Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper

It’s September, which means the days of cool weather and fall foliage are just around the corner. I’m loving these dusty blue and pink wedding invitations on handmade paper by Lauren Clements of LineAve Calligraphy for a fall wedding – or a wedding any time of year, really. Lauren’s beautiful calligraphy and illustrations are absolutely beautiful against that gorgeous handmade paper by Farmette Press. And those Louisiana themed vintage postage stamps are the perfect finishing touch!

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Lauren: I loved designing my own wedding stationery! The invitation suite is letterpress printed on handmade paper in blue, pink, and cream tones. The design also incorporated a minimal line drawing of the church with some greenery accents. I used vintage stamps in a Louisiana theme to tell a story.

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Our wedding ceremony took place at St. John Berchman’s Cathedral in Shreveport, Louisiana with aisles lined with fresh pomegranates and olive branches. The detail-packed outdoor reception was set on the lot of our future home.

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

The idea was a small, rustic, European-styled seated and plated dinner under the oak tree with 90 guests. The forecast called for a 90% chance of rain, and it wasn’t wrong. The tent that was supposed to cover a small seating area was enlarged to cover the entire event, and not an ounce of detail was lost. It was truly an inspirational ending to the dreaded “what do I do if it rains on my outdoor wedding?” question that I googled for 2 weeks straight. Guests kicked off their shoes and had the best celebration in mud up to their ankles. The photos turned out absolutely beautiful despite the FLOOD. Quality vendors are so important from hair that frizzes gracefully, to makeup that stays put, hot food that is served in a downpour, and of course, THE TENT that single-handedly saved the day.

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

As a stationer and calligrapher, I obsesses over detail. I designed and created my own save-the-dates, invitation suite, seating chart, and endless “day of” details like programs, menus, favor tags, flower cones, corn hole boards and bean bags, custom ice cream signs that incorporated our dogs, and cocktail napkins. The gate to the property and the Catholic church we were married in were both incorporated into the wedding stationery, adding a personal and special touch to the invitation suite and day-of stationery.

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Dusty Blue and Pink Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper LineAveCalligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Lauren!

 

Calligraphy and Design: Lauren Roberts Clements of LineAveCalligraphy

Handmade Paper and Letterpress Printing: Farmette Press

 

Photo Credits: Laura Caraway Photography

A Master List of Stationery Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday Sales 2018

Illustrated Card by Hoopla Love Co

Card by Hoopla Love Co

**I’m planning a few holiday gift guides for next week, but first – here are all the stationery Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday sales! I’ll continue updating this list through Monday, so keep checking back!

 

Amy Heitman – 25% off everything through Monday with code SOGRATEFUL

Artisaire – 15% off through Monday, November 26 with code THANKFUL15

August & Osceola – 25% off everything from wedding invitations to address stamps through Monday with code BLACKOUT

Baltic Club – 30% off this weekend only with code BLACK30

Be A Heart – 20% off all orders and free shipping through Monday

Bourne Paper Co. – 25% off through Friday, November 30 with code CYBERWEEK2018

Cami Monet – Free shipping and 30% off all art prints with code “ap30” on Monday!

Cardtorial – 25% off purchases $25 or more and free shipping through Monday with code THANKS25

Ciarra Claire – 25% off Monday with code BLACKFRIDAY18

Copper Paper Co. – 15% off through Monday with code ENJOY15

Courtney Khail – 10% off everything on Monday with code CYBERMON2018

Daydream Society – 25% off site wide through Monday with code BF2018

E.Frances Paper – 20% off through the weekend with code SHOPSMALL2018

Esther Clark – 20% off with code GIVETHANKS

Euni and Co – 20% off through Monday with code THANKS

Evermore Paper Co. – 20% off sitewide, no code needed

Ferme à Papier – 30% off with code HOLIDAY30

Gold Teeth Brooklyn – 20% off through Wednesday with code THANKS

Gus & Ruby Letterpress – 20% off online purchases on Monday!

Hammerpress – 30% off with code THANKFUL2018

Hester and Cook – 50% off seasonal and non-seasonal favorites, plus up to 75% off some items. No code necessary!

Hip Hip Party Goods – 20% off and free shipping through Monday with code HOLIDAY

Idlewild Co. – Free shipping on purchases $10-49 (code SANTABABY), 20% off purchases $50-99 (code DASHERDANCER), $25 off purchases $100+ (code HOLIDAYCHEER)

ilootpaperie – 15% off all orders of $15 or more through Monday with code ETSYCYBER2018. They will also contribute 20% of November sales from their California Poppy keychain to wildfire relief efforts through the American Red Cross. Thank you ladies!

Ink Love and Paper – 15% off all wood signs and 30% off paper place cards through Monday

Iris and Marie Press – 20% off with code THANKFUL20

Ivy House Design – 20% off on Etsy through Monday 

Lettered Life – 20% off sitewide through Monday with code SHOPSMALL18

Letterfolk – 20% off sitewide – no code needed!

Lovebird Paper – Free shipping on orders over $40 with code MERRYMERRY

Maptote – 25% off all full priced items through Monday with code 

Moglea – 30% off on Monday with code CYBERMONDAY18

Mr. Boddington – 20% off through Monday with code PRESENTS

Odd Daughter Paper – 25% off through Monday with code THANKU25

Olive and Co. Paper – 20% off Monday only with code CYBERMON

Our Heiday – 30% off through Monday with code GRATEFUL

Paula and Waffle – 20% off with code “somalove”

Pinwheel Printshop – 20% off the entire shop with code SMALLBIZSATURDAY!

Red Cap Cards – 25% off with code CYBER25

Ramona & Ruth – 30% off through midnight on Monday with code JINGLE

Seedlings – 50% off sitewide through Monday with code THANKFUL

Seniman Calligraphy – 15% off stationery and semi-custom invitations with code THANKSTOYOU and 15% off Etsy shop items with code ETSYCYBER2018 through Monday

Shannon Kirsten – 20% off and free shipping on Etsy purchases through Monday

Slightly Stationery – 20% off with code GRATEFUL

Sophie and Lili – 20% off everything through Monday with code BLACKFRIDAY20

Steel Petal Press – 30% off Monday only with code CYBERMONYAY

Studio Carta – 20% off through Monday with code grazie18

St. Signora – 20% off with code GIVETHANKS20

Sugar Paper – 30% off sitewide through Monday with code FRIYAY2018

Tara Spencer – 30% off Idyll paper through Monday with code BLACKFRIDAY

The Good Twin Co. – 20% off with code SWEATPANTS

The Great Lakes Goods – 20% off with code THANX

The Grits – 35% off with code JOYFUL35

The Paper Wilderness – 20% off sitewide through Monday!

Underwood Letterpress – 40% off (!!) on Monday only with code WINNING

Wit and Whistle – 20% off with code SHOPSMALL

Worthwhile Paper isn’t offering a discount code, but they are donating 25% of all sales to Volunteers of America and their Adopt a Family program – so definitely support them this weekend if you’re able!

Yao Cheng Design – 20% off with code GOBBLE20

Yellow Owl Workshop – 30% off sitewide through Monday, no code needed!

 

 

 

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable and Gray Paper Co.

Hello everyone! I have something light and bright to share with you, and of course, it comes in the way of paper inspiration. We’re focusing on the work of Kristin Hussey, a calligrapher who runs Sable & Gray Paper Co. I think you’re going to love this uplifting inspiration as we take a peek at her lettering work. Let’s dive in! – Jen

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: Tifani Lyn Photography

From Kristin: I got my degree in Architecture, and after I graduated from school, I worked for a firm that I had dreamed of working at. It was fascinating and such a great opportunity, but I didn’t realize the reality of being a modern-day architect until I was working there: it had become a very computer-driven career with all of the models and drawings being done in computer programs. I really missed working with my hands so I decided to try out a different career path that would be more hands-on. So I got a job at a florist, which was just the change I needed. While I was working there, the florist merged with a stationery company, and asked if I would take over the custom stationery designs since I had a background in design, and I completely fell in love.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: Luxlight Photography

About a year later I went off on my own and started Sable & Gray, which has been such a beautiful adventure. I try to make each invitation a real work of art, incorporating as many hand-crafted details as possible. It only felt natural to learn calligraphy as well so I wouldn’t need to rely only on predesigned fonts. I took a calligraphy course from Molly Jacques (who is a true modern calligraphy legend!) about 4 years ago and never looked back!

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: Luxlight Photography

I’ve developed my calligraphy style over the past four years with a goal to create a look that is elevated, yet approachable (and also legible!). I’ve looked up to other calligraphers like Molly Jacques (who taught me pointed-pen calligraphy) and Jenny Sanders (who is just amazing), but have tried to develop a style that is uniquely my own.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Laduca Photography

 

Here’s a peek at Kristin in her element:

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: Corey Weber Photography

I love to incorporate calligraphy into my custom wedding invitation designs and will tweak my style a bit to fit the mood and aesthetic of each invitation suite. I especially love doing watercolor brush calligraphy because it’s so beautiful seeing the gradient and watching the colors bleed together throughout each word. They really look like a little piece of art in and of themselves.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: The Weber Photographers

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

It’s tough to pick a favorite project! I really love this custom invitation suite that features a combination of watercolor brush calligraphy and letterpress printing on double-thick paper (and it has gorgeous dusty-blue edge painting, too!). The custom die-cut Michigan-shaped response card is an extra special cherry on top of this dreamy suite.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Photo Credit: Luxlight Photography

Inspiring Calligraphers: Sable & Gray

Thanks so much for sharing your work, Kristin! Looking for even more beautiful calligraphy? Check out our calligraphy archive right here!

Photo credits, except where noted: Kristin Hussey of Sable & Gray Paper Co.

Want to be featured in our calligraphy column? Reach out to us at submissions [at] ohsobeautifulpaper [dot] com with the subject line “Calligraphy Feature” for more details!

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

Hey everyone! It’s been a hot summer in many places so I thought it only fitting to pull some inspiring calligraphy work with a true summertime vibe. Here’s a look at the work of Li Ward Calligraphy. I love the mix of her lettering work and watercolor and illustration, and how each wedding suite looks so fitting for the destination. With that, let’s grab a lemonade and check out Li’s beautiful calligraphy! Jen

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

Photo Credit: Cambria Grace Photography

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

On how she got her start, Li shares:

I started calligraphy about 6 years ago, using traditional pens with nibs that you dip into ink. I started doing spot lettering for other stationery designers whose clients requested some hand lettering for their invitations. Two years ago when I began dabbling in watercolors, I decided to go “full service” with invitation design: I would take care of not just lettering, but full design which would include watercolor illustrations, hand lettering, envelope liner design, paper choice, and printing.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

What inspires Li? She gets inspiration from Jane Austen, scratchy old-fashioned script, Edward Gorey’s irreverent sense of humor, Matisse’s bold color palettes, stained glass designs — just to name a few. “I’m still really new to this and constantly trying new things out,” says Li.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

“One of my favorite suites is the Catskills wedding suite (Zoe and Sam), which included Save the Dates, folded maps, and illustrated menus,” says Li. “The couple had already commissioned Happy Menocal to design their crest. Happy just happens to be one of my favorite artists, so I was really thrilled when they asked me to design the rest of the suite that would complement Happy’s design. I took inspiration from Edward Gorey’s illustration style and Happy’s of course, threw in block font mixed with cursive, went with a more is better frame of mind. And it’s kind of been the basis of my style going forward. I’m definitely all about bold colors and shapes!”

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

As much as I love Li’s illustration work, I’m also a big fan of this kraft brown wedding suite she designed. The white lettering on kraft brown paper has a modern organic vibe that feels casual, yet cool.

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

Inspiring Calligraphers: Li Ward Calligraphy

Another favorite style? Li loves to do “seamless” designs. “If you were to put two cards side by side, the design from one card would match up with the design on another,” says Li.

Big thanks to Li Ward for sharing a a peek into her world of lettering!

All photos by Li Ward, except where noted

Want to be featured in our calligraphy column? Reach out to us at submissions [at] ohsobeautifulpaper [dot] com with the subject line “Calligraphy Feature” for more details!

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Ahhhh…. navy and white is such a beautiful and classic combination. Add in some modern botanical illustrations from one of our talented Designer Rolodex members, Kim of Bright Room Studio, and you’ve got some seriously gorgeous navy and white illustrated floral wedding invitations! I love that Kim and the bride and groom decided to letterpress print the entire suite in a single color – navy blue – which just completely elevates Kim’s beautiful illustrations and lettering. So pretty!

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

From Kim: Working with Allie and Michael on their invitations was so much fun. I knew it was going to be a great project when I received a design brief written by the groom! He put so much thought and time in to sharing their story, aesthetic and things that were important to them (including their favorite cocktails and guilty pleasures!) that it made the creative process so much fun and made their invitations incredibly personal and special for them.

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

We started with the cute map save the date. I love creating maps, especially when I get to incorporate illustrations of the architecture and buildings, combined with places that are meaningful to them. They met “the old fashioned way” – at a bar! – so we definitely wanted to incorporate that cute detail, along with the wedding venues. We did the map in a gorgeous blue, which became a design theme for the rest of the suite.

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

For the invitation, we wanted to keep it sophisticated but still personal. We chose symbols to represent their heritage: an olive branch for her Greek background and a thistle for his Scottish roots. I illustrated each branch and used it throughout the invitation through patterns, graphic details and the monogram. We letterpress printed the invitation to really make the leaf details pop.

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

The monogram tag is such a great example of what you can do in the design process. I showed them one design with this leaf pattern and one with the monogram and they couldn’t decide, so we found a way to incorporate both ideas throughout the suite. The monogram was also a perfect detail to use in other elements on their wedding day, such as the sweet notecards, menu and program.

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

We continued the monochromatic palette through everything, which kept the design cohesive and sophisticated. The little branch details and modern calligraphy style tied the smaller pieces together. What resulted was a lovely invitation that felt personal to them and gave their wedding a beautiful look throughout.

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Navy and White Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

Thanks Kim!

Design: Bright Room Studio

Printing: Mercurio Brothers Printing

Bright Room Studio is a member of the Designer Rolodex  â€“ you can see more of Kim’s beautiful work right here or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Bright Room Studio