Wedded Gift Bliss

Wedding season is upon us, and with all the festive attire and free champagne comes the dread of purchasing the perfect gift. We aren't saying that the happy couple won't enjoy new towels or that set of spatulas, but allow us to suggest a few fun and memorable items that might not be found on their registry.

Clockwise from top left: 8x12 Boat Wood Frame by Edge $192, Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook published by Chronicle Books $35, Assorted Glass Frames by J.Devlin $20-$46, First and Forever Recipe Box published by Chronicle $16.95, Headless Vintage Cake Topper $45

If you know the couple well and have a good sense of their taste you can't go wrong with some personalized art. Grab some anagram tiles and whip up a sign donning a new last name, or let us frame some flashcards commemorating a special date or sentiment. As long as the gift comes from the heart you should have no fear in breaking free from the registry!

DIY Birdhouses-Just In!

Invite feathered friends into your yard...
How? Make a birdhouse made with your very own hands!
Don't fret, you don't need to be handy or even own a single tool.
Make one today--available at Twosided.

New & Old

It's Old! It's New! It's Both!
Check out a few of our newly acquired antiques!
From glass bottles and expandable rulers to butterfly specimens and a bongo playing turtle, there is a little something for everyone!

Stay Tuned for New Cards!

Todd and Gino are back from the Stationary Show in NYC
and they are super excited about the new card lines they have added to the already awesome cards at Foursided and Twosided!
Stay tuned for updates on all of our new lines as they get delivered in the coming weeks.

Crafty Contest!

Hey Foursided & Twosided Devotees!

We want to see what you are making with our fun stuff
and we want to post it on our blog!

It is time to show off those flashcard collages, anagram signs, jewelry, and any other creative projects you have constructed from the ephemra you found
at one of our stores....and it's time to win prizes!

All winners and 10 runners up will be posted right here on our blog (which should be incentive enough!), and the exciting prizes are as follows:

1st Place $75 Gift Certificate

2nd Place $50 Gift Certificate

3rd Place $25 Gift Certificate

1 Honorable Mention $10 Gift Certificate

Contest Criteria:

Make something big or small, flat or 3 dimensional, boring or exciting... anything goes!

Please email a brief description of your project, your name, contact email,

and a maximum of 3 pictures in jpeg format to:

foursidedblog@gmail.com

DEADLINE IS MAY 28, 2009 so get cracking!

Winners will be contacted via email in early June

Pass this along to any friends who might be interested
and may the best maker win!

Flash-tastic!

Well you didn't expect us to stop with Mother's Day cards now did you?!
Let the card assembly continue!

We can't get enough of our mid-century flashcards, and making them into small batches of unique greeting cards has been so fun. Blank inside for you to write you own message, they are a unique way to say congrats, happy birthday, or anything your heart desires. Who wouldn't love a card with their initials or a picture of a "Gay Dog" in a jaunty cap? The cards pictured above range from $3-4 and only represent a tiny portion of the cards we have been cranking out. Check out the others in store and be sure let us know if you can think of a great card idea you would love to see on our shelves!

This Just In!

Get a load of these cool vintage inspired coasters we just acquired made by Jennifer Hill!
Various designs at both stores, $13.99 each.

We hate to nag, but...

"Have you done your homework yet?"
"I don't want to have to ask you again to take out the trash!"

It's a mother's job to nag once in while, so in honor of their special day we can't help but ask in that special motherly tone:
"Have you purchased your Mother's Day gift yet?"
Seriously people, this is your mama, and she deserves something nice!

We know moms can be hard to shop for, but we have loads of fun stuff, and great ideas for a special gift. Check out these amazing one-of-a-kind cards made from our anagram letters ($4-5.50), and our framed vintage flashcards ($32-60).

May 10th will be here before you know it, so don't dilly dally (another great mom phrase).
Stop in today for some great Mother's Day swag.

As Simple As Black & White

Hey did you see Todd's great animal and insect silhouettes featured in the March/April issue of Chicago Home + Garden Magazine? This Style of art may have originated in the 18th century, but these fun pieces make it as modern as ever!

Clockwise from top left: Ouija Card by Oddball Press, $5; Cat Card by Egg Press, $5.50; Assorted Rings by Lusterbunny, $15-30; Animals Card by Enormous Champion, $5.50; Obama Silhouette hand-cut by our very own Kelly Reynolds, $18.

Amazing Anagrams!

we just received a whole bunch of letters from a to z perfect for creating a dit scrabble game or makinga ransom note with flair. anagrams wooden letters letter tiles scrabble pieces

Mom, Mother, Ma!

Don't forget Mom on Sunday May 10...

She wouldn't forget your day, would she?

We've posted a sampling
of cards for mom...

from cool letterpress...
to silly cards...
to cards just for your MOM!

From $3 to $6.50 that's less

than your daily coffee stop!

Spring Has Sprung!

We know this is Chicago and it will probably snow tomorrow, but we can't help but be excited about the recent warmer weather and what the coming weeks will bring! Beat the winter blues and put a little spring in your step with these fun items:

Decorative Deer Tray $75

Ceramic Bird Rings $22ea

Grasshopper Magnets $4ea
Go Green, by Nancy Taylor $12.95

Hummingbird Glass Tray $14
Fern Card $5.50

Boxed Floral Notes $14(set of 6)
Bird Votive Peony Candle $23