Something Blue

2011 Holiday Collection

2011-10-24T14:11:00.001-04:00

Blue Ribbon's 2011 Holiday Collection is now available on Tiny Prints!

Little Book of Letterpress

2010-10-15T16:34:00.003-04:00

I am delighted to be included in Charlotte Rivers's new book, Little Book of Letterpress. Whether you are new to letterpress or an old pro, this book is filled with recent letterpress creations in a range of styles, making it a great addition to everyone's design library!

Phillip Lim Collage Video

2010-06-04T12:14:00.001-04:00

It's amazing how much work goes into producing an intricately constructed dress. I love Phillip Lim's clothes and regularly haunt the Mercer Street store, but after watching this video, I've developed a deeper appreciation for his design process - he is ridiculously talented.

www.31philliplim.com

J.Crew Bridal Boutique

2010-05-27T17:03:00.002-04:00

Hooray! Finally! The J.Crew Bridal Boutique opens on Madison today. Read all about it and see some interior shots on Racked NY.

Stylized Flowers

2010-05-21T12:11:00.006-04:00

Some new stylized flower designs... these are going to look adorable on a baby announcement or garden party invite.

Florisity Floral Gallery

2010-05-14T13:19:00.009-04:00

I'm happy to report that the floral designer formally at Utowa is still making gorgeous arrangements at his new shop, Florisity. The staff there is so accommodating and the quality of the flowers is top-notch. It's definitely one of my go-to places for flowers and gift-worthy plants.

Florisity
1 West 19th Street (btw 5th & 6th Avenues)
212.366.0891 | www.florisity.com

Spring Flowers

2010-04-05T14:48:00.001-04:00

Thank goodness it's finally Spring...

New Design: Timeless Ardor

2010-03-22T15:44:00.005-04:00

And here is the second new thermography design available through Wedding Paper Divas:

It's called "Timeless Ardor", and I just love it in the celery-green colorway. Visit weddingpaperdivas.com to view additional components and for further information about how to order.

New Design: Paisley Bliss

2010-03-03T14:56:00.009-05:00

There are two new thermography designs available on Wedding Paper Divas! The first is called "Paisley Bliss" and it comes in four colorways: chocolate brown, robin's egg, mandarin, and (my favorite) gold.

If you're not familiar with thermography, definitely order a sample - the raised printing is just gorgeous. Below is a detail of one of my thermography holiday cards that was printed in gold - lovely!

To order Paisley Bliss or to view additional invitation designs by Blue Ribbon, please visit Wedding Paper Divas.

L'heure bleue

2010-02-24T14:33:00.009-05:00

Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower during l'heure bleue by Paris Breakfasts

I learned something new this morning while reading Paris Breakfasts's post about Guerlain. Apparently the French expression l'heure bleue refers to the brief time of day where there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness and there is a special quality to the light. I particularly like this time of day here in the city, when it's not completely dark, yet the lights have turned on and all of the buildings and street lights have a soft glow.

One of Guerlain's fragrances is named L'Heure Bleue and here is a flowery description of the scent's origin from the company website:

L’Heure Bleue was born in 1912 of the fleeting sensation that inspired the Impressionist painters whose works Jacques Guerlain collected. He pictured this bouquet of roses softened with iris, violet and vanilla, which evoke his favorite moment of the day when, as he put it, “the night has not yet found its star” and all of nature’s elements are cast in blue light.

Dreamy, no? I've also heard this time of day called golden hour or magic hour, but I think I'll call it l'heure bleue from now on.

Vintage Gown Patterns

2010-02-22T11:55:00.020-05:00

I love the way vintage sewing patterns illustrate how pattern pieces can be combined to create different looks. The wedding gown pattern below is a great example of how simple changes (such as shortening a hem or choosing a different fabric) can dramatically alter the look and feel of a dress.

The following designs are not wedding gowns, but could easily become so if done in the right fabric! I love that all the models are shown wearing gloves - I wonder if that will ever come back in style...

All the images above are from So Vintage Patterns, www.sovintagepatterns.com. Ebay and momspatterns.com are also good sources for old patterns.

J.Crew Weddings & Parties Sample Sale

2010-02-19T07:01:00.008-05:00

Yesterday evening I attended a preview of the J.Crew wedding & parties sample sale. The bridesmaid and party dress selection was limited, but there were racks and racks of beautiful wedding gowns to choose from. If you are looking for a beautiful dress at a discount, this sale is definitely worth a visit!

J.Crew Weddings & Parties Sample Sale
Flatotel Hotel
135 West 52nd Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 9:00 am — 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 21, 10:00 am — 6:00 pm

alexis bittar Spring 2010

2010-02-17T14:21:00.002-05:00

The newest addition to my collection (Thank you M.!)

I have been collecting Alexis Bittar's jewelry for couple of years now and I am completely obsessed with this Spring's offerings. Most editors favor the chunky sculptural pieces from the Miss Havisham Collection, but I almost always go for designs from the Lucite and Elements Collections. Below are some of my favorites from the new collection:

GOLD IMM. CORAL CHRYSOPRASE ABALONE EARRING IN WARM GREY

LARGE GOLD CORAL & CHRYSTO. METAL MESH HINGE BANGLE

SHORT GOLD SQUARE SECRET GARDEN NECKLACE

If you have the opportunity, definitely visit one of the stores. There are always pieces available from the current collection that are not shown on the website and there is usually a mix of one-of-a-kind editorial pieces and vintage pieces for sale as well. Plus, the staff has an amazing flair for accessorizing and I'm always impressed by how creatively they wear Alexis's designs.

www.alexisbittar.com

Alexis Bittar - Soho
465 Broome St. (between Mercer and Greene)

Alexis Bittar - West Village
353 Bleecker St. (between W10th and Charles)

Alexis Bittar - UES
1100 Madison Ave (between 82nd and 83rd Streets)

Warm Thoughts

2010-02-16T17:38:00.002-05:00

It's a slushy mess in New York today and it's no fun going from place to place when you have wet snow blowing in your face. I have no idea where the photo below was taken, but would like to be there now... it would be awfully nice to be somewhere sunny and warm.

Photo from an old Laura Ashley (!) lookbook, c. 1993

Digital Valentines I'd Actually Like to Receive

2010-02-12T16:08:00.005-05:00

A super-cute collection of e-Valentines via the super-creative people at kate spade:

Untraditional Valentines

2010-02-11T15:29:00.004-05:00

Some creative Valentines by clothing designers via Vogue.com (I think the pug is my favorite!):

By Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava

By Philip Crangi

A sketch by Jason Wu

Letterpress Holiday Cards

2009-11-18T14:26:00.001-05:00

Pssst... Blue Ribbon's letterpress holiday cards are on sale. Click here to order.

Thermography Holiday Cards for Tiny Prints

2009-11-12T09:51:00.000-05:00

Here's two additional pieces I designed for Tiny Prints' holiday collection. These cards are printed using thermography, so the text and border designs will have a lovely raised appearance. These cards are an elegant option for those of you who are not into the whole photo-card thing, but still want to send a custom printed greeting. Click here for ordering information.

Things to See this Weekend

2009-11-06T13:46:00.022-05:00

If you like works on paper there is an awful lot to see this weekend!

A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy opens at the Morgan Library (225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street).

The exhibition Polish Film Posters: Girls, Love, Fear, Sex, Typography opens at Philip Williams Gallery (122 Chambers Street, between Church & West Broadway).

IFPDA Print Fair at The Park Avenue Armory (643 Park Avenue at 67th Street).

And last but not least, the 2009 Editions|Artists' Book Fair will take place at X Initiative (548 West 22nd Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues).

New York Chocolate Show

2009-11-03T07:54:00.015-05:00

The chocolate show turned out to be lots of fun and there were some interesting displays including a vitrine filled with vintage chocolate molds and whimsical costumes constructed completely of chocolate.

After tasting lots of delicious samples, my two favorite exhibitors by far were Oliver Kita (www.oliverkita.com) and Chocolate Springs (www.chocolatesprings.com).

Oliver Kita's chocolates were visually stunning; many had interesting metallic patterns and gem-like shapes and surfaces. The Scarlet Caramel and Lavandre Citronade were delicious. These would make impressive individual favors or would be lovely served with coffee at the end of a meal.

Chocolate Springs's individual chocolates were also intensely flavored but had an extremely light texture which went well with the delicate Japanese-inspired surface illustrations.

I especially loved the special New York City illustrations created for the chocolate show. This assortment would be perfect to include in a welcome bag for out of town guests...

New York Chocolate Show

2009-10-30T12:24:00.006-04:00

I can't wait to attend New York's Chocolate Show this weekend. I don't think it's going to be as over the top as Paris's Salon du Chocolat (as deliciously documented by Paris Breakfast), but I hope to discover some new producers/chocolates I haven't tasted before and get some new ideas for favor packaging and display.

Visit the Chocolate Show's website (www.chocolateshow.com) for show details and tickets.

J.Crew Weddings Moves Downtown

2009-10-29T17:23:00.007-04:00

I'm so glad J.Crew is finally expanding the number of locations where brides can see the weddings and parties collection in person - and now you don't even have to go uptown! I like that they used an illustration in this email blast as opposed to a photograph - it's a refreshing change of pace from the usual glossy (albeit charming) photo and has a nice vintage feel.

Blue Ribbon for Tiny Prints - Holiday Collection

2009-10-26T16:29:00.010-04:00

The vintage-inspired photo holiday cards I designed for Tiny Prints are now available for purchase online! Click here for additional designs.

Special Delivery

2009-10-22T14:46:00.006-04:00

Hooray! At last, my very own copy of FLAIR Annual has arrived!

Look at this fantastic hand lettering on the bird's tail! I can't wait to see what other visual delights are inside...

So, it's been a while...

2009-10-21T13:20:00.014-04:00

It's been so long, I hardly know where to begin! Let's start with a recent wedding project for Blue Ribbon. This was so much fun to work on; this suite included everything from the basic invitation set to ceremony programs and favor packaging, all done in a soft and feminine lilac & lavender colorway.

A detail of the invitation suite
(This is the Rococo design)

The prettiest favor box

Petite program booklets with a fitting quote chosen by the bride for the back cover

And last but not least, the thank you notes

San Francisco Eye Candy

2009-05-07T16:06:00.051-04:00

Earlier this week I was in San Francisco for a short visit with friends, eating my way through some of the city's best bakeries, admiring the city's Victorian and Beaux-Arts architecture, and visiting as many charming boutiques as time would allow. Here are some of the highlights:

On an early morning walk to Coit Tower I stopped to admire the window display at I Dream of Cake (1351 Grant Avenue, 415-918-CAKE). They have an amazing wedding cake gallery on their website (www.idreamofcake.com) - check it out - you will not be dissapointed! The walk back to Union Square yielded some delightful decorative ironwork, such as the entryway doors below:

And then it was off to the Ferry Building to enjoy the sites and smells of the Farmer's Market and lunch at The Slanted Door.

After a quick pick me up from Blue Bottle Coffee Co. it was off to Hayes Valley for some macarons. First up: Paulette Macarons (437 Hayes St., 415-864-2400).

The slick white interior is the perfect backdrop for Paulette's exquisite vibrantly colored macarons. These are some of the best I have tasted outside of France and standout flavors include sweet wedding almond, violet cassis, coconut, passion fruit, and jasmine tea. Then we strolled over to Miette (449 Octavia St., 415-626-6221) where we sampled their hazelnut and vanilla macarons and gushed over the precious displays.

Then it was back to my friend's flat in Pacific Heights for a walking tour of the neighborhood's immaculate mansions and visits to a few of her favorite shops.

On our way out we passed these enigmatic window displays for mixed media artist Julie Salles's intensely elaborate and whimsical story boxes (www.juliesallesartist.com). The delicacy and precision of her cut paper work is stunning. My friend, who an authority on all things floral, took me to one of her favorite florists, Bloomers, which was completely packed with gorgeous spring flowers including lilacs, peonies, and lily of the valley, not to mention a lovely selection vessels, ribbons, and letterpress note cards. Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit her other neighborhood favorite, birch - I guess I now have a reason to go back!

J.Crew Wedding Collection

2009-05-04T08:37:00.005-04:00

Last weekend I went with a friend to check out the J.Crew Wedding Collection at the Rockefeller Center store here in New York. It was so nice to finally see all the dresses in person! The silhouettes are simple and elegant, the gowns are nicely made, and the prices are gentle on the pocketbook (most designs cost between $695 and $1500). A few standouts were (from top right) the Gracie Gown ($395), Penelope Gown ($695), Confetti Gown ($995), and Mimi T-Shirt Gown ($795) :

In addition to the bridal gowns they had a selection of dresses from the bridesmaids collection and samples of flower girl and ring bearer outfits from crewcuts - the flower girl dresses were especially cute. I also found out that J.Crew offers a monogramming service where they will embroider your initials and wedding date onto a piece of grosgrain ribbon that you can then sew into your gown - very sweet.

Inspiration: Ascot Gavotte

2009-04-24T12:19:00.011-04:00

I'm not a huge fan of musicals, however I love Cecil Beaton, and his costume and set designs for the "Ascot Gavotte" scene from My Fair Lady are simply stunning. Even though his designs date from the 60's, the combination of black, white and gray patterns still feels glamorous and fresh.

(click image for a larger version)

Images clockwise from top left: Bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings; Cover for Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady; deserts from Martha Stewart Weddings; Vase by Francis Palmer (www.francispalmerpottery.com) ; Original sketch for set and costume designs for My Fair Lady by Cecil Beaton (via artnet); Wedding Gown by Oscar de la Renta; Wedding Cake from Martha Stewart Weddings; Film still from the Ascot Gavotte scene (via reelclassics.com); Floral Frieze wedding invitation by Blue Ribbon.

Femmegems

2009-04-16T11:42:00.009-04:00

Have you ever wanted to make your own jewelry, but didn't quite know where to start? Then you should make an appointment at Femmegems new studio in Chelsea.

Femmegems stocks all the raw materials (clasps, wires, beads, etc.) and shows you how to assemble everything into a unique piece of jewelry. You can make necklaces, earrings, or bracelets and if you don't want to start from scratch, they even do jewelry makeovers, where they take your old jewelry (an old string of pearls, charm bracelets, etc.) and update it by restringing, embellishing, or simply changing the clasp. They also do parties which could make for a fun night out with your bridal party. Imagine, sipping wine and snacking on crudités while you and your bridesmaids make something beautiful to wear to the wedding. Sounds lovely...

CHELSEA STUDIO
134 West 26th Street, #400
New York, NY 10001
212.625.1611
www.Femmegems.com

By Appointment Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday 8:30am – 1:00pm

Inspiration: Paper Pursuits

2009-04-09T12:15:00.002-04:00

I'm a magazine addict and there is nothing I like better than to browse through vintage magazines on Paper Pursuits. The site has tons of images from fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar (I especially love the issues from the 1950s), interior design magazines (be sure to check out House Beautiful and House & Garden), old advertisements, and even sewing patterns. These publications are a wonderful source of interesting colorways, graphics and period details. Many of the fashion magazines also produced special bridal issues that have gorgeous photos of gowns, veils and bouquets - who knows, maybe it will inspire you to add a vintage touch to your own ensemble!

All the images of vintage Vogue magazines are from Paper Pursuits. From top left: February 1956; March 1956; February 1956 (interior); July 1956; March 15, 1956; July 1956 (interior); October 15 1955, November 15 1955, October 1955 (interior).

Invitations & Cakes

2009-04-08T12:00:00.001-04:00

A great way to incorporate your invitation design into the reception is to re-use design elements from your wedding stationery (colors, borders, monograms, etc.) for the decoration of your cake. Below are some lovely examples of how brides I have worked with used their invitations as the inspiration for their cakes.

Wedding cake photos above by Bella Pictures.

Wedding cake photos above by Iris Photography.

In the Studio: Cupcake Flags

2009-04-02T14:27:00.002-04:00

I am always trying to come up with new ways to use some of the leftover trimmings and letterpress scraps I have here my studio. In the past I've made mini gift enclosures and favor tags, and now I've started making these little cupcake flags. Since they are made from scraps, the alignment of the artwork is a little different on each one - which I like, since it keeps everything from looking too formal - I think cupcakes should be fun!

Valentino: The Last Emperor

2009-04-02T09:04:00.003-04:00

I saw Valentino: The Last Emperor last week and I can honestly say it's the best thing I've seen in a long time. The documentary chronicles the two years leading up to Valentino's retirement and features so many beautiful clothes, people, and homes it will make you giddy. The film ends with Valentino's three-day 45th anniversary celebration in Rome and seeing all the work that went into producing the spectacle is awe inspiring - this man (and all the creative people who work for him) certainly knows how to throw a party!

New York Cake & Baking Supplies

2009-03-30T12:27:00.011-04:00

My six-year-old niece received an Easy-Bake oven for her birthday so I thought she would enjoy some fun decorating supplies to embellish her mini cakes with. This was a great excuse to visit New York Cake & Baking Supplies. If you are planning to make your own cake, cupcakes, candies, or cookies for your wedding this store is a fantastic resource.

They have just about every size cake pan, cookie cutter and pastry tip you could possible want, as well as sprinkles, nonpareils, icing dyes, and pre-made sugar paste flowers. They also sell packaging and display items like cake stands, cupcake wrappers, baker's twine, and cellophane bags. Plus they have an impressive selection of candles including those tall skinny ones - I love those.

Be forewarned though - the store is cluttered and a little dingy (this is not Williams-Sonoma!) and the clerks are not exactly known for their customer service. But if you are serious about baking and planning to make your own sweets, this is the place to go.

New York Cake & Baking Supplies
56 W 22nd St (between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 675-2253
www.nycake.com

Inspiration: Wine Labels

2009-03-30T12:11:00.003-04:00

I got married at a vineyard, so I have a soft-spot for wine country weddings. Regardless of whether or not your wedding takes place amongst the vines, wine labels can be a great source for interesting layouts, graphics and typefaces.

I love the calligraphic swirls and crests on old-fashioned and vintage-style labels. If you are after a more modern look, the packaging blog, The Dieline, has photos of some great contemporary labels, like the ones created by Duffy & Parnters (left) and ilustrator Yiying Lu (right).

Images:Wine bottle table numbers and wine favors (upper left), marthastewartweddings.com; Table numbers, save the dates, wine favors, and invitations by Blue Ribbon; Misc. Wine labels from mmdusa.net, Wolffer Estate, Laurent-Perrier, Bonny Doon, St. Supery, Polaner Selections, R. López de Heredia, and theartistslabel.com; Duffy & Partners and ASDA California labels via The Dieline.

Blue Ribbon on Wedding Bee Pro

2009-03-24T13:10:00.002-04:00

In the coming months a selection of my posts will appear on Wedding Bee Pro (yeah!). Wedding Bee Pro has tons of inspiring photos and provides a behind the scenes look at the creative process of some of the best vendors in the industry. I'm really excited to be contributing alongside so many other amazing vendors - be sure to pop over!

Imprintable Menus

2009-03-20T10:59:00.008-04:00

You don't necessarily need to spend a lot to include some exquisite personalized details in your reception. The menu below was done on an ink jet printer using pre-printed letterpress flats (from Blue Ribbon, of course!).

Helvetica - The Movie

2009-03-19T10:18:00.002-04:00

Helvetica is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of typography and graphic design. The film chronicles the use of the typeface Helvetica throughout the last 5o years and includes interviews with some superstar type and graphic designers where they discuss their creative process and talk about how the aesthetics of a particular typeface can evoke different emotions/actions depending on the context in which it is employed. PBS has built a great companion website which has more interesting tid-bits about the history of Helvetica and you can even take the What font are you? Quiz. Apparently, I am Times New Roman.

Meet Oscar

2009-03-18T10:45:00.001-04:00

Our new pup Oscar will be joining me in the studio/house, so if you call the studio and hear high-pitched yelps in the background, it's just Oscar saying hello!

Hot Off the Press: Chinoiserie in Lilac & Lavender

2009-03-16T09:37:00.007-04:00

Here are some photos of a new print job where the Chinoiserie design was printed in a Lilac & Lavender colorway. I think this might be my new favorite color combination for this design.

Real Wedding: Jessica & James

2009-03-05T10:56:00.010-05:00

Look at these gorgeous photos from the wedding of Jessica & James posted by Brooklyn Bride today! This was such a fun wedding to work on. Jessica is a true paper connoisseur and I created a custom suite for her that included everything from the invitations to the place cards. The same scroll work motif was repeated in different variations on all the stationery pieces and even made an appearance on the cake! You can see more photos from this beautiful wedding over at Brooklyn Bride. (You can also see additional photos of the stationery suite in the custom design section of the Blue Ribbon website.)

(All wedding stationery by Blue Ribbon Design; Photos via Brooklyn Bride.)

Bonnard, Calder & Saint Laurent

2009-02-20T08:20:00.005-05:00

Looking for a little visual inspiration? There are two great exhibitions at the Met right now and if you don't feel like leaving home, you can browse the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé auction catalogues online.

Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors (through April 19, 2009)

The White Interior, 1932, Photo: Musée de Grenoble, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADADGP, Paris (via nytimes.com).

Calder Jewelry (through March 1, 2009)

Caged Crockery, ca. 1945, Silver wire and ceramic; Loop: 18 3/4 in.; element: 5 x 2 3/4 in., Collection Harold and Emily Starr © 2008 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York (via metmuseum.org); Anjelica Huston wearing The Jealous Husband (c. 1940), by Alexander Calder, in a 1976 photograph by Evelyn Hofer (via Art + Auction, artinfo.com/artandauction).

Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé (the three-day sale begins Monday, February 23rd).

Quince Blossom Branch Display

2009-02-19T17:55:00.007-05:00

It has been such a crazy week that I have not had the opportunity to post any pictures from last Thursday's event at Lion in the Sun until now. Thank you to Melinda and Jessica for organizing such a fun little party - I can't wait to do it again! Above is a photo of the quince blossom display I set up at the shop. The samples are hanging from ribbons, which are looped over the branches. This type of arrangement works well with just about any type of forced branch (forsythia, dogwood, magnolia, etc.) and would look very pretty if used as a seating card display.

Fran's Chocolates

2009-02-10T07:52:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day is almost here and if you like to give the traditional gift of chocolate, Fran's offers some of the best in the country. My personal favorite is the gray salt caramels (pictured below), but they have lots of other delicious offerings including chocolate stuffed figs and single malt whiskey truffles. Unless you live in Seattle, Fran's delicacies can be difficult to find (I've only seen them consistently at one specialty food store in Great Barrington) so it is best to order directly from the company's website, www.franschocolates.com.

Gray Salt Caramels (image from franschocolates.com)

Purple Palettes

2009-02-09T08:04:00.009-05:00

I was very excited to spot my Wallpaper invitation pinned to the purple section of the color inspiration board in the current issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Personally, I really like the subtle combination of different shades of purple, such as lilac & lavender, but purple also looks beautiful when combined with chocolate brown, black, silver, chartreuse, and even pale yellows and golds. Below are some details of pretty purple pieces.

Clockwise from top left: North Moore Menu Card, Kimono and Trellis Gift Tags, Chinoiserie Invitation with lined envelopes, Wallpaper Invitation, Printemps Invitation, Custom Invitation printed with lavender & chartreuse inks, Custom piece printed in lilac & espresso, Wallpaper Seating Cards, Printemps Seating Cards (center).

Blue Ribbon "Meet the Designer" event at Lion in the Sun, Park Slope

2009-02-03T08:05:00.008-05:00

Do you live or work in the New York City area?

Join me at Lion in the Sun on February 12th from 7:00-8:30 pm for the store's first ever "Meet the Designer" invitation trunk show. There will be lots of beautiful samples from the letterpress collection and custom portfolio on display, and I will be on hand to personally answer all of your etiquette, design, and printing questions. Best of all, all invitation orders placed during the event will be 10% off. RSVP to shop@lioninthesunps.com or 718.369.4006.

Click here for additional information and directions to the store.

Paper Flowers at Chanel

2009-01-28T12:31:00.002-05:00

Look at these unbelievable cut paper headpieces and runway decorations from the Chanel Spring 2009 Couture show. According to style.com, Japanese hairdresser Katsuyo Kamo (and team) "...scored and scissored out...the incredible constructs of paper roses, camellias, leaf fronds, and feathers that adorned each girl." Photos of the complete collection can be found on the Chanel website and style.com.

From style.com

From chanel.com

Hot off the Press: Rehearsal Dinner Menus

2009-01-21T16:29:00.006-05:00

Here are some gorgeous rehearsal dinner menus and seating cards we just did for an upcoming wedding in Mexico. I think the ruby/espresso color combination is just stunning!

White House Style

2009-01-20T07:59:00.020-05:00

The White House Long Ago, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Watercolor on paper
Image from the J.F.K. Presidential Library & Museum, www.jfklibrary.org

With all the excitement surrounding the Obamas' move into the White House there have been some wonderful articles about the White House's historical role as a showcase for American decorative art and culture. Here is a small selection of the recent coverage, including comparisons of the stylistic choices made by former First Ladies, as well as profiles of the taste makers who will be assisting the Obamas in transforming the White House into their new home:

Vogue's profile of the Obama's new Social Secretary, Desirée Rogers.

Domino's profile of Michael Smith, the White House's new interior decorator.

From The New York Times, "Hints of Agenda and Tone for New First Lady."

Via Domino's Daily Dose, Nick Olsen's comparison of Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan's decorating styles:
First Lady Decorating Smackdown: Jackie vs. Nancy, Round 1
Jackie vs. Nancy, Round 2

The New White House China, via Pigtown*Design. (You can view additional Presidential Services on the official website of The White House.)

For images of the famous Kennedy White House Restoration, check out the website for the J.F.K. Presidential Library & Museum, www.jfklibrary.org.

Rococo Rainbow

2009-01-16T11:16:00.013-05:00

Colorways from left to right: frost & slate, rose & raisin, pear & espresso, sage & slate

Looking at all those macarons yesterday reminded me of this photo showing our Rococo design in a few different colorways; I think it's very reminiscent of the soft colors used at Ladurée. Although the pear-espresso colorway is by far the most popular for this design, these days I am partial to the frost-slate and rose-raisin versions. I wish someone would order it in lilac-lavender...I would love to see that!

Rococo in pear & espresso

Rococo in rose & raisin

Rococo in frost & slate

Paulette Macarons

2009-01-15T10:15:00.001-05:00

I was just reading about this in the new Spring/Summer issue of Town & Country Weddings: "Beverly Hills pastry shop Paulette will bake macarons in your wedding colors..." ($4 for a box of 2 cookies).

Imagine the (delicious) possibilities! Yellow lemon, mint chocolate, pink grapefruit, dark brown Caribbean chocolate... well, you get the idea.

(All the stationery is by Blue Ribbon; All the photos of macarons are from the Paulette Macarons website, www.paulettemacarons.com)

New Custom Invitation Gallery

2009-01-14T10:01:00.007-05:00

The new custom invitation gallery is ready! In addition to a selection of invitation suites, I have included photos of the pretty extras (menus, programs, favors, welcome booklets, etc.). Enjoy!

Modern Bouquets Invitation Suite for Wedding Paper Divas

2009-01-13T14:01:00.007-05:00

The Invitation

This is a new wedding invitation suite I designed for Wedding Paper Divas called Modern Bouquets. This particular suite is printed on their beautiful ecru paper stock and is available in three different colorways: soft pink (shown), sage, and verbena. I think the stylized hydrangeas make this the perfect choice for a Spring or Summer wedding. (Visit weddingpaperdivas.com for pricing and purchasing information.)

The entire Modern Bouquets suite, including Save the Date, folded Thank You, Invitation, Reply Card, Reception Card, Directions Card, and Seating Card

Chinoiserie in Lavender

2009-01-08T13:19:00.008-05:00

This is the first time this design has been printed in Lavender and I am so happy with the results. Of course I love it as a 2-color design, but I think this deep purple works extremely well for a 1-color design and really makes the flowers in the border pop! Here's a little detail of the upper left hand corner:

A New Year!

2009-01-06T16:24:00.020-05:00

Last month proved to be busier than expected so there was not a lot of time for posting, but here is a quick rundown of highlights from December:

Babar. Drawing Babar: Early Watercolors and Drawings, The Morgan Library & Museum (September 19, 2008 - January 4, 2009).

This exhibition has already ended, but you can still view items from the exhibition on the Morgan Library's website, www.themorgan.org, including the original maquette for Histoire de Babar.

(Image above from the Morgan Library's website: Jean de Brunhoff , "The elephants carried Babar, Arthur, and Celeste in triumph," study for Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant, 1931, watercolor, The Morgan Library & Museum. Gift of Laurent, Mathieu, and Thierry de Brunhoff, and purchased with the assistance of The Florence Gould Foundation and the Acquisitions Fund, Fellows Endowment Fund, Gordon N. Ray Fund, and Heineman Fund, 2004.)

Holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman. This year the Four Seasons were rendered in magical winter white. You can view all the holiday windows on the Bergdorf Goodman website, www.bergdorfgoodman.com.)

Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona. A trip to see my parents gave me the oportunity to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's amazing "camp" in the desert. (For tour information, visit www.franklloydwright.org.)

This year's Christmas Tree. Not as elaborate as anything in Midtown, but it is our tallest one yet and was fun to decorate (Whistler helped).

And of course, some beautiful new print jobs! Like the Rococo invitation set below that was printed in a custom sage green colorway.

Elizabeth Peyton at the New Museum

2008-11-17T15:31:00.002-05:00

There are so many interesting exhibitions throughout the city this Fall and if you have some free time over the holidays I would definitely recommend heading downtown to see the Elizabeth Peyton exhibition at the New Museum. Her portraits have a wonderful intimacy (often despite their subjects) and I was deeply impressed by her unique way of working with oil - which does not always come across in reproduction. Plus, in person the colors positively vibrate off the wall.

Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton (through January 11, 2009). Exhibition website.

(Image above via the New Museum website: Elizabeth Peyton, Piotr on Couch, 1996. Oil on board, 9 x 12 in (23 x 30.5 cm). Courtesy the artist and Gavin Brown’s enterprise)

New Museum
235 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
www.newmuseum.org

Blue Ribbon for Wedding Paper Divas

2008-11-07T09:30:00.001-05:00

In addition to creating designs for my own line of letterpress stationery, I also design for other stationery companies, including Tiny Prints and Wedding Paper Divas. Below are photos from a small collection of offset printed wedding and party invitations that were designed exclusively for Wedding Paper Divas. (To purchase, please visit weddingpaperdivas.com.)

Celebration Stripes Party Invitations (additional colors available)

Antique Floral Wedding Invitations (shown in "ballet", "ash" and "chambord" colorways)

Antique Floral Wedding Invitation, Reply Card and Reception Card (shown in "ash" colorway)

Radiant Rosebuds Shower Invitation

Blue Ribbon in New York Weddings

2008-11-03T18:22:00.006-05:00

More exciting news (for me at least)! Blue Ribbon's Printemps Save the Date is included in the current issue of New York Weddings. The sample that's shown in the magazine is printed in a custom yellow and chocolate brown colorway, but this design looks amazing in just about any color and also works well as a one-color design.

Pronovias Bridal & Prudence Designs

2008-10-30T10:23:00.015-04:00

Last night, I made a quick stop at the BRIDES Magazine Bitten by Love event at the Pronovias showroom in midtown. Pronovias has a stunning selection of ultra-feminine and glamorous gowns and I was particularly taken with all the stylized rosettes incorporated into the dresses and accessories, like the amazing veil/headpiece below:

There were also a select group of vendors showing their work throughout the showroom's five floors, so I took the opportunity to check out the work of New York City florist Prudence Designs.

I had first noticed their arrangements in domino. They use the loveliest vessels and I think their work is perfect for a classic bride who appreciates sleek simplicity. Their work is just as charming in person as it is on the website and the floral designers couldn't be nicer - they are definitely worth adding to your list if you are researching city florists.

Images: "Valdemar" gown from the Manuel Mota Costura Collection at Provonias (photo via www.provonias.com); A screen shot of the Prudence Designs website, www.prudencedesigns.net.

Customizing Letterpress Imprintables

2008-10-28T17:39:00.006-04:00

Here's another pretty invitation set with a Victorian theme. This set was done for one of my favorite retailers, Pearl Beach Paperie in Orlando, and I think it is an excellent example of how letterpress imprintables can be combined with offset printed pieces to create a unique invitation set.

Only the yellow border on the invitation is letterpress printed. Everything else, including the custom designed reply postcard, is offset printed. Love it.

(The imprintable design used above is called "Victorian Stencil" and is available in buttercup and strawberry.)

Blue Ribbon in Town & Country Weddings

2008-10-27T15:43:00.010-04:00

I am very excited to have some of my custom work included in the Fall/Winter issue of Town & Country Weddings. And it is one of my favorite patterns too - Vintage Tribeca. Below is a close up of the handmade favor box that was included in the shoot. I'm very proud of these - they are the perfect size for two petite macarons or a handful of something delightfully old-fashioned, like sugared almonds or candied violets.

Paris/New York: Design Fashion Culture 1925-1940

2008-10-23T06:45:00.010-04:00

Art Deco is just everywhere this fall. I'm going to check out this exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York this evening. Hopefully there will be some inspiring imagery!

Paris/New York: Design Fashion Culture 1925-1940
October 3 through Feb 22
Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St.
New York, NY 10029
212.534.1672
www.mcny.org

Image above via the City of New York Website: Paris/New York: Design Fashion Culture 1925-1940. Poster depicting Josephine Baker (detail), designed by Jean Chassaing, 1931. Image courtesy Posters Please, Inc., NYC.

Ceremony Programs

2008-10-22T11:55:00.008-04:00

Here's another shot of the front and back of the ceremony programs. I love that the couple chose to print an excerpt from Walt Whitman's "Song of the Open Road" on the back cover.

Fall Weddings

2008-10-21T19:38:00.003-04:00

I finally got a new lens for my camera so now I can actually take photos of some of letterpress pieces I've designed recently - like this elegant invitation package that was done for a wedding that took place over Columbus Day weekend. So pretty! More to come...

Art Deco Design: Rhythm and Verve

2008-10-08T16:50:00.004-04:00

Definitely check out the exhibition Art Deco Design: Rhythm and Verve at the New York Public Library. It's a tiny show, but it gives a nice overview of the pochoir printing process and includes several examples of pochoir fashion and textile plates. The exhibition runs through January 11, 2009. www.nypl.org

(Above: The cover of the exhibition brochure)

Pop Art Inspired Packaging at Ladurée

2008-10-02T11:53:00.007-04:00

As if their delicious macarons weren't reason enough for a visit, Ladurée always seems to have the most interesting packaging. In addition to the classic "Ladurée green" boxes, they often have limited edition boxes available. The pop art inspired boxes above are their latest offering.

If you enjoy traditional French sweets and their packaging as much as I do, you must check out the blog Paris Breakfasts.

As seen in Lucky!

2008-10-01T12:28:00.007-04:00

It was very exciting to see my Art Deco inspired notes included in the October issue of Lucky! The Moderne Flowers card shown below is also available in pink.

French Stationery

2008-09-26T17:29:00.006-04:00

I spotted these lovely pieces while walking past Olivier De Sercey's shop on Rue de Bac. I love the restraint and old-world elegance of engraved invitations and would like to see the return of traditional formats (like the book fold invitations shown below), but in letterpress of course!

Below are some samples of old-school correspondence and calling cards. Aren't these just stunning in their simplicity?

Olivier De Sercey
96 Rue du Bac, 75007 PARIS
www.olivierdesercey.com

La Belle France

2008-09-25T14:27:00.005-04:00

I love the formal gardens of France; there's something about the symmetry and order of a well designed (and meticulously maintained) landscape that makes me feel balanced and inspired. One of my new favorites is the garden of the Hôtel Biron at the Musée Rodin. The contrast of Rodin's raw and emotionally wrought figures and the restrained elegance of the surrounding gardens made iconic works such as The Gates of Hell and The Burghers of Calais seem much more alive and interesting (to me at least!).

Musée Rodin
www.musee-rodin.fr
77, Rue Varenne
75007 Paris, France
+33 1 44 18 61 10

(The image at top is from the Musée Rodin Website. After Jean-François Blondel, Plan of the courts and gardens of the Hôtel Biron, after 1752, Pen and water colour with traces of graphite.)

Back in the Studio

2008-09-23T17:01:00.004-04:00

Well, after a nice little break, I'm back in the studio. I have some interesting tidbits to share from Croatia and France as well as some new projects to announce, so stay tunned...

Roses from the Union Square Greenmarket

2008-08-13T16:46:00.008-04:00

I happened to be in Union Square this morning and since it is a market day, I stopped to buy some roses from one of my favorite vendors. Even though I've been buying roses from them for some time now, I'm embarrassed to admit that I do not know the name of the grower! They are always in the same spot, on the Northwest corner of the park, and their flowers are definitely worth a special trip.

Monograms & Initials

2008-08-12T08:33:00.003-04:00

Incorporating your initials into your invitations is a simple and elegant way to personalize a design. And using a monogram based on your married name for thank you notes or favors is the perfect way to let everyone know if you've changed your name. Here are a few of my recent favorites:

(All stationery by Blue Ribbon Design. Second photo from bottom by Bella Pictures)

Pretty Window at Fragments

2008-08-08T13:29:00.012-04:00

I really like this fanciful window display currently on view at Fragments in SoHo.

This Victorian fairy-fantasy reminds me a bit of fashion photographer Tim Walker's work, which (happily) seems to be everywhere these days...

The TimWalker photo above is from the teNeues website. Visit Thomas Treuhaf for a wonderful slide show of Walker's work.

Calligraphy by Sarah Hanna

2008-07-30T08:31:00.007-04:00

The calligraphy above is by the wonderfully talented (and wonderfully nice!) Sarah Hanna. Sarah addressed these particular envelopes for a bride who ordered Blue Ribbon's Rococo wedding invitations and I think her florid script complements the design perfectly. Visit Sarah's website (www.sarahhanna.com) to view additional samples of her work and to read her tips and suggestions for working with a professional calligrapher.

Historical Invitations

2008-07-28T08:30:00.011-04:00

This summer I've been enjoying the new Edith Wharton biography by Hermione Lee. One of my favorite tidbits so far has been this reprint of Wharton's wedding invitation, issued by her widowed mother on the occasion of her marriage to Edward "Teddy" Wharton.

Isn't the script beautiful? I especially like the look of the superior lowercase characters used for "Mrs." and "Mr." I wish the author had included more information regarding what format the invitation was issued in. I'm not sure if the style of the times called for a flat card, a single-fold card, or a double-fold card...

Edith Wharton's wedding invitation as reproduced in Edith Wharton, by Hermione Lee (Vintage Books, 2007)

Newport Pairings

2008-07-08T10:45:00.019-04:00

I love to design invitations for weddings at historic homes. It's especially nice if there are lots of decorative details on site to reference in the design. So in keeping with my Gilded Age theme, I've paired Blue Ribbon's wedding stationery with some of Newport's Beaux-Arts mansions.

Rococo's delicate florals would be perfect for a wedding at Rosecliff.

Vintage Tribeca's ornate ironwork design would work well for a celebration at The Elms.

North Moore flats (used as menus) would be an elegant choice for dinner reception at Marble House.

And Floral Frieze would make an excellent choice for the invitations.

Photo of Rosecliff via the Newport Historical Society, www.newportmansions.org; All other photos by Blue Ribbon. Mansions from top to bottom are Rosecliff, The Elms, Marble House (front view), and Marble House (back view).

Newport

2008-07-07T13:19:00.011-04:00

I was in Newport over the holiday weekend, taking a break and doing a little research on popular wedding venues in the area. If I were having a Gilded Age style wedding, I would most certainly have hand-written menu cards for each of my guests - similar to the ones on display at Marble House (pictured above).

(Photos: Back view of Marble House (top), Menus on display in the kitchens at Marble House)

Pink, pink & more pink

2008-06-30T15:11:00.004-04:00

Here's a preview of our newest note cards and stationery - I hope everyone likes pink!

"Unveiling the Best" at Kate's Paperie

2008-06-23T07:23:00.003-04:00

Last week I attended the "Unveiling the Best" event at Kate's Paperie on the UES. It was a lovely event, with gorgeous floral & tabletop displays by Michelle Rago, delicious hors d'oeuvres from Laurence Craig Catering, and to top it off, Darcy Miller was on hand to greet brides-to-be. My photo does not do it justice, but here is small segment of one of the colorful tabletop displays from the event. As you can see, chartreuse remains a strong trend!

2008-06-17T20:08:00.010-04:00

Since I've been obsessed with early twentieth-century art recently -- if you are having a wedding at an art gallery or museum, I think this abstract rose petal design would be a lovely choice:

("Cote d'Azur" offset-printed invitation ©2008 Blue Ribbon Design; contact Blue Ribbon for ordering information and pricing.)

Matisse & Picasso

2008-06-11T19:33:00.014-04:00

The lithographs downstairs have me dreaming of the South of France and revisiting some of my visual memories from the 2005 exhibition, Matisse: The Fabric of Dreams - His Art and His Textiles. Matisse's palette seems extremely fresh right now and I'm entranced by the artist's ability to capture the essence of both form and pattern in an elegant and idiosyncratic way. Funny how certain things take a while to resonate.

Images above via Adrian Searle's review of the exhibition while at London's Royal Academy for The Guardian: Odalisque with a Screen, oil on canvas, 1923, Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, © Succession H Matisse/DACS 2004; Odalisque with Yellow Persian Robe and Anemones, oil on canvas, 1937, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, © Succession H Matisse/DACS 2004.

Along the same line, this iconic Robert Capa photograph of Picasso and Françoise Gilot in the South of France recently popped into my head. Despite what we know about Picasso as a companion, isn't it a lovely image; so glamorous in a truly bohemian way. I wonder what type of stationery they wrote to each other on during during their romance...

Above image via the New York Times ("A 1948 gelatin silver print of Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot in France by Robert Capa, a part of the I.C.P.'s collection.")

New Inspiration

2008-06-06T15:42:00.010-04:00

Philip Williams Posters is a vintage poster dealer two doors down from our new space and there is always an eye catching assortment on display in the windows facing Chambers street. Right now I'm drawn to these small format exhibition posters for the work of Miró, Picasso, and others.

(Photo of the current window display at Phillip Williams Posters, located at 122 Chambers Street.)

New Designs

2008-06-05T08:01:00.002-04:00

I am slowly adding the new releases to the website. The letterpress notebooks are now available for purchase and here's a look of one of the newest greeting card designs.

(Greeting Card above by Blue Ribbon Design, Thank You, style no. 08-022P)

Blue Ribbon Moving Announcement

2008-05-28T12:07:00.003-04:00

Blue Ribbon has moved around the corner to 126 Chambers Street (above is a sneak peak of the new space)! Here's our new address (our telephone & fax number will stay the same):

Blue Ribbon Design
126 Chambers Street, 5th floor
New York, NY 10007
tel/fax: 212.513.0939

New from Blue Ribbon: Letterpress Notebooks

2008-05-27T12:38:00.002-04:00

I'm very excited about the letterpress notebooks we debuted at this year's National Stationery Show. Each has a letterpress printed cover and contains 80 lined pages, offset printed on recycled paper. The notebooks will be available for purchase on the Blue Ribbon website June 1.

(Above: letterpress notebooks by Blue Ribbon Design)

Window Display at MarieBelle SoHo

2008-05-24T06:24:00.007-04:00

I was walking by MarieBelle on Friday and spotted this gorgeous window display. I just love the color combination of the two shades of coral and the turquoise blue. The paper peonies poking out from the tops of MarieBelle's beautifully patterned coffee tins are amongst the most life-like crepe paper flowers I've ever seen.

MarieBelle SoHo
484 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
212.925.6999
www.mairebelle.com

National Stationery Show Wrap Up

2008-05-23T18:57:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all the retailers, press, and industry friends who visited Blue Ribbon's booth at this year's stationery show! We're really proud of all the new designs - especially our new notebooks and letterpress flats - and enjoyed having the opportunity to show them off!

National Stationery Show, Booth #4227

2008-05-18T20:54:00.017-04:00

Today was the opening day of The National Stationery Show and it was so wonderful to see so many of our retailers here in New York. There's lots of new card designs on display (photos coming soon), so if you're in town for the show, please stop by and say, "hello"!

If you are a retailer, and can't make it to the show, please email us at sales@blueribbondesign to request a copy of our current catalogue.

Flowers from Utowa

2008-05-15T12:50:00.008-04:00

Each year I order flowers from Utowa for my booth at the National Stationery Show. The in-store floral display is amazing and I always leave inspired. This year I ordered a giant clutch of pink peonies and I can't wait to pick them up on Saturday!

Utowa
17 West 18th Street (btw 5th & 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10011
Tel: (212)366-0891

******UPDATE ******

Utowa is no longer open, but the florist has moved into his own space nearby and his shop is now called florisity.

florisity
1 West 19th Street
(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 336-0891
florisity.com

Busy, Busy

2008-05-13T07:18:00.004-04:00

It's finally Spring in New York and between all the May weddings and the upcoming National Stationery Show, things have been very, very busy. This is the time of year I spend a lot of time visiting all of my favorite shops to order trim, paper, flowers, and all the random accessories needed for special print projects and Blue Ribbon's display at the show.

One of my favorite things to shop for is ribbon. I usually buy my ribbons directly from Midori, but if I need something for a special project in a hurry I'll run up to the Garment District and get what I need at M&J Trim, Tinsel Trading Company, or their sister store, The Store Across the Street. While I'm usually shopping for basic grosgrains and silk satins, I'm always tempted by the wide moiré ribbons and Tinsel Trading's vintage metal laces and threads. Maybe someday I'll have the opportunity to incorporate them in to a custom order....

M&J Trimming
1008 Sixth Ave.
New York, NY 10018
1.800.9.MJTRIM
www.m&jtrim.com

Tinsel Trading Company
47 W 38th Street (btw 5th & 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10018
212.730.1030
www.tinseltrading.com

The Store Across The Street
64 W 38th Street (btw 5th & 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10018
212.354.1242

(Photo: Cutting ribbon at M&J Trim)

Spring Green

2008-04-09T17:29:00.018-04:00

Chartreuse continues to be one of the most popular colors for invitations (the last 3 out of 4 suites we have done used it!). Chartreuse and chocolate brown are an elegant pairing, but you can also combine chartreuse with navy for a classic preppy look or with black for a bit of urban sophistication. Here are some examples of the chartreuse pieces we've done so far this spring.

(All wedding stationery above is by Blue Ribbon Design.)

New Store: Thistle & Clover

2008-04-02T11:14:00.012-04:00

Last night I attended the opening for a new boutique in Fort Greene named Thistle & Clover. The owners have curated a sophisticated mix of clothing, jewelry and accessories, all displayed in a sleek gallery-like setting that really allows the individual products to shine. They also have a small selection of stationery - including a few designs by yours truly - which they have displayed in an antique case along with some gorgeous earrings and necklaces. The shop is beautiful and owners couldn't be nicer, so if you are in the neighborhood, definitely check it out!

Thistle & Clover
221 DeKalb Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11205
(718) 855 5577 (t)
(718) 855 5533 (f)
www.thistleclover.com

Store Hours:
Monday-Friday 12PM-8PM
Saturday & Sunday 11AM-7PM

Martha Stewart Living

2008-03-31T11:03:00.000-04:00

Look! A friend spotted my Happy Anniversary card used as a prop in the April issue of Martha Stewart Living (lower left). This makes me very happy.

Hot Off the Press: Sneak Peak

2008-03-20T14:46:00.010-04:00

Just a little peak at the beautiful ornamental scrollwork that was used in a new custom design.

(Custom Wedding Invitations above by Blue Ribbon Design)

Reading List : Invitation Wording & Etiquette

2008-03-19T10:54:00.015-04:00

As a stationer, I am often asked to guide customers through the sometimes daunting task of wording their invitations. My approach to invitation etiquette: know the rules so you can decide when to bend them. It helps to have some time-honored references to turn to. That said, here are some of my favorite resources.

The Wedding Invitation Handbook, by Julie Holcomb
Indispensable. I turn to this book regularly for it's balance of traditional etiquette and contemporary style. In addition to providing sample wording for all types of situations, this book reinforces the idea that it's o.k. to bend the rules when the situation calls for it. It's also one of the first mainstream invitation guides I know of to provide sample wording for commitment ceremonies. Available from Plus And Press.

Crane's Wedding Blue Book
A wonderful reference for traditional wording and etiquette. It is particularly helpful with diplomatic and military titles. I bought mine at Kate's Paperie in New York, however this title is very common and should be available at any well-stocked bookseller. (Crane's also reproduces most of the content on their own website, crane.com.)

Emily Post's Etiquette, by Peggy Post
A great all-around etiquette guide. Skip the abbreviated wedding version - this is a general reference every well-mannered household should own. The current 17th edition is available from Amazon.com.

Wedding Invitations, by Jennifer Cegielski
I often recommend this beautifully illustrated book to anyone who is just beginning their invitation search because it does a wonderful job of explaining the many printing, paper and style options used for modern wedding invitations and offers sound advice on what to expect from your stationer. This guide also includes more information than most about how to address, assemble and mail your invitations. Also available from Amazon.com.

Taking a design from start to finish

2008-03-12T10:23:00.002-04:00

I am often asked about the inspiration behind specific designs, so here is an example of how one greeting card progressed from inspiration to realization.

It all starts when I see something that catches my eye. In this case, I was taken by an illustration for one of Paul Poiret's most famous ensembles, "Sorbet." (Georges Lepape illustration for Gazette du bon ton, 1913, via The Metropolitan Museum of Art, metmuseum.org)

What appealed to me most were the stylized rosettes and the black & pink colorway. I made several sketches and eventually came up with a stylized rose of my own. The sketch was then scanned and cleaned up in Illustrator.

Once the line art was created I started working on the layout. I love patterns and thought that this rosette would make an elegant repeat reminiscent of early twentieth-century textiles.

In keeping with the Moderne mood, I choose a typeface smiliar to those seen in period advertisements. Voilà, the finished product.

Hot Off the Press: Another Sneak Peak

2008-03-05T14:11:00.015-05:00

I won't show the entire suite until after the wedding, but as you can see from these detail shots, this custom design uses a mix of classic borders to evoke elegant Old New York. I particularly love these border designs because they remind me of the decorative ironwork that adorns so many New York brownstones - very 19th-Century New York.

(Custom invitation design by Blue Ribbon)

New Moderne Notes from Blue Ribbon Design

2008-03-03T13:08:00.002-05:00

Our new Moderne Notes are now available online!

Baby Announcements

2008-02-28T10:09:00.018-05:00

Although wedding invitations represent the bulk of Blue Ribbon's custom printing projects, I occasionally design other types of stationery such as the chinoiserie-inspired baby announcement pictured below.

This announcement was created for a friend, and I love the fact that she wanted to use purple, which was a fun and refreshing change from the standard pink typically used for girls' announcements. I actually used the same pattern (in a different format) on her son's birth announcement (below) two years ago and I like the way that the pattern links the designs for brother and sister.

(Chinoiserie Letterpress Baby Announcements by Blue Ribbon Design)

Hot Off the Press: A Sneak Peak

2008-02-21T15:54:00.015-05:00

I love working on custom design projects. It's fun to work one on one with the bride and I particularly love hearing about all of the event details (the size of the wedding, the desired level of formality, the location, the dress, the flowers, the cake!) and then coming up with a design that compliments and unifies all of those elements. And, of course, printing a new design for the first time is always exciting.

Above is just an itty-bitty sneak peak of a custom design that was recently created for a classic coastal New England celebration this Spring. I'm so happy with how it turned out, I'm thinking of adding it to the retail album. Photos of the entire suite coming soon...

(Invitation design and photo by Blue Ribbon Design)