The Only Thing Missing Was The Paparazzi/ My Trip With Brian French

It's okay to be a little envious of me.

I recently made calls with Brian French in beautiful Traverse City.

Not only did I get to walk around downtown T.C., but I was with Brian French.

He's famous. People ask for his autograph. They really do. (They did the day I was with him).

For those of you not aware of who he is, Brian is 6th generation French. Son of Jerry, Grandson of Ed, of the French Paper Company fame.

Who doesn't love French Paper? Especially around here. After all they are located in Niles, Michigan. That makes them family owned, "local", Michigan based, and American made.

I experienced the "Brian phenomenon" with my own eyes.

Everyone wants to see him. It just so happens he is the fresh face of a 140 year old super cool company. An instant "in" around these parts. Funny thing is, he's just a regular guy. Brian's been known to answer the phone at French Paper Company when the receptionist is busy, he periodically has to clean out the basement at the mill, and when traveling for work he even sleeps on the floor at a friend's cottage to save money on hotel fees.

Told you he was just a regular guy.

Adding to his coolness factor, is the fact that he brought along French Swag on our trip, including the new French envelope promotion.

Have you seen it yet?

The New French Paper Envelope Promotion.

Although the info is not yet on their website:

French is now stocking  9 x 12 catalog

 envelopes in 8 different colors!

Yiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeee. Bring on the color choices, no more white only.

The 9 x 12's come in Kraft Speckletone and 7 PopTone colors, including (Berrylicious, Black Licorice, Gumdrop Green, Hot Fudge, Orange Fizz, Razzleberry, Sour Apple).

And, it gets even better!

They are also stocking 6 x 6 Square envelopes in all colors of Construction, Poptone and Speckletone.

Yes, you heard me right.

You can get envelopes in super small quantities off the French website or, in boxes of 500 (for the catalogs) and 250 (for the squares) from CMP. Keep in mind they are not on our warehouse floor so there may be a  1-2 day wait for them.

Since I hadn't quite grasped another little tidbit, until my trip wth Brian, I thought I'd pass it along in case you missed it, too.

French stocks 4-Bars (aka A-1's) /3.62 x 5.12 in all colors. That is the smallest size envelope mailable without extra postage required, and it fits quite nicely into an A-6 as a reply card.

Ask for your French Envelope Promo today! Because French is not able to sample their envelopes, it gives you a great working tool with examples of the real thing.

FUN FACT:  Brian calls legendary designer Charles Spencer Anderson, Uncle Chuck.

P.S. If I would have been on my game, I'd have taken a picture of him myself.

Playing With Paper for Valentine's Day....



A sample of handmade paper fun.
Thank you Grace, for the example.

You are probably aware it is Valentine's Day today, right? I mean how could you not know when it's been weeks of red hearts, boxed candy and Valentine's day decorations displayed at every store.

But did you know the day is named after an early Christian martyr, Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD? Wikipedia calls it a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards known as valentines.

Originally valentines were personal and were handmade and handcrafted with love. Unfortunately most handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

That's why last week CMP brought the fine art of Playing With Paper to the members of Gilda's Club. Several ladies made handmade valentines out of the beautiful colors of French, Mohawk & Wausau Papers. My friend, and local designer, Gayle Raymer came along to offer up some creative support.

I'm pretty sure she will agree it is so cool to watch how "Playing With Paper" brings out the creativity in everyone, even those who believe they don't have a creative side. Paper is fun!

If your office would like to "Play With Paper" for any upcoming holiday, like Easter, Mother's Day, spring birthdays or even just to make personalized thank you notes, let us know. We'd be more than happy to share our paper love.

Oh yeah, and Happy Valentine's Day!