do the clean up so used the nifty biodegradable/compostable plates. I didn’t regret that choice. And surprisingly everyone loved the name cards and wanted to take them home. Thanks for reading and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving….and now we are onward to Christmas! Can't wait to post the recent projects from the after thanksgiving push towards a merry home!