Here Comes Santa Claus!

Last week Sabrina took her three boys to go visit Santa in Union Square. The city is so festive and cheery this time of year, so it's always a must to go see all the new decorations. Of course with Santa in the agenda, the twins were definitely on board. They stopped inside the Westin Saint Francis to get a view of the square. That tree was enormous! And with a birds eye view of the festivities below,  Alex and James were starry eyed with excitement.

Inside the Westin was a beautiful tree so they stopped to scope out the ornaments and pick a favorite. But the real favorite was their visit with Santa. We think William will definitely grow to be a calm, cool, and collected little dude, since he's the only one posing for the photo! No matter the photo, it's always the memories we keep forever. Thanks to Macy's Santaland!

Hello!Lucky Employee Wish Lists

Our final group of employee wish lists come from H!L friends near and far. Iain and Hamad always send festive gifts to our San Francisco team, and Sabrina is always sure to send an extra holiday surprise to the two based in London. They're all wishing big this year!

Iain's ideal wish list items include quite a fabulous investment. He's dreaming of his holiday in a new home in Northern Italy, some furry friends to keep him company, and some cozy accessories in the winter months. Sounds dreamy!

1. Italian Castle 2. Irish Wolfhounds 3. Alpaca Bed Socks

Hamad is also dreaming of traveling the world and bringing along some essentials for the trip. We might have to join him on his journey to the most beautiful places on the globe.

1. A trip (first class) around the world 2. Tom Ford Fragrance 3. Smythson Soho Diary

Sabrina is wishing bright this year! Her colorful top three include some cozy accessories for hanging around home with her kids. She has great taste for bright colors and bold patterns so her wish list items definitely compliment her style.

1. Leon Baking & Desserts 2. J.Crew Liberty Pajamas 3. Erin Flett Cushions

Hello!Lucky Employee Wish Lists

This second to last wish list comes from H!L employees Laura, Leslie, and Lyndsey. If you haven't noticed by now, we have 5 "L" names in the same office space, but these lovely ladies each have their own charm.

Laura has been a huge help to us this past summer and holiday season. She has an infectious laugh and we adore her sense of humor. Her wish list items definitely suit her lively personality, and we want to come along for the ride!

1. Sidecar Motorcycle (to fit her dog Buzz!) 2. Free People Hat 3. Cricket Trailer

Leslie's love for Santa Barbara must have influenced her top three this year. She's always willing to dish out great recipes and has excellent taste. Her wish list items are big and small, and we really do want them all!

1. Handmade Bread Board 2. Crème de Violette 3. A Yurt in Santa Barbara

Lyndsey is wishing in white this year. Her top three items will keep her company - and keep her cozy - with a little bling to highlight her bright style and hilarious personality.

1. American Bull Dog Mix 2. Bow Ring 3. Cashmere Knit Throw

Happy holidays to all! We hope you get everything you wished for this year!

Hello!Lucky Employee Wish Lists

Our next group of employees dishing their top three holiday gifts is Lia, Anna, and Holly. Each of these ladies embrace their crafty side while constantly updating their personal wardrobe. With style, leisure, and decor in check, each of these wish list items are want-worthy this year.

Lia's weekend roadtrip inspired wish list captures her timeless taste, and her eye for perfect plaid. We can picture her hopping a train for a winter vacation sporting all her new gifts in style.

1. Orvis Satchel 2. Jack Wills Fairstorm Blazer 3. Nancy Mitford Highland Fling

Anna is constantly seeking out items for their beauty and function. With her wish list items wrapped up she'll be organized and stylish - at home and about.

1. Illesteva Leonard II Safari Shades 2. Lucite Tape Dispenser 3. Chestnut Paper Origami Lampshade

Holly is a daily traveler from the East Bay into the city and all around, but she manages to still keep things chic. Her wish list items would make travel a breeze - including a dream trip to Tahiti for some sunshine!

1. Bryna Willow Clutch 2. Pendleton Painted Hills Umbrella 3. Trip to Tahiti

More employee wish lists to come!

Seasonal and New Year's Cards

Didn't get a chance to send holiday cards yet? There's no need to worry! Seasonal cards and New Years cards are the perfect way to send friends and family some holiday cheer, and there's no deadline! Lots of our cards were made to mail at any time - so even after Christmas has passed you can still strike those holiday cards off your to-do list.

Some are old, some are new. Some are pink, and some are blue! We've got cards in every style and for every taste.

Shop all phoho New Year's cards here, and letterpress holiday cards here. Enter code LUCKY2012 at checkout for 15% off your order of holiday photo cards through 1/6/13.

Shown above: Good Cheer Amazing New Year, New Year's Eve Parade, Happy New Year

Photographs by Edyta Szyszlo

Hello!Lucky Employee Wish Lists

The gentlemen that work in our studio all have their own interests and style, so we're extra excited to bring their wish lists to the blog today! James, Jon, and Stewey were sure to include their big ticket items - even a car made the cut! Check out their must haves below.

The holiday spirit knows no limit, so when we asked printer James what he was hoping for, he didn't hesitate. His top three items are unique but definitely suit his vintage-loving personality.

1. Subscription to Sausage of the Month Club 2. Sliver Canoe 3. 1964 Ford Ranchero

Jonathan is known for his love of beer - and his home brew skills never disappoint - so we weren't surprised that his wish list items include his favorite brewers publications! Plus, he threw in some practical printers accessories for keeping things clean around the studio.

1. For the Love of Hops 2. Yeast: The Practical Guide to Beer Fermentation 3. General Tools Pocket Protector

Stewey's mid-western roots have prepared him for any cold winter weather, and he'll need to bundle up when he heads home for the holidays! His wish list items are classic, practical, and will help keep him warm/attentive during the cold, dreary days.

1. Everlane Essential Belt 2. Starbucks Verismo Brewer 3. Everlane Scottish Scarf

Stay tuned for more H!L Employee Wish Lists this week!

Hello!Lucky Holiday Party

Our annual Hello!Lucky employee holiday party was a big success! We try to get creative with our gift-giving and this year we did just that - got creative! Everyone handmade each of their gifts and we exchanged them at Lyndsey's Twin Peaks apartment above the glowing city lights. We knew everyone had hidden talents but we were blown away with the final product! All our employees went above and beyond and the night was one to remember.

Jon, our house brewer, brewed a winter beer and even created his own labels! Heather also made up a special batch of pumpkin liqueur - and it was delicious with all the treats from the night! Kelly C. made adorable s'more kits, and Lyndsey made homemade cookie butter! Stewey made his famous Stewey's Cheweys and also his famous knit coasters! (Did you see them on the Huffington Post?) Holly made amazing snow globes, James tied some awesome rope door stops, and Shayna handmade her winter scented candles!

Laura made gorgeous pine wreathes and Lillian sewed individual cocktail napkins. Below you can see Lia's adorable felt houses, all lit up with mini lights. It's the perfect decor!

Christina got crafty with her mini terrariums, and spruced them up with some festive holiday deer! The room was overflowing with holiday spirit, and everyone couldn't wait to exchange.

Even more delicious snacks from Eunice and Sabrina's holiday cookies, and Leslie made homemade granola in these sweet little jars.

Each person brought five gifts and each person left with five. As the night went on, surprise Karaoke evolved and we all had a grand ol' time.

Thanks Lyndsey for hosting and the entire HL crew for celebrating such a wonderful year! Here's to 2013!

Hello!Lucky Employee Wish Lists

The next group of Hello!Lucky Employees all have their own personal sense of style. Whether they are spending time shopping around the city or cozying up at home, their wish list items are all unique. The lovely ladies on deck are Christina, Heather, and Lillian!

Christina, our marketing director, has a bold color palette, and we love her massive collection of stylish dresses. She was sure to add one more to her list along with some fun accessories to match!

1. Viuhka Earrings from Curator SF 2. Candystore Collective Dress 3. Clare Vivier Striped Tote

Heather is known for her love of eclectic and vintage style. As our wholesale manager, she's always keeping track of our greeting cards so organization is key. Plus, she's always got some great tunes playin' for our team! Her wish list items are definitely her style.

1. Yellow Owl Workshop Stamp Activity Kit 2. Crosley Mini Turntable 3. Yellow Owl Workshop Color Wheel Necklace

Lillian is the wearer of all hats. She's working in product management, customer service, design consulting, and much more. Her style is easy-breezy, with comfort and classic taste in mind. And she's a master chef at home. We love that her wish list items all match!

1. KitchenAid Pasta Attachment 2. Smartwool Adventure Socks 3. Heather Flax Cashmere Sweater from J.Crew

Stay tuned for more employee wish lists!

H!L Employee Wish Lists

With so many stylish and creative employees, we're dying to know what they are wishing for this holiday. All of our friends at Hello!Lucky are multi-talented, many with crafty hobbies and passions that we rarely get to see in our studio. So this year we're all dishing out our top three wish list items - and the sky's the limit! First on deck are our three talented designers, Kelly, Eunice, and Shayna.

Meet Kelly! She's one of our newest employees, and we love her laid back sense of style. Her top three wish list items will definitely get the inspiration flowing.

1. Brother Sewing Machine 2. Prussia Satchel 3. Subscription to Kinfolk Magazine

We knew Eunice would come up with some fabulous wish list items this year. With her colorful personality and sophisticated style she's got some real winners on her list!

1. Polaroid Z2300 2. Alder & Co. Enamel Locket 3. Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch

Shayna's always on the go, so her wish list items are practical and stylish! We can just picture her now cruising on her bike with that leather strap backpack and grooving to some tunes on those new headphones.

1. Fjall Raven Rucksack 2. Eskuche Headphones 3. Kiehls Eye Alert

Stay tuned for more Hello!Lucky employee wish lists!

Pin it to win it! Letterpress Holiday Cards Edition

We're thrilled to announce the next edition of Pin it to Win it! This time we're giving away a box set of letterpress holiday cards! Our letterpress cards are printed on a vintage press on 100% recycled paper, and in festive color palettes perfect for sending holiday cheer. To play, just pin any box set from this page of our website or an image from this blog post. Once you have pinned your image, leave a comment below this post with the URL to your pin so we can check it out.

Just like last time we’ll randomly pick one lucky person to win a free box set of 6 cards. We’ll announce the winner on Friday, December 14th. **A winner has been chosen and contacted via email. Thanks for participating and stay tuned for more Pin It to Win It giveaways!

Good luck!

New! Holiday Cards with Multiple Photos

This year our holiday photo cards offer everything you can imagine. With new multiple photo options you don't have to pick just one favorite. Not everyone has a big family, and not everyone sends a yearly update, so we've come up with just about every style of photo card for your needs.

Say you have to squeeze five family members into one card but would rather keep your wording simple, we have flat photo cards for that. Or, you can't wait to share the news about your latest adventures abroad, we have a folded photo card for that.

All of your favorite designs plus some brand new ones are available, and if you have a special request, just ask!

Order now and enjoy 15% off all holiday orders! Use the code Holiday2012 at checkout. Shop holiday photo cards here! Offer expires 12/31/12.

Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco

Join us this weekend December 1st and 2nd for the annual Bazaar Bizarre Holiday Show! We'll be hanging out at our booth selling cards, gifts, and our new prints! If you haven't been to the Bazaar Bizarre before, prepare for total craftness. Vendors and retailers all gather to showcase their original gifts, just in time for your holiday shopping. There's also a huge list of delicious food vendors for your mid-day snacking pleasure. You can get your hands on awesome products like these printed totes by Shapes & Colors, and munch on some tasty cake pops by Sweet Lauren Cakes.

The event takes place at the Concourse Exhibition Center EAST HALL 620 Seventh St. (at Brannan) from 11am - 6pm and is completely free. And the first 200 visitors each day will receive a free limited edition tote bag with loads of goodies including letterpress cards from yours truly! Hope to see you there!

New! Custom Holiday Photo Cards

Although it's still early into the holiday season, our team of designers have been busy as elves preparing for the 2012 holiday collection. We've gathered inspiration from this years trends (color blocking, typeface design, mixed patterns) and put together a lovely assortment of custom holiday photo cards, ready to be signed-sealed-delivered. Customizing your cards is as easy as 1-2-3, all you have to do is input your greeting, upload a photo, pick your envelope colors and voila! Holiday cheer is ready for takeoff. Also, you can check one item off your list by ordering your cards early. From now until November 15th you can receive 20% off your custom holiday card order - just use the code EARLYHOLIDAY at checkout. Happy holidays!

Pictured above: Trees, Color Block, Classic Christmas

Pictured above: Holiday Ribbon

Pictured above: Jolly Holiday, Merry Plaid, Starlight

Pictured above: Bells

Most of our custom holiday photo cards come as photo/text combinations, but this year we're thinking ahead with a 2013 calendar.

Pictured above: Happy New Year Calendar, Bright New Year Calendar, Merry & Bright

To view all of our new 2012 custom holiday cards, head over to our website here!

Photos by Edyta Szyszlo Photography

DIY Thanksgiving: 5 Uses for Patterned Papers

Thanksgiving happens to be one of the favorite holidays among our team. Something about the cold air, gathering of families, and cooking together warms our hearts. While it's meant to be a time to reflect and give thanks, sometimes the preoccupation with the perfect holiday decor takes its toll. We're flooded with images of the fanciest table tops and gourmet recipes, but not all of us have the time (or budget!) to go all-out for the big feast. If you are the lucky one hosting Thanksgiving this year and are looking for affordable, simple, and festive decor, our patterned papers are a great go-to. We've come up with 5 uses for patterned papers that you can make in no time, and just in time for your guests to arrive. Shown here is our classic Marquee pattern, but there are lots to choose from!

1. Patterned Paper Jar Lids: You may have to fight for the leftovers, but sending friends and family members home with equal portions is a great way to share. Or, send them home with a hand-made treat as a thanks-for-coming favor. Simply cut a 4.5" square (or 5.5" square for wide-mouth jars) of patterned paper. Place the metal lid cover over the jar, then set your paper square on top. Twist the screw-on cap over the paper and lid to ensure closure. You may need to press hard!

2. Patterned Paper Napkin Rings: The possibilities are endless here. With a starter shape of 1.5" x 7" you can double the napkin ring as a personalized place card by gluing a .5" x 2" piece of paper on top. Or, take a 2.5" x 8" strip, cut out a leaf shape on one end, and trim the other end to 1" wide. Apply glue to 1/2" of one side and seal under the other.

3. Patterned Paper Thankful Chain: Keep the kids busy or adults guessing with this paper Thankful Chain! It's a new twist on the Christmas paper chain, with a whole new meaning. Cut 1.5" x 7" strips of paper and ask your guests write a few things they are thankful for on one side. Glue one end of the strip under the other end and repeat, looping the next strip through your first chain. When assembled, hang above the table for decor or spread around the table. Throughout the meal you (or the kids) can read each strip and reflect - make it a game and guess who said what!

4. Patterned Paper drink flags/stirrers: Every party needs some of these. Celebrate the autumn weather by cutting your flags into leaf shapes. Start with a 1.5" x 5" strip and fold in half. Open it back up, draw your shape on one half of the blank side of the paper, fold in half again, then cut out. Reverse the fold, apply glue to one side, place a skewer or straw in the center then hold to adhere.

5. Patterned Paper Place Card Holders: Thanks to Martha Stewart for this idea, keep things simple with a folded paper place card holder. We scaled ours down to a 3" x 3.75" piece of paper, folded in half, then folded in half again, creating three 3/4" folds. Unfold the paper, and reverse one fold, making an "M" shape. Place your place card inside and voila!

For more pretty patterned paper ideas and DIY crafts, visit our website here!

Open Studio Event & Holiday Sale

This past weekend we opened our doors on a sunny Sunday for our Open Studio Event and Holiday Sale! We had a terrific turnout and want to say thank you to everyone who came by. Our guests experienced hands-on letterpress tutorials by our temporary printer, Lillian! She graciously showed visitors simple letterpress techniques and those who gave it a go went home with their own hand-cranked holiday cards (pictured below). The spectacular Lisa Congdon paid us a visit, and also got to experience the letterpress magic. She just designed a brand new collection of cards exclusive for Hello!Lucky - soon to be released in early 2013!

These are the limited edition prints we created just for the occasion. We'll be putting them on our site and on Etsy soon! Below Eunice and Sabrina are busy mingling with all the visitors. You can see pressman Jon back there running the windmill press. It was quite the production but with all the helping hands it was a great success!

Just a snapshot of some of the holiday cards we had on sale. What a deal! We still have some left over so be sure to visit our studio from Monday-Friday, 9:00 - 5:00 for excellent deals on holiday cards.

Thanks again for everyone who visited the studio! We are definitely planning more events in the future so stay tuned, and be sure to order your holiday cards today!

Holiday Cards with Edyta Szyszlo Photography

One of our favorite photographers Edyta Szyszlo has lent us a couple of her best bridal portraits to show off in our holiday photo card collection (check out these pretty new cards with Rikki Ward Photography). As newlyweds choosing a holiday card that is festive but matches your wedding portrait is key. It was so much fun pairing these couple photos with the best of our holiday cards. A favorite from last year (above) was Good Cheer in the bold fuchsia color palette. It works perfectly with the bright San Francisco backdrop!

This year we wanted to include more large scale photo designs, so this pretty Holiday Calligraphy card is perfect for showing off your pearly whites. Plus, the colors are customizable! Thanks Edyta for sharing your beautiful photography, and for newlyweds - order early and save 20%! Just use the code EARLYHOLIDAY at checkout!

Holiday Cards with Rikki Ward Photography

As members of the wedding industry and as seasoned stationers, we understand the true power of a good holiday photo card. For newlyweds, sending holiday cards is often the first time a couple mails greetings to loved ones as a new family - and many times is an introduction to their new lives together post-wedding. But instead of snapping a quick portrait in your back yard or by a handheld camera, we highly suggest newlyweds take advantage of their wedding photos and upload a favorite into one of our new holiday photo cards. We tested a few of our favorite newlywed portraits by Rikki Ward Photography and we're loving the various themes.

Pictured above: Classic Christmas

Pictured: Chalkboard

Pictured: Holiday Stripes

If you're in the bay area book a holiday photo session with Rikki! We're offering her clients a special discount on all holiday card orders - more on her blog here.

And don't forget about our holiday promo going on right now. Just enter EarlyHoliday at checkout and receive 20% off your order from now until 11/15.

Photos by Rikki Ward Photography

New! Letterpress Holiday Cards

Way back in July we were busy printing our new letterpress holiday greeting cards and we're so excited to finally reveal them! Some of our most popular holiday cards have been from our visit series and we couldn't wait to add more cities to the collection this year. Happy Holidays from Texas, Washington, D.C, and Seattle are the newest members to the letterpress card family, and thanks to the Lab Partners for their dedication and expert design skills, we're certain they will be a hit.

We also have the new Christmas Parade, New Year's Eve, and Toys Under the Tree, photographed with some best sellers from last year (Good Times by Office of Nature, Paper Chains by Debbie Powell). Click here to see all of our Holiday cards!

Photos by Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Best of Holiday - Top 10 designs!

In order to prepare for the 2012 holidays, we must look back on the fan favorites from years past. You may remember our launch of the Guest Designer Series last year, a mix of 16 talented designers that contributed their genius ideas to our 2011 collection. With their help, the collection was a great success and although some were more popular than others, we found there was a perfect design for everyone. We were delighted to learn that our most popular 2011 holiday design, Chevron, was actually released in 2010, and is still a top fave. With the brilliant minds of The Lab Partners, Debbie Powell, and Jacqui Lee in the top 10, we weren't surprised these made the list. You can still order any of these cards this year, but we have released a handful of fantastic new designs ready to send to your friends and family. Check out some of our newest 2012 customizable cards here.

1. Chevron, Designer: Hello!Lucky 2. Greetings from San Francisco, Designer: Lab Partners 3. Joyeux Noel (Red), Designer: Jacqui Lee 4. Good Cheer, Designer: Office of Nature 5. Crest, Designer: Morris and Essex 6. Greetings from New York, Designer: Lab Partners 7. Folk Tales, Designer: Morris and Essex 8. New York City Skyline, Designer: Hello!Lucky 9. Greetings from Chicago, Designer: Lab Partners 10. Paper Chains, Designer: Debbie Powell

Attention earlybirds: If you shop early you will receive 20% off your customizable holiday cards. Use the code EARLYHOLIDAY at checkout, expires 11/15. Shop now!

Lucky List for the Cozy Home

1. Merino Throw Blanket

Snuggle on up with this classic 100% merino wool throw from Pendleton. We love the soft yet vocal plaid of the Dress Stewart Tartan, but it comes in various styles for every home. Add an embroidered monogram or personalization to create a lasting impression.

2. Rib Knit Pillow

Imagine wrapping your favorite knit sweater around a fluffy cloud and sprawling on the couch with a great book or movie. That's what we pictured when we first laid our eyes on these knit pillows from Nordstrom. It's heaven in an 18" x 18" square, and its neutral tones will warm up any home!

3. Knit Mug Cozy

Switch from cold hard ceramic to plush knit and porcelain this winter, 'cause your regular mugs deserve a rest! Whether for hot cocoa or your favorite hot tea, these cozy mugs are the ultimate cold weather accessory.

4. Owl Print Lounge Pants

The holidays may always seem hectic and blustery, but truly the best (or most enjoyable) activity this time of year is just lounging. Hanging out with loved ones, sharing family traditions and dining on classic wintery feasts, these are all the things we appreciate the most. The moment you slip on that pair of comfy pants you're ready for some serious lounge time. Anthropologie's wide leg trouser style bottoms are perfect for allowing extra snuggle space on all those cold winter nights.

5. Holiday Inn DVD

Of all the things we so obviously love about the holidays, the sound of Bing Crosby's voice might trump them all. Holiday Inn is a classic musical comedy for any collection. You'll be singing along in no time!

6. Men's Cashmere Socks

Cashmere scarves are great. Cashmere sweaters are classic. Cashmere socks? To die for. Your man will be sock-hopping all over the house after slipping heaven onto his tired feet. At Garnet Hill, buy 5 pairs get the 6th pair free.

7. Happy Cloud Coasters

Happy Cloud coasters = happy tables. Protect your mahogany and oak, and grab a box of 6 for all those on your list!

8. Kid's Wool "Seal" Suit

We admit, we had to really study this sea animal suit before including it in our gift guide. Mostly because we had to find out if it came in adult sizes. The designer Vik Prjonsdottir does have some eclectic variations, but all agree it's perfect for kids. We can imagine how much joy would come from being encompassed by Icelandic sheep wool, and can guarantee this could be a hand-me-down for generations.

9. Striped Candles

Prepare for power outages in style. These striped candles are drip-free and ultimately mess-free. Display them in a centerpiece or hit the lights for a romantic evening at home. We want a set in every color!

10. Red Blossom Tea

The Red Blossom Tea Company is a fantastic family owned shop located in Chinatown here in San Francisco. Importing teas from all over the world's most desirable growing communities, they specialize in loose leaf tea blends and their combinations are heavenly. We're definitely getting our tea lovers one of their curated collections this year, and just might pair it with a cozy knit mug!