more about ashley meaders

I am very fond of Ashley Meaders. Her success has made me realize the endless opportunities out there for the crafty. She has made a career of being creative. Design*Sponge has an excellent interview with her in their What in Your Toolbox series.

Image from Ashley Meaders.

bird and banner

I have long admired the work of Bird and Banner. They are most known for their wedding work and other invitation design. I think one of the reason's I most like them is because their work is similar to my own. It is comforting to see another succeed with a similar design aesthetic and approach. Their work focuses on a hand done quality, especially incorporating sewn elements and screen printing methods. Bird and Banner is a source of continual inspiration to me and their website is loaded with darling examples.

my sister is getting married!

The oldest Scott girl is officially engaged and my head is already swirling with ideas for her wedding which is 12 months away. I've been saving all my good ones for her! Below is some of my preliminary ideas for her...

 

1. 100 Layer Cake  2. Once Wed  3. Tec Petaja  4. Once Wed  5. Bird and Banner  6. Tec Petaja  7. Sohomode Etsy Shop  8. Warm Country Meadow Etsy Shop  9. Once Wed  10. CiCi Bridal Etsy Shop

i adore

I'm in search of inspiration lately because I've been feeling at a creative loss. This picture caught my eye and I can't stop staring at it.

lovely vintage caketoppers and delicious looking cakes via project wedding

Pfenninger invitations

I just finished up the invitations for my friend and her husband-to-be for their August wedding. This was my first experience designing wedding invitations and I definitely learned a few things for the next time.

I haven't managed to get a picture of the final product yet, however, I will try do that soon. The invites were a little booklet with five separate pages containing the invitation, reception information, accommodation info, and a tear-out rsvp postcard, all tied together with ribbon.

wedding invites...in process

I am in the process of designing my friend's wedding invitations and I took advantage of a very rainy morning to make the map that will be included in the invite booklet.

making old traditions new

My love of weddings started early because my first job was as a caterer at the local golf course which hosted about 60% of our town's wedding receptions. Each weekend (sometimes twice a weekend) I got to see an entirely different approach to the traditional wedding reception. Each couple had a different style, theme, or idea for their big day and it was interesting to see how they each took the same space and made something completely different out of it.

These days it seems that weddings are becoming more tailored to the individual style of the bride and groom. The creativity and do-it-yourself-ness can be overwhelming but creates some great new takes on some old traditions.

Why stick to just one style of wedding cake when you can choose several? Or why have cake at all? It is becoming customary to use family recipes and serve bundt cake, angelfood cake, pie, or pound cake at receptions. The left from Zack and Lauren's lovely rustic wedding, who also served cookies and milk shots to guests. The right is from OnceWed as well.


Fabric backdrops are popping up to spruce up the traditional required posed pictures. This one is from Lena Corwin's wedding which was featured on Martha Stewart. As the first impression that your guests get of your upcoming wedding, the wedding invitation lays the groundwork for the theme or feeling of your event. I see a definite shift from the traditional wedding suite to more creative look at what you can accomplish with paper and unusual goods. This invitation is from the wedding of designer/illustrator Anna Bond of Rifle Design. (Go look at her cake, it is the world's greatest cake!)


Unique wedding favors to thrill guests. From OnceWed

the art of writing

As much of a font nut as I am I will always have a soft spot for the handwritten word. I think it makes things look more personal and gives work a special feel that cannot be matched by computerized text. I am not a fan of fake handwritten font either. It's just not fooling anyone and has a tendency to look a little tacky.

I've been working on my own calligraphy lately and am inspired by the unique styles that have surfaced that separate themselves from the typical calligraphy style that is reminiscent of the illuminated manuscripts that I studied in art history. I like the current trend of calligraphy representing your personality just as an individual's handwriting does. Whether illustrating playfulness, elegance, or timelessness, you really have the ability to match the style specifically to the project.

Some examples of my favorite work are below. They are all inspiring my own study of calligraphy.

Addressed envelope calligraphy by Love, Jenna from Love, Jenna's blog

Wedding Program by Rifle Design from rifledesign.com

Wedding Invite by Rifle Design from rifledesign.com

left: Crystal Kluge lettering from crystalkluge.com right: Penelope Dullaghan from penelopeillustration.com