10/19/2015

Halloween First Birthday Costume Party Invitations

Okay, this might be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen: a first birthday COSTUME partyÂ on Halloween! Such a fun way to celebrate a first birthday this time of year! DesignerÂ Lauren Chism designed the fun invitations to appeal to both kids and adults â€“ mission accomplished!

FromÂ Lauren:Â I love designing for my friends. From their weddings to baby showers, to birth announcements and birthday parties, it’s such an honor to get to design for such special celebrations. So when my friend Kristen, whoseÂ colorful baby shower invitationsÂ I designed last year, asked me to design her daughter Drew’s first birthday invitations, I was so excited. However, when she said it was a birthday COSTUME party on Halloween, I was downright giddy.

I haven’t done many Halloween designs, so I started to brainstorm ideas with Kristen’s requests in mind: a design for kids AND adults, not scary, and FUN. I started with classic Halloween motifs and costumes and just started playing with things. I didn’t start with a concept in mind and I love when it comes together in such an organic way. At the end I snuck in a pirate hat (becauseÂ Kristen wore one to my Derby party) as the finishing touch. I love how they turned out and most importantly, Kristen did too!

ThanksÂ Lauren!

Design:Â Lauren Chism Fine Papers

Lauren Chism Fine Papers is a member of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can check out more of Laurenâ€™s beautiful workÂ right here!

Photo Credits:Â Lauren Chism

09/17/2015

Quick Pick: Whimsy and Wild

I’m loving the muted color palette and (appropriately) whimsical hand lettering in these greeting cards from Whimsy + Wild!

These and more over at Whimsy + Wild!

09/11/2015

Happy Weekend!

Wait, what day is it?? My poor brain is so confused by this short week. We spent the long Labor Day weekend in upstate New York visiting family, which I think made the transition back to regular life even more difficult. And I’m not sure if it’s preschool or time with the cousins, but both of my girls are sick this week! Ugh. I’m ready for the weekend (Sophie turns 3 on Sunday!!) and to put this week behind me. But in the meantime…

Photo by Lucy Halcomb via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

Fun and colorful place cards made from twigs and thread
A behind-the-scenes peek at the Wild Ink Press studio â€“ such a transformation!
Loving this blue and white floral art print
Coat weather is just around the corner! I’m loving this cape coat for winter
My favorite pin of the week â€“ I love the contrast of black siding with the neutral wood!
How to Wow Your Guests with Flowers
MAKE: Layered Buttermilk Biscuits

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

How to Get Started in Calligraphy
Love the new brass desk collection and office stationery from Sugar Paper
Adorable “baby bean” brunch baby shower invitations!
This week’s Well Said Type in the lovely calligraphy font La Veronique
Beautiful new minimalist art prints from Sycamore Street Press
Gorgeous wedding calligraphy from Plume Calligraphy and Design

Thatâ€™s it for me this week! Check back later for this weekâ€™s cocktail recipe â€“ I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and Iâ€™ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

09/09/2015

“Baby Bean” Brunch Baby Shower Invitations

Colleen fromÂ Printwheel PrintshopÂ sent over these adorable invitations for a brunch baby shower that she co-hosted for her sister! The invitations (and envelopes) feature Colleen’s whimsical hand lettering that perfectly set the tone for a laid back brunch, along with patterns and details inspired by her sister’s favorite fabrics. So cute!

From Colleen:Â â€œBaby Beanâ€ was on the way, and it was time to celebrate! I was so excited to design these invitations for my sister and â€œBaby Beanâ€ (our nickname for her little bundle of joy). A baby shower brunch is a simple and sweet event, so I wanted these invitations set the tone for this beautiful and fun day.

My sister owns her own sewing business,Â Little Luvins. So I pulled inspiration for the style and color of the shower invitations from her favorite fabrics. I also decided to use hand lettering on each piece to create a whimsical, playful look.

Along with the invitation, we included a tiny pocket, containing instructions and a blank library card. The instructions asked each guest to bring a childrenâ€™s book to help fill Baby Beanâ€™s future library. Guests could fill out the library card and add a special note. It would then double as a gift tag and keepsake for the mom-to-be.

The invitations were printed on Craneâ€™s LettraÂ paper byÂ Rise and Shine Letterpress.Â Their team was fantastic to work with, and the letterpress truly brought the design to life.

I ordered envelopes from Paper Presentation and created my own envelope liners to complement the triangles on the invitations. Each envelope was addressed in similar lettering to match the invitations. I ordered a customÂ â€œBaby Beanâ€Â stamp fromÂ Simonâ€™s StampsÂ for the envelopes, and it was the perfect finishing touch.Â My sister was thrilled with the result! As for the shower, it was a success, and â€œBaby Beanâ€ (Samantha) arrived this past June.

Thanks Colleen!

Design and Envelope Addressing: Pinwheel Printshop

Letterpress Printing:Â Rise and Shine Letterpress

Photo Credits: Printwheel Printshop

08/20/2015

DIY Watercolor and Crepe Paper Poppy Escort Cards

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 allÂ in one. AÂ dream come true? I’ll prove it! â€“Rachael

Materials / Icelandic Poppies

Sweet Pea, Salmon, Vanilla, Baby Pink Crepe Paper
Golden Rod Crepe Paper
Green Crepe Paper
Floral Tape
16 G Floral Wire
1.2″ Polystyrene Sphere
Hot Glue Gun + Glue Sticks
Light Green Acrylic Paint
Scissors
Paint Brush
Icelandic Poppy Paper Flower Guide (For Patterns!)

Materials / Geometric Escort Cards

9″ x 12″ Watercolor Paper
Watercolors
Paint Brush
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil

Step 1. Create the paper poppiesÂ in an array of colors. Make sure to create an amount thatÂ reflects the numberÂ of guests you’re expecting!Â Place the paper poppies in bottles and arrange in rows. I just love these apothecary bottles!

Step 2.Â 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.Â Lightly mark six 4″ squares on the sheet of watercolor paper using a ruler and pencil. Draw a diagonal line through each square.Â Using a ruler and an open pair of scissors (be careful!) or a bone folder lightly score straight up the middle of each square.Â 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!Â Place the escort card under a glass bottle with a crepe paper poppy â€“ and voila!