It’s Tebow time in Colorado, and at Bloomin’ this week. Most of our staff had on our orange and Blue, and Sue was sporting the official number 15! We will all be gathering around the tele with friends and family to watch our Beloved Broncos make the magic happen again this Saturday night.

In honor of Tim Tebow mania, we’ve mocked-up a limited edition version of our popular Growfetti in orange, blue, and white seed paper. The name of our newest addition to the Growfetti line–you guessed it…. Tebowfetti! Let us know what you think!

There’s plenty of time to get your orders in so you can have it on hand for tossing in the air when the Broncos win Super Bowl XLVI on  February 5, 201. Go Broncos!

Tebowfetti!

We started off the year with a BANG at the 2012 PPAI Las Vegas Expo. With over 1,000 exhibitors and 20,000 attendees, it’s an understatement to say I was a little overwhelmed at my first trade show. Luckily I had the veterans, Katie and Don,  there to help me out. Katie thought it was, “great to meet everyone and finally get the chance to put some names to faces.”

The Bloomin sales team got to stay in the luxurious Luxor hotel, and I’ll tell you we had quite the time navigating that labyrinth of a pyramid. I guess that’s what they try to do in Vegas, get you so lost in the hotel so you’ll never leave!

Our new 2012 products were well received, and our new and improved booth looked great. People were most excited about our plantable seed paper confetti packs and mini-planting kits. We are in the process of whipping up some samples of those so we can send them out to the hungry masses. The rest of the month holds two more trade shows, ASI Orlando and Toronto. We better rest up and get ready to do it all over again!

Katie and Lauren looking good at the booth!

We have all heard about the declining bee populations, and the dramatic impact it will  have the on world’s food supply. But although everyone is aware of the problem, most are not aware of the positive impact their individual actions can make toward helping this cause. Here at Bloomin’, we are looking for a way to help make this empowerment process easier for the American people. And it comes in the form of plantable seed paper.

The transformation of wilderness into farmland has greatly impacted pollinators, such as bees. And the trend of monoculture (growing a single crop over a large space of land) means that only a small portion of bees and insects are getting the nutrition they need. The result? The bees don’t come and pollinate the land, resulting in lower crop yields, and bees having to fly farther to get the pollen they desire. An estimated $18 billion worth of fruits and vegetables grown in the Unites States depend on bees for pollination. Without bees, this profit won’t even come close to what it is now. Imagine the devastation on the American agriculture industry, and the people who will go hungry because of it.

Other reasons for the bee population decline include pesticide use, introduced diseases and pests. Yes, there needs to be new government regulation on the pesticides used and subsidies for farmers using methods and growing crops that bees find favorable, but the solution to this problem will take more than sitting back and waiting for these bills to pass. It takes the initiative of a population on an individual level: people need to take this matter into their own hands to solve the declining bee problem. And Bloomin’s plantable seed paper is the perfect tool to help you get started on this path.

By combining a diverse mix of annual and perennial wildflowers that bees are highly attracted to and are native to numerous parts of the country, we have made planting your own wildflower garden easy and affective. Simply take the seed paper, plant it under a thin layer of soil, and water it. Bees prefer gardens that are diverse, with many colors and different species. Fortunately, many of the plants that bees like are attractive to humans too. So you will not only be helping save the bees, but enjoying a vibrant floral landscape as well.

Initiative can be taken beyond individual gardens and backyards. America has an abundance of suitable land for planting, right along the 4 million miles of roads that stretch across the country, resulting in 10 million acres of suitable land. Imagine the impact if all those stretches of highway also served to save the declining bee population.

Let us know if you have any other ideas regarding the “Save the Bees” movement. We are really looking forward to helping make a difference!

Here at Bloomin’, we love when clients show us their seed paper sprouting into wildflowers. Our latest testimonial comes from NK Promotions, a promotional products company based out of sunny Hawaii. We worked together on a PB1-Value used as a gift for people attending a memorial service. The bookmark came out beautifully, and from the looks of those sprouts the flowers will too!

Thanks again for the order NK Promotions and hope we can continue providing you and your clients with some exceptional seed paper products.

Here's the bookmark we made for them

And here it is growing!

There are so many great ways to get creative with our plantable seed paper wedding invitation suites. In a recent order, the happy couple decided to get crafty and add their own unique style to our Persimmon suite. They took the printed pieces from us, and tied each complete suite together with a simple knot, making each invitation its own little package.

We love when brides and grooms show us their finished product, and we think their addition is adorable. Hopefully we’ll get to see some new custom touches soon! To check out all of our plantable seed paper wedding invitation suite, please visit www.bloomininvites.com

We are on a roll this week! Another darling wedding blog was kind enough to feature our plantable seed paper wedding invitations. Rustic Wedding Chic is a great niche blog for brides planning a rustic or country wedding. They offer a tremendous amount of advice to help materialize every part of your dream countryside wedding, whether it’s rustic fashion advice or pastoral-themed vendors they adore.

Editor of Rustic Wedding Chic, Maggie Lord, loves “showing off wedding items that try to do something to help the environment,” because weddings can leave a pretty large carbon footprint. Bloomin’s plantable seed paper wedding invitations are an earth-friendly way to show your guests that you care about mother nature, even on your big day. Our wedding suites are fully-customizable, so brides-to-be can perfectly match them to their wedding’s color theme.

We think that plantable seed paper wedding invitations are the perfect addition to any outdoor wedding, and think we fit right in with the rustic wedding theme. Thanks for the post Rustic Wedding Chic, glad we could add something “eco chic”  to your site!

Bloomin' Invites on Rustic Wedding Chic

As we hone in on the holiday season, love is in the air. And we all know that first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the all-important decision of which wedding stationery suites to choose. Green is the new white when it comes to weddings this season, and our earth-friendly, plantable wedding invitations are getting some well-deserved attention.

Our latest shout-out is courtesy of Woodsy Weddings, a blog dedicated to helping brides celebrate their big day using nature as a cathedral. They loved that instead of simply sending invitations that “will ultimately end up in many of [your] guests’ recycling bins and trash cans”, Bloomin’s seed paper Wedding Invitations “will live on forever as flowers in your guests’ gardens!” And we fancied their idea of using our plantable invitations as a “pre-wedding favor.”

Woodsy Weddings is an adorable blog with tons of advice on how to plan the perfect eco chic wedding. We are so honored to have our seed paper invitations featured on their site, and look forward to working with some of their woodsy brides-to-be.

Check out the full posting here: http://www.woodsyweddings.com/2011/11/30/new-bloomin-wedding-seed-paper-invites/

Woodsy Weddings Blog

Looking for a way to incorporate the Thanksgiving holiday into your promotional campaign? The Lil’ Bloomer Recipe Card is the perfect way to get noticed and have a lasting impression on your target market. The example below incorporates a seed paper leaf embedded with thyme, sage, and parsley seeds, all of which grow into ingredients crucial to the turkey stuffing recipe.

The Lil’ Bloomer Recipe Card is great for any holiday-themed dish or for simply promoting healthy eating habits. All of us at Bloomin’ are excited to see the new ways companies use this product to project their messages.

Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy the stuffing!

Bloomin' Recipe Card

As the Thanksgiving holiday rolls around, all of us at Bloomin’ are grateful for our latest feature in YesBride.com’s wedding blog! Founder Kelly Gera took interest in our plantable seed paper wedding invitations and showcased the Persimmon and Cherry Blossom Suites.

YesBride is a great resource to “help you plan the wedding of your dreams while reducing the cost of your special day.” Make sure to check them out for all your wedding inquiries.

Thanks YesBride for your interest in plantable seed paper wedding invitations, and for the blog post! We’re looking forward to helping your readers go green for their special day.

To read the full blog post, please click here: http://yesbride.com/blog/2011/11/eco-friendly-wedding-invitations-2/

YesBride's post on Bloomin' Wedding Invitations

It may be the beginning of winter, but Bloomin’ is still sprouting up new ideas, new products, and introducing new team members into our awesome mix.  Our new Sales Coordinator, Katie Kennedy, comes to us with a background and passion for sustainable products. Katie says that, “living in Colorado for the last 13 years has deepened my appreciation for our environment and inspired me to work towards its preservation. I’m proud to be part of a company that runs on renewable solar energy and creates products out of 100% recycled materials”.  Other than saving the world one piece of seed paper at a time, Katie enjoys backpacking, whitewater rafting,  skiing the killer slopes of the Rocky Mountains and gardening on the Front Range (with Bloomin’ seeds of course).

Katie Kennedy - Bloomin' Sales Coordinator

What else is new at Bloomin’ you might ask? Brace yourselves for the upcoming release of new growfetti shapes, mini wildflower growing kits, seed paper envelopes, and our gorgeous eco-friendly premium invitation line. Until then, don’t forget to take advantage extended special pricing on our “Holiday the Easy Way” greeting cards.  Um, can you say “free set-ups?” We will, but only until December 1st!

Be sure to check out and download the full and complete catalog of Bloomin Holiday Promotions at http://bloominpromotions.com/BloominHolidayCatalog11.pdf

The most recent PPAI Newslink article informed readers that President Obama will issue an Executive Order instructing all Federal agencies to limit spending on “non-essential items used for promotional purchases.” When the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) President and CEO Paul Bellantone caught wind of this order, he quickly petitioned the President saying that, “while it might be tempting to limit the purchase of promotional products in order to yield some short-term savings, in the long-term…promotional products have proven themselves to be the most cost-effective way to reach a very targeted audience in a tangible, long-lasting and memorable manner.”

Here at Bloomin’, we believe the future of promotional products lies in the use of eco-friendly materials that won’t end up in a landfill. Perhaps if President Obama knew about Bloomin’ seed paper promotional products, which are made out of 100% recycled materials and grow into wildflowers when planted, he would reconsider his Executive Order. Instead of decreasing promotional spending, people should be re-thinking how they choose to promote their business and what that says to their target market.

We think Bloomin’ President Don Martin should add to Mr. Bellantone’s petition persuading President Obama to use plantable seed paper for all Federal agency promotions and for his 2012 reelection campaign. Now that would really show the world Obama’s commitment to the environment and renewable energy as he attempts to be reelected for his second term as President of the United States.

Progress to SEED PAPER

Bloomin’ employees T.J. Ingraham and Michael Sethney (a.k.a Seth) recently opened their food truck Verde, which is proud to be the first, authentic Sonoran style Mexican food vendor in Colorado. The guys were nice enough to stop by the Bloomin’ office building today and let everyone try their famous cuisine. I made sure to order their Machaca, which is shredded beef stewed in a special blend of spices.  It was delicious! The meat was bursting with flavor and my tacos perfectly satisfied my mid-day hunger. I ordered three, but could only finish two!
Verde’s name not only stems from the Spanish word for “green”, but their commitment to serve the freshest food available, using products and methods that will protect the environment as well. Now there’s an earth-friendly mission statement we agree with here at Bloomin’. Maybe we can even get Verde to print their menus on seed paper!

Thanks for stopping by today Seth and T.J. Hope business is blossoming and can’t wait for some more Verde next week!

Verde Food Truck

Bloomin’ is proud to introduce our newest employee, Lauren Shapiro. She is a recent marketing grad from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. Her interest in sustainability is what led her to Bloomin’. She thinks the idea of eco-friendly promotions and greetings is really great, and so do we! Besides seed paper, Lauren enjoys skiing, cooking, practicing yoga, shopping, and traveling. Last summer, Lauren was on Semester at Sea and traveled throughout the Mediterranean. Her favorite stop? Greece!

Bloomin' is proud to introduce our newest employee, Lauren Shapiro.

Speaking of introductions, Bloomin’ just released our latest line of holiday cards. “Holiday the Easy Way” features 20 new stock card designs. Simply select a greeting or submit your own wording, send us your logo, and we’ll make sure to send you a proof within 24 hours.  It’s the easy way to create this holiday season’s greetings.

Lauren’s favorite from the new designs is the reindeer on the plantable seed paper card. Which design is yours?

We started off November in style by being featured in OneWed’s event planning blog. Bloomin’s line of eco-friendly, fully plantable wedding invitation suites caught editorial director Azure Nelson’s eye. Nelson “loved the style and designs, and just couldn’t wait to post!” The full article can be found here.

Bloomin’ Wedding Invitations are a unique, Earth-friendly way to make a lasting impression on wedding guests, and show the bride and groom’s commitment to each other and to the planet.

Each of our designs feature the richly-textured beauty of our signature paper—handmade with an infusion of wildflower seeds. Plant it and enjoy memories of the special day year after year—as a vibrant garden will grow right out of the wedding invitation itself!

Thanks for the post OneWed! Glad we could add some seed paper invitations to your repertoire.

OneWed Event Plannning Blog

Here is another rough iphone video from Tom at Bloomin’ Flower Cards. Our seed paper garden has been in full bloom for six to eight weeks I think. It started out a little slow. I was concerned that we had waited a little too long. Why is it the folks in “the” business often don’t get done themselves what we do for others all year long.

For example, I spent a few hours in the evenings before Christmas, cramming in Adobe Creative suite on my own family Christmas cards, and I never did print, diecut and send them out. I put so much work into them I finally had to at least post them on my facebook page, for what ever that was worth. My sub point is that I did my best to help hundreds of others get there holiday cards out and failed getting my own out. Continue Reading »

It’s always fun to see photos of our seeded paper growing!  Here is a photo of some beautiful (and tall!!) Zinnias that bloomed from a recent  PB5 flower bookmark project. You can see that our seed paper works well right in your office as out in your garden. Part of the reason our paper has such a high germination rate is the diversity of seeds. Each sheet includes a mixture of 13 different types of annual and perennial wildflower seeds that will grow everywhere from Atlanta and Anchorage!

The first 5 people to send a picture of growing seed paper will receive a FREE Seed Paper Growth Journal. Send photos to flowers@bloomin.com

We mean it when say our seeds are randomly dispersed in our paper. One wildflower seed in this postcard decided to randomly disperse itself right where Jane Lynch’s tooth should be! Don’t worry we have an amazing quality control team that checks every piece to catch this type of nuances.  But this postcard does more than just make us laugh, it’s being used to promote VH1′s Do Something Awards. This award show highlights celebrities and young adults that are making a difference. Check out this clip of the highlights from last years ceremony and be sure to watch on August 18th to help celebrate the do-gooders of the world!

Jane Lynch Do Something Awards

This flower video is a little rough,  but the seed paper we planted in 2010 grew quite well. Yea the broad-leafed zinnias did take over and shaded out most of the other wildflowers, but we kept our garden watered and we got good results. This is a small garden on the north side of our business. I tried to demonstrate how I planted the seed paper and how it grew. Yes, we painted our building last summer and it looks much better, so no, this is not some kind of “sleight of hand”. I just linked up the photos I took over the summer and fall and this is what I got. I hope you enjoy it.

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I didn’t do it here in this video, but I have obtained my highest germination rates by creating a greenhouse environment in the early stages of development by covering the planted area with some plastic for a week or so until the sprouts are well established. Once our seed paper is planted it is imperative that it doesn’t gets a chance to dry out. If the seedlings start to develop, and then dry out, they will more than likely not be viable. Below is some seed paper packed with black-eyed Suzan seeds. I put a couple sheets of seed paper in an open baggy on a warm window sill. This is what can happen in a very receptive environment.

Black-eyed susan seeds are small and this paper must have been loaded with them.

Below are some sprouts that were not grown in a zip lock bag, pretty huh! This is where we conduct our loose germ tests. We also test our paper with another company periodically in perfectly controlled environment, but we are always planting random sheets of paper in this tub so we know we are delivering a quality product that will grow.

Here are some real world results you should expect for our seed paper products.

We love paper!  We spend all day making it, cutting it, printing it and talking about it.  Our paper obsession is constantly inspired by the  interesting and beautiful ways other people use the medium in their art and products. Our current inspiration comes from quilling- a paper art where strips of paper and then rolled into shapes and glued together to create an image.  The image below is an unbelievable example of quilling by Yulia Brodskaya. Here is a good how to by Martha Stewart crafts if you want to try quilling yourself.

PPB (Promotional Products Business Magazine) recently asked recipients of this year’s PPAI Supplier Star Award to comment on the elements they think are critical to ensuring long-lasting customer satisfaction. Check out the 24 Best Ideas For Memorable Customer Service. Don’s are listed as the top 3! We appreciate the praises we receive for our customer service commitment from our customers most of all. Check out the full article in the most recent issue of PPB

24 Best Ideas For Memorable Customer Service

Continue Reading »