Custom Menu DIY

Happy Friday everyone! With Thanksgiving only six days away (I almost fell over this morning when I realized it) I got to thinking about custom menus and their many uses. The one I have here is based on my dinner this year.



You don't have to be a graphic designer to do this. Just be sure to use a good cardstock or heavy resume paper in ivory.

Frame: The Graphics Fairy. You will have to resize the image slightly to fit on standard 8 1/2 by 11 paper.
Menu Font: Kelly Ann Gothic
Script Font: Angelica from New Revolutions Designs
Headers: Copperplate Gothic Light (standard on all programs)

If you feel the menu is too large, turn the page to 'landscape' and make two menus side by side. Again, you'll have to shrink the frame image, but that's fairly simple. Also consider your color palette when doing the text. If you have any questions, send me an email and I'll try to help.

Whether for the holidays, dinner for two, or your wedding, custom menus add elegance and personal detail.

Austin Press at Anthro!

I received an email from Kimberly over at Austin Press this morning announcing that she has a line of monogrammed notecards which are now available at Anthropologie. If you aren't familiar with Austin Press, skip on over to their website. Kimberly uses a vintage letterpress and styles her typeface from antique bookplates. Serious eye orgy for the letterpress obsessed, my friends. The custom invitations are beyond.




Anthropologie does not have the note card set on their website yet, but who can complain about making a trip there? Each letterpressed card comes with a craft paper envelope with the prettiest scalloped edge.

Mercie! The Thank You Note

Often a second thought but most cherished by your guests is the thank you note. I usually hold on to wedding invitations, but that's just part of being in the business. Like most people, though, what I truly cherish is the hand written note from the bride and groom, showing their gratitude for being a part of their special day. People like to feel appreciated, especially for weddings, which can be a big expense for some of your guests. Here are a few letterpress designs that I think really stand out:

If you abide by all of the rules of proper ettiquette, your thank you's should be in note form with your monogram at the top (either your 'couple' monogram or the initial of your last name is acceptable). The old fashioned lettering at Delphine Studios is the jam.

Postal Press's initial notecard is for the more casual couple who still wants to follow all of the rules.

Here are a couple thank you cards that provide plenty of space for your personal message:

This thank you card goes a step further than the rest, with its 'very much' beautifully written across the front of the card on a vintage banner. From Letterpress.

Pretty lime green, aqua, curry and gray mini thank you cards from Two Hand Design are sweet and affordable ($7.50/8).

I love the simplicity of this beautiful 'French Manners' thank you card set, as well as the ample writing space. From Pearl Marmalade.

Igloo Press's pull out thank you card is a classic and elegant design, but the hole punched envelope lines up with the lettering on the inside card, adding a little bit of old fashioned whimsy.

Here is a link to Emily Post's thank you note etiquette. Read it, know it, live by it. Remember, never just sign your name. Be sure to thank your guest for their specific gift.

Also, be sure that if you adhere an adress label, that it and your stamps aren't holiday or season specific. It's one of those nit picky things that some people notice (admittedly, I am one of them). Santa stamps and a snowflake address label in July are a no-no.

Blog Stalking and Other Adventures

Here is a round-up of my favorite things from the web this week:

Unbelievably cute invitations and marriage certificate from Rifle.

Heather Bullard's design blog; repurposed German enamel utensil holder. Killing me.

Cindy from Brass Paper Clip not only recommends the best blogs to read, but her vintage Etsy shop it by far one of the best.

Over at The Bride's Cafe, Stephanie is rockin' the most amazing dress from Seattle designer Chrissy Wai-Ching. Grab a hanky, 'cause you're about to drool.

Totally fun wedding from 100Layer Cake with loads of vintage and custom details. My favorite!

Check out Ruche's blog for a chance to win a pretty and sweet cardigan!

Old fashioned candy inspired wedding.

A giant Orea? I'm pretty sure I need this.

By far the best food blog. Ever.

If you're a fan of the wise owl, you'll love this.

I'm really looking forward to next week when all of the changes to Smitten will be in effect! Thanks to all of you for your continued readership! Happy weekend to all.

Free Monogram Download: Gray and Yellow

I have a sweet monogram collection for you guys tonight in this season's popular wedding color combination of yellow and gray. Use the two inch images for thank you cards, envelopes, stationary, napkins, escort cards, you name it. Click on the image to enlarge, save as a picture and cut and paste as necessary. If you need a letter after 'P', leave me a comment and I'll be happy to email it to you.

Butterfly Table Numbers

I love the use butterflies in the fall. Their wings are truly in the season's palette. Butterflies also represent new beginnings, the perfect symbol for a wedding date. Here's an easy way I Incorporated them into table numbers:



Other than your ink and card stock, this project is free. Here is what I used:

Free butterfly clip art from Wordplay. You can also find vintage botanical butterfly clip art at Antique Clip Art.

Darrian's Frames is a terrific dingbat collection. Since you can change the size and color of the twenty plus frames available, it's a must-download for anyone planning diy wedding projects.

Remember the collection of fonts I gave you to download 2 days ago? That's where I plucked this calligraphy number from. In case you need it again here's the link.

Play around with the size and color until you find something that really strikes your fancy. With just these three simple downloads, you have hundreds of possibilities. Happy diy-ing!

Save the Dates: Taking the Plunge!

How cool is this save the date?! It reminds me of a cross between a camp brochure and a vintage board game. The palette, typography, everything about it is delightful. And it spins!

{from diy bride}

In Love With...

I have had so much inspiration this week, and here are a few reasons why. These things make my heart pitter patter, my eyes sparkle, and my mouth smile.

Gorgeous dresses from Calypso. You must check out their website. This set is on sale now! Perfect for mismatched bridesmaid dresses in vintage art nouveau colors.

From Calypso's new collection. Ridiculously beautiful.


I still love ballet flats. If you're going to be on your feet all day, be comfortable! White ruffled flats by Jeffrey Campbell; blue velvet flats from Miu Miu.


I discovered Michelle Rago's blog by chance and fell for her pretty papery and how she chronicles her personal creative process. The lovely seahorse and coral letterpress invitations and escort cards are a wonderful deviation from the typical seashore theme.


Krista Raak's accessories are a to die for combination of vintage charm and elegant opulence. I imagine Daisy Buchanan carried a bag or wore a choker very similar to the ones Krista designs.


I can think of dozens of uses for this sash from J Crew. I think giving one of these to each of your bridesmaids would be an excellent way to make the Calypso dresses (above) coordinate, and/or make a sweet gift. I'm ordering mine today!

Leave a little love! I heart comments~.