Sweet Bay Prints

Almost ♥ Day!

2012-01-26T15:23:00.001-06:00

Almost time for the kids to fill in their class Valentines! Call or email Sweet Bay Prints for something a little different!

Double the Thank Yous!

2012-01-17T21:21:00.001-06:00

CLICK HERE to SHOP this SALE!

2012!

2012-01-01T14:31:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

Sweet Bay Prints hopes everyone has a healthy and happy 2012. To start it off, we are giving our friends a 20% discount on our website. In order to get the CODE to use at checkout jump on Facebook and LIKE us. www.facebook.com/sweetbayprints (The code is valid until 1/7.)

We are also driving towards 800 LIKES on Facebook. Once we reach that goal, one lucky follower will receive a Store Gift Certificate!

Thanks to all of you who support Sweet Bay Prints and small business!

2 for 1

2011-12-23T11:02:00.000-06:00

Don't miss this 2 for 1 opportunity on Thank You Notecards and/or New Year Cards! Just click HERE to see all of the options! Say THANKS for thoughtful Christmas gifts with lovely new notecards.

CLICK HERE

JOY Extended!

2011-12-09T22:06:00.001-06:00

The 15% off SALE at www.sweetbayprints.com has been extended until 12/17/11. Simply enter JOY at checkout!

ENJOY - Happy Shopping!

15% OFF

2011-12-03T20:57:00.001-06:00

Shop online at www.sweetbayprints.com this week and receive 15% off your entire purchase by using the code JOY at checkout! Here's a peak at what you'll find online -- in addition to our beautiful holiday cards......Happy Shopping!!

return address stickers

business cards

easel desk calendars

enclosure cards

envelope seals

stickers

folded notes

waterproof labels

FRIENDS discount this week!

2011-11-26T21:41:00.001-06:00

How about 20% off? Shop online this week at www.sweetbayprints.com and enter the code FRIENDS at checkout! You will receive 20% off your total order.
This discount is good for ANYTHING you purchase online. So, browse the site, order your Christmas Cards, return address stickers, enclosure cards, gift tags, personalized gifts, etc! Here's a teaser.... :)

Personalized Christmas Coasters

Save the Date Cards

Folded Note Cards

Calling Cards

Personalized Family Planners

Personalized Notepads

Personalized Desk Calendars w/Easel

So Thankful

2011-11-23T17:06:00.001-06:00

Thanks. It's a word used in every day conversation but means so much. I know I am thankful for so many things in my life -- my loving family, our health, our friends, our country and our freedoms. our doggie. our town. the beach. clean air. giggles. grins. snorts. hugs.

Whoever you are sharing Thanksgiving with tomorrow, be sure to hug them and let them know how thankful you are for them. We only have now.

happy gobble everyone.
xoxo

Check Holiday Cards Off Your List!

2011-11-21T22:18:00.001-06:00

Holiday Cards. Have you ordered yours yet? It doesn't need to be stressful. Browse our website and we feel certain you'll find many options you'll love. Customization is easy and you will receive them in no time!
OR, have a design in mind and can't find anything similar? Give us a call and we can custom design cards for you in a matter of days. For more info, just call or email us!

Here are some options all available on our website:

Do you prefer to touch and feel cards before making a selection? In store, we offer selections from William Arthur, Spark Letterpress, and others! Come see us!

Beautiful Magnetic Boards

2011-11-14T22:18:00.001-06:00

When I found these magnetic boards at market in Atlanta I fell in love. They are so beautifully crafted and functional! There are more than 30 different fabric choices as well as 3 frame colors (distressed white, distressed black and brown walnut) so you are assured to get exactly what you want.

If you like what you see, call us and we can send you photos of the other available choices. We also have 3 samples in the shop which are for sale.

Gifts for Everyone!

2011-11-12T22:18:00.001-06:00

Giving gifts during the holidays is a wonderful way to let people know we appreciate and love them but it can also be pretty stressful finding something perfect. LET US HELP. Sweet Bay Prints is full of lovely gifts for just about everyone including Teachers, Tutors, Sitters/Nannies, Sports Coaches, Neighbors, Friends, Family, Healthcare providers, Hair Stylists, etc. Take a look at this small sampling and then come see us at the shop. I promise you will check a lot off of your list after you leave SBP!

Reusable Govino wine glasses

Personalized iPad2 folio case

Beautiful locally-designed Tilly Towels for adults and children - look beautiful monogrammed!

SMOCK Letterpress Letter Sheets

EcoGreen Candles made from recycled wine bottles

Self inking stamps perfect for return addressing, enclosure cards or calling cards

SMOCK Letterpress notepads

Lilly Pulitzer Travel Mugs

Anna Griffin portable notepads

Custom melamine plates - dozens of styles

Personalized acrylic-ware
Choose from bowls, glasses, trays and more

Holiday Frame Ornament in 6 styles

Anna Griffin Journal

Personalized Desk Planners

Polar Bear Coolers can be personalized - several color choices

Call or come by the shop Mon-Fri 10-5. 850-267-1000

Personalized Coasters for the Holidays!

2011-11-11T22:02:00.001-06:00

Check out these fabulous personalized coasters available on our website. They would make a great statement at a party OR as a host gift! (they're also VERY affordable!) We have 12 different designs from which to choose so you can mix it up.

Holiday Open House

2011-11-03T16:49:00.001-05:00

Don't miss our Sip & Shop! It will be a great opportunity to leave the kids at home, have a glass of wine, relax and begin holiday shopping. Our Holiday Card Books will all be on display as well! We can accommodate ALL budgets!

Hope to see you at the shop!
xoxo

Eco Green

2011-11-01T13:08:00.003-05:00

Our first shipment of Eco Green candles has arrived! Are you familiar with this line by Paddywax?

In their own words... "In pursuit of social responsibility, Paddywax introduces this smart collection featuring recycled wine bottles with wood tops in 6 luscious scents. Simplicity of design combines with exquisite fragrances to create the perfect guilt free indulgence."

You must see these candles to appreciate their simple beauty and amazing scents! Currently we carry Thyme/Olive Leaf, Mandarin/Lavender, and Pomegranate/Current. What an incredible gift these would make!

call today to purchase 850.267.1000.

It's time... (and we want to help!)

2011-10-29T22:49:00.002-05:00

Have you started thinking about your holiday cards? 2011 Holiday at Sweet Bay Prints has so much to offer from sophisticated engraved options to timeless beautiful letterpress to modern fresh digital printing that is memorable AND affordable. To help the wallets, we are excited to offer LAYAWAY! Call the shop for details and learn how you can purchase your dream holiday cards while paying in increments.

One of our best selling lines, Spark Letterpress, offers fully customizable letterpress options. Most well known for their wedding invitations, Spark utilizes the same high quality materials and amazing designs for stationery and holiday.

Spark Holiday is completely customizable. Convert any option to a photo card!

The 2011 William Arthur Holiday book is on its way to SBP. You can never go wrong with this classic!

William Arthur provides printing methods to suit any budget whether engraving is a must-have or flat printing is your choice. Anything printed by WA will be beautiful.

Prentiss Douthit, out of Birmingham, is another favorite of Sweet Bay Prints customers. Mostly known in our area for their fresh, classic baby announcements, their holiday assortment is just as lovely.

Customize Prentiss Douthit as you wish!

Another fabulous option we are very excited about is Modern Posh, available on our website. This line is bold, colorful and fun. We love the fresh pops of color and modern designs. And while it's very affordable, it doesn't skimp on quality. Nice substantial card stock and crisp printing sets it apart.

(Check our website for other great holiday options .... shop sbp 24x7)

Please email us hello@sweetbayprints.com or call the shop for layaway details 850-267-1000.... then order your cards!

Oh, Sugar! Are we excited!

2011-10-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

Sweet Bay Prints is thrilled to be the only retailer on the Emerald Coast to carry the addictive, scrumptious, fabulous Nam's Bits by Oh, Sugar! Not only do we LOVE LOVE LOVE these delectable chocolate chip cookies, but also the amazingly driven owner, Amanda. We haven chosen to carry the holiday packaging as our first offering but rest assured we will keep Nam's Bits in stock year round and can dress them up any way you like!

Some of these jars contain the famous chocolate chip cookies and some contain yummy candies. Any recipient of Nam's Bits will be a very happy camper! (call the store to purchase yours 850.267.1000)

These jars all contain Nam's Bits!

These pails all contain candies!

Sample sizes make a perfect gift topper!

Hostess Gifts!

2011-10-20T17:03:00.001-05:00

Lilly's here!

2011-09-28T22:21:00.000-05:00

When I received the box this week I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Sweet Bay Prints is so excited to carry the fun products by Lilly Pulitzer. Here's what we have so far -- to purchase, either call the shop 850.267.1000 or come by!

Reusable Snack Sack

iphone 4 cover

Gift Enclosure Box - assorted styles included

Thermal Travel Mug

Reusable Snack Sack

We also have three styles of flat invitations:

How cute are these?

iPad sleeves are back-ordered but as soon as we receive them, I'll post it!

Check it off your list!

2011-09-14T21:44:00.000-05:00

Through September, enjoy 25% off photo holiday cards AND receive complimentary return addressing or address stickers. WHAT A DEAL! Please use the code shown on the poster below. Happy shopping!

www.sweetbayprints.com

Pervenche Press' debut offering!

2011-09-05T10:58:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of Pervenche Press?

Originator of Sweet Bay Prints, Sheri Scruggs, has ventured into the design world with a new company focused on original hand drawn stationery and custom offerings for businesses. Naturally, Sweet Bay Prints will be a prominent retailer of the new line.

The debut product was envisioned by Sheri while tailgating at her alma mater Ole Miss. Children have so much fun at football games but sometimes venture off too far from their parents. To aid in the safety of the kids, Sheri has developed Tailgate Safety Stickers which will show the phone numbers of Mom and Dad. Just place the sticker on your children's backs. Currently, 9 schools are available including these:

To order yours, call Sweet Bay Prints 850-267-1000 or email hello (at) sweetbayprints (dot) com.

We wish Sheri all the best with her new line and can't wait to see what's to come!!!

We're a Lilly Lover!

2011-09-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

Lilly Pulitzer is such an iconic name and lifestyle brand. We are beyond thrilled to bring this line to Sweet Bay Prints. Look for items such as these in our store this month. If you'd like to pre-purchase, just contact us (phone, email, facebook, text, blog comment). We will carry these items PLUS lovely stationery... so stay tuned!

iPhone 4 Case

Reusable Snack Bags

iPad/Netbook Sleeve

Thermal Mugs

End of Summer SALE at Sweet Bay Prints!

2011-08-30T22:16:00.000-05:00

It's SALE TIME!! Double your order for FREE on calling cards, folded or flat notes, personalized stickers, and ID tags purchased via our online store. Be sure to read the instructions on how to place the order.

If you like custom stamps you'll love the sale starting Thursday from Noteworthy. Regularly $40, you will be able to snag these for just $30. And if you already have a Noteworthy stamp you can purchase a new face plate for only $10! There are so many options you'll surely find some you love.

Call the shop to order stamps...267-1000.

Don't miss these great sales!

Ideas for Fall!

2011-08-24T21:50:00.000-05:00

Do Fall holidays sneak up on you like they do me? Seems like we get into the swing of the new school year and quickly thereafter Halloween is here. I received the Pottery Barn Kids Halloween catalog in the mail and realized that its only 2 months away. Talk about cute costumes!

If your children are in need of new Halloween buckets, we have cute reusable tins that can be personalized with a name, initials or something fun like BOO or TREAT! Or how about a cute party invitation?

Only 3 weeks after Halloween festivities we are celebrating Thanksgiving. It's such a beautiful time here in South Walton. Temperatures are cooler and Santa makes appearances in Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Watercolor. If you've never experienced Santa's arrival in Seaside you are missing out. It's so much fun for the whole family! At Sweet Bay Prints we will have those special touches that will make your Thanksgiving memorable. Choose from place cards, fall color napkins and Tervis tumblers.... or find an amazing host/hostess gift. Our selection of stationery and Thank you notes is beautiful.

Our biggest suggestion for Fall is to get your Holiday Card selection out of the way. Don't procrastinate on this one! Our website will have dozens of options or come to the shop to touch and feel gorgeous samples from William Arthur, Prentiss Douthit, Spark and many more. We can accommodate all budgets!

Sweet Bay Prints ♥s cinda b.

2011-08-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

We are so thrilled to be a retailer of the fabulous cinda b. brand! All of the products are made in the USA. Cinda, company founder and designer has a true understanding of the phrase 'casual chic' with her varied fabric choices and bag styles (over 50) all of which are water and stain-resistant. Take a look at some of her designs here. At Sweet Bay Prints, we have the full swatch set and catalog of available styles. This is a tiny sampling of what's available!

Everyday Etiquette Tips

2011-08-06T21:22:00.000-05:00

I think it's safe to say we all could use a little etiquette refresher every now and then. Here's a random assortment. Let me know what you think.... do you agree? do you think some are outdated? I want to hear from you!

So, here we go....

Always respond to an invitation in a timely manner, even if you don't plan to attend. Holding off on a response may make the host feel like you’re waiting for a better offer to come along.

Don’t ask the host of a party for a tour of their home unless it’s a housewarming. Let them offer one if they want to.

If a wedding invitation specifies you and a guest, don’t call to ask if you can bring your children, too. If your children were meant to attend, they'd be included on the addressing.

If you've been invited to a wedding but can’t go, you should still send a wedding gift.

Thank you notes are a must after receiving a gift. Make sure the thank you note gets to the person within a month of receiving the gift. Weddings allow a little more leeway since honeymooning and establishing a residence are occurring after the ceremony.

After sitting down at the table and waiting for everyone else to sit down, unfold your napkin and place it in your lap. If you briefly leave the table, place it on the chair, and when you’re finished with your meal, place it on the left side of the plate. Never begin eating before everyone has been served.

To choose the correct silverware at a meal, always work from the outside in (your appetizer utensils like spoon soup and salad fork are on the end).

Keep any food, drinks, briefcases or paperwork in your left hand so your right hand is free for handshakes.

Always address an elder or higher-up professional with their last name until they specify otherwise.

It’s OK to take the last piece of pie, but ask everyone around first if they want it.

Don’t brush your hair in any place other than the bathroom or in private. Never play with your hair at the dinner table.

Always say “please” and “thank you” and always acknowledge someone else in the room.

Greetings!

2011-07-27T23:10:00.000-05:00

Hey there! I guess this is my first official blog post as the new Momma of Sweet Bay Prints. I'm so excited and proud to carry on the excellent service and quality products Sheri has provided. We're already blowing our cell phone batteries with calls, texts, emails, etc to one another. And rest assured, Sheri is spending a great deal of time with me in the shop until they make their move to the big ATL. My goal is to transition into this new role without ANY impact to YOU - the customer.

We have some fun events planned for the next couple of months including two children's clothing home shows -- Red Beans and Just Ducky Originals. We're also the ONLY retail location carrying Food for Thought T-shirts produced by our talented local Nicole Rockhill of Nicole Paloma. ALL proceeds go directly to feeding hungry children in our county. For info, please call the shop 850-267-1000 or you can find the outreach on Facebook here.

Sooo, just thinking out loud here...today is Wednesday and I may start posting Hump Day Etiquette Tips beginning next week. I was raised under the guidance of old fashioned Emily Post rules but times are oh so changing. It might be fun to explore changes in etiquette and get your feedback! I'd LOVE to hear from you. Shoot me messages or comment here with topics you'd like to see addressed -- no pun intended.

Sleep well... xo

Exciting News!

2011-07-24T22:50:00.000-05:00

A note from Sheri...

Sweet Bay Prints proudly announces new local owner...Kristen Mitchell! It is a great feeling to know that Sweet Bay Prints is in excellent hands! As many of you know, my family will be officially moving to Atlanta, GA at the end of the summer, so in the midst of transitioning, I realized that packing up the shop was not a realistic option! My dear friend Kristen approached me about buying the business and it made perfect sense! Our great community has fallen in love with Sweet Bay Prints, and I am proud to say that a talented and delightful gal has taken over to keep the business soaring. It has been a dream come true to open the shop and offer you all outstanding product and service. I feel so blessed to have created such a fun and successful business that I can pass on to another local who truly appreciates what it means to service others. I will be around for the next 3 to 4 weeks making sure Kristen has all the necessary information, so please stop by soon to meet her. Again, I personally thank you for your support and love for all things paper and personalized! Sincerely, Sheri Scruggs

If you don't already know Kristen, here is a little bit about her and her family...

Kristen is married with two young daughters. They relocated to Santa Rosa Beach, FL in 2004 from Atlanta, GA. Both Kristen and her husband Lyn are graduates of Auburn University. Her prior career was as a project manager for the Information Technology division of Delta Air Lines but her passion has always been in the area of stationery, invitations, fine papers, etc. She is a self proclaimed "paper freak!" Kristen is a board member at St. Rita Preschool and enjoys supporting Heartworks Kids, Alaqua Animal Refuge and Food for Thought.

For all things Sweet Bay Prints, please contact Kristen at the shop email address, hello@sweetbayprints .com or at 850-267-1000.

Kristen plans on keeping the same hours and offering the same quality service and merchandise! She is also researching some new exclusive lines that will be introduced soon!

I invite you to all to continue supporting Sweet Bay Prints online and in the shop, I know I will!

Candy Bar Wrappers!

2011-07-05T23:17:00.001-05:00

Candy bar wrappers with personalization... really! Who wouldn't love receiving a delicious Hershey's chocolate bar wrapped this pretty! Shop online HERE to view options and pricing... keep this yummy idea in mind for your next baby shower or party... even your wedding favor!

Custom Invitations with a photo & more!

2011-05-02T21:54:00.000-05:00

Send us your photo and see what we can do! From a custom save-the-date to invitation or announcement, note card, etc... we can custom design your next photo card with ease! For questions and ordering, please contact Sheri at sherileescruggs@gmail.com

Wedding Shower Invitation

Graduation Announcement

60th Birthday Invitation

Child's invitation w/ a custom theme! (Mary Poppins to be exact!)

Save the Date postcard (wedding info printed on back)

Moving Card - used a folded note card and printed new address inside!

Honeysuckle Pink... How Sweet!

2011-04-02T22:57:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful color! As a girl who loves fashion trends of all types... apparel, interiors, accessories, etc., I love to see color trends transend to all aspects of pretty things, especially paper. I see everyday how fashion and interior fabrics inspire stationery designs. For instance, Honeysuckle Pink is one of the years top color picks and you see it here in clothing, a room setting, statoinery, and even a bridal party. Thank goodness our world of color trend makes it easy to coordiante when planning an event... making it fun to pick an invitation (and other paper accessories) to inspire the color theme. So, if you like pink, you're in luck this year! We have many, many pink choices online, so shop here for inspiration!

a super hero celebration!

2011-03-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

Oh boy... spider man! Thanks to my peeps at Address to Impress, my little guys 3rd birthday was a huge hit! We played in the backyard with friends and family, ordered pizza, and chowed on a yummy cake (spider man themed of course!) and ice cream... a simple and affordable way to celebrate! I decided to spend the most money on invitations and the favors... why you ask? The adorable invitations (from Address to Impress, $12.00 per set of 10) really set the tone for the party... a fun filled theme of super-hero fun! Plus, Josh really got excited about the party seeing the spider man themed invite posted on our fridge for two weeks... at this age, picking an invitation that appeals to the child is priceless! The invitation was my first decision... after picking what invitation we were using, I coordinated everything else around that, really made my party planning so easy. All I had to do was order a simple spider man cake from publix supermarket, get the ice cream, then pick up spider man cups & napkins (just HAD to add the masks, see below) at a party store to complete my supplies. I topped it all off with personalized spider man tervis tumblers as our party favors. Yes, the tervis tumblers were the most expensive part, but I believed it made a fantastic gift for the kids to keep for a long time. Notice the packaging, Address to Impress makes these wonderful "treat toppers" to coordinate with some of their invitations... they come with the folded card and plastic bag, a brilliant way to dress your party favors! I hope this will inspire you to think about your child's next birthday party and let the paper inspire you to come up with something great! Shop all children's invitations here. Sweet Bay Prints also sells all Tervis Tumbler products so call or come by the shop to see the catalog!

The invitation!

The Favors!

Josh and his buddies with the spider man masks... so fun!

The birthday boy!

The spider man cake from Publix... they really do have the best cakes!

The girls... they still enjoyed the super hero party!

so I decided that the girls in the family would not appreciate the spider man tumblers, so I got them tinker bell... good decision!

By the waterside...

2011-03-13T21:13:00.001-05:00

After spending the day on the beach + the time change, I am now fully convinced spring/summer has officially begun! I was quickly inspired to search for the perfect party invitations for the pool/beach season... see my favs below! Whether you are planning an event by the pool, a shrimp boil, the girls weekend away, or even a wedding... they all deserve the perfect invitation! Let the following inspire your outdoor party planning... all can be found online here.

a snap shot thank you...

2011-02-21T22:24:00.000-06:00

Writing thank you notes can be grusome for so many... we get too busy and forget to take the time to properly thank our friends and family. I personally admit that I forget too... even though I have the prettiest collection of stationery at my finger tips! I have a fun new way of inspiring thank you note writing... put a picture on it! In the baby section of our web site, you can shop a great collection of personalized folding note cards that include a picture - great for any occassion...

Orange you glad spring is around the corner?

2011-02-09T10:43:00.002-06:00

I felt much excitement last week watching the style segment on the Today Show... giving us a heads up on trends for spring. As a former fashionista (worked in the clothing industry for years), I love investigating up-to-date style ideas to keep me on track! the discussion was on bright colors for spring - shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc. and I spotted a gorgeous bright orange envelope clutch - the example for the new season must have - immediately induced a bad case of spring fever! I love ORANGE... the happiness and warmth of that color gets me going! I have always been a huge fan of orange, which some could say spawned from the brainwashing as a child to love the Auburn Tigers football team, but I believe it comes from a true appreciation of living life at full throttle. I live life out-loud and orange just seems to fit me! Colors like bright orange, lime green, radiant reds and yellows can truly be inspiring and motivational, whether on your body, in print, or on the wall. Since seeing the stylish gals on the Today Show discuss bright orange on the color palet for spring, i am seeing the color everywhere - even in the paper industry!

Bright orange is a great choice for paper for your spring and summer... even fall wedding or event. Orange pairs great with greens, yellows, pinks, blues, purples, and brown. We, at Sweet Bay Prints, have many papers and accessories that involve bright shades of orange. Enough talk... lets see some inspiration...

(all products listed can be purchased through the store or web site!)

Some orange fashion inspiration...

Personally Yours!

2011-02-02T23:12:00.001-06:00

when you form a love relationship with personalized papers, you begin to fantasize the possibilities of personalization on all types of things! i continue to search trendy, yet tasteful personalized product for our customers to ooh & awe over. i stumbled on this company at the new york market last year and ask myself at least once a month... why have i not ordered from them yet? no more waiting and wondering... samples will be in by the end of the month for viewing at the store... get excited! (my fav is the lunch box!)

Cutting Boards

Mouse Pads

Melamine Plates

Serving Trays

Water Bottles

Lunch Box

Clip Board

Cell Phone Case

Choosing the Invitation - Cocktail Style!

2011-01-23T12:15:00.000-06:00

Choosing the right invitation can be a challenge... with years of paper experience, i have a few suggestions on how to handle your party invite selection (or any occasion) be trend setting, functional, and special.

1. Consider your location! where is the party located? think about the decor, the style, the feel of the location and let that guide you. in the invitation featured here... a customer chose this design because it was a perfect mixture of traditional (the baroque frame & background), modern (the bright colors), & vintage (the different serving glasses). the party is located at a roof-top club in Charleston, SC... a town full of exceptional style!

2. Consider the time! afternoon events would require a different look than evening events. usually cocktail parties will be late afternoon or evening, so don't be afraid to choose a formal invitation for your party. how often do we get dressed up anymore, so when there is a reason to celebrate... go all out!

3. Go with the theme! most importantly, choose an invitation that showcases your theme... cocktail, kitchen shower, baby shower, etc... it really does help the guests know what to expect!

4. Consider the guest list! take into account the people invited to your shin-dig. an older or more mature crowd would respond to certain, more sophisticated style, while a younger crowd would expect something new and fresh. the invitation featured was selected for a list full of young couples - a perfect choice!

5. Pick a design that fits the honored guest! who is the party for? what is her/his style? what would they like? i suggest keeping this in mind because it is the honored quest that will cherish the invitation... mounting it into a scrap book or placing it in their keepsake box. the featured invitation was selected for an engagement cocktail party honoring a stylish and hip couple. the bride has a knack for all things vintage, so this design seems very appropriate!

6. Be considerate! when working with a group of hosts, it is best to pick a design that fits every one's budget. we all know what it feels like to get involved with a party that ends up costing so much more that expected because a few people do not know how to stay in budget! BUT, don't get too thrifty either... the invitation is the first impression and sets the tone for the event!

.............................................

on another note... if i were the bride, i would slip into something like this for my roof-top cocktail event... i would rush over to my friends at Willow for this amazing dress - they always help me dress for my most special events!

Party Attire Definitions

2011-01-13T10:06:00.001-06:00

Black Tie

A Black Tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Formal usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

More about formal dresses: Formal Dresses Under $100 A White Tie or Ultra-formal invitation requires men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Black Tie Optional

A Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Creative Black Tie

Creative Black Tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. He can go more modern with a tux -- maybe a black shirt, no tie. She wears long or short dresses or evening separates.

Sometimes, themed parties call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie or other variations of Creative Black Tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look with a theme (for him, it could be a tux with boots and for her it could be a long dress paired with Southwestern style silver belt and jewelry).

Semi-Formal

Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses (nothing too slinky or sexy).

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him. When having an event at a private club or country club that prevents jeans, shorts, flip flops, etc., we advise you state cocktail attire to ensure everyone dresses appropriately.

Informal

Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

Festive Attire

Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday bent (i.e. a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).

Casual

Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sport coat, for her a dressy pants look. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for Dressy Casual. Casual generally means anything goes.

*article adapted from www.about.com/fashion

Loving Letterpress

2011-01-09T14:54:00.000-06:00

Letterpress may seem to be a trend of the here & now, but it was the normal form of printing text in the mid-15th century until the 19th century and remained in wide use for books and other uses until the second half of the 20th century... meaning, letterpress dates all the way back to 1440. the stationery business seems to have come up with so many alternatives to letterpress (and engraving) in hopes to bring about affordable printing methods (in which they have accomplished), but when it comes down to it, nothing can replace the original beauty of letterpress (or engraving!). after several years of being in the fine stationery business, doing my research at market, etc... i have fallen in love with the artistic originality of letterpress printing. what i love to see is... the stationery biz has "brought letterpress back" with a bang - it is everywhere! a renewed interest began in the 1990's and had grown from there. the most exciting part, many companies are offering reasonable prices on letterpress designs. Sweet Bay Prints offers several companies specializing in letterpress. we find much joy in showing/educating our customers in the fancy look of letterpress. the companies we have chosen to work with offer incredible letterpress designs and many custom order options... meaning you can design your own look for your party, shower, announcement, or wedding. come by the shop or call us for information about letterpress (letterpress options not available online at this time).

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T21:28:00.000-06:00

the year has brought much success so far... we have been busy designing New Year Photo Cards for all our lovely customers that decided to wait to send cards after Christmas - what a fun idea!

Simply Thanks!

2010-12-20T15:29:00.001-06:00

Sweet Bay Prints thanks our friend Seleta of Simply Seleta for including us on her delightful blog post about affordable holiday gifts: http://www.simplyseleta.com/2010/12/tis-the-season/

she featured best selling items - the "personalized list pad" and the "personalized melamine plate" both under $35.00.

if you don't know about her... start reading NOW! I met Seleta when she first moved from Atlanta to the beach several years ago and immediately knew we would be friends! we have her listed under "our friends" so click over when you have a chance. reading her blog continues to inspire me in many of my design decisions... thanks girl!

save the date, please!

2010-12-19T21:02:00.000-06:00

In the midst of Christmas Card Frenzy... another subject is buzzing around Sweet Bay Prints... WEDDING SEASON! woo hoo... we have seen many beautiful and excited bride-to-be's waltz into the store (and email us at sweetbayprints@yahoo.com) inquiring about our lovely options for wedding papers. We usually start with the save-the-date, then move on to the invitation ensemble, etc. If you are starting with the STD, shop online to see what might inspire you... if you cannot find the perfect one, email us for information on custom designing a unique option just for you! www.sweetbayprints.com

Custom Calligraphy...

2010-12-15T18:12:00.001-06:00

a question we seem to be getting lately is do we know a calligrapher, and can they help with my wedding invitation? Well, we are happy to say we know 3 great calligraphers - all with different styles & different price ranges - that can help! How does the process work... we first hire the calligrapher write out the invitation wording and all other items like the return address, reply card, etc. Next, we scan it to produce printable files to process the printing via one of my lovely stationery vendors with flat, engraved, or thermography printing methods. It is a beautiful and creative way to make your wedding invitation unique. See the example here - navy cardstock with the calligraphy engraved in white ink - stunning! Custom calligraphy is even possible within the wedding program!We love the holiday season because it always produces many new bride-to-bes... we can't wait to hear from you! Contact the shop via email (sweetbayprints@yahoo.com) or by phone (850-267-1000) to get a custom quote.

Giving WINE for the holidays?... got a WINE TAG!

2010-11-20T20:03:00.005-06:00

Giving a bottle of "cheer" can be a wonderful holiday gift! What makes it even more thoughtful is a personalized touch like these wine tags from Sweet Bay Prints! They can be purchased as a set of 8 for $24.00, set of 16 for $36.00 and so on. It takes about 5 business days to process - a proof can be requested. Are you local to Santa Rosa Beach or visiting us soon... then you must purchase your wine from our firends at Courtyard Wine and Cheese in Rosemary Beach, FL - Bryan will fix you up, then let us do the personalizing! Shop at http://www.sweetbayprints.com/ - accessories - wine tags.

Holiday gifts from SBP - Personalized Plates & Placemats!

2010-11-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

When you think of personalized melamine plates you think of kids, right?

well... you don't have to anymore! These personalized plates make great gifts for the young and "young at heart" for the holidays - an iinexpensive and practical gift that will actually be used everyday! For the kids, its a no-brainer, but think of how the adults would love these items - for the pool, beach, casual get-to-gather. They come individually or in sets. Shop at http://www.sweetbayprints.com/ under GIFTS and see the available designs for child and adult.

Happy Shopping!

Tilly Towel

2010-10-26T10:33:00.000-05:00

The rest of the world is quickly learning what all of us Florida peeps already know - Tilly Towel is the next best thing in sunshine fun! Our friend Candace is so talented! The custom designed towel is a luxury towel throw that is extremely well made and worth every penny! We, at Sweet Bay Prints, love sporting the adult towel at the beach and pool, along with our children in the hooded towel. To learn more about the products and Candace, visit http://www.tillytowel.com/. You can purchase all Tilly Towel products in the shop or at http://www.sweetbayprints.com/...

they can be monogrammed with us too!!!

we've gone custom...

2010-09-23T14:58:00.001-05:00

We've got custom photo cards! Sweet Bay Prints is proud to offer simple, yet inspiring digital photo cards for this holiday season! starting at only $1.25 per card (includes envelope!)... now that's something to celebrate! email us with your order info and we will custom design a card for you - we can print on front and back... these cards are digitally printed on 100 lb cardstock for a luxurytouch! can't wait to hear from you!
email order info to: sweetbayprints@yahoo.com
visit us at http://www.sweetbayprints.com/

we design cards for your your business too! keep in-touch with your clientele this holiday season - inform them in style!

we've been doing lots of SAVE-THE-DATE photo cards too - now, those are fun!

oh, almost forgot... 20% off and FREE return address printing on all holiday orders now until Sept. 30th! use discount code online = "FREEAND20"

do you HANG TAG?

2010-08-08T20:02:00.005-05:00

after being in the retail world for the past 16 years... there is one thing i know and that's merchandising! now being in the specialty paper business, i find myself oohing and awing over vendors choice in hang tags, business cards, rac cards, and pamphlets, etc. if you really get to the root of why you "hang tag" correctly, it is truly your face as a business owner. if you want people to take you seriously and spend the loot you feel your stuff is worth... take the time to create a beautiful face - let your hang tags represent all you feel and love about your business/products. Adorn Jewelry is featured here because they 100% trusted Sweet Bay Prints to design and create their logo and hang tags - we are so proud! i love watching their business grow and prosper with their best "face" forward! contact us to learn how we can effectively and reasonably give you a "hang tag" makeover sweetbayprints@yahoo.com, or 850-267-1000!
http://www.sweetbayprints.com/

to learn more about Adorn Jewelry, visit http://www.adornjewelryahnew.com/.
(logo design by Poor Truman Creative Services, poortruman@gmail.com)

A Redfish Village Wedding {in living color!}

2010-06-21T15:48:00.004-05:00

A lovely couple from Alabama came down to get married last month in the beautiful Blue Mountain Beach... in the Redfish Village resort... and sported personalized cups, napkins, and match books from Sweet Bay Prints! We did all the ordering over the phone, then delivered to their wedding site for free! An easy process - it cut out the bride having to travel with all her party supplies in tow.

Shown are the orange stadium cups in 16 oz with lime green text, lime green beverage napkins with ivory text, and white match books with lime green text. The bride desired to use coastal colors - the orange cups and lime napkins made a beautiful statement! Even if you are not getting married at the beach, let us help you with your personalized party supplies... we can ship anywhere!

{photographs complements of www.jacquelinewardimages.com}

Personalized BUCKETS!

2010-06-14T12:51:00.005-05:00

...after all the personalized buckets we have sold, it was flattering to see these personalized metal buckets in Pottery Barn Kids! We have the same solid color buckets for less! There are many reasons to personalize these buckets... let your imagination roll...

...these photos (courtesy of Jacqueline Ward Images) were taken around Easter holidays of our buckets in the hands of these precious children! Easter is when the personalized bucket came about at Sweet Bay Prints, but just so you know... the bucket have continued to be a stable item at the shop! They make a great birthday gift for the children or party favor! You can personalize with names or initials. The metal bucket is $12 and the personalization is $8 for initials and $10 for name. You can even buy these online - click here!

News in personalized stamps!

2010-05-28T14:59:00.005-05:00

Do you have a stamp yet? Warning: those that purchase have a a tendency to buy more than one! Personalized Stamps have become a staple in the stationery market over the past few years and although many of my vendors offer stamps - Noteworthy has them all beat! As many of you know, i just got back from the National Stationery Show in New York City and I am proud to announce that Noteworthy stood out - they have a new way of manufacturing personalized stamps which includes a way to interchange the stamp face instead of buying a whole new stamp when you desire to change your stamp design. Basically, the stamp face is magnetic, so you can order just a new face design instead of paying for a whole new stamp - genius! Other stamp manufacturers have a stick and peel concept for interchangeable stamp faces, but this proves to be messy and difficult to place. The magnetic way is much more efficient... music to my ears! So... for your future stamp purchases, please visit our website www.sweetbayprints.com. Stamps are still $42.00 and take about 3 to 5 business days to produce.

Custom Wedding Program Fan!

2010-05-13T10:07:00.004-05:00

perfect for a warm wedding ceremony on the beach... or any outdoor event... our custom/made-to-order fans are a must from Sweet Bay Prints! You can select any size (w/in reason!), font, ink color, and ribbon to match your ceremony or event. The price ranges due to the selection of materials and quantity (you get a better price the more you order), but usually starts at $3.75 per fan assembled. We give you the option of buying the parts and assembling yourself to save on cost, or purchasing fully assembled! Email us for information and price quotes - sheri@sweetbayprints.com. shop the web here: www.sweetbayprints.com

photograph provided by Jacqueline Ward Images: www.jacquelinewardimages.com

2010-05-11T20:33:00.003-05:00

What are the things that make a party sensational? Well, if you ask me... it's the details! These local gals know how to throw a party by making every detail delightful! From the formal invitations, personalized cups and favors (all from Sweet Bay Prints, of course!) to the excellent service and food, the guests were made to feel quite special. The art of fine southern entertainment seems to have lost its style here at the beach (we all get way to lax in our flip-flops!), so I commend this group for giving us a respected tradition that bring people together in swanky beachy-southern style!

featured items:

personalized shatterproof cup - 16 oz

mini liquor bottle labels

So, where did these great pictures come from? A new business venture providing Party Pics to the area comes from Brandan Babineaux, www.brandanbabineaux.com. Brandan was hired to capture all the details and guests at the Third Annual Derby Party located here in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, with which he did an excellent job! Call Brandan and book him for your next event! 850-687-9313

Diva Productions - WOW!

2010-05-06T08:55:00.003-05:00

It is hard to know what you will get when booking vendors for an event - the photographer and the videographer are the most important in my opinion! I am more than pleased to say that Diva Productions comes highly recommended. You see, a very unique situation put me right in the middle of their work... my sister Katie got married down here on the emerald coast a few weeks ago and Joanna and her team at Diva Productions were there to capture it all. I saw them in action first hand and I was so pleased! They were perfectly present at every special moment throughout the night capturing the most perfect details for Katie to remember always. A bride works so hard to plan a perfect night for her and her guests, so why would they not want to invest in the best option for documenting the event? The video and the photographs are all you have left, so make sure you invest wisely! Diva Productions is located in Panama City Beach, FL and you can contact them at 850-249-2300 or info@diva-productions.com.
To see an example of Katie's wedding see here: http://diva-productions.blogspot.com/2010/05/coming-soon-katie-josh.html. AMAZING!

2010 Stationery Trends...

2010-05-02T14:52:00.004-05:00

Silhouettes... an old statement back in a big way! As I continue my homework for the upcoming Stationery Market in NYC, I am coming across all the latest and greatest in 2010 paper trends. Silhouettes are at the top! My personal favorite is applying a silhouette design via letterpress. "Whether it's more tender treatments speaking to the baby market, or sleeker presentations highlighting young women of style and grace, this trend shows no sign of slowing down, it just keeps mutating in new directions. Many examples start on a retro note that's updated via colorway and accompanying design elements to create a timeless yet fresh feel." -Sarah Schwartz, Editor, Stationery Trends
www.sweetbayprints.com

Making your wedding guests feel welcome!

2010-04-27T21:52:00.004-05:00

As the trend for destination weddings continue to increase, the need for fun and creative guest welcome gifts are in demand! We helped a recent bride (my beautiful sister!) put together a fantastic group of goodies and custom items for her guests that was sure to to make everyone glad they traveled all the way to the beach! Sweet Bay Prints custom printed the gift tags, water bottle labels, matches, CD labels, and koozies for the bride, but she put together the baskets and coordinating ribbon. Not pictured is the weekend itinerary booklet we printed with a schedule and local information for all the guests! We have the capacity to customize many exciting things for your event, so contact us today for information and pricing... remember to give us plenty of time to design and create!
(THANK YOU to Jacqueline Ward Images for the awesome product pictures!)
Sweet Bay Pints
4821 Highway 98 West, Unit 106
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
www.sweetbayprints.com
sheri@sweetbayprints.com
store - 850-267-1000

Greeting Cards at SBP!

2010-04-11T15:12:00.006-05:00

We have listened to your many requests and finally added a fantastic greeting card line to the shop! These cards come from the beautiful artist that works with Cid Pear (an outstanding stationery line), so you know the design and creativity is tip-top! When you are in need of a nice gift and card, stop by or call (850.267.1000) and we will fix you up!

Graduation, Mother's Day and Father's Day cards are in too...

PS - thanks to Jacqueline Ward Images for the product shots! I could not do it without her!!

Note Card Sale!

2010-03-07T22:45:00.003-06:00

Twice as Nice... a.k.a. Double your order for free... a.k.a. BOGO sale...

whatever you want to call it, it is an amazing opportunity to purchase outstanding stationery product for 1/2 the price. You order a minimum of 25 printed note cards (folded or flat) and receive double the quantity - 50! You can order up to 1000 notes and receive 2000... a great plan for business stationery. You can print your logo/company info on these awesome note cards and impress all your clients. Note: all stationery orders include the envelopes. Happy Shopping! http://www.sweetbayprints.com/

NEW Note Pads from Anna Griffin!

2010-03-03T20:34:00.003-06:00

Anna is in the building! According to my rep., Anna Griffin's latest paper accessories are the biggest hit of the year! They arrived to Sweet Bay Prints today... 3-set note pads, note cards, sticky note set (my fav!), and a large portfolio note pad. We received it in two color schemes - the blue you see here, plus a cute pink and lime number. This would make a great birthday gift, mother's day gift, hostess gift, or just a "pat myself on the back" gift! Come check it out asap... it's not on the website yet, so call us at the shop if you need us to ship: 850-267-1000. (P.S. awesome product pics from Jacqueline Ward Images). shop 24/7 at www.sweetbayprints.com

Wedding season is upon us

2010-03-02T14:58:00.003-06:00

The wedding season is in full swing here at the beach, well everywhere really! All of us at Sweet Bay Prints are enjoying the hustle and bustle of event planners, wedding vendors, brides-to-be, and UPS packages that fill the store daily! We are loving all the custom party supply orders, like cups and napkins, plus the custom paper orders, like wedding programs and invitations. Another favorite has been the stationery orders. With the popularity of the Internet, we fear that paper goods might be dying off, but all of our dear customers build faith in us everyday as the orders come pouring in! We love working with the brides on custom orders, so call/email us for help with your event. If you are getting married at the beach... let us help you order party supplies and paper goods so that you don't have to travel with all that stuff! We will even deliver it to your event. Check it all out when you can.... http://www.sweetbayprints.com/ Store #850-267-100 or email sheri@sweetbayprints.com

Some GREAT personalized gifts from SBP!

2010-02-23T21:27:00.006-06:00

Sweet Bay Prints has some great gift options for your friends or yourself! Keep us in mind when you need that special gift for friend, child, or baby.... we can ship anywhere in the country!
check it out - www.sweetbayprints.com

Back to our roots... Tutus!

2010-02-23T07:44:00.002-06:00

Many of you know, but we started with a funky little name Tags and Tutus due to the adorable custom made tutus by Janie Mayer (a.k.a. Inspirations by Janie) and they are back! Come by the shop to see these adorable designs $38.00, or call us to ship them anywhere: 850-267-1000.
Thanks for shopping with www.sweetbayprints.com

This is a PERFECT Easter present for your little one... how cute to trot around picking up eggs with this fantastic tutu!

Enjoy some more photos of our store...

2010-02-08T16:05:00.008-06:00

thanks to Jackie Ward of JACQUELINE WARD IMAGES for the following shots of the shop!

she sure know how to make any subject look its best! ;)

Our Grand Opening!

2010-02-07T14:20:00.006-06:00

The gang is all here...

Jackie (Jacqueline Ward Images), Sheri (Sweet Bay Prints), Kevin (Poor Truman Creative Services), and Alison (Sea of Stitches) kicking off the grand opening celebration with a Friday night bonfire on the beach with friends and family! We are all so excited about what's to come...

The grand opening party was such a success, thanks to the ultimate event planner and marketing expert - Kevin Boyle of Poor Truman Creative Services!

Thank Kevin for a great day of fun!

See Jackie in action!!! She will have much more professional shots for us to see soon...

The business cards - so professional!

My wonderful & supportive husband!

The grand opening event would not have been the same without the appearance of Janie Mayer, a former Santa Rosa Beach resident and long-time friend from home, who brought us her jewelry designs and custom made girls tutus! She is a very talented designer who I am so proud to call my friend! Her jewelry designs will continue to be sold at Sweet Bay Prints!

These cute girls are my two best friends from college - they traveled all the way from Jackson, Mississippi and Nashville to help us celebrate! My best friend Janet also came over from Mobile, but we were so busy having fun, that we forgot to get a pic! I just couldn't celebrate a life event without them - Anna, Emily, & Janet - you girls are the best!

Jackie's collection of beautiful frames - they can be ordered in any size and any color!

Cover-ups and Totes... we are so ready for the beach!

sell! sell! sell!

Here is the studio, where Jackie and Kevin work their magic...

My 2-year-old running to get more cookies!

My 3-year-old stuffing her face with candy!

Anna and Emily loving Jackie's back-drop!

Thank you all for an amazing day! It was a true success because of your support!

Come see us soon at the shops at South Haven in Santa Rosa Beach, or call us at 850-267-1000!

We're glowing!

2010-01-30T08:06:00.005-06:00

Is it just me, or is this picture glowing!!! We are so proud of our new storefront... we are all glowing with pride! The first two weeks of business has been wonderful! We thank our awesome community for the love and support of Sweet Bay Prints and the excitement of what we offer.

Many of you might think this store was just a simple by-product of the web site, but in reality this has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. I began working part-time in an upscale clothing store when I was 16 and soon feel in-love with the world of sales and retail. I love the customers... building relationships and the personal shopping experience. I also fell in-love with the excitement of new shipments that roll in everyday... it's like Christmas all the time! I realized that I had a knack for sales, plus the merchandising and buying fed my artistic side - so it became a perfect fit!

I soon graduated high-school and ran off to Ole Miss to major in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. I have worked in all types of retail businesses, from children's clothes to interior design, mastering the art of retail business, product buying, and storefront merchandising. With a degree and 15 years of retail experience... it is finally my turn to provide my community with my very own storefront! Woo hoo!

Next question I get seems to be... Why stationery? Well, I always thought I would end up with a clothing store because that is where it all began for me, but the paper business just found me! I feel that several very talented friends of mine have filled the need for great clothing stores in our community (read about Willow here!), so I came up with a business that would benefit me and my friends! ha ha! There was no great stationery business thriving in Santa Rosa Beach, so the ideas began to flow since I always seem in need of invitations and stationery for all the events I find myself involved with. With two small children in my life, I decided to start with the web site... after three years of operating online only/home office, I wanted to go "public" if you will! The dream became reality in just a few months as we quickly found the perfect space and the perfect team of individuals to create the storefront. I approached Jackie Ward (Jacqueline Ward Images) and Kevin Boyle (Poor Truman Creative Services) about sharing the design space with me, hoping to bounce off clients with each other... making it easy for the customers to "get it all done" in one place! Alison Churchill has been with me for the past two years - handling all my monogramming orders. She has upgraded her machine and set up shop in the store to do on-location monogramming for my customers and hers. It is truly the greatest bunch business of folks I know!

I feel very blessed that we have this opportunity and very grateful for your support. Even if you are not local, come visit us when you are in town and shop the web site! Remember... if you, or someone you know is getting married down here/elsewhere, we have everything you need... lots of resources for many wedding vendors and creative designs. We hope this spring season brings you many blessings in many ways and hope to see you soon!

P.S. the awesome photograph of the storefront was provided by Jacqueline Ward Images

Anybody need super bowl cups or napkins?

2010-01-26T15:29:00.002-06:00

If you need cups and napkins for the super bowl parties, let me know! i will special order and ship to your door.

$7.50 cups

pack of 10, 16 oz styrofoam cups

$7.50 napkins

pack of 20 beverage 3-ply napkins

email or call to order: sheri@sweetbayprints.com or 850-267-1000 in the store or 850-368-2056 in the office. pre-pay only!

thanks!

V-Day Cards from Sweet Bay Prints!

2010-01-25T20:59:00.001-06:00

Come by the shop or order your Valentines online... just $6 for a pack of 8 cards and 8 envelopes. They will be the cutest cards in the class, as well as impress the family with a sweet note in the mail! Much love to you all! -SBP

It's coming along...

2010-01-14T22:29:00.002-06:00

For those of you who have not met me yet... here I am behind my new checkout counter! The wall color turned out perfect... very warm and inviting! The store is making progress each and every minute, and I invite all you locals to stop by anytime to see! We are working all hours of the day getting things ready for business! Stay tuned...

Selecting the invitations...

2010-01-12T17:42:00.005-06:00

It was true front door service for my siser, when I drove to Montgomery this past weekend with the suburban filled to the brim with wedding invitation books and samples! We had a blast looking through all the options with the newest member of the family - Ella (4 month old min. schnauzer!). If you remember she is getting married down here at the beach, so the same question arises like with most beach brides - what should the invitation look like with a wedding ceremony in the sand? Many southern beach brides still want a traditional look to their invitation without going so formal, so this request can be challenging. I, on the other hand, do not find this request challenging at all! I am an Alabama girl, but have lived here on the beach for six years now and mastered the art of merging traditional southern style with the fun and contemporary life on the beach... it only took us about 1 hour to find the perfect one after looking through 10 different wedding invitation books! I focused on the style of the location of the wedding (Rosemary Beach, FL), and the colors being used in the wedding to help the bride select the perfect invitation. I believe the wedding invitation sets the whole mood for the event because it is the first thing your guests will see! We did select an invitation from William Arthur, but will not reveal the winner in these pictures... you will have to wait for them to arrive in the mail!

Introducing Spark Letterpress Love!

2010-01-07T22:12:00.004-06:00

Letterpress has become a love of mine over the past year, which is why I have fallen for Spark Letterpress Love! They are a family run business where the whole family is involved and excited about their product. Even though I am not on the design/wholesale side of things (yet!), I recognize and respect heart and passion in production. You will never be successful in sales if you aren't completely passionate about what you are selling. Spark has my attention because every time I talk to them I am inspired, motivated to do more, work harder, and love this business more and more! I am so proud to offer their letterpress products in my new retail store. At this time you will not find their products online, but if you cannot come to the shop, call us for help: 850-368-2056. Check out their website and blog for more information. I already have two appointments next week wanting to see their business card/calling card samples... call and make your appointment today!

We got the key...

2010-01-05T21:01:00.003-06:00

...Finally! We got our keys to the store yesterday and we could not be more excited! The new year brings new beginnings - Sweet Bay Prints retail store is on the rise! We are on track to open the doors sometime in the third week of January. The construction is complete, so now the painters are hard at work. What excites me the most is teaming up with Jackie Ward of Jacqueline Ward Images and Kevin Boyle of Poor Truman Creative Services to bring you a creative space nothing short of pure talent! I love to ask my friends, family, and customers - what are your favorite things purchased from Sweet Bay Prints and what do we need to add to our inventory in the store? Please comment! (P.S. I stole this picture from Jackie's blog... hope ya don't mind, friend!!!)

Its baaack.. TWICE AS NICE!

2010-01-02T09:19:00.013-06:00

Sweet Pea Designs has brought the best sale ever back for the next couple of weeks... start the year off right and stock up on all your stationery for personal or business. Minimum purchase of 25 note cards, then you receive 50 for the same price (includes envelopes!). You have the option to order folded notes or flat note cards... options for baby, child, women and men! We can take your logo and business info for a stunning collection of business stationery. I have included a few business notes I have done in the past... SALE ENDS JANUARY 31! Shop HERE!

We now offer William Arthur!

2009-12-23T15:13:00.008-06:00

It is my pleasure to introduce William Arthur to all my Sweet Bay Prints fans and customers! We have been officially approved to carry this extensive collection of all occasion stationery products (wedding, baby, holiday, party & note cards). This company is often compared to Crane, which most of you are familiar with and often ask us if we carry, but we have chosen to stick with William Arthur because their reputation exceeds Crane and others in superb customer service. I assure you will be pleased with William Arthur's beauty in letterpress, engraving, raised print, and flat print products, but most importantly, their excellence in service. Your dollars will be well worth the investment for your next social event or wedding.

One thing I love about this line is their selection of coastal themed products. They have several beautiful designs perfect for beach weddings & parties. We will have all the sample books at the new shop for you to view at anytime, so call or come see us to purchase William Arthur!

Custom Wedding Program by Sweet Bay Prints!

2009-12-21T21:34:00.004-06:00

Our bride was planning an outdoor wedding in Jackson, Mississippi and wanted something different, yet practical for her wedding ceremony program - a fan! Although this idea has been used before, we custom designed the size and material to fit her event perfectly! These lovely pictures make us proud of what we accomplished - assembling 300 custom fans for such a stunning event! The photographs were graciously provided by J M Photography of Jackson, Mississippi. Julie Hawkins Meeks and Louis Meeks are a husband and wide team specializing in wedding and lifestyle photography, where Julie has been in the business for over 20 years! If you are looking for a photographer in the Jackson area, call them at 601-720-5087 or JMEEKSPHOTO@aol.com.

Address to Impress!

2009-12-19T10:09:00.006-06:00

Being that I am visiting my in-laws in Tupleo, Mississippi for the holidays... I decided to introduce you to a new vendor of mine - Address to Impress, based in Tupleo, MS! Hillary Phillips Jordan and Jennifer Hood Springer devote themselves to providing unique paper products to their customers. Its a fun and exciting new line of fine stationery that gives you different in a true Mississippi way! I am an Alabama girl, but went to Ole Miss, then married a Tupleo, Mississippi boy, so I have a true appreciation of the southern style and charm that comes from the heart of Mississippi. Address to Impress has truly brought the invitation business a sense of raw talent with unique hand-drawn designs that are like nothing else on the market. With the new retail store opening, we plan to stock many of their products so you can see, touch and feel anytime you like! At this time, Address to Impress is not found on our website, so contact us via email to order. Learn more about Address to impress here.

WE'RE EXPECTING...

2009-12-18T21:13:00.005-06:00

...TO OPEN RETAIL THAT IS!

We have been wanting to bring you a hot spot to view our stationery collections for some time now, but so many things have kept us on the conservative end... not any more! The support and love for Sweet Bay Prints from other businesses and many individuals has spurred us on to take the plunge... but we are not alone... Jackie Ward of Jacqueline Ward Images (the photographer) and Kevin Boyle of Poor Truman Creative Service (the graphic designer) will be camping out in the space along side of Sweet Bay Prints to offer you the best in custom printed projects. We will be located in Santa Rosa Beach in the Southhaven Shopping Center - on the end - where Fabrice used to be. As you can see from the photos, we have lots of work to do, but Libby Baker, our floor plan designer, is hard at work constructing a working space that will make you proud! Think white walls, metal and wood, and lots of friendly faces!

We will be expanding our stationery lines to carry lots more options like letterpress, more engravers, faster ordering time, more custom printing options, and great gifts for all ages! We will also have a monogrammer on location to service all your personalization needs.

Stay tuned to see the progress in the next three weeks! yes, that's right... we plan to be open in three to four weeks! Spread the word... thanks to all our supporters - this would not be happening if you didn't believe in us! Our goal is to make this a place of fun and perfection, with a desire to support our community in any way we can.

Comment to let us know your ideas for the store, or what you think we should carry...

Not too late... possible to get personalized stationery by dec 24th!

2009-12-17T18:57:00.003-06:00

One of my vendors is kind enough to able you to receive holiday orders by December 24th if you select overnight shipping! WOW! If you are still in need... shop HERE to see an outstanding selection of PHOTO CARDS, CALLING CARDS, STICKERS, STATIONERY, BUSINESS CARDS, BOOKMARKS, BAG TAGS, and MORE from Sweet Pea Designs.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Tis the season... Sweet Bay Prints style!

2009-12-17T08:36:00.002-06:00

A favorite customer in Atlanta sent me some photos on how creative she got with her bookmark purchase! She ordered the bookmarks for all her holiday teacher gifts, then displayed them as the name tag. So cute! Shop our bookmarks here!

Last call for 20% off!

2009-11-25T09:30:00.003-06:00

This will be the last time in 2009 Sweet Bay Prints will be offering a sale... please take advantage! Now until midnight Friday the 27th you can receive 20% off your entire order. That means holiday cards and gifts! Oh, you've already bought all your gifts... then buy something special for yourself! Let us know if you have any questions... sheri@sweetbayprints.com

Sale Details: enter discount code LAST20 at checkout to apply 20% discount!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Custom Wedding Programs from Sweet Bay Prints!

2009-11-20T22:17:00.003-06:00

Sweet Bay Prints will be delighted to provide you with custom wedding programs... constructed from the ground up! You get exactly what you want with no question! The image here is a custom program for a bride marrying her beau in the Seaside Chapel this November. Contact us with questions concerning your custom wedding program needs: sheri@sweetbayprints.com

Custom Candle are great for clients and friends!

2009-11-14T08:56:00.007-06:00

As the holidays approach, we are all thinking of what to give our relatives, closest friends, current clients, and potential customers... well, I am a big fan of anything personalized! As i build my collection of gifts at Sweet Bay Prints, I constantly think of what would I want to receive on the other end - this personalized candle is a winner! I have seen and smelled it in person when I was in NYC at the National Stationery Show in May, so I am confident my customers will love it. It smells very light and fresh, perfect for a kitchen or powder room. Check out all the options on our site... labels come in different colors and the font can be customized too! Please feel free to contact us for ordering help & questions! sheri@sweetbayprints.com

Personalized Candle - $42.00

20% off again - Thursday Nov. 12 - Sunday Nov. 15

2009-11-10T13:40:00.005-06:00

SWEET BAY PRINTS is offering one more chance to get 20% off your holiday card order! PLUS, 20% off gift tags and gift stickers from all our vendors!

Shop: http://www.sweetbayprints.com/

This offer includes all Sweet Pea Designs items too, found at our custom e-store: http://sweetbayprints.myspstore.com/

Recap...

- 20% off holiday cards
(nov. 12 - nov. 15 only!)

- 20% off holiday gift tags and stickers

- FREE return address printing on all holiday cards and invitation orders!

To receive discount enter code at checkout: "LOVE20"

(Sweet Pea Designs will automatically give discount, no code needed. ALSO, free return address printing will automatically be added to order, no special selection required!)

Custom Stamp for your business!

2009-11-05T17:42:00.005-06:00

got logo? Let us put your logo to a stamp for superb business branding with a fun twist! All we need is your logo file and some special instructions, then you get a proof... presto... a custom stamp made just for you to stamp packaging, stationery, labels, hang tags, and more! Yes, as you expect there is a custom fee of $20.00 added to the regular $42.00 stamp cost, BUT it's a one time fee! When the ink runs out, all you need to purchase is an ink pad for just $12.00.

This local business - Adorn Jewelry - ordered her stamp and here is what she had to say... "love the stamp. I'm stamping envelopes, bags, Phil's arm, and the dog right on his forehead. thanks again! - MK" Well, you can tell she loved it! Check out her amazing custom jewelry at http://www.adornjewelryahnew.com/

Order here: http://www.sweetbayprints.com/

Will you be my Bridesmaid?

2009-10-29T09:26:00.004-05:00

Katie has selected the dress (no photos until the big day!!), the colors, the bridesmaid dress... now its time to ask the girls she adores to stand beside her that day! We decided to use this "invitation" to create a "Will you be my Bridesmaid?" card by individually printing each girls name and selecting a cute poem! Here goes...

"Dear Anna,

The day, the dress
The bride, the groom
The joys, the fun
Will all come soon!

Professing the love to
My husband-to-be.
With family and friends
All watching me!

I pray the sun will
Be shining lovely & bright.
And that everyone sees our
Happiness in plain sight!

But there’s one more thing
that there needs to be…
And that’s to have you
Standing next to me!

Will you be my bridesmaid?

Much love,

Katie

We put "Katie & Josh . April 24, 2010 . Rosemary Beach, Florida" in the bridal gown at the bottom left... it gave it a wonderful personal touch while reminding the girls what the commitment will be! We also loved this card because it has a touch of the stunning french blue the maids will be wearing in the wedding... color coordination all the way through!

Sweet Bay Prints would love to help any of you with custom "Will you be my Bridesmaid?" cards! We love to think outside the box and be creative! Contact us anytime for personal shopping suggestions. sheri@sweetbayprints.com

Photo Save-the-Date Card!

2009-10-15T22:14:00.006-05:00

This adorable couple never looked better or happier! Although the wedding will be inland... the couple will reside down here in Santa Rosa Beach, so the beach was a perfect setting for an engagement picture. We have many options and ideas for photo save-the-dates, so email us for help if needed!

The Bridesmaid Dress!

2009-10-15T21:43:00.004-05:00

Katie has picked her color! I have been anxious to choose the Save-the-Date card, but wanted to coordinate the colors as much as possible... the papers should set the mood for whats to come! The bridesmaids dress seemed like a great place to start for a dominate color theme. We first thought of blue when picturing an ocean side wedding, but so many blues to pick from! Navy was a thought, but we settled on this Hazel blue dress from J.Crew Weddings for a beautiful color platform! This shade of blue in a silk chiffon is going to be perfect on the white sand and beside coastal waters.

We took this blue and put it on paper! The save-the-date card has a khaki background with two blue stripes perfectly placed atop to give us a slight nautical feel. We are in the process of proofing, so an image of the card will be available soon!

September WINNER!

2009-10-05T21:57:00.003-05:00

Congrats to our recent addition... follower "The Moore's"... you won! You have the opportunity to order 25 holiday gift stickers from Sweet Bay Prints... like the one above! You can customize with your own text, plus choose the font style and colors! Email me at sheri@sweetbayprints.com to claim your prize and place your order! Thanks to all our followers... spread the word!

Personalized Napkins for Kelly's Birthday!

2009-10-05T21:35:00.005-05:00

It was a great weekend with friends... so hard to believe that we are all turning 30! Kelly gathered us all at the beach to celebrate a big birthday in expected style! Kelly's mom called Sweet Bay Prints to put together a personalized touch for the weekend... we did custom cocktail napkins (100 for $30.00), custom cups (50 for $80.00), and custom koozies (25 for $120.00)! It made the birthday girl feel so loved! Get your order placed today for the next big event! It only takes 5 business days to see the product!

Custom Calligraphy by Sweet Bay Prints!

2009-09-27T20:27:00.003-05:00

Custom calligraphy is always worth the extra expense! It makes the wedding invitation, birth announcement, or party invitation seem timeless and special. When needing invitations and calligraphy, come to Sweet Bay Prints to take care of it all! The price will ultimately depend on how much time you give the calligrapher... the sooner you get the envelopes ordered, the better a price you will get. So, work on that list! What format should a wedding address list be in? See example below... remember ALL WORDS should be spelled out completely:

Formal Name (outside envelope) - Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Clay Scruggs, Senior

Informal Name (inside envelope - Woman First!) - Sheri and Clay

Address (all word spelled out) - 1435 Highway 393 North

City (spelled out completely) - Santa Rosa Beach

State (spelled out completely) - Florida

Zip Code - 32459

Holiday Deals on Photo Cards

2009-09-27T20:20:00.003-05:00

The holiday season is just around the corner... 13 1/2 weeks until Christmas to be exact! We urge you to not give up the luxury of beautiful holiday cards this year by purchasing early and receiving fantastic discounts! Show NOW until Wednesday, September 30, and receive 20% off your order plus FREE imprinted envelopes... a steal! Click here to shop asap: http://www.sweetbayprints.com/. (this sale includes all of Sweet Pea Designs too!)

Custom Wedding Favor Tag

2009-09-14T16:37:00.003-05:00

This adorable couple will be joining lives this Saturday in Mississippi... their last name will be Lavender! In celebration of their name, they ordered 2 oz jars of lavender bee honey from Europe and asked me to design these adorable tags to tie (with lavender ribbon, of course!) around each jar as their wedding favor. I thought the tags turned out just perfect! The tags are ivory cardstock, sized 2.75" x 2.75". The cost was $92.00 plus shipping ($6.00 added for proof and can be an up-charge for multiple color ink). Shop this card here.

August Winner!

2009-09-07T20:08:00.005-05:00

And the monthly free give-a-way winner is... Ali Barrett! Ali has been following for awhile now and I am proud to call her a friend! Ali has won a free bag tag order from Sweet Bay Prints! This order will include 2 different bag tag designs... will she keep them both for herself, or one for a gift? I will say, this girl deserves them all for herself! The bag tags will come from our Sweet Pea Designs collection... don't be fooled, Sweet Pea has just updated the store with SO many new designs! Ali and I became friends over a conversation about Sweet Bay Prints... she asked me if I was carrying a line of stationery called Sharp and Sally? At the time I was not, but quickly learned that I was missing out! Sally Sharp, owner of Sharp and Sally, is a good friend of Ali Barrett's, so it was only natural that Sally and I hit it off! Off the subject, but must be said... Sharp and Sally is the best there is in creative and unique stationery design. I am so proud to have Sharp and Sally on my team and personally feel they are my favorite vendor! Anyway, thanks to Ali for her support of Sweet Bay Prints, we appreciate you!

A new beginning, so save-the-date!

2009-09-06T15:22:00.004-05:00

I have been waiting for this moment for some time, so I am very happy to share that my little sister, Katie, is engaged! She will be getting married next April on the beautiful emerald coast in Rosemary Beach, Florida. What excites me the most about that is I live 20 minutes from Rosemary! I get to share all my expertise in the wedding business and help her make every detail the best it can be! I want to take you all on the journey as we carefully plan and execute all her bridal decisions when it comes to papers. The latest question I got was... "When are you supposed to send out a save-the-date?" My answer, about 6 months before the event.

It is very helpful to send a save-the-date announcement to notify your guests of the date and location. Many people need to plan months in advance to take off work, plus save for the costs of traveling. It is helpful to include recommended accommodations so quests can reserve a room in plenty of time. We have not chosen Katie's save-the-date card yet, so stay tuned for the exciting reveal! Question for our readers: Do you think Katie should stick to the beach theme for the save-the-date, or do something different?

Sweet Bay Prints offers many adorable save-the-date cards online. The cool thing is just about any card can be turned into a save-the-date, so look at all our designs for something that coordinates with your wedding colors and style!

Personalized Cups, Napkins, and Koozies!

2009-08-19T16:33:00.004-05:00

We have finally found a vendor that we adore and proud to endorse over here at Sweet Bay Prints to provide us with exceptional personalized napkins, cups, koozies and more! We are currently loading the images and prices, so keep checking to get the up-to-date info. To sum it up, we officially offer:

Personalized Napkins

Personalized Cups of all sorts

Personalized Koozies

Personalized Matches

Personalized Coasters

If you need to order, please email us for all the correct pricing and ordering information. Thanks!

Labels for Back-to-School!

2009-08-17T08:24:00.001-05:00

I have always been a fan of Labels! To be honest, one of the first products we were inspired to carry was an assortment of labels. Not just any labels, but the best in the business! I love making ordinary items outstanding with a cute label, like the one above. Imagine this adorable bunny on your child's school book, Tupperware, or as a gift label. They are quite affordable and make a wonderful statement.

We understand that having the best of the best in every category is not always practical, but I assure you labels save you money in the end! Purchase labels to help you and your child keep up with their belongings at home, school, and church.

We offer a very affordable waterproof label sheet for only $5.00... so anyone can justify this expense!

All wrapped up!

2009-08-07T14:53:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite places to shop is still in my beloved college town... Oxford, Mississippi. I have come to realize that half the reason I love the shopping there is the perfect gift wrapping found at every boutique! I did not realize how special that was until I left and seem to have a hard time finding a place that offers great complimentary gift wrapping in my current town. Well, Sweet Bay Prints has stepped up to the plate once again! All you locals will receive complimentary gift wrap, plus all our shoppers across the country. Just specify that your purchase is a gift when checking out, and we will wrap it up for you! Hopefully this will inspire you to shop with Sweet Bay Prints for wedding gifts, birthday gifts, baby gifts, graduation gifts, hostess gifts, child's birthday, holiday gifts, teacher gifts, and more! We will wrap it and drop ship it to their door... mindless gift purchasing! The wrapping will continue to grow and evolve as our gift boutique expands. All suggestions are welcome!

Kelley Peck... You Won!

2009-08-05T22:00:00.000-05:00

Kelley, thanks for being a fan of Sweet Bay Prints! We appreciate your enthusiasm for pretty personalized papers and all the fun that goes with it. You are our July free give-a-way winner... a personalized stamp! Feel free to shop our full stamp collection and pick out one you love... let me know the details and it will arrive to you in 5 to 7 days! This is a $42 value that will continue to remind you of your love for Sweet Bay Prints in the months to come! Be ware... once you have one stamp, you will think of many reasons to get more! We value our fans and customers so much, so thank you again for your support. Happy Shopping!

Infant PJs... yes, please!

2009-08-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

Monogram Detail - Baby Pink, Script Style

Monogram Detail - Chocolate Brown, Masculine Style

PJ Set, 100% ring-spun cotton

This is one of my favorite gift items we have! I am a sucker for anything white and simple with a beautiful monogram! This outfit makes a wonderful gift for any newborn or toddler. Excuse the photo quality... i am not a professional (i leave that to my friend Jackie!), but trust me the PJ sets are outstanding in person! The set with the wrap shirt is $28.00 plus a $10.00 charge for the monogram. click here to shop it.

Couple Baby Showers

2009-07-31T13:14:00.000-05:00

Our friends over at Willow, blogged about the new trend of couples baby showers... Willow is the latest and greatest in the fashion world, so they wrote about the appropriate attire to one of these fun events. We thought we would coordinate by telling you about the adorable invitations available for couples showers, like this one to your left... hot off the press and so fun!

Couples showers can be great for many reasons... especially getting the dad-to-be involved and excited about the new arrival! These events usually involve a full meal and adult beverages, contrary to the Sunday afternoon tea and small-bites for an all girls gathering. Every couples shower I have been to turned out so fun and entertaining for all. It is a great option if your partner does not want to be left out of all the excitement!

Thanks to our customers!

2009-07-31T12:47:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile... and there are reasons! Sweet Bay Prints has had a very busy spring and summer with babies being born and weddings being planned, we are loving the buzz of UPS boxes being opened, ohs and awes of the new merchandise, and all three printers in full swing! (P.S. love this weekly calender to keep me organized!) We wanted to stop and say thank you to all our wonderful friends and supporters who make our dreams continue to blossom! We value every dollar spent and strive to give you all the best in customer service. Your positive feedback and constant compliments make us feel we are on the right track! This email made our day recently...

"Hi Sheri. I just wanted to say thanks one more time for everything! I also wanted to let you know that everyone who has already called to RSVP for the event has commented on how cute the invitation is. I cant wait to do business with you in the future!" - Kodi, Tuscaloosa, AL

Sweet Bay Prints is dedicated to making your shopping experience fantastic and most importantly fun! We firmly believe that spending money should be a rocking good time!!! Enjoy your last few days of summer and stayed tuned for some great back-to-school items from Sweet Bay Prints.

$6.00 Monogram Extended!

2009-07-19T14:11:00.000-05:00

photo provided by Jacqueline Ward Images

You asked for it, so you got it! We have extended the $6.00 monogram on all orders until August 31! We figure this helps with back-to-school expenses! This adorable white cotton t-shirt featured in the photo above is only $8.00 to make a total of $14.00 with a monogram! We offer the best in cotton, so no worries... this thick ring-spun cotton tee will last awhile! Click here to shop our gift collection at Sweet Bay Prints: http://sweetbayprints.com/category_105/Gift-Boutique.htm