I’ve got a couple of projects for you – in fact, one for every day this week!  Stay tuned for the perfect homemade bits for your loved ones!

Aren’t these just the most darling barrettes you’ve ever seen?  It makes me want to be a kid again, just so I can get away with wearing them!  I came across this great tutorial on Purl Bee with all of the step-by-step directions and photos you’ll need to whip them up for all of your Valentines.  Happy Crafting!

Haute Papier was excited to once again be chosen as “Editor’s Pick” in the latest issue of Washingtonian Bride and Groom.  We love the look of WBG – now in it’s third edition!  Make sure you pick up a copy today, or better yet,  stop by our offices for a complimentary copy during your consultation!  You’ll be sure to find the latest trends and helpful vendors in our area.

We also wanted to congratulate friend and wonderful photographer, Matt Mendelsohn, for once again taking the awesome shot that’s on the cover!

Take a peak at the quick craft project I completed in preparation for Haute Papier’s youngest member – due any day now!

To get started, I picked up about 35 yards of different ribbons.  I had a bit left over, but I wanted a really filled in look.  My vision was funky yet girly so variety was really important to me. I also used a 12 inch wreath ring.

My ribbons we’re different widths but all were approximately the same length – right around 13 inches each when cut.  I went ahead and cut each ribbon (with GOOD fabric scissors) and laid them out for easy access.  I started by tying the cut strips around the ring starting in one area and just picking my strips at random.  I just made a basic tight knot so the ribbons stayed in place – nothing too fancy at all.   And really I just eyed the variety at the beginning.

As the ring started to get filled in and my ribbon variety decreased I went ahead and spread out the ribbons I had less of around the remaining open section of the ring.  I then proceeded to fill in from there with the ribbon I had much more of.

The wreath will be placed on my front door.  The little tag reads, “Shhh … don’t wake the baby!  Please knock quietly.”

I think if I made another wreath (perhaps for my first nephew due in April) I would probably use fabric and cut each piece a bit wider – maybe about 1 inch.  That way, the different designs might not get lost as much as my more delicate ribbon did.  It would also be cool to just rip the fabric into strips instead of making clean cuts and just use rounded pinking shears on the ends to complete the look.

There are a couple of fundraisers going on tonight that I wanted to share…

First up, come by the upstairs of Lululemon on M Street for Georgetown for Haiti.  $10 donations at the door, donate more and get a gift certificate from one of many fabulous retailers, including Haute Papier with a generous donation.  All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders.

Or head over to Local 16 for Friday for Haiti – an evening of free food and drinks with a $25 donation to Oxfam.

Or be a really good Samaritan and hit up both – I’m going to be trying to flit from one to the other.

One of Haute Papier’s 2010 initiatives is to return to the wonderful world of crafting that we thoroughly enjoyed (read – had time for) prior to launching Haute Papier.  Many of our accomplishments with Haute Papier can be traced directly to growing up crafting and we figured getting back in the swing of things will only get the creative juices flowing in new ways!

After chatting with a close friend about these new found goals, it didn’t take her too long to introduce me to the idea of crafting for charity.  Each month, her crafting club donates their beautiful goods to Made 4 Aid (an organization dedicated to relief work in Darfur).  Next month’s dontations, however, will be sent to Craft Hope for Haiti – an new Etsy shop benefiting Doctor’s Without Borders in Haiti.  Crafters may make their donation directly through Craft Hope.  Non-crafters need not feel left out – simply pledge your support by purchasing from a ton of wonderfully hand-crafted items on the Etsy store!

Haute Papier is excited to feature The Dotted Line in Nashville, Tennessee.  We met owner Troy Solerak at last year’s National Stationery Show and have been exited to work with her ever since.  The Dotted Line is a boutique paperie that offers, the most desirable invitations for weddings, birthdays, babies, and so much more! We know Troy has great taste – she carries all three of our “In Stores” lines.  If you need a gift, you are sure to find the perfect little gem at The Dotted Line.  Plus, sweet treats and candy are abundant!

We love to get to know our vendors a bit more, and Troy was happy enough to answer a few of our favorite questions!

How long have you been in business? I’ve had The Dotted Line for five years!

If you were to do something other than sell stationery, what would it be? Hmmmm … probably plan parties.

Besides the obvious (stationery), what’s your favorite thing to give as a hostess gift? Something simple or decadent and packaged creatively!  Presentation is everything …

The week of the National Stationery Show, what do you like to do (or eat) in NYC? I find there’s only time to shop and eat … and I do both fairly well!  NY is great!  I love all the lil bistros you can pop into after having shopped all day at market, and then out and about after.  I love Rosa Mexicana after the first day at market for the excellent guacamole and the best pomegranate margaritas!

What sets your store apart? It is extremely romantic, vintage and all things girly!  It is a small boutique and we are happy to know all our customers by first name!  We couldn’t do that if we were too BIG … we are lucky to share all their milestones in our vast paper selection.  We service our clients in wedding, birth announcements, personal stationery, holiday cards and parties of all kinds!