Keep Calm...it was bound to happen | Holly Mathis Interiors

May17

Keep Calm…it was bound to happen

Posted in: etsy, good shopping, style

Yesterday, I cruised through TWO Target stores looking for Liberty of London plates for this nursery. What did I see?? yep..Keep Calm and Carry On items! I just had to laugh..good ol’ Target.

The canvas prints were okay but the pillows I’m not sure about….maybe cute for a teen’s room or dorm? Hey maybe a good graduation gift?! I think you can actually buy a print on etsy for less than the canvas at Target ..but hey I’m not knocking..I am sure many are excited…just please remember, as much as I love Target, you can buy this at Etsy from a printmaker or similar and get something less mass produced..if you care, if you don’t that is fine too..

Notice on the trays, the wording is different and there are forks in the crown!

What do you think? Will you be snatching up these items at Target, snubbing the whole trend, getting rid of your existing Keep Calm print or ordering from Etsy????

25 Comments

Comment by Malissa — May 17, 2010 @ 8:19 am
Love all the wood, so much character. I have been stalking your blog for awhile, but have never commented:) Your spread in Better Homes and Gardens is still one of my favorites. Love your blog and want to see more pictures of your beautiful house!
Comment by Holly — May 17, 2010 @ 9:32 am
btw, I LOVE my keep calm items and will not be getting rid of despite the continued popularity and saturation;;;; I think Wisteria has items too..maybe bags?!
Comment by Sharae — May 17, 2010 @ 9:33 am
I just love the saying. I saw it somewhere quite sometime ago and actually just printed it out on my printer and put it in a frame in my living room. My own unique art! But now that it is at Target, I guess the saying will be overused soon!
Comment by Teresa — May 17, 2010 @ 9:38 am
I love them, but is Target stealing some sweet little etsy seller’s design?
Comment by Amanda @ Serenity Now — May 17, 2010 @ 9:48 am
I don’t know if I’d buy it from Target if I could make it myself, but I do love the saying. Knowing me, I’d buy the canvas b/c I don’t have a lot of crafty time lately….
Comment by Janell Beals — May 17, 2010 @ 9:58 am
I saw these as well…I would probably not purchase these, if I wanted one I’d find a more “personal” resource, like you’ve mentioned. I am always somewhat disappointed when something that is really quite fabulous reaches this point of saturation, it somehow detracts from the value. Like Thomas Paul fabrics…everywhere now and while I still love his prints they don’t seem as special as they once did.
Janell
Comment by Lindsay Lee — May 17, 2010 @ 10:05 am
I’m an etsy girl!
Comment by camille — May 17, 2010 @ 10:13 am
I had NO idea Target was on the Keep Calm bandwagon. I bought my weathered metal sign version on e-bay and love its rusty edges and will keep it in my living room until it no longer feels “unique.” I’ll then move it to my laundry room (which I’ve dubbed my “happy place”) because I love (and need) the sentiment!
Comment by Megkathleen — May 17, 2010 @ 10:31 am
I would DEFINITELY be purchasing my print from Etsy – I’m all about supporting the little guys. But it does seem like this print is everywhere now…
Comment by Tiffany — May 17, 2010 @ 10:37 am
I recently bought myself a mug with the saying to keep on my desk at work – it’s the one place where I have to constantly remind myself to “keep calm and carry on”. I have thought about buying a print for my home office but I would probably but I would probably get it from Etsy – I LOVE Etsy. Not sure where I ever bought baby shower gifts before Etsy
Comment by susan — May 17, 2010 @ 10:58 am
I’m an Etsy gal, too.
Comment by Kate (Little Beach Bum) — May 17, 2010 @ 11:07 am
You know what is so funny – I was just reading some old posts over at Tidbits from the Tremaynes and she had this post: http://manditremayne.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-just-cant-help-myself.html
which you just have to check out! It’s pretty hilarious the combinations that people come up with. I actually had never seen this before about 20 minutes ago – I guess that just means I haven’t been spending enough time in Target lately!
Comment by Melissa — May 17, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
Like Uggs, I will probably resist for another year and then cave in a big way. But not the Target stuff. I do love the mustard yellow one so much, but I am just not a trend jumper, and I’ve resisted so far.
Comment by Tara G. — May 17, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
I’m not much for items that have a message on them- regardless of whether I like the saying or not- displayed on my person on in my home; it’s just not my thing.
Comment by LLH Designs — May 17, 2010 @ 4:02 pm
How did I miss the adventure? I’m a crown girl and have always gotten a smile out of this saying, but so far, nothing of the sort has made it into my home. Though if it did, I’d go with an Etsy print. xo…Linsey
Comment by Heather — May 17, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
I like the crowns I’ve seen on Etsy better!
Comment by Chris — May 17, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Ugh I really hate these even though my wife loves them! Such a trend… but even my baby girl has a pink shirt w/ this on it.
Comment by I like the Canvas Prints — May 18, 2010 @ 1:12 am
Hah they are really good. I personally liked the canvas prints.
Comment by Trish @TheOldPostRoad — May 18, 2010 @ 7:58 am
Wish I could find my art mass-produced on a Target shelf (with the royalties coming to me, of course!)
-Trish
Comment by Christy — May 18, 2010 @ 4:30 pm
I love the saying & I love Target, but I don’t think I will be buying it at Target (I will stick with Etsy!). Agree, the pillows are a little too over the top.
Comment by Melisse — May 18, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
I love Etsy (I have an Vacant shop!)
I have a good friend who does 20th Century Silhouettes: cutie pie company
She uses a photo profile and makes a silhouette digitally then creates a screen and prints it on stationary.
Comment by Jen R Sanctuary art — May 19, 2010 @ 6:46 am
It’s good to know that Target is getting good at ripping off bloggers too….
Comment by Christa — May 19, 2010 @ 11:19 am
I am a snubber!! It’s kind of a cute saying only I’ve seen it too much which justnmakes it boring!!
Comment by Tonia — May 20, 2010 @ 8:12 am
I LOVE etsy & enjoy supporting home business crafters. I have to say though I’m just not crazy about this phrase at all – actually think it’s a little cheesy. LOL
Comment by jen — May 26, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
I’m also a snubber. I bought my print on etsy a while back and love it. My heart sank a little when I was cruising through Target and saw the canvases. I do the snack trays are pretty funny though.