Oh So Beautiful Paper

Archive for 2011

For those of you planning to ring in 2012 at home, we thought we’d fill you in on a fun and sparkly cocktail to add to your drink menu.  This bubbly cocktail is both delicious and really easy.  So here’s a joyful way to toast the New Year with champagne, just a little gussied up: the French 75.

Read below for the full recipe!

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I’m always excited to start a new year – something about turning over a new leaf and embarking on new projects and adventures, all with a sense of purpose and optimism.  I’m still looking forward to 2012, but this year it’s more about putting 2011 behind me than anything else.  While 2011 had some great and exciting moments, it was a really hard year for me; being separated from my husband for six months while he was deployed in Iraq, struggling with some difficult family issues, and generally just trying to keep my head above water.  I’m not complaining, because things really could have been a lot harder, but I’ll just be very happy to toast to 2012 and leave 2011 behind.  In the meantime, I’m reflecting on all of the people and things for which I’m incredibly grateful this year, including my amazing husband (I’m so happy he’s back home) and our three adorable cats, my loving family, some truly wonderful and supportive friends (without whom I really don’t think I could have made it through the first six months of the year), and of course the amazing stationery and blog community that inspires me each and every day.  I wake up each morning excited to get to work and see what the day brings, and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.  Thank you all so very much for reading, and I’ll see you all in 2012!

Photo Credit: Katie Stoops Photography

p.s. We have a fun New Year’s Eve cocktail coming up for you in just a bit, so check back soon!

Before we head off for the weekend and to count down the final hours of the year, I have one final collection of favorite posts from 2011 to share – illustrated wedding invitations!   I absolutely love it when designers incorporate line drawings and illustrations into custom wedding invitations.  Each invitation suite is like a little work of art!  Here are a few of my favorite illustrated wedding invitations from the past year:

Charles + Jazmin’s illustrated wedding invitations by Low Country Press feature illustrated versions of their silhouettes along with details representing their respective passions – all in a beautiful yellow and gray color palette.

Julianne + Philip’s illustrated letterpress invitations from Mama’s Sauce featured joyful illustrations of the couple’s dancing shoes along with wax seals and beautiful edge painting

Elizabeth + David’s farmhouse wedding invitations from Gus & Ruby Letterpress feature hand lettering paired with beautiful illustrations from Nate Duval.  Gorgeous!

Gus & Ruby Letterpress is a member of the Designer Rolodex – check out more of their beautiful work right here!

Photo Credits: Elk Photo for Low Country Press; Mama’s Sauce; Brea McDonald for Gus & Ruby Letterpress

Like neon, 2011 was a big year for watercolor – from calendars to greeting cards to baby shower invitations.  I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more watercolor in 2012, but in the meantime here are a few of my favorite posts incorporating watercolor from 2011!

Caitlin + Sean’s watercolor wedding invitations by Constellation & Co.

Nancy + Elias’s watercolor letterpress wedding invitations by Oh Happy Day

Watercolor collection from The Aerialist Press

p.s. See how to make your own watercolor invitations and stationery right here!

The Aerialist Press and Constellation & Co. are mem­bers of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work here and here – or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Constellation & Co., Alexis Birkmeyer for Oh Happy Day, The Aerialist Press