I admit that I’ve never actually watched the Kentucky Derby (or any other horse race), but I’ve always thought it would be fun to throw a theme party inspired by the derby.  All the ladies wear big hats, all the gentlemen wear seersucker suits, with lawn games and plenty of mint juleps to go around.  Sounds fabulous!  Well, Allie from Allie Ruth Design and her husband Ryan really did throw a derby party this year, and today we get a peek at the beautiful invitations she created for the party!

From Allie:  As soon as Ryan and I decided to have a Derby party, I knew I had to come up with something cute and vintage-inspired to invite our guests.  Believe it or not, this was actually the first time I had ever letterpress printed anything for my own party!  This was also my first time ever using a real vintage letterpress block.  I have always used photopolymer plates, but this time, I knew that the only way I could achieve the true vintage aesthetic that I was hoping for, I would have to find the perfect vintage block – and I did!  I love, love, love this race horse block, and we will be able to use it for years to come!

I had some Crane Lettra left over from an order, and it was the perfect color and weight for this job.  So velvety and rich!  I used a 1920s newspaper page as backing for the kraft paper labels, and wrote addresses with a white paint pen.  The tags had all of the details about directions, etc. and were finished with red and white baker’s twine that I had left over from a custom order.

So cute!  Thanks Allie!

Photo Credits: Allie Ruth Design