This is a movie clip for the New Zealand Book Council. I love how the story comes alive and peels off the page. I wonder how long it took the talented book sculptor to create this? It’s just lovely.

Via Ness Donnelly’s blog.

I don’t like Valentine’s Day. There, I’ve said it. It’s not the romance that I have a problem with. It’s the whole contrived nature of the day. I don’t like to be told that I have to be romantic on this day or that day. For me love and romance should be much more spontaneous.

But anyway, no doubt when the day comes I’ll get on board. And gifts are always good. Here are a few romantic presents that caught my eye.

All You Need is Love Hand Printed Card - £2.99 from Bonbi Forest

Antique Patterned Cold Enamel Bangle - $59 (approx £37) from Style River

Forget Me Not Dish - $17 (approx £11) from Prince Design UK

Limited Edition Blue Heart Print - $25 (approx £16) from Beeb Design

Set of Three Song Bird Ornaments - $20 (approx £13) from Anna Joyce Design

And you can wrap them all up in Love Little’s gorgeous screen printed button print wrap. It’s just £2.50 per sheet and comes complete with a matching tag.

I’ve just bought a pack of these for the designers at work.  Such a good idea and yet so simple.  The idea for The Storyboard Book came about a few years ago when the creators were doing some storyboard sketches for a television commercial.  The director wanted to explain an idea and grabbed a piece of paper to sketch out the scene. But of course he had to sketch out the frames first.

The Storyboard Book is lightweight, portable, and durable and perfect for storyboarding, sketching, list making, visualisation, plans, doodles, and just about anything else. The idea is simple - a frame for the action and space for the notes.

Buy yours at www.thestoryboardbook.com. They cost just $12 (approx £7.45) for a pack of three.

This made me smile today. A calendar is always a good bet for Christmas and I’m sure you’ll find something here to suit most women. It’s based on the Keep Calm and Carry On poster and is the work of Nichole and Evan Robertson of Little Brown Pen. This UK version has been made exclusively for Plaisir in Scotland.

I love the slogans, bright colours and clean design. The pages are attached with a clip instead of a ribbon, which means they can be detached easily, cut out and framed when each month has passed.

You can order from www.plaisirshop.co.uk. Just send them an email or give them a call and they will process the order for you. The calendar is £15 plus postage - £1.65 for recorded first class delivery in the UK. Ooh and they also offer a free gift wrapping service. So you don’t have to lift a finger. Just pop it under the tree.

If I had three wishes one of them would be to have more time. More time to read, more time to spend with family, more time to get out of the office and do things. Working in digital many people use electronic diaries to plan their time. I don’t. I still find it quicker and easier to use a paper diary. And it’s so much nicer. At this time of year I love buying my new diary and writing in all the birthdays and events for the forthcoming year. Is that just me? I also, on occasion, have been known to leave myself notes. ‘This time last year I was . . . . ‘ Think that one’s definitely just me.

If you’re planning ahead for next year, take a look at these lovely diaries. They’re called ‘Agendas’ and are created by Veekee. They’ve got vintage scarf spines, placeholder ribbons, three different silk-screened pockets, calendars and some fun stickers. Everything is originally illustrated, from covers to pages to pocket designs. How cool are they? Buy from www.veekee780.etsy.com. Now you don’t get that in a Google calendar.

Competition: win a Miniature Leather Journal by Susan Green Books

The theme of this competition is twofold. Combining Susan Green’s love of nature and her small but perfectly formed miniature journals, she is inviting you to write her a poem. A Haiku in fact. The theme must be ’smallness’ and in true Haiku tradition must also evoke the natural world.

The winner will be presented with one of Susan’s beautiful miniature leather journals.

For more information visit www.susangreenbooks.com.

The closing date is 28th November.

Psst. If you need a reminder about how to write a Haiku, visit the British Haiku Society website.

I watched Seven Pounds the other night. Have you seen it? One of the main characters had a letterpress machine, which really sparked my interest. My job is mainly web based but I have a real fascination for paper, fonts and the printing process. And now letterpress.

Dingbat Press shares this love of all things letterpress. Owner and printer, Adrienne has produced a beautiful range of stationery and ephemera. You can stock up on notelets, bookmarks, recipe cards and holiday stationery. Or, if you’re looking for something more bespoke such as wedding stationery or business cards, she can help you with that too.

Check out her Etsy store at www.dingbatpress.etsy.com.

Ramadan is here and Eid is soon to follow. If you’re looking for cards and stationery check out Muslamb’s Etsy store. Owner / designer Cjala Surratt has produced a beautiful range of elegant letter press greeting cards, notelets and accessories.

I love this Salat (prayer) in Progress Door Hanger. And these Subhanallah cards; a great pick for any Islamic events - Aqiqahs (baby showers), walimahs (wedding receptions), niqahs (weddings), henna parties and graduation parties. Subhanallah means ‘Glorious is Allah’.

Take a closer look at www.muslamb.etsy.com.