Search Results for: calligraphy

Happy Weekend

Three Potato Four via Instagram

Image from Three Potato Four via Instagram

Hi everyone! I haven’t written one of these Friday posts in a while… mostly because I honestly don’t know what to say most of these days. I know you come here for the general inspiration and some happy sparkle in the middle of the day, and many of you don’t want any political discussion on this platform. But I can’t just pretend that everything is light and happy given our current circumstances. So I’m going to change up this Friday round up post to share a few of the more serious stories and links from the week, along with some of the things bringing me joy during the week. We’ll see how it goes!

Some of the many reasons why the immigration ban will not help make us more safe.

What you need to know about the terror threat from foreigners

Over 100,000 visas have been revoked due to the ban.

We said Never Again in 1945. We have to mean it.

Maybe it’s because I live in DC, but I find this endlessly fascinating: How the National Mall evolved over 200 years to become what it is today

From a couple of weeks ago: How the White House transitions from one president to another in five hours

Such a cute idea: DIY Valentine Balloon Surprise Box

I desperately want a set of these iridescent mini bowls

I seriously can’t get over the gorgeousness of this embroidered jacket (or this one!)

Loving these new blue, gray, and black bamboo papers from Bella Figura

Congrats to BerinMade on their beautiful new website!

Feeling frustrated by your political representatives? Run for office!

 

And this week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Brand new illustrated desktop and phone wallpapers for February!

Printable Valentine’s Day envelope liners

Beautiful custom calligraphy Valentines from Betsy Dunlap

And some Valentine’s Day cards for friends!

Bilingual wedding invitations with a gorgeous illustrated envelope liner

 

Custom Calligraphy Valentines from Betsy Dunlap

I’ll be honest: the last couple of weeks have been very difficult for me. It feels strange and trivial to share pretty pictures during such a time of upheaval. I know this site is a respite from our difficult political climate for many of you, and I’ll do my best to share things that help lift our spirits and bring a bright spot to some very dark days. But I also want you to know that I’m very much affected by these current events, and if you’re struggling these days, you’re not alone. I spent more than six years working on Somalia at the U.S. Department of State, working closely with people from Somalia, including refugees – and I have very strong feelings regarding this Executive Order. I shared a few ways to help on Instagram yesterday, and I’ll continue to share more in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, I wanted to help spread some love by sharing these beautiful custom calligraphy Valentine’s from Betsy Dunlap in her shop Litterae.

Custom Calligraphy Valentines from Litterae / Betsy Dunlap

I’ve been a fan of Betsy’s unique modern calligraphy style since I first started blogging in 2008 (!!), and I seriously cannot imagine anything more romantic than sending your love a beautiful hand calligraphed Valentine! These unique custom valentines will feature Betsy’s lettering in your choice of Sunset Gold metallic ink or jet black Sumi ink on cream Italian paper and Dutch felt paper. The folded cards include a monogram or word of choice surrounded by a calligraphed circle on the outside, and a maximum 30-word message on the inside. Each envelope will feature marbled envelope liners and vintage postage stamps – and of course hand written mailing and return addresses penned by Betsy. Valentines will ship out on February 7th, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Custom Calligraphy Valentines from Litterae / Betsy Dunlap

Custom Calligraphy Valentines from Litterae / Betsy Dunlap

Custom Calligraphy Valentines from Litterae / Betsy Dunlap

Custom Calligraphy Valentines from Litterae / Betsy Dunlap

You can order your custom calligraphy valentines from Betsy’s Litterae shop right here!

Photo Credits: Betsy Dunlap

Seasonal Stationery: Romantic Valentine’s Day Cards

Last week’s Valentine’s Day card round up focused on universal designs that worked for anyone and everyone on your list. But what about that really special love (or loves, no judgment here) that you want to convey romantic (or otherwise) affection for? Look no further! From the sweet to the saucy, these romantic Valentine’s Day cards send messages ranging from true love to pure lust. Pick one, two – or even a few to organize a Valentine’s Day card scavenger hunt at home. Here are a variety of options to make sure this February 14th is a resounding success!

Romantic Valentine's Day Cards

From the top right:

1. If you’re lucky enough to have found your true love, shout it from the rooftops with this card from Heart Swell Co.

2. Who wants to spend Valentine’s Day at a crowded restaurant? This Sugar Paper design with sweet pink stripes is straight to the point.

3. You + me = love from Ashkahn

4. A sweet and simple message in gorgeous script lettering (and neon pink envelopes!) from Anne Robin Calligraphy

5. Whether you’re browsing Tinder on the daily or in a full-on relationship, this card from Emily McDowell is just the right amount of brazen humor.

6. I mean, who wouldn’t love to receive this card from Ink Meets Paper?? So sweet!

7. Loving the gorgeous vintage-inspired gold foil patterns and innovative die cut shape of this Valentine’s Day card from Rifle Paper Co.

8. Dear Bespoke Letterpress: please make a print of this downright gorgeous gold foil, script, and watercolor masterpiece. Framer!

9. You really can’t go wrong with a bunny covered in kisses for Valentine’s Day. Such a sweet illustration in this Dear Hancock love bunny card.

10. The candy made us do it! A fun ode to the conversation heart in this card from Ghost Academy.

11. There’s really nothing more romantic than pink hearts and glittery gold foil. According to Hartland Brooklyn, that is.

12. Definitely no hidden innuendoes here! Simple, saucy and straight to business (illustrated by Barbara Dziadosz for Red Cap Cards).

 

Next time: No beau this Valentine’s Day? No problem! We’ll be sharing a few friendship-based Valentine’s Day cards for your BFFs in our next installment.

Cards of Love and Solidarity

Did you march on Saturday? Either here in Washington, DC or in one of the sister marches across the country or around the world? I marched here in DC, with my husband, some close friends, and all of our children. It was a beautiful thing to see so many people (probably more people than I’ve ever seen in one place) marching together for tolerance, respect, inclusion, equal rights for all, and so much more. Making their voices heard in a peaceful way. Everywhere I looked, all I could see was PEOPLE. It gave me so much hope. So many of the signs that I saw involved messages of love and kindness, so I thought I’d start the week with a quick round up of cards to help keep that message going. Cards with simple but powerful messages of love, solidarity, encouragement, and support – all things that I know I’ll be holding dear for the next four years.

Cards of Love and Solidarity

1. laLa Grace for Love is Mightier

2. Send a message of support with this card from Heartell Press

3. E. Frances Paper

4. Love and solidarity in one card from And Here We Are

5. Love is love (is love is love is love) from Heart Swell Co.

6. Love in the prettiest indigo brush letters from Sycamore Street Press

7. + 8. Sweet and simple gold hearts from Sugar Paper and Parrott Design Studio

9. Gorgeous gold foil calligraphy and indigo marbling from Antiquaria

10. Wild Ink Press

11. L-O-V-E from Idlewild Co.

12. One of my favorite cards from Our Heiday

p.s. Stationers – I think I’ll make this a regular feature throughout the year, or as long as needed. If you have cards that represent the values of love, kindness, inclusiveness, and solidarity, please feel free to send them our way! You can email them to submissions(at)ohsobeautifulpaper.com, and don’t forget to review our submission guidelines here for appropriate image sizes, etc.

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! This was a fairly quiet week for me, so I don’t have much to report this week. Sending lots of love and positive vibes to you all for a happy three-day weekend! But in the meantime…

Image by Soil and Stem via Instagram

Image by Soil and Stem via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper: