01/16/2017

2017 Reader Survey!

Before we get too far into 2017, I want to hear from you! I have big plans to make 2017 the best year EVER, and I want to make sure that we’re delivering content that you allÂ love and want to read! I’m embedding the survey form below, but you can also click through to take the survey HERE. I want your thoughtful opinions and constructive criticism â€“ so please be honest! I’ll be reading each and every survey response and using them to come up with our content for the year. I can’t wait to read what you have to say!

In the survey you’ll findÂ a bunch of multiple choice and open ended questions about what kind of content you like on Oh So Beautiful Paper: what you’d like to see more of, what we can do to improve, and a few other topics. You can even ask me questions (business orÂ personal) and I’ll answer them in later posts. After more than eight years of blogging, I sometimes forget what I’ve shared or not shared here on the blog, so go ahead and ask me anything!

And as a thank you for taking the survey, you can enter to win a huge prize pack of greeting cards from my personal collection! I’ll choose a total of SIX winners, and each box contains around 20 cards each â€“ so it’s a great chance to win some seriously awesome stationery!!

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*Survey and giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on January 31, 2017!

01/13/2017

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone!Â This was a fairly quiet week for me,Â so I don’t have much to report this week. Sending lots of love and positive vibes to you all for a happy three-day weekend! But in the meantime…

Image by Soil and Stem via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

I want every. single. thing. in this gorgeous shop.
Enamel pins for a cause from Hello!Lucky. Just another one of the many reasons I love those ladies. 100% of the proceeds from this pin will go to Planned Parenthood, and 100% of the proceeds from this pin will go to the ACLU.
Did you see this super cute printable wall calendar from Studio DIY?
One of these, please and thank you.
I’ve been wanting to try natural dyeing forever, and this post finally sealed the deal for me. I can’t wait to try avocado skins!
Totally obsessed with this pretty pink planter
Truth.

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Absolutely gorgeous autum copper foil floral wedding invitations
It’s engagement season! We rounded up a few favorite engagement congratulations cards.
Timeless Southern magnolia wedding invitations
Gorgeous calligraphy inspiration from Pirouette Paper
Seriously cute ocean-inspired baby shower invitations

01/12/2017

Calligraphy Inspiration: Pirouette Paper

Hello everyone! And hello to 2017! Here we are already skating fast through January. For today’s dose of calligraphy inspiration we’re featuring the beautiful modern calligraphyÂ ofÂ Kaylyn of Pirouette Paper. HerÂ collection of lettering work shows how calligraphy instantly makesÂ any event, party, wedding, or festive gathering feel special. I’m pretty partial to the Pirouette Paper handmade party signs, but feel free to share your favorite picks below! Â â€“Â Jen

Photo: Kristina Adams Photography

I’ve always loved this idea of using calligraphy on kraft brown paper. It feels modern and not fussy. And in this case, the sign keeps the bubbly bar, with all the antique accents, from looking old-fashioned.

Photo: Mallory Dawn Photography

There’s definitely an organic style to Kaylyn’s work. I love her use ofÂ botanical elements, like leaves, with gold lettering Â for sweet and modern wedding seating tags.

Photo: Savan Photography

With Pirouette Paper, you’ll find invitation suites that mix Â calligraphy with simple type for a beautiful effect.

Photo: Loren Weddings

Here’s the prettiest cocktail menu I ever did see. (I bet AndrewÂ knows how to make all of these fun-sounding cocktails!)

Photo: Mallory Dawn Photography

Letter work too pretty to store in a box (in my opinion). I’d frame a sentimental piece like this and hang in my bedroom.

Photo: Mallory Dawn Photography

This wedding menu features calligraphy letter work with an embellishment of gold foil. I love how the table features rustic wood chargers and skips the tablecloth to balance the golden accents for a more modern, less fussy-fancy table.

Photo: Mallory Dawn Photography

Kaylyn says her inspiration comes from her mood when she’s writing.Â “I love to let anything I’m feeling come through in my writing, whether it’s a more abstract and ethereal font (for those rainy days) or a more straight-forward, curly font if I’m feeling especially fun and youthful,” she says.

Photo: Savan Photography

Kaylyn got into calligraphy after a photographer friend of hers asked her to attend a calligraphy class with her. After that fateful class, sheÂ decided that it’sÂ what she wants to do. “From there I started building my business while I was finishing up school and working at Disneyland â€” lots of styled shoots, small commissions, etc.” says Kaylyn. But this past June, she said goodbye to Disney and jumped into full-time doing Pirouette Paper. “Most of the time it doesn’t even feel like work.”

Photo: The Hearts Haven

Watercolors and calligraphy name tags mixed with rustic woods and fresh garland â€” this is one dreamy entrance to the celebration.

Photo: Natalie Schutt Photography

You can turn a vintage mirror into a standout program for the big day with hand-drawn calligraphy.

Photo: Kristina Adams Photography

I hope this peek into the work of Pirouette Paper has been a pretty kickoff to 2017. Here’s wishing the new year is golden!

01/12/2017

Ocean Inspired Baby Shower Invitations

When your sister is expecting â€“ and happens to love sharks â€“ ocean inspired baby shower invitations are a perfect way to welcome the little bundle of joy! Jessica from Jamber Creative drew inspiration from under the sea to design these bold and whimsical blue and green invitations, complete with adorable seaweed graphics. This combination of whimsical graphics and bold patterns is so festive!

From Jessica: I created this ocean inspired baby shower invitation suite for my sister, Rachel. She has always been fascinated with sharks, so when she found out she was having a little boy, she knew she wanted his nursery to have touches of sea life, especially her favorite toothy fish. She also wanted to incorporate bold colors and graphic patterns in shades of blue and green so that the nursery didnâ€™t necessarily have a â€œthemeâ€ but instead just felt like a fun and vibrant collection of cozy, kid-friendly elements.

When creating her invitations, I went straight to her nursery for inspiration. We all agreed it was our favorite room in her home, and I wanted to bring this feeling to her invitations. I wanted to give a nod to the marine life of the nursery without being too overt or literal. Instead of using actual sharks, I created an underwater graphic with coral and seaweed, along with some fish and whimsical bubbles. I used this same element on her enclosure card and created a pattern with the fish and bubbles for the envelope liners. For an accent, I printed the back of each piece with various patterns that were actually present in the nursery. Crib sheets, rug and curtains provided inspiration for fun, unexpected pops of pattern when guests flipped over each card.

The entire suite was tied together with hemp cord and a bright green tag to announce the babyâ€™s gender. For guest favors, I created and printed coasters using the â€œOh Boyâ€ text and a few fish, tying them together with striped jute cord. Guests loved the little reminder for when Baby Clow (August) would make his debut!

The invitations were digitally printed on 120lb smooth white paper, and the coasters were printed on this same paper, duplexed.

Thanks Jessica!

Design & Printing: Jamber Creative

Photo Credits: Jessica Williams

01/11/2017

Timeless Southern Magnolia Wedding Invitations

Today we’re practically dripping in beautiful magnolia flowers thanks to these stunning,Â timeless Southern magnolia wedding invitations from Bonnie and Currier ofÂ Tenn Hens Design! And really, is there anything more perfectly suited for a garden wedding in Nashville? Bonnie and Currier incorporated magnolias throughout the save the dates, wedding invitation suite, and day-of stationery, from the envelope liner to small die cut magnolia flowers paired with escort cards for the reception. So lovely!

From Tenn Hens Design:Â Our client had grand magnolia dreams for this wedding, so we created a design that felt Southern, botanical, and timeless. The ceremony was set in a beautiful garden atÂ Cheekwood here in Nashville, and the reception followed inside the art museum located at the historic Cheek estate.

The square save the date was letterpress printed in blush and gray and we drew an illustration of the mansion. They loved the idea of a bookmark so we wrapped the magnolia pattern around the card to become a keepsake for guests. The envelope liner matched in the same pattern.

For the big day we revealed our plans of a custom magnolia wrap that held all the details together. Inside was the invitation with letterpress printed text and illustrations, gold foil, and gold edge painting. The gold foil added a real glam factor against the subtle gray impression along the edges. Such gorgeous details and textures in every piece. Behind the invitation, the wrap had a pocket that tucked all the detail cards and rsvp cards neatly inside. Even the blush from the save the date made an appearance on the rsvp card and envelope. Also we had custom wax seals made with the magnolia tree we created. We really wanted the suite to feel like you were revealing something super special as it all unveiled!

Escort cards were designed with die-cut magnolia blooms tucked inside small pockets and topped with a wax seal of the magnolia tree from the invitation suite. The tree was carried over to the program as well and we used the same gray paper on the cover from the envelope liner. The bloom illustrations also made an appearance on the circular menu. Touches of gold foil adding a bit of sparkle underneath the clear plate.

The magnolia designs really branded the entire event. We loved the impact of the big bold pattern, mixed with the soft color palette in the type and finely detailed illustrations. It was truly a dream to be a part of this incredible wedding with such a fine group of people.

Thanks Bonnie and Currier!

Design: Tenn Hens Design

Wedding Planning: The Social Office

Calligraphy: Val Cole

Tenn Hens DesignÂ is a member of the Designer Rolodex â€“ you can see more of their beautiful work right hereÂ or visit the real invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

PhotoÂ Credits: Mary Craven Dawkins