Will You Be Mine? Valentine's Day 2013

Umm, yea, it's me. I'm sure you are all like "who is this girl and why is she blogging"!? Remember, I used to blog monthly about all things paper. Well, I know it's been a while... ok, more then a while. BUT, I have reasons... more like excuses, but good ones at that. Biggest change in my life is that I had a BABY!!! Yup, I did. She is perfect and I love everything about her. Audrey was born on Friday, June 22, 2012. Here's a little lookie at her and her perfectness, lol!

Needless to say, I have been a little behind on my blog. But, I'm BACK! I can't make any promises, but I will try to get back into my groove of posting about all things paper.

My first "better late then never" post is going to be about the super cute Valentine cards and tags I just finished designing. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and because I have my own little adorable, smiley, and lovable Valentine (sleeping upstairs as I speak) this year, I really got into designing some fun and festive Valentine cards for kids. Check 'em out~ and peace out.

Checkerboard Invitations and Announcements

JW Impressions is excited to announce the newest addition to our exclusive lines list... Checkerboard!!! This stationery house offers something for everyone and has been a line I have been admiring for quite some time. I am thrilled to show all of my Brides what they have to offer and couldn't be happier that I am a part of the Checkerboard team! It's not just wedding invites either, they have all aspects of social stationery from Baby to Bar & Bat Mitzvah. Check back for more details for e-commerce services, or contact us to set up an appointment to view their albums in person!

Whitney English Clip Sheets on Oprah's Holiday Gift List!

One of my favorite products from my Paper Concierge shop, Whitney English Clip Sheets, was on Oprah's Holiday Gift List this year, again! These popular note sheets on a clipboard make great teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, hostess or bridesmaid gifts! They are also ideal for your own to-do lists, honey-do lists and grocery lists. A stack of 75 personalized 5x7 loose note paper comes with a clear acetate clipboard that measures just slightly larger. The set, as shown here with a grosgrain ribbon, will be placed inside a Whitney English signature box with tissue, meaning you will not even have to wrap this darling gift yourself!

Check out the Photo Clip Sheets too! Adorable!

Adria & Jim - 08.21.10

Adria and Jim came to me last year for their save the dates, their theme was dark purple and white, simple and elegant! Although I had never met them in person I was able to put together a Save the Date magnet design that they absolutely loved... the main star being a beautiful picture from their engagement shoot with Suzanne Collier Photography!

As we got closer to the big day they wanted to do their "Day Of" ensemble, as I like to call it, with a little more flair and design. Even though Adria still wanted to keep it on the simple and elegant side, I was able to come up with a design that fit right into the entire theme and feel of their wedding. Her flowers had lots of hydrangea in them... which is one of my favorite flowers to work with! HYDRANGEA I said! So we ran with it.... 

The first and foremost item was the program... Adria and I will laugh over it now, as it was quite the project! Check out their Full Catholic Mass bi-fold program with the hydrangea detail on the front (which carried over to the back where their thank you note was written). 

Next on the list was their menu that was placed at each place setting. We carried out the hydrangea theme with their monogram. The printing method we used was raised thermography purple ink on a crisp white 105# smooth cover stock.

Lastly, the escort cards!!! As you know, this is my favorite piece to design out of all of the "Day Of" ensemble pieces. I thought, let's give it a little more punch then having their design on white tented cards... lets add a purple tented backer!!! Adding a backer card is probably my favorite thing to do to just about anything. I feel it just finishes off the piece. We used a variable imprint method that printed each guest name on each card instead of having a blank line to hand write the names. I loved the way these turned out... to me it screams simple, elegant and hydrangea! Don't you think!?! 

Congratulations to the happy couple, Adria and Jim! It was a pleasure to work on their wedding stationery and I wish them nothing but happiness and love for years to come! Here's a peak of the fabulous Bride and Groom on their wedding day.

Trend Alert: Pale Pink & Gold

For all you romantic Brides out there this is a trend alert you are sure to love! This super soft and romantic color palette is up and coming for 2011. Pale pink (or dusty rose) and gold is such an elegant statement but it can still be playful in so many ways. Check out these little details and I am sure you will see the same gorgeous vision I have.

Calla lilies and cymbidium orchids escorted with painted eucalyptus and a ribbon wrap. Bottom bouquet has gold baubles paired with sweet peas and peonies. A metallic palm tree invite gives a modern feel. (Found on The Knot)

Signature cocktail drink: Pink lemonade in martini glasses with gold flakes around the rim. Spiked or not!

This gorgeous place setting adds to the theme! I know, too pretty to eat on... but you can and will!

Ring bearer pillow- cute!

 Pin tuck pink linens, gold satin napkins, wood chiavari chairs... long pink tapered candles! Ooh la la!

C'mon now... we cannot forget about our most important accessory... Our shoes! Seriously amazing! Get these here.

This wedding cake is so chic and elegant, I just love the gold flower detail on the top!

 

This wedding party looks beautiful with the khaki suits and pale pink dresses.

Last but not least... the favors! These adorable pink and gold rock candies and lollipops will be sure to ROCK your guests' taste buds. 

Early Bird Holiday Sale Ends Tomorrow!!!

Receive FREE return address labels with a purchase of holiday photo cards, valid through Thursday, September 30th. Here’s how it works! Visit the link ‘Early Bird Holiday Sale’ at JWIstationery.PaperConcierge.com to view the applicable items. This category contains over 900 items, some of which are cards and others are the coordinating labels. When you order a set of holiday photo cards, you may add the coordinating return address labels to your cart, then enter coupon code SEPTLABEL upon checkout, and the labels will be credited upon checkout! You may round up to the nearest quantity increment (i.e. order 80 labels for 75 photo cards, 120 labels for 100 photo cards, and so on). Please note that the labels are a separate item to be added to your cart.

Check out these adorable designs... I am so in love!

Birth Announcements from the Paper Concierge

Attention: Mommies and Daddies that have recently been blessed with your very own little bundle of joy... help spread the word and adorable sight of your beautiful baby boy or girl with a personalized birth announcement! There are many to choose from, check out the links below for more info. Here are some of my faves too ; )

Baby Girl
Baby Girl with Pictures

Baby Boy
Baby Boy with Pictures

Multiple Births, Twins, Triplets

Wedding Thank You Cards!

Your wedding has come and gone, and it was lovely! Everyone had a blast and you are on cloud nine… Now for the inevitable thank you note task. Of course you are thankful that everyone was able to share in your special day and really thankful for their generosity so do yourself a favor and end it on a good note, a thank you note that is! This is the last point of contact your guests will have from your blessed wedding therefore sincerity and promptness must not be taken lightly. There are many "time lines" out in the world for how long you actually have before you are officially behind and dare I say… On the cusp of being rude!?! I follow my etiquette rules from the one and only, Emily Post… And according to her you have THREE months to get your cards out. I know, I know, I have heard the year rule or even six month rule too… But it just isn't so!

Here are some helpful tips and proper etiquette rules to consider when writing your thank you notes:

• Your thank you note must never be preprinted or typed, it's a personal thank you to that specific guest and therefore needs to be a personal handwritten note. The same rule applies to the envelope, it should be hand written, showing your guests they were special enough for you to take this extra step.

• Simply writing “Thank you for your gift” is considered ill mannered. Each gift must be noted and discussed, even if more than one gift was given. "Thank you for the beautiful crystal vase, it will look lovely when we cut fresh flowers from the garden we plan to start!" This lets the guest know the gift is appreciated and how you look forward to using the gift. If you receive a gift of money, never mention the amount or the words “money,” “cash,” or “check.” “Thank you for your generous gift. It is going towards our savings for a house” is a nice way to acknowledge the monetary gift, and it also lets the guest know the gift will be put to good use.

• Another thing to remember is to thank them for coming to the wedding and sharing in your special day. This will let them know you aren't just thankful for the gifts, but thankful for them being there!

• It’s a good rule of thumb not to start the card with the words, “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” or “our.” keep as many of these words out of a thank you note as possible.

• Make special note to those that had official responsibilities at your wedding (Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Readers, etc.) and let them know how thankful you are that they were there to support you in your special day and for all that they did to help it come to fruition.

• For those that want to include a wedding picture in your card, listen to me when I say, do not let that delay the process! I know, you want a cute picture of your wedding day, as did I… If it puts you past your three month deadline I am sorry but you need to move on. Try to ask your photographer if they could at least send you a small handful of formal shots of the two of you to expedite the process.

• Lastly, and most importantly, always always send a thank you card to each and every single person that gave you any sort of gift along the way of your wedding. Before, during, after… They all get one! Even if you are past the three month deadline, or even the fictitious year deadline… Please still send them.

It may seem like a lot to remember and a humongous task to achieve but if you break it down to manageable steps it's really not that bad. I personally had a goal to write 10 notes a day, and I was done in a week and a half! And when you are done make sure to celebrate your accomplishment with your hubby and toast to a new chapter that has been started in your life!


Here are some of my favorite thank you cards:

Back of card above