Postal Rate Increase Coming April 17, 2011

Rates are going up again.

http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm?from=home_lgpromo&page=NewMailingPricesApril2011

Where Have I Been?

Wow. If there was anything I neglected I would have to say it was my Blog. Really shameful! I'm so engrossed in working closely with my clients, doing pro-bon work for non-profits, and being the at-home working Mom that I am. My daughter asked me, "Mommy, do you love your invitation job?" My reply, "YES!". It's important to show your kids responsibility and let them know that what you choose as a profession must make you happy. With all the dots connected, a joyful person equals success all around. Stay tuned!

Where have you been?

Hi blog followers. Please accept my apologies for not blogging for a few months. The past few months have been the most busiest for us, meeting with brides, creating beautiful invitations and reception paper accents. Stay tuned for photos of our latest creations. You'll want to see them for sure!

Hand Canceling v. Not Hand Canceling

With so many brides ordering gorgeous invitations from Ink Loves Paper, I've found that after we've completed their order they have questions about mailing. During our invitation creation process, I guide each one of my clients so that they are able to have an invitation that works within their budget, but yet one that is beautiful and most suited for them and their occasion...that includes postage and how to mail.

You may chose hand canceling for several reasons: the item they are mailing are too bulky or thick to run through the post office machines (this includes invitations that are embellished with crystals, ribbons or mailed in boxes).

In the mailroom, the post office clerk "hand-stamps" each of your invites with their post office mark, thus avoiding the need to quickly run it through the machines. A nice thing about hand canceling is that it doesn't crinkle your invites and the USPS marks on the side of your stamp rather on top. So for you brides using personalized mailing stamps, your image isn't stamped over.

Postage is going up May 11!

The USPS is raising their rates for first-class mail.  Effective May 11, the new rates will be as follows:

$0.44 for first class letter rates for the first ounce

$0.28 for postcards

For more information, visit the USPS website or click below:

Wedding Invitation Trends for 2009

New Year, new trends...

Vintage Me

Damask, baroque patterns coupled with bolder color combinations, alternative fonts, and the addition of modern elements will see these antique style patterns take on a whole new meaning of wedding invitations.

Be in the Shade

You will see an explosion of an array of different colors palettes.  Using aqua with fuschia and accented by silver or yellow and gray with green highlights is thinking "outside the box".

Mono-what?  Monogram!

Incorporating personal elements into your wedding stationery will definitely make yours, one-of a-kind!

Fruit Punch

Two popular color choices towards the end of 2008 were orange and yellow.  they haven't gone sour.  Go beyond the primary orange and think tangerine, kumquat, neon orange.  It blends well with aqua, black, baby blues and greens.  Feeling yellow? Visit the citrus spectrum of lemongrass, canary yellow, or buttercup.  Eyes will pop!

Get in Shape

Swim past the regular rectangular invite and dive into square, circular or rounded-corner invitations.  Seeing less weight from a invitation?  Current trends include dual sided cards with your invitation on one side and on the reverse being reception information.

Wrap me in more than just White or Ivory

Colored envelopes will be seen more in mailboxes in 2009.  Coordinating the color of the envelope with your theme will show that special added touch on your invitation suite.

South Coast Winery Bridal Show

Golden Opulence

Shimmery Silver

Royalty Pink

South Beach

Spring Green

I had the pleasure of working with a really cool and talented chick today. Dawnielle, of The Divine Event, a preferred vendor of South Coast Winery, asked me to provide her with some of my designs to use on her tablescapes in the SCW's ballroom.  First, she sent me an email detailing what would be used for each tablescape.  From there it was me to decipher which menu card or place card would accessorize her tables the best.  I love being able to read what's on paper, visualize, understand and make my items complimentary to another designer's vision (even without seeing what is actually being used).  Enjoy the photos (sorry for the quality, the best I could do with my point & shoot camera)!

p.s. After talking with Dawnielle post-show, she said it was a great success (got leads and even a booking for both of us)!

More Colors!

In addition to the already stocked 200 color and pattern choices Ink Loves Paper has to offer, we just added more! Paper can be beyond just flat one solid-color.  Explore and go big with:

*textures

*sparkles

*metallics

*vinyls

*woodgrains (my new favorite)!

*vellums (colored ones are more fun)

I can't wait to blog and show you the new, fun, and exciting ensembles that will be added to the Ink Loves Paper line of invitations.  

Stay tuned...

Marry Me Lounge

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to be surrounded by the most talented and unique wedding and event vendors from the Inland Empire. We gathered at the Marry Me Lounge in Old Town Temecula. Run by two very cool gals, Terre & Cathy, you can find all the vendors you need for your event all under one roof! If you are in the Temecula area, come visit and you can see my custom invitations designs. Hope you see you there!

2009!!

Hello! Happy new year. Hopefully you have settled in and embraced all the goodness that 2009 will bring. Every year, I make a list of things that I want to accomplish in the year to come. Make this your year to do the same and make your life happen. I am finding better ways to deliver the best invitations that represent you. We are working on finding the best and most economical and ecological mediums to create your special event paper good. Let 2009 be the best year to celebrate your special occasion.