02/21/2013

Kris + Lowell’s St. Patrick’s Day Wedding Invitations

Is it really possible that I’ve been blogging for nearly 5 years without featuring some St. Patrick’s Day wedding invitations?!? Well, better late than never! J from Grey Snail PressÂ sent over these beautiful invitations that she designed for a St. Patrick’s Day wedding. The design combines a stylized shamrock (a must!) with J’s whimsical hand lettering and watercolor accents. Beautiful!

From J:Â These wedding invitations were a nod to both the bride’s Irish heritage and the St. Patrick’s Day nuptials. A stylized shamrock illustration and hand lettering were letterpress printedÂ in Kelly green by Hound Dog PressÂ on Crane’s 110# Lettra in fluorescent white.

A Kelly green envelope was chosen with custom watercolor and ink shamrocks digitallyÂ printed on lightweight cerulean paper for liners.Â RSVP cards were printed digitally, along with two shamrock accents and complementing cerulean envelopes.

ThanksÂ J!

Design and Hand Lettering:Â Grey Snail Press

Letterpress Printing:Â Hound Dog Press

Grey Snail Press is a member of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can see more of their beautiful workÂ right hereÂ or visit theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits:Â Grey Snail Press

02/20/2013

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Colorfully Illustrated Menus

So I’ve talked a lot in the past about black and white day-of wedding stationery because, really, can you go wrong with that combination!? But today, prepare for a full on color-fest! An illustrated color-fest, to be exact. I’m a sucker for illustration, especially when it’s whimsical and colorful. While you may have already considered it for your wedding invitations, have you thought about added a little hand-drawn or watercolored detail to your wedding menus? You will after this!Â â€” Kelly

Photo by Jose Villa, Menu by Julie Song Ink via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo by Jose Villa, Menu by Julie Song Ink via Elizabeth Anne Designs (left), Photo by Elisa B Photography, Menu by Rock Paper Scissors via Ruffled (right)

Menu by Cheree Berry Paper

Photo by Brea McDonald Photography, Menu by Griffin-vites

Photo by Steep Street, Menu by Ryan Barnachea via Ruffled (left), Photo by Jose Villa, Menu by Yellow Owl Workshop via Style Me Pretty (right)

Photo by Weddings by Two, Menu by Rifle Paper Co. via Style Me Pretty

Photo by Kristen Weaver Photography, Menu by 9th Letter Press via Every Last Detail

Photo by Sutherland Kovach Studio via Style Me Pretty (left), Photo by Chesterton Smith Photography, Menu by Stand Tall Design (right)

Menu by The Indigo Bunting

{images via their respective sources}

02/07/2013

DIY Tutorial: Vintage Fern Wedding Invitations

Vintage botanical artwork is one of those things that truly never goes out of style. The lifelike renderings of plants and flowers take a very skilled hand to create and happily bring the outdoors into an indoor space (without the upkeep of real plants!). With the outdoor wedding season approaching, we were inspired to create this lush and lovely suite that is like sending a beautiful garden through the mail!Â â€“Â Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

This fern invitation suite is a wonderful compliment to our Botanical + Watercolor Save the Date Tutorial!

Step One: Lay an A7 (5″ x 7″) card down on a firm surface. Ink your stamp (we used our Fern Forrest Invitation 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.

Step Two: Repeat the same process from step 1 for your reply card (we used our Fern Forrest Reply Card stamp) on an A2 (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″) card.

Step Three: To incorporate more botanical elements to the suite, we used our fern A2 envelope template as our reply envelope. Simply cut the pattern on the lines, fold in the sides and glue the bottom to the side flaps to create your own envelopes! Stamp your address (we used our Floral Calligraphy Return Address Stamp) on the front so that guests can easily return the reply card to you.

Step Four: Adding an envelope liner adds a bit of luxury to your invitation suite. It’s also really easy to do yourself! Simply trace the shape (using a liner template) onto your paper and cut along the line. Use stick glue or double sided tape to affix the paper into your envelope.

Step Five: Lastly, you’ll want to stamp your return address onto your A7 outer envelope. We used the same stamp as the reply address (our Floral Calligraphy Return Address stamp) but used a different color ink for this piece. In order to change ink colors, you’ll want to clean your stamp. To do so only requires making a paper towel damp and wiping off the acetate stamp image. Never use anything other than water to clean the stamp as it can damage your print image. You also never want to submerge your stamp in water as it could dislodge from the mount.

Address those bad boys, add postage, and send them off to delight your guests! You can also tie the suite together with a nice ribbon if you like!

Materials:

Fern Forrest Invitation Stamp

Fern Forrest Reply Card Stamp

Floral Calligraphy Return Address Stamp

Stamp PadÂ in Chestnut and Moss

A7 cardsÂ in Luxe White

A7 envelopesÂ in Sage

A2 cardsÂ in Luxe White

A2 DIY fern envelopes: available soon from Antiquaria

Liner paper – available soon from Antiquaria

Envelope liner template:

Ribbon

AntiÂquaria is a memÂber of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can see more of their beauÂtiÂful workÂ right hereÂ or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

01/25/2013

{happy weekend!}

I’m beginning to suspect that I’m coming down with a case of the winter blues, which definitely isn’t helped by the lack of progress in our house hunt. So I’m actually really excited to break up our routine this weekend â€“ we’re heading to New York City for a few days! My husband and Sophie are coming along, so I’ll be attending the New York International Gift Fair and serving as a judge for the Louie Awards during the day and then meeting back up with them later in the afternoon. We’re taking the train (my favorite way to travel from DC to NYC), so right now I’m trying to figure out how on earth I’m going to fit all of our clothes and baby gear into a reasonable amount of luggage. Next week I’ll report back with some of my favorites from NYIGF! But in the meantime…

You’re My Favorite card byÂ Tabletop Made

…a few links for your weekend!

A handmade Valentine’s Day card swap!
This paper scroll wall is ah-mazing
I’m loving these earrings
Pretty graphic tote bags
Are any of you going to the Martha Stewart Wedding Party this Sunday in NYC?

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

More awesome Valentine’s Day cards
Cute pink + gold foil wedding invitations (with a sweet heart-shaped rsvp card!)
A fun polka dot + watercolor DIY tutorial
Art Deco-inspired invitations for a 40th wedding anniversary party
Well Said Type: Trend Sans
Incorporate animal motifs into your wedding stationery
Quick pick: Ink Meets Paper
Don’t forget! Today is the last day to enter the calligraphy address stamp giveaway from Kathryn Murray Calligraphy!
Thank you to everyone who filled out the reader survey! It’s still open here if you have a moment!

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

01/24/2013

DIY Tutorial: Pink Polka Dot Watercolor Save the Date

With Valentine’s Day speedily approaching, we’ve got definitely got Â love on the brain. Today’s save the date DIY tutorial is a great example of pattern mixing in stationery â€“ and of course includes a ton of pink! This look is super easy to achieve, and the colorful design will help set the tone for a fun nuptial bash!Â Â â€“Â Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Step One: Lay a 5 1/2″ square notecard down on a firm, clean work surface. Ink your stamp (we used our Vintage Calligraphy Save the Date stamp) and center it over the square card. When ready, press the stamp down on the card, using moderate pressure (too much can give a muddy image). Lift stamp off and set aside to let the print dry. For more details on how to ink and print the stamp please visit hereÂ (see step 1).

Step Two: Once you’ve made all of your prints and they are dry, you will move on to the watercoloring. With a pastel pink watercolor, paint dots in vertical rows from left to right (if right handed or right to left if left handed). Be cautious not to use too much water as it may run or warp the paper.

Step Three: Using envelope liner templates, cut liners out of a fun pattern. Simply use stick glue or double sided tape to install the liners into the envelopes (adhere around the top triangle).

Step Four: Lastly, you’ll want to stamp your return address (we used our Calligraphy Ampersand Return Address stamp) on the back flap of the envelope. We’ve been loving the tonal look lately (gold on gold, pink on pink…etc.) so that what we’ve chosen here with this design. Now all you have to do is address them, add postage, and send them on their merry way!

Materials:

Vintage Calligraphy Save the Date Stamp

Calligraphy Ampersand Return Address Stamp

Stamp Pad

5 1/2″ square cards

Watercolors, paintbrush, and water jar

5 3/4″ square envelopes

Liner Paper – custom watercolor floral pattern from Antiquaria Design Studio

Liner Templates

Photo Credits: Antiquaria