Big, exciting news!
So for those that have been following, I keep talking about “big, exciting news” that will be announced soon. Well, the day has come! I’m so happy to announce that The Pink Orange has grown and is now in it’s first paper boutique! Remember the story I told you how I used to spend my allowance at the local Hallmark store after ballet class on Friday nights? How I told my mother I could do that? Well, I have!
I would proudly like to introduce to you all, Paperdolls of Saratoga! I have to say, that I am really excited that my first retail location for my product is local to me. It feels like an artistic mash-up! I know that everyone that reads along isn’t local, and i have great news for you too, but for those that are and either might not know about Paperdolls, or do and just haven’t had the chance to stop in, you should! You are missing out on some of the best paper treats and gifts around!
A little bit about the store from Sarah Keefe, one of the owners:
In this crazy world of instant and easy communication, PaperDolls of Saratoga focuses instead on the simple gestures of life: the pleasure one gets from receiving a beautiful invitation, the joy on one’s face when opening the perfect gift, the satisfaction of creating something wonderful from nothing. Whether you are looking to create a keepsake or find the perfect box of stationery, PaperDolls of Saratoga is your source for fine papers, invitations, announcements, ribbon, and unique gifts. We invite you into PaperDolls of Saratoga to rediscover life’s simple gestures.
Sarah, Cora and myself the day their order was dropped off!
Definitely if you are in the area, stop in and say hello to Sarah and Cora, and of course take a peek at all the wonderful goodies!
OK… so now onto the other fun news. The Pink Orange shopping section has changed! Check it out! More letterpress cards added with more on the way. Quick, easy navigation with all the goodies categorized. I hope it makes it fun and easy to find the perfect card for that special someone. Now… go ahead, get shopping!
[ store photo credits: Heather Bohm-Tallman ]
Summertime at the beach
Imagine a warm breeze, sea glass, sand pipers and the ocean waves… Then add in a fantastically fabulous bride and her family and you’ve got yourself a really fun, shore wedding.
When Meredith (the bride) and I first spoke, we clicked right away! I knew she was going to be a pleasure to work with. She is an interior designer who appreciate color, texture, and extraordinary design elements. It was also very important to Meredith to use recycled papers and conserve where possible. We talked about everything her wedding weekend would entail. On my end I brainstormed and researched appropriate imagery, colors and textures. We both had the same vision for her invites.
This is the inspiration board she sent to me:
The final result was a custom pocket-fold that is textured like sand with speckles of color. Letterpressed sandpipers adorn the outside and is tied shut with twine. To avoid using an inner envelope, a small hang tag was used with the less formal names in calligraphy by Laura Hooper. On the inside, the invite is mounted and all of the other elements are tucked into the pocket. A double sided, folded response card to save paper was a nice way to have guests respond to each of the weekend’s upcoming activities and to keep things organized when the responses start rolling in!
Enjoy the photos!
New card designs
Good morning!
I wanted to share with you two new card designs. Part of “The Yearly’s” collection, I designed these anniversary cards. One was inspired by one of my favorite brides, Alexis. You might remember her and her bird motif from this real wedding feature. Well I just loved the blue birds so much, I carried the idea over for an anniversary card!
Enjoy…
sneak peak
Do you remember me posting about these save the dates and invitation mock-ups? Well, the invitations are assembled, the envelopes addressed and one last thing to do is add some twine and put them in the mail! Here is a teaser photo though of the finished product. They are so beautiful, I can’t wait to share!
business card reveals
I have been working on two different business card designs simultaneously. The best part about it? They are so different it goes to show the extreme opposites of projects i work on, which i love!
The first is Deborah’s cards. I had her cards printed on double thick, smooth white stock. They are letterpressed on both sides and i just love how the pink pops off of the white paper! We agreed on a square card and to have the right hand corners rounded to compliment the ‘D’ in her logo. The back is a beautiful flourish repeated. We are going to use that in other aspects of her collateral and website, which I’m excited about.
The second cards shown are for Ketan Vakil, an online marketing strategist based in NYC. Designing for social media, web analytics and information architecture was so different then for Deborah- but that is where the fun of research and brainstorming along the way comes in! Ketan’s are also letterpressed front and back. The fun difference is that the back of his have a full coat of color, which in turn makes the text feels embossed because the blue is pressed into the paper. I love that effect!
real party: A baby shower
With all of this cold and snow here in the great northeast, I figured I would share a Real Party, summer baby shower style with you! Makes me long for the sun and warmth and especially to see my friend’s baby again.
This baby shower was thrown as a “jack and Jill” shower at a private home on Lake George, NY. The day ended up being perfect, and was perfectly planned around rubber ducks!
card reveal #2 (the forgotten bird)
Yesterday after I revealed the Ellie bird series, I met my friend Deborah for a yummy lunch. (I swear I could write an entire post on how delicious our lunch was….seriously). Anyway, we got talking and I realized how I had totally forgotten to present to you the birthday Ellie! So here she is:
I have to give credit to my niece though. She specially requested Ellie birthday bird with a striped hat on. So my little love, if mom is reading this to you, thank you for the idea. 
Her birthday was a couple of weeks before she came to stay with me. I mailed her gift to her so she didn’t have to wait until she came. I also printed out the Ellie bird and made her a card to go along with the gift. She then called me to Thank me when she received it and here was the conversation:
Ellie: Hi Aunta Rebecca (yes, she adds the ‘A’, how cute is that)?
Me: Hi Ellie
Ellie: Thank you so much for my gift and card. I love it. I think the bird should have a birthday hat on!
Me: With polka dots?
Ellie: No stripes Aunta Rebecca.
Me: OK! Sounds great.
And that is the simple, but adorable story of how my 7 year old niece gave me her creative direction.
