Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! We’re starting to see signs of spring here in DC, which makes me happier than I can possibly put into words. This winter has been fairly mild, at least compared to the last two winters, but I’m still looking forward to seeing green things in the ground again soon! Sophie and I started some seeds indoors a couple of weeks ago, and it has been so fun to watch new little seedlings sprout up! But in the meantime…

Katharine Watson Floral Sketch via Instagram / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Image by Katharine Watson via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

The last two weeks on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

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

Modern Copper Foil and Gray Wedding Invitations

There’s just something about copper foil paired with dark paper, don’t you think? These modern copper foil and gray wedding invitations from Brynne at Harken Press blend traditional text and a classic layout with a modern color palette. And that envelope liner!

Modern Copper Foil and Gray Wedding Invitations by Harken Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Brynne: After hearing about Christine’s vision for their formal New Orleans wedding, I knew right away that I wanted to blend traditional design with modern colors and non-traditional materials. Foil printing was the perfect choice to compliment their chic wedding décor with mixed metals and all white flowers. Copper metallic foil on pewter gray paper added the hint of romance the couple was looking for, and helped set the tone for their evening wedding ceremony. The envelope liner brings a modern touch with a graphic peonies pattern. The end result was a romantic and eye catching invitation suite that Christine and Robert were so excited to mail to their wedding guests.

Modern Copper Foil and Gray Wedding Invitations by Harken Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Copper Foil and Gray Wedding Invitations by Harken Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Copper Foil and Gray Wedding Invitations by Harken Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Copper Foil and Gray Wedding Invitations by Harken Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Brynne!

Design: Harken Press

Foil Printing: Quality Letterpress

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

Photo Credit: Meagan Floris

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations

Any leap day babies out there? Or anyone WITH leap day babies of their own? Well, this one is for you! Lauren at Darling + Pearl just happens to have a leap day baby, and they’re super excited to celebrate this year! Lauren put together these really cute monster-themed leap day birthday party invitations, and because she’s a letterpress printer she just had to give herself a little extra challenge in the printing department. So cute!

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Lauren: Here’s a project that is SO close to my heart. Not too many people care about, much less celebrate, leap day, BUT it’s my son’s birthday! And we’ve waited so impatiently for FOUR YEARS to see it on the calendar!

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

These invitations were mixed media- one color letterpress printed in black and flat printed full color details on 110lb fluorescent white cotton stock. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was signing on for with registration this tight, but the best times to push the envelope is on personal projects and I can’t stop staring at them!

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Declan is kind of obsessed with his stuffed animal entourage at the moment – some of them being dinosaurs (his 3rd birthday theme) and monsters – so when it came time to decide on a birthday theme, like 2 weeks ago, (hah! things are more and more lax at the years go on, and children multiply – am I right?) monsters for a monstrous leap day celebration seemed to fit the ticket.

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

I used kraft envelopes, since I generally like to keep it neutral, and ribbed metallic green fine paper envelope liners. AND vintage stamps! In the meantime I also created a little art print that we can hang in his room, one to share with his leap day buddy, Charlotte, and obviously one to hang in my print studio.

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Leap Day Birthday Party Invitations by Darling & Pearl / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Lauren!

Darling + Pearl is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Lauren’s beautiful work right here!

Photo Credits: Darling + Pearl

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.