rock paper scissors

elum inspiration board: restoration

i couldn't say it any better, so here's what elum designs has to say about their "restoration" wedding invitation suite and the mood board behind it:

"The ‘Restoration‘ wedding invitation from our Elum Couture Vol. 2 album is a reflection of the revival of vintage and organic elements within an urban setting. This 3 color letterpress wedding invitation utilizes distressed typography that, when paired with subtle floral elements and a rustic textured background, exudes a shabby and (ultra) chic quality that is perfect for the hip couple looking for an invitation with a unique customized feel. Take a look below at the inspiration behind this modern trend-setting design..."

1. Wedding reception, photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty

2. Happy bride, photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty

3. Peonies, photo source unknown via Google Images

4. Vintage pearl necklace, photo by Sedona Bride Photographers via Style Me Pretty

5. Mint julep cocktail, photo by Laura Flippen via San Francisco Magazine

6. Restoration letterpress wedding invitation, elum designs, inc.

7. Groomsmen in tuxes, photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty

8. Vintage New York license plate, Government Auctions Blog

9. Wedding cake, Martha Stewart Weddings

10. Neutral bridesmaid dresses, photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty

11. Rustic metal letter, photo source unknown

12. Restoration letterpress wedding invitation, elum designs, inc.

13. Wedding shoes on rustic metal,
photo by Frank Amodo Photography via Style Me Pretty

14. Engagement Ring, photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty

15. Flower bouquet favors, photo source by Heavenly Blooms

16. Sweetheart Forks, BHLDN shop

17. Kensington Collection, Restoration Hardware

18. Neutral bridesmaid dresses, photo by 
Hollye Schumacher Photography via Pretty Little Weddings

19. Vintage dresser card table, photo by 
Danielle Capito Photography via Style Me Pretty

20. Vintage desk and chair, photo source unknown

21. Primping the bride, photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty

22. Restoration letterpress wedding invitation, elum designs, inc.

whispy watercolor

from weddings to fashion to art, another trend to highlight... watercolor!

 

 

so if you have any talent, grab a journal and some paints and get going!

Here's what we're loving: this gift wrap from Dear Hancock:

or these "desk" cards (which one are you? gardener? writer? chef? artist?):

or just for fun:

and local artist Maria Pace:

maybe it's time you find YOUR inner artist!

Virginia Living Magazine, Best of 2012

with winners' circles dominated by Richmond-based businesses, rock paper scissors was honored to come out on top in the best fine stationery category of Virginia Living's most recent (and new!) "best of" issue for 2012.

the vote was broken into 5 regions (we land in the Central Virginia Category) and voted on by virginians (10,000 of you!)

congrats to our fellow charlottesville winners (and search for more here):

Blue Moon Diner (best breakfast restaurant)

Gearharts (best chcolatier)

The Local (best locavore restaurant)

Hamilton's (best place for a power lunch)

Christian's Pizza (3rd place, best slice of pizza)

Revolutionary Soup (3rd place, best vegetarian restaurant)

Barboursville Vineyards (best winery)

Pippin Hill Farms & Vineyards (2nd place, best winery)

Veritas Winery (3rd place, best winery)

The Inn at Sugar Hollow Farm (2nd place, best bed & breakfast)

University of Virginia (2nd place, best college or university)

Keswick Hall (3rd place, best hotel)

Wintergreen Resort (best resort)

Keswick Hall (2nd place, best resort)

Boar's Head Inn (3rd place, best resort)

Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge (best retirement community)

Boar's Head Inn (best tennis club)

Charlottesville Pavilion (best large music venue)

Ivy Nursery (2nd place, best greenhouse and nursery)

Smith and Robertson (best home builder)

Nest Realty (2nd place, best real estate company)

SCARPA (best shoe store)

Bikram Yoga (best yoga studio)

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards (2nd place, best party venue)

some other fun facts gleaned from this issue: did you know virginia is the 5th largest wine-producing state in the country? cheers! 

and thanks again to all who voted!

simple silhouettes & pink peonies

we just realized we never blogged about this amazing inspirational shoot concepted, styled and shot (on film!) by Elisa B Photography. it was featured on Grey Likes Weddings and we were honored to be apart of it, contributing the wedding invitation suite design and printed materials. there was a wispy romanticism about it, and we love how the black silhouettes popped (and balanced!) the pink and grey details. shot on a gorgeous, if hazy, day at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, floral inspiration came from Hedge Fine Blooms, the cake by Maliha Creations. rustic details, like a chicken wire frame to hang the escort cards and vintage cameras at each place setting, added more layers of charm. check it out for yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what a stunning couple. what's your favorite wedding detail?

additional vendors include: just a little ditty, stonegate event rentals, festive fare, and lora elaine makeup.

locally charlottesville

excited and honored to have the "girly dog" notecard set from rifle paper company featured on page 15 (titled "found locally", see bottom right) in the latest edition of locally charllottesville!

can't see?

love the beautiful watercolor cover of the spring/summer 2012 issue:

thanks locally charlottesville!

1canoe2 (spotlight)

today we're chatting with Carrie Shryock (left) of 1canoe2 letterpress....who recently updated their logo...

old:

new:

what do you think? you may have seen their "state" art prints recently; they have been very popular! remember, we can order any state, we just may not have all states in stock!

 

how did you get into what you are doing?  

Beth and I always talked about running some sort of business where we could sell our creations. We fell into letterpress after Beth's husband bought her a little tabletop press before they got married. We played around with printing our own designs, and then after we spent hours and hours printing a run of about 300 calendars by hand we decided that maybe we'd look for a bigger, motor-operated, press. We found a big Chandler and Price press, brought it home, and never looked back. We now own three presses, which we run out of our barn studio.  

what is the story behind your brand's name?  

One canoe, two girls - although now there are three of us! We like canoes. There are some really great spring-fed rivers here in Missouri, and there might not be a better way to spend a hot summer day than floating down a nice cold river. 

what is your favorite item from your line?

I really like our "People In Your Neighborhood" series. The idea behind these came from a project that I taught in my elementary art classroom last year when I was still teaching. It was fun to develop these characters and see them come to life through letterpress.

 

where do you get your inspiration?  

Everywhere. There are beautiful things all around us if you are looking for it, but I find most of my inspiration in the outdoors. When I can spend a couple of hours walking in the woods I come back with a clear mind and usually ideas for several new designs. I really get interested in the details of things...the petals on a flower, the rings on a tree stump, the intricate pattern of a spider web.  

who is your favorite artist?  

I don't think I could narrow it down to one. I love the playful and lighthearted work of Alexander Calder. The way that Andy Goldsworthy infuses his work into the natural landscape is amazing. I love the graphic patterns of Orla Kiely. I'm also drawn to the work of illustrators with a linear style like Roald Dahl and Carson Ellis.  

 

tell us something about yourself we wouldn't otherwise know?  

Well, I'm about to leap into the world of beekeeping. A while back I read the book "The Secret Life of Bees" and became fascinated with honeybees. They are SO amazing! I received a beehive as a Christmas gift from my parents, and I'm getting it set up in my backyard. I will soon be populating it with my very own colony of honeybees. Hopefully later in the summer there will be honey to harvest. We'll see how it goes!

what is the best piece of advice you've ever received?  

I think it was about a year ago when I was toying with the idea of leaving my job as an art teacher to focus on 1canoe2 full time. It was a scary and difficult decision, but my dad said to me, "Carrie, just do what is going to make you happy. If you have a job you love you will never feel like you are working." That pretty much cleared it up for me. Drawing and designing and letterpress is what I was happy doing, so I decided to just jump headfirst into making our business grow. I haven't regretted it at all!

if you weren't making letterpress artwork, what would you be doing?  

I would probably still be working as a teacher, but I'd still be creating or making something. I feel like creating is in my genes, and if I go for too long without some sort of creative outlet I get a little antsy.

oscar wilde and his wisdom

Oscar Wilde quotes are popping up everywhere... above in greeting card format from J. Falkner. below in birthday card format from a. favorite design:

mara mi has just launched a whole men's & women's product line called oscar wilde wisdoms... here's the men's, a very masculine stationery set of 10 cards with 2 each of 5 assorted Oscar Wilde quotes with pinstripe liners; soy candle in "Old Fashioned" - a swooning mix of Bergamot, Jasmine and Oak Moss. plus awesomely designed matches. of course!

 

 

and their women's collection (stationery, notebook, and notepad set):

 

 

now if we can all just put this wisdom to good use! maybe some of the new grads have some advice to share?

elum inspiration board: archiva

elum designs' "archiva" wedding invitation suite is the perfect love story... a timeline save the date interspersed with vintage-looking postage stamps reminds us of the little details that make up a couple's love story! trips together or letters written from afar, tell your tale with this clean and simple design that evokes a lasting love with antique touches and delicate textures. after all, isn't it all about the details? check out elum's mood board (swoon!):

1. Mason jar candle, photo by Nicole Polk via Style Me Pretty

2. Bride, photo by Three Nails via Style Me Pretty

3. Archiva wedding invitation, elum

4. Figs and bread, photo by Aaron Delesie via Style Me Pretty

5. Bouquet with artichoke, photo by Jagger Photography

6. Vineyard wedding, photo source unknown via Center Blog

7. Vintage wedding rings, photo source unknown via Bespoke Bride

8. Olives, photo by Keith Levit via Online Poster

9. Rustic boutonnieres, photo by Three Nails via Style Me Pretty

10. Living ring pillow, photo by FotoPerlas via Style Me Pretty

11. Lemonade, photo by Elizabeth Messina Photography via Style Me Pretty

12. Archiva wedding invitation, elum

13. Vintage stamp, photo source unknown via Stampspostagestamps.com

14. Succulent in jar, photo by Trent Bailey Photography

15. Vintage stamps in glassine bags, photo by packandpost via Etsy

16. Outdoor table setting, photo source unknown via Everything Fabulous

17. Baguettes in basket, photo by Meg Smith Photography via Style Me Pretty

18. Flower girl, photo source unknown via Etsy

19. Archiva wedding invitation, elum

20. Handmade soap favors, photo by Jamison Wexler Photography via Style Me Pretty

21. Chocolate blackberry cake, photo by Braedon Photography via Enjoy Cupcakes

22. Man’s best friend, photo by via Katie Stoops Martha Stewart Weddings

23. Vintage key escort cards, photo source unknown via United With Love

mother's day is may 13

that's about 2 weeks away... are you ready? come check out our selection of cards... but don't wait til the last minute and then ask for one of the cards you see here... mom deserves better than that....

 

an interview with sycamore street press (spotlight)

back on the blog today with another vendor interview... we feel so fortunate to get a sneak peek into their cool lives... meet Eva (& Kirk & Ingrid) from Sycamore Street Press!

you'll recognize some of their cards, many of which are my faves:

how did you get into what you are doing?

I grew up watching my dad run his own business and my mother creating one creative project after another. I think I took after both of them. Upon graduating with an MFA in printmaking, I found a letterpress, set up an Etsy shop, started traveling to handmade events, and it just took off from there. 

what is the story behind your brand's name? 

We lived on a charming, historic, brick paved road called Sycamore Street when I got the letterpress and started the business. It's as simple as that.

what is your favorite item from your line?

How can I choose?! It's always changing, but right now I'm really loving the Our Story art print, which is part of our Lark line that's designed & written by Kristin Mills & Amy Shaffer. 

where do you get your inspiration?

Folk art, outsider art, vintage illustrations and films... Since we moved back to Utah a few years ago, I've been incredibly inspired by the mountains, trees, and animals I'm surrounded by every day. 

  

who is your favorite artist?

Jockum Nordstrom, Kiki Smith, Grandma Moses, and Pieter Breugel are a few... But if I have to pick just one, I'd say my daughter Ingrid. She gets so animated and excited every time she draws, and that's so inspiring to watch. 

tell us something about yourself we wouldn't otherwise know?

I was in 2 pop bands in college named after things from The Little Prince: drawing number one, and My Friend Fox. 

what is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Love one another. 

if you weren't making cards, what would you be doing?

Another creative business with Kirk. I love that we get to work together every day, and that we both get to spend so much time with Ingrid. Maybe we'd illustrate childrens' books. Or open a shop. As long as it's creative and we're together. 

 

THANKS EVA!!