Brush Lettered Baby Shower Invitations

I’ve been a huge fan of Molly Jacques for years – including all of her gorgeous fonts! – and it’s always a pleasure when I get to feature some of Molly’s beautiful illustrations or calligraphy (or both!) here on OSBP. I was absolutely thrilled when Molly sent over the brush lettered baby shower invitations that she designed for her very own shower! Inspired by traditional sign painting techniques, Molly incorporated her own signature brush lettering into the invitation design, along with a whole lot of color. The result is so fresh and vibrant!

Brush Lettering Baby Shower Invitations by Molly Jacques for Juni / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Molly: I’ve been creating custom calligraphy and lettering for others for years, so when I found out that I was pregnant with our first baby, I was so excited to be able to design my very own baby shower invitations!

Brush Lettering Baby Shower Invitations by Molly Jacques for Juni / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Brush Lettering Baby Shower Invitations by Molly Jacques for Juni / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Between my own work schedule and getting ready for baby, I knew I wanted to create an invitation that wouldn’t create too much fuss around my schedule yet remain FUN and eye-catching. I wanted a design that that I could put together on my own time, in-between client projects, and print right at home on my own printer.

Brush Lettering Baby Shower Invitations by Molly Jacques for Juni / Oh So Beautiful Paper

For the invitation, I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate a little bit of traditional sign painting technique mixed with modern brush style lettering. I was greatly inspired by the use of fun, bright colors to reflect the joyous occasion – an aspect I also have been interjecting into baby’s nursery design. Likewise, I wanted to use texture and value as a major design element to contribute to the over-all playfulness of the invitation, you can see this technique showcased with white calligraphy on a mid-toned envelope as well as the dot gradient used on the actual invitation to indicate a middle tone value. Moreover, I also decided to add on a little bit of washi tape to the outer envelopes to add some additional texture.

Brush Lettering Baby Shower Invitations by Molly Jacques for Juni / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Lastly, I thought long and hard on what lettering style I wanted and how it would effect the feel of the invitation. I wanted each recipient to feel excited and playful when they received their invitations, which brought me to the style mentioned before: a combination of traditional sign painting and modern, energetic brush lettering. I wanted to steer clear of tradition heavy calligraphy or lettering for this particular project.

Brush Lettering Baby Shower Invitations by Molly Jacques for Juni / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Molly!

Design & Lettering: Molly Jacques for Juni

Printing: Printed from home on white 5×7 card stock

Envelopes: Paper Source in Pool

Photo Credits: Molly Jacques for Juni

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! It’s a gorgeous Spring day here in DC and my three year-old has a day off from pre-school, since Emancipation Day is a holiday in DC. So I’m off to spend some time with my little and enjoy this gorgeous weather! But in the meantime…

BerinMade via Instagram / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Image by BerinMade via Instagram (from the #dailydoseofpaper feed)

…a few links for your weekend!

The last two weeks on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

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

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone – and Happy April Fool’s Day! It’s also my husband’s birthday today! We’ve actually been in the Catskills in Upstate New York this week for some family R&R, since it’s our daughter’s Spring Break back in DC. We didn’t really have an agenda for this week, but we’re having fun exploring the area and relaxing at our temporary home in the mountains. We’ll miss these mountain views when we head back to DC this weekend! But in the meantime…

Three Potato Four Letter Board / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Three Potato Four Letter Board (via Instagram)

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

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

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save The Dates

Well, these save the dates are quite romantic! Created for her own upcoming wedding by Erin of Grace + Ardor Co., these illustrated European-inspired watercolor save the dates feature a gorgeous custom watercolor illustration of the reception venue, hand-torn deckle edges, and a gorgeous wax seal. And I love that Erin chose to go with a large scale format for her save the dates – all the better to show off that beautiful illustration!

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Erin: My fiancé, John, and I are getting married this September, and planning and designing a wedding has been something I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. I spent the first few months of our engagement really researching and refining my aesthetic. Once I had that in place, I decided to collaborate with a fellow designer (and one of my bridesmaids), Tracey, to create my Save the Dates.

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Our wedding is going to be very soft, romantic, and European-inspired. Blush pinks and neutrals, lots of foliage, some deep merlot tones, and mixed metals are in the palette. The ceremony will be held at Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Pennsylvania: a gorgeous Early Gothic style structure set amongst beautiful gardens. Located next to that is the stunning Cairnwood Estate, in which our reception will take place.

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

I also collaborated with an illustrator, Cheryl Geiger Sheeler, for the beautiful watercolor painting of Cairnwood Estate. This was scanned in to the computer and printed on Epson Watercolor Paper. We tore the edges of the paper by hand to give it a deckled edge, and the illustration bled off the edge to add to the natural, handmade feel.

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

For impact, the scale was larger than a traditional Save the Date at 8.75 x 15 inches, folding down into a Crane Lettra A9 envelope. The fold was secured with an antique gold olive branch wax seal. I wanted to save the beautiful impression that calligraphy gives for our main wedding stationery, so I decided to create address labels that wrapped around the side of the envelope as an elegant alternative. Everything came together so wonderfully, and I especially love the handcrafted details. I cannot wait until our big day in September to celebrate our love for each other!

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated European-Inspired Watercolor Save the Dates by Grace + Ardor / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Erin!

Design: Grace + Ardor Co.

Watercolor Illustration: Cheryl Geiger Sheeler

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

Photo Credits: Erin Doyle, Grace + Ardor Co.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf

I came across the work of Katie Roden of Linen and Leaf while searching for inspiration on Instagram. The lovely tones, textures, and utter beauty of her feed kept me scrolling for more. Katie’s gorgeous work isn’t merely reserved for weddings, as she provides calligraphy for a variety of projects, including branding. Has your interest been piqued? Stop by her portfolio for more!  – Julie

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy Inspiration: Linen and Leaf / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Follow along with Katie and her most recent projects over on her Instagram feed. And if any of you lucky readers are in the Alabama area, you can also register for a modern calligraphy workshop with Katie in the new year!

Photo credits: 1 Joel and Amber Photography; 2 Katie Rogen; 3 left, 4, 5, 6 right Sleepy Fox Photography; 3 right, 6 left Paul SimonÂ