Search Results for: calligraphy

Leah + Adam’s Calligraphy and Kraft Paper Wedding Invitations

Good morning everyone!  The past few days have been cold and rather dreary, so I’m happily brightening my morning with these gorgeous save the dates and wedding invitations from Kathryn at Black­bird Letterpress.  For this invitation suite, Kathryn combined two of my favorite things – romantic calligraphy and rustic kraft paper.  So perfect for a backyard fall wedding!

Blackbird Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

From Kathryn: Leah and Adam’s wedding was held outside in a beautiful backyard, with lots of lights strung about in the tall trees.  We used strings of lights as the main illustration for the invitation suite, which was accented with the elegance of Betsy Dunlap‘s calligraphy.

Blackbird Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6) Blackbird Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Leah was first inspired by Laura’s kraft paper save the dates.  We took that as inspiration to start and used the tri-fold with photo idea and made it fit her style.  The entire suite was printed on a combination of fluorescent white cotton paper, kraft chipboard and envelopes, steel gray ink.

Blackbird Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

We also printed CD sleeves for the mix CDs that Leah and Adam made for guests as wedding favors.  And thank you notes were important for the post-wedding etiquette.

Blackbird Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Thanks so much Kathryn!

Design and Print­ing: Black­bird Letterpress

Cal­lig­ra­phy: Betsy Dun­lap

Black­bird Let­ter­press is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Kathryn’s beau­ti­ful work right here (including a version of this suite that is now part of Kathryn’s permanent collection!) or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Invitation and save the date photos by Black­bird Letterpress; Leah + Adam’s engagement photo by Bonnie Sen

{happy weekend!}

What. A. Week. While we weathered the storm pretty well here in DC, my thoughts have been with those in New York and New Jersey affected by Hurricane Sandy.  The images and stories of the destruction are completely overwhelming and I know the road to recovery, much less the restoration of power, will be a long one.  When I haven’t been completely glued to the news, somewhere between last weekend and today, my little Sophie suddenly stopped looking like a newborn and started looking like a real baby.  She’s getting bigger each and every day, even though she’s still smaller at 7 weeks than some newborns, she’s paying closer attention to objects, and she’s smiling at us!  The smiles just make my heart melt.  This weekend we’re planning to visit our favorite flea market and relax at home, but in the meantime…

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday – when I’ll start sharing some of my favorite holiday cards! xoxo

Calligraphy Inspiration: Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy

Something that never ceases to amaze me about calligraphy is its powerful yet delicate nature. A prime example is the work of Alissa Mazzenga of Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy. I’m not sure how else to describe it other than to relate her fluid wisps of ink to watching spun sugar transforming into cotton candy. It’s kind of like magic. You can hardly believe that such curvaceous, soft lines can actually create letterforms. It’s truly lovely! – Julie

Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

I adore the contrast of Alissa’s feather-light writing to the bold, graphic stripes and shot of red. There’s no doubt this would catch someone’s eye in a pile of ho-hum mail.

Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

It’s definitely all in the details when it comes to calligraphy. Simple yet highly effective, Alissa’s style is all the ornament you need.

Feast Fine Art & Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

With the holidays right around the corner, I’m sure many of you are considering a return address stamp for all the card and letter writing ahead. Luckily for us, Alissa also has a shop, FeastMade, that offers a number of beautiful custom calligraphy stamps.

Photo Credits: photography by Aimee Mazzenga; 2 invitation design: Cheree Berry Paper; 3 (right) invitation design: Baumbirdy, 4 invitation design: August Blume Custom Design Studio

Laura + Ben’s Traditional Letterpress Wedding Invitations

There’s something just inherently romantic about a pink and dove gray wedding invitation, and these classic letterpress invitations from Fabienne at Nuage Designs are no exception. Fabienne was inspired by the bride’s love of tea parties and feminine things, incorporating a subtle floral pattern and script font to complement the traditional invitation wording.

Traditional Pink Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Nuage Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

From Fabienne: Laura was like a sister to me growing up: we’ve known each other since before I could tie my shoes. When I discovered she was getting married, I was so excited to help create her wedding invitations. Laura and Ben asked me to create a traditional invitation that included a honey bee – which was symbolic of a memory they shared together in England.

Traditional Pink Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Nuage Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Laura and I share an attraction to feminine-looking objects. We enjoyed each others company as children, setting up for tea parties with our dolls in one hand and our cucumber sandwiches in the other. Her taste hasn’t really changed from her youth and I knew right away what kind of invitation she was looking for.

Traditional Pink Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Nuage Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Laura sent me images of vintage tea tins, invitations with shades of pinks and floral wreaths, and illustrations of honeybees. I knew right away we needed to include all of these  details into one invitation without making it look too over the top. I was excited to offer her a blind deboss of a floral border and round cut edges for a softer look. The invitation text moves your eye to a honey bee printed in a blossom pink at the bottom.

Traditional Pink Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Nuage Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Laura felt it was important that we keep some traditional elements. It was necessary that we use the proper wording and the traditional inner/outer envelope concept. She also requested that I design two monograms – one for before and one for after the wedding. The monogram for pre-marriage was used on the reverse side of the RSVP card and the monogram for post-marriage was made into a stamp to be used for Thank You cards.

Traditional Pink Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Nuage Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Thanks Fabienne!

Design and Printing: Nuage Designs, printed at Lala Press

Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Katrina

Stamp: Antiquaria Design Studio

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

Photo Credits: Damon Biviano

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  Time is still kind of relative with a one month-old newborn at home, but this weekend really snuck up on me!  This was my husband’s last week of paternity leave, so we’ve been trying to squeeze in some fun activities around DC before he goes back to work.  Luckily Sophie loves to be in the Ergo and pretty much sleeps through an entire outing.  I’ll admit to being kind of nervous about being on my own with Sophie during the day starting next week, but hopefully we’ll get the hang of things without too much trouble.  I’ll find out soon!  But in the meantime…

Tiny Hands via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo by me via Instagram (I’m @beautifulpaper)

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

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