{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know that my husband and I found an adorable stray kitten in our neighborhood on Tuesday evening.  DC has a huge population of stray and feral cats and it’s pretty common for us to come across homeless cats in our neighborhood, but this poor little girl was crying out for some love and attention.  She’s probably about six months old and weighs only 5.5 lbs – and she’s the sweetest little thing.  We’ve been busy this week getting her checked out and trying to get her back to health, but we’re hoping to find a good forever home for her here in the DC/VA/MD area in the next few weeks.  But in the meantime…

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

As usual, we have a fun cocktail coming up for you this afternoon, so check back a bit later for the recipe!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!  xoxo

Photo by me via Instagram

Natalya + Ilya’s Nature-Inspired Linocut Wedding Invitations

These wedding invitations are a truly one of a kind design for a once in a lifetime occasion.  Russian designer Elena Bulay created these invitations for old school friends Natalya and Ilya, first illustrating a nature-inspired design, then hand-carving the design into a linoleum block, and finally hand printing each invitation on cotton paper.  She even sent over a few photos of the process in action!

Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

From Elena: I made these invitations for the wedding of my best school friend, Natalya.  The invitation consists of three parts: a big card with the date and the names of the groom and the bride; a small card with the details; and a small tag in the shape of an apple with the name of the guest.  The invitations were bound together with green and natural raffia.

Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5) Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

I used special printmaking cotton paper Fabriano Rosaspina for the main invitation cards and apple tags, and designer paper Colorplan for the small cards.  I wanted to create an effect of naturalness and simplicity in my invitations, so I deckled the edge of the paper and chose natural colours for the design, including emerald green, beige, and brown.

Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Linocut Wedding Invitations by Elena Bulay via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Thanks Elena!

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

Photo Credits: Elena Bulay

Calligraphy Inspiration: The Left Handed Calligrapher

Personal handwriting is such a unique thing; your hands, fingers, the way you hold a pen, it all contributes to the way ink flows to a page.  Nicole Black of The Left Handed Calligrapher, who is actually left handed, has created a name for herself and her rare ability.  (Studies suggest only 10-15% of the population is left handed!)  I think it adds a little charm to her writing style that draws me in.  And I’m certainly not the only one!  With work featured in Traditional Home Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, and on the Today Show, Nicole’s work is no stranger to the spotlight.  – Julie

Calligraphy by the Left Handed Calligrapher via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy by the Left Handed Calligrapher via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Although some of her work is modern, a few projects show a truly elegant, traditional style.  Beautiful isn’t it?  Perhaps she’s so skilled having studied under one of the chief White House calligraphers.

Calligraphy by the Left Handed Calligrapher via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy by the Left Handed Calligrapher via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Nicole’s writing style is so delicate and light.  At times, it’s almost as if the paper was kissed with a tiny thread of ink.

Calligraphy by the Left Handed Calligrapher via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy by the Left Handed Calligrapher via Oh So Beautiful Paper

If you’d like to see more work by Nicole, make sure you check out her website and blog.  She has also kindly put together a guide to social mailing etiquette to help you navigate the dos and don’ts, as well as a guest list worksheet.

Photo credits: 1 Bespoke Press; 2 Bobbi and Mike; 3 Renee Sprink Photography; 4 The Left Handed Calligrapher; 5 (left) + 6 Greg Blomberg Photography, Thisbe Grace Photography (right)

Emma’s Modern Orange Bat Mitzvah Invitations

Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations can be really tough: they have to walk a fine line, trying to stay away from being too adult or too childish while also remaining respectful of the tradition itself.  Aubrey from J. Papers created these fantastic  invitations for a recent Bat Mitzvah in Connecticut.  The invitations combine bright orange with white foil for a crisp and modern design that is simultaneously youthful and sophisticated.

Modern Bat Mitzvah Invitations by J. Papers via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

From Aubrey:  This invitation suite has so much style and sophistication while remaining age appropriate – we love that!  The main invitation panel is made with extra thick orange stock.  The invitation was foil stamped to get the crisp, opaque white text and border.

Modern Bat Mitzvah Invitations by J. Papers via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4) 

Modern Bat Mitzvah Invitations by J. Papers via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

We also designed a basket weave pattern in Emma’s signature orange color to use for the envelope liner.  There were two inserts: a letter flat printed on vellum paper; and an rsvp card on bright white cotton stock.  Both the reply envelope and the invitation outer envelope were adorned with a custom stamp featuring the custom Bat Mitzvah event logo we designed specifically for Emma.

Modern Bat Mitzvah Invitations by J. Papers via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Thanks Aubrey!

Photo Credits: J. Papers

Emily + Robert’s Summery Gray and Yellow Wedding Invitations

Emily and Robert wanted a playful and modern design for their wedding invitations; they worked with Emily and Dianna from Fourth Year Studio to create a typography-based design that was letterpress printed in a sunny yellow and gray color palette.  Just perfect for a laid back summer wedding in Texas!

Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (9)

From Emily and Dianna: Emily and Robert were married in Dallas, Texas.  We jumped at the chance to print in yellow and gray, one of our favorite color combos.  There was a ton of information to relay to their guests – and when there are multiple pieces to an invitation suite we try to come up with a way to make it to all fit together in a package that guests will enjoy opening.

Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

The invitation and rehearsal dinner card were letterpress printed on cotton stock and tucked into a pocket that held it all together.  Each pocket was tied with wax thread, the same kind used for book binding.

Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8) Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

The RSVP card and envelope were tucked behind the crisscross of the thread.  The RSVP cards were printed front and back – one side for the wedding (yellow) and the other for the rehearsal dinner (gray).  The RSVP addresses were letterpress printed with white ink onto gray envelopes.

Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Our favorite part of the entire set is the map.  At the bottom of the invitation is a small vellum envelope.  Inside is a flat printed vellum map with directions to the wedding venue.  Removal of the map reveals a letterpress printed outline of Texas with corresponding text “map to our heart.”  The invitation suite was packaged with a matching envelope label with the repeating floral pattern that was derived from native Texas succulents and used graphically throughout the set.

Wedding Invitations by Fourth Year Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Thanks Emily and Dianna!

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

Photo Credits: 5 Rings Photography