Lara + Jared - Vintage Gramophone Wedding Invitations

Glowing bride Lara & and her fiance Jared tied the knot earlier this month in beautiful Lake George, New York at the historic Sagamore Resort.  In addition to the challenges of putting together a gorgeous destination wedding, these two lovebirds had to make most of their planning decisions from their new home overseas in Liberia!

The couple wanted an invitation that was both elegant and fun with some vintage flair...and they really, really wanted it to feature an old fashioned phonograph!  I was inspired by images of vintage gramophone records to design these fun invitations in shades of grey, yellow, and cream presented inside a hand-cut paper "record sleeve".

 

A window on the front of the sleeve showed off the "record label" featuring an image of a phonograph along with their names, and the window on the reverse showed the same image with their wedding date. 

 

Their guests removed the invitation from the sleeve to reveal an elegant square panel invitation with coordinating belly band.

 

Coordinating inserts included a Directions/Accommodations/Map card, RSVP Postcard, and a Rehearsal Dinner Invitation.

 

Congratulations, Lara & Jared!

Michiko + Brian - "Eat. Drink. Be Married." Wedding Invitations

One of the greatest things about my job is getting to know clients from all over the world who work with me to design custom wedding and event invitations.  Michiko contacted me all the way from the Yukon for help with the invitations for her special day.  She and her fiance, Brian (a chef), were looking for an invitation suite that reflected their love of all things foodie!  She spottted my "Eat. Drink. Be Married." Invites on line, fell in love, and asked me to customize the design to reflect their Pink & Apple Green color scheme.  So fun!

Motorcycle Mania - 6th Birthday Party

Vroom!  We recently completed this cute custom party package for a lucky six year old who loves motorcycles...Custom pieces included a square invitation with rounded corners and coordinating backer, custom Thank You note cards, cupcake toppers, favor tags, and a fun Happy Birthday pennant banner!

Special thanks to Brett's Mom, Sara, who sent over snaps of the favor tags and cupcake toppers in action!

Oh Baby! - Our Big News + Jenn's Irish Baby Shower Details

Miss me?  I'm finally breaking my long silence in cyberspace and trying dip my toes into blogging again.  I've been working on a ton of fun projects, trudging through the first trimester pregnancy  blahs, and trying to wrap my head around the fact that the new little one meant to complete our happy family is actually (eek) TWINS!!

I'm happy to report that I'm now well into my 2nd trimester and the intense morning sickness (double the babies means double the yuck!) and bone deep fatigue have mellowed into something a little more manageable (I can actually manage to stay awake past 9 o'clock now!)  So I finally have a little time to post some pics of my latest (and not-so-latest) projects.

Up first: Details from Jenn's St. Patrick's Day inspired Baby Shower whose invitations I featured all the way back in April!  For the shower itself, we chose an "Irish Blessing" theme for the printable decor items and I love how traditional themes blended with a modern aesthetic for a fun, fresh look! 

 

Guests were greeted by a banner proclaiming "Welcome Beautiful One" in Gaelic.

 Guests signed a keepsake poster to be framed and hung in the baby's room!

 

 

Cupcake Toppers featured blessings for Baby M's future including "Joy", "Love", Strength", "Wealth", "Health", & "Friendship" in English on one side and Gaelic on the reverse!

 

Guests left with little bags of leprechaun's gold (chocolate coins) tied with custom favor tags featuring blessing messages.

"May your home always be too small to hold all your friends!"

Congratulations, Jenn, on you new baby girl!! (And thanks for sending over these photos so I can share!)

A St. Patrick's Themed Baby Shower - Invitation

A while back the mother of one of my favorite clients contacted me for some help with her daughter's St. Patrick's themed baby shower!  Having worked with her daughter Jenn a lot, I know that her style is a mixture of whimsy and sophistication and I wanted to remain true to that for this very special event in her life!  I settled on this fun green and pink square invitation design featuring a modern heart/shamrock motif and stripes. 

If you haven't figured it out yet, I've recently become obsessed with using The Twinery's amazing colored baking twine!  Inserts were bundled together in a pink paper belly band and then secured with "Peapod" twine and a tag letting recipients know that "A Lucky Little Bundle of Joy is on Her Way!"

Inserts included a card with her registry information on one side and a note inviting guests to help us build baby's library by bringing their favorite children's book, as well as a custom bookplate with space for the guest to write a special note for baby!

Happy Birthday to Me! - Tinka & Tiga

I just finished celebrating an absolutely fabulous birthday weekend with my family.  It was filled with cupcakes, date night, extra special birthday meals, and the official opening of my very own online store!! I'm so excited to announce that I have my very first "Prête-à-Party" printable collection up for sale in my new Etsy shop, Tinka & Tiga!

 

Tinka & Tiga is named in honor of my late Great Aunt Peggy, the consummate hostess and glamour girl.  Everything about Peggy was always just so: from her perfectly applied signature red lipstick, to her miniature poodles Tinka & Tiga (who sported matching pedicures and bows in the same shade of signature red), to the festive fêtes she often threw!  When I think of fun, stylish parties Aunt Peggy always comes to mind. :)

 

I hope you enjoy my premiere collection of party printables, "Zoo Pals"!  Featuring cute animal illustrations, polka dots, and stripes in shades of yellow and red, this set was inspired by my one year old Max, who loves to point to the animals and make their sounds. (According to him, Giraffes and Lions have a very similar roar!)

Zoo Pals includes a 5 x 7 Panel Invitation, a 3 1/2 x 5 folding Thank You Note Card, Happy Birthday Banner, Patterned 3" Bunting, Drink Wraps, Party Labels, 7 Party Logo/Circles perfect for cupcake toppers, hang tags, and napkin rings, Cupcake Wrappers, Fold Over Favor Bag Toppers made to fit standard sandwich bags and 6 inch cello bags, and 4 different patterned papers.

Please check out our newly opened storefront on Etsy...this is just the first of many printable collections to come...I hope you enjoy!  (A la Carte listings coming soon!)

Mardi Gras Madness - A King of a Cake!

A couple of weekends ago I attended the first annual San Elijo Hills Mardi Gras Celebration.  (You may remember the poster I designed for it a while back, which you can see here.)  I think I can speak for everyone when I say a good time was had by all!  I also had the pleasure of meeting the gals from "The Crimson Cake" who created an amazing cake inspired by my poster design!

If that wasn't enough, they are also the culinary geniuses behind the most AMAZING red velvet cupcake (or two) I have ever eaten in my life!  It's safe to say that I'm a little obsessed with them now, so much so that I demanded that my husband immediately order some in anticipation of my upcoming birthday...I can't wait!!  If you live in the San Diego area I highly recommend that you get your hands on some of their delectable (and beautiful) creations.

San Elijo Hills Buy Local - The Movie

Totally diggin' this short video that my hubby (Adrian Henke of HungrySquid) put together highlighting the San Elijo Hills Buy Local "Sidewalk Sunday" event I took part in on March 13th.  Check it out...you might even catch a glimpse or two of yours truly!

San Elijo Hills Buy Local Event 3/13/11 from Adrian Henke on Vimeo.

A supplement to the San Elijo Hills Foundation's Buy Local campaign, featuring highlights from the successful 3/13/11 event. Produced, shot with a Canon 7D, and edited by HungrySquid. Music by HungrySquid composer Adrian Henke.

We Have a Winner! - SEH Buy Local Giveaway

I had a great time participating in San Elijo Hills' "Buy Local" Sidewalk Sunday event this past weekend.  I met a ton of new people, got a chance to show off some of my work, and signed up a ton of folks for a chance to win a free custom printable party in the theme and color scheme of their choice!  Now, I know most people these days use newfangled technology to choose their contest winners, but I decided to do this the good old fashioned way:  with some slips of paper, a hat, and a one year old.  Who needs random.org when I'm the proud owner/operator of a random.baby?

Congratulations to Monica Hackett!!  We hope you and your guests enjoy your custom party...(Don't thank me, thank my child labor!)

Buy Local - San Elijo Hills

This weekend I had the pleasure of getting involved with my hometown's "Buy Local" campaign by participating in their new "Sidewalk Sunday" program.

 

Over 30 local vendors had booths showcasing their wares...what a great way to get to know some local businesses that I never even knew were around! 

 

Residents were treated to tons of free samples and giveaways and their kids (and even some adults!) enjoyed face painting, balloon animals and a giantt bounce house.  I had a great time meeting a ton of fellow residents and showing off some of my favorite invitations and paper goods.  Can't wait to announce the winner of our giveaway-- one lucky resident will win a free custom designed printable party!!

Operation: Cupid - Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I got a little carried away here.  A lot carried away.  When Ever So Lovely's Brandi put out the word that she was organizing a Valentine's card exchange, I hopped right on board!  And then spent days agonizing over what I could do that was a little bit different...a little bit crazy...a little bit...me.

Enter Operation: Cupid.  (Because top secret government agents love Valentine's day, too, right?)

My lovely valentines opened their envelope to find a top secret miniature dossier containing their mission instructions.

 

A tag gave them instructions on how to proceed.

 Inside were a pair of (very subtle) decoder glasses, blinged out with heart shaped rhinestones!  (Why do I have the urge to hum Elton John hits from the 70s every time I see these?)

Reminders on the glasses to "Remain Inconspicuous" and "Just Act Casual" helped my spy friends avoid detection by enemy agents.

A peek at their secret mission instructions through the lens of the decoder glasses.

...And here's what their decoder glasses revealed:  "Burn After Reading. (Or Keep as a Memento)  Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to be my Top Secret Valentine.  (Please note that this mission may be fraught with peril and requires top security clearance.)  XOXO, Kate Eileen Emmert (Code Name: Heartbreaker)"

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Mimi + Mike - Mod Daisy Invite/LCVintage's Chic Jewelry

Here's a peek at an invitation I designed for a couple who were looking for a clean, modern look in a black and white palette.  When I asked the bride her favorite wedding details, she immediately told me about 1) her pink wedding shoes and 2) her bouquet of Gerber Daisies!  This graphic mod daisy motif in black and white with pops of pink fit the bill!

You may have seen this invitation suite featured last week on LindsayVan Cleave's blog "Chic to the Nines."  Lindsay is also the talented creative force behind LCVintage.  Be sure to check out her etsy shop to see some her gorgeous custom jewelry!  Here's one of my favorite pieces, "The Knot" necklace: