Depending on the task, a blank sketchbook could actually add work. Grids, guides, and other helpful organizational tools are definitely your friend if you’re sketching out ideas for a new website, drawing up plans for your next build, or planning the opening scene of a video. There are sketchbooks to aid you with most any job these days, with interior pages designed to help rather than hinder creativity. – Julie
1. Behance
I’m holding onto summer with a death grip, can you tell? Nothing beats bright colors, even if August is coming to a close! Today’s DIY is a colorful multitasker: pretty crepe paper poppies that can serve as escort cards, centerpiece, and wedding favor all in one. A dream come true? I’ll prove it! –Rachael
Materials / Icelandic Poppies
Materials / Geometric Escort Cards
Step 1. Create the paper poppies in an array of colors. Make sure to create an amount that reflects the number of guests you’re expecting! Place the paper poppies in bottles and arrange in rows. I just love these apothecary bottles!
Step 2. Paint a 9″ x 12″ piece of watercolor paper with watercolor paint, one color on each side. I chose teal on one side and blush on the other!
Step 3. Lightly mark six 4″ squares on the sheet of watercolor paper using a ruler and pencil. Draw a diagonal line through each square. Using a ruler and an open pair of scissors (be careful!) or a bone folder lightly score straight up the middle of each square. Cut out each 4″ square, then cut along the diagonal line to create the triangle.
Step 4. Write your guests’ names in gold ink. Fold the corner of the escort card up along the previously scored line. Write the corresponding table number on the inside flap, to be revealed as your guest unfolds! Place the escort card under a glass bottle with a crepe paper poppy – and voila!
Photo Credits: Appetite Paper for Oh So Beautiful Paper
This summer has just flown by – and with my oldest daughter starting preschool in just a couple short weeks (!!), I’m trying to enjoy these last few summer weekends as much as possible! I’m excited to partner with the folks at mike’s hard lemonade on a few posts all about backyard entertaining. It was just the push I needed to take advantage of the warm weather and slower summer weekends!
We live right in the middle of Washington, DC and don’t have much outdoor space of our own. But our friends in the nearby suburbs of Virginia just happen to have the most gorgeous and peaceful backyard – with a pool! – and they invited us over for a cookout. They were providing the food, so we volunteered to bring over some refreshing beverages!
One of the reasons I’m excited to be working with mike’s hard lemonade is their support for the Boot Campaign, which provides assistance for military personnel, veterans, and their families, and raises awareness of the unique challenges faced in the military community. This is a cause pretty close to my heart. As some of you know, I previously worked at the U.S. Department of State for eight years, and I worked very closely with the military during that time. My husband is a civilian employee with the Department of Defense and did a 6-month deployment in Iraq in 2011 in support of U.S. military operations. We’ve both witnessed the challenges faced by members of the military and their families, particularly the challenges of being deployed overseas. Those deployments are tough both physically and emotionally, especially if it requires a family separation for weeks or months at a time. We know many servicemen and women that have served their country with exceptional strength and patriotism while also making incredible personal sacrifices.
To give back to the military community, mike’s is donating $125,000 to the Boot Campaign this year. This donation is supported by sales of mike’s Flavors of America variety pack, which features four refreshing flavors – Lemonade, Peach, Black Cherry and Apple – inspired by the iconic flavors from different regions of the country. For each case purchased of mike’s Flavors of America variety pack, mike’s hard lemonade will donate 25 cents to fund four once-in-a-lifetime experiences for veterans.
Our friends have two adorable Bassett hounds – and I’m not sure if they were more in love with Alice or if Alice was more in love with them! She squealed with delight whenever they came close by. So cute!
Our friends’ backyard became even more magical after the sun went down and the fireflies came out! It was so nice to just relax and enjoy the company of good friends – especially combined with great food and drinks. Life has been so hectic lately, with busy work schedules and two very young children. And it can be tough to slow down and forget the endless to do list. Well we still have a few weeks of warm weather left – and I’m planning to enjoy every single one!
This post was created in partnership with Mike’s Hard Lemonade. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make Oh So Beautiful Paper possible!
Photos by Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper
I’ve been in New York for a couple of days walking the Summer 2015 NYNOW market – and I’ve found so many things to share with you! I’ll be doing more round ups next week but in the meantime I thought I’d share a few favorites from the show (so far)!
1. An amazing gold wall hanging from Fail Jewelry
2. Cute new cards in matte champagne foil from Belle & Union!
3. The prettiest party supplies from My Little Day
4. My favorite so far – gorgeous feather candles in the most beautiful colors by Sono.Ei
5. Love this houseplant leaf print from Little Low Studio
6. The most amazing textiles from Bonnie & Neil
7. Gorgeous gem cutting boards from AHeirloom
8. Beautiful art prints and cards from Honey & Bloom
You can follow me on Instagram for more show finds in real time!
