DIY Tutorial: Gold Embossed Save the Dates

We’re huge fans of gold in pretty much all arenas: housewares, fashion, jewelry, and stationery just to name a few! That’s why this week’s gold on gold embossed save the date tutorial is so awesome. Plus, with this simple and affordable technique, you can create a custom invitation with a high end look on a budget. – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

DIY Tutorial: Gold Rubber Stamp Save the Dates by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

DIY Tutorial: Gold Rubber Stamp Save the Dates by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step One: Unlike most of our stamping tutorials, this week’s embossing technique  is done one piece at a time. Start by inking your stamp (we used our Vintage Calligraphy Save the Date) with a gold metallic stamp pad. For specifics on how to ink your oversized stamp check out step one of this tutorial. Next, you’ll center the stamp over your A6 (4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″) card. Press down firmly to make the print. Lift the stamp off of the card and move quickly to step two.

DIY Tutorial: Gold Rubber Stamp Save the Dates by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Two: While the ink is still wet (using pigment ink such as Colorbox is going to be your best bet for this project), sprinkle embossing powder over the print. Shift powder around the card until it is solidly covering all of the text and graphics. Gently tap the excess off onto a piece of loose leaf computer paper for reuse. If there are still specs of powder on the card, remove them very carefully with a small paint brush. Any powder left will solidify if exposed to the heat.

DIY Tutorial: Gold Rubber Stamp Save the Dates by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Three: Using an embossing heat tool, set the powder by heating it (not too close or you’ll burn the paper) until the powder has solidified. You will want to do a small area at a time to ensure proper solidification. When you’re done, double check you handiwork to make sure all of the areas have been set.

DIY Tutorial: Gold Rubber Stamp Save the Dates by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step Four: You’ll want to repeat steps 1 – 3 for your return address (we used our Bow Return Address stamp). How amazing is the gold embossing on the gold envelope?! Swoon. We’re in love.

Finish them off with more gold – a fabulous piece of gold glitter washi tape on the back flap of the envelope!

Materials

Stamps:

“Vintage Calligraphy” Save the Date

Bow Return Address

Paper and Tools:

A6 Cards in Luxe White

A6 Envelopes in Stardream Antique Gold

Stamp Pad in Gold

Embossing Powder in Superfine Gold

Heat Tool

Washi Tape Gold Glitter

Anti­quaria is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Amy + Kenn’s Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday!  I hope all my East Coast friends are safe and sound as Hurricane Sandy passes through.  We’re having a quiet day at home here in DC – not that we have any other option since the government and all public transportation is closed due to the storm!  So today I’m envisioning a warm and rain-free beach vacation with these wedding invitations from designer Carina Skrobecki.  Created for a destination wedding in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Carina incorporated an ombre effect in tropical colors along with travel-inspired and nautical design elements – a fantastic combination!

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

From Carina: Amy and Kenn are getting married in the U.S. Virgin Islands in December. So when they came to me to design their St. John-inspired wedding invitations, I knew I had an opportunity to incorporate the rich and exotic colors naturally found on the island and have some fun bringing in an ocean/travel theme.

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

The suite came together with lush orange and coral tones, along with deep blue.  We created an ombre effect, which was digitally printed on all the pieces to tie everything together. The main invitations were then kissed with gold foil, which brought out the names of the bride and groom.

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Amy and Kenn wanted a monogram with an anchor to use on other printed materials, so we created a small design that was then used on a custom stamp to seal the envelopes.

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

We drew inspiration from the beautiful St. John sunsets, natural materials such as rope and linen, and travel postcards. When doing research, I found an old lithograph of St. John created in the late 1800s by a Danish artist, and that became the inspiration for the postcard RSVP.

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Ombre and Gold Foil Nautical Wedding Invitations by Carina Skrobeck Design via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

Thanks so much Carina!

Design: Carina Skrobecki Design

Printing and Gold Foil: Nikko Media

Custom Stamp: RubberStamps.net

Striped Ribbon: TeaParty Ribbons

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Carina Skrobecki Design

Behind the Scenes: Shanna Murray

Hello there. It’s Shauna from Forage Haberdashery and I’ll be sharing a little post with you each day this week. Before I get started, I wanted to say congratulations to Nole (and thanks for inviting me).

I love paper (Ed Note: I’m a huge fan of Shauna’s stationery company – Seed House Stationers – here’s a quick peek from the National Stationery Show in May), but even more than paper goods, I adore the people who make them. For my posts this week, I scoured the Instagram feeds of my favorite designers, searching for a little behind the scenes and can’t wait to share what I found…

shanna murray behind the scenes

shanna murray behind the scenes

First up, is Shanna Murray. I love her illustrated decals and dream of covering an entire room with her bows, wreaths and sweet sentiments. Getting a glimpse into her world is such a treat from her effortlessly styled desk, to piles of colorful decals and all that beautiful packaging. Her attention to detail is something I absolutely adore.

A few of my favorite things in Shanna Murray’s shop (shown above):
darling bow
be kind
ring of clover & lucky stars tiding

Photo Credits: Shanna Murray {via Instagram @heidibraids}

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! — Kelly

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1) Colorful-Modern-Seating-Chart-Untamed-Heart-Photography

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

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (12)

Seating Chart by Melangerie

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5) Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

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)

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

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

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)  Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

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)

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Seating Chart by Akimbo

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (13) Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (14)

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

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Seating Charts via Oh So Beautiful Paper (9)

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

{images via their respective sources}

 

Calligraphy Inspiration: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Sometimes you have to search for something.  Other times you just happen upon it.  I certainly didn’t have to go digging to find Laura Hooper Calligraphy.  I kept seeing her gorgeous work in real weddings, (including her own) and seeing her name in glowing recommendations.  Laura has 10 years of experience under her belt, as well as work featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Town & Country Weddings.  (Ed Note: Laura also provided place card calligraphy for my wedding four years ago! –nole)  Laura has calligraphed everything from ginkgo leaves to sand dollars and offers some great products, including her wonderful maps, in her Etsy shop.  Take a look for yourself and I’m sure you’ll understand why she has such satisfied customers!  – Julie

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Menu via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Invitations via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura has a wide selection of invitation designs (like the one pictured above) available in her Etsy shop, as well as on her website.  She also offers a number of printing processes like letterpress to thermography.

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Map via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Whether you’re having a destination wedding or simply have a lot of out of town guests, Laura’s custom maps are a great addition to your invitation suite.

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Seating and Escort cards via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

I’m a huge fan of great wedding details.  With charming wooden signs, embroidered napkins and even totes, Laura’s got you covered!  Be sure to check out her blog, website and shop for more.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3 left, 6, 7 left Laura Hooper; 3 right Kate Headley; 5 left Agnes Lopez; 4, 5 right, 7 right Steve Steinhardt