A Special Holiday Freebie

We would like to wish you all the MERRIEST Christmas and the HAPPIEST 2011. To say “thanks” for all the encouragement and support you’ve provided us as our business continues to grow, we’ve created a PDF with a wintery note card you can use to thank friends and family for all their wonderful gifts, cookies, and hospitality this season, or just to say “Hello.”

Here’s what to do:

  • Download the PDF here: LetItSnow.pdf
  • Open the PDF and print it on your favorite 8.5×11 white cardstock in LANDSCAPE mode. (If possible, turn OFF scaling or zoom in your PDF viewer. Just make sure you print to 100% scale). 2 cards will print on 1 page.
  • Cut the page in half to 5.5″ wide x 8.5″ tall and fold each card to it’s final size, 5.5″ wide x 4.25″ tall. Click here for a diagram.
  • The card will open from the bottom and fits any standard A2 envelope.

You are welcome to pass this on to friends. Warmest Wishes!

Complete Wedding Suite

Shelby and I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful woman, named Heidi, on a full wedding suite. When we first met about her invitations, our only parameters were that she wanted to keep things simple and loves the color green. Heidi let us run wild with the rest! I presented a few options and Heidi chose one that I adapted into a more fine tuned design. Here are a few pictures I took of the full suite.

Invitation Suite Event Suite Event Logo Map Detail

We started with a flat 5×7 invitation on a black metallic backing layer and added a matching response card, custom designed map with directions and accommodation information, and fully printed envelopes (return and recipient addresses).

A few months later, she came back to us and decided she wanted the design to be incorporated into ALL her wedding stationery. I’ve said before that designing a full suite is one of the easiest ways to add a personal touch to your special occasion, so I was happy we were able to work with such a fun couple. The design transfered over to the reception and ceremony materials quite nicely, and Heidi’s photographer was kind enough to share his images.

Images below © 2010 www.MarkMayPhotography.com
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Coming Soon: DIY Holiday Photo Cards

The holidays are right around the corner. Have you taken your family photos yet? Well, grab your ugly sweaters and fireplace DVD and order some DIY photo cards!

The image above is an example (in birth announcement form) I found online a while back. I thought it would work well for those of us who can never decide on one single photo.

Here’s how it works. We design the card, you attach the photo. This is great for those of us who can never decide on one single pose, or for sending different photos to different people. Your boss gets the perfect family photo, while the grandparents get to see your family’s “true” colors :)

We will have a few designs to choose from, or we can work together to design something more personal. Stay tuned for more info!

Update from Sarah and Dave

I asked Dave to keep me in the loop with their recovery and wanted to share with you the latest. His message is as follows.

We were burned in a manhole explosion in Rio de Janeiro on June 29 while on our way to look at an apartment in order to continue my research.  Thirty-five percent of my body was burned and after 28 days I was released.  My burns continue to heal and I wear compression gloves and a sleeve all the time to help that effort.

Eighty to eighty-five percent of Sarah’s body was burned and she is still in the hospital, 51 days and counting.  There have been many roadblocks, but she is doing well and improving in great strides right now.  Physical therapy has been challenging but she is now able to walk quite well and go up and down stairs with little assistance. We have been blessed by the presence of our families, who all traveled to be with us for the first week and a half.  My father and Sarah’s mother have been here the entire time, which has obviously been a huge help.

Upon Sarah’s release from the hospital we will be continuing with our recovery back in Columbus as we try to heal up enough to return to teaching and graduate study at Ohio State starting in January.  This has been an incredibly trying time and we have been overwhelmed in a very positive way with all the prayers, positive energy, love, and concern that has come our way.

Dave, Sarah, and their families continue to be in my prayers. For those who may not know, Sarah and Dave are avid runners. They encouraged me to stay the course when I thought about backing out of the 1/2 marathon I ran a few months ago and inspired me to keep training after the race. Each mile I run reminds me to cherish every day and everyone in my life.

Just a reminder, if you’d like to give to the McLaughlin/Lowry Fund click here.

We’re Running in Findlay’s Red White and Blue Marathon!

Shelby and I are teaming up with friends and family to run the Findlay Marathon as a 5-person relay team (because only crazy people can run the whole thing by themselves). The race is scheduled for October 3rd. We’ll be posting updates on our team’s Facebook Page all through out training.

Our cause

My good friends, Sarah and Dave, were badly burned when a utility line exploded as they were crossing a street in Rio de Janeiro. You can read about the accident here. Dave has been released from the hospital, but spends as much time as he can in Sarah’s room, encouraging her to stay positive and strong. Visit their Facebook page for updates on their recovery or to leave words of encouragement.

Help us support the McLaughlin/Lowry Fund by sending a donation. Every little bit helps.





Today’s Inspiration: Sherwin Williams

Ever since the age of the DVR, I tend to skip through commercials as quickly as I can. These, however, caught my attention right away. Kudos to Sherwin Williams on their new campaign! Colorful (obviously) and creative. Two of my favorite things.

Sherwin Williams – Bees from Orion Tait on Vimeo.

Sherwin Williams – Paint Chips from Orion Tait on Vimeo.

Fun Gift Basket for New Parents

By the time a baby shower rolls around, the impending bundle of joy is already spoiled. What gives? We don’t even KNOW this tiny person, yet we are buying it toys and clothes and books AND giving it MONEY? I’m usually the odd duck at baby showers because I like to focus on the new moms and/or dads. If I were having a baby, this is the kind of stuff I would like to be treated with:

  • a funny movie
  • junk food
  • a humorous parenting book
  • whiskey to keep mom and baby happy during teething months (don’t judge me, it works!)

It just so happens that my dear friends, who luckily have a similar sense of humor, are expecting their first baby this fall. My husband and I went down to North Carolina to visit and I brought along my first attempt at a homemade gift basket. Check it out!

New Arrival Gift Basket Gift Tag

Handmade Moneyholder

My dearest friend just graduated with her masters degree and I wanted to create my own “moneyholder” with room for a hand written note off to the side. The little pocket fits a gift card perfectly, though I suppose one could also tuck a bill or check inside. Contact us if you are interested in ordering a package of these cards, or if you’d like to come up with your own design.

Success! Top fold, tiny pocket inside Perfect for gift cards and folded checks or bills.

T.HANKS

I saw the BEST card EVER and had to share. It also reminds me that I have not been upholding my promise to share my inspirations and musings with you. So…

… for stickin’ with us.

Same business, new name

“If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.”

Thomas Edison

It’s been almost a year since Shelby and I decided to jump into the wedding invitation business, and we’re proud of where this journey has taken us.  We have big plans for the future, including new products, an Etsy shop, and opportunities for you to get a close-up look at our work. We also plan to use this blog for more than boring news and updates. We want to share with you the things that inspire us. Lovely paper. Beautiful colors. Fun and modern designs. Maybe even some music here and there. Stay tuned!

Note: All traffic from the old website will be directed here. Help us out by spreading the word about our new website!


© Copyright Lovely Umbrella Paperie / location: findlay, ohio / email: hello [at] lovelyumbrella.com / phone: 567.208.0663