Using our Ornate Flourish wedding invitation design as inspiration, Sara and Alexander swapped swirls for starfish for their elegant, beach-side wedding. For a touch of nautical inspiration, they added Navy edge paint and a metallic Blue Pearl envelope liner.
foil stamping: tawny matte | fonts: jubilant + grace | paper: bella cotton 1-ply + 2-ply white | edge painting: navy | envelope: bella cotton white | metallic envelope liner: blue pearl | customization #18796 | Village Invites
Emma and David customized our Traditional Palm wedding invitation design with a cheerful pastel color palette. To differentiate the rehearsal dinner card from the invitation, ink and foil colors were reversed – keeping the invitation the star of this romantic beach inspired stationery suite.
letterpress ink: british rose | foil stamping: mint shine | fonts: jubilant + grace | paper: bella cotton 1-ply ivory | envelope: bella cotton ivory | metallic envelope liner: white gold | customization #19751
For their recent wedding in Belize, Mary and Stig gave our Breakers wedding invitation design a colorful makeover with Mint Shine foil. They kept things formal with a neutral letterpress ink and metallic envelope liner but added a whimsical sea turtle motif to their reply card.
letterpress ink: desert | foil stamping: mint shine | fonts: marilyn + pike | paper: bella cotton 1-ply + 2-ply white | envelope: bella cotton white | metallic envelope liner: opal | foil edging: mint shine | customization #20579
For some of us here in the Northeast, winter has worn out its welcome. We’re dreaming of tropical sunsets, sandy beaches and this customization of our Traditional Palm wedding invitation design. Golden palm fronds, Sarah Hanna’s stunning hand calligraphy and a design inspired custom envelope liner beckoned guests to join Dana and Seth at their Mexico destination wedding.
letterpress ink: prussian blue | foil stamping: gold shine | font: brandon | paper: bella cotton 1-ply + 2-ply white | hand calligraphy: honoured style by sarah hanna | envelope: bella cotton white | envelope liner: design inspired pattern in antique gold + prussian blue inks | customization #18928 | Judy Paulen Designs
This customization of the Waterfront design would be perfect for a sophisticated wedding by the sea. Custom hand calligraphy by Elizabeth Hardin in stunning Gold Shine foil sets the tone for this elegant wedding, while traditional blues and soft neutrals bring in a refined nautical look.
waterfront customization = letterpress inks: blind deboss + prussian blue | foil stamping: gold shine | font: holden | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: martha’s vineyard vintage map pattern in color + prussian blue | hand calligraphy accents: parks style | original design by Courtney Jentzen | customized by in-house designer Jessica Tierney
Photo credits: flowers and bar cart | bride & groom
We can’t get enough of Kelle McCarter’s inspiration for her her whimsical Cascade invitation suite. Created from modern, hand drawn free form blooms, Cascade is designed to be a celebratory piece with delicate calligraphy accents and effervescent flower petals cascading across the invitation. Check out more of Kelle’s inspiration on Pinterest, and be sure to shop all of her designs (they’re on sale through March 31, 2014!).
Images, from top: Cascade customization | cascading peonies | blush gown | cake
Today we’ve got more inspiration from Kelle McCarter, our March designer of the month. Kelle shared a little inspiration behind her brand new Gournay design with us – take a look!
There is nothing like the textural beauty of letterpress and, when it takes its ultimate form with an intricate blind deboss impression, the result is stunning. The ornate, floral pattern of Gournay, all in white, is regal with classic hand calligraphy in elegant black.
Check out more of Kelle’s inspiration for Gournay on Pinterest! And be sure to shop Kelle’s entire collection, which is on sale now through March 31, 2014!
Today we’re proud to share the latest edition of Paperswell magazine, a beautiful publication designed and published by Bella Figura calligrapher and designer Kelle McCarter! This Flowers/Ladies/Art issue features flower-themed projects from seventeen of Kelle’s favorite designers, publishers, letterpress lovelies, bookmakers, shop owners, stationers and mixed media artists. Not only does this beautiful publication provide a pretty spread of beautiful art, it’s also helping a good cause: all of the proceeds from Paperswell are donated to the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies, which is an organization in Golden Colorado whose mission is to rescue and find loving homes for abused and abandoned Golden Retrievers. Purchase your issue of Paperswell today!
We love seeing what inspires the designers who help create our collection of letterpress wedding invitations. “Elegance in simplicity. That is the inspiration for Colette. Elegant calligraphy with a pointed pen sweeps across the width of its edges with languid tails and lower case lettering. It embodies the drama and femininity of its namesake – Sidonie Gabrielle Colette, the famous modern French writer whose romantically fervent novels reflected her own impassioned life.”
A befitting setting for Colette includes textural elements extracted from nature. Feathers, nests, branches, and woven textures are a striking juxtaposition to sparkling lights, shiny metallics and gold leaf and make a beautiful artisan presentation.”
Check out more of Kelle’s inspiration for Colette on Pinterest, and be sure to take a look at Kelle’s entire collection of designs, which is on sale during the month of March!
Images, from top: gowns | table | colette customization | cake | chandelier | shrug
Ever wonder how long it takes a calligrapher to hand address a set of envelopes? Curious which ink color is used most often when it comes to calligraphy addressing? We sat down with Bella Figura calligrapher Kelle McCarter to learn about the ins and out of her business, how she got her start, and her favorite way to dress up an envelope.
How did you get into calligraphy? I fell in love with calligraphy and lettering art when I discovered the fabulous work of French artist Francois Gervais. When I moved to Denver seven years ago, I joined the Colorado Calligraphers’ Guild, with the goal of incorporating calligraphy into my graphic design business. I was fortunate to study with renowned artist and calligrapher Laurie Doctor, who was president of the CCG at the time.
Where do you do your addressing? I am blessed with a beautiful space in which to do my work. I have a window view of the Rocky Mountains from my Denver studio. And, having two Golden Retrievers always by my side makes it the most pleasant of work environments.
How long does it take to address an envelope or a set of envelopes? It takes about one hour to complete eight to ten envelopes because I rule pencil lines and erase them after I hand letter each envelope. I call the process “painting lettering” because each envelope is a miniature piece of art that can not be rushed.
What’s your favorite way to dress up an envelope? I adore envelope liners. They are a simple, yet beautiful, way to incorporate another layer of design, color and texture into the presentation of an invitation. Wax seals can be beautiful and modern with a bright colored wax and a simple calligraphy monogram or initial. Also, vintage or themed postage stamps can add character and interest to any envelope.
For my own wedding, I placed Marvel Comics postage stamps on the envelopes to match the commissioned comic strip wedding announcements that my husband and I sent to friends and family after our wedding.
How many ink colors do you offer? Because I work with gouaches (opaque watercolors), I can offer a beautiful array of color options- from opera pink to leaf green, two of my favorites.
What are your most popular ink colors for envelope addressing? Black is the most popular, as it should be. It is classic and elegant always, regardless of the invitation color. A rich antique gray and sepia brown are popular, too. For save the date envelopes that are less formal than the invitation envelopes, white ink on a colored envelope is striking.
What’s your most popular style? “Maura” is the most popular calligraphy that I do. I think it is because it is a blend of modern and classic lettering.
Many thanks to Kelle for giving us a behind the scenes look at her studio! Visit her website to learn more and to work with Kelle for your wedding calligraphy! Be sure to shop Kelle’s collection, too – her designs are currently on sale for 10% off!
Studio & envelope images courtesy of Zorn Photography
This romantic customization of the Gournay design is perfect for a southern wedding full of vintage style and grace. Southern charm is abundant in the details of this big day with ladies adorned in delicate lace, beautiful bouquets filled with florals in varying shades of soft pastels, cake served on vintage china and perhaps even a bluegrass band playing into the night. Gournay – and all of designer Kelle McCarter’s inspired designs – are on sale through March 31st!
gournay customization = letterpress inks: deep blue + sand | font: gotham | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: juniper pattern in deep blue, french vanilla, sea mist + fern | hand calligraphy accents: lady m | original design by Kelle McCarter | customized by in-house designer Jessica Tierney
Photo credits: Jose Villa
This wedding, inspired by the elegance of nature, is set at a garden estate with lush florals all around. Romantic and soft touches of mercury glass, candlelight and ornate chandeliers are offset with bold pops of purples in varying shades.
capri customization = letterpress inks: aubergine + light lavender | foil stamping: pearl shine | fonts: holden + keeva | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: pearse pattern in light lavender ink | original design by Amy Graham Stigler | customized by in-house designer Jessica Tierney |
Photo credits from the top: tablescape | bow-tie | bouquet
