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The goal was to simplify our four scattered blogs down to one full-of-life blog, overflowing with inspirations, projects and even a tangent or two for entertainment value. We are still bringing over and archiving our past posts, but moving forward as well, so update your links and keep in touch.
You can now find us here.

If Two by Bicycle

Lyons is called the "Double Gateway to the Rockies". I love this little town where I live and work, ... and ride my bike. And this couple shares my sentiment. They own the bike shop in town and got engaged after a community cruiser ride last summer. Bikes are a theme in Lyons and surrounding areas here on the frontrange of Colorado. Glenn & Paige share the love.

Continually Captivating

Even more beautiful details for this Calluna Events designed wedding. Escort cards for seating the guests will come in the form of personal letters from the bride and groom. Table names will be places that the couple deem significant in their relationship and will feature a photo. The guestbook will be bound with envelopes to house the letters from guests to be written on this uniquely printed stationery. And finally, coasters feature the double poppy design and a simple monogram H + B.

Something Brightly Beautiful

I love the bright white and pop of clementine orange and grass green. We stayed true to the theme of bright poppies and silhouetted berries from the save the date and pushed it just a bit further, exploring the relationships of the graphic shapes in different combinations. This smart bride collaborated with her groom's family and decided all of the pieces should be mailed together, saving resources of all kinds. Just wait until you see the other paper wedding goodies we have planned (i'll give you a hint guestbook, escort cards) ... more to come from this hip, modern couple!

Something Veneer

I am so excited to announce this project. I thrive on the freedom to discover and work with new materials. To push the envelope. Use my creativity to its fullest potential. To collaborate fully with my clients. I am thrilled with the results of this cherry-wood-veneer-fiesta of a wedding invitation. You may recognize the continuation of design from the papel picado save the date.

Golden Delicious

I only wish I were a more skilled photographer. The photos don't quite do these latest wedding invitations justice. The bride had a vision from the beginning. And it was beautiful and inspired and different. The vision required me to acquire techniques that were new to my repertoire, and we trusted one another and the outcome is worth its weight in gold.
The Handmaiden Papeterie explored and learned the technique of gilding to give the sun in this greek sun goddess inspired chariot illustration a subtle antique sparkle . The paper is handmade from the Czech Republic and is of the same tradition since the 1500's, the envelopes are hand lined and the gradations in ink range from antique gold to copper with a hand-brushed metallic dust to amplify their shiny happiness.

papel picado

Inspired by mexican culture, colors and the papel picados that decorate a proper fiesta, the design for these save the dates morphed several times before arriving at the perfect balance of white space. The design is happy and bright, just like the couple that it precedes.

branching out

I love this design for a Save the Date, it is colorful, modern and very different. My first local wedding ...

Remember When

We promised to post more on the very clever, vintage blue bride and here we go. A floral, almost toile look for her invite turned into a very different idea for the reception escort and table cards. The bride, it seems, is just plain crazy about animals. She LOVES them (maybe not as much as her groom... but close!)
Anyway, In keeping with her vintage theme, we dug up old woodcut illustrations of animals and let the guests find their table by heads or tails!

Something Fun, Something Yum

Our newest discovery,... mini take-out favor boxes, have presentation written all over them. This one shows a letterpress printed design as an added touch. Fill them with your hearts delight.

Something Blue

Would you believe me if I told you that when this couple got engaged, two eagles flew overhead. That is almost a fairy tale, but it's true. We recreated that scene for the design of this wedding invitation. You can close your eyes and imagine peaceful blue skies, magnificent mountain ranges as far as the eye can see and a reflection of the sun's rays on the reservoir in the valley below.

Something Borrowed

Traditions of the past, a retro record symbol and a map of the great city of Charleston circa 1872 are borrowed for inspiration in the design of this wedding stationery.

Something New

Just off the press, a very important save the date for a VIP client – yes, Miss Heather Clark of Calluna Events is getting married! We couldn't be more thrilled to be chosen as the stationer of choice for this union.

Here we show them in progress, first the lush green, followed by the oh so awesome orange. Can you tell this is my favorite color scheme?

I wish you could really see the way the center of that poppy pops! Love that deep letterpress impression.

Something Old

These are "old" in that they are from last year, but I didn't have a blog then. Both still boast great ideas in bringing the personalities of the brides and grooms they represent to life. The first one was actually designed by cc creative, not the handmaiden, so technically the kudos belong to her and the BirdDog Press for printing it. What I love most about it is the copywriting: "Radical Compassion, Ferocious Thanks, Infinite Joy .... Plus Free Cake!" – who else's wedding invitations have EVER said that?!

You can't ignore the colors in this ensemble, still as fresh and fun as can be. According to the Handmaiden's Guide to Wedding Stationery, pink represents romance and charm while orange brings vibrance and energy to the occasion. I can only imagine how much fun everyone had at this reception.

A Little Something

Something old represents the couple's friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage . Traditionally this was an old garter given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness in her marriage and the stability of married life would be passed on to the new bride.

Something new represents the new adventure the newlyweds' are embarking on as a married couple along with a happy and prosperous future.

Something borrowed is often lent by the bride's family and is an item much valued by the family. The bride must return the item to ensure good luck. This symbolises the love and support of family and friends

Something blue originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent love and fidelity.

And a sixpence in your shoe was to ensure wealth to the couple in married life. Today some brides substitute a penny in their shoe during the ceremony, as silver sixpences are less common.