The Big Reveal...

I think that most of the people invited to the wedding who read this blog should have received their invitations by today.  So, here is the big reveal!  

First, the outer envelopes:

They are Stardream Sapphire A9 envelopes.  They have the gold, embossed stamp on the envelope flap and a gold, monogrammed sticker/seal on the bottom of the flap (I picked them up from Michael's a few months back.  They were 42 for $1.00).

I simply printed the addresses onto the envelopes using my laser printer.  The font is Edwardian Script.  And, of course, you will recognize Miss Oveta Culp Hobby in the upper right hand corner.   

Next up, the inner envelope:

I used a gold calligraphy pen to write the names of the guests on the envelope.  My handwriting isn't beautiful, but it's one of the only places people had to see it. 

Then I sealed the back with a wax seal.  These suckers were complicated, but they were the only things that Philip requested for the invitations, so I had to do them.  I'll have to dedicate an entire post to them.  Unfortunately, I can't get a good picture of them.  The seal actually has a script 'B' stamped onto them. 

Now, let's open this beauty up!

 

That is the navy blue pocketfold with the RSVP envelope layered on top of it.  And, layered on top of the RSVP envelope is the RSVP itself.  And, it's all wrapped together with a simple ivory ribbon (like a beautiful gift!). 

Let's get a close up of those RSVPs and return envelopes:

It's pretty simple.  They are printed on ivory paper and then mounted on coppery brown cardstock.   Here is a better idea of what they look like (direct from the Publisher File that I created them from):

I tried to keep them simple but elegant.  I think I succeeded.  I used Edwardian Script and Copperplate Gothic.  The swirls actually came from our Monogram.  I used Microsoft Paint to break it down into its smaller elements so I could use them in other places.  

And, here is the RSVP envelope:

I used the same stamp from embossing the outer envelope flap to stamp the RSVP envelopes.  Except, for these, I used navy blue ink.  I almost wish I would have used the embossing ink and powder for these as well.  It's just fun to work with!  I used just plain stamps for the RSVP envelopes.  Most of them had the statue of liberty or the American flag on them.  

Next, the part I'm sure you've all been waiting for, the pocketfolds themselves:

The pocketfolds are navy blue (actually, they are Night from Paper Source).  The invitation part is navy font printed on ivory paper which is then mounted on coppery brown cardstock.  The inserts are navy font printed on ivory paper.  

The inserts are the Map, the Directions, the Information/Accommodations, and the Reception.  I included any information I could think of!  And, our wedding website is included in that as well for any other questions the guests may have.  

Well, there you have it.  These puppies have a whole lot of my blood, sweat, and tears in them.  Not to mention all of the time and effort spent on them!  They aren't exactly what I had pictured in the beginning, but I am more than happy with them.  

So, what do you think?!

My favorite part of the invitations...

The invitations are almost complete.  I keep having little issues which are delaying the process.  However, they should be finished tonight!  And, if not, I'm throwing them in the trash and just calling everyone.  lol   -- kidding!

Anyway, last night, I got to work on something for the invitations that was actually fun.  That is really unusual lately!  I'm talking about embossing!

Yesterday after work, I picked up a heat gun thing to do the embossing.  I thought it would be tricky or boring or some other terrible thing.  I was wrong!  It's so cool!  I love embossing.  I wish I would have included more of it for our invitations!  

First, you get your envelope ready.  And, by ready, I mean stick it on a flat surface (ha!).

Next, stamp the flap on the envelope.  I used the stamp I created for our return address.  The ink I used was Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink in Clear For Embossing.  

Next, pour embossing powder over the stamped envelope and then lightly tap it off so that the powder is only covering the ink.  I used Zing! Embossing Powder in Gold (I wanted to make sure that it would show up on the dark blue envelopes!).  

Next, use an embossing heat tool to raise the image.  I used a Uchida Embossing Heat Tool.  I got it from Michael's with a 40% off coupon.  It ended up being about $15.  

In that photo, you can see that the bottom powder is already "melting" and starting to raise up.  It's pretty much the coolest thing ever to watch.  ;)  When it's finished, it looks like this:

The entire stamp is raised up off the paper.  And, it looks shiny and beautiful.  :)  Please excuse all of the blacked out middles on the stamp; I can't take any chances on getting stalkers!  I'm already under enough stress!

The process is super easy and takes only about a minute.  And it's just so cool to watch the powder melt!  If you haven't ever embossed anything, give it a whirl!  It helped me ease some stress from this crazy invitation making endeavor!  

Our Address Stamp

Our address stamp arrived a few days ago, but the stamp pad and embossing powder didn't arrive until today.  I still haven't picked up the heat gun to do the embossing though.  I'm going to pick one up at Michael's tomorrow using a coupon.  :)

But, here is a preview of what it's going to look like (without being embossed):

Excuse the marking out of the address... can't ever be too careful! Don't stalk me in real life, blog readers!

It turned out great!  I was worried with the tiny details above and below, but www.rubberstamps.net did a fantastic job.  I'm definitely glad that I went with them!

Our Address Stamp

I wanted an address stamp to use for our invitation envelopes and the R.S.V.P. envelopes.  I was really taken with stamps like these: 

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They're adorable, but I wasn't interested in spending a ton of money on them (they're roughly $30 a pop).  Plus, I wanted to be able to use the same stamp for the return address on the invitations and the address for the R.S.V.P.s.  

So, I designed my own:

I used the flourishes from our wedding monogram/logo and used Bell MT font for the address.  Obviously, that isn't our real address, but you get the idea!

I ordered the stamp from www.rubberstamps.net.  I bought the 2"x2" wood mounted stamp.  I simply uploaded the image I created in Microsoft Publisher.  The stamp was $11.95 plus $3.95 shipping and handling.  Not too shabby!  

I can't wait to see it in person!  I am ordering some clear embossing ink and some gold embossing powder to use for the invitation outer envelopes (which I still have to order, but will hopefully be in navy blue).  I will also be buying navy blue ink to use on the ivory R.S.V.P. envelopes.  

I'll take some pictures when the stamp arrives.  It takes 7 to 10 days, so it will probably be one of the last things I do for the invitations. 

So, what do you think of our personalized address stamp?