DIY Tutorial: Hot Air Balloon Birth Announcement

Within the past few months, we’ve had babies on the brain. We’ve had numerous requests lately from crafty moms-to-be wanting chic, custom stamps so that they can make their own birth announcements for their new bundles of joy. This balloon announcement design is sweet, feminine and the perfect way to share the birth of a beautiful little girl with family and friends. – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

DIY Tutorial: Chic Rubber Stamp Baby Announcements by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Combining different pink hues (bright peony pink with the more traditional ballet pink) makes the design a bit more modern. And best of all…it’s super simple!

DIY Tutorial: Chic Rubber Stamp Baby Announcements by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Step One:  Lay an A2 card (4 1/4″x5 1/2″) card down on a firm surface. Ink your stamp (we used our “Hot Air Balloon” Birth Announcement Stamp) thoroughly and center it over your card. Once it is positioned correctly, press down to make a print. Use both hands to ensure even pressure. Lift off and let the print dry. For more information on this process go here.

DIY Tutorial: Chic Rubber Stamp Baby Announcements by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Step Two: Using the same technique as in Step One, print your return address (we used our Calligraphy Custom Return Address Stamp) on the back flap of an A2 envelope. To jazz up the back of the envelope, we used some adorable pink & gold washi tape!

DIY Tutorial: Chic Rubber Stamp Baby Announcements by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Step Three: Now all that’s left to do is to address the envelopes, add postage (we used vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way!

A quick tip for expecting parents: Since you will have your hands full once the baby is born, it is smart to stamp and address the envelopes before the big day arrives. This way, all you will have to do is stamp the announcement (you will need all the baby’s info for this piece), stuff and mail the envelopes, leaving more time to enjoy your new little one!

Materials List:

“Hot Air Balloon” Birth Announcement Stamp

Calligraphy Custom Return Address Stamp

A2 Card in Luxe White

A2 Envelope in Luxe Blush

Stamp Pad Peony

Washi Tape

Verde Studio Vintage Postage

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

National Stationery Show 2013, Part 3

Sigh… the 2013 National Stationery Show is all over, but I’m ready to jump back into my recap coverage from this year’s show! This year’s show seemed to go by in a flash, and looking back through these photos just makes me all the more excited for next year’s show! First up for today, one of my very favorite booths from the show: the ladies of Sugar Paper! Everywhere I turned there was something beautiful to see, from brightly colored greeting cards to pretty patterns and shiny gold foil to crisp kraft paper. Love!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (83)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (64)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (41) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (80)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (44)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (35)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (36)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (37)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (38)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (48)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (51)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (70)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (59) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (63)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (67)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (73)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (81)

Sugar Paper

Claudia from Fig. 2 Design Studio had a gorgeous booth (as always) full of some absolutely stunning new cards and gift wrap! I couldn’t get over the colorful patterns and gold foil in the gift wrap, and Claudia also debuted a brand new custom wedding invitation collection with Lindsay Letters. So pretty!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (163)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (142) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (158)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (137)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (133)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (135)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (156)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (148) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (150)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (145)

Fig. 2 Design Studio

The Sycamore Street Press booth was also full of beautiful stationery, from a new collection of offset printed cards to double-sided gift wrap to a new set of wonderful gold foil baby milestone cards!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (34)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (27)

Love these gold foil baby milestone cards!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (31) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (13)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (12) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (15)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (29)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (17)

Sycamore Street Press

Mr. Boddington’s Studio is known for their avant garde booth designs, and this year they really pulled out all the stops with a HUGE booth that showcased the full range of their collection. I can’t even imagine trying to pick out my favorites from all the beautiful greeting cards, prints, recipe cards, book covers, letter sets, book plates, and gift wrap!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (86)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (130) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (105)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (121)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (114)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (91) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (110)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (102)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (96)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (100)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (116)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (113) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (94)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (88)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (124)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (127) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (89)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (90)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (117)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (85)

Mr. Boddington’s Studio

Meg from Belle & Union was back at the show with even more of her sweet and saucy Southern-inspired stationery. It was so great to see all of her new tea towel designs, gift wrap patterns, notebooks, greeting cards – even a new calendar! And how gorgeous are those art prints?!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (197)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (196)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (178) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (179)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (170)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (171)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (174)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (177) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (167)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (165)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (183) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (190)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (181)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (169) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (185)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (192) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (200)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (186)

Belle & Union

Finally (for now), lots of colorful greeting cards and coasters from Ross at 55 Hi’s! Each card is letterpress printed or screen printed with the most beautiful saturated color and with lots of fantastic hand lettering!

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (227) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (213)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (202)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (204) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (207)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (203)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (211)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (215)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (219) National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (216)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (221)

National Stationery Show 2013 Exhibitors, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper (222)

55 Hi’s

I’ll be back with more from the 2013 National Stationery Show tomorrow!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper, please ask permission prior to reposting any photos

NSS Sneak Peek: 55 Hi’s

It’s always so exciting when one of my favorite stationers decides to make the leap to wholesale. This year, I’m very much looking forward to the debut of 55 Hi’s at the National Stationery Show (Booth #1868). I’ve been a fan of these beautifully designed screen printed and letterpress printed cards and posters for a while now – the hand lettering and saturated colors make me smile! Here’s a quick peek at a few things debuting at the show!

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (6)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (1)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (7)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (9)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (2) NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (3)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (10)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (12)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (13)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: 55 Hi's (14)

Thanks Ross!

Photo Credits: 55 Hi’s

NSS Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press

Our next NSS sneak peek comes from the one and only Wild Ink Press (Booth #2071)! Rebekah always has the most beautiful booth designs and tons of gorgeous letterpress stationery to match. This year Rebekah is debuting over 33 new card designs along with a letterpress calendar, notepads, and gift wrap. I’m particularly loving two of her new card series: Garden Greetings and Quotations!

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (13)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (3)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (1) NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (7)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (5) NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (6)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (4)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (12)

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press (10)

Thanks Rebekah!

Photo Credits: Wild Ink Press

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone! We’re in the final mad dash to the National Stationery Show, which makes me happy because it means lots of gorgeous mail coming into the mailbox! But this weekend I’m looking forward to slowing down and taking a short break to celebrate my very first Mother’s Day. I’ll share an update on Sophie once the show is over, but I’m really, really enjoying this stage with her. At almost 8 months old, she’s just the happiest and smiliest little baby – she makes even the most difficult days so much better! I hope any other moms out there have a wonderful Mother’s Day! But in the meantime…

NSS 2013 Pre-Show Mail via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1) NSS 2013 Pre-Show Mail via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

NSS 2013 Pre-Show Mail via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3) NSS 2013 Pre-Show Mail via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Photos by me via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend:

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Check back soon for this week’s cocktail!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo