10/24/2012

Cynthia’s Elaborate Gold 75th Birthday Invitations

I firmly believe in celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries â€“ and a 75th birthday is definitely a milestone! Designer Anna Salazar designed gold invitations, inspired by Cynthia’s world travels and her love of orchids, to help Cynthia’s friends and family get in a celebratory spirit for the big party.

From Anna: Cynthia wanted something very special for her 75th birthday party. She previously worked as a business woman and would travel all over the world, including many countries in Asia. She has many antique vases, paintings, and furniture that reflected many cultures and her travels. She also loves orchids and has many orchid plants outside and inside her home.

Using gold as the primary color for the invitations, I chose a couple of things unique and personal to Cynthia to serve as key design elements: her home (where the birthday party took place), the adornments on her front gate, her favorite golden mirror frame, and her love for orchids!

We added a gold wax seal to the white envelope as a special touch. Cynthia told me how she used to write letters all the time during her travels using wax seals on the letters to her family and friends.

Thanks so much Anna!

Photo Credits: Anna Salazar

10/24/2012

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Die-Cutting

I’m making you think outside of the box, quite literally, today! You can easily add an extra layer of interest and dimension to your day-of wedding stationery with unique die cut shapes. Die cutting can be used to create a geometric statement with your place cards or to add an intricate border to your menu cards. The process can also be used to cut out a shape within your paper goods, making a perfectly refreshing wedding monogram, for example. I’m positive this technique can be applied to just about any wedding style or theme, be it a rustic fall soiree (think leaves and natural motifs) or a modern loft affair (read: crisp lines and bold silhouettes)! â€” Kelly

Photo by nbarrett photography, Place Cards by Southern Fried Paper via Ruffled

Photo by nbarrett photography, Groomsmen Label by Southern Fried Paper via Ruffled (left), Photo by Love is a Big Deal, Escort Cards by Be True Designs via Ruffled (right)

Drink Markers by Ladyfingers Letterpress

Photo by Will Shilling, Menu by On Paper via Capital Style (left), Photo by Mirelle Carmichael Photography, Menu by Alissa Bell Press via Style Me Pretty (right)

Photo by Echard Wheeler Photography via The Bride’s Cafe

Photos by Captured by Aimee, Menu and Table Numbers by Sweet Emilia Jane via Style Me Pretty

Guest Book by Celadon Home

Photo by Paperwhites Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings (left) Tara Guerard via Martha Stewart Weddings (right)

Place Cards by Love Citron

Photo by Nathan Abplanalp Photography via Style Me Pretty (left), Photo by Closer to Love Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

{images via their respective sources}

10/23/2012

Anjali + Suchit’s Elegant Gold Foil Hindu Wedding Invitations

Bride and groom Anjali and Suchit wanted invitations that were both elegant and modern to complement their Hindu wedding. Â Designer Rashi Birla created a wedding invitation suite that combines gold foil and deep royal purple letterpress elements, along with an airy botanical pattern and classic type throughout the suite. Â Gorgeous!

From Rashi:Â Anjali and Suchit have a keen eye for design and wanted to take a modern approach to their Hindu wedding. Anjali loves letterpress and there was no question that I was going to design the invitation with letterpress printing in mind. We wanted the invitation to feel airy and simple, but with Indian touches. I created an organic pattern that was used throughout the suite.

The invitation text was set to look elegant and regal. We decided to use gold foil and purple letterpress for the two main cards. The deep purple envelopes were also stamped in gold foil.

To save costs, we printed the reception, Sangeet, and ceremony RSVP cards digitally in purple and yellow (a ‘Sangeet’ is an Indian tradition and a big pre-wedding party that happens the night before a wedding). A gold folder with gold cord and contrasting green ribbon completed the look.

Thanks Rashi!

Design: Rashi Birla

Letterpress Printing:Â The Ligature

Check out theÂ Designer RolodexÂ for more talÂentedÂ wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂersÂ andÂ theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Rashi Birla

10/23/2012

Misty’s Modern + Rustic Baby Shower Invitations

Designer Misty Manley is expecting a baby boy later this year and was kind enough to send over the invitations that she designed for her upcoming baby shower. Â The two-color letterpress printed invitations feature a mustard yellow and teal blue color palette, blind emboss woodgrain pattern, and fun chevron stripe envelope liners. Â I’m absolutely in love with the custom rubber stamp that Misty designed for the envelopes â€“ such a fun detail!

From Misty: I designed these invitations for my upcoming baby shower. Â I chose to do 2-color letterpress with a blind emboss of a wood grain pattern to match the theme of the shower, “How Tweet It Is” â€“ which will combine birds’ nests, twigs, and rustic details with pops of a yellow chevron pattern. Â The invitation is backed with teal paper.

I also designed the matching seal and created a custom rubber stamp through Simon’s StampsÂ (a great resource!). Â Finally, I lined the kraft paper envelopes with chevron stripe envelope liners.

Thanks Misty!

Design: Misty Manley

Letterpress Printing: All Along Press

Photo Credits: Misty Manley

10/22/2012

Elegant Accordion-Fold Custom Letterpress Holiday Cards

I can’t believe how quickly the holiday season is approaching, but for those of you considering custom holiday cards this year â€“ now is the time to get started! Â Hopefully these sophisticated custom holiday cards from Rachelle atÂ Wiley ValentineÂ will help provide some inspiration. Â Designed for one of Rachelle’s favorite clients, the cards feature a favorite quote letterpress printed on a chipboard cover along with family photos and a greeting on the inside. Â Beautiful!

From Rachelle: This holiday card was designed for one of my most adored annual customers. Each year she brings me a quote, or a collection of paper ephemera, along with any ideas she has collected over the year and we brainstorm ideas for her cards. This past year, she came to me with that amazing saying “A house is built with bricks and beams, a home is made of love and dreams.” I just love that!

This client is very drawn to earthy tones and a classic look. She also happens to adore rosemary and uses it to adorn her gifts. I used a holiday inspired design that resembles rosemary on one side, and gave the typography a slightly whimsical feel. The cover is hand letterpress printed on recycled chipboard which lends a nice heaviness to the card, as well as almost a book cover quality.

The inside accordion folds out to show her three gorgeous children (she always photographs them herself!). The last panel hints at the typography and graphics used on the front. We used kraft paper envelopes as well to continue the earthy yet classic feel.

Thanks so much Rachelle!

Wiley Valentine is a member of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ check out more of their beautiful workÂ right here!

Photo Credits: Wiley Valentine

*Wiley Valentine is a sponsor of Oh So Beautiful Paper