05/06/2013

NSS Sneak Peek: 9th Letter Press

Happy Monday everyone! I thought I’d kick off this year’s National Stationery Show sneak peek coverage with a studio making its debut at this year’s show â€“ 9th Letter PressÂ (Booth #1754)! Based in Winter Park, Florida, 9th Letter Press specializes in wedding invitations and greeting cards with unique illustrations and hand lettering. Sheli and Isabel of 9th Letterpress will debut a new collection of foil stamped greeting cards, gift wrap, notebooks, and party decor at the show. I can’t wait to see everything in person!

Photo Credits:Â 9th Letter Press

05/03/2013

Quick Pick: Poketo

I first fell in love with these foil stamped monography planners from Poketo back at Winter NYIGFÂ and I’ve been waiting patiently for them to appear on the Poketo website ever since! The delicate foil pattern is so beautiful against the fabric covers, don’t you think? I’m also thinking I could really use that sticky note weekly calendar and some of those adorable pens!

Lots more over at Poketo!

Photo Credits: Poketo

05/01/2013

Business Card Ideas and Inspiration #14 | Gilded

Everything looks better with a little gold foil, don’t you think?

1. Belinda Love LeeÂ for Christina Yan; 2. Commando Group for Krohn; 3. Catherine Dimalla for Jeopardy Magazine; 4. Buro Ofho via Lovely Stationery; 5. Queen of Spades via FPO; 6. Kate McLaren

{images via their respective sources}

04/24/2013

Ashley + Joe’s Watercolor and Lace Wedding Invitations

These wedding invitations from designer Crissie McDowellÂ are so utterly romantic â€“ but what else would you expect from a suite that combines watercolor, a lace doily, and lots of glitter?!? Crissie developed the design with spring in mind, creating a beautiful save the date with a watercolor botanical pattern and wedding invitations that continued the watercolor inspiration. So pretty!

From Crissie:Â Ashley and Joe hired me to photograph their upcoming wedding this May as well as design their wedding invitation suite. Ashley is my boss’s daughter at our marketing agency. Pressure was on. Ashley had a very clear vision of what she envisioned from her day. Her ceremony will be taking place in a botanical garden and her reception will be indoors at a more modern venue. She wants a combination of romantic, soft, elegant and modern. Oh, and a whole lot of glitter.

I hand painted the illustration for her save the dates with a botanical look in mind. We wanted to continue with the hand painted look so I used a watercolor pattern on all of the invitation suites, digitally printed. We did a blind emboss on Ashley and Joe’s names to make them pop.

We wrapped the entire suite in an intricate lace doily. Â For the belly band, we used a textured charcoal paper and did a white foil emboss for the logo. The band was sealed with a piece of glitter tape. The bride had each envelope hand calligraphed.Â

Thanks so much Crissie!

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

Photo Credits: Crissie McDowell

04/22/2013

Janet’s Nautical Vintage Map Party Invitations

Happy Monday everyone! I’m feeling refreshed after spending the weekend working in our garden, enjoying the beautiful spring weather, and visiting one of my favorite spring spots, the Mount Vernon estate just outside of DC. We’re starting the week with some really fun nautical and travel-inspired party invitations from Bonnie at Tenn Hens Design. I’m particularly loving the amazing map envelopes and gold wax seal!

From Bonnie: An event planner in Nashville that we’ve partnered with over the years, Elizabeth James, came to us with a very special project this past winter. Her client was hosting an intimate party at sea. And not just on any old boat, but a ship.Â They wanted to treat their guests to a truly unique affair.Â There were various parties tied around this weekend so we designed two different looks that still complemented one another.

Each invitation was hand delivered in an envelope made from map paper and secured with a gold wax seal. The first invitation was letterpressed on both sides and duplexed (just to make the cotton paper even more luxurious). We ended up adding an addendum tag at the last hour when Hurricane Sandy came into the picture, but mother nature certainly has a way of being unpredictable!