02/11/2019

Navy and Leather Bachelor Party Invitations

These navy and leather bachelor party invitations by Kristin of Lustre Theory are a fun way to start the week! Beautiful deep blue and copper envelopes with calligraphy by Seniman Calligraphy, vintage postage stamps, and yes, plenty of leather details throughout the suite. Leather is such a fun way to add some texture to wedding invitations and party invitations, especially when paired with such beautiful jewel tones!

From Kristin: I designed this unique stationery suite for an editorial shoot coordinated by A Lively Affair in Norfolk, Virginia. The shoot was inspired by the idea of an upscale fall bachelor party incorporating textures of leather, wood, and metal. The cigar and magnolia leaves, along with the leather pieces, help add the perfect southern touches.

The invitation design was inspired by all the different textures mentioned above, from the leather outer envelope to the copper textured liner and dark navy inner envelope. Itâ€™s not often I get to design a stationery suite geared towards a primarily male event, which made this one extra exciting. I wanted the invitation design to have old southern charm combined with classic elegance. The beautiful envelope calligraphy by Seniman Calligraphy is the perfect contrast to the typography selections in the square invitation and rsvp card. We added vintage postage stamps to carry the color palette through to the envelope and add a touch of whimsical, outdoorsy artwork.

The invitations and RSVP card are letterpress printed in dark navy blue ink. Both are finished with a metallic copper edging process and pressed on extra thick white cotton paper. It was important that the invitation card and rsvp card have a strong typographical presence but an overall simple design layout. The leather pieces are all handmade to specification by HJ Leather Arts, a local craftsman in Norfolk. They include an outer main envelope, an invitation band and an event place card.

Thanks Kristin!

Invitation Design: Lustre Theory

Envelopes: Cards & Pockets

Calligraphy: Seniman Calligraphy

Letterpress Printing: Fino Print

Leather pieces: HJ Leather Arts

Photo Credits: Angela Elise Photography

02/04/2019

Valentine’s Day Cards 2019

Happy Monday everyone! Since I’m browsing all the new stationery up at the National Stationery Show, it seemed only fitting to start the week with a greeting card round up. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, let’s take a look at some love cards! You can even stock up on a bunch of these cards to send sweet love notes to your significant other throughout the year!

1. Worthwhile Paper celebrates a love written in the stars

2. This card from Dahlia Press is such a pretty Valentine’s Day card, but you can also use it to send a sweet note to a friend or loved one any time of year

3. Such a sweet and sentimental card from Our Heiday

4. Life is one crazy adventure. Love this card from Odd Daughter Paper!

5. This card from Ramona and Ruth is perfect for so many occasions!

6. Is your love written in the stars? Give this sweet illustrated card from Pencil Joy

7. February 14 and all the other days from Ink Meets Paper

8. A vibrant and colorful love card from Happy Go Lucky

9. Anyone else prefer a card to a box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day? Now there’s a die cut card for that from Idlewild Co.!

10. One of my favorite designs from Heartswell

02/01/2019

Friday Faves

Happy Friday everyone! I’m heading up to New York for the National Stationery Show tomorrow, and I’ll be sharing snaps from the show on Instagram starting on Sunday â€“ then here as soon as I can get the photos processed. Covering the show has gotten harder (at least for me) with social media since I tend to take photos with both my phone and my DSLR, giving me twice as many photos to sort through. This year I’m hoping to consolidate with just one camera and hope for the best. You’d think social media would make it easier to cover the show, but it’s actually the opposite for me! Anyway, here are some links for your weekend!

Greeting cards by Worthwhile Paper â€“ they’ll be at the Crow & Canary booth at NYNOW (7614)!

Raising conscious white kids

Have you been following the couture runway shows? My favorites are Maison Valentino (so much color!) and Ralph & Russo (I specifically want this dress, please and thank you).

How cute is this wicker purse? So perfect for spring and summer!

The Jewish feminism of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

I’m into the minimalist vibes of this necklace

Maybe we should be talking about taxes instead of philanthropy

Do you know about World Central Kitchen? Founded by JosÃ© AndrÃ©s, it’s a group of chefs and volunteers that provide food to natural disaster victims around the world â€“ and to federal employees during the shutdown.

These towel rings are very similar to what we have in our bathroom, and I love the extra mother of pearl detail!

So many cute pillows and blankets in this Etsy shop!

01/30/2019

NSS/NYNOW 2019 Sneak Peek: Gia Graham for Paper Epiphanies

This weekend I head up to NYC for the National Stationery Show and NYNOW trade shows â€“ which are taking place at the same time this year, for the first time ever! I’m excited to see all my stationer friends and a wee bit nervous about trying to fit two of my favorite trade shows into the same number of days. Wish me luck â€“ and follow along on Instagram for behind the scenes peeks! Victoria from Paper Epiphanies is exhibiting at NYNOW (Booth 7215!) and sent over a quick preview of a new collection in collaboration with artist Gia Graham that will be debuting at the show!

The Gia Graham for Paper Epiphanies collection is called “The Voices” and consists of six greeting cards and three art prints that celebrate the words and life of black women. Each card and art print features a hand illustrated quote from black authors, activists, and poets â€“ including Maya Angelou, Sojourner Truth, and Zora Neale Hurston â€“ while the back of each card features a short biography of each woman. You can see a few more designs from the collection below, and if you’ll be at the show stop by booth 7215 to see the collection in person!

Gia Graham (left) / Victoria of Paper Epiphanies (right)

Thanks Victoria and Gia!

01/28/2019

Organic Tropical Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper

Did you ever think you would hear the words organic and tropical together in an invitation suite? Well, today’s the day! Shana from Iris & Marie Letterpress sent over these beautiful organic tropical wedding invitations on handmade paper, inspired in large part by the texture of the Spanish moss at the wedding venue. The entire suite was printed on gorgeous handmade paper from Farmette Press â€“ I just can’t get over those natural deckled edges! â€“ in the most beautiful shades of blue and peach. So dreamy.

From Shana: These organic tropical wedding invitations started out with a little flamingo and some handmade paper, and from there the rest just fell into place! I was inspired by the Spanish moss texture at the venue and brought that into the suite using Farmette Press handmade paper. Loren’s paper is very textural, not perfect, and very organic looking â€“ exactly how Spanish moss feels to me.

Also inspired by the coast, we added a hand drawn little flamingo friend to the invitation along with custom spot calligraphy by Paulene at Leen Machine Calligraphy. Paulene’s calligraphy added another element of texture with the hand written look that the lines have. The color palette is very spring-y and beachy with all the shades of blue and bits of peachy neutrals.

We wanted to keep the colors lush, but still spring-like for the Savannah wedding. The overall suite has a rustic vintage feel with layers of organic textures throughout the suite, including the twine used to tie the suite together and keep everything in place. The calligraphy and text layout reminds me of script from an old document and the twine lends itself to that as well.

While there is a lot of texture going on, the overall design is pretty minimal. I kept the text small and to a minimum to let the paper speak for itself. The design is centered in the middle of the invitation to let the edges flow around the words and act as a frame. The leaves on the back envelope flap give the invitation a “fan me with your tropical leaves” vibe and, in my personal opinion, makes it all a little more regal. I absolutely love how these organic tropical wedding invitations came together â€“ from the speckles in the handmade paper to the Spanish moss to the bride’s gorgeous red hair!

Thanks Shana!

Invitation Design and Printing: Shana at Iris & Marie Letterpress

Calligraphy: Paulene from Leen Machine Calligraphy

Paper: Farmette Press

Looking for more wedding invitation inspiration? Visit our wedding invitations archive for more custom wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: JB Marie Photography