I can’t believe spring is already here! This usually means we are entering our busy season and this year is definitely no exception. To help lighten my load a bit I’ve had to postpone updating the blog recently. I think I’m feeling caught up though – so hopefully I can keep up with regular posting from here on out.

Despite our busy schedules, we thought it would be a great idea to take advantage of the gorgeous weather we had here last weekend.  We headed over to the JC Raulston Arboretum in order to walk around a bit, enjoy some fresh air, and keep our eyes out for inspiration.

The arboretum includes multiple theme gardens and some nice secluded spots that are quite picturesque.  You will also find thousands of plant species within the eight acre arboretum.  If you happen to live near Raleigh, definitely consider this spot if you are planning an outdoor wedding.  Being so early in the season, things were just beginning to bud and bloom; but I’m sure the views will only get better later on in the season.

Last fall, we finally purchased a new paper cutter. Our old paper cutter was moody, greasy, and not exactly the safest hunk of metal around. So when we finally tracked down a new one that suited our needs and was just the right price, we jumped at the chance to buy it. There was just one little catch (as always seems to be the case around here with equipment acquisition) – we would have to pick it up. But just how far away was this new paper cutter from Raleigh?  Well, it depends on the route you take, but to give you an idea, somewhere around 1400 miles away. This may seem a bit far to drive for a piece of equipment, but we had our reasons:   a) we really needed a new paper cutter,  b) it was great timing since fall is our slow season, and c)  we really really really wanted an excuse for a road trip. So, after considering the cost of fuel, food, lodging, and trailer rental, we packed up the car and hit the road.

We planned to spend our first night with family just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee,  but decided to make a quick stop in Knoxville with plans to visit Yee-Haw Industries.

Yee-Haw is a design and  letterpress studio specializing in event posters and art prints. Walking into their shop was one of those “we’re not in Kansas anymore” moments for sure. The walls of the space are lined with trays upon trays of wood and lead type. The place has been in business since the mid-nineties, and the years spent working on this collection of type have definitely paid off. And then there are the posters – both the walls and ceilings are plastered. It’s truly an inspiring sight!

It was great to visit a place where things are so different from what we’re used to. Unlike the folks at Yee-Haw, we do not have  a collection of type other than that of the digital variety. While our designs typically start on paper, the final designs are created in the computer. Then, if we’re designing something to be letterpress printed, we  create photopolymer plates. This enables us to make truly custom designs for our clients without having a  large collection of wood or lead type eating up our precious square footage. That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t like to have some though.  We can’t help but imagine what it must be like to open up a drawer filled with type and just start playing around with a concept. From start to finish the job can be done without even so much the thought of a computer.

We’re thankful that owner Kevin Bradley was kind enough to give us a tour of the space and let us check out all the type as well as the presses (including a neglected Heidelberg Windmill!).  I wish I had more photos of the space – but I hate to feel like I’m intruding and tend to take less photos when there are people around (I’m totally shy like that).  And though we really wanted to stay a little longer and get some dinner in Knoxville, we knew that we had a little niece waiting on us to hurry up and arrive in Chattanooga already, so it was time to hit the road once again and continue on…

Stay tuned!  I’ll be posting about our adventure periodically until finished, though not every week in a row.  Be sure to check back in the following weeks to find out what happens!

Perhaps this is a bit dark and moody for a February post – but these are the images I keep coming back to.

Clockwise from top left:   1. photo titled “Weathered” by Jennifer Dickerson Photography – I love the warm glow in this image.   2. powdered sugar dress by sarahseven – The dress is ethereal, plus there is nothing like coming home and taking your shoes off.   3. photo by Steven Brisson Photography – I’ve always preferred old books to new – something about the yellowed pages plus the occasional note written in the margin.   4. pottery by Emile Henry (via the kitchn) – I have a weakness for rustic farmhouse tables.   5. photo titled “The Journey Awaits” by Honeytree Photography – Can I  take a walk here?   6. skeleton keys available from Ashbury Lane Art & Design – I love the patina.   7. photo by Honey & Jam Photography – Warm drink on a cold night – need I say more?   8. photo titled “Gossamer” by Alicia Bock Photography – So delicate.

As a reminder to myself (and anyone else reading!) to notice all the little things that surround us in our daily lives, I’ll be posting another regular monthly feature. Everyday Things will focus on just that – the everyday items  that we sometimes take for granted or fail to notice. I stumbled across some interesting uses for buttons the other day while browsing on Etsy, which got me thinking about doing this sort of post.  The colors, textures, materials, and patterns available  are really just endless.  Here is a sampling of images from around the web that caught my eye:

First row on the left (from top to bottom): Sweet Plum Vintage, Country Living, SpareButton / Second row: Pavi Yarns, SpareButton, Tumbled Shards / Third row: momentinthesun, SpareButton, Stelma Designs, Polished / Last row on the right: Brizel Supplies, Lillian Olive, SpareButton

Happy Monday everyone! As part of keeping this blog regularly updated (yes, really, multiple posts in a month – let alone a week), I will be posting more inspiration boards like this one on a monthly basis. Enjoy!

Clockwise from top left:   1. silver vine earrings from MD Sparks – I love the little hint of texture and the asymmetrical placement of the leaves.    2. Diana wedding gown by Vera Wang -  It’s not very often that I stumble across a wedding dress that I absolutely adore, but this one has definitely tugged on my heartstrings.   3. silk bouqet sash from J. Crew – Feminine yet not too frilly.   4. photo titled “Softly” by Lori H. – Nice dreamy atmosphere…   5. satin stack rings from Stormy Sky – I’ve always had a soft spot for hammered silver.   6. painting titled “The White Calico Flower” by Georgia O’Keeffe,  as seen here – I’m nearing the end of a biography on O’Keeffe that I have been reading, so it’s only natural that she is on my mind.

by sunlit fields, a gentle breeze across the face, and the sight of wildflowers still in bloom:

and the credit goes to (clockwise from top left):   curly willow and balsa wood bouquet by jl designs/photo by ahs photography, dandelions yellow fabric by saffron craig,  vintage print of a dandelion available through holcroft, wedding gown by morgan boszilkov of natural bridals/photo via utterly engaged, painting titled “joy to the land” by gwensart, photo of dandelion titled “sweet dreams” by maleah matthews

Just thought I would share a little peak into my process when working on a new illustration.  First, I tend to do some quick sketching followed by research.  By research I mean I usually gather some inspiring photos and colors, as well as look through some of my old sketches and not so neatly place them around my drawing board.  Following this stage, I do more quick sketching until I start feeling the direction I want to go in.  Then, depending on my mood and the style I am going for, I either create some cleaner drawings by hand which I then clean up using the computer, or I create the illustration directly on the computer.

Here are a few images as well as initial sketches and ideas from a recent custom design project.  I’m really excited about the finished illustration, so I will try and post some photos of the finished project in the future.

and the credit goes to:  top left image of the yummy crinkly taffeta gown by Nicole Miller (via Brides.com), all other images by me

by reflective surfaces, hints of nature, and dusty, mellow hues:

I would like to start updating the blog more frequently and so I think this may require a few regular features on here.  First up – inspiration.  The images posted may have nothing at all to do with weddings.  There will just be something about them that I find inspiring.  Perhaps it is the item in the photo, or perhaps it will be the lighting or simply the mood evoked in an image.  I hope this will help me to catalog the things that catch my eye a bit better and perhaps someone else will find them useful as well.

Unfortunately you can not see the detail of the dress in the photo – but it has a lovely ever-so-delicate reflective pattern on it.  I think I’m in love.

and the credit goes to (clockwise from top left):  metallic rose madison gown from j. crew, mirror display as seen at crateandbarrel.com, smoky ice mirrored earrings from shysiren, “reflection” photograph from jkphotograph, antiqued silver flower earrings from shysiren, (center):  mercury glass votives from beach dwelling