Oh So Beautiful Paper

Archive for 2012

I’m a big fan of Year in Review cards – particularly for families that have undergone major changes that year, from big moves to welcoming a new family member. Camden from Studio Ephemera recently relocated her family to the Bay Area in California, so she combined her annual holiday card with a moving announcement and big update on her family’s recent changes. For the design, Camden chose a mix of fun typefaces with a few graphic icons scattered throughout to help anchor the text.

From Camden: Our family has had a really busy year. We went through a long period of transition from the East Coast to the West Coast, as well as to new careers, so there was a lot to catch people up on. I decided to make our card two sided: the front a recap of the past year and hints for what awaits us next year, and the back an apology for falling out of touch and a summary of our new address and contact information.

I used lyrics from the Bob Dylan song “The Times They Are A ‘Changin’” to tie both sides together thematically. Because there was so much information to convey, I decided to keep the card typographic in nature, using graphic icons and symbols to create visual interest and break up/balance the text.

For the type, I wanted something lighthearted but easy to read with a bit of a retro feel, so I used a combination of typefaces that I felt complemented one another (albeit in a quirky/non traditional way): KG Two is Better than One and KG All Things New, by Kimberly Geswein, Carton by Nick McCosker, and VAG Rounded by Gerry Barney.

 

For the color, I chose a deep teal on white to keep things streamlined, clean and fresh – a good way to recap the old and welcome the new! Matching envelopes kept everything tied together. Because I really wanted the cards to convey a handmade, quality feel, I letterpress printed them onto Rives BFK using a Vandercook (special thanks to Peter of Peter Koch Printers for letting me use his press!)

Thanks Camden!

Photo Credits: Studio Ephemera

As prepared as I think I am for Christmas each year, it always manages to sneak up on me and now we are in the final stretch! If you’ve finished purchasing your gifts, you’re already ahead of me and it’s certainly time to get to wrapping them. Gift wrapping is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season and I always try to get my DIY on with creative toppers, tags and wrapping solutions. Whether you’re a simple, kraft paper type or a glitzy glam gifter, here are a few crafty ways to package those presents that you can whip up at the very last minute. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! — Kelly

Free Printable Gift Tags via Funkytime

DIY Mini Wreath Gift Wrap via Odessa May Society (left), DIY Duct Tape Gift Wrap via The Sweetest Occasion (right)

Stitched Gift Tags via Shim Tokk

 

Rubber stamp sets from Yellow Owl Workshop make wonderful DIY gift wrap (left); Dip dye gift wrap via Martha Stewart (right)

DIY Kraft Gift Wrap via Chelsea Fuss for Project Wedding

Chalkboard gift wrap via Nashville Wraps

DIY Donut Gift Tag via Icing Designs (left), DIY Mystery Stocking Stuffers via Sugar & Cloth (right)

DIY Painted Treat Boxes via You Are My Fave

DIY Pom Pom Gift Toppers via Sugar & Cloth (left), DIY Cupcake Wrapper Toppers via Hey Look (right)

 

DIY Confetti Surprise Gift Jars via Studio DIY

DIY Glitzy Gift Wrap via Grey Likes Weddings, Photo by T&H Photography

DIY Tinsel Gift Wrap via Whimseybox

Happy wrapping everyone!

{images via their respective sources}

I’ve had the pleasure of featuring Anastasia’s birthday party invitations for the past two years – and today she’s back with the invitations for her 25th birthday! This year’s theme involves balloons and lots of gold glitter, and is accented with gold washi tape and sparkly twine. So cute and totally appropriate for the holiday season!

From Anastasia: I went with a vertical flip-style orientation, printed on smooth white cover weight paper with gray and gold inks. On the front, I printed a simple balloon outline and the inside portion had all the party info. I then hand-glittered balloon cutouts with a mix of fine gold glitter and a larger white glitter for an extra fancy look.

The glittered balloons were paired with gold string and secured onto the front of the invitations with mounting tape for a 3D look. The finished invitations were inserted into brown kraft envelopes and sealed with metallic gold washi tape.

Thanks Anastasia!

Photo Credits: Anastasia Marie

It’s always a treat when I get to feature invitations for a wedding in my home city of Washington, DC, and this invitation is made even more special by the fact that the couple became engaged shortly after same-sex marriage was legalized here in DC. Kari from SugarB Studio created a lovely modern design that emphasized the love both between Ralph and Drew but also between the couple and their guests. Such a beautiful idea!

From Kari: Ralph and Drew are an amazing couple, who people fall in love with immediately. They were engaged soon after same-sex marriage became legal in the District of Columbia. When we met to discuss their wedding invitation, we were chatting and laughing at the idea of adding “Because You Love Us” onto the wedding invitation. We soon realized that it was a cute and funny way to put a twist on their anything-but-traditional wedding invitation.

I loved how this modern design paired nicely with letterpress. I chose 220# Crane Lettra so that we could print on both sides of the invitation. The sturdy paper made quite the impression on the recipients. Ralph and Drew loved the idea of printing everyone’s name on the invitation to portray how important their friends and family are in their lives and how they too were a part of their union.

Thanks Kari!

Design: SugarB Studio

Letterpress Printing: Gilah Press

Calligraphy: Meant To Be Calligraphy

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: SugarB Studio

This giveaway is now closed – thank you to all who entered!

Happy Monday everyone! It’s the last week of posting before I take a little holiday break until the new year, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be starting the week with a giveaway of this amazing 2013 planner from Laurel Denise! If you’re a super organized person or even if getting organized is item #1 on your list of new year’s resolutions, this is the giveaway for you!

The Laurel Denise planner has been one of my very favorites for the last few years – and it’s perfect for folks (like us) who appreciate good design and want something pretty to help stay organized. From the cover (in five different color options, including metallic gold!) to the clean and modern layout, it’s one of the most beautiful planners I’ve ever seen. It’s also super-functional, with monthly and weekly calendars to help you manage your schedule and lots of space for to do lists, notes, and lots more!

To enter, leave a comment below telling us something fun that you’re looking forward to in 2013! You’ll have until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 20 to enter the giveaway. One winner will be selected randomly and notified via email. Bonne chance!

*This giveaway is courtesy of Laurel Denise.  Official sweepstakes rules here.