Bridal Shower Invitations with Wedding Paper Divas

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Wedding Paper Divas.

I received a product and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared the plans for my sister's bridal shower invitations?  After perusing the Wedding Paper Divas site and the sample kit with my sister this weekend, we decided to change the plans I initially told you guys about.  So, here is our final plan for the bridal shower invitation!

Initially, I thought we would match my dress above, choose a clean, modern design like the sample above, have scalloped corners, and use a gold envelope to match the gold foil.  Well, after ordering a few samples, we decided that the wedding invitations should use these details instead and do something more bridal and light and simple!  We went with this design, which you can see below!

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Bridal Shower Invitation planning with Wedding Paper Divas

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Wedding Paper Divas. I received a stipend to facilitate my purchase for my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

As I mentioned just about a year ago, my sister got engaged, so it's almost wedding time soon!  As maid of honor (and the only bridesmaid), I am so excited to help with every detail I can!  Yes, I'm not just there the food and cake tastings, which were amazing, but I am helping out my sister since I'm the DIY blogger!

One of the huge things I am helping with is the bridal shower.  It's almost like a mini wedding!  Since it's up to me, I went to Wedding Paper Divas to put together a beautiful, completely customized invitation at an affordable price.

First of all, check out the amazing sample kit that is sent to you for free!  When I ordered the sample kit, I was amazed at all the options inside.  Since we wanted to keep to a similar theme with the wedding, I was in love with the wide range of options available.

By the way, isn't the packaging is just adorable?

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Cardtorial Feature & GIVEAWAY!

For today's Shop Small Saturday Showcase feature, I have a wonderful shop to feature today: Cardtorial!  These are some of the most unique "paper" goods I have seen.  They are beautiful, sturdy works of art, that have a sense of humor and are absolutely gorgeous!  And if you want something other than a card, there are beautiful journals, prints for your home, and more!  Also, if you want something a bit different Yvonne does custom work, but I am sure you will fall in love with the creations in her store.  Check it out below!

Read all about how Yvonne started Cardtorial and see all of the fun "wooden paper goods" she makes.  I just adore the key card below.  :)  Also, make sure to enter to win your choice of a Mother's Day card or fox print in the giveaway below.  Enjoy!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

My name is Yvonne.  I'm a UCLA grad.  I love sports, food, and a good time.  I wouldn't necessarily categorize myself as the craftiest of people, but now that I run Cardtorial, I'm definitely more in touch with my creative side than I used to be.  Prior to Cardtorial, I had a corporate job in a completely unrelated field (finance & clean tech).


Where did the name of your store come from?

I originally wanted to name the store "Happy Cards" but that domain name was taken.  After some deep brainstorming sessions, Cardtorial came out on top -- it sounded like a fun name to rally around.

Why did you start making goods for Cardtorial?

I've always loved business and thought being an entrepreneur would be pretty exciting. I was always on the lookout for interesting products to create or business ideas to pursue. When I had the idea to make the wood cards, it was as if the stars were aligned.  The process was relatively straightforward, I had a friend who could teach me how to make them, and the prototypes were cute! It grew pretty organically from there.

What is your favorite item?

Haha. The fox card was my very first card.  It's from The Little Prince, one of my favorite books and I find that passage very sweet.  I also like the "fish in the sea" card. I had made it a couple years back as an apology for my boyfriend after a big argument.

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Paper Pastries feature & Promo!

For this week's Shop Small Saturday Showcase feature, I am so happy to introduce Paper Pastries!  I first met Margaret at Patchwork Long Beach, and I am so excited to show you just a sampling of her beautiful items!  I had a hard time selecting just a few, so you will see a bunch of collages of the pretty customized stationery, stamps, art prints, washi tape, and more pretty presents!

Also, just in time for Valentine's Day (and honestly just to stock up), Margaret is offering a special deal for Vintage Zest readers.  Woo hoo!  Stay tuned for that at the bottom of the post, but first to the interview!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

Hi, I'm Margaret Haas and I run Paper Pastries, a small stationery studio based in north San Diego county. I make stationery and rubber stamps.

Where did the name of your store come from?

My husband (then boyfriend) Tony came up with it. It's named after my two favorite things.


Why did you start making goods for Paper Pastries?

My dream was always to have my own stationery business. It was 2009, I was a college graduate and I couldn't find a job. My good friend Jessica comissioned me to make her a personal stationery set. Then friends and family wanted their own, it grew from there.

What is your favorite item?

When I moved down here from LA, I was very lonely. I didn't know anyone in the area, and my husband was at work all day, every day.

I signed up for a local art class and made this print (see below). It's my favorite item because it reminds me that I'm capable of changing a situation that I don't like. I didn't like working all day by myself, and not having any human interaction. So, I found this art class and it made me being here fun.

It was carved and printed by hand.

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Handmade Gift Feature & Promo from Petal and Paperie!

For today's "25 Days of Handmade Gifts" feature, I am sharing a shop that I first saw at Makers Mart in Long Beach!  Like it says in my "About Me" blurb in the sidebar over there >>>>>  I cannot get enough of pretty handmade stationery, and the items from Petal and Paperie are absolutely gorgeous.  I love how vintage-inspired, yet modern all of the designs are on each card and gift tag.  They are so whimsical and perfect for giving with your gift or as a gift set.

Also, I am so happy that Petal and Paperie's lovely owner is gifting to you a promo code for all of your holiday shopping needs.  Make sure to look out for it after the interview and all of the amazing items that are in the feature.  Enjoy!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

I'm 26 years old and I am an RN "by day" but I've always been crafty at heart.  Ever since I could remember I've always enjoyed creating pretty things.  I made my first scrapbook when I was 10 years old.  During my days in college, friends and family would ask me to create custom invitations for birthday parties, weddings, and important events in their lives.  I took much pleasure creating something special for them.  Not to mention, it helped my empty pockets as a poor but happy college student.  So even now that I have my career as a nurse,  I always make time to create paper goods, simply because it makes me happy and I love to do it.


Where did the name of your store come from?

I thought "Petal and Paperie" would be a great name for my store because on top of creating paper goods,  I also enjoy doing floral design as a hobby.

Why did you start making goods for Petal and Paperie?

Since the beginning of this year I found myself making custom event stationery every month for friends, family, and people who've heard of me by word of mouth.  So I finally decided this September to open up shop and create an online store where I would be more easily accessible to customers.  This year I decided to get into the Holiday spirit and created a line of holiday stationery which I am so excited to share with everyone.


What is your favorite item?

I would have to say that my favorite item in my store is the Holiday stationery kit.  It's a dead giveaway that it would be my favorite item because I love to create things.  The Holiday stationery kit includes a set of holiday cards, gift tag labels,  blank gift tags, stickers, paper doilies, clothes pins, and twine.  For a great price it allows my customers to be crafty and creative in their own right and are able to share that with loved ones this holiday season.


What is your most popular item?

The "Wishing you Joy" Christmas greeting card has been a popular item this year.  It reads: "Wishing you all the joy your heart can hold this Christmas and always."  I think its been a popular design because of the heart felt message and the festive design.

Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

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Handmade Gift Feature: Lettre Sauvage

For today's "25 Days of Handmade Gifts" feature, I am featuring a special kind of gift.  Not only does Lettre Sauvage make lovely cards, stationery sets, and journals... they offer printing classes on their authentic letterpress machine!  I love, love, love the idea of giving an "experience" or lesson as a gift, especially for someone who loves creating and crafting.  The vintage and hand-made enthusiast in me especially appreciates how this is a true old-fashioned process, with fantastic results.  Read on for the details on Lettre Sauvage's beautiful products and how you can schedule a class time to make your own!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

Lettre Sauvage started around 2003, when we realized we had enough space cleared out in our garage  and workshop to put in a few vintage letterpresses. Originally there were 3 of us Fiona Leggett, Cameron Leggett, and Genevieve Yue. We've always made both books and stationery as well as done custom printing. Fiona studied letterpress and book binding with Kitty Maryatt at Scripps College. Cameron always wanted to do real printing (as opposed to digital printing or offset printing) having worked at Kinko's with all things flat, digital, and virtual he sought out something a bit more tangible. Genevieve has moved on to become a professor of critical theory as it relates to cinema, but printing is still a common love we all share.


Where did the name of your store come from?

Lettre Sauvage translates more specifically as Wild Letter. Sauvage being more akin to unruliness or being unkempt or uncivilized, in it's translation from French to English. The name sounds more vicious in English. We had an interest in the slogans of the Paris Student uprisings in May 1968, and while researching the printed output around this period, the idea of Lettre Sauvage was born and went on to become the company name.


Why did you start making goods for Lettre Sauvage?

We have always made both poetry books and stationery.  For a short while we played with having a line of wedding stationery but let that evolve into part of our custom printing services.

What other services do you offer?

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