The Shopping Mama has grown to “[O]ne of the more successful online ‘mommy blogs’ that review new children’s products and swap ideas with other young mothers across the country.” (Financial Times, May 2010)

Kate commissioned me to create custom baby announcements for their newest bundle of joy, Max.  She recently created a post featuring the announcement, which made me feel pretty special!

Please check out her blog for informative, fun, and valuable information.  It is a well-written blog with multiple writers and reviewers.  It will save you time when shopping for your children because Shopping Mama has already done the research!

I never posted this feature!  It’s also from Arizona Bride magazine.  Their article is below on our invitation in the Sinamay Envelope In the bottom feature, I created a silk box invitation in yellow, gray, and black that was filled with little paper flowers and tied with a double-faced satin, yellow ribbon.

[bottom right]
For a destination wedding in Sedona, the bride wanted something unique but as timeless as her parents’ wedding invitation. Defining her style as “rustic elegance,” designer Kelsey Murrietta, of Flossy Stylish Design, created an elegant look with hand-painted paper from India and a black satin ribbon, and added a rustic touch by enclosing all the pieces in a sinamay envelope. Rendering the design in simple black and ivory for a traditional feel, the invite was calligraphed on a heavy cotton paper. Inserts included a directions card, ceremony card and an RSVP postcard tucked behind the invitation.

The first peek at your wedding’s signature style is the invitation. Make a good first impression by choosing an invite that reflects your personality. Don’t be afraid of color and patterns—they’re quickly becoming the norm for wedding invitations, say these Arizona stationers.

Patterns
“The wedding invitations this year are classic and clean,” says Jennifer Rodriguez, owner ofBelle Paperie. She recommends pinstripes, bold stripes or even a single bold line to make your invitations stand out from the crowd. Whatever you decide, keep it personal. “Customization is still the key with our brides. Many have even requested that their patterns be carried on to the envelope,” Rodriguez says.

Details
Kelsey Murrietta of Flossy Stylish Design and Kelly Ashworth of Kelly Ashworth Designs agree that pockets continue to be popular as a way to hold RSVP cards, maps, accommodation information, etc. Just remember the more items you place in the envelope, the greater the postage costs.

Color
As far as color goes, deep, romantic hues are taking the spotlight. “I’m seeing more jewel tones—deep reds, fuchsia, purple—incorporated into not only stationery, but in the overall wedding design, as well,” says Ashworth. Having trouble deciding on the right color? You can’t go wrong with classic black and white patterns that make a bold, but understated, statement.

5} Flossy Stylish Design

Our Save the Date and Invitation for Stephanie & Brett was featured in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Arizona Bride (Feature #4 Above).  Stephanie had a fun Fuchsia and Tangerine color scheme.  We used a Pocketfold from Envelopments and featured custom flower artwork and two rhinestones.  The Save the Date was a Magnet!  Fun times.

You can view more photos from her wedding at http://www.emlifephoto.com/Blog/?s=Stephanie.

Vote for your favorite Arizona wedding vendors and help determine the Best of 2012! Winners will be announced at a special ceremony this summer and appear in the Fall/Winter 2012 issue of Arizona Bride.

Please vote for Flossy Stylish Design for Best Invitations, In Awe Weddings for best planner and Top of the Tiara

NOTE: At least six categories must be completed for your vote to count. Only one vote per individual and per computer will be counted. Out-of-state vendors will not be considered. Arizona Bride carefully examines all voting results. By completing this form, you allow the editors of Arizona Bride to contact you to verify the accuracy of your vote.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

The NYC-themed Escort Card Table

Eat- Place Card

Drink- Signature Drink Sign

Be Married- Program

I have been terrible about blogging, but I will hopefully have lots of photos to share from our busy winter season!  I had the best year ever for Christmas Cards, so I have some fun designs to share.