Oh So Beautiful Paper

DIY Tutorial: Neon + Kraft Paper Wedding Invitations

Antiquaria — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:25 PDT

Neon is back in a big way. It’s been trending in fashion and home decor for a while now, so it’s fun to see the bright hues make a splash in the stationery world too! A while back, we shared a neon and kraft paper save the date design with you and today, we’re following up with a coordinating invitation suite! – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Step One: To achieve the vibrant neon effect for this suite, we utilize the embossing technique. This process creates a raised and opaque print that emulates the thermography printing you’d find in a traditional print shop. Place your A7 card on a stable and firm surface. Ink your invitation stamp (we used our Mod Invitation stamp) and center the stamp over your card. When ready, press the stamp down with moderate pressure to make the print. Lift the stamp off and quickly move on to adding your embossing powder.

Once you’ve made your print, immediately cover it with embossing powder by sprinkling it across the paper. Shift the powder around until you have covered the entire image. Now, you will pour the excess powder off of the card onto a scrap piece of paper so that you can reuse it for future prints. Heat set the print, using an Embossing Heat Tool. You will be able to see the powder melt into an opaque and solid color when it’s done. For more information about how to emboss using stamps, please watch this instructional video.

Note: One key thing about embossing is that it is wise to try to closely match your ink color with your powder color. By doing this, you will get much more crisp and opaque results.

Step Two: Using the same technique as step one, you will print and emboss your reply card. We used our Mod Reply Card stamp on a 4Bar card for this piece.

Step Three: A really great way to add luxurious thickness and a pop of color to your invitation is to add a card stock backer to the invitation print. Adding a backer to the invitation also helps to flatten out any warping/curling that sometimes happens from the heat tool. To do this, simply cut the colored paper to your desired size (ours was 5.25″x7.25″) and use double sided tape to affix the two piece together. *We like to put tape all along the outer rim as well as an “X” across the middle to make sure that there is a good bond.

Step Four: By now, you all probably know that we love envelope liners! For this suite we used the same neon paper (except in text weight this time) to cut a liner for our kraft envelope. Simply trace the template on your paper, cut it out and use double sided tape or stick glue to affix it to your envelope.

Step Five: For a little added flavor, we stamped our Cross my Hearts Initial Monogram stamp in black ink on the inside flap of the liner. It’s a fun surprise for your guests when they first open your invitations!

Step Six: For the reply card envelope, we kept things pretty simple and printed a matching address stamp (we used our Mod Banner Return Address Stamp) in black in on a 4bar kraft paper envelope. We also used the same monogram on the back flap that we used on the liner paper to carry the theme through the suite. We also used the same address stamp in black for the back flap of the A7.5 outer envelope, (not shown). For more detailed information on how to (properly) ink and print stamps, please watch this instructional video.

Step Seven: Once you’ve crated all of your pieces, it’s time to address the invitations, add postage (we used vintage postage from Verde Studio) and send them on their way! We guarantee that your guests will be very impressed by all of your handiwork and pumped to celebrate with your on your big day!

Materials:

“Mod” Invitation Stamp “Mod” Reply Card Stamp “Mod Banner” Return Address Stamp “Cross my Heart” Monogram Stamp

A7 Cards in Luxe White

A7.5 Envelopes (Outer Envelopes) in Paper Bag

4Bar Card 4Bar Envelope in Paper Bag

Stamp Pad in Picante Red

Stamp Pad-Wicked Black

Embossing Powder Embossing Heat Tool

Card Stock Backer Cut to 5.25 x 7.25, in Rocket Red from Astro Brights

Liner Paper 8.5″x11″ text sheets, in Rocket Red from Astro Brights

Envelope Liner Templates

Pencil

Scissors

Double Sided Tape

Vintage Postage (from Verde Studio)

Antiquaria is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beautiful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Calligraphy Inspiration: Meagan Tidwell Design

julie — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:30 PDT

There are times when I come across a calligrapher I just know is going to make a name for themselves. I love checking in on their portfolios and blog posts; they’re glimpses at the process of finding a writing style all their own. I’ve been checking in on the work of Meagan of Meagan Tidwell Design for a little while now and I love what I’m seeing! Take a look and I think you’ll agree that her calligraphy has that “it” factor. – Julie

Whether fallen leaves or stones from the shore, Meagan transforms these things of nature into little works of art with her gorgeous calligraphy.

Her style is so delicate, but it manages to maintain a lively, playful feel. I particularly love this winter wedding invitation with the laurel wreath accent.

To see more of Meagan’s calligraphy and design work, be sure to stop by her portfolio. You can also find her at her blog Seed & Water, which she writes with her friend Holly.

Photo credits: 1 Meagan Tidwell; 2,3 Ali Harper; 4, 6 right Jose Villa; 5, 6 left Rylee Hitchner

National Stationery Show 2013, Part 3

Nole — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:38 PDT

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!

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!

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!

Love these gold foil baby milestone cards!

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!

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?!

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!

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

Well Said Type | 18

Nole — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:06 PDT

FONT: KAILEY SCRIPT

National Stationery Show 2013, Part 2

Nole — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:03:51 PDT

As promised, I’m back with a few more booths from the 2013 National Stationery Show to share with you! First up, a debut booth that is near and dear to my heart – Ladyfingers Letterpress! Their booth was completely full of amazing stationery, from hand lettered birthday cards to greeting cards with a sense of humor. Not to mention some beautiful art prints and rubber stamps!

Ladyfingers Letterpress

Next up, the awesomeness that is the debut Sideshow Press booth! Every piece in the booth (and the booth design itself!) was inspired by the idea of an outdoor camp. I’m in awe of the way that everything fit into the general theme without being too gimmicky – and everything was so well designed! So cool.

Love these custom mailing tape labels!

Sideshow Press

I absolutely loved everything in the Moglea booth! I love seeing the way Meg incorporates her signature hand lettering, illustrations, and color palette into a collection including everything from letterpress printed writing sets and color dipped greeting cards to market notepads and 2014 calendar.

Moglea

I was so excited to visit the booth of Parrott Design Studio and Letter & Lark! I’m such a fan of Sarah’s bright and colorful stationery and Colleen’s delicate illustrated cards. So much beautiful stationery in one place!

Parrott Design Studio

Letter & Lark

Iron Curtain Press had a bright booth full of some really adorable greeting cards, from nautical language cards to illustrated congratulations and condolence cards. Too cute!

Iron Curtain Press

So many fantastic map prints and travel-theme stationery at These Are Things! So perfect for anyone who loves to travel.

These Are Things

Snow and Graham returned to the National Stationery Show just in time to celebrate their 15th anniversary! The booth itself was absolutely stunning, with a paper flower display and petal pink walls, and was full of awesome stationery from greeting cards to gift wrap to calendars – and even the cutest pens!

Snow & Graham

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