Their letterpress designs are printed on sustainability harvested yellow birch, creating unique postcards and journals. The wood is sliced thin to produce a large number of cards from a small amount of raw material. Each piece is different due to the variation in the wood grain and very little water and power is used in their production. The birch trees are also replanted.

Their designs are simple, cute and whimsical. They are full of natural elements done in simple line drawings or simple-complex geometric shapes, reminiscent of quilt designs. They describe themselves as “modern yet folksy.” The postcards are easily marked with pen, pencil and markers. Whooo, knew that you could send wood through the mail?

You can also find their designs on journals that use the same thin sustainably harvested wood. What makes the journals extra special is that they contain 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Perfect to jot down your own eco-friendly notes and scribbles, on.

During my last creative brainstorm I relocated a favorite journal of mine (pictured). I acquired my cowboy journal at the last large indie craft fair in my area called Crafty Bastards. The journal, by Ex Libris Anonymous, is made from an old library book. It is hand made and one of a kind. Snippets of text from the original book are sprinkled throughout the blank pages of acid free paper.

I recall that Ex Libris Anonymous’ booth at Crafty Bastards was constantly packed that day. I elbowed my way in to sort through bins and bins of great vintage book covers. After coming back twice, I finally settled on a small journal with the shell of the Spiderweb Trail by Eugene Cunningham.

The vintage books that make up Ex Libris’ journals are cute, charming and have a kitschy vibe. The hard cover is a perfect writing surface and the spiral binding makes it easy to flip to the next blank page and the select passages can make for quick inspiration. I use mine to jot down notes and make quick sketches.

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