{happy weekend!}

This week felt like it was all about change – the change of seasons from winter to spring, the change of letting some things go, and the change of looking forward to lots of amazing things to come over the next few months.  It was also the first week that I didn’t feel completely overwhelmed by my never ending to do list, so maybe the two things go hand in hand.  This weekend I’m looking forward to heading out to the DC Big Flea and catching up with friends.  But in the meantime…

Photo Credit: flourfight

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

As usual, we have a fun cocktail coming up for you this afternoon, so check back a bit later for the recipe!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!  xoxo

Paige + Michael’s Elegant Calligraphy Wedding Invitations

It’s no secret that I love the combination of beautiful calligraphy script and letterpress printing, particularly when it comes to wedding invitations, so naturally I’m completely smitten with the most recent collaboration between Sarah of Parrott Design Studio and calligrapher Betsy Dunlap!

Sarah incorporated Betsy’s calligraphy into a sophisticated and elegant letterpress wedding invitation that features the roman numeral of the wedding date.  I love the subtle mix of soft gray tones in the text with the delicate matte gold tones of the envelope liner and roman numerals.  So pretty!

Check out a bit more over on the Parrott Design Studio blog right here!

Design and Letterpress Printing: Parrott Design Studio

Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap

Parrott Design Studio is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Sarah’s beautiful work right here or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Parrott Design Studio

*Parrott Design Studio is one of my fab­u­lous spon­sors; for more on my edi­to­r­ial poli­cies please click here.

Brady’s Silhouette + Bow Tie First Birthday Party Invitations

Happy Monday everyone!  We’re starting the week off with some adorable invitations for a first birthday party!  Designer Emily Ley sent over the fun images of the invitations for her baby boy Brady’s birthday party, created by Amber of Pitbulls and Posies along with the help of a few other friends.  The silhouette and bow tie concept is just too cute – read below for the full details!

From Emily: Brady’s first birthday party was so much fun. We decided we wanted it to be sweet and young and classic… so we chose a “Southern Picnic” theme and used bow ties to tie the entire affair together.  I knew I wanted the invitations to be tactile and to be Southern and sweet and with the personality of a playful little boy.  I emailed my dear friend Amber Moon, of Pitbulls and Posies, and she went right to work and together we conceptualized the most adorable invitations I’ve honestly ever seen.

I took a photo of Brady and sent it to Amber, she traced his sweet little head and created these little wooden silhouettes which she then screen printed with the party information we designed together.  She also designed and created box liners to hold the sweet little silhouette.

Meanwhile, my friend McKay of Oatmeal Lace Designs designed and created bows and bow ties for all of Brady’s little friends.  The invitation read “On your neck or in your hair, kindly wear this bow and we’ll see you there!”

Thanks so much Emily!

Invitation Design: Pitbulls and Posies

Bow Ties: Oatmeal Lace Designs

Vintage Stamps: Brightly Designed

Calligraphy: MJ Paperie

Photo Credits: Emily Ley

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  Spring is most definitely in the air here in DC – the sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming, trees and plants are starting to come back to life, and before I know it the cherry blossoms and magnolias will be here!  I can’t wait.  But in the meantime…

Photo Credit: Cinnamon

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

As usual, we have a fun cocktail coming up for you this afternoon, so check back a bit later for the recipe!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!  xoxo

Calligraphy Inspiration: Paperfinger

Each month, we’ve been showcasing a calligrapher here on Oh So Beautiful Paper.  This month, I’m delighted to share the work of none other than the creator of OSBP’s logo!  Computer scientist turned calligrapher Bryn Chernoff started Paperfinger in 2008 and offers full service invitation design and production.  (She even supports green and eco-friendly projects)  Bryn’s calligraphy style and hand drawn text are some of the most beautiful and charming I’ve seen.  You may have seen it too, at Anthropologie, on TV, or even tattooed on a passerby.  – Julie

paperfinger invitation & rsvp

Even Bryn’s illustrations are lovely; simple yet striking.  I love this invitation suite and its mix of hand lettering and calligraphy with illustration.

paperfinger letterpress invitations

paperfinger addressed envelope

paperfinger signs & props

Thinking of having your own photo/smilebooth for an event?  Paperfinger can supply you with custom props to make those photos even more memorable!

paperfinger transcribed love letter

Written on Italian stationery and with an option to be wax sealed, Paperfinger offers a love letter transcribing service, bringing a bit of the old world to this technological age.  Currently available in her shop along with stamps and customizable ribbons.

paperfinger navy escort cards

In addition to custom calligraphy services, the brand new Paperfinger invitation collection will be launching in May!  Bryn will also be starting a workshop series in New York and Portland, Oregon.  To stay up to date on these and other visual goodies from paper to food, head over to her daily blog Papertastebuds.

Photo Credits: Red invitations and illustrated invitations, photobooth prop (left), addressed envelope: Jen Huang Photography; Photobooth prop (right): Les Loups; Love letter: StudioAlex; Escort cards: Emilie, Inc