Monday, December 21, 2009

Amanda's Wedding Suite in Tangerine & Blue Bell


Here is a wedding suite I just wrapped up last week.   The color combination of Tangerine and Blue Bell is a forward trend in color that I think works very nicely together.

I colored all of the design elements in these pieces in Tangerine.  And all of the fonts for the most part are presented in Blue Bell.  All are printed on soft creme card stock.  The Reception Card is a custom sized piece that fits nicely with the invitation in the envelope.  The R.s.v.p. is the typical 3.5" W X 5.0" L size, but with the addition of rounded corners - this response card is a little extra soft and romantic.
I like that the "stars" of this ensemble are classic and more refined in appearance - while the supporting pieces - the save the date and the reception card, are more gaily colored and whimsical.


This is Amanda's personalized card to use for her thank you notes or personal correspondence before the wedding day.  Another set of personal stationery is in the works for both Amanda and Robert to share after their ceremony.
I think this piece beautifully offers my bride a way to say thanks to her friends and family for their gifts and well wishes.

I hope this inspires you when thinking about your own wedding suite stationery.
Carol
www.inkstationerystudio.com

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Celia's Marriage Announcement

Celia's marriage announcement has a large Fleur de Lis in the background with her wedding date information on top of the design.  We have worked on this for a couple of weeks, and here is the final design.

Celia wanted the fleur de lis to appear as a soft background design.  This design would also work well as a background on her table numbers and as a much smaller version as a background for her place cards for her reception.
I like to carry a design all the way through with the paper pieces used.  It gives your event a branded image that your guests will remember when thinking of your wedding, and also helps as an unifying element that pulls everything together.
I hope this offers you inspiration for your own wedding announcement or wedding suite stationery.
Carol

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Bonnie's Invitation Sample 3


This is the final design I have worked on for Bonnie's Wedding Ceremony Invitation.  This is also the one I like the best.
I went back to the smaller silver heart milagro and added back the scrolly design that gives the appearance of wings.   I placed it underneath Bonnie & Andrew's names on the invitation.  It is centered on the invitation and hand sewn onto the card stock with the creme thread.  I have the ability to add a mark using my design program so I know exactly where to add the milagro each time.  This keeps all of the invitations perfectly symmetrical  and uniform in appearance.


This is a longer view.  Notice at the bottom underneath the reception location information I have placed a double scrolly design that works back with the wings surrounding the heart milagro.
I left off the dots, because the two images clash, but this more similar design element compliments the scrolly design.
On this ceremony invitation I would include the dots on the back underneath Bonnie and Andrew's names, but go to three dots that are a bit larger.
As I mentioned before, this invitation design is my favorite.
But, I do think the exact heart milagros we end up using will play a role in determining the design that is selected.  Let me know what you think.
C

Bonnie's Invitation Sample 2


This is the second milagro (Bonnie sent me three different styles), used in the design of this invitation.
This heart milagro is silver looking with slight etchings. I really like the size of this milagro better than the first.  And I also like the silver better.  The bronze looks a bit rustic to me.  Well, I realize they are rustic-and that is part of the charm, but, I like the silver better with the dark navy ink.  Looks cleaner.  Notice on this sample I did not add the scrolly design, and the milagro is attached in between Bonnie and Andrew's names. The milagro is sewn on to the card stock here again.

I found two colors of mercerized cotton quilting thread that I liked to sew the milgros onto the card stock.  This thread is super skinny and has a very nice look.  I really wanted silk thread, but could not find the correct color.  I'm very pleased with this thread though, and have decided the creme color looks best on the card stock.  It blends into the invitation color, so instead of adding another element, it simply fades away.





This is a longer view of this sample.  Notice the dots are included at the bottom underneath the reception location name.  On the back of this invitation I would not add the dots under Bonnie & Andrew's names.  Too many dots.
C








Here is the third heart milagro I received from Bonnie to use in the design of her ceremony invitation.  I decided against using this milagro though, because it is about 1.25" long, and that takes up too much vertical space on the invitation.
C

Bonnie's Wedding Invitation

Bonnie & Andrew's Wedding Ceremony Invitation has a Milagro included as a key design element.   Milagro is a Spanish word that translates into the word "miracle."  They are tiny personal charms that are a reminder of the miracles we would like to see happen, or the miracles that have already occurred in our lives.
Figuring out a way to include these milagros in the invitation design has been a bit of a challenge.  But one that I have truly enjoyed.  Here are the photos of three designs I like the best with a description of the process.



In this first sample I've used the bronze colored heart milagro that Bonnie sent to help me with the design of her invitation.  I've positioned it directly under her and Andrew's names, and before the event information.  I like the position.  Also, in reviewing artwork and information about milagros to prepare to make this invitation, I fell in love with the heart milagros that had angel wings on either side, but felt like literal "wings" may be too much.  So, I worked on a scrolly design that would work back with Bonnie's Save the Dates.  This design is different, but has the same overall feeling -plus I like that it does remind you of the shape of angel wings.  Of course, all is unified through color.



This is a longer view of Bonnie's Ceremony Invitation.  Notice that the only design element on this invitation is the Milagro.








This is the backside of Bonnie's invitation.  The milagro is attached with quilting thread - I just sewed it on the card stock by hand.  I think people who receive this invitation will be curious and turn the card over, so here is an explanation of Bonnie & Andrew's heart milgro for the curious.
Notice the three dots underneath Bonnie and Andrew's names.  I originally had the dots on the front of the invitation, but they really do not work with this design.  They show back up in the next sample.
C

Friday, November 20, 2009


We added four new Photo Cards to our Holiday assortment.  Top photo is our Green Holly bordered photo card with our Red Berry Bordered photo card beneath. Twenty folded note cards with envelopes.  Accommodates up to a 4x6 photograph.  $12.60 boxed set
Bottom photo is our "Pinwheels" photo card in red and moss, with  our Goldish Scrolly design bordered photo card card beneath. Eight Letter press cards with eight envelopes.  Holds up to a 4x6 photograph. $14.70
We know how much everybody loves photo cards for the Holidays, and the best part is that they are all on SALE!  ALL Holiday is 30% off right now.
Pop on over and see!
C
www.inkstationerystudio.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Wedding Suite Stationery for Bonnie & Andrew







Bonnie's Save the date.
I love the boldness of the icon with the dates in the center,
 and the two names as a simple statement in the bottom corner.
Two wedding palette colors that Bonnie has absolutely decided on so far are
dark blue (ink) and gold.


We are creating Bonnie's entire wedding suite.  Her save-the-date is above.
This is her personal stationery to be used before she and Andrew are married.
Dark, dark blue ink on soft creme card stock.
Additional pieces to include a Ceremony Invitation, R.s.v.p., Ceremony Program,
and a set of personal stationery for Bonnie and Andrew to use after their wedding are all in the works.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Handwritten Reply to a Reception Card


I answered a question on my website today about the difference between a R.s.v.p. and a Reception Card. This is an R.s.v.p. Card shown. I promised to give a "How-to" on writing a formal reply in response to the Reception Card. Here it is:
When a wedding ceremony invitation does not include a response card insert, or R.s.v.p., a guest should write a formal written reply. It should be written on nice card stock using black or blue ink. The reply should also be written in the same voice as the invitation.


Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ronald Johnson
accept with pleasure
Mr. and Mrs. Harold James Donaldson's kind invitation for
Saturday, the twenty-third of May.

The guest accepts the invitation from the host to attend on the day of their daughter's wedding.
If you would like to read about the difference R.s.v.p (vs) Reception Card view the "Ask Carol" page of inkstationerystudio.com.
C

A Sweet Little Note Card

We make a nice assortment of monogram note cards and Thank You cards for adults and children. They are $1.25 each and come with matching blank envelopes.
The best part is that we can have these ready to order note cards to you usually within 7 business days.
If you prefer a custom made note card, it takes a bit longer, and costs a bit more, but you will have a note card designed especially for you.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

We are Glad to Answer Questions

Please contact us if you have any questions about designs from either our website or blog. We will gladly provide you with an answer.
View our website at: inkstationerystudio.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

First Blog



















For my very first blog please let me introduce "Evelyn."
This was designed for a very traditional bride who has a most classic style. You can find the full wedding suite on my website: www.inkstationerystudio.com.
The font is Edwardian Script, and is printed in black ink on soft white card stock.