…Yippee Yo, Yippee Yay!

If you’re in puppy love, I’m sure you’ll see the beauty in these cute little pet party invitations!  Created for pet lovers, see more of this too-cute stationery collection at  The Pet Set!

Box of six Pet Set Party Invitation Cards With Envelopes

The Inside:

Come on - say it with me, “Awwwww!!!!!”  Now go be a party animal.

www.the-petset.com

Stamps By Impress!

If you’re a DIY bride looking to find some great stamps, you must check out Impress.  They have a wide selection of stylish stamps for your wedding and other special occasions too! 

So get stamping.  Create your own invites, programs and thank you notes.  Decorate other accessories for your wedding such as table covers, card boxes, favor boxes and tags.  Get creative!

www.impressrubberstamps.com

So your invitation comes back from the printer, now what?  Is there a special order they should go in when assembling them?  Turns out, there is.  Some printers will include a mock-up for you.  But in case yours didn’t, here’s my instruction sheet.  You can download it in pdf format here.

1. Address outer (mailing) envelopes with the guest names and full address.
2. Address inner envelopes (if any) with guest names only.
3. Lay invitation face up.
4. Place tissue over the writing.  Using tissue is optional.  Tissue was originally used to keep ink from smudging.  No longer a concern today, it is completely up to the couple if they want to adhere to the tradition.
5. Layer enclosures (if any) large to small and face up, on top of tissue (the largest enclosure would be closest to the invitation).
6. Put a stamp on the response envelope.
7. Tuck response card, face up, under the flap of the response envelope (the flap will cover part of the writing).  Place on top of the enclosures (or tissue) with the response card face up.
8. If using an inner envelope: slip the resulting stack inside the inner envelope.  The back of the invitation should rest on the inside of the flap as you insert the stack.  Folded edge first (or left edge first if invitations are not folded).  Fold the flap, but do not seal the inner envelope.  OR If you are not using an inner envelope: slip the resulting stack inside the outer envelope.  The back of the invitation should rest on the inside of the flap as you insert the stack.  Folded edge first (or left edge first if invitations are not folded).  Seal, stamp and mail!
9. Place inner envelope inside the outer (mailing) envelope with the names on the inner envelope facing up.  When the outer envelope is opened, guests will see their names.  Seal, stamp and mail!

TIPS:

• Keep in mind, the actual assembly of your invitations may vary depending upon how traditional they are.  Overall, your guests should see their names on the inner envelope as the mailing envelope is opened, and should read the response card when the inner envelope is opened.
• Take one invitation to the post office and have it metered!  Fully assembled invitations are heavier than a standard letter and odd shapes (ie: square) may require extra postage.

Did you have your heart set on using wedding postage stamps?  You’ll need to either move your RSVP date up to before the 12th, or include an extra .01 stamp.

Introducing Our New Guest Blogger & Letterpress Expert Denise at Bellis Studios!

I’m happy to welcome my favorite letterpress designer, Denise, owner and operator of Bellis Studios!  With her amazing talent and incredible eye for design and color, she creates exquisitely unique letterpress stationery and invitations.  Recently featured in the Spring 2008 issue of Bride & Bloom Magazine, along with other press, she’s on her way to letterpress stardom! 

I am so excited to not only introduce Denise as a fabulous designer you should know, but also as our new guest blogger! 

Denise will be stopping by to share with us her creations, inspirations, thoughts and ideas.  

She’ll be giving us her expert advice and tips on letterpress, color, and design. 

Getting married?  If you have any questions about how to choose your wedding stationery, just contact us!  We may just feature your question and the answer on this blog! 

In love with letterpress?  Let us know your thoughts and ideas, and we’ll be happy to share them! 

Learn more about Denise and Bellis Studios HERE and at HERE!  Want to read more about letterpress?  See what Denise has to say about it HERE! 

Don’t forget to check out her site, shop and her blog:

www.bellisstudios.com & www.bellisblog.com 

Hi all!  My name is Denise and I’m really excited that Jaime asked me to be a guest blogger here.  I am a designer and letterpress printer.  From time to time, I’ll be bringing you design tips…mainly to help you with your wedding stationery selection.  But I’ll also throw in some color and design theory to help you pull your whole day together.  When I stumble across a great indie find, I’ll bring that your way too!

Today I was lucky to stumble on this lovely wedding inspiration blog, Huckleberry Karen Designs. 

You know how excited you get when you find a blog that totally fits everything you’ve been looking for?  Well, this blog does just that. 

It’s filled with tons of pictures, inspiration, and themes!  She dedicates the blog to all of those who love flowers and invitations. 

So check it out!  Take some time to sit down, get comfy, and browse this blog. 

You might just get inspired and find exactly what you were looking for!  Happy planning!

You’ve got to check out the lovely letterpress tags inside the latest Spring 2008 issue of  “Bride & Bloom” magazine!   

 Tag #1 shown (pg.19) was created by my favorite letterpress designer from Bellis Studios. 

I simply adore her work.  These tags would add the perfect little touch of sunshine to any gift bag! 

Getting married?  Why not use these pretty little tags to add to your bridal party gifts?  Bellis has also created cards and coasters that coordinate with these tags, which would be a nice little way to thank them for standing up.   

“Trying to come up with an interesting way to package your wedding favors?  How about thinking outside the box (pun intended).  Get creative with unique gift tags!  Gigantic in size, unexpected in texture, or just plain pretty - any way you go, your guests will love stylishly fun tags.”

- Bride & Bloom Magazine

Bellis Studios also creates other beautiful stationery designs, check out her new shop to see!  Want to learn more about Bellis Studios and even get a discount to her shop?  Read her blog HERE, and don’t forget to have a sunshiney day!

 Wishing all of you, your family and friends all a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, along with a very happy, healthy and safe New Year! 

Beautiful stationery design by letterpress expert, Denise Johnson, at Bellis Studios.  Check out the rest of her line at www.bellisstudios.com, or read her creative blog at www.bellisblog.com!

I recently was given this award by Denise, over at www.bellisblog.com, and it really made me smile!  Her kind gesture and words were so sweet, and I’m so grateful to have her not only as a friend and fellow blogger, but an aunt too!  So thank you, Dee!  You make me smile, too!

Denise does amazing letterpress work with stationery (check out www.bellisstudios.com ), and is always so inspiring.  She found and followed the dream that found her, and it’s pretty darn cool.  She inspires me, and I look up to her as if she’s the big sister I never had.   If I could give this to her I would, but it seems the rules are to pass it forward, so I will.  It’s time to pass it on!

There are so many bloggers out there that write such entertaining and creative posts, with great ideas and finds, but my favorite blogger (and it was hard to choose) aside from Denise at Bellis is Kal Barteski, over at lovelife.typepad.com.

Kal is a very creative soul, and creates these lovely posts filled with her beautiful, fun and whimsy art and photography.  She is an “artist, designer and a painter”.   She gets you inspired.  She makes you want to motivate.  She awakens your soul to appreciate the little things in life by turning them into art.  She rocks.

Her story inspires me too…as she LOVES what she does!  That has got to be the greatest feeling, to love your work.  Not many people get to do that, but she is one of the lucky ones.  Why?  Because she worked hard so she could literally LOVE her life! 

If you haven’t yet, check her blog out, and also her work!  She even published a book!  But the best little thing she’s created?  Her new baby girl, “Pilot” who just recently arrived.  Welcome to the world, Pilot, and congratulations, Kal!

Planning a bridal shower or a bachelorette party? 

Check out these great notecard designs by www.pinksugardots.com!

Each box consists of 20 notecards and 20 envelopes, and for $40.00 a box, they can be yours! 

Thanks to www.blushevents.blogspot.com for the great find!

If you’re a professional procrastinator like I sometimes am when it comes to writing Christmas cards, you’ve gotta check out this great deal!   

From now until Christmas Bellis Studios is offering FREE USPS Priority Mail upgrade on all purchases! That means you’ll get your package in 2 to 3 days, instead of the post office’s normal 7-10 days!! (This offer is only valid on items being mailed within the United States.) 

So get shopping! www.bellisstudios.etsy.com

To learn more about the art of letterpress, go to www.bellisstudios.com, or check out her blog at www.bellisblog.com!

 NEW!  Send a simple message this holiday season… joy.

 Guess who has a new holiday card out?  My favorite letterpress designer, Bellis Studios!   Read her blog at: www.bellisblog.com to find how she created this new beautiful & fresh design, or purchase your set at www.bellisstudios.com!

Set of six letterpress Christmas cards, 5.75″ x 4.375″ (A2) with matching envelopes features her own Christmas tree illustration. Colors are pale citrus green and cranberry red. Printed on white (crane’s beautiful 100% cotton ‘Lettra’ paper). Blank inside.  Go to www.bellisstudios.com and get yours now! 

You don’t want to be like me and still have cards waiting to go out from 3 years ago yet do you?! lol  So get shopping!

Bellis Studios designed these notecard sets for Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue (AWBAR).  Proceeds from the sale of these cards will help fund AWBAR.

The set includes 6 notecards, 2 of each design.

Money raised for AWBAR will help offset the expenses of raising and releasing wildlife in 2008. Expenses that include: food, shelter, and vet bills. In addition, money raised will go towards establish not-for-profit status.  Find out more about AWBAR here.

Get your cards here!

Visit www.bellisstudios.com, for more great stationery!

She’s been your best friend forever.  Has seen you through thick and thin.  And now you want her to stand up in your wedding.  How sweet. 

So how do you ask her?  With a sweet, kind and tear-jerking card, of course!  And a GREAT laugh!!!  Throw some fun into it, and check out cards for all occasions by www.naughtybettyinc.com!  Warning, PG-13!

Inside:
Be one of my best friends and walk down the aisle with me!

If you haven’t heard of Bellis yet, you’re about to be blessed with knowledge!  Check out www.bellisstudios.com, to view some of my favorite stationery! Bellis Studios has stationery so unique and creative, you’ll fall in love at first sight! Truly brings back the art of letter writing!  So cancel that email, and get ordering!

I love the tiny beautiful detail on these monogrammed cards, so sweet yet so sophisticated, Set of 6 “Queen Of Hearts” for only $10.50! 

Set of six monogram letter cards, 5.75″ x 4.375″ (A2) with matching envelopes. Colors are pink and brown.

The art of letterpress involves inking raised type and then impressing it directly onto the printing surface. The result is an impression that you can see and feel! 

Bellis Studios also specializes in wedding invitations and other stationery needs.

Check out more of her work, just go to www.bellisstudios.com, or, see her Etsy shop at: www.BellisStudios.etsy.com!

Here are a few more of my favorites…

Congratulations Laura and Rob!!!

Time sure flies when you’re having fun, and that’s exactly what happened yesterday!  September 1, 2007, my best friend Laura got married to a really great guy named Rob.   I couldn’t be happier for them, as their day turned out to be spectacular! 

Laura looked gorgeous in her wedding gown and veil, and Rob dashing in his tux.  But the two of them together….breathtaking!  The wedding itself was absolutely amazing, too!  Everyone had a truly wonderful time socializing, eating, dancing, and watching - with tears of joy, the bride and groom as they enjoyed their day! 

The ceremony and reception site were both so elegant, the dinner and cake delicious!  I have so many pictures and details to share, but I’ll save those for the next post.  As for now, I’m going to just sit back, enjoy my Sunday and reflect on yesterday…my best friend’s wedding.  Congratulations Laura and Rob!!!  I’m so happy for you!!!

I loved their custom invitations, done by www.bellisstudios.com, they turned out so beautifully!