Oh So Beautiful Paper

Within the past few months, we’ve had babies on the brain. We’ve had numerous requests lately from crafty moms-to-be wanting chic, custom stamps so that they can make their own birth announcements for their new bundles of joy. This balloon announcement design is sweet, feminine and the perfect way to share the birth of a beautiful little girl with family and friends. – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Combining different pink hues (bright peony pink with the more traditional ballet pink) makes the design a bit more modern. And best of all…it’s super simple!

Step One:  Lay an A2 card (4 1/4″x5 1/2″) card down on a firm surface. Ink your stamp (we used our “Hot Air Balloon” Birth Announcement Stamp) thoroughly and center it over your card. Once it is positioned correctly, press down to make a print. Use both hands to ensure even pressure. Lift off and let the print dry. For more information on this process go here.

Step Two: Using the same technique as in Step One, print your return address (we used our Calligraphy Custom Return Address Stamp) on the back flap of an A2 envelope. To jazz up the back of the envelope, we used some adorable pink & gold washi tape!

Step Three: Now all that’s left to do is to address the envelopes, add postage (we used vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way!

A quick tip for expecting parents: Since you will have your hands full once the baby is born, it is smart to stamp and address the envelopes before the big day arrives. This way, all you will have to do is stamp the announcement (you will need all the baby’s info for this piece), stuff and mail the envelopes, leaving more time to enjoy your new little one!

Materials List:

“Hot Air Balloon” Birth Announcement Stamp

Calligraphy Custom Return Address Stamp

A2 Card in Luxe White

A2 Envelope in Luxe Blush

Stamp Pad Peony

Washi Tape

Verde Studio Vintage Postage

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Neon is back in a big way. It’s been trending in fashion and home decor for a while now, so it’s fun to see the bright hues make a splash in the stationery world too! A while back, we shared a neon and kraft paper save the date design with you and today, we’re following up with a coordinating invitation suite! – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Step One: To achieve the vibrant neon effect for this suite, we utilize the embossing technique. This process creates a raised and opaque print that emulates the thermography printing you’d find in a traditional print shop. Place your A7 card on a stable and firm surface. Ink your invitation stamp (we used our Mod Invitation stamp) and center the stamp over your card. When ready, press the stamp down with moderate pressure to make the print. Lift the stamp off and quickly move on to adding your embossing powder.

Once you’ve made your print, immediately cover it with embossing powder by sprinkling it across the paper. Shift the powder around until you have covered the entire image. Now, you will pour the excess powder off of the card onto a scrap piece of paper so that you can reuse it for future prints. Heat set the print, using an Embossing Heat Tool. You will be able to see the powder melt into an opaque and solid color when it’s done. For more information about how to emboss using stamps, please watch this instructional video.

Note: One key thing about embossing is that it is wise to try to closely match your ink color with your powder color. By doing this, you will get much more crisp and opaque results.

Step Two: Using the same technique as step one, you will print and emboss your reply card. We used our Mod Reply Card stamp on a 4Bar card for this piece.

Step Three: A really great way to add luxurious thickness and a pop of color to your invitation is to add a card stock backer to the invitation print. Adding a backer to the invitation also helps to flatten out any warping/curling that sometimes happens from the heat tool. To do this, simply cut the colored paper to your desired size (ours was 5.25″x7.25″) and use double sided tape to affix the two piece together. *We like to put tape all along the outer rim as well as an “X” across the middle to make sure that there is a good bond.

Step Four: By now, you all probably know that we love envelope liners! For this suite we used the same neon paper (except in text weight this time) to cut a liner for our kraft envelope. Simply trace the template on your paper, cut it out and use double sided tape or stick glue to affix it to your envelope.

Step Five: For a little added flavor, we stamped our Cross my Hearts Initial Monogram stamp in black ink on the inside flap of the liner. It’s a fun surprise for your guests when they first open your invitations!

Step Six: For the reply card envelope, we kept things pretty simple and printed a matching address stamp (we used our Mod Banner Return Address Stamp) in black in on a 4bar kraft paper envelope. We also used the same monogram on the back flap that we used on the liner paper to carry the theme through the suite. We also used the same address stamp in black for the back flap of the A7.5 outer envelope, (not shown). For more detailed information on how to (properly) ink and print stamps, please watch this instructional video.

Step Seven: Once you’ve crated all of your pieces, it’s time to address the invitations, add postage (we used vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way! We guarantee that your guests will be very impressed by all of your handiwork and pumped to celebrate with your on your big day!

Materials:

“Mod” Invitation Stamp “Mod” Reply Card Stamp “Mod Banner” Return Address Stamp “Cross my Heart” Monogram Stamp

A7 Cards in Luxe White

A7.5 Envelopes (Outer Envelopes) in Paper Bag

4Bar Card 4Bar Envelope in Paper Bag

Stamp Pad in Picante Red

Stamp Pad-Wicked Black

Embossing Powder Embossing Heat Tool

Card Stock Backer Cut to 5.25 x 7.25, in Rocket Red from Astro Brights

Liner Paper 8.5″x11″ text sheets, in Rocket Red from Astro Brights

Envelope Liner Templates

Pencil

Scissors

Double Sided Tape

Vintage Postage (from Verde Studio)

Anti­quaria is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Spring has arrived and we couldn’t be happier! It’s always a refreshing and inspiring sight to see all of the little buds form on branches, knowing that soon they will burst into a gorgeous show of flowers. With this save the date design, we wanted to capture this brief moment in time and create something fresh and beautiful. – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Step One: One of the key elements to this save the date is the border card on which you will print your stamp. To start, print out the border card file onto heavy card stock (as heavy as your printer will allow) and trim to size. If you would like to use this spring blossom border design, email us for the free printable download! Other borders can be found on Graphics Fairy.

Step Two: Now that you have your cards printed and cut, you will want to print your stamp (we used our Calligraphy Save the Date Stamp, No.2). Set your card on a firm, hard surface. Ink your stamp well and center it over the card. Press down firmly, making certain that you apply even pressure to all areas of the stamp. Lift the stamp off and set the card aside to dry. For more information about this process, please watch this video.

Step Three: We’ve dressed up the save the date card with a gorgeous sage gray ribbon. Simply cut a length of ribbon and tie it into a bow. Trim the ends with sharp scissors so that they are even and do not hang off of the edges.

Step Four: Next, you will want to stamp your return address (we used our Calligraphy Return Address Stamp) on the back flap of your envelope. Follow the same printing instructions from step two.

Step Five: Now all that’s left to do is to address the envelopes, add postage (we used vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way! This design is sure to bring a fresh dose of spring to every single guests mail box.

Materials:

Calligraphy Save the Date Stamp, No.2

Calligraphy Return Address Stamp

Stamp Pads (in Wicked Black & Seattle Grey)

8.5×11 Cover Stock (needs to be able to run through your home printer) in Eco White

Free Border Card Download (Please email us for the file)

Scissors (or an X-acto Knife & Self Sealing Mat)

A7 Envelopes-in Sage

Hug Snug Rayon Seam Binding in Khaki #503  (it’s actually a sage-grey color)

Verde Studio Vintage Postage

Anti­quaria is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

We’ve always had a love affair with indigo – in fact, the wedding quilt that Emma’s mother created for her is made from scraps of vintage Japanese indigo fabrics. With its recent rise in popularity we decided that indigo would make the perfect inspiration for an invitation suite. The deep blue and white color scheme, mixed with floral elements and classic typography, makes it a design suitable for any season! – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Tie the square invitation and enclosure pieces together with indigo dyed twine and your guests will feel like they’re opening a gift!

Step One: Lay a  5.5″ square card down on a firm surface. Ink your stamp (we used our Sophisticate Invitation Stamp) thoroughly and center it over your card. Once it is positioned correctly, press down to make a print. Use both hands to ensure even pressure. Lift off and let the print dry. For more information on this process go here.

Step Two: You will repeat the printing technique from Step 1 for your reply card (we used our Sophisticate Reply Card Stamp) on a 4bar (3.5″x4.75″) card.  This time, instead of centering the stamp, you will print it toward the bottom of the card. This leaves space to print the floral pattern (we used our Daisy Pattern & Small Leaves Pattern Stamps) at the top. It’s best to start with the larger pattern stamp and then fill in with the smaller leaf stamp.

Step three: We love to incorporate patterns in to our invitation suites, whether it’s an envelope liner, backer or belly band…it adds so much style and personality to the design. We created this indigo pattern by randomly stamping pattern stamps (we used our Camellia Pattern, Daisy Pattern and Small Leaves Pattern Stamps) in frost white ink on 8.5″ x 11″ card stock. The effect that it creates is so lovely!

Step Four: To make the accommodations card, you will need to cut the 8.5″ x 11″ patterned paper into 5″ squares (you will get 2 per sheet). Next, ink and stamp your accommodations information (we used our Calligraphy Accent Accommodations Stamp) on the front of the navy blue card.

Step Five: Using the same printing technique as above, you will print your return address and reply address (we used our Wildflowers Return Address Stamp) on the outer and reply envelopes. Now all that’s left is to tie everything together, address your envelopes, add postage (we used awesome blue vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way!

Materials:

Sophisticate Invitation Stamp

Sophisticate Reply Card Stamp

Calligraphy Accent Accommodations Stamp

Pattern Stamps – Camellia, Daisy, Small Leaves

Wildflowers Return Address Stamp

Stamp Pad – Frost White, Midnight

5.5″ Cards in Luxe Cream

5.75″ Envelope in Night

4bar Flat Card in Luxe Cream

4bar Envelope in Night

8.5″x11″ Cardstock in Night

Vintage Postage Verde Studio

String or twine

Anti­quaria is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Neon has been the “in” thing for a while…but using it as inspiration for your wedding is definitely not for the faint of heart. We put together a fun and punchy neon save the date design that is perfect for spring. By mixing in kraft paper and black, we were able to tame the neon and make it quite modern. – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Step One: For this save the date, we are using a circular card. It may be a bit trickier to eyeball the placement of the stamp, so measuring out center is a good idea. First you’ll want to trace the circle card on a piece of scrap paper and then mark the center. Mark perpendicular lines through the center. Next you will measure and mark center of stamp and line it up on the circle template guide.

Step Two: We were so excited to find this awesome neon pink embossing powder! Place your circular card on a stable and firm surface. Ink your save the date stamp (we used our Mod Wreath Save the Date stamp) and center the stamp over your card. When ready, press the stamp down with moderate pressure to make the print. Lift the stamp off and quickly move on to adding your embossing powder. For more information about inking your stamp or making prints, please watch this video that shows the process in more detail.

Once you’ve made your print, immediately cover it with embossing powder by sprinkling it across the paper. Shift the powder around until you have covered the entire image. Now, you will pour the excess powder off of the card onto a scrap piece of paper so that you can reuse it for future prints. Heat set the print, using an Embossing Heat Tool. You will be able to see the powder melt into an opaque and solid color when it’s done.

Note: One key thing about embossing is that it is wise to try to closely match your ink color with your powder color. By doing this, you will get much more crisp and opaque results.

Step Three: Adding a liner is one fun way that you can add some pattern to your save the date. For this liner, we just stamped our Small Leaves pattern stamp in black on a kraft paper liner. To make the liner, trace the template onto your kraft paper and cut it out with scissors. To install, simply use stick glue or double sided tape to adhere them into your envelope.

Step Four: It’s wise to include a website card with your save the dates so that guests can access all of the travel information and wedding details that they will need in order to make plans to attend your nuptials. For this card, we simply stamped our (Art Deco Website Card stamp) on a cream business card in black, diagonally.

Step Five: Putting it all together: First, we embossed a return address stamp (we used our Mod Banner Return Address stamp) on the back flap of our outer envelope to coordinate with the save the date design. We also embossed our Cross My Heart Initials monogram stamp on the back flap of an adorable polka dot craft envelope that will hold the website card.

Now all that’s left is to address the save the dates, adhere postage (we used Verde Studio’s vintage stamps), add some fun neon washi tape and send them on their way!

Materials

Mod Wreath Save the Date stamp (circular option)

Art Deco Website Card stamp

Small Leaves Pattern stamp

Mod Banner Return Address stamp

Cross my Heart Initials Monogram stamp

5 1/2 Circular Card in Luxe Cream

5 3/4 Square Envelope in Luxe Cream

Business Card in Luxe Cream

Small Polka Dot Kraft Envelope from Martha Stewart

Stamp Pad in black and peony

Embossing Powder

Embossing Heat Tool

Envelope Liner Template

Kraft Paper (text weight)

Double sided tape

Scissors

Pencil

Postage Stamps from Verde Studio

Photo Credits: Antiquaria