Let Them Do It: Red Stamp

Okay. I know this may sound cheesy but if you have atrocious handwriting and your hubby's is worse, here's an alternative. I saw this in the Daily Candy today. It is RedStamp.com. Here's what they will do:

Wedding Thank You's
Attention all Brides and Grooms ::

Don't let your first fight be about thank you notes! Please, for the sake of your marriage, let us write them for you. Send us your list with names, addresses, corresponding gifts and a short phrase on how you plan to use it and we'll do the rest so you can live happily ever after...

* Handwritten notes in either feminine or masculine penmanship
* Hand-addressed envelopes, absolutely no labels
* $5 service fee per card {not including price of card}
* No minimum or maximum quantity required
* Custom personalized stationery available
* Two to three week turnaround time

If it sounds good to you, check out RedStamp.com

email your questions to: bridalwishlist@gmail.com & visit our sister site, the capitol fashionista (http://thecapitolfashionista.blogspot.com)

Related Site

-Gretna Green Weddings

-How Becoming a Wedding Planner

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: How it's made ~THE INK STAMP~

an episode for those who use and like ink stamps......
love them. old school wooden ones, not cheap, plastic ones.

Title: My Stamp Collection

I bought this stamp collection at a estate auction and have been sitting on them for the pas 10 years. Please comment if you know anything about them.

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Letterpress Goodness: Dingbat Press

Letterpress fans, welcome to the first post in our Letterpress Goodness series. Each day, we will spotlight a letterpress studio that is creating amazing letterpress fabulousness.


Today's spotlight in on Dingbat Press and Dingbat Press Etsy shop. I love this "one-man show (or one-woman show)" and the fact that she uses a manual press! Impressive. Enjoy her interview and her beautiful designs. Thanks, Adrienne! You can contact Adrienne via the links above.

What is the name of your business?
I'm DBA Dingbat Press. Sometimes I get funny reactions and snickers from people when they hear my business name as they think I'm the dingbat (which in some cases I can be), however the historical reference behind the name is related to a printer's dingbat, often used as ornamentation in typeset letterpress printing.

How long have you been in business?
Three years officially, however I've been printing for about 5, and designing invitations here and there since 2000.

What is your name, title, and role in the business?
My name is Adrienne Berry. I am owner and sole-proprietor. My friends call me suzy homemaker, or the one-man-band because at this stage in my business I do it all: design, print, represent myself, take care of the house, love my kids and my hubby, be an accountant and gardener (when the spare moment arises).



What made you want to start your own business?
I always wanted to be a graphic designer and/or illustrator due to an inspiring and mentoring neighbor who sparked my interest at a young age. So school was a matter of finding the right BFA program. However, I found a husband first, so I made the best out of school that I could. Luckily, the university I received my BFA from had an excellent design program with amazing professors. Due to my husband's line of work (fly-fishing outfitter) I knew we'd be living rural and that I could work for someone else (slim pickings) or work for myself. I did the agency thing for a few years and then decided to take the plunge as our family expanded. The business evolved out of my ADD obsession to create new designs whenever I felt like it, which led me to stationery. Letterpress was already an obsession and so the two naturally melded nicely.

What makes you do what you do?
I do what I do because I love it. There's just something so breathtaking in seeing a design go from the drawing board, to digital proofs, to press and then into the client's hands. That final printed piece is what keeps me coming back to do more. And I can have a studio in my home, letting me be there for my family too.

What paper products do you offer? What is your price range?
I think of all these things I would like to offer and then I have to tighten the reigns and tell myself to focus on a specific line. This year I'm putting out all new designs for the 2009-2010 buying year and am excited to have new offerings out into the market. The line consists of a few collections (each a specific design theme because I can't decide on just one theme to follow and like to have some unique offerings for everyone). Each collection will have single notes, boxed notes, enclosures (mini-notes and mini-lopes), and then depending on the theme there will be additives. Some will have recipe cards, some will have imprintables (baby shower, bridal shower), and some will have hand-bound journals with letterpressed covers that correlate with their specific collection. I'll also continue with wedding stationery, and baby announcements as they were what got me started in the first place. Price range is around $4 - $35 for notes, and social/correspondence stationery. Invitations/Announcements start at $325 and go up from there depending on complexity of the stationery and printed colors, customization, quantity etc.




What is your typical work day like?
My work day is centered around the needs of my family. I have my iPhone that keeps me in contact with email and clients 24/7, however there are still kids to feed and play with. For the most part, it works well. I check my email and do estimates, etsy orders, and accounting in the mornings while kids play. During nap-time I usually get a few jobs printed and then when lunch time rolls around we head out to ship orders and do something fun (weather permitting, work permitting). Obviously if there's a big deadline, a babysitter or Daddy is there to help out so 100% focus goes into product and a full workday ensues. I try to schedule out how the day or week will go depending on the amount of jobs I have going through the studio during that time, but the schedule can change due to RUSH jobs or cuts and scrapes! Once kids are in bed, I'm back on my computer generating designs, sending proofs to clients, making follow-up phone calls if they haven't been made during the day (and because some people can't discuss wedding details at work:) and occasionally printing as well. My hubby works late hours some evenings so I can get a lot done in the 4 hours after bedtime. I almost always pull an 8 hour workday, it's just not typical 9-5 style!


Do you do custom work? Tell me a little about your custom design process?
I LOVE custom work, it's what really drives me. The one thing I thought I'd miss about agency and more corporate design was the fulfilling need to be challenged by someone else's parameters and ideas. Custom jobs give me that challenge and it's always more fun to work with someone who is ordering stationery for a life event. I like to really try to get to know the person I'm working with as well as what sort of event they are going for (wedding) or what sort of lifestyle they live (announcements, personal stationery). I try to take elements they'd like to incorporate into their stationery and then graphically convey who they are through illustration, type, and style. Custom jobs are fun because everyone is so different. One day I may be working on a refined rustic invitation suite, and another a whimsical baby announcement. It keeps me up on my style education and art history!

How long do custom orders usually take to complete?
I recommend 4-8 weeks due to the nature of proofing, revising and printing (which takes some time too as everything is hand printed by yours truly)!

What advice would you give to brides who want letterpressed invitations?
1). Give yourself PLENTY of time. They take awhile to produce, especially custom orders. You don't want the job rushed if you can avoid it.

2). Plan a reasonable budget for it. I'm not saying spend thousands of dollars but as much as I'd love to work for you for free and do a sweet design, I've got to make a living too. I try to price my invitations reasonably for a letterpress project and like to work with my clients if they've got a set budget. I don't know about other stationers, but I like it when a bride can give me a budget up front. Then I can better guide her as to what will fit within the budget without her feeling like she has to forgo the whole letterpress idea. Some of my favorite designs were done as a one color, tight budget job. They really require one to stretch and make the design work!

3). If you HAVE to have letterpress, and NEED it to fit into a tight budget, be prepared to compromise. I won't ever force you to go with something you don't want to, but part of my job is to consult you as to how I can HELP you make it work. You can save cost by electing not to have the envelope printed, going with a one color suite, and choosing less insert pieces. Or if you really want the 2 color invitation, do a 1 color insert to save costs on the smaller piece. Don't worry, I'll make it all look nice for you! I'm really not trying to be mean in suggesting budget alternatives or eliminating pieces, I'm just trying to help. If budget is not a concern, then more power to you!




What makes products created by letterpress so special?
It's tactile. It's a touch and feel experience. Letterpress is an antique form of printing too! I use an OLD press, and thus print everything by hand. Each sheet is fed through the press one at a time, called an impression. I step on a pedal, set the paper in, roll the crank across the press bed where it's printed, pull the sheet, and start over. So a 3 color job for a quantity of 100 invitations and printed envelopes will get roughly 475 impressions (350 for the invitation, and 125 for the envelopes). That's not even including inserts. Some printers have fancy Heidelberg presses, which maybe someday I may acquire, but for now I'm considered a small printer. It takes a lot of love to hand print everything!

If you could design wedding invitations for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I don't think I'd jump on the royalty or celebrity bandwagon, as those jobs would seem to have too strict of a design parameter (BORING!). My ideal person to design for is someone not afraid to have their invitations a little different. Not to steer away the traditionalists, but it's more mind-expanding to do something I haven't tried before.

Where do you go for inspiration?
My clients serve as inspiration. The rest is trade secret ;)




What trends do you see emerging in letterpress/invitation design in 2009?
CONFESSION: I try to keep up on the trends, but sometimes I find them more inhibiting than inspiring. Lately I haven't been watching design trends too much because it stints my own creativity as I'm finishing my own line. Thinking about everyone else's work out there can slow me down in my own process so I try to do market research as to what's too saturated in the designs and styles, what could be done a little more, and how can I fill that void then I keep to myself until I'm done with designing the current year's designs. The only thing I've been keeping up on is color predictions these last few months. Rose, super yellow, grey, dust, slate blue and 80s subdued colors are joining the ranks again. Say goodbye to the brown/teal combos and brown/light green combos. I think whimsical/bohemian will continue to play a significant role and wouldn't be surprised to see a little more art deco with the 80s continuing to make a comeback.

What is your favorite typeface and pantone color?
I LOVE copper, people don't use it enough. Typeface is a little harder. Probably Bembo for a traditional serif face, Archer for a slab-serif (HFJones), and either Univers by Frutiger or Gill Sans for a sans-serif.

email your questions to: bridalwishlist@gmail.com & visit our sister site, the capitol fashionista (http://thecapitolfashionista.blogspot.com)

Related Site

-Gretna Green Weddings

-How Becoming a Wedding Planner

Related Videos: below I show related videos and not so related to this article

Title :Letterpress Wedding Invitation - Sneak Peek

Letterpress wedding invitation featuring an amazing birch tree and snow theme. Printed by Dick and Jane Letterpress.

Read More... »

Gifts for Your Maids & Groomies: Navy & Lavender

If you are looking for something unique for your maids and groomies, look no further than Navy & Lavender. It's a new company specializing in gifts and favors. Here are a few of their gifts that would be the perfect thank you to your bridal party. See more here.

email your questions to: bridalwishlist@gmail.com & visit our sister site, the capitol fashionista (http://thecapitolfashionista.blogspot.com)

Related Site

-Gretna Green Weddings

-How Becoming a Wedding Planner

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Antoine Dodson - Hide your Gifts (Christmas Version) Featured on Lopez Tonight HQ

Merry Christmas From Antoine Dodson, the "Bed Intruder" Guy


Do you like this story?

Finally, a Christmas song more disturbing than "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." Everyone's favorite witness, Antoine Dodson, is out with a carol titled "Chimney Intruder" that reimagines Santa as a rather sinister criminal.

Dodson, who found a place in the viral firmament after giving an impassioned speech on the news about the attempted rape of his sister, debuted the song on the place where memes go to die, Lopez Tonight.

While we commend Dodson on his ability to make proverbial lemonade out of life's lemons (with his Gregory Brothers-remixed Billboard Hot 100 jam and his own sex offender app), we really hope this song doesn't make it into the Christmas canon. Somehow attempted rape doesn't quite spell "Happy Holidays," if you ask us.

LYRICS:
Well obviously, we have someone coming to Lincoln Park

He's climbing in your chimney
snatching your cookies up, trying to eat em
So you all need to hide ya gifts, hide ya trees
hide ya gifts, hide ya trees
hide ya gifts, hide ya trees
And hide ya eggnog
cuz he taking everything up in here.

Santa ain't my ho, ho, ho, homeboy.
Here's a secret Santa...
I got a switchblade (A switchblade)

You don't have to send your list,
because he's watching you.
(He's watching you.)

So you can run and tell that,
run and tell that, run and tell that,
run and tell that,
Fat, Fat, Fat-boy.

If Santa's coming to my house,
he's coming through the space heater.

Get them crazy dogs off my roof,
My lease says no pets!

REPORTER: People believe a man with a sack
will come in their house at night and leave behind gifts.

WITNESS: I was attacked by some fat guy with a fur collar.

If I see a fat red guy running around,
he better have some Kool aid for me.
I wonder what's on Wendy Williams right now.

You think he's gonna leave t-shirt, Nintendos, and all...
you are so dumb...you are really dumb.
For real.

Tell Jack Frost to stay the hell away from my toes.

Come through my chimney, I'll show you a nut cracker

So dumb, so dumb, so dumb

He's climbing in your chimney,
snatching your cookies up, trying to eat em.

So you all need to hide ya gifts, hide ya trees
hide ya gifts, hide ya trees
hide ya gifts, hide ya trees
hide ya gifts, hide ya trees

And hide ya eggnog, cuz he taking everything up in here.

All I want for Christmas is for you to keep ya fat ass out my house!

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Title: Your Soap Sucks

can bite me.
Let me know what the best/most practical gift you have ever received is! Hope you're all well and that you all have a great weekend. For all HSC and exam sufferers- good luck and may the force be with you.
x
n

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Board #1: Spanish Style

The initial inspiration for this romantic collage was the Vosges Gaudi truffles, but it quickly turned into more than that, drawing from Sevilla's oranges and the Alhambra's intricate mosaics.

Palette: red, orange, gold
Mood: romantic old world

{click to enlarge photo}

Top from left: Toledo gold, photo from Jessica Claire, sangria pitcher
Row 2: Sevilla orange trees, MS citrus inspired wedding, mantilla veil from Anne Ruthman, Grand Marnier cake from The Knot
Row 3: Sevilla Feria poster, Cecile Cathedral dress from Ulla-Maija, the Alhambra in Grenada, Alhambra inspired tent from Raj Tents
Row 4: churros con chocolate, wax-sealed invitation, Gaudi saffron truffles from Vosges
Row 5: flowers from The Knot, orange blossoms, Betsy Dunlap calligraphy

Update! Check out this photo over at Brides. Perfect!

Related Site

-Becoming a Wedding Planner

-Cheap Wedding Favors

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: World Cup: on board with the spanish national team

OHANNESBURG (AP)—Andres Iniesta scored late in extra time, lifting Spain to a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands for its first World Cup title.

Iniesta broke free inside the penalty area Sunday, took a pass from Cesc Fabregas and put the ball just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Casillas besa a Sara Carbonero (His Girlfriend)

Title: World Cup: on board with the spanish national team - no comment

The victorious spanish football team on its flight home to madrid from South Africa.

No Comment | euronews: watch the international news without commentary | http://www.euronews.net/nocomment/

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When You Need The Perfect Shoe: Nordstrom

Once you find "the dress," the next thing is the shoe shopping. I know how agonizing it can be to find the perfect shoes to go with your dress. You want them to be fab but you also know that there will be dancing... lots of dancing. So you also want a pair that may make it through the night. So of course, I am here to help. Nordstrom is one of my favorite stores for shoes. If you live here in D.C., you know what I mean. Especially the Nordstrom in Tyson's Corner and Pentagon City. So here are picks from Nordstrom. I made sure to add a few with color!

Linea Paolo


Via Spiga


Stuart Weitzman




Poetic Licence


Pelle Moda



Me, too


Max Studio



Martinez Valero


Kate Spade

email your questions to: bridalwishlist@gmail.com & visit our sister site, the capitol fashionista (http://thecapitolfashionista.blogspot.com)

Related Site

-Gretna Green Weddings

-How Becoming a Wedding Planner

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Time Crash Doctor Who Children in Need Special 2007

A meeting of the 5th Doctor and the 10th Doctor in the 2007 Children in Need Special. Please donate what you can to this worthy cause... http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/

Title: Doctor Who - Children In Need Special: 'Time Crash' 2007

Aired 16 Nov 2007

© BBC
No infringement intended

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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know it sounds like a mouthful right? Well it is! A mouthful of cookie deliciousness!

I have recently (well not RECENTLY) discovered Brown Eyed Baker, another lovely foodie blog. I originally used her site last December when I wanted to learn How to properly Ice my Christmas sugar cookie cut-outs and earlier this week I saw this recipe and I knew I just had to make them. She describes them as "the ultimate trifecta of cookie goodness;" and I have to agree with her.




Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: Brown Eyed Baker

Ingrediants:

1 cup all purpose flower
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside

2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside

3. Cream together butter, peanut butter and sugars with mixer on medium speed. mix in eggs and vanilla. Turn mixer on low. Slowly add four mixture until combined. Stir in rolled oats and chocolate chips.

4. Using 1/4 c. scoop out dough and form into balls. Using the fingertips of each hand, grasp the dough and pull it apart. turn each half 90 degrees and push together, careful no to smooth out the jagged edges on top formed by pulling apart the dough. (this will give you the crinkly top that is oh-so-nice)

5. Bake in preheated oven for around 10 min until sides are golden brown and tops are puffy. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for 10 min before transferring onto wire racks. Store in air tight container.

Grab Milk, Enjoy Immediately!

Footnote:

Just so you guys know, I made it though my run today without stopping. I might have at times been jogging at such a slow pace that little 80 year old biddies in their powerchairs probably would have passed me, but I NEVER walked, and I am SUPER proud of that. (so of course I made baked goods, because that just makes sense!)

Related Site

-Gretna Green Weddings

-How Becoming a Wedding Planner

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!!

Animation by by Ryan Gancenia Etrata.
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/banana
Dancing Banana - Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Title: Cadillac Don - Peanut Butter And Jelly Ft. J Money

Cadillac Don And J-Money Peanut Butter And Jelly

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Merry Christmas!

...check in Wednesday for some Snippet & Ink favorites and a giveaway!

Related Site

-Becoming a Wedding Planner

-Cheap Wedding Favors

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Title: Mr Bean -Merry Christmas

http://mrbean-fan.blogspot.com/

Mr Bean Is Funny

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Merry Christmas!

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas... let your heart be light"
xoxo

Related Site

-Wedding Magnets

-Wedding Website

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Title: Mr Bean -Merry Christmas

http://mrbean-fan.blogspot.com/

Mr Bean Is Funny

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Board #56: A Little Bubbly

I know it's Sunday. But sometimes I feel like posting on the weekend!

If you're going to go ahead and have your wedding on New Year's Eve, it will have to be quite the party. The bubbles in champagne always remind me a little of glitter and sparkles, so this would be a gold and white, bubbly, glittery event.

Mood: festive glitter
Palette: gold, white


Top row from left: Pronovias dress from Brides UK, veil from In Style, Monique Lhuillier dress via Pretty Little Things, cake from Brides
Row 2: table number via Cottage Affairs, photo from Leigh Miller, champagne
Row 3: calendar save-the-date from MS, stationery from Elizabeth Hubbell, Susanna & Marina Sent necklace via Brooklyn Bride
Row 4: clocks from MS, cork photo by Dasha Wright, cake from Brides, sparklers from The Knot

Related Site

-Becoming a Wedding Planner

-Cheap Wedding Favors

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: WRC 2001 - Rally GB: On-board with Colin McRae and Nicky Grist, Ford Focus RS WRC

Awesome driving by Colin in the dramatic Rally GB of 2001, Rest In Peace!

Title: T.T. ISLE OF MAN. ON BOARD (Part 1)

Camera on board & telemetry

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