{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  We’ve had another gorgeous week here in DC – last weekend we finally made it down to Mount Vernon, where I couldn’t tear my eyes (or nose) away from the gorgeous dogwoods and lilacs blooming all around the estate.  Yay spring!  I’m looking forward to an even more beautiful weekend and a bit of relaxation.  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, from a trip to Mount Vernon last weekend

Sneak Peek – Martha Stewart Weddings Special Issue

Martha Stewart Weddings recently released a special issue focused entirely on real weddings – and I’m thrilled to share a sneak peek of the issue today!   The issue is full of some of my all time favorite real weddings – including Cheree + Jeff, Lena + Joshua, and Randi + Jacob – along with ideas and details from countless other past features and several beautiful new real wedding features.

Martha-Stewart-Weddings-Real-Weddings-Issue

Of course, an issue of Martha Stewart Weddings wouldn’t be complete without lots of beautiful stationery!  For this special issue, the editors have pulled a range of wedding invitations from several talented wedding invitation designers for every season of the year.  So many pretty invitations!

The special real weddings issue is on newsstands now, so check it out soon!

Photo Credits: Martha Stewart Weddings 2012

DIY Rubber Stamp Equestrian Wedding Invitations

We love horses at Antiquaria and find ourselves constantly drawn to and inspired by vintage horse imagery.  Today we’re thrilled to be able to show you how to create a sophisticated equestrian themed invitation suite all your own!  This suite is subtle but definitely sets the stage for horse farm or equestrian center nuptials.  The color palette of hunter green, peach, and cream helps elevate the overall look and make it fresh.  The best part?  The stamped leather tag! – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Wedding Invitation Ideas - DIY Equestrian Wedding Invitations

Wedding Invitation Ideas - DIY Equestrian Wedding Invitations

Step One: Set an A7 (5″x7″) piece of card stock on a hard, clean surface.  Ink your invitation stamp (we used our Equestrian Invitation stamp) thoroughly with a hunter green stamp pad.  Center stamp over card stock and carefully set down.  Press moderately on the stamp.  Too firm and it will smudge and too softly will not give a clear print.  Remove stamp and let the ink dry.

Wedding Invitation Ideas - DIY Equestrian Wedding Invitations

Step Two: Repeat the printing technique in step one on a 4bar (3.5″x5″) piece of paper.  We used our Equestrian reply card stamp for this piece.

Wedding Invitation Ideas - DIY Equestrian Wedding Invitations

Step Three: The little “extras” are what really make your invitation your own.  For this suite, we wanted to bring in a different texture for the monogram tag used to tie the whole thing together.  Cut leather into 2″ x 2″ squares.  Punch a 1/8″ hole in the left corner of the square.  Install a metal grommet in the hole to give it a clean and professional finish.

Now you’re ready to stamp!!  Ink your stamp (we used our Handwritten Calligraphy Names monogram) and center it on the leather.  Apply pressure (you can be a bit more gently this time since the surface is softer) and make your print. Let dry.

Wedding Invitation Ideas - DIY Equestrian Wedding Invitations

Step Four:  Stamp your return and reply address on the respective A7 and 4bar envelopes.  It is wise and a huge money saver to use the same stamp for both!  We used our Vintage Horseshoe return address stamp for this suite.  Cut a liner to fit your A7 outer envelope.  You will want it to sit right under the adhesive.  You can either cut it yourself or have your local print shop cut them all for you.  To insert the liner,  place a line of double stick tape or stick glue across the top  and slide it into position and press to secure.  Fold at the crease with a bone folder to get a nice, crisp edge.

Wedding Invitation Ideas - DIY Equestrian Wedding Invitations

Materials

Equestrian custom stamps: invitation, reply card, return address

Calligraphy Names Monogram stamp

A7 Cards

4Bar Cards

A7 Envelopes

4Bar Envelopes

Leather

Metal Eyelets

Twine

Vintage Postage

Anti­quaria is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: intertwyned for Antiquaria

Laura + Andrew’s Pink and Gray Floral Wedding Invitations

Vermont-based designer Christa Alexandra created these lovely floral wedding invitations for a gorgeous wedding in – where else? – Vermont!  Inspired by the unbelievably beautiful wedding venue, Christa designed an elegant pink and gray invitation suite with just a hint of rustic charm.

From Christa:  Laura and Andrew live in New York City, but wanted a wedding weekend away with family and friends.  Vermont seemed to be just the right fit, and with a venue like the Round Barn Farm – who wouldn’t be swept up in that rustic charm?

 

Thinking about Vermont and all its beauty, I put pencil to paper and came up with the idea of hand drawn ferns, flowers and frames.   With letterpress in mind, Laura and I came up a chic pink and gray theme with a rustic twist.

I kept the invitation elegant enough, but let in touches of rustic that balanced NYC with Vermont.  I am in love with everything in this 10-piece invitation suite, right down to the variegated silk ribbon used to wrap the inner envelope and the speckled milkweed envelopes.

Thanks Christa!

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

Photo Credits: Christa White

Hide-and-Seek 2nd Birthday Party Invitations for Lucas

Oh my, how time flies!  It seems like just yesterday Lisa from Good on Paper sent over the circus-inspired first birthday party invitations that she created for her son Lucas.  Today, nearly a year later, we’re sharing the invitations that Lisa created for his second birthday party!  For this year’s invitation design, Lisa was inspired by some adorable photos of Lucas playing hide-and-seek – such a cute idea!

From Lisa: I used a photo that I just love of Lucas playing hide and seek.  He was being super quiet and still but then I saw his feet poking out from under the shades and it was the cutest thing.  I designed a little half moon enclosure envelope and put the other photo of him popping out from behind the shade on the actual invitation.

We are doing a “round” theme (balloons, round food items like meatballs, donut holes, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and renting a cute snow cone truck).  The entire invitation was delivered in translucent envelopes sealed with Japanese washi tape and a custom wraparound address label.

Thanks Lisa!

Good on Paper is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Lisa’s amazing work right here!

Photo Credits: Good on Paper