empress stationery

Seashells by the Seashore

2012-01-29T09:00:00.002-06:00

Pack your Bags!

2012-01-28T23:48:00.001-06:00

Bookworm Wedding Suite

2012-01-28T22:37:00.002-06:00

New Year's Wedding

2012-01-25T21:25:00.002-06:00

A Patriotic Affair

2012-01-13T13:48:00.007-06:00

Hello all! 2012 is in full swing around here! We hope yours is off to a fabulous start, and we look forward to all it will bring! Today I'm posting a wonderful Washington DC wedding we designed for this past summer. It has been featured a few places, and I thought yesterday...did I ever post it to the blog? Forgetful me...I knowI posted the save the dates before, but here they are as a refresher...I was asked to design wedding day pieces as well, and here we are:I designed a folded menu to sit in the center of each table. The wedding was held at the Hay-Adams, and the client found a 1960s original menu from the restaurant to base the design on. I also designed postcards featuring vintage postcards from DC for guests to write well wishes on for the bride and groom. Additionally for guests, especially those from out of town, we designed an itinerary that was a 11 x 14 map when unfolded.

Happy Holidays!!

2011-12-21T15:53:00.000-06:00

Cookies & Lights Invitation

2011-12-11T22:48:00.002-06:00

Gold Flourish Christmas Card

2011-12-11T22:31:00.002-06:00

Laurel Wreath Christmas Card

2011-12-11T22:01:00.001-06:00

Berries & Banner Christmas Card

2011-12-10T22:52:00.000-06:00

New Nest Moving Announcement

2011-12-10T22:28:00.002-06:00

Wreath & Banner Bridal Shower

2011-12-10T22:13:00.002-06:00

Gingham Baby Shower Invitations

2011-12-10T21:54:00.001-06:00

Set Sail Wedding Suite

2011-10-28T09:34:00.006-05:00

A Farm Affair Wedding Collection Suite

2011-10-24T10:42:00.005-05:00

New Collection Wedding Suite

2011-10-22T21:44:00.006-05:00

Postcard Save the Dates

2011-10-20T09:20:00.005-05:00

New Kid on the Block

2011-10-10T20:00:00.004-05:00

Build-a-Library Baby Shower Invitations

2011-10-09T20:05:00.003-05:00

I got a new camera for my birthday! (can you tell??) So hopefully moving forward, I'll be using photography as much as possible...Anywho, I was asked to design baby shower invitations for a friend recently, and the idea of the shower was to build the baby's library with sweet bedtime stories and favorites of the mommy-to-be (as well as friends and family). The entire shower is library themed, and for the invite, I thought it would be great to incorporate the library card-&-pocket style with a due date card. Also, I designed bookplate labels for guests to stick on the inside of each book so the baby (eventually toddler, kindergartener, and so on) would know which special someone the book came from. I used a monogram for the baby on the plates and the silver pocket on the invitation, and would also carry over for additional pieces at the party, and possibly thank you notes after the shower. Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

New Designs!

2011-08-28T15:04:00.002-05:00

You only turn 1 once!

2011-08-14T21:43:00.004-05:00

Hello all! I'm trying to get back on track with the blog, I need to show yall what I've been working on! These are all first birthday invitations I've worked on recently. These were all custom invitations, with address labels and return address designs. Its all about the full package! I'd love to design something special for your little one's big day. Email me for more info! Have a great week!!

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Irondale Cafe

2011-07-31T23:00:00.003-05:00

There are many criteria a Southern girl must meet....one of which is LOVING the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. I think I love the story even more because I'm from Birmingham, where the story is based. My youngest sister Kathryn and I have recently made a point to visit a Birmingham staple restaurant each weekend. Last week we visited Gilchrist's in Mountain Brook, which is a lunch counter thats been around forever. They are famous for their pimento cheese sandwiches and milkshakes, which is exactly what we had. It was fabulous and I wish I had pictures to show but alas...I left my phone at home, no camera. So when we decided to visit Irondale Cafe this weekend, I made sure I was prepared. I had eaten at this restaurant a LONG time ago, like when I was 6. I really didn't remember it. So we pull up on Saturday, parking lot full. The restaurant sits right by the train tracks, just like the movie. When you walk in, you see all kinds of memorabilia from the movie and book all over the walls. There is a small line that you walk through...pick out dessert first (which we left off...saved the calories for the good stuff!). There is a bucket full of glass bottled sodas to pick from. And if you don't like that, hope you like sweet tea...they have a steady supply. I opted for my bottled diet coke, then to the main event. I swear, this looked like an episode of Jessica vs. food, because they put everything on a separate plate so I had like 4 plates on my tray. I went for the 4 veggie meal, and my veggies were okra, squash, macaroni and cheese, and FRIED GREEN TOMATOES! duh....There are truly so many things to choose from. And they do serve lots of meats as well. Anyway, we sat at our table and chowed down! We were in awe of those tomatoes...this is not a joke. They really are worth every single calorie. The mac & cheese was ridiculous, the squash was buttery and perfect, and the okra was like crack. All in all, great time with the sis, good food, definitely going back. I just have to run every day for a straight month before I make another visit : ) Hope you all had a great weekend!

In Production:Baptism Invites

2011-07-07T16:50:00.002-05:00

Just thought I'd give a sneak peek of the Baptism invites I talked about here PLEASE excuse my photo quality...I used my phone and its not so hot...gotta save those pennies for a new camera!

Anchors Away!

2011-07-06T13:30:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone had an amazing Fourth of July Weekend!! Joseph and I headed to his grandmothers house on Fish River close to Fairhope, Alabama for some R&R. Honestly...is there anything better than sitting on a float soaking up the sun with an ice cold drink? Nope. Anyway...I designed this invitation for a bachelorette weekend on Cape Cod, MA...so fun!! Of course we went with the nautical theme, with the anchor and ship wheel (what do you technically call that??)The liner for the envelope is a vintage line drawing of a map of Cape Cod (yay for maps!)that I just happened to have on hand...just kidding, I had to do some hunting for that. TaDa! A fabulous nautical invite. Happy Wednesday!

2011-06-29T11:28:00.002-05:00

So, I finally gave in and joined the Pinterest world. And its fabulous!! I'm totally addicted. I have a bad habit of finding inspiration on my daily blogs, pulling the photo off into some random folder on my desktop and then forgetting about it. Not anymore...enter Pinterest, which catalogs all of my images into separate inspiration boards. The one above is for a fiesta rehearsal dinner in Texas I'm working on, and I can't tell you the difference it makes to see everything all together. Definitely check it out!

2011-06-28T09:06:00.002-05:00

Like that throwback 90s Joey Lawrence lingo I threw in there? Don't lie, he was a hottie. Anyway... we're talkin' baby today! I have seen a boom in the baby category lately, with announcements, showers, thank you notes, and like my post from yesterday, baptism/christening invites. Check out the Charlotte announcement and William announcement above. Each is shown with envelope liners (for a little extra pop when opened). See something you like? Drop me a line! Happy Tuesday!

2011-06-27T22:37:00.005-05:00

Ok I'm definitely not a foodie by any means but...sometimes I make something and I think "Gah...I need to share this with someone!" Thats how I feel about this chopped greek salad. Have you ever had a day like I had today? Where you started off good, maybe an english muffin or oatmeal for breakfast, had a wretched lean cuisine for lunch, then fell for the afternoon treat at work? (In my case, this was a FABULOUS totally-worth-it oreo cupcake with the perfect little swirl of cream cheese icing....I digress) So for dinner tonight, Joe and I decided to make salads (in our new salad bowls, duh!). We love all things greek/mediterranean so we were down with this delicious but healthy salad. It's one of our favorites, hope it becomes one of yours also! Enjoy!

A Blessed Event

2011-06-27T14:20:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday everyone! Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend. Today I'm sharing a recent invitation that was actually one of the design options that was not picked as the final... but I thought it deserved a little love : ) My customer was looking for an invitation to suit both the baptism of her little girl, and the christening of her little boy, followed by a reception at their home. How sweet! This was one of the options I came up with, showing a church surrounded by little trees and even a few little sheep. And a copper and mint color scheme yessssss! The envelope liners feature a crosshatch plaid, and as always, liners are designed/printed/cut/glued by yours truly. I'll share the final design in an upcoming post. Y'all have a great week!!

What I'm Loving: Silhouettes

2011-06-09T12:29:00.003-05:00

I found this over at Country Living and had to share...expect some silhouette inspired projects soon!

My Apartment is in a magazine!

2011-05-31T09:02:00.004-05:00

I am so very proud to announce that my apartment is featured in the most recent issue of Fresh Style magazine! Hurry! Quick! Runnnnn to the closest store and grab your copy...then flip to Shoe String Chic! Thats me! (and Maybelle will be there to welcome you!) If you can't find the issue on your local newstand, check out Hoffman Media and click on the store link to buy your issue!

Airmail Baby Announcement

2011-05-26T10:52:00.002-05:00

Movie Monday: Inspired by Mildred Pierce

2011-05-16T15:17:00.004-05:00

Hello loves! Hope everyone has had a great start to the week! I spent most of my weekend designing from the comfort of my couch...and while doing so, I enjoyed the 5-part miniseries HBO recently produced called Mildred Pierce starring Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood. If you love old Hollywood glamour, this is for you! The costumes and set were amazing, and the study of Mildred's (Kate Winslet) relationship with her daughter Veda (Evan Rachel Wood) is super intriguing...a few weeks ago I noticed that the original starring Joan Crawford was coming on TCM so I recorded it for a rainy day. The rainy day was yesterday, so I had a Mildred weekend. I recommend both, but I think I favor the HBO version...love love love. Also, check out this glam couples shower invite...totally Mildred. Happy Movie Monday!

Calling all Bachelorettes!

2011-05-13T11:33:00.004-05:00

Movie Monday: The Conspirator

2011-04-25T15:55:00.003-05:00

As most of you know, I LOVE history. American history, especially the Civil War, is at the top of the list. My sisters and I had been eagerly awaiting The Conspirator since we saw the trailer for it, and it definitely lived up to my expectations! The costumes, the set (it was filmed in Savannah, not D.C.) were just fantastic...and James McAvoy as the lead was icing on the cake (Swoon!) For those of you who may not know what the movie is about, it tells the story of the assassination of President Lincoln, and the trial that ensued afterward...mainly concerning Mary Surratt who was the first female to earn the death sentence by the federal government here in the United States. To go with the patriotic theme, I've included a save the date that I recently finished for a fabulous couple in Washington D.C. who have been collecting vintage postcards to use in their celebration! We picked a favorite to use for the save the dates, the rest will be used for paper goods at the actual ceremony and reception! Can't wait to show you the rest!

The road to the Wedding: the Showers

2011-04-19T11:34:00.003-05:00

My cousin Jennifer and I have been close our whole life, and I am so honored to 1) have the opportunity to stand by her side as her bridesmaid, and 2)design her wedding! (duh...) So I'm sharing what we've done so far...shower invitations! My mom, aunts, and grandmother decided to throw her a kitchen shower here in Alabama (Jennifer lives in Florida) with all of her family invited. Because it was a family shower (and the best recipes come from your family) we sent recipe cards with the invitation so the guests could share their very best/favorite recipe with Jen. She's gotta keep that soon-to-be hubby's belly happy, right? So we sent her back down to Florida with lots of yummy recipes and all the utensils and such she needs to make them. Jennifer's bridesmaids threw a pretty pink and green Garden Party last month, and we thought it would be super cute to send the guests home with a seed packets to grow their own garden. I crafted these little babies by hand, and they turned out fabulous. I am also designing every little bit of paper anything for the big day, so I'll be sharing those with you later. Stay tuned, you do NOT want to miss it! Hope everyone's week is going great!

Ready for Take off!

2011-04-18T15:48:00.002-05:00

I just returned from Tampa after a fabulous Bachelorette weekend honoring my friend Erin, and I thought this post would be pretty appropriate. The bride requested an invitation that resembled an airplane ticket to Antigua where the happy couple would exchange vows. Also, guests were invited to a reception following the couple's return home! They could respond via postcard to round out the travel theme! Enjoy!

A Shower for Baby Violet

2011-04-13T14:43:00.002-05:00

A coworker of mine is having a baby soon, and she is naming her sweet baby girl Violet...adorable. The gals at work are throwing a fabulous baby shower for her and I'd thought I'd share my contribution...Invitations of course! As well as a little notecard for guests to write messages for Violet. They are 4 x 6, and will fit in an album to keep them all together.

I'm Back!

2011-03-31T15:40:00.006-05:00

Whew! I have been a busy bee lately! I thought I'd share some projects I've been working on lately, enjoy!

Itchy eyes...Runny nose...

2011-03-03T17:20:00.003-06:00

But the flowers look beautiful! So I've posted some floral designs to get spring kicked off right! I think I can suffer through the pollen if it means warm weather!

Under the Big Top

2011-03-01T14:38:00.003-06:00

I saw the preview of Water for Elephants when I went to see The King's Speech (which was simply brilliant by the way). I have not read the book, so I didn't realize what the movie was, but quickly caught on to the fact it was a historical drama/romance that takes place under the big top. And I love all things circus. And then to top it all off, I see that Christoph Waltz is the bad guy. He won best supporting actor last year for Inglorious Basterds (again, another favorite of mine) and literally sent chills down my spine. I know we hate the bad guy, but this one...he takes the cake. Ok so only two days after seeing the preview, I was contacted by one of my faithful customers I've worked with on several projects. She and her sister's child were having a joint birthday celebration and the theme was CIRCUS! I died when she asked me to design the invites. These are the two options I designed for her. Enjoy!

When I'm not designing on paper...

2011-02-27T10:39:00.003-06:00

Ok so I had been looking for new pillows for my living room for awhile. I had seen some that I loved, but I hated the price tag. Lucky me, a coworker of mine told me that her husband owns a screen printer! I knew that I wanted the pillows to have some sort of animal on them, with crowns of course. I ended up going with a giraffe and a hippo (two of my favorites!) and sent the design to print. My jaw hit the floor when I got the fabric back. Love love love! I quickly cut out my pillow shapes, added some black fringe (duh) and had my wonderful mother sew these babies up ( I don't sew. I've tried.) Just thought I'd share! Hope everyone has had a fantastic weekend!

Moroccan Night with the Girls!

2011-02-24T16:55:00.002-06:00

Salaam! (That means hello in Morocco according to google. And yes I know the flags on the straws at the top look like they say Salami on first glance.) The girls and I decided that a Moroccan themed night would be a fabulous way to celebrate the recent move of one of the girls to NYC. Not celebrating her leaving, but celebrating the awesome fact that she was going to live in the most fabulous city in the world! So we all pitched in and had a blast! Malinda whipped up an awesome batch of Moroccan chicken stew over couscous, as well as mint tea (which is a traditional drink shared amongst friends in Morocco, again according to google) and a delicious dessert of, get this, curry peanut butter ice cream topped with a chocolate moroccan mustache! It was amazing, and just thinking about that stew is making me crave another bowl! I'll post the recipe soon! Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

2011-02-23T10:27:00.004-06:00

Hello all! Check out the new notecards and calling cards! Interested? Just email me! Notecards and calling cards can be customized with your favorite color combo, your monogram or name, and they come in a few sizes! I also offer completely custom cards, made just for you with whatever you have in mind!

Here comes the Bride!

2011-02-20T22:38:00.005-06:00

Mark your calendars...

2011-01-25T17:10:00.004-06:00

Email me with any questions about these designs or creating a new design! I'd love to hear from you!

Rehearsal Dinner in Austin

2011-01-12T20:58:00.003-06:00

Grab your lassos and boots and check out this rehearsal dinner invitation suite! This was a fun project because, in true Texas fashion, it was over the top FABULOUS! The bride wanted something that was true to character for Austin where the wedding was being held, so what else but cowboy (or cowgirl!) boots! And don't forget the spurs...This suite includes the 5 x 7 invitation, envelope liners, address labels for the front of the envelopes, return address on the back of the envelope, RSVP and details card, and of course a few things for the actual rehearsal dinner, such as table numbers and placecards! This was a great example of a totally custom project, which I LOVE to to do. I'd love to help you with your upcoming event! Just email me!

A New Year's Engagement Soiree...

2011-01-12T12:30:00.003-06:00

Do you know how thrilled this Southern girl was when I was asked to design a New Year's invitation for a New York soiree? And it wasn't just any New Year's Eve party, it was also an engagement party! My mind ran wild with ideas, and this is the result! I know we have almost a whole year until New Year's Eve 2011...but this design can easily be adjusted for your next event! Contact me for details! Hope you all are having a wonderful 2011! WAR EAGLE!!! (Sorry, I had to throw that in! Love my team!)

Annnouncing New Baby Shower Invites!

2011-01-09T23:01:00.005-06:00

2011-01-04T17:09:00.003-06:00

It really was a fantastic Christmas...here's a few highlights of the gifts from the fam.
The moose (who is now lovingly called Marty Moose from National Lampoons Vacation)is from Zgallerie,where I got the Rhino and Deer. The Keurig is honestly a God send...Mom and Dad knew I was spending WAY too much money at the ole' Starbucks across the street. I actually look forward to waking up now...Ok so I've been wanting a steam cleaner for a while mainly because, well, don't tell my dog I told you, but Maybelle tends to have accidents during the day while we are away at work. While I know she should be well trained by now, those of you who know her know she is "special" and I say that with as much love as possible. But my carpet and hardwood floors are being ruined in the process.I kid you not, this machine is a miracle, and it only uses water. My carpets look NEW! Hooray! If you're in the market, try the Haan! I have no complaints! Ok so the Tudor Chronicles is pretty self explanatory, but I LOVE anything that has to do with kings and queens. I think the Tudor period in England is over-the-top crazy interesting. So this book from Boyfriend has kept me busy. THEN my sister gave me the most incredible historical type book ever...A Visual History of Typefaces and Graphic Styles Volume 1. You can find it on Amazon. This is a treasury of historic typefaces, borders, labels, etc and is simply divine. And to top all of this off, two feather pillows from Mom and Dad for EXTRA sweet dreams...Thank you wonderful family for your love and a fabulous Holiday vacation. Yall really are the best!

Very Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-24T16:52:00.005-06:00

An All in one Christmas Soiree

2010-12-14T17:21:00.001-06:00

2010 Holiday Bazaar!

2010-12-04T15:21:00.004-06:00

So I'm participating for the second year in a row in a Holiday Bazaar here in B'ham (See the flyer above). I thought I'd post some things I'm selling incase any of you are interested...The recipe cards are great stocking stuffers. They come in packs of 12, and measure 4 x 6 so they fit in either your recipe card box or a standard photo album (a great way to keep your recipe cards organized!) I also created a TON of tags...These are great for Christmas, and year round! And there alot of other designs that aren't posted here. They are printed on an ivory heavy cardstock and measure 2.5" x 4". Let me know if you're interested, and for those of you in the B'ham area, come visit me at the show!

More Christmas Cards!

2010-11-01T20:31:00.007-05:00

More cards! The top is a 5 x 7 card, the rest are 9.25 x 3.875 with top open envelopes. The bottom two look small but they are the same size as "Peace and Joy" and "Cheers." Click the images to get a closer look! Email me if you have questions!

Christmas Cards are here! Order Now!!!

2010-10-27T11:46:00.007-05:00

Its never too early to start ordering Christmas photo cards! This is just round 1 of the designs, more on the way! If you see one that you like, or if you're interested in a custom design, just email me! Its easy! Just send me the photo you'd like to use, and I'll send you a digital proof. Turnaround time for these are only 3-5 business days so you can have these ready to send out for the holidays!

A birthday card for my sister...

2010-10-21T16:17:00.002-05:00

My sister Kathryn's 16th birthday is today...time flies so fast! We are 11 years apart. I still remember the day she was born, it seems like yesterday. Now I feel old! We are going to eat mexican tonight in celebration, followed by birthday cake and strawberry cupcakes. Yum! Happy Birthday Kat!

Halloween Invitation No.1

2010-10-06T13:11:00.002-05:00

Halloween Invitation No. 2!

2010-10-01T20:32:00.004-05:00

Alright...Its October 1st, so if you're having a Halloween Soiree, it will not be complete without an invitation! I hate spiders in real life, but in the design world, they are fabulous and so fun for Halloween! Shown above is the 5 x 7 invite with envelope. Let me know if you're interested!

Before going to the Chapel...

2010-09-30T13:23:00.002-05:00

A Bachelorette party is a must for any bride! These invitations are perfect for a fun night on the town, a weekend full of festivities, or even a bridal shower! Email me for more details!

I need these items...now.

2010-09-29T16:26:00.002-05:00

I posted last week about some ZGallerie items that were on the wish list...those things have all been purchased and crossed off the list, so now they will need a replacement. (The LIST is NEVER blank. Ask my boyfriend.)And so I've found some more fabulous items to fill my tiny apartment. By the way, stay tuned sometime in the near future for photos of last weeks obsessions as part of my home tour. We're going room by room people...I think the only thing I've shown so far is a wall in my hallway. You haven't missed much. Anyway, Anthropologie is knocking my socks off with these plates. I mean, anybody who loves 18th century/Marie Antoinette/French vintage would be all over these, plus they are called the Ladies in Waiting plates... All of the above describes ME! haha... And the wallpaper....well I hope my landlord doesn't read my blog...I'm so tempted to cover a wall in this stuff. So hard to resist...

2010-09-21T11:29:00.002-05:00

I designed these invitations for a friend of my mom's who is throwing a baby shower for a friend who is a expecting....A girl! I decided to do a vintage inspired floral cradle design with light pink (of course) and a pale poppy shade. Of course this invitation can be customized for your event! Just email me if you're interested in this invite, or would like a different design!

My new obsessions/purchases : )

2010-09-16T23:26:00.004-05:00

I've had a recent obsession with shiny white & silver objects, as well as "Faux-dermy," a new way to display a lovely animal on your wall with no harm to any animals...and it looks SO much better than the ole' taxidermy...Fortunately, Zgallerie is fulfilling all of my white shiny animal needs. First, I bought a white deer to go over my bed, and then, I got on their website yesterday and found the ultimate treasure: A RHINO! O...M...G....And it will be above the fireplace. Perfecto! And then of course Zgallerie had to be even cooler and put these antler candlesticks on their website today. Lucky me, my B'day is next week, so that went on the wishlist. Cross my fingers!!

Bad to the Bone...

2010-09-08T11:23:00.003-05:00

I know it may seem a little early, but if you are throwing a spooky soiree this year around the end of October...then its time to order your invitations! This is the first of several I have planned, I'm hoping to get the others posted this week and next. This is the "Bad to the Bone" soiree suite, including 5 x 7 invitation with a black top-open envelope (super cute and different) with an optional address label for you to write in your guests' mailing address. Also shown for your party needs are tent cards for any brews and concoctions you may be serving, as well as cupcake toppers/sandwich picks. Email me for more details, and stay tuned for more!

Cocktails and Cupcakes

2010-09-01T14:13:00.003-05:00

It must just be that time of year...There are so many Bridal showers going on! I thought this theme was adorable, and so girly and fun, you just have to love it! Cocktails & Cupcakes...the true way to a girl's heart! Also shown with the invite are optional cupcake toppers (If you're gonna have the cupcakes, why not go all out and grab some matching toppers while you're at it!)5 x 7 Invitation $2.25 each with envelope. Cupcake topper prices vary. Email me and lets work together!

Shhhhh! A Secret Bridal Shower!

2010-08-31T17:13:00.002-05:00

Hello again! Today I'm posting about a recent Bridal Shower invitation I created. The shower was a surprise for the bride, and I thought how cool it would be if the guests filled out 4 x 6 recipe cards with "secret" recipes for the bride to use in the future. They're the perfect size for any photo album, and a great way to share tasty meal ideas! The color palette that was previously chosen was pinks and blues, which I love! All of my designs are custom however, and if you like the design of this invitation but would like to see different colors, thats just fine! Drop me an email and lets work together! These are 5 x 7 invitations ($2.25 apiece with envelope) with the optional 4 x 6 recipe card ($1 apiece).

Thank Heaven for Little Girls...

2010-08-25T16:38:00.001-05:00

Baby BumbleBee Shower

2010-08-17T09:07:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you, but I'm crazy for anything with bees...and I swear by the yellow and gray color combo. So when I was asked to design an invitation and extras for a gray and yellow bee themed baby shower, don't you know I just died? These were so fun to design! The hostess is making beehive shaped cookies to go in little clear bags, and the favor tags will be tied around those. I can't wait to see photos from this shower!

Autumn Wedding in the Woods

2010-08-12T16:42:00.004-05:00

These are the invitations I designed for my friends Phillip and Lauren. They were looking for an invitation that carried the mood of their fall wedding in a small town in beautiful north Alabama. They were going for a rustic elegant feel, and this is what we came up with! It was great to work with this couple, and we're still working on additional items for this wedding, so stay tuned for more!

Sneak Peek: Fiesta!

2010-08-05T14:05:00.005-05:00

Hello friends! I'm sorry I've been away so long. I've been out of town so much lately, from the beach with friends (much needed vacay), to the river, even to the Little League State tournament in Sylacauga, Alabama...My boyfriend's little bro is 13, and I guarantee his name will be in lights one day...baseball lights! He's great!

So there is an exciting venture in the near future. A group of girls I work with and myself have decided we are going to start a shared blog between the 6 of us. This will be a creative outlet for all of us, in different ways. We hope to feature paper goods, fashion inspiration, travel, food, design, and party planning. So this is a sneak peek of the party planning aspect. The cool thing about it is the "party planning" involves all the categories and features everyone's input. You can guess mine...Thats right, Paper goods!!! Hooray! This was Malinda's 25th birthday fiesta. Enjoy all the photos, and I'll keep you posted on upcoming blog!

Estate Sale Treasures 7.10.10

2010-07-10T13:34:00.005-05:00

So most of you who know me also know that most Saturday mornings, especially in the summertime, you can find me hunting for "treasures" at estate sales around Birmingham. I've been doing this with my Mom ever since I can remember, and it really is one of my most favorite hobbies. There are a few different types of items that I'm always on the hunt for. They are (and are not limited to): random china plates/teacups/saucers, milk glass, gold gilded frames, cake plates/cake domes/cheese domes, table linens, coffee table books, glassware...my list goes on. I'm starting to run out of space in my apartment to put all of my finds, but I know one day, I will have a house with lots of built-in shelves for me to display them all. Currently I'm on the look out for the perfect china cabinet...Still haven't found what I'm looking for. But enough talk, here is what I found this morning!

1. A pair of gold framed silhouette portraits. What am I going to do with these? I haven't a clue, but for 50 cents..plus, I'm crazy for anything with silhouettes.

2. A set of cordial glassware with gold fruit detailing...An absolute steal at $6 on the half off table. Who would put this on the half off table?? Oh well, it worked for me. The pitcher even has a glass stir stick.

3. An Alabama "The Cotton State" plate featuring the Capitol Building in Montgomery, Vulcan Statue in Birmingham, Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Ave Marie Grotto in Cullman, Denny Chimes in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama, and boating on Lake Guntersville. Again on the half price table for $5.

4. And finally, a pair of gold gilded portraits that I'll actually probably take out of the frames, paint the frames, and do something else with them. I guess that can be one of my weekend projects, so I'll post about that when I work on those.

Of course those weren't all of my treasures I got today, but they were my favorite finds. All of the treasure hunting made me hungry, so I enjoyed my most favorite lunch: a smoked turkey plate at Moe's BBQ which is hands down the best BBQ I've ever had. So, until next Saturday...

2010-07-01T10:33:00.003-05:00

I was so inspired by a color board posted on Snippet and Ink the other day featuring the colors Poppy and Mint...sounds fabulous right? I had to try it on a bridal shower invitation I had been working on. This color combo is now one of my favorites. I also created matching cupcake toppers! Thanks to Kamin Williams for the beautiful photography, and to Malinda for the cute little cupcakes!

2010-06-28T17:27:00.008-05:00

I designed this wedding invitation for my dear friend and co-worker Adrienne. Adrienne is the stylist for Southern Lady Magazine and was planning a June wedding at the Marriott Grand in Point Clear, Alabama. This resort, and the Mobile Bay area in general, is known for its massive, beautiful live oak trees. Adrienne came to me with an idea to use these trees in the design of her paper products for the big day, including the invitation. I'm so glad I could contribute to such a beautiful and special day for Adrienne and her new hubby Beau! Photos courtesy of Kimberly Davis Photography (I'm actually working on a branding system for Kimberly's photography business so stay tuned! She's incredibly talented and has recently relocated to the Austin, Texas area!)

2010-06-20T17:41:00.003-05:00

These are pictures from my cousin's shower last weekend. Last week I posted the invitations...look a few posts down to see those. Christie and Ryan are getting married in August, and my mom and aunt decided to throw a shower for the couple and their friends! We served several finger foods, all of which were themed for the Around the Clock shower (i.e. Chicken Salad Wind-Ups, Gone-in-Seconds Pork Sliders, Tic Toc Tomato Dip, and Anytime Appetizers). Combine all of that food with some ice cold beers, and you've got a perfect June evening. Enjoy the pictures, and congratulations and best wishes to Christie and Ryan!

2010-06-19T17:44:00.002-05:00

I've always loved to look through old family photos, and for a long time have wanted a wall of frames filled with these photos. I finally got around to it and decided my hallway wall between my office and bedroom would be perfect. That particular wall has an old telephone cubby in the center, so all of the photos are placed around it. I found the exact photos I wanted, scanned them in, and cropped them to the correct size. I printed them all on cardstock and placed them in the frames. I placed a little table down below with some vintage decanters and bottles found while antiquing. I also included a frame I picked up on my first trip to Ikea last week (I know, can you believe I waited that long to go?) that has a picture of me and my handsome boyfriend...and since my black and white shih tzu was laying around, I decided she could be part of the photo shoot as well. And...Voila! Many more weekend project posts to come!

2010-06-19T14:42:00.009-05:00

I totally forgot to post this way back in December. My coworkers and I had a craft fair one Friday before Christmas, and Malinda (of Baked in Birmingham) had her cupcakes and headbands there, so I made some toppers to go along with them and some of the invitations and paper products I was showing. Such a great addition to any kind of occasion! These can all be personalized and customed for your event. Email me if you're interested in these or something like it!

2010-06-09T19:57:00.020-05:00

This past weekend, my family and I celebrated my Nana's 80th birthday. We had family come in from all over the country for this special day in a beautiful lady's life. I volunteered to do all of the decorations, paper products, and the invitation.The cupcakes were made by my wonderfully talented co-worker and friend (and creative soulmate) Malinda Nichols. I gathered as many photos as I could find, scanned them in, and made cupcake toppers with Nana's face on them...I really couldn't decide if Nana would love them or be totally embarrassed. Lucky me, she loved them. In the envelope with the invitation, I included some note cards I had made for everyone to write a sweet note or memory. We hung these up in the window at the party which was really neat, because each one had a different photo of Nana and a message for the birthday girl. She read them all at the end of the party and there were definitely some laughs and some tears. I also made some matching drink straws, a birthday banner, and some decorations made of paper doilies and ribbons. My lovely sister was my model for the day...haha...Hope you enjoy all the photos!

2010-06-08T22:22:00.031-05:00

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE I designed these invitations for a friend in Tampa. I'm so pleased with the way they turned out, thanks to Patrick at Mary Speaker Fine Letterpress here in Birmingham. Absolutely stunning. Stay tuned for more on this wedding, including menus, placecards, tablecards, and more!

2010-06-03T09:00:00.010-05:00

I created these moving announcements as options for a customer in Texas...She chose the Anchor design, but they're all great for those of you moving this summer, or relocating to the beach or even the lake/river. Let me know if you're interested!

2010-06-02T17:06:00.005-05:00

I designed this invitation for my cousin Christie and her hubby-to-be Ryan. My Aunt and mother are throwing a fabulous Around the Clock shower for her in a few weeks, and needed just the right invite for a great night of celebrating the happy couple and showering them with gifts they'll need for their home. Best of luck to Christie and Ryan!

2010-05-04T16:54:00.004-05:00

I designed these invitations a few months ago for a friend at work who was hosting a lingerie party for a friend. Sweet, Fun, and Simple, featuring hand-drawn illustration. This was a completely custom invitation. Let me know if you're interested in this one, or creating a custom invite for your next soiree! jessicaempress@gmail.com

2010-04-27T17:09:00.002-05:00

I created these for a customer who needed the perfect princess invitation for her daughter's 4th birthday party. Everything was custom from beginning to end! I love to work one on one to create the perfect invite for your special occasion. Contact me for more info! jessicaempress@gmail.com

2010-04-26T16:47:00.005-05:00

This invitation is great for bridal showers and birthdays! It is a 5 x 7-inch design, complete with a matching A7 envelope. This invite can be customized for your next event! Email me if you're interested, jessicaempress@gmail.com

2010-04-21T20:51:00.011-05:00

CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE
I designed these with Spring and Summer on the mind...Great for the vintage/garden themed wedding. Everything can be customized, including color. Email me if you're interested for a customized quote! jessicaempress@gmail.com

2010-04-20T13:25:00.001-05:00

The perfect invite for a Southern Summer wedding by the sea (or lake!) This suite includes a 5 x 7 invite, envelopes with return address on back flap, and reply card with corresponding reply envelope. Email me for a quote and customizing. This invite can be ANY color you'd like...jessicaempress@gmail.com

2010-04-20T12:28:00.003-05:00

This is a Save the Date I customized for a friend in Texas. We chose to do a skinny vertical format with top open envelopes, and I'm so happy with the outcome! These can be customized for your event or occasion! Just email me! jessicaempress@gmail.com

2010-04-20T11:45:00.005-05:00

I created this birthday invitation for a friend of mine. She requested something with a train, and using blue and brown. I have to say, I had so much fun creating this invite. I love using these particular fonts for a vintage western feel. Email me if you're interested in a custom version! jessicaempress@gmail.com

A Whimsical Custom Wedding Suite

2010-03-18T13:15:00.004-05:00

(Click pic to enlarge)
These invitations were designed for a sweet couple in California who knew exactly what they wanted for their invitations. A vintage inspired invite paired with a hot air balloon liner...cest magnifique. And they love yellow and black which is one of my favorite color combos. Congratulations Annie and Michael, I hope these invites make your day even more special. Thanks for letting me work with y'all!

A Wedding Suite for Kathleen

2010-03-11T17:21:00.007-06:00

(Click pic to Enlarge)
A friend of mine that I work with is getting married this month, and I had the honor of creating her invitation for the wedding. Included is a 5 x 7 invitation, lined inner envelope, outer envelope with return address (not shown), response card, and response card envelope with address. It was so great working with Kathleen, and I'm so glad I could create exactly what she and her fiance were looking for.

2010-02-28T21:17:00.018-06:00

2010-02-28T20:31:00.007-06:00

These invitations are great for any shower or birthday party, and can easily be changed to a save the date. Size shown is 5 x 7, email me for a quote for your next event!

2010-01-11T14:13:00.004-06:00

2010-01-04T17:11:00.017-06:00

Just wanted to share...I recently created this custom invite for an awesome customer who was looking for a special invitation for her sister's baby shower. I'm always up for a good custom job. I love starting projects from scratch and letting you as the customer join me on the creative process to ensure you get exactly what you're looking for.

2010-01-04T13:25:00.004-06:00

This year for Christmas, my family packed up and headed to the sunshine state! After a lovely week at Anna Maria Island (a beautiful non-touristy beach south of Tampa), my youngest sister and I spent New Year's Eve at the fabulous Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando! Those of you who are close to me know that I really do believe that the Magic Kingdom is truly the happiest place on earth. While in the line for Its a Small World (a must for anyone visiting Disney), I fell in love with the overall aesthetic of the ride. Great inspiration for future projects...

2009-12-15T22:57:00.000-06:00

2009-12-15T20:33:00.002-06:00

Who doesn't love a sweet giraffe with a cute little birthday hat? These are 3.875" x 9.25" (#10 size) and perfect for your little one's birthday. These come in any quantity above 10, and envelopes are available. Let me know if you're interested!

Dine with me Darling!

2009-12-14T11:15:00.005-06:00

Un"wined" with these lovely dinner invites, perfect for a casual night of food, friends, and little wine. These are 3.875" by 9.25" and can be customed for your event. Just email me if you're interested!

2009-11-23T23:05:00.010-06:00

(Click pics to enlarge) Christmas is around the corner! Can you believe it? These are all A2 size (5.5 x 4 when folded) cards available in whatever quantity you want, or any combination of different cards. There are more of these on the way! Email me if you're interested!

All I Want for Christmas...

2009-11-10T08:45:00.004-06:00

Oh my gosh I think this little octopus was made to wrap its tentacles around my wrist....so adorable. You can find it at Anthropologie.

2009-09-11T10:55:00.004-05:00

My friend Leslie is getting married in October, and my friend Jess is in the wedding. Jess and the other bridesmaids are taking Leslie to Nashville for one more fling before the ring, and I told Jess I would LOVE the opportunity to design the invites for the weekend. They are having Leslie's lingerie shower at her home that Friday night, and then leaving for Nashville Saturday morning. So the two invites were mailed together to the guests. The "Saddle Up" invite is 5" x 7" and the lingerie party invite is 3.5" x 7". Of course you could always order the lingerie invite larger if you want.

Oh Baby! New Baby Shower Invite (And more to come!)

2009-09-11T10:13:00.004-05:00

I created these baby shower invites for my friend Lucy. Its actually a wine and appetizer party celebrating the expectant couple, so its a little more sophisticated than the average baby shower invite, which means this design is pretty versatile. It can be used for any occasion, maybe with a change of color, and of course take away the cute little stroller at the top. Or it can easily be adjusted to blue if your guest of honor is expecting a boy! I thought these would also make great birth announcements as well....so many uses. Let me know if you're interested! These are 5" square.

So I bought a web domain...

2009-08-27T17:14:00.004-05:00

Yall...I have no idea what I did today, but somehow I bought empressstationery.com. So, I'm going to be working on building a website and eventually kicking the ole' blogspot to the curb. If anyone would like to help out with this fabulous adventure, it would be much appreciated. Not so hot on the website building skills. But I have a good idea of how I want it to look. Don't all come running at once...Ok so I'm going to be working on this while getting photography done, and before you know it...POOF! A new Empress Stationery! Wahoo! P.S. I'm working on cupcake toppers. Don't get too excited.