01/31/2014

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you’re somewhere warmer than DC â€“ it’s only the end of January and this is the coldest winter I’ve experienced since moving here more than 10 years ago! We’re supposed to have a couple of nice days this weekend, which I’m looking forward to enjoying before I head up to New York for NYNOW on Monday. Next week: reports from NYNOW! But in the meantime…

OSBP-Alt-Travel-and-Great-Transformations

Photo by me via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

A secret garden mini party at Alt Summit
I’m so so so excited for this new kids craft book!
Adorable baby shower invitations
This faux caning technique is amazing â€“ I want to try it on a chair I inherited from my grandmother!
Rooting herbs in winter
One of my favorite calligraphy fonts has aÂ gorgeous new bold version! You can get 40% off Belluccia Bold with the code “OhsoBeautiful” (but just for a limited time!)

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Elegant gold foil wedding invitations for a summer wedding in Vermont
Stunning invitations for a tropical destination wedding
DIY Tutorial: modern washi tape save the dates
More super pretty Valentine’s Day cards
Completely in love with the Kate Spade office stationery collection
Romantic shabby chic wedding invitations featuring a pair of Boston terriers
Gold foil zebra baby shower invitations!
Well Said Type: Aquus
Lili Emma’s colorful split fountain letterpress birth announcements
Elegant dinner invitations for a 5-day wedding in New York
A lovely hand lettered love print
Woodsy screen printed wood veneer wedding invitations
DC Guide: The National Postal Museum

Check back soon for this weekâ€™s cocktail! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and Iâ€™ll see you back here next week!Â xoxo

01/31/2014

DC Guide: The National Postal Museum

We made an impromptu trip to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum on a rainy Saturday a couple of weeks ago. It was actually my first time at this museum, but I’m so glad we went â€“ it’s now on my must-visit list for DC! The stamp collection alone is worth a visit, but there are also exhibits on the evolution of the postal service, from the original private letter carriers to the Pony Express to the modern U.S. Post Service, and a display of mail delivery vehicles and airplanes. Sophie even had fun at the museum pulling out the displays in the stamp gallery and pretending to drive a mail delivery truck!

The National Postal Museum is located in Northeast DC next to Union Station, and is housed on the lower level of the historic City Post Office Building, which was constructed in 1914 and served as the DC post office from 1914 to 1986. I love these old buildings â€“ the architectural details are amazing! The Museum also houses a 6,000-square-foot research library, a stamp store, and of course a museum shop.

The stamp collection is amazing â€“ not that you’d expect anything else! Everything from the first postage stamp to mail sent from the Moon, examples of engraving dies used to make antique stamps, and tons of international stamps.

As you can probably tell, the National Postal Museum is very kid friendly (which I love!). We’re looking forward to going back!

More fun things to do in DC right here!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

01/30/2014

Lili Emma’s Colorful Split Fountain Baby Announcements

These adorable birth announcements come to us all the way from Hungary! Designer and printer Judit from Confettini created these vibrant announcements for a darling baby girl born back in September. Judit used the split fountain technique to infuse these announcements with lots of bright color, then paired the announcements with hot pink envelopes and handmade confetti. Such a wonderful way to celebrate a new arrival!

From Judit:Â Lili Emma was born on a sunnyÂ ThursdayÂ morning. This girl is a little ray of sunshine in her family. We made this letterpress printed, hand lettered baby announcement for her.

For the first time we used a special inking technique calledÂ a split fountain â€“ or rainbow roll. The process was really exciting. I love this ombre result and I think it looks really good on this paper. We paired the announcement with a lovely fuchsia envelope filled with custom coloured confetti. I hope this card will be a great memory for the family and for Lili for many years to come.

Thanks Judit!

Photo Credits: Confettini

01/30/2014

DIY Tutorial: Modern Washi Tape Save the Dates

Who doesn’t love washi tape? Ever since this awesome product arrived state side, we’ve been on board. We typically use it to seal envelopes, paper or belly bands but lately, we’ve had a desire to make it the real star. In this DIY, we use different tapes to add a bit of graphic drama to our stamped save the date cards. The effect you get is so much fun, especially considering it’s humble beginnings as tape!Â â€“Â Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Each save the date is its own, unique piece of art. The best part is that you can make it as simple or tricked out as you like!

Step One: Before you decorate, you’ll need to stamp your save the date (we used our Art Deco Save the Date stamp) on the bottom of a blank, cream A7 card. Choose an ink color that will coordinate nicely with the tape that you’ve selected. For a step-by-step video tutorial about this printing process goÂ here.

Step Two: Let your creative flag fly! Adorn the top of the card with washi tape in any pattern you like. We used a simple design with straight line and pop of diagonal tape for this example.

Step Three: Next, you’ll need to square up the tape so that you have a clean, professional look. Using a straight edge metal ruler and a craft knife, carefully cut the tape, making sure not to press so hard that it cuts the paper as well.

Step Four: Peel off the tape and press down the cut edge. Repeat the process on the top.

There are an infinite amount of possibilities for the tape designs. Get creative and experiment with tape colors and patterns. We love the way that they all look together, so don’t feel limited to one design!

Step Five: Next, you’ll need to stamp your return address (we used our Art Deco Return Address stamp) on the back flap of your envelopes. Now all that’s left is to address them, add postage and send them on their merry way!

Materials:

Art Deco Save the Date Stamp

Art Deco Return Address Stamp

Stamp PadÂ in Cocoa

Washi Tape

A7 Cream Cards

A7 Envelopes

Metal Ruler and Craft Knife

AntiÂquaria is a memÂber of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can see more of their beauÂtiÂful workÂ right hereÂ orÂ visitÂ theÂ real save the dates galleryÂ for more save the date ideas!

Photography: Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper

01/30/2014

Natalie’s Gold Foil Zebra Baby Shower Invitations

These gold foil baby shower invitations are so much fun for a mama-to-be fashionista! Nicole from Umama drew inspiration from mama Natalie’s plans to include lots of zebras in the nursery. To glam things up, Nicole incorporated gold foil and a sparkly gold envelope liner. So fun!

From Nicole:Â For this invitation, we wanted to celebrate Baby Sofia: the little fashionista in the making! From the start, mommy-to-be Natalie wanted a palette of gold, blush, black and white… and glitter of course! Girly and chic from a mom who is just that!

Natalie shared some inspiration from her nursery Pinterest board, and I knew we had to include zebras. They were everywhere on the board. To glam up the traditional zebra, we went gilded.

The insert cards were on a pearl blush paper, and both pieces were enclosed in a black envelope with a glittery gold envelope liner and wrap-around label. From the outside chic, from the inside, the soft girly touches!

Thanks Nicole!

Photo Credits: Umama