Jackson’s Sleek Black + White Birth Announcements

I’ve been loving the streamlined look of classic black + white for a while now – and I love it even more when it involves baby announcements! Designer Lauren Chism was inspired by the beautiful black and white baby photo to create these sleek announcements, which also doubled as New Year’s cards for the busy new parents! Lauren matched the glossiness of the photo with shiny black foil text. Such a great idea!

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From Lauren: The photo for birth announcements is so important and really directs me when it comes to how I design for the announcement. As much as moms-to-be may want to get ahead on the design, I always suggest waiting to see how your sweet baby is photographed before you do the announcements. You might be envisioning one thing and a different photo captures your heart and changes everything.

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That’s exactly what happened with Suzanne, who knew that she would have her hands full after her baby was born and came to me prior to discuss design ideas. She had some fun (and funny) ideas for them, but our whole direction changed once little Jackson arrived and she took this adorable photo. Even though she typically sends out more jovial cards, she couldn’t resist this black and white image and those baby lips, and so we changed concepts completely and ended up with these sleek birth announcements that also doubled as New Year cards.

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The cards say ‘ newborn kisses + happy new year wishes’ which I think is such a perfect sentiment, yet the design is clean and modern for friends and family to leave up throughout the year.

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The cards were printed in black foil, which is a nice contrast to the white card stock. Since letterpress inks sometimes leave a salty look, we decided to use black foil because we could achieve a more saturated and glossy look. It really adds that ‘wow’ factor that Suzanne was looking for and pairs perfectly with the semi-gloss photograph that was attached to each card.. I know recipients had to ‘ooh and aww’ just a little when opening these – over the cards AND that handsome baby boy.

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Thanks Lauren!

Design: Lauren Chism

Printing: Czar Press

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

Photo Credits: Lauren Chism Fine Papers

Best of 2013: Baby Announcements

Happy Monday! We’re continuing our recap from 2013, and today we’re turning to one of my favorite subjects for both design and sentimental reasons: baby announcements. We shared Sophie’s birth announcements with all of you early in 2013, so of course those are making a totally biased appearance again here, along with a few more gorgeous announcements!

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Sophie’s Constellation Starfinder Birth Announcements by Ladyfingers Letterpress

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Louise’s Turquoise Hand Lettered Birth Announcements by Linda & Harriett

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Emily’s Whimsical Typography Accordion-Fold Birth Announcements by Albertine Press

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Colton’s Vibrant Sunscape Birth Announcements by Ladyfingers Letterpress

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Liam’s Colorful Letterpress Birth Announcements by Honizukle

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Folk Art-Inspired Birth Announcements by 42 Pressed

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Jett’s Little Newsboy Birth Announcements by SHE Paperie

© kirsten mavric

Phoebe’s Floral and Gold Foil Baby Announcements by BerinMade

Looking for more inspiration? You can find more baby announcements, baby shower invitations, and other baby stationery right here!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! Less than a week before Christmas! I’ll be back on Monday and Tuesday with a couple of quick (but very fun) posts before heading off for our annual holiday hiatus. But in the meantime…

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Our New Year’s Eve Cocktail Dinner Party with St-Germain

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Check back soon for this week’s cocktail! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here early next week! xoxo

Phoebe’s Floral and Gold Foil Birth Announcements

Erin of BerinMade and her husband recently welcomed their first child – a darling baby girl named Phoebe Rose! Erin designed a floral birth announcement inspired by Phoebe’s middle name, and featuring Phoebe’s darling silhouette! Ah, baby silhouettes. There is nothing sweeter! Erin also hand lettered Phoebe’s name, which was stamped in gold foil over the digitally printed floral background. Such a beautiful combination!

Floral Birth Announcement by BerinMade via Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Erin: My husband and I were started thinking about these birth announcements before Phoebe was born because we were so excited! The suite is inspired by her name, Phoebe Rose. Phoebe’s name means a “bright, shining light” and we really wanted concept to stand out on the announcement. We knew we wanted gold foil for her name. I incorporated my hand-painted roses as the floral background of the card and hand-lettered her name. The card was then digitally printed on watercolour textured stock, then gold foil was pressed on top.

Floral Birth Announcement by BerinMade via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Floral Birth Announcement by BerinMade via Oh So Beautiful Paper

A silhouette of her face was traced from the very last scan we did prior to giving birth! And because we had received so many presents and well-wishes by that point, we also had matching notecards printed with the rose motif. On the back, we printed a verse which reads “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

Floral Birth Announcement by BerinMade via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Congrats Erin!

Photo Credits: Kirsten Mavric Photography

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! It has been a cold and wintery week here in DC – with more snow on the way this weekend, eeek! Last winter was incredibly mild and I kind of forgot what a real winter is like. The one bonus? Sophie looks adorable in the puffy winter coat we bought for her once we realized her little fleece sweatshirt wasn’t going to cut it this winter. Right now I’m looking forward to a mostly unscheduled weekend, except for checking out Holiday Heap in Baltimore tomorrow. But in the meantime…

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Typographic Map Print by Little Owl Designs

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Check back soon for this week’s cocktail! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week! xoxo