Beth + Michael’s Chevron Stripe Calligraphy Save the Dates

My oh my, I’m seriously in love with these save the dates. Created by Sarah of August Blume, Beth and Michael’s modern and whimsical save the dates combine beautiful lettering from Feast Calligraphy, chevron stripes, a fun interactive layout, and cut-out details. So cute!

From Sarah: I had the pleasure of designing a save the date card (and getting extra creative) for photographer Beth Morgan and her beau, Michael, for their spring 2012 wedding.  With a palette of teal, plum, fuchsia & slate (and the occasional red heart), we mixed their “Mississippi is for Lovers” theme with custom silhouettes and a muted chevron pattern.

We wanted a unique, interactive save the date to set the tone for their April wedding and to get guests excited about traveling to the South.  The couple met and fell in love in Mississippi so we included little-known-facts about the couple and their state on the back of the trifold card with a teal watercolor background.

 

 

The last panel features a mini glassine envelope holding a hang tag so guests can mark their calendar!  The calligraphy was penned by the very talented Alissa of Feast Calligraphy.  The cards were digitally printed on solar white cover stock and each Mississippi was individually cut using my Silhouette Cameo.

I love it!  Thanks Sarah!

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the save the date gallery for more beau­ti­ful cus­tom save the dates!

Photo Credits: August Blume

Best of 2011: Watercolor

Like neon, 2011 was a big year for watercolor – from calendars to greeting cards to baby shower invitations.  I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more watercolor in 2012, but in the meantime here are a few of my favorite posts incorporating watercolor from 2011!

Caitlin + Sean’s watercolor wedding invitations by Constellation & Co.

Nancy + Elias’s watercolor letterpress wedding invitations by Oh Happy Day

Watercolor collection from The Aerialist Press

p.s. See how to make your own watercolor invitations and stationery right here!

The Aerialist Press and Constellation & Co. are mem­bers of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work here and here – or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Constellation & Co., Alexis Birkmeyer for Oh Happy Day, The Aerialist Press

{happy holidays!}

Okay folks!  I’m heading out to prepare for our loooong drive to upstate New York.  Next week I’ll be revisiting some of my favorite wedding invitations, save the dates, and other content from 2011 (leave a comment below if you want to nominate any favorites!) before returning with new content in 2012.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!  But in the meantime…

…a few links for your weekend:

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Photo Credit: Brunch at Saks

On the Road with Crow & Canary: Monograham, Broadway Paper and GREER

You might remember the awesome guest posts from Carina of Crow and Canary this past April – she’s a fabulous independent stationery rep who spends much of her time touring the country talking about beautiful stationery.  Well, today Carina is back with a profile of three wonderful stationery boutiques in the Midwest.  Welcome back Carina!

Hello there!  Carina from Crow and Canary here.  It’s my sincere pleasure to return to OSBP with a guest post profiling some of the finest stationery boutiques in the Midwest.  I think you’re going to love what you see – I was truly in paper heaven!

::MONOGRAHAM::

Let’s start off by taking a peek into Monograham Paper & Gifts in Delafield, Wisconsin.  This stunning boutique is run by Amy Graham Stigler, creative director and designer for Smock.  Every corner of Monograham held some lovely treasure.  It’s certainly the type of shop that you could plan to spend an afternoon shopping in.  I only wish that I could visit regularly!

A real treat to see the shop decked out for the holidays!

 

Left: Washi tape adorned bags were set up for an upcoming craft class that Monograham has recently begun offering.  Aren’t they adorable? Right: Some of the amazing wedding invitations available at Monograham.

A bright and colorful assortment of paper goods, including: Smock, Susy Jack* & Paper Source.

A peek into Amy’s adjacent studio space: Breathtaking wall of smock gift boxes, they make quite an impression.

A bit of designer’s inspiration, such a cozy space.

::BROADWAY PAPER::

Broadway Paper has been on my radar for some time, I was so excited to finally have an opportunity to visit, as well as to enjoy a few precious minutes with Kate Strzok, Broadway Paper’s owner and fearless leader. Kate is always a delight! Broadway Paper is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Historic Third Ward and is surrounded by other great boutiques and cafes. I loved getting to ogle BP’s creative merchandising and handmade touches. I’m still obsessed with the paper log display below, so very clever.

Near the entrance to Broadway Paper: Snow & Graham 2012 calendar window display.

I couldn’t resist one of Avie Design’s sweet hand-folded bows; luckily it made it home unscathed.

These modern card racks are a sight to behold, not to mention all the cute cards that fill them.

A display of Cream City Ribbon, an eco-friendly ribbon manufacturer and Milwaukee based company.

Little Book of Letterpress and Little Book of Screen Printing sandwiching Mara Mi ribbon.

Very cute display, including the infamous handmade cardboard logs that I so admire.

::GREER CHICAGO::

GREER Chicago and proprietress, Chandra Greer, are true legends in the stationery world. I’m fortunate to count Chandra as a friend and mentor and I know that her positive attitude and giving nature have been paramount for many emerging stationers over the years. GREER is beyond my wildest dreams fabulous. It’s very clear that Chandra hand picks the merchandise and works with an above average staff to maintain stunning presentation; you don’t have to take my word – have a look yourself…

 

Left: This Hammerpress calendar makes me think of pink lemonade, love! Right: I only wish I’d had time to look through every drawer, so many hidden treasures!

 

 

Left: Luscious ribbon in a vintage card catalog. Right: GREER’S Love Civilettes are perfect for “Spontaneous Adoration.”

Perfect Chicago holiday greeting from La Familia Green.

A sincere thank you to Amy, Kate and Chandra for finding time to meet with me and allow me to come into their lovely spaces to take photographs, not always the easiest feat during a weekend in December! Their grace and generosity are much appreciated. And if you see something that you’re dying to get your hands on, both Broadway Paper and GREER Chicago offer comprehensive online shopping.

And last, but far from least, thanks to my traveling companion and partner in paper crime, Kimberley Yurkiewicz.

Photo Credits: Carina Murray

“On the road with Monograham, Broadway Paper and GREER” is a guest post by Carina Murray of Crow & Canary

2012 Calendar Round Up, Part 10

Since this is the last week of new content before the end of the year (next week I’ll be revisiting some favorite posts from 2011), it seems fitting that we squeeze in one more calendar round up before 2012!  Even if you think you’ve already found your 2012 calendar, you might want to make some wall space available – there are some pretty incredible designs below!

First up, a limited edition 2012 block printed calendar from Katharine Watson

A beautiful tea towel featuring hand lettering and illustrations from Linea Carta

 

A stunning limited edition letterpress calendar from W + K Studio with illustrations from some seriously talented artists

A bright + colorful yet minimalist calendar from The Made Shop

For all of you crazy cat people (like me!) – the 2012 dreamcats calendar from fieldguided

 

A stunning calendar from Mink Letterpress inspired by vintage handkerchiefs

This year, Erin from The Indigo Bunting has three calendar formats available – a small accordion calendar (above) and two illustrated calendars (below)

Indigo Bunting

 

An awesome lasercut calendar by Nando Costa

I’m kind of obsessed with this intricate “Twelve Months of the Apocalypse” letterpress calendar from Moon in June

Neon owl calendar (fun!) from Wishbone Letterpress

 
 

Cute bunting calendars from Curious & Co.

A farm-inspired monthly letterpress calendar from Brown Parcel Press

A pretty botanical monthly calendar from Honizukle Press

 

Screen printed calendars – in gray and black + white – from Yellow Lion

A cool die cut calendar from Lettuce Press

A pretty feather letterpress calendar from Tiger Food Ephemera

The 2012 calendar from Bird Dog Press features an homage to climate diversity in collaboration with Theresa from WonderBound Press

And just in case you missed them, check out the earlier calendar round ups right here!

{images via their respective sources}