Color of the Week - Lime

This week's color is Lime - a bright yellow-green color associated with neon and fluorescent hues!

Lime is a great color for summertime because of it's high saturation. Pair it with another bright color for an exciting color scheme!

Fun facts about Lime:

1. The first recorded use of "lime green" as a color name in English was in 1890.

  

2. Lime is a color three-quarters of the way between yellow and green (closer to yellow than to green), so named because it is a representation of the color of the citrus fruit by the same name.

 

3. To prevent scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus. Though lemons were more effective (due to a higher quantity of vitamin C), West Indian limes were easier to obtain on Britain's Caribbean colonies, and British sailors thus aquired the nickname of "Limeys" because of their heavy lime intake.

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Shameless Plug Time: Love this color? Looking for custom stationery made to match this color (or whatever other color combinations you're using for your event)? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Sunday Sample Spotlight: "Down Memory Lane"

For a formal event, sometimes simple and elegant is the best way to go!

"Down Memory Lane" Save-the-Date

This save-the-date features one of my "fancy" pattern designs in a soft green in the background. The text is calligraphic and traditional, but instead of boring black the letters and the linen textured cardstock bordering the save-the-date are both in a rich chocolate brown. For a pop of color, the outside envelope is a cool grass green to match the light green pattern.

 
Next week's Sunday Sample Spotlight: A unique, retro twist on flower-inspired stationery!


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Shameless Plug Time: Love this invitation (or others featured on this blog)? Want something similar (or something completely custom) designed for your event? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Olivia & Milana

Here are today's fancy and funky patterns -

First, the "fancy": Pattern Olivia

Why it's "fancy": The lines are thin and curvy, and the style seems a little worn, like a vintage fabric that has faded over time.

Why it's great: Like many of my fancy patterns, pattern Olivia also looks like lace from a distance!


And now, the "funky": Pattern Milana

Why it's "funky": Dense shapes, evenly spaced lines, bold color, and a modern, graphic style all make this pattern "funky."

Why it's great: I love the mini arcs that bring to mind the image of cartoonish rainbows!

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Shameless plug time: Love my patterns? I incorporate them into a lot of the artwork I create, from stationery for Invites by Andrea to the watercolors I paint. Check out Invites by Andrea's website to see examples of these patterns in use or drop me a line at andrea@invitesbyandrea.com to let me know what you think!

Flowerless Bouquets 2 - Paper

Today's wedding bouquets and centerpieces aren't limited to fragrant blooms. For the next five weeks, I'll be showing you my favorite flower alternatives, from new DIY creations to bouquets rich in history (and heirloom antiques!), from transient arrangements that look beautiful at your event to permanent keepsakes that'll look beautiful for generations to come.

Option 2: Paper Bouquets

Just like fabric, paper comes in several different textures and any color under the sun (and if you <i>don't</i> find the shade you need, you can just print out your own!), making it a great option for brides who want flowers in non-natural colors like dark teal or their favorite blooms at times of the year when they aren't readily available.

Use soft, pliable paper for rounder edges, or thick cardstock for sharp-edged petals. The internet is full of origami flower tutorials - try a bunch of different options to find out which style flower you like best (or is easiest for you to create) before committing to this extensive DIY project.

Like fabric, you can make your paper flowers look surprisingly realistic, or you can play up the "paper-ness" of your material by using patterned paper and newsprint (or other paper with printed words).

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Shameless plug time: Need invitations as beautiful as your decor? Check out InvitesbyAndea.com and let me design stationery for your event!

Flowerless Bouquets 1 - Fabric

Today's wedding bouquets and centerpieces aren't limited to fragrant blooms. For the next five weeks, I'll be showing you my favorite flower alternatives, from new DIY creations to bouquets rich in history (and heirloom antiques!), from transient arrangements that look beautiful at your event to permanent keepsakes that'll look beautiful for generations to come.

Option 1: Fabric Bouquets

The great thing about fabric is it comes in every color imaginable (and if you <i>don't</i> find the shade you need, you can always design your own at Spoonflower.com!), making it a great option for brides who want flowers in non-natural colors like dark teal or their favorite blooms at times of the year when they aren't readily available.

For added elegance, sew small jewels (pearls, rhinestones) or beads into the fabric flower centers or around the edges of the petals. Fabric flowers can look surprisingly realistic, and are often significantly cheaper than real blooms - plus, they'll last forever as a great wedding keepsake!

For a less realistic-looking (but perhaps more beautiful) bouquet, mix solid colors with patterned fabrics, or play with texture by adding lace and using different types of texture.

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Shameless plug time: Need invitations as beautiful as your decor? Check out InvitesbyAndea.com and let me design stationery for your event!

Color of the Week - Banana

This week's color is Banana - a pale yellow named for the color of unpeeled bananas!

All light yellows work as neutrals because of their similarities to tan and ivory shades, so they look great with almost any color!

Fun facts about Banana:

1. Bananas are edible fruits produced by large flowering plants native to tropical South and Southeast Asia; they are likely to have been first domesticated in Papua New Guinea.

2. Bananas, like autumn leaves, canaries, and egg yolks, get their yellow color from natural pigments called carotenoids.

3. A person slipping on a banana peel has been a staple of physical comedy for generations, and the popular Nintendo Mario Kart video game series uses banana peels as weapons that cause opponets' cars to spin out and fall behind.

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Shameless Plug Time: Love this color? Looking for custom stationery made to match this color (or whatever other color combinations you're using for your event)? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Sunday Sample Spotlight: "Basket Case"

Texture (or implied texture printed on paper) is a great way to get across the feeling and formality of your event. This stationery set, which features a printed picnic basket weave texture, instantly feels casual and fun!

"Basket Case" Invitation Duo (invite & info insert)

I used scrapbook paper with a basket print to line the side flap and pocket of this folding envelope, and then scanned in the paper to copy the same design onto the printed invitation and information insert.

The unique sans serif font that mixes lowercase and uppercase letters reinforces the casual, fun look of the stationery. Guests who receive this invitation know to come prepared for the weather at this outdoor ceremony and "picnic lunch reception."

This would also be a great design for family reunions, summer office parties, and any other outdoor summer or early fall event!

 
Next week's Sunday Sample Spotlight: "Down Memory Lane"


Click here to view all Sunday Sample Spotlight posts.

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Shameless Plug Time: Love this invitation (or others featured on this blog)? Want something similar (or something completely custom) designed for your event? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.