Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! We’re starting to see signs of spring here in DC, which makes me happier than I can possibly put into words. This winter has been fairly mild, at least compared to the last two winters, but I’m still looking forward to seeing green things in the ground again soon! Sophie and I started some seeds indoors a couple of weeks ago, and it has been so fun to watch new little seedlings sprout up! But in the meantime…

Katharine Watson Floral Sketch via Instagram / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Image by Katharine Watson via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

The last two weeks on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations

Any leap day babies out there? Or anyone WITH leap day babies of their own? Well, this one is for you! Lauren at Darling + Pearl just happens to have a leap day baby, and they’re super excited to celebrate this year! Lauren put together these really cute monster-themed leap day birthday party invitations, and because she’s a letterpress printer she just had to give herself a little extra challenge in the printing department. So cute!

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Lauren: Here’s a project that is SO close to my heart. Not too many people care about, much less celebrate, leap day, BUT it’s my son’s birthday! And we’ve waited so impatiently for FOUR YEARS to see it on the calendar!

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

These invitations were mixed media- one color letterpress printed in black and flat printed full color details on 110lb fluorescent white cotton stock. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was signing on for with registration this tight, but the best times to push the envelope is on personal projects and I can’t stop staring at them!

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Declan is kind of obsessed with his stuffed animal entourage at the moment – some of them being dinosaurs (his 3rd birthday theme) and monsters – so when it came time to decide on a birthday theme, like 2 weeks ago, (hah! things are more and more lax at the years go on, and children multiply – am I right?) monsters for a monstrous leap day celebration seemed to fit the ticket.

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

I used kraft envelopes, since I generally like to keep it neutral, and ribbed metallic green fine paper envelope liners. AND vintage stamps! In the meantime I also created a little art print that we can hang in his room, one to share with his leap day buddy, Charlotte, and obviously one to hang in my print studio.

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Lauren!

Darling + Pearl is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Lauren’s beautiful work right here!

Photo Credits: Darling + Pearl

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! The snow has finally disappeared in our neighborhood – we even had a couple of really warm days that have me super excited for spring! I know we’ve got many weeks before we get there, but I just keep imagining cherry blossoms, peonies, and all the amazingness that comes with spring in DC. But in the meantime…

Eva Black Palm Print / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Palm print by Eva Black

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week! We’re back to cocktail recipes starting this month – so check back a bit later for this week’s recipe! Although I’m hoping we’ll be able to do mocktails every now and then throughout the year. I really loved our Apricot Tiki Mocktail! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

Buffalo Plaid Third Birthday Party Invitations

There are so many wonderful plaid and tartan patterns in the world, and Buffalo plaid is definitely one of my favorites! I just love the strong graphic impact of the large red and black checks, especially for anything happening during the cold fall and winter months. These Buffalo plaid third birthday party invitations from Lauren Chism Fine Papers are such a fantastic centerpiece for a Buffalo plaid-themed party, especially when paired with rustic kraft envelopes and fun antler details. Can’t you just imagine everyone seated on plaid blankets drinking warm hot chocolate? Too cute!

Buffalo Plaid Birthday Party Invitations by Lauren Chism Fine Papers / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Lauren: I love wearing Buffalo plaid and decorating with antlers, so it didn’t surprise me that I enjoyed designing with them too! My bestie, Carrie, came to me with these ideas for her son Parker’s 3rd birthday, and all I could think of is how cute and fun this little theme was. Certainly in terms of the invitations!

Buffalo Plaid Birthday Party Invitations by Lauren Chism Fine Papers / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Obviously the Buffalo plaid was the centerpiece of the design, but I loved incorporating the antlers and kraft envelopes with it. They were digitally printed in the most vibrant red. I was beyond happy with how everything came together.

Buffalo Plaid Birthday Party Invitations by Lauren Chism Fine Papers / Oh So Beautiful Paper

In addition to the invitations, she used Buffalo plaid blankets for tablecloths, dressed Parker in a plaid shirt, and used red and black balloons. I thought it was such a cute theme for a fall or winter birthday, without going overboard. She had planned for an outdoor party, but they had to move things indoors because of rain. The Buffalo plaid was incredibly versatile, because it was just as cute set up inside as out! 

Buffalo Plaid Birthday Party Invitations by Lauren Chism Fine Papers / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Buffalo Plaid Birthday Party Invitations by Lauren Chism Fine Papers / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Lauren!

Design: Lauren Chism Fine Papers

Lauren Chism Fine Papers is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can check out more of Lauren’s beautiful work right here!

Photo Credits: Lauren Chism Fine Papers

Best of 2015: Babies + Kids

Oh So Beautiful Paper: The Best of 2015 / Calligraphy by Cast Calligraphy

Image by Cast Calligraphy

Nothing makes me happier than a beautiful baby announcement or colorful birthday party invitation. It’s hard to resist anything that involves an adorable photo of a newborn baby, and birthday party invitations can be so much fun – especially in those first few years when you can really do whatever you want! Ha! Baby announcements and birthday party invitations are a fabulous opportunity to create beautiful stationery (but without the added pressure that can come with creating a wedding invitation). My favorite baby announcements and birthday party invitations are those that manage to be whimsical, sophisticated, and kid-appropriate all at the same time while somehow not being overly cutesy. Some favorites from the year include a simple and modern hand lettered birth announcement, woodland critter birthday party invitations, gold foil polka dot baby announcements, watercolor popsicle birthday party invitations, and some SUPER fun invitations for a 5th birthday party!

The Best Birthday Party Invitations of 2015: Watercolor Calligraphy Popsicle Birthday Party Invitations by Maison Everett / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Watercolor Calligraphy Popsicle Birthday Party Invitations by Maison Everett

The Best Baby Announcements of 2015: Hand Lettered Letterpress Birth Announcements by The Good Twin and Power and Light Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Hand Lettered Letterpress Baby Announcements by The Good Twin and Power and Light Press

The Best Birthday Party Invitations of 2015: Wild Kratts Birthday Party Invitations by Good on Paper / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Wild Kratts Animal-Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Good on Paper

The Best Baby Announcements of 2015: Gold Foil Polka Dot Birth Announcements by Lauren Chism / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Gold Foil Polka Dot Baby Announcements by Lauren Chism

The Best Birthday Party Invitations of 2015: Woodland Fall Harvest Birthday Party Invitations by Swiss Cottage Designs, Photo by Sweet Root Village / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Woodland Critter Fall Harvest Birthday Party Invitations by Swiss Cottage Designs / Photo by Sweet Root Village

More baby announcements and birthday party invitation ideas right here!