Stationery A-Z: Notebooks

I don’t know about you, but I always like to have at least one small notebook with me at all times – just in case an idea strikes or I need to jot down a quick measurement.  Of course, it’s always more fun to keep notes in something pretty, so I’ve rounded up a few favorite notebooks and journals to share with you today.

No. 1 Moontree Letterpress and Studio Carta; No. 2 Girls Can Tell; No. 3 Cleanwash Letterpress; No. 4 Igloo Letterpress; No. 5 Smock

{images via their respective sources}

*Smock is a sponsor of Oh So Beautiful Paper

Curious George-Inspired Birthday Party Invitations for Lawson

Happy Leap Day everyone!  Julie from Duet Letterpress sent over the most adorable letterpress invitations that she designed and printed for a first birthday party last summer.  These invitations were inspired in part by the invitations that Julie created for her daughter Emily’s first birthday, featuring both an invitation to the birthday celebration along with a certificate marking important milestones during Lawson’s first year.

From Julie: To celebrate Lawson’s first birthday, his parents threw him a party inspired by Curious George.  They wanted something similar to Em’s invitations, but in the style of his party.  In addition to Curious George, the party was a vintage take on classic stories.  Rustic red, pale blue, navy, and a cheerful yellow made up the party’s color palette.

Lawson’s foot and hand prints were letterpress printed true to size.  Lawson was tiny at birth, and his feet were only 1 3/4″ long!  We made the “year of firsts” card a different size from the actual invitation and bound them together with yellow twine.  Finally, a two color, letterpress printed, wraparound mailing label was affixed to each pale blue envelope.

Thanks so much Julie!

Photo Credits: Duet Letterpress

Diana + Mike’s Wood Engraved Save the Dates

I think it’s so cool when couples incorporate non-traditional materials into their wedding stationery – and save the dates are the perfect opportunity to try something unexpected and unique!  Rachel from Jolie Jolie created these wooden engraved save the date hang tags for a recent couple.  So fun!

Check out more from Jolie Jolie right here!

Photo Credits: Jolie Jolie Design

Paige + Michael’s Elegant Calligraphy Wedding Invitations

It’s no secret that I love the combination of beautiful calligraphy script and letterpress printing, particularly when it comes to wedding invitations, so naturally I’m completely smitten with the most recent collaboration between Sarah of Parrott Design Studio and calligrapher Betsy Dunlap!

Sarah incorporated Betsy’s calligraphy into a sophisticated and elegant letterpress wedding invitation that features the roman numeral of the wedding date.  I love the subtle mix of soft gray tones in the text with the delicate matte gold tones of the envelope liner and roman numerals.  So pretty!

Check out a bit more over on the Parrott Design Studio blog right here!

Design and Letterpress Printing: Parrott Design Studio

Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap

Parrott Design Studio is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Sarah’s beautiful work right here or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Parrott Design Studio

*Parrott Design Studio is one of my fab­u­lous spon­sors; for more on my edi­to­r­ial poli­cies please click here.

Brady’s Silhouette + Bow Tie First Birthday Party Invitations

Happy Monday everyone!  We’re starting the week off with some adorable invitations for a first birthday party!  Designer Emily Ley sent over the fun images of the invitations for her baby boy Brady’s birthday party, created by Amber of Pitbulls and Posies along with the help of a few other friends.  The silhouette and bow tie concept is just too cute – read below for the full details!

From Emily: Brady’s first birthday party was so much fun. We decided we wanted it to be sweet and young and classic… so we chose a “Southern Picnic” theme and used bow ties to tie the entire affair together.  I knew I wanted the invitations to be tactile and to be Southern and sweet and with the personality of a playful little boy.  I emailed my dear friend Amber Moon, of Pitbulls and Posies, and she went right to work and together we conceptualized the most adorable invitations I’ve honestly ever seen.

I took a photo of Brady and sent it to Amber, she traced his sweet little head and created these little wooden silhouettes which she then screen printed with the party information we designed together.  She also designed and created box liners to hold the sweet little silhouette.

Meanwhile, my friend McKay of Oatmeal Lace Designs designed and created bows and bow ties for all of Brady’s little friends.  The invitation read “On your neck or in your hair, kindly wear this bow and we’ll see you there!”

Thanks so much Emily!

Invitation Design: Pitbulls and Posies

Bow Ties: Oatmeal Lace Designs

Vintage Stamps: Brightly Designed

Calligraphy: MJ Paperie

Photo Credits: Emily Ley