Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! I’m feeling soooooooo much better after my little surgery on Monday and looking forward to really getting back in the swing of things after a couple of rough weeks. Right now, I’m sending lots of positive vibes to our friends in the Southeast with the arrival of Hurricane Matthew. Stay safe everyone! But in the meantime…

Rifle Paper Co. / Let's Weather It Together

Image by Rifle Paper Co. via Instagram, and you can buy a version of this illustration as a card here

…a few links for your weekend:

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for us this week! I hope you all have a fun and relaxing long weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week! xoxo

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

Hello! I’m excited to be here with a column that scouts calligraphy artists and inspiring examples of modern lettering. Many moons ago, I lived in New York and went to my first Stationery Show as an editor at Real Simple. Back then, letterpress seemed to be all the rage with modern stationery, but in recent years, I’ve watched calligraphy step out of its former just-for-wedding typecast and into the modern paper world. You see examples of calligraphy everywhere now from bar menus to home décor — wherever you find type (including tattoos!). I’m kicking off my first installment with the work of calligraphy artist Cami Monet Miller. Her style feels organic, soulful, and so artistic. She often works in watercolor and uses deckled-edge papers that adds a modern handmade touch. Be sure to check out her Instagram for even more beautiful calligraphy! Jen

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

I’m just in love with everything in this photo, including the color palette. Photo by Jennifer Weinman.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

I’ve always been drawn to the rustic woodland style in decorating (long before moving to Maine.) These placeholders (which double as coasters!) feel like a woodland fairy tale. The wood slices with their textured bark add a natural simplicity to the table. Then the black brushstroke calligraphy creatures a sweet, flirty contrast.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

Cami just posted these acrylic place cards on her Instagram, which are going to be tied around napkins for a wedding. The mix of the modern clear acrylic with the white brushstroke calligraphy — heart-eye emojis all the way.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

What really caught my eye as I browsed through Cami Monet’s work is the sheer variety of pieces and ways that she plays around with her organic brushstroke calligraphy. Each snap seems to feature something new, unique, and special to that particular event, which I imagine is no easy feat for an artist running a small business.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

Gold ink calligraphy on white backsplash tiles — what a wow detail for wedding place cards!

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

I am a sucker for anything with that modern vintage vibe, so this snap rose to the top of my favorites. Cami created these home décor goodies for a pop-up shopping market, and I can think of several people on my holiday shopping list who would love those rolling pins.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

I know calligraphy on globes is not the newest idea, but I had to share here because I still have one on my wish list. Such a beautiful addition for an office or living room.

Calligraphy Inspiration: Cami Monet

Cami Monet has an Etsy shop where you can purchase readymade watercolor and calligraphy creations, or order custom wedding invitations. You’ll find prints —  like this boho sweet Stay Wild printed sign — paper goods, and even mugs with quips in calligraphy (for the prettiest morning cup of joe.) Anyone else itching to throw a dinner party with some fancy calligraphy place cards now?

Photo Credits: Cami Monet, except where noted

Wood Veneer and Watercolor Floral Wedding Invitations

Wood veneer invitations are a fantastic choice for rustic weddings, but they can also be soft and bohemian when paired with soft watercolor floral elements! Sandy of Roseville Designs created these rustic-yet-bohemian wood veneer and watercolor floral wedding invitations, inspired by the eco-friendly Connecticut vineyard where the wedding took place. The clean and simple design allows the wood veneer to take central stage in such an elegant way!

Wood Veneer and Watercolor Floral Wedding Invitations by Roseville Designs

From Sandy: I am so excited to share Kim and Greg’s rustic and bohemian wood wedding invitation suite! They wanted their wedding invitations to reflect the rustic look of their Connecticut vineyard wedding, while still maintaining some soft floral elements. I immediately fell in love with their vision for the big day! Priam Vineyards, their wedding venue, is a sustainable and wind-powered winery, and they really wanted to honor its eco-friendly vibe. We loved the idea of printing the invitations on wood veneer sheets, which creates a unique and tactile experience for guests upon opening the envelope.

Wood Veneer and Watercolor Floral Wedding Invitations by Roseville Designs

We kept the invitation card clean, simple, and type-driven so the texture of the actual wood card would be the main focus. To balance out the wood and incorporate that bohemian feel, I created purple watercolor flowers that we used on the RSVP card and info card, which included details about all the weekend festivities.

Wood Veneer and Watercolor Floral Wedding Invitations by Roseville Designs

I also used the purple watercolor brush strokes from the flowers to create a background on a paper belly band, which wrapped about the entire suite. The soft purple made a real statement on top of the wood veneer! The belly band featured a custom wedding monogram that we used throughout their wedding paper story, including their programs, favors, and menus.

Wood Veneer and Watercolor Floral Wedding Invitations by Roseville Designs

The rest of the invitation suite was digitally printed, with the insert cards on cream paper stock to complement the darker wood tones of the invitation card. Kim and Greg were a fantastic couple because they gave me such a clear sense of their vision, but trusted me to run with it and create something unique, approachable, and reflective of them as a couple.

Wood Veneer and Watercolor Floral Wedding Invitations by Roseville Designs

Thanks Sandy!

Design: Roseville Designs

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

Photo Credits: Brooke Allison Photography

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations

These unicorn and gemstone inspired birthday party invitations are perfect if you’re in the mood for something magical, festive, and just plain fun! This bright pink invitation suite, complete with the most adorable gemstone envelope liner, was designed by Briana of Flyover Design Co. I imagine that quite a bit of giggling ensued while guests played pin the horn on the unicorn!

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

From Briana: We designed this unicorn-themed invitation suite for a lucky four-year-old girl’s upcoming birthday party. The client’s main request when contacting us to help with the party was to incorporate hand-drawn unicorns, watercolor washes, and geometric elements while staying in the desired pink color palette.

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

Our process began with the illustration of the unicorn—we hand-drew a few variations of unicorns for the client to choose from. Once the unicorn design was selected, we started on the main 5×7 invitation. The final invitation includes all of the party details with design elements including: watercolor, hand-lettering, and gold-foil printing. After completing the main invitation, we moved on to the envelope liners to accompany the suite. The liners incorporated the same geometric gemstones from the 5×7 invitation while staying in the pink color palette. From there, we created party favors for the event.

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

The favors and details we created include laser cut wood unicorns that were wrapped around the invitations and the napkins at the party with gold and white twine. We added holes and ribbon to hang the poster. We also created stickers in six color variations as party favors for guests to take home from the party, along with a 10×20 Pin the Horn on the Unicorn Sign with a hand-drawn unicorn on a 10×20 poster board and cutout horns for the guests. Finally, we printed place cards with the gemstone motif for the number of guests specified, then hand-lettered each card with a black paint pen.

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

Once finished, the overall suite and favors create a cohesive look for the birthday party. By sticking within the same palette and including the two main elements—the unicorn and gemstones—throughout, it stays consistent and gives off the magical, girly feel that the client was looking for.

Unicorn and Gemstone Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by Flyover Design Co.

Thanks Briana!

Design: Flyover Design Co.

Invitation Printing: Cat Print

Laser Cutting: Ever Laser

Envelope Printing: Cards and Pockets

Sticker Printing: Moo

Photo Credits: Briana Wengert

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

A wedding is a once in a lifetime event, and one of the few times that you’ll have all of your loved ones and favorite people gathered together in the same place. A guestbook is the perfect way to remember all the people that came together to celebrate your big day – and they’re a great memento to look back on long after the wedding. Here are a few fun and creative wedding guestbooks to put a twist on the traditional guestbook. – Annie

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Your guests will love connecting their own constellation alongside their name. Frame and hang it up after! | Photography: Sarah Maren Photography, Planning & Design: Kate Whelan Events via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Provide calligraphy notecards for guests to share advice and well wishes, then add all the notecards to an album after the wedding. | Photography: Chloe Luka Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Have guests write on the back of puzzle pieces. Put all the pieces together and read everyone’s messages! | Photography: Jana Marie Photography, Planning & Design: Red Door Event & Design via The Knot

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Vinyl records double as a guestbook for the couple who loves music. | Photography: Cara Robbins Studio via 100 Layer Cake

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Remember Mad Libs? You’ll have so much fun reading everyone’s responses! | Photography: Candice Benjamin via MODwedding

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Polaroid cameras are always a good idea. | Photography: Phil Chester via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Add a personal touch by collecting vintage postcards from each of your home states for guests to write on. | Photography: Horn Photography And Design, Planning & Design: Unique Wedding Events via The Knot

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Attach kraft tags to vintage keys and discover the secret to a successful marriage (fingers crossed). | Photography: Shea Christine Photography via MODwedding

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Watercolor paintings double as wedding guestbook prints. | Photography: Studio Castillero, Planning & Design: Jamie at Sitting in a Tree, Paper Goods: Studiobdr via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Creative Wedding Guestbooks

Ask guests to write on Jenga blocks and you’ve got the building blocks for a happy and long marriage. | Photography: Danielle Coons Photography via The Knot

What are your favorite creative wedding guestbook ideas??