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Hope everyone has a fun, happy and safe New Year’s Eve!
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The leading color trend for 2010 wedding invitations here at the Delphine studio was aubergine purple. About half of the invitation orders we processed this year used some shade of purple. In design trends, our CHRYSANTHEMUMS design was one of the most popular designs this year. Normally I’m not much of a purple-lover, but I really do love the way this aubergine and crocus Chrysanthemums wedding invitation turned out.
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I designed these calling cards for a friend on the job hunt. I took our NEWPORT STRIPES calling card design, added the initial “M” from our Monogram design, and voila: a chic alternative to boring business cards, perfect for handing out at networking events. These are shown in peacock and sand inks, Monica’s fave colors. Not sure what color to pick for your business cards? Take a peek inside your closet and take note of the color you see most.
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Using souvenirs from my travels in photo shoots gives me a legitimate reason to save ephemera from my trips. The M button is from a visit to the Met in NYC last spring after the National Stationery Show.
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Our CHRYSANTHEMUMS stickers were designed to work great either as return address stickers or as party favor stickers. I really like how they look in our “bleu” ink.
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Squeal!!! I just got an email from one of my lovely sponsors, Chronicle Books, letting me know that Delphine-Ephemera readers get 40 percent off Chronicle Books through January 31, 2011. Eeeeek! I’ve shown some faves from my bookshelf (Little Book of Letterpress and Creative, Inc.) and ones I have my eye on above. To get the discount, use the code: CAL40 during checkout and click through to the Chronicle website here. Happy shopping and a big MERCI to Chronicle Books!
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It’s rainy and dreary outside here at the Delphine studio, but inside it’s cozy and warm as John and I package up last minute holiday gifts for friends of the studio. This year we picked oranges from the backyard and made candied orange peels. Mmmm. To make them I peeled the orange skins, blanched them, then boiled them in fresh water for an hour to soften, scraped away any remaining pith, simmered them in sugar syrup for an hour, then sanded them with sugar. Super delicious with a cup of espresso, which is how we plan on enjoying any leftovers.
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I used our vintage Royal typewriter (a Christmas gift from John 11 years ago — he found it covered in dust in the corner of an antique shop in New Bern, North Carolina and restored it for me) to type labels for the packages of candied orange peel.
I was clickety-clacking so fast that John came in from the next room to tell me, “wow, you would have been a great secretary.” Humph.
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I packaged the candied orange peels up in cute pale green party favor boxes I got from Michael’s a few years ago (by Martha Stewart). They are leftover from a baby shower I helped plan.
I saved about 3 cups of syrup that the oranges were simmering in. I think it would be yummy added to some sparkling water (or to a vodka martini). Any other ideas on how I can use it?
All photos by Erika Firm ©DELPHINE.
When Pantone announced Honeysuckle as its pick for Color of the Year 2011 I will admit I was shocked. I was expecting either a pretty distressed metallic or a soft, romantic pink. Not 1980s rose. I am the first to say I am NOT a pink person, so I’m hoping 2011 goes by quickly if this is the dominant hue to come.
From the Pantone press release: “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.
I say, bring back blue!
Eiseman goes on to say that Honeysuckle “may bring a wave of nostalgia” for spring and summer.
Personally, I think it brings a wave of mustiness — reminiscent of the dusty rose couch and tapestry pillows from the 80s in Mom & Dad’s basement, where you may be forced to live because you can’t find a job. Rather than being a nice escape from stress, like 2010’s pretty Turquoise (daydreams of beach vacays and escape from everyday woes), Honeysuckle brings you right back down to earth — or the basement apartment.
I don’t want to poo-poo the color entirely. It can look nice if paired with crisp palm or apple green — kind of a retro preppy vibe made modern by lots of white accents. I also see it paired with warm, romantic apricot, or a lovely soft metallic like champagne. For a cheerier look, pair it with beach glass turquoise. It would look pretty with navy blue, like one of my favorite flowers, the Anemone. But please, for me, PLEASE don’t pair it with forest green, mauve, cream, lace, rose patterns, or anything that reminds you of 1985. I don’t think I can take it.
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Bonjour, lovely readers. Thought you’d like to see what has been rolling off the press lately: save the date season is starting to heat up. These are two of our newest designs: Candy Shop (top) and Etienne (bottom).
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I was just finishing up the logo I designed for Little Green Beans (we have yet to finalize the shade of green, but the mark is done) and realized I have designed logos for three companies with the word “Green” in their name. Just another reason why green is my very favorite color.
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Photo by Ryan Ray Photography
Here’s a peek at one of our newest wedding invitation designs, ROSE. It’s not yet live on the site, but you can order it by request. Shown here in jet black, sand and cantaloupe ink. We printed these for Janelle and Scott’s wedding, which was featured today on The Wedding Chicks. J’adore the black and coral color scheme at the wedding, so we used a jet black background on the invitations.
Many thanks to B&K Designs, Krista Jon Couture Designs and Archive Vintage Rentals for asking me to be a part of this fantastic day. And special thanks to For Your Party for printing all the fab party goodies for us! Please visit The Wedding Chicks to see more of this gorgeous wedding!
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Three of my favorite things to use in photos when I’m staging invitation shoots: vintage stamps, vintage keys, and silk flowers. All in one photo! The vintage stamps are from my personal collection — I’ve picked some up during my travels abroad, and recently I picked up a few packages at Anthropologie; the keys are from my personal collection and from Classic Bride’s vintage shop; the faux flowers I picked up at a local floral supply shop.
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Thought you’d like a peek at some of the projects I have worked on this year. These were all designed for one of my all time favorite (and my only Danish) clients: Isabella Smith. I designed that cute (if I do say so myself) logo for her Isabella Smith Country Store, too. The logo is a sketch of the building where she works. How lucky is she to work in such an amazing environment?!?!! A couple of my favorite projects haven’t made it into the photo studio just yet (dozens of seed packets) or into production yet (eco-friendly cleaning products, a series of pretty mugs, some café au lait bowls …) but I’ll post photos as soon as everything gets wrapped up.
reminder: you can click on just about any photo on the blog to see it larger.
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While cleaning up our son’s playroom I came across my old Breyer horses buried in the bottom of the toy chest. Like most little girls, I dreamed of having my own pony. I took riding lessons when I was in first grade, and did a bit of trail riding as a teen, but haven’t been on a horse since college.
I live in a major horse community now (my “village” is called Rancho Santa Fe due to all the horse ranches), and have grown to love the effortlessly chic look all the equestrian ladies have around here. The polo players who frequent the coffee shop aren’t too shabby, either. Major swoon. But I digress …
Here are some gifts the horse-lover in your life will love: No. 1: Horse engravings, pillows and trophy lamp by Two’s Company No. 2: Red plaid throw from Williams-Sonoma Home No. 3: Equestrian riding boots (the real deal) by TuffRider No. 4: Limited Edition Shearling Jacket from J. Crew No. 5: Vintage Horseshoe necklace from Freshly Fig (Etsy) No. 6: Antique English Wing Back Leather Sofa from Dispela on 1stDibs
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No. 7 Wouldn’t this Deer lamp look chic with a plaid lamp shade and/or a coat of glossy paint (pale turquoise? red? black? yellow? white?) No. 8 LOVE these Ralph Lauren glasses. I have a set of them and use them all the time. No. 9 I love the trend of vintage trophies used as vases. Even better when they’re painted in a fun gloss finish.
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I’m excited to announce that our very own North County Graphic Designers group is having a book swap at our next morning coffee meetup! Here’s the scoop:
JOIN US: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 8am at E Street Café in Encinitas, California.
BRING: Up to three used design-related books that you’d like to swap. Books can be about graphic design, design software programming, art, or anything a designerd would like. Design magazines are also great (i.e. Communication Arts, HOW, Print, STEP, etc.).
DETAILS: For each book you bring you will get one ticket in the hat with your name on it. We’ll pick names and when your name is called go up to the table with all the books and pick a new one to take home. After everyone picks their books you can trade with other people if you’d like.
If you’re not already a member please do a “groups” search on LinkedIn for “North County Graphic Designers” and join the group. It’s free. I look forward to seeing everyone!
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