Illustrated Book Proposal

February 24, 2010 // kristen // 1 replies

A little over a month ago, illustrator Joel Kimmel let me know about the marriage proposal that he had illustrated for his own proposal to his girlfriend, Chantal. I’ve been meaning to post about it but, honestly, I think that I was just so overwhelmed by how beautiful this proposal is that I couldn’t seem to find words that were fitting for such a jaw-droppingly awesome concept. The thought that he put into it, the wonderful story he wrote that gave clues as to the nature of the ring, the little hidey hole that he cut to hold the ring and the tabbed flap to hide it — this was a labor of love, and to be the recipient of such a love-infused creation must’ve been absolutely wonderful. Not surprisingly, Chantal said yes, so a big congratulations to both Joel and his future wife! I can’t wait to see your invitations. *wink, wink*

Here are just a few images of the proposal. You can see more over at Joel’s blog, and you can read more about the ring, the proposal, and the reaction.

images from Joel Kimmel

Yee Haw Bird Topper Prints

February 19, 2010 // kristen // 2 replies

I’m loving these super cute letterpress prints from Yee Haw Press, featuring illustrations of wonderful wedding cakes with sweet birdie cake toppers by Peggy Hambright of Magpies Bakery in Knoxville, Tennessee. Available in a set of four, with kraft envelopes for mailing.

image from Yee Haw Press

Wedding Invitations Galore, Part 2

February 18, 2010 // kristen // 2 replies

Are you ready to feast your eyes on more gorgeous wedding invitations and save the dates? If you’re not, then you should look away now but, c’mon, I know that you want to look. If you missed it, you can find even more wedding invitation eye candy in part one of the roundup. Alright, here we go!

Above, clockwise from top left:

* Stunningly beautiful typography and wood grain detailing in this letterpress suite by Jefferson Perky of Perky Bros. for his own wedding – via ISO50

* Fun, pretzel themed save the dates by Bird & Banner for a Philadelphia wedding – via Once Wed

* Spark Stationery’s Amelie Suite is a lovely, modern take on antique wood type and vintage maps. Love the orange!

* A gorgeous palette of teal and orange and lovely sewn details in this custom suite for a Phoenix wedding by Haute Papier

Above, clockwise from top left:

* Beautiful pattern and palette in this Bahamas wedding suite by Scott Peiffer of Right Side Design Studio for his own wedding. Letterpress printed by Studio on Fire.

* A lovely plum and forest green palette featuring Victorian detailing in this custom wedding suite for a woodsy wedding by Hello! Lucky

* Very cool cotton and burlap details in this sweet suite by D*Lish Design – via Once Wed

* A completely charming wedding suite, filled with wonderful old time illustrations, by Smitten Studio – via Style Me Pretty

images from their respective owners

Wedding Invitations Galore, Part 1

February 17, 2010 // kristen // 7 replies

I’ve spotted so many awesome wedding invitation suites in recent weeks, and my list of bookmarked favorites has gotten so long that I thought it might be time to do a little roundup. Of course, when I do roundups I never seem to be able to stick with just one part, and this roundup is no exception. Check out part one today, and stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

Above, clockwise from top left:

* Swoon-worthy illustrated save the dates and invitations by Kelli Murray for her own wedding to Sam – via Green Wedding Shoes

* The sunny and lovely beribboned Jasper Suite by MaeMae Paperie

* Oh, my goodness. Victorian inspired color and illustration + a custom wood veneer = seriously drool-worthy DIY wedding invitations – via Style Me Pretty

* Awesome pattern and palette, plus hand lettering by Betsy Dunlap, in this oh so pretty letterpress wedding suite from Parrott Design Studio

Above, clockwise from top left:

* Supremely bold silver and black inks letterpressed onto deep beet paper in this regal suite from Wiley Valentine and Rebecca at Duet Weddings

* Twine and hand sewn detailing in these chic, modern invitations by Follow Studio – via Once Wed

* Love the bold graphics and palette in these invitations by Two Trick Pony for a beautiful Santa Barbara wedding – via Green Wedding Shoes

* Oh so romantic Nouveau Peonies invitations by Hello! Lucky

images from their respective owners

Nonpareil Magazine Is Here!

February 03, 2010 // kristen // 10 replies

Yesterday was the official launch of Nonpareil Magazine, my new project with Maddy of the Inspired Bride, and what a day it was! The response has been absolutely amazing, beyond what we could’ve imagined, and I am so humbled and flattered (not to mention excited) about the feedback that we’ve gotten thus far. A big thank you to all of you who have Tweeted about the magazine and mentioned it on your blogs and sites. I am truly grateful.

The past few months have been an amazing adventure, and I’m so glad to have gotten a chance to work with Maddy and to get to know her better. She’s an amazing talent, and has been wonderful to work and laugh with, and even though this is a huge project with deadlines and stuff that’s usually not so fun, we have had lots of fun and silly times that have kept us both sane during the long hours and late nights we’ve encountered throughout the project.

I am also endlessly amazed by and thankful for our contributors, who have been so generous in sharing their talent. Vale Design, Twig & Thistle, Cottage Industrialist, Bread of Many, Roxanne Bradley, Wiley Valentine — thank you for contributing such lovely printable invitations. Carter & Cook, Jackie Wonders, The Floral Lab, Posh Paperie — thank you for the fabulous Shimmer & Shine feature. Michael Haug, Conor Lawrence, and Larry Callahan — thank you for the beautiful photographs. Carol Stopera, Ouma Clothing, and Nicole Richards — thank you for the fantastic stylistic contributions. And, last but not least, Devon Hague, thanks for being our very first fanboy!