06/05/2017

Elegant Copper Foil Wedding Invitations on Handmade Paper

What better item to choose for your â€œsomething old and something newâ€ than gorgeous invitations inspired by your own parents’ wedding invitations? These copper foil wedding invitations on handmade paper from Alex of Al Stampa are an homage to the brideâ€™s motherâ€™s invitation from the 1970s. With elegant copper foil text on handmade paper with delicate torn edges, not to mention STUNNING emerald green envelopes, these invitations are a fresh take on a vintage beauty!

From Alex: Janice and Spencer have one of those love stories that you only see in the movies. In love in high school, separated for almost 10 years, only to then fall in love again years later when a friend organized them to be at the same New Years party.

Their wedding was set in a lavender field in Wiscasset, Maine at the stunning Marianmade Farms. To say it was a beautiful wedding is an understatement. Janice put her vision into every aspect of the wedding, and they both created magical moments all throughout the evening. Some examples include handmade paper florals, a watercolor backdrop for a photo booth, all of which came back to the colors we used in the invitation; lavender, copper, and emerald.

The most spectacular part of this suite was the inspiration. The bride wanted to emulate her parentâ€™s invitation from 1973. The simplicity of this invitation, with the handmade paper, copper text, and hand torn edges, is something you donâ€™t see too often nowadays and was an honor to use as part of this coupleâ€™s story.

I worked with Signora e Mare and ordered their ecru handmade paper, which had a subtle lavender color to it and was the perfect choice for this suite. Because the couple loves a certain modernity to their life and their special day, I opted for a modern font and added an illustration of the camper van that is situated on Marianmade Farm, in front of which they took their wedding portraits.

I foil stamped the invitation in the copper color, which was a beautiful contrast to the lavender hued paper. The RSVP card was our all time favorite, a small, almost circular tearing of the paper, with a matching envelope.

For the envelope, I scoured the internet for the perfect emerald color that the bride had envisioned. I found the most beautiful soft-touch emerald envelopes called Plike, and foil printed their return address stamp on the back. The finishing touch? Sarah Vaughan Stamps to throw in another rich color to the mix, and to nod to the coupleâ€™s love of jazz music.

Thanks Alex!

Design, printing, and styling: Al Stampa

Handmade paper: Signora e Mare

Envelopes: Plike Envelopes

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more talÂented wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂers and the real inviÂtaÂtions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Roland Kielman and Alex Labriola

05/30/2017

Stationery A-Z: Father’s Day, Part 2

If you missed our initial round-up of father’s day greeting cards last week, not to worry! We’ve got a brand new selection to round out our top picks. From cheeky illustrations to new-fangled printing techniques, we’ve got a whole bunch of fun choices to ensure that your top pop (or stepdad or grandfather for that matter) knows he’s your number one. Peruse our curated Father’s Day card round up below and let us know how you’ll be celebrating your dad on June 18th! â€“ Shauna

From top right:

1. There was a number of really great outer space themed Father’s Day cards in the ether, but this Lucky Horse Press design included smiling popcorn as well as a talking UFO. Win!

2. For a variation on the aforementioned outer space theme, check out this star-filled take from Heartswell Co.

3. Last and final out of this world themed Fathers Day greeting card is this sweet message (with Andy Warhol lookalike dad) from Quill & Fox by Yas Imamura.

4. Up your dad joke game with this hand-lettered design from Hennel Paper Co. Extra points if you sent the same sentiment to your mom.

5. Reward your dad for his hard work raising you with this cringeworthy yet hilarious message from McBittersons.

6. I know I promised no beer-themed cards, but I really liked this retro-inspired design from Anemone Letterpress.

7. Fishing isn’t every dad’s pastime, but if yours happens to partake, please consider this technological impressive laser cut wood design from Cardtorial.

8. Literally, this was my most favorite card I saw at the National Stationery Show this year. Thank you, Gemma Correll (for Ohh Deer).

9. Don’t forget your step-dad! Thanks to Egg Press for their inclusive parental commemoration.

10. Last but certainly not least, send an extra special note of fatherly love to your grandfather (after all, that pipe isn’t going to smoke itself). By Fugu Fugu Press for Paperless Post.

05/19/2017

NSS 2017 Sneak Peek: Egg Press

The 2017 National Stationery Show is literally just around the corner â€“ I head up to New York tomorrow! â€“ but I have one last sneak peek to share with all of you! This one comes from the talented ladies of Egg Press (Booth 1933!), who are feeling inspired by recent travels to Guatemala and Mexico City with new designs full of vibrant colors and fun patterns. New Social Preparedness Kit designs feature a new pouch style with exuberant patterns and a new notebook with acid yellow edge painted pages, new die-cut cards and mixed media balloon cards (so fun!), and lots of cards with colored foils for added texture. There’s also a new line of “Shape Study” cards with modern and unisex designs for everyday cards, and a new collection of products called Goods for Good with 100% of proceeds going to organizations that advocate for all people’s rights.

NSS 2017 Sneak Peek: Inclosed

Our next sneak peek from NSS 2017 comes from returning exhibitor Inclosed out of Omaha, Nebraska (Booth 1926!). I always love Lesley’s wedding invitation designs (she has an album available for retailers!) and her letterpress and foil printed greeting cards are super cute. Along with new greeting cards making their debut at this year’s show, Lesley is adding colorful new gift wrap inspired by her letterpress cleanup rags, and she’s expanding her gold foil Charmpad line to include all 50 states, hand-drawn dog illustrations, and fun seasonal designs! Oh, and ten new wedding invitation suites, including some printed on handmade paper! Only a few more days left people!

NSS 2017 Sneak Peek: Wild Ink Press

Less than a week to go until the 2017 National Stationery Show! Our next sneak peek comes from a familiar name around OSBP: Wild Ink Press (Booth 1633)! New releases include a gorgeous brand new line of Birthday Gemstone cards â€“ one for each month of the year and printed in more than 12 different foils and paired with iridescent envelopes (what?!?!) â€“ and 25 new greeting cards ranging from Halloween to Thanksgiving to bridesmaid and wedding party cards. There are also new notebooks and journals, including a lined journal, notebook, and list jotter, with each sentiment also available as a pencil (sold individually or in a set of three). Finally, six new happy gift tags with fun sentiments from â€œitâ€™s returnableâ€ to â€œitâ€™s late because good things take timeâ€ â€“ all in a new rainbow of happy colors!