A Peek into the Studio – Watercolor Floral Pattern with Envelopments

I remember a phone call many months ago that stopped me in my tracks.  A simple conversation led to real ideas which brought us to one very exciting end.  A few days before Christmas, Envelopments, the well known company who defines moments with paper, launched their release of Trellis, a new pattern built exclusively from my watercolor paintings.  Originally inspired by Cherry Blossoms and Queen Annes Lace, I worked closely with the Envelopments team to create a series of detailed watercolor paintings meant to be spun together in a mix of magical repeat.  Graceful leaves, wispy petals and even a bit of paint splatter made their way into the hearts of my design team and theirs and soon we hope into yours.

If you’ve flipped through the pages of the latest Martha Stewart Weddings you will see the “Vivienne and Miles” suite featuring a full color pink rendition of Trellis in all its glory.  This collection designed by the Envelopments creative team gives us a peek into the possibilities.  Soon you will see my take on Trellis…

From blushy seashell textures to classic linen stocks, “Trellis” has found a home on my favorite Envelopments stocks.  Handpicking some of these luscious ink and paper combinations was definitely the pinnacle of this experience for me.

So what am I up to? 

Chatting with the most creative couples this week, from opulent and gilded looks to quirky Vintage Lacy Trees, I am pumped about all the new designs on the painting table!

Wrapping up plans for a photo shoot on Friday featuring my take and use of the new Envelopments pattern!  All based on the Pantone color of the year, Tangerine Tango!

Prepping for a trip to Costa Rica later next week to live paint at the wedding of Kris and James!  This NASCAR family has been a dream to work with! XO

I’ll See You at The National Stationery Show!

So I’ll be hanging out in the Envelopments booth on Monday May 16th from 4-6 pm, how cool!  I’ll have some of my newest work on hand and can’t wait to spend some time with you.  So if you are in town on Monday, stop by Booth (2462) and say hello!

A Peek into the Studio – Michael’s Old Hollywood Wedding Invitations

We’ve been working with Michael for some time now.  It has been pure fun.  Michael trusts us implicitly and that has made for some epic stationery design!  We began our painted paper journey with these Engagement Party Invitations, then moved on to the painted ribbon save the dates and now we have reached the wedding invitations.  Michael is our first Bride to have us Curate a collection for her, literally.   I am in the process of finding over 300 unique brooches to adorn each and every wedding invitation.   In Michael’s words:

“Lovely, just lovely!  Thanks for finding these, they all remind me of my grandmother’s jewelery box that I used to play with as a kid…since she can’t be with us, this is my way of incorporating her in our wedding–she had the best costume jewelery.  This means a lot to me ”

When this black Envelofold® closes it will be secured with a select broach and finished with a thick blush satin ribbon knot.

So what am I up to?

In the throws of planning my Best Friend’s Wedding Shower…inspired by Carnivale de Nice.  Check out some inspiration on Pinterest.

Excited for The National Stationery Show this year and prepping for a meet and greet with my friends at Envelopments!

So excited about the incredible news I received from Leila about our renewal last year in Utah.  Delivering this kind of news to these talented folks felt so good!!

Guess who is guest blogging at Envelopments?

This sentence says it all.  Great design can stir emotion and at Momental we are all about making life more exciting by celebrating with good intentions and great care.  It is no wonder I developed an obsession with the paper pretties at Envelopments.  The shimmery textures and wow patterns that have become the mainstay at Momental are developed by some amazingly talented people whose passions have made quite a mark on the wedding industry.  You can imagine my excitement when I was asked to be a regular guest contributor on their blog!  That’s right, every other Wednesday you can read my Momental Moments series where I chat about color trends and being fearless in design while sharing some of my newest creations!

A huge thank you to my friends at Envelopments.  After years of making pretty with their papers , I could not imagine a bigger thrill than to join their blogging circle.

Inspired Creations Contest – The stationery and feathers

Thanks so much for following along my behind the scenes look at my Alchemy at the Barn shoot.  If you missed the first two posts, check here and here!  Creepy was a word that continually entered my mind when designing this table.  I know, I know…creepy…for a wedding concept?  Something Colin Cowie said at Engage 10 recently, replays in my mind and I paraphrase; when planning an event, you want to keep your guests on the edge of comfort.  Now certainly Mr. Cowie did not mean seat guests at rigid chairs and serve cold food.  I think what he meant instead is to shock guests a bit and keep them guessing as to what is coming next.    There is a certain impact that shock, surprise and the unknown hold for event planning and decor.  My thoughts exactly.

My pen and ink illustrations of Scabiosa, ladybugs and pheasant feathers were highly detailed and loaded with textures.  I purposely avoided an overly cutesy or whimsical aesthetic.

I adore this shot.  A weather worn door as low table, complete with doorknob.  The crisp white china and gold (Deerlite) flatware strike a stunning contrast to the stationery decked out in brown paper bag color cardstock against a heavily textured grey stock named Anvil from our friends at Envelopments®.  The Scabiosa bloom and ladybug are contrast painted with a thick white acrylic and then brushed with gold dots and accents!

Brandee from Metro Gypsy came on board to craft several signature pieces for each place setting and the centerpiece.

A palette of silver, rich grey, aqua and gold shone throughout the stationery collection.  Each piece had a unique personality in brushstroke, hue and paper choice.

An old truck at our farm became a lovely prop for many shots.  The table number’s gold, peach and grey palette stands stunningly against the patina of the trucks exterior.

Last but not least is the vintage 7-Up  cooler used as seating card display.  Brandee perched fallen tree branches around the unit and tucked each card amongst the brush.  The result was an eclectic mix of finishes and textures.

A huge thank you again to the team!  Daniel, Dorian and Brandee brought this vision to life with me and I am forever grateful!

Press – Painted Orchid Wedding Invitation in Inside Weddings

Have you seen the new issue of Inside Weddings?  I am thrilled to say our Painted Orchid invitation set was featured in the Summer issue.  WOW what an honor!

I was asked to create a green and fuchsia ensemble based on Tara’s design, hand-picked by the Editor herself…can you say, gulp (I did when the call came in from Leila)?  I immediately contacted my friends at Envelopments® and they were gracious enough to create a custom Pocketfold® in one of their newest stocks – Raw Silk Gold Cabana!  Within days I had 4 expertly crafted Pocketfolds® in my  hands and was ready to create some painted love to fit inside!

My thoughts immediately went to a destination invitation look.  The pocket would hold a itinerary card inviting guests to “get away with us”.  Ink pen drawn orchids and bamboo were then meticulously painted with shimmery fuchsia and creamy white inks.  Some of my favorite Envelopments papers like Magnolia and Pyrite were used alongside a richly textured matte stock with flecks of natural material throughout.

A huge thank you to Inside Weddings for trusting in me and choosing to support our work here at Momental Designs, it means the world to us!

Engage!10 Recap Part I – The Stationery and Sylvia!

What I love most about this industry are the people and dynamic nature of the business….we create new, beautiful and meaningful everyday (or at least strive to) and for this I feel grateful to even be a part.  Over the next week I will share my view of the life changing time I experienced at Engage 10 in Grand Cayman; from the striking style and paper goodness to the innovative people and ideas all captured through my eyes and pen.

With inspiring paper from Envelopments we created the main session stationery including these oversized placecards.  Jasmine Star grabbed this gorgeous shot complete with the clean morning sunlight trickling in.   I was completely overwhelmed as word got around that these lovelies were in fact individually hand painted.  Thank you everyone for your kind words and sincere appreciation for the hard work that went into crafting these pieces.

Coordinating agendas and stunning folders by my friends at Envelopments.  Folder shot by Donna!

Feeling a bit start struck in the room you can imagine my shock when Sylvia Weinstock headed over to chat and compliment the stationery.  This gal just about fell over, but not before I asked good friend Donna Von Bruening to capture the moment!  I was thrilled to have the chance to thank Sylvia for my treasured Renewal cake in person!

During hour 1 at Engage a little sketch of Envelopments Brocade pattern turned into a collage of ideas….

I think in images, color and often find my written notes evolving into sketches.  Since my first Engage experience I felt compelled to sketch and this time around my hand could not seem to keep up with my ideas.  The Engage Symposiums are all about people.  I felt this time, the room was taking a collective, much needed breath.  Conversation was electric, the energy was palpable and sincerity and kindness seemed to be the thread that brought us all together.  Egos were checked at the door and we got right down to living and learning in this live, raw and real moment that became for me the single-most energizing experience of my career to date.

After a few days to simmer and turn notes into actions these words stay at the top of my mind:

Value, Move, Define, Share, Listen, Curate

Check back tomorrow for more …sketches of Colin Cowie, Marcy Blum and more!