oh, martha!
I first read about the new Martha Stewart :: Crafts line over on Sarah's weblog [Amy K also wrote a post here]. So I was happy today when I ran out of hot glue gun sticks because it gave me a good excuse to check out the line in person. Oh.my.goodness. I was a bit overwhelmed because 1) I love coordinating packaging materials, 2) I've always dreamed about designing my own party + gift giving kits [so I'm living vicariously through Ms. Martha and 3) it is really too much goodness in one place. I had a difficult time figuring out what to buy, because in reality I don't need any of it [you should see my craft supply stash]. But I decided to treat myself to a belated birthday present and picked up a tiny package of assorted baker's twine [have I mentioned my love for baker's twine yet?].
And I always regretted not purchasing a ribbon box from Martha's old catalog [this line is very reminiscent of it], so I added one to my cart. Now some of my favorite twine + trim are sitting cozy inside their new linen ribbon box.
Some of the other cute things I saw were: 1) sweet cupcake liners [the world would be a better place with cuter cupcake liners, no?], 2) color + patterned glassine paper [to line your baked good boxes], 3) cupcake boxes, 4) wide assortment of bags, boxes, labels to package favors/goodies, 5) coordinating craft supplies [glue, pens, cutting mats, etc.], 6) fun DIY kits [the tissue paper pom poms being one of my favorites] and 7) free project idea flyers.
Not to be a downer, but I do wish the albums + linen boxes came in different colors [they only offer three]. Actually I think it would be perfect if the MS Crafts line offered the same colors as Russell + Hazel's office goods, so I could be matchy-matchy. And although I don't really love the whole old fashioned look of some of her products, I'm very excited about this new line and I can't wait to see how it progresses. [Just to show you how excited I was, after I left the store I called my friend Sumi and told her to go check it out. She turned her car around [she was almost home], called me from Michael's and we had a item-by-item commentary.] Anyways, if you don't have a Michael's near you, I think they will eventually offer the goods online. Hooray for cute craft supplies!
Update: Sumi found the tissue paper pom poms tutorial. I'm planning on making my own non-pastel version soon.
Reminder: I'll be posting a link to my little online shop here tomorrow morning, 5.1.07. Doors open at 10am PST.




Long time lurker here.
I *heart* Martha and I just ran across her new line at Michaels yesterday!! I'm so excited about it!
I love your site and can't wait to see what your new online store has to offer!
Posted by: Jessica M. | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 03:30 AM
I'm so excited about your shop opening! 10am in which timezone? I just want to make sure I don't miss it!
Posted by: Sarah | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 04:57 AM
Ohhh, I spent last night making those tissue paper pom-poms!
Posted by: Sarah | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 05:20 AM
thanks for the low down on the new martha line - i just might have to drive over there today!
Posted by: erin | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 05:24 AM
Can't wait for the s-h-o-p to open tomorrow!
Posted by: tiffany | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 07:40 AM
definitely excited to see the shop tomorrow--i'm sure we'll all have to snap stuff up quickly.
i'm also quite certain that martha and her minions are trying to steal all of my money. have you checked out the new blueprint mag? love that.
Posted by: hayley | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 08:24 AM
when i saw that twine i literally exclaimed "no way" out loud. i did not completely understand what types of products she had there until your post. oh. my. goodness.
now i am off to look up what time michael's opens today...love it!
Posted by: liz elayne | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 08:28 AM
On my way to Michael's this afternoon!! Thanks for the tip off on the new goods!!
also can't wait to see the s-h-o-p goods tommorow!
Posted by: kelly | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 09:12 AM
pss. found the instructions for the tissue paper pom poms on martha's website. nice and simple. http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=efb9608f8532f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=tissue%20pom%20poms&rsc=ns2006_m1
Posted by: sumi | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 09:36 AM
I saw Martha Craft on her website couple of days ago but when I clicked on it, only put me on the mailing list or something. I didn't know it was her new product line! I'm drooling and annoyed about her baker's twine. I ordered couple of spools from another place only recently! How adorable is her pkg with carrying handles? Between her new line and your new shop opening tomorrow, I'm in trouble. I keep repeating this mantra (silently to myself); I must be strong, I must be STRONG.
Posted by: stacey | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 09:39 AM
oh, man - to quote my husband about martha stewart craft after we saw it at michael's yesterday "when will it end!"
i don't need anything, really, but i just can't resist. hubby thinks it's the packaging and how it all coordinates - you can't make a mistake. i'm pretty sure we'll be going back tonight to pick-up the paper edger!
can't wait for your store! good luck!
Posted by: cindy k | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 10:13 AM
oh, this is trouble... i don't strictly *need* anything but this looks very tempting. however, i am saving my pennies for your shop. :)
Posted by: amisha | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Oh my gosh, Sally -- I just put the baby to bed! How am I going to rush out and buy that baker's twine, which I *must* have immediately?! Thanks a lot! ;)
I'm going to lose my mind with all the baking/pkging accessories....
Wait, May begins tomorrow? Yikes. Can't wait to check out your shop!
Posted by: meg | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 11:34 AM
um, i'm obviously going to michael's right now. i've been looking for baker's twine forever.
i'll be waiting outside the doors of your shop!
Posted by: tammie | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Can't *wait* for the grand opening. So excited for you! I too saw the Martha products over the weekend.. I loved the packaging and really loved some of it and others thought were just ok. But I do love how it all coordinates!
Posted by: deb | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 11:47 AM
I've always loved Martha and I'm so happy that she's making a comeback.
I'll be waiting for you store to open it's doors tomorrow morning!
Posted by: Anina | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 12:59 PM
i am in love with this collection.
looking at it just makes me happy.
i have been buying a little each time i visit Michaels...i have one really close by.
so excited about your store opening up!
Posted by: melissa deakin | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 12:59 PM
oh goodness. It all looks so lovely. And you're right. It's the packaging that gets me every time. I even look forward to going to Kmart just so I can see the aisles of that green martha stuff. Gotta go check out Michaels now. Sounds dangerous. ;)
Posted by: julie | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 01:11 PM
I have thought, since I happened upon your site, that you should be doing this also. I think your work is so clean (like Martha's) but more contemporary. Looking forward to your opening tomorrow.
Posted by: Christie | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 01:42 PM
thanks for your blog sally & congrats on the shop!
Posted by: meimeicrafts | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
I just saw it all yesterday! Unfortunately I had Noah with me who wasn't as excited about the new MS line as I was and kept asking when were we going to go to the dollar store? (what!? the dollar store has nothin on Martha, kid) Umph.
The Pom-poms were the first thing that caught my eye!! I'll be going back for sure.
Posted by: Toni | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 03:59 PM
I'm in love with the new Martha line. I posted it on my blog as well. Can't wait for your shop!
Posted by: Sarah M | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I had seen the pom-poms on another site, and promptly bought tissue paper to make some for a party later this year. Needed to practice first. The next day, I ran to Michaels and saw the kit. Colors are all wrong for me, though. As always, Martha does things so excellently.
Posted by: kelly | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 09:28 PM
i'm counting the hours 'til 10am tomorrow morning!!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Posted by: helen | Monday, April 30, 2007 at 09:44 PM
I'm surprised it's taken her so long to release these type of items.I hope they have a stockist in Australia soon,MS website says overseas delivery takes up to 4 weeks,that's ridiculous.
Posted by: MissK | Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 05:29 AM