freebie friday: vintage save the date card

In case you missed it on yesterday's Postcards and Pretties post, here is a freebie download for you! Inspired by vintage glam, this gold and soft blue save the date is perfect for your post wedding.

Here’s a {free printable Save the Date card} for you to download.

Remember, this is for personal use only. File size is a finished 5x7. Print at home or take to your local print shop. Enjoy!

xo

anatomy of an invitation

You might remember from a few days ago when I posted an inspiration board and first draft of a shabby chic first birthday invitation.

Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie styled this inspiration board. It helped me determine what colors to use, and what kind of look her client desired.

inspiration board via pizzazzerie

Could it BE any more gorgeous?! Charlie's mom wanted something shabby chic with a touch of vintage, using coral, green and muted blues while incorporating her daughter's monogram.

The first proof looked like this.

I designed a 5x7 invitation using a solid muted green as a background, and a lighter green lattice pattern to give it some depth. I boxed in the invitation wording using coral and green borders, and incorporated an intricate detail around the center border.

Charlie's mom really wanted something that focused a bit more on a muted blue, though, so I changed up the color scheme.

While the lattice detail remained a light green, I changed the background to a light blue and darkened the monogram to a coordinating blue color.

In the end, Charlie's mom decided that she would prefer that the monogrammed C match the same color as the invitation background.

It is a very subtle difference, but a beautiful one at that.

I can't wait to see the entire party! Charlie is one very lucky little girl, and I hope she enjoys her first birthday!!

guest post on post cards & pretties

I'm a guest poster today on Postcards & Pretties! Thank you, Chris, for having me! I had so much fun finding vintage inspiration photos and making the collages.

It's a vintage-inspired post and there's a FREEBIE involved, too! Make sure you check it out and download the exclusive vintage save-the-date card I designed just for the occasion!!

Check out the post HERE!!

water bottle labels

Remember Abby? She ordered a second set of water bottle labels for her Saturday wedding [yeah, as in THIS Saturday!!!] because her fiance wasn't feeling the all over hot pink motif.

They decided on a grey-blue and provided a color swatch that I could match to.
Now they have coordinating labels in their wedding colors, and the groom-to-be isn't surrounded by hot pink! It's a win-win situation all around.

Thanks, Abby! You've been a joy to work with. You're going to make a beautiful bride! Have an amazing wedding day and honeymoon!

inspiration: vintage chic

via style me pretty

via memento

custom monogrammed napkin wraps

Jessica ordered 150 napkin wraps to use at her August 2 reception in Alabama. These napkin wraps were custom designed with a monogram in a decorative motif, using her wedding colors of gold and brown. A simple script E, the first initial of her last name, is the center of her monogram.

150 napkin wraps were printed and mailed to Jessica. These wraps are a fabulous way to dress up a reception table and add color to otherwise plain napkins.

Jessica, you were so wonderful to work with! I look forward to working with you in the future!!

Here is what Jessica had to say:
Thank you so much! It has truly been a blessing working with you, and now I have a new friend in the process! You have been incredible and SO sweet! I can't wait to see your beautiful work... like I've said, it is second to none, and I can't wait to see them on the tables!! You will definitely be getting some pictures! (and of course of the tables!). Have a blessed day, and you will be hearing from me again soon! - Jessica

Address Wrap Labels for Emily

Emily contacted me through etsy looking for address labels to coordinate with an invitation she already has.

She wanted the colors to coordinate with her invitation, using yellow and green. I couldn't decide which color/pattern combo I liked best so I sent Emily two sets of wraps!

Emily also ordered a monogram for her son to use on his stationery and enclosures.

Thank you, Emily! You were a pleasure to work with!

please vote!

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I would truly appreciate your vote! Simply click on the arrow next to my name, Blush Printables

wrap around address labels

The newest wrap around address labels available in my etsy shop! These chic and affordable address labels are a sophisticated way to dress up your envelopes. They're a great solution if your penmanship is a little less than perfect and offer a wonderful substitute to boring and bland white address labels.

shabby chic birthday.

Charlie's first birthday is going to be GORGEOUS. Her mom contacted Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie to style the perfect first birthday party a girl could ever ask her. I was asked to design the printable invitations, and definitely jumped at the chance once I saw this inspiration board.

inspiration board via pizzazzerie

Could it BE any more gorgeous?! Charlie's mom wanted something shabby chic with a touch of vintage, using coral, green and muted blues.

Here's what I came up with:

I just ADORE this invitation. It's only a proof, so there may be some tweaks in the future, but who knows! Maybe Charlie & her mom will love it as much as I do!

getting to know you sunday

1. Thong or Granny Panties?
Well, now that is a very personal question isn't it!? thong

2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?
Depends -- am I friends with this guy or am I just passing him by on the street? If it's someone I know, I'd tell them but laugh about it & make fun. If it's a complete stranger I'd laugh about it behind his back.

3. Spanx or no Spanx?
Um, DEFINITELY spanx.

4. Do you sleep in your sheets?
Actually, no. We never have. I have a full sheet set on our bed, but we sleep on top of the sheets but under our down comforter. I don't know why we do this, but we always have.

5. What is your favorite Disney character?
The Mad Hatter.

6. Dream vacation spot?
Anywhere that I don't have to work and can just enjoy my surroundings and relax. And shop.

7. What is your dream job?
Design. I'm in the midst of really going full time with Blush, and I have NEVER been happier. Everyone says I light up when I talk about my work, and that's what I have always wanted... happiness and to love my work. I feel so blessed!!

8. Who is your hero and why?
My parents. They've always pushed me to succeed and my dad, especially, has always been hard on me. I used to resent him, but now I realize that he was only pushing me to be better and better so that I can have everything I've always wanted in life. My parents both run their own highly successful businesses, and I grew up knowing that I could be whatever I wanted to be. My mom taught me that it truly is possible to balance being a working moman and a mother, and my dad showed me the ins and outs of running your own business. As busy and successful as my parents were, our childhood [I have a brother & a sister] was never sacrificed. I have nothing but happy memories growing up, and my parents did everything they ever could for us. I'm eternally grateful!

vintage romance.

It's here, it's here! My newest invitation suite is finally finished. I've only been working on it for weeks! This baby has been a labor of love, and it took me ages to find the perfect vintage vector to use to create this beauty. Using my favorite color combo [grey + pink], I combined antique elements and one of my favorite fonts. Did I mention it's my favorite?

So, without further adieu...

The entire ensemble includes a printable wedding invitation [5x7], response card [4x6], and a save the date [4x6].

How much do you love this?!

Yes, I'm aware that I "cheated" by using stock vectors... but there is no way that I could have made something so intricate and beautiful with the pen tool in illustrator.

I hope you like this suite as much as I do. I had a blast making it, and I wish I would have created something like this for our own wedding invitations.

freebie friday: guestbook poem

This weeks freebie are printable guest book poems in 8.5x11 format.

Yes, signing your guest book is pretty obvious. I think by now that most wedding-goers know what they're supposed to do... but wouldn't it be fun if you had a little sign displayed with a super cute poem asking them to leave you well wishes and advice??

Print this on 8.5x11 paper [cardstock or regular paper is just fine!] then frame for a little extra glam.

You can download the vintage-inspired guest book poem by clicking HERE.

You can download the framed guest book poem by clicking HERE.

Need that in a different font style?
You can download the second framed guest book poem by clicking HERE.


These are for personal use only. Please leave a comment and let me know that you've downloaded this freebie!! [Feel free to post this on your blog, but please link back to me!]

xo

40 and fabulous

Gerica contacted me and was looking for a Luau Suite for her brothers 40th birthday bash. I jumped at the chance -- designing Luau parties are one of my favorite!! I have designed Luau Party Printables for children in the past, but this was my first stab at something more adult-like.

She needed buffet signs, birthday bash signs, and cupcake toppers. I think they turned out fabulous!

closeup of the cupake toppers -- love the detail & the hawaiin elements.

I used bamboo elements to create a frame, then incorporated Hawaiian themed vectors to jazz it up.

She will have 14 different buffet signs in total -- their menu is so delish!

through the looking glass.

I LOVE Alice in Wonderland, especially the 1865 John Tenniel illustrations. Alice seems to be so popular lately, so I thought I would showcase a few of my favorite inspiration boards and wedding cakes!

via elizabeth messina


via cake nouveau


source unknown


via flickr

custom monograms

Megan contacted me through etsy looking for a custom monogram design that she can include on her stationery as well as have printed onto round stickers for favors. She wanted to incorporate a damask element, and her wedding colors of magenta, navy, gold and cream.

The first draft looked like this:


The damask element seemed a bit too big, though, so we re-worked the design to reflect a smaller damask pattern.


Megan really wanted to incorporate magenta, though, so she decided to change the navy to magenta instead. We also changed the script font to be a more prominent looking "D".


I'm still waiting for Megan to give me the final approval on her design, but I loved all three of these so much that I wanted to share right away!

cupcake flags

Event planner Constance Curtis contacted me requesting custom cupcake flags for an upcoming birthday party.

Constance wanted the flags designed in multiple shades of pink, ranging from light to dark. I look forward to working with Constance in the future!!

10 reasons why being married is just better.

I saw this over on Rock N Roll Bride and just HAD to share. It made me laugh so hard... it is so, so true! I couldn't have written this list better myself.

10 Reasons Why Being Married Is Just Better

1. When I take money out of his wallet, I don’t have to pay him back. (Warning: This works both ways.)

2. He makes the coffee 63% of the time. <-- in our household, that's 100% of the time. confession: i don't have a clue on how to work our coffee maker. starbucks, anyone??

3. When we have a really crazy, stupid, screaming fight, I never have to think, “Oh my god, are we going to break up over this?”

4. Wrangling our finances has made me a more responsible person. I.E. I no longer buy $800 leather pants I can’t afford just because I hate my life. <--- in my case, that would be blowing chunks of cash on kate spade & michael kors. i *don't* do leather!

5. Planning meals for two encourages me to eat better meals. Let’s be honest, it forces me to eat meals period. I mean, I can’t let my husband eat a jumbo bag of gummy sours for dinner.

6. He/she puts up with my crazy family. (Downside: She/he reminds me at inopportune moments how much I am like them.)

7. Her hatred of clutter inspires me find more creative places to hide my crap. (Note: The bedroom may not be considered a “creative” place to “hide” an effing enormous cardboard box.)

8. She has a long-term plan for my personal style. (Downside: She also has a short-term plan for my personal style.)

9. He can actually tell me which outfit looks better. (Bonus: He’s learned to keep his mouth shut during the delicate pull-everything-out-of-the-closet-and-throw-it-on-the-floor phase.)

10. She makes me come to bed before the birds start tweeting.

From east side bride and her husband, H-town.

real parties: lucy's luau

I had an absolute JOY working with Erica. She wanted custom party printables designed for her daughters 4th birthday, and it was so much fun creating colorful wraps, party tags, cupcake toppers and other accessories. Remember, Erica inspired me to create an entire Luau Themed printable pack!

Erica was sweet enough to share these photos from the party with me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! She has tons more on her blog, so check them out!

Seriously, CHECK OUT that Tiki Hut!! Erica and her dad *built that* themselves! Lucy seriously had one incredible party!

Thanks, Erica, for sharing these photos with me but even more for letting me be a part of Lucy's 4th birthday! I had so much fun working with you!!

freebie friday: reserved signs

This weeks freebie are printable reserved signs! You can use these during your ceremony [affix to the back of each chair] or at the reception. How adorable are the bride and groom signs?!

Print and cut this 5x7 template on card stock. The background is left blank so you can print on patterned or colored paper. Using another sheet of cardstock that is slightly larger than your sign, glue a ribbon in the center of the paper. Glue your reserved sign on top of the paper + ribbon, and let dry.

You can download the Reserved PDF by clicking HERE.




You can download the Bride PDF by clicking HERE.




You can download the Groom PDF by clicking HERE.






Need a hint on how to assemble these? Here's my inspiration photo!


These are for personal use only. Please leave a comment and let me know that you've downloaded this freebie!! [Feel free to post this on your blog, but please link back to me!]

xo