10/08/2012

Introducing…

I can’t believe my sweet little girl is almost a month old already! Introducing Sophie Beatrice. The past few weeks have been a sleep-deprived blur getting to know this brand new person and trying to figure out this whole parenting thing, but I’m sure it goes without saying that we’re completely over the moon and in love with our beautiful baby.

Photo by me via Instagram (@beautifulpaper)

I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things â€“ and there’s so much beautiful paper that I can’t wait to share with all of you, from Halloween cards and invitations to more gorgeous calligraphy and wedding invitations. But first, a huge thank you and lots of big hugs to the fabulous guest contributors who helped fill in over the past few weeks â€“ Samantha and Whitney of Gus & Ruby Letterpress, Annemarie from Scout’s Honor Co., and Shauna from Forage Haberdashery â€“ and Kelly, my amazing contributing editor, who helped keep everything running smoothly while I was away. A million times thank you to you all!

Since I haven’t been able to do my normal Friday posts for a few weeks, I thought I’d start off with a few favorite links from the last month:

DIY copper foil cards â€“ fun!
Tips for designing specifically for letterpress printing from Sycamore Street Press
Beautiful fall flower arrangements
Eee! Spoonflower is now offering custom wallpaper and decals!
Gorgeous calligraphy from Neither Snow + new wedding and social stationery from Mr. Boddington
Seriously cute letterpress birth announcements and hand painted baby announcements by Moglea
Pumpkin whoopie pies. YUM!

And a few sales and discounts you might enjoy:

Enjoy 30% off all holiday cards in the Wiley Valentine etsy shop using promo code HOLIDAY30 through November 16
Lion in the Sun is offering 20% off custom holiday cards (including the PostScript Brooklyn collection) through November 1
Duet Letterpress is having a big sale on their custom moving announcements â€“ $50 off during the month of October!

I’ll be back with more soon!

10/04/2012

Navy + Gold Foil Calligraphy Wedding Invitations

Since we’re on the topic of gorgeous calligraphy today, I thought I’d share one of my favorite wedding invitations from the last couple of years. Â This stunning navy and gold foil invitation was designed by the bride, Kate, and features calligraphy from Plurabelle. Â I’m particularly drawn to the modern sophistication of the calligraphy, while the gold foil elements make everything fun and festive. Â Love!

Check out a few more images over on the Plurabelle blog, Nib & Zed!

Design: Kate Allen

Calligraphy: Plurabelle

Letterpress Printing: Amy Thompson of Paper Boat Studios

Gold Foil Printing: Shamrock Raisdletter

Check out theÂ Designer RolodexÂ for more talÂentedÂ wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂersÂ andÂ theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Plurabelle Calligraphy

10/04/2012

Behind the Scenes: Jenna of Love Jenna Calligraphy

CalligraphyÂ is one of those great mysteries to me. I’ve tried it a thousand times just because I love all the tools (nibs, pens, brushes and those cute little bottles of ink – sigh). Along the way I discovered a secret. Calligraphers keep a little scratch sheet of paper to test the often inconsistent flow of ink from nibs and brushes.Â â€”Â Shauna of Forage Haberdashery

I’ve decided calligraphy is one of those talents you’re either bornÂ with or your not and Jenna of Love Jenna Calligraphy was definitely born with it. She has the ability to make calligraphy feel unexpected, whimsical and not at all fussy. In addition to her fanciful script, I obsess over her scraps of paper full of ink splotches and tiny little lines. She often plays with unexpected colors which gives her effortless flourishes a modern feeling. Talk about girl crush – I’ve got it bad for Jenna.

Some of Jenna’s projects that I adore:
brooklyn love
wild mushrooms with truffle custard
may 16th

Photo Credit: jenna {via Instagram @lovejennacalligraphy}

09/26/2012

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Seating Charts

I am a sucker for tiny wedding details, which is probably why I love escort cards so much. But sometimes a bigger statement is in order, and that’s where a seating chart can come in. Often a budget saving option for weddings, a seating chart encompasses all your table assignments in one larger sign, banner or other creative element! You can really have fun incorporating your color scheme, style or stationery elements with these pieces and I’ve rounded up a bunch that covers a whole array of options! Which is your favorite? I’m madly in love with the constellation take on this idea! â€” Kelly

Photo by welovepictures (left), Photo by Untamed Heart Photography via Brooklyn Bride (right)

Seating Chart by Melangerie

Photo by Gia Canali, Seating Chart by Because We Can via Martha Stewart Weddings (left), Photo by Caught the Light, Seating Chart Banner by Hello!Lucky via Martha Stewart Weddings (right)

Calligraphy by Neither Snow, Seating Chart by Mr. Boddington’s Studio

Photo by Depict Photography via Rock n Roll Bride (left), Photo by The Photography Shoppe, Seating Chart by Mi Mi Design via Style Me Pretty (right)

Seating Chart by Akimbo

Photo by Katherine Elizabeth Photography via Ruffled (left), Photo by Brandon Chesbro, Seating Chart by Southhall Eden via 100 Layer Cake (right)

Photo by Kurt Boomer Photo, Seating Cards by The Pomegranate Basket via Wedding Chicks

{images via their respective sources}

09/19/2012

Harvest Feast Invitations

Sam & Whit from Gus & Ruby Letterpress here! When our store manager, dear friend and creative extraordinaire (the genius behind Paper Posy Designs), Liz, asked us to collaborate with her on a harvest-feast inspiration shoot, we jumped at the chance.Â Liz wanted to create a cozy, rustic shoot to commemorate her favorite time of year â€“ Fall in New England.

The shoot took place in an apple orchard and Lizâ€™s vision was all apple pie, cozy blankets, wood texture and a rich, autumnal palette. With that direction, we were set loose to dream-up an invitation and paper details that would set the tone for this intimate Harvest feast.

Luxe pearl white cotton paper was the perfect canvas for swooping calligraphy-inspired and classic roman fonts letterpress printed in a deep plummy ink.Â Loads of white space made the invitation feel clean and airy. We then hand sewed a beautiful multicolor fabric backing to each invitation using metallic gold thread. The fabric backing spoke to the cozy nature of the shoot and added an interesting texture, and pop of color and pattern, to the clean invitation front.

Finally, we wrapped the piece in a double-layer belly band composed of creamy ecru cotton and natural oatmeal linen upon which we letterpress printed an inviting quote. To top it all off, we lined each envelope with a metallic gold-stripe envelope liner.

Menus at each place setting again featured simple typesetting, lots of white space and the addition of a small wheat graphic and were mounted to a creamy ecru cotton backing paper for a neutral tone on tone effect.

The end result was a paper trousseau that warmly set the tone for this cozy, creative shoot.Â You can see photos of the whole shoot on The Sweetest Occasion!

Design and Letterpress Printing:Â Gus & Ruby Letterpress

Gus & Ruby Letterpress is a member of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ check out more of their beautiful workÂ right hereÂ or visitÂ theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits:Â Brea McDonald PhotographyÂ forÂ Gus & Ruby Letterpress