{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  Spring is most definitely in the air here in DC – the sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming, trees and plants are starting to come back to life, and before I know it the cherry blossoms and magnolias will be here!  I can’t wait.  But in the meantime…

Photo Credit: Cinnamon

…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

Sneak Peek – Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2012 Issue!

We’re heading into the final week of February (already?!), which means that the Spring 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings is just around the corner!  Today we have a special sneak peek at the new issue, which is all about fabulous color for your wedding day!

For this issue, the editors have pulled together the ultimate A – Z guide to stationery – from printing methods to typography to all the details that go into your wedding invitation suite.  This is definitely a story that is best appreciated in print, so you’ll definitely want to track down a copy in your area for the full details.

Keep an eye out for the new issue on newsstands soon!

Photo Credits: Cover by Christopher Baker, story photographs by Johnny Miller, both for Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2012

Kristina + Jon’s Sydney Harbor Fabric Wedding Invitations

I am completely smitten with these wedding invitations from Australian designer and photographer Kerrie-Anne Bennett.   Kerrie-Anne created these invitations for a wedding taking place on an antique ship in the Sydney Harbor.  I love the way Kerrie-Anne incorporated canvas as a subtle nod to the nautical wedding venue while also maintaining an organic and modern texture for the invitation suite.

From Kerrie-Anne: I custom designed this wedding invitation suite for a couple who were getting married on Sydney Harbour.  Their ceremony and reception would take place on an old ship called the James Craig, which is over 100 years old.  Using canvas as the main invitation, which is similar to the ship’s sails, I created a stamp and stamped the information and a poem the groom wrote, which I thought was such a nice touch.  I sewed the tops and bottom of these to add a little texture.  For the RSVP card I found an old image of an almost replica of the James Craig.

I continued using the same poem from the invite on the ceremony programs, which tied everything together nicely.

Thanks Kerrie-Anne!

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

Photo Credits: Kerrie-Anne Photography + Design

Calligraphy Inspiration: Paperfinger

Each month, we’ve been showcasing a calligrapher here on Oh So Beautiful Paper.  This month, I’m delighted to share the work of none other than the creator of OSBP’s logo!  Computer scientist turned calligrapher Bryn Chernoff started Paperfinger in 2008 and offers full service invitation design and production.  (She even supports green and eco-friendly projects)  Bryn’s calligraphy style and hand drawn text are some of the most beautiful and charming I’ve seen.  You may have seen it too, at Anthropologie, on TV, or even tattooed on a passerby.  – Julie

paperfinger invitation & rsvp

Even Bryn’s illustrations are lovely; simple yet striking.  I love this invitation suite and its mix of hand lettering and calligraphy with illustration.

paperfinger letterpress invitations

paperfinger addressed envelope

paperfinger signs & props

Thinking of having your own photo/smilebooth for an event?  Paperfinger can supply you with custom props to make those photos even more memorable!

paperfinger transcribed love letter

Written on Italian stationery and with an option to be wax sealed, Paperfinger offers a love letter transcribing service, bringing a bit of the old world to this technological age.  Currently available in her shop along with stamps and customizable ribbons.

paperfinger navy escort cards

In addition to custom calligraphy services, the brand new Paperfinger invitation collection will be launching in May!  Bryn will also be starting a workshop series in New York and Portland, Oregon.  To stay up to date on these and other visual goodies from paper to food, head over to her daily blog Papertastebuds.

Photo Credits: Red invitations and illustrated invitations, photobooth prop (left), addressed envelope: Jen Huang Photography; Photobooth prop (right): Les Loups; Love letter: StudioAlex; Escort cards: Emilie, Inc

Carrie + Tim’s BBQ Squaredance Wedding Invitation

Now these look like invitations for a fun wedding!  Designed and printed by Noteworthy Paper & Press in Missoula, Montana, these invitations were inspired by the bride and groom’s passion for folk music and the Montana dairy farm wedding location – all with a wonderful old-timey and lighthearted vibe.

From Taylor of Noteworthy Paper & Press: The inspiration for these invitations came from the bride, Carrie, who is a nurse by day and a talented old timey folk fiddle player by night.  Since they were planning a down home square dance and BBQ complete with personalized handkerchiefs, I thought it would be fun to emulate a ’50s show poster à la Hatch Show Print.

Both native Montanans, the wedding celebration will be held in a barn on a dairy farm in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley.  The design reflects their love of good music and good country.  These invitations were letterpress printed on 300 gsm Somerset White 100% cotton paper with Waste Not Paper envelopes using our Vandercook #4 Proof Press.

Thanks Taylor!

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

Photo Credits: Noteworthy Paper & Press