The blog

When we started talking about writing blog posts at the end of each day of National Stationery Show, I was really excited to share some of my favorite picks from the show. But then I remembered: it is incredibly difficult to choose! There are hundreds and hundreds of gorgeous and inspired products in every aisle of the show. And to pick just “5 Fabulous Finds” is a daunting task. But I’m going to try.

First, let me include a shameless plug for the Stationery Trends booth. We’re featuring the finalists and winners from The Trendy Awards. And let me just tell you: there are some great products there you won’t want to miss. Stop by booth #2556 throughout the show to check them out for yourself.

Now, onto my “5 Fabulous Finds” — though, really, these are just five of the many products I fell in love with Monday while I was walking the show floor.

Penelope’s Press | Booth #1750

I have to admit, I first walked in to the Penelope’s Press because my daughter’s name was Penelope. But I am so glad I did! The simplicity of these letterpressed recipe cards immediately whetted my appetite for more.

Fawnsberg | Booth #1354

The Fawnsberg booth is full of such lovely colors and gorgeous designs that I just had to stop. And when I did? This “Bless This Home” art print really spoke to me, it’s simple prayer still resonating: “Oh Lord, we are grateful knowing that all we enjoy comes from Your hand. May we never take for granted the food upon our plates or the faces across the table. May we give generously, laugh heartily, and love deeply. We pray You will give us strength not only to stand firm through difficult times, but to hold up our fellow man as well. We thank You because we know there is peace in Your loving arms. Let us continually live in the spirit of thanksgiving, and in doing so, always live richly. Amen.”

Studio Oh! | Booth #2430

As a writer, I’m a sucker for a good journal. As a woman whose middle name is Joy, I’m a sucker for a journal with that word on it. The lay-flat journal is canvas colored and comes in multiple designs.

Pop-in-greetings | Booth #1457

I first “met” Pop-in-greetings through a press kit they sent me prior to the show. The floral card brightened my desk. The changeable greeting caught my eye. Cards come in a variety of designs, and there are a number of different greetings available to slip into the slots on the front of the card — ready for whatever occasion you may have to celebrate.

Ecojot | Booth #2731

Already established as a sucker for a good journal, the ecojot connect app intrigued me. Users download the app, which is in the final stages of development, and use it to snap images of their journal pages, allowing them to easily store and share them. It brings the hand-written (or doodled) word to the digital age and opens a whole new chapter on the way writers, artists and note-takers can organize their pages.

Like I said, it was nearly impossible to pick just five products to highlight here. But, lucky for me — and for you — we don’t have to pick just five. Hundreds of talented designers are showcasing their fabulous finds through Wednesday, so there are still a few days to see them for yourself. I’ll be walking the show floor again on Tuesday — if you see me, stop me and let me know what some of your “fabulous finds” have been during the show. And don’t forget to share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Oh, yes, and one more shameless plug: be sure to check out the KENROcam videos our team is working on throughout the show. Mindy Lockard, of The Gracious Girl, and Courtney Culey, the Stationery Trends digital engagement editor, have been all over NSS talking to retailers, exhibitors and industry experts to find out the hottest trends. Check out all the video interviews on StationeryTrendsMag.com.

Let me know what your favorite finds were at the National Stationery Show. Send me a tweet — don’t forget to mention #NSSFabFinds.