Red + Aqua Carnival Birthday Party Invitations for Grace!

As much as I love wedding invitations, there’s just nothing like the youthful exuberance of a kids party invitation.  Jennifer from The Paper Peony sent over these adorable carnival-inspired letterpress invitations that she designed and printed for her daughter Grace’s second birthday, along with some images of the party itself!

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From Jennifer:  We planned a vintage red and aqua carnival theme for a small gathering in our home.  The invitations set the tone with fun fonts, stripes, and a red balloon in each envelope.  I designed the thank you notes with sweet little flags to compliment the party décor.

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We decorated with lots of balloons and wonderful hand-made fabric banners that were hung all over the house (thanks to my mother-in-law).  We served lots of popcorn, gourmet hotdogs and salads as well as “popcorn” cupcakes that I made for the kids. They were a huge hit!

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We had toss games for activities and my husband Shaun even learned how to make balloon animals and flowers the night before.  He got really good at it too!  The kids favors were so fun to put together!  We included rubber ducks, animal crackers, clown noses, pin wheels, candy dots and whoopee cushions!  I also made little paper flags with each child’s name.

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Such a fun party, and it looks like Grace had a total blast!  Thank you so much Jennifer!

{image credits: jennifer larkin | the paper peony}

Sara + Ian’s Greek Isles Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday everyone!  And thank you so much for your kind comments last week – you all truly helped cheer me up.  Also putting me in a good mood?  These stunning invitations from Bespoke Letterpress for a wedding on the Greek Islands later this spring.  That gorgeous shade of blue practically jumps right off the paper – I love it!

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Sigh… so pretty!  Check out more details over on the Bespoke Letterpress blog!

{image credits: bespoke letterpress}

{happy weekend!}

You know how some weeks are just harder than others?  This has been a tough week for me, with a to-do list that feels like it’s getting longer by the minute and a rapidly dwindling energy level.  I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, drained, and a little burned out – and on top of all of that, over the last few days I also managed to come down with a bit of a cold.  Not a good combination!  I’m hoping to recharge a bit this weekend and start fresh next week.  But in the meantime…

…a few links for your weekend:

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

{image credit: mrmikej via design crush}

Paper Lovely Calling Cards

While we’re on the topic of business cards this week, Kim from Paper Lovely has just come out with an adorable line of letterpress calling cards!  Kim is offering seven design options, from modern stripes to pretty swirls and flourishes.

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Kim is offering 15% off the calling card collection from her Etsy shop through this weekend only – just use code CALLME15 at checkout!

{image credits: paper lovely}

Business Card Ideas and Inspiration #4

As a paper enthusiast, it’s no secret that I love business cards.  I love seeing all of the amazing and creative business cards at blogging conferences and trade shows.  And even though it’ll be a while before I need new business cards for myself (you can see my current cards right here), I’ve had business cards on the brain over the past few weeks.  I was going through some of my favorite images and noticed some patterns emerging – bright pops of color and quirky design elements like illustrated details and hand lettering…

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{colorful edge painting on these business cards for Shyama Golden via Francesco Mugnai}

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{ah-mazing dip-dyed business cards – another genius idea from Jordan}

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{laser engraved wood veneer cards from Staci Paul via FPO}

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{pantone chip business cards by James Prunean via Lovely Stationery}

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{Chris Piascik}

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{Colt Bowden via FPO}

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{illustrated letterpress and foil stamped business cards by Dolce Press}

For my designer and printer friends out there, have you printed any fun business cards recently?  I’d love to see them!  Just shoot me an e-mail right here!

{images via their respective sources}