Paper Passionista

A Public Service Announcement from Paper Passionista. Be sure to watch the CNN feature film "Girl Rising" on Sunday!

Last night Paper Passionista had the privilege of being a guest for a private screening of the documentary feature film, "Girl Rising".  Since our site is primarily viewed by women - mostly those planning weddings - I felt compelled to mention the impact seeing this film had on me personally.  This film features the stories of nine different young girls growing up in countries less progressive and privileged than the United States.  All I can say is WOW! Can you imagine planning to be a bride at the age of 7? How about being sold to your future husband for $5,000 so your parents can purchase a used car for your older brother? The film's themed message is "Educate Girls - Change the World".

Going along through the day-to-day happenings of life here in the U.S. I know I don't stop to think about just how lucky we are to grow up as girls and women here.  CNN will be showing this film this Sunday night (6 pm and 9 pm Pacific time), and this will be some of the best 100 minutes you can spend to learn more about what it is to be a girl/woman elsewhere around the globe, and what you can do to help. Even if you don't have the resources with which to provide financial help, it will sure help provide perspective and make you grateful for your life any time you think you're having a "bad day"!

I marveled at the spunk and tenacity of these young girls, all of whom had one thing happen in their lives to change everything.  My personal favorite was Wadley "The Undaunted", who you will see is pretty determined about getting an education.  Just a basic education! We get it for free here, and you can thank the tax paying citizens in the U.S. who make that so.  These stories, masterfully narrated by renowned actresses such as Meryl Streep, Salma Hayek, Anne Hathaway and others, tell you about how life in such countries as Haiti, Nepal, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Peru and others don't come with a free ticket for education.

Wadley - she wouldn't take "No" for an answer.

Executive Producers for this film are Seattle's own, Vulcan Productions' Paul and Jody Allen. Don't miss it! This is excellent family viewing and rated PG-13.

In need of programs, menus and other goodies for your wedding reception? Marsupial Invitations' new Luxe collection has arrived at Paper Passionista.

Marsupial Invitations has just launched their new Luxe collection of branded coordinates to help you create a cohesive look throughout all your invitation and stationery needs.  Paper Passionista can't wait to share these fun new designs with you.  You'll find everything from programs to menus to escort cards, madlibs, candy bar wrappers, water bottle labels, signage, pennants, and so much more!!  Luxe contains several new invitation suites, and the reception/wedding day accessories are available for order in all of the Marsupial designs, both old and new.  If you're planning a summer wedding and want to see all the ways Marsupial and Paper Passionista can help you put all the finishing touches on your event just let us know when's a good time to get together so you can see your options.  All designs are customizable to your color scheme too!

bt elements' Ashton Collection has created a new love affair at Paper Passionista

bt elements Priscilla invitation suite

One of the exciting parts about returning home from the National Stationery Show in New York each year is waiting for all the new arrivals. Like expectant parents we wait anxiously for the things we've ordered to be assembled and shipped.  Paper Passionista is so pleased to share with you images of the newest arrival, bt elements' new Wedding Collection 3, also known as the Ashton Collection.

Fun, youthful and current are perfect adjectives to describe these great new designs. Lots of the images feel like watercolor paintings, and are perfect for outdoor garden weddings. We can't wait to share them with you in person, but here are some sneak peaks for you.  All ink colors, paper and ribbon colors can be changed to customize them to perfection for your wedding.  I personally can't stop looking at them!  All collections come with a full array of day of wedding accessories to coordinate with your invitation, including menus, place cards, and Save the Dates too.

bt elements Claire suite

bt elements Lily suite

bt elements Eden suite

bt elements Genevieve suite

To set up your private consultation to see all the exciting designs from the new bt elements Ashton Weddings 3 Collection email us today at info@paperpassionista.com.

Real Card Studio's blog featured Paper Passionista's client's wood invitations, so we're sharing

Invitations on Wood Cards for
a Rustic Chic Wedding in the Forest

Rustic wedding
invitations by Real Card
Studio :: Letterpress printing

in cocoa brown
ink on wood cards with pocket backer

Photos by Fresh Outtakes.

 

"In nature, nothing
is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird
ways, and they're still beautiful." –Alice Walker, American
writer

A rustic setting for a wedding that was anything but, the natural beauty of real wood veneer invitations perfectly communicated the elegance of the ceremony environment. What I love most about letterpress printing on wood cards is how each card has a unique grain pattern, really
beautiful in its own way. The light impression of the ink adds dimension and texture to the piece. The natural look belies the luxury each card is to touch and feel. To keep the invitation suite simple, we added a pocket to the invitation backer to hold a separate invitation to the rehearsal dinner barbecue, guest information with directions and wedding website address, and a beautiful response set. They communicated all the useful information for their guests in a neat and elegant package. Furthering their woodsy aesthetic, the finishing touch to this package was a natural liner including bits of earthy leaves and bark pieces. It had just the right amount of rust color to coordinate with the color of the bridesmaids dresses, and matched the invitations perfectly. They of course topped it all off with hand-calligraphed envelopes by Kelligraphy, with addressing in matching brown ink.

Real Card Studio created this rustic wedding invitation with Paper Passionista in Seattle, WA.

Real Card Studio

National Stationery Show & New York City...here we come!!!

The highlight of every year for me is the National Stationery Show in New York, NY.  This will be the 17th consecutive year that we have attended this show where all things paper and beyond collide to give stationers a chance to see what's new in the industry.

A new addition to the Show this year is CREATIVE & LIFESTYLE ARTS, a separate but concurrent show that we're also looking forward to checking out.

The tagline for this year's show is "Catch the Passion".  With a name like Paper Passionista I think we've already got that one covered!  We hope to be taking time out to give you updates during the show as we discover new "treasures", as well as connecting with our tried and true industry partners, including Elum, Designers Fine Press, Checkerboard, bt elements, William Arthur (now part of Crane), and more.

During the time we're in New York, May 18-22,  Paper Passionista will be unavailable for any invitation consultation appointments, but if you have anything you wish for us to be on the lookout for please send us a quick email to info@paperpassionista.com and we'll add your request to our "search list". We will resume invitation consultation appointments on Friday, May 24.

Gatsby Mania has struck, and Paper Passionista is suggesting some perfect invitations

A party scene from The Great Gatsby movie, starring Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio

With Baz Luhrmann's much anticipated film, The Great Gatsby, making its nation-wide theater opening this coming Friday, chances are running high that the summer will be filled with 1920's era themed cocktail parties.  If you're planning such an affair Paper Passionista has the perfect invitation and matching stationery suite items to set the tone for your soiree.

Bella Figura's Deco invitation has the right feel to invite your guests in style. The images shown here are featuring a wedding invitation, but Paper Passionista can turn it into just the piece for any kind of party you're planning.

Bella Figura "Deco" invitation

Perhaps you'd like your 1920's era party to be a nice blend of then and now? If so then Arabella Papers' Modern Deco invitation could be just what you're looking for.

Arabella Papers "Modern Deco" collection

Two more Great Gatsby era party invitation options come from the Soiree collection by Checkerboard. Both combining gold and black, you can go with the simple but elegant Pomp design or turn up the volume with Flair, incorporating feathery swirls with a metallic gold "belly band", putting your party details hidden inside.

"Pomp" design from Checkerboard's Soiree collection

Another option from Checkerboard's Soiree collection, this is "Flair"

Once you've got your invitations selected you may want to check out the 1920's era collection of men's suits at Brooks Brothers.  They worked with costume designer, Catherine Martin, and designer Miuccia Prada to come up with 40 different outfits for the film.  Brooks Brothers decided to follow it with a line in their stores. Several snappy striped suits are available, and you can add a straw boater hat to really nail the look.

The Gatsby Collection, available now at Brooks Brothers

Ladies will have fun dressing for Gatsby themed parties as well. First it's the hair - a short fun bob, and pin curls were all the rage in the 1920's - topped off with a feathered or jeweled headband, or a jeweled barette.  Then your face - smoky eyes, and bright lips should do the trick.  Add a fringed dress, a t-strap Mary Jane pump,  and your favorite long pearls and you're good to go.

Pieces from the Prada-Martin collection. (Photo : Facebook/Vogue) 

Oh yes.... don't forget the Moet & Chandon bubbly for your guests.  Cheers!

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby

 As a postscript to this article, my own father, Wendell Phillips Sprague, Jr., was a 1920's vintage gent, and today would have been his 92nd birthday.  Here's to you, Dad.  Happy birthday!!

This just in: The highly coveted Elum Designs and Umi invitations are offering 25 FREE with purchase

Paper Passionista is your custom Elum Designs and Umi by Elum dealer in the Greater Puget Sound. We would be happy to schedule an appointment for you to see these lines and get your order placed while you're able to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Email us at info@paperpassionista.com for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

Paper Passionista will be participating in the Golf Club at Newcastle's Wedding Extravaganza this weekend and they asked me to pass along this information. Please RSVP to the email indicated in the invitation below. Thanks, and hope to see you there!

Subject: Join us for our Wedding Showcase Extravaganza
________________________________________

On Sunday, April 21 we invite you to come experience our majestic setting from 11 am to 4 pm. We'll have the very best of the area's bridal experts on hand as well as our team of Catering Professionals to assist you in planning your dream wedding. This is the perfect chance to sample food, see the newest wedding trends, and to book services for your wedding while enjoying the exceptional Newcastle wedding experience.

Each room at Newcastle will be beautifully dressed up so you can visualize different elements of your special day, from the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and grand exit. All guests will be treated to complimentary appetizers, decadent cupcakes and signature cocktails created by Executive Chef Jesse Olsen.

• Over 25 of the area's top wedding vendors - from florists, bakeries, photographers, wedding planners, music services and more
• Planning and decorating ideas
• Full ballroom setup featuring a dance floor and lighting package
• Two ceremony setups in the St. Andrews Ballroom and Prestwick Terrace
• Wedding Boutique Lounge - enjoy champagne and strawberries while you view the latest bridal fashions and meet with hair and makeup artists
• Grand exit setup highlighted by a vintage 1950's Rolls Royce

Please RSVP for this special event at events@newcastlegolf.com.

We hope you join us to learn more about what makes The Golf Club at Newcastle a favorite wedding destination. We look forward to meeting you and helping create your dream wedding.

Sincerely,

Erik Franklin
Director of Catering
The Golf Club at Newcastle

www.newcastlegolf.com

National Stationery Show plans are confirmed and Paper Passionista will be there

National Stationery Show, Jacob Javits convention center, New York, NY

As of today, Paper Passionista has final confirmation of travel plans for our 17th consecutive annual trip to the National Stationery Show in New York, NY, May 19-22.  This is a once a year opportunity to have face time with our existing invitation and stationery printers, designers and suppliers to the stationery industry. We also look forward to finding one or two new hidden gems to bring on board as Paper Passionista invitation and stationery partners.

I mention this trip now so if you have anything special or unique that you'd like us to be on the lookout for you can let me know and I'll add you to our list of "stationery personal shopper" requests.  Last year we went in search of special holiday cards for a couple of corporate clients, and the outcome was excellent. (One client received a note from a recipient of last year's holiday card saying hers was the best card they received all season!)

As you may have figured out by now, paper and stationery are my "drugs of choice" so I'm always excited when this annual trip draws near.  We schedule meetings and meals with friends we've made in the industry over the years, and for me it's the highlight of the year.  Last year our most exciting new find was Jenn Sprinkle invitations from Garland, TX.  Who will it be this year????

Bella Figura's wedding invitation of the month is Antique Luck, up to 20% off at Paper Passionista

Did you know that the four leaf clover petals represent faith, hope, love, and luck?  And did you also know that if you found an old horseshoe with nails still in it, the number of nails determines how many years of prosperous luck you will have? These facts were stated in today's Bella Figura blog post, announcing that their "special of the month" design is "Antique Luck". How perfect for the month of St. Patrick's Day, a day almost as big as Christmas in the O'Donnell household (Paper Passionista's owners).

During the month of March order the four leaf clover designed Antique Luck and receive 10% off on all your pieces even when you order just one component.  (Bella Figura normally requires six components ordered to receive this discount.) But even better, if you do order six components you will receive 20% off your order! May the luck of the Irish be with you this month!

Here are some design notes from Aimee O'Boyle, the designer of Antique Luck:

"I just adore the symbolism behind the four leaf clover and horseshoe and knew that I had to use those images in my design.  To give it an authentic vintage vibe, I incorporated hand drawn illustrative elements, like the ribbon banner, and paired it with a really clean stripe, which can be found on some of the coordinating pieces for this design.  The combination of fonts really speaks to vintage playbills and posters and I think it adds the perfect touch to the overall design." — Aimee 

 It's always possible to customize any of the Bella Figura letterpress invitation designs to suit your taste or theme, and here are a couple examples where that's been done with "Antique Luck".

To set up your consultation to look at "Antique Luck" in person just send a quick email to info@paperpassionista.com and we'll send you our pre-appointment questionnaire.  (Paper Passionista will not be taking client appointments on St. Patrick's Day.)