The second honoree in our design contest features sweet lovebirds for a wedding half-way around the world. We cannot get enough of this recently letterpressed Lovebirds (by Ian Koenig) wedding invitation set, submitted by our friends at The Wedding Company in Hong Kong.

This invitation displays the heartfelt expression of a couple showing their affection for each other.  Their new life together will open up to paths leading to fresh beginnings.

The pewter ink represents their path to adventure, and the love they feel for one another is, of course, symbolized by the use of our stunning British rose ink.

Coupled with our modern canopy envelope liner – this invitation set is the perfect match for such a romantic pair. Lovebirds — unite!

inks: pewter + british rose | font: geometric + belizio | paper: 1-ply white | invite size: f-8 | liner: modern canopy pattern in british rose and pewter inks |

This design won an honorable mention in our Bella Figura design competition for the first half of 2011. This twice-a-year competition recognizes outstanding and inspired design submitted by our beloved dealers.

We’re so excited to be kicking off our first ever Bella Figura design contest! We’ve reviewed the best-of-the-best invitations sent to us by our amazing retailers, and over the next 10 days we’ll be featuring the contest honorees, as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Our first honoree was sent to us by the Village Invites II in New York, New York. Kudos to the Village Invites II for figuring out how to take two classic Bella designs and turn them into a whole new animal!

This bold, modern letterpress invitation customization combines the best of our Alice (by Tara Hogan) and Deveril (by Beth Ann Seal) designs, and uses ink colors that really pack a punch!

There was no question in our minds that this invite deserved a spot on our design competition lineup. A big thanks to the Village Invites II for sending us this gorgeous customization!

ink: black + spring green | fonts: danube + impression | paper: 2-ply white | invite size: F-8 |  liner: vintage stripes in spring green ink | edge painting: spring green

This design won an honorable mention in our Bella Figura design competition for the first half of 2011. This twice-a-year competition recognizes outstanding and inspired design submitted by our beloved dealers.

Founded in early 2010 by sisters Julie and Theresa, Sweet Paper specializes in cute, quaint stylish cards, custom stationery, and unique gifts. Located in La Jolla, California, they create truly stunning letterpress invitations and inspire their clientele with gorgeous, artisan stationery and paper goods at their beautiful storefront location. We are so excited to have them carry the Bella Figura letterpress wedding album!

Q & A with Julie and Theresa of Sweet Paper

What’s your favorite thing to do in your town?
J: Sunday Funday with my husband, kids and sister in my backyard ties with dinner at hip new restaurants sans kids.
T: Enjoying the beach from the sand-free grass in my sisters backyard

What’s your favorite past time or hobby outside of work?
J: Reading anything that has nothing to do with reality. It’s an embarrassing guilty pleasure.
T: Sunday brunch with my sweetie and the crossword puzzle, thrifting, sewing, crafting

Can you share a recent favorite read or find?
J: I recently read The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston, which I enjoyed, but then I always love a good witch story.
T: I have a blog addiction, its hard to pick a favorite. I love before and after day on design*sponge.

An interest, hobby, or something you’re passionate about:
J: Paper!
T: Traveling

Five things you couldn’t live without:
J: My 5 boys, grande triple nonfat mochas, my iPhone, wine and cheese, my sister.
T: A cozy bed, friendship, dance parties, chocolate, my sister.

Located in beautiful Toronto, Paper & Poste is a unique invitation and custom design studio specializing in letterpress invitations and creative stationery design. We are honored to call them Bella Figura retailers! For veteran paper geeks Heather Sauer and Beckee McCann, it has always been about the paper. At their other gig at The Paper Place, an innocent conversation about offering custom design planted a seed. That seed took root and grew into Paper & Poste, a private by appointment studio where they combine innovative design with a love of tradition.

Having assisted customers for years in all aspects of designing their own stationery, they found one thing was universal – the desire for something unique. Together they put together a collection of the most beautiful and memorable stationery available. Outside of work, they moonlight as a crochet enthusiast (Heather) and as a designer for her boyfriend’s metal band (Beckee). Find them at Paper & Poste.

Located in the beautiful coastal town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Gus & Ruby Letterpress is another all-star stationery store we’re proud to call a Bella Figura retailer. Their shop specializes in artisan letterpress stationery, gifts and paper goods, with a focus on small, independent brands. Named after their super adorable dogs, Gus & Ruby is owned by friends Samantha and Whitney, a third generation letterpress printer. These ladies are a wealth of knowledge, ideas and keen design sense. If you’re in the Portsmouth area stop by to say hello!

Q & A with Sam and Whitney of Gus & Ruby Letterpress

What’s your favorite thing to do in your town?
An ideal Portsmouth day would include a trip to the farmer’s market, a puppy playdate for Gus and Ruby at the dog park, lunch on the decks and then some delicious ice cream from Annabelle’s.

What’s your favorite past time or hobby outside of work?
We both love to cook, bake and watch reality TV. What can we say? We have high-brow stationery sense and low-brow entertainment preferences! Whitney is a multi-sport athlete (tennis, field hockey and ski racing) so she enjoys some good competition and Samantha is an equestrian and spends her free time at the stable.

Can you share a recent favorite read or find?
We both share books back and forth all the time. Recently, we both read and loved Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.

An interest, hobby, or something you’re passionate about:
Our mutual passion is definitely our dogs, Gus and Ruby. They are our muses and our furry babies.

Five things you couldn’t live without:
Gus & Ruby (we’re counting them as 1)
Our moms (who each work for us 1 day a week)
Liz (our rockstar employee)
Flatbread Pizza
Glee

Over the coming weeks we’ll be introducing you to a bunch of our fabulous new retailers. First up, Social Graces in Nashville. This store ranks high on our list of must visit destinations the next time we’re traveling through Tennessee. In fact, we’d love to plan a trip sooner rather than later just so we have an excuse to go hang out. Social Graces is comprised of a team of super talented designers, a shop dog named Rufus and a love for all things stationery, weddings and vintage. If you’re in Nashville, stop by. Pay them a visit. Check out the new Bella Figura album. You’ll be glad you did!

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