Real Wedding: Lisa and Rory

We couldn't be happier to share the extraordinary wedding of our friends Lisa and Rory. Since we first met the happy couple (what seems like ages ago!) we've been dying to see photos of their big day, and we are not surprised to see how beautifully it came together. Lisa and Rory wed at The Olde Bell in Hurley, England amongst historic timber framed buildings and lush greenery. It was the perfect venue for their rustic, vintage inspired wedding. Their story is featured on Martha Stewart's Brides Guide today (yes, we're jumping with joy!) where you can read more about their ideal I-do's.

It was such a pleasure designing their invitation suite! So much detail and care went into creating the perfect set, and they match perfectly with the scenery. In order to accommodate the space of the venue, the couple sent two sets of invitations, some for both reception and ceremony, and others to just the reception. The ceremony invitations were screen printed on floral handkerchiefs and tied to letterpress printed card stock. The reception invitations were a bit more playful, including a balloon to inflate reading the details of the party! It definitely set the mood for the night, and we love that they incorporated the balloons in their day-of decorations.

Photographer Chloé Browne of Caught the Light Photography did a fantastic job capturing the whimsical spirit of the celebration. With such a beautiful bride and groom, it must have been a piece of cake!

At the reception, the table numbers stood above glowing floral arrangements by Chantal Flores Design. The signs were inspired by British pub names, and each had a unique and rustic illustration to top it off.

Variable printed place cards were looped with ribbon and attached to knick-knacks that match the table theme. The pig made an appearance at the Pig and Whistle Table, and the crown at The Royal Wee. Oh so clever!

Their not-so-traditional wedding cake was made up of different cheese wheels! Who doesn't love cheese and fresh fruit? It was finished with a hand-cut paper cake topper by yours truly!

Each guest received a printed paddle fan with the details of the ceremony. It may not always be warm in England, but luckily the couple ended up with fabulous weather for their day!

Say Fromage supplied a photobooth for the event, and the photos were assembled by guests into a scrapbook. It's such a great way for friends and family to leave notes and memories! The couple also included our chalkboard word bubbles and various props to spruce things up.

Congratulations to Lisa and Rory!

Check out the entire Martha Stewart Weddings feature here!

Credits:

WEDDING DESIGNER & PLANNER: Mary Lee Herrington of Forever & Ever Events (http://www.foreverandeverevents.com) PHOTOGRAPHER: Chloé Browne of Caught the Light Photography (http://www.caughtthelight.com) STATIONERY, SIGNAGE & PHOTO BOOTH PROPS: Hello Lucky (http://www.hellolucky.com) VENUE: The Olde Bell (http://www.theoldebell.co.uk/) FLORIST: Chantal Flores Design (http://www.chantalfloresdesign.co.uk/) GOWN: Britta Kjerkegaard of The Couture Gallery (http://www.thecouturegallery.com/html/tcg.html) SHOES: Christian Louboutin (http://www.christianlouboutin.com/) FURNITURE HIRE: Theme Traders (http://www.themetraders.com/) HAY BALES: Holdshott Farm Shop (http://www.pfo-shop.co.uk) MUSIC: New Hot Cross Band, represented by Sternberg Clarke (http://www.sternbergclarke.co.uk/) CEREMONY SINGER: Sara Al-Qaiwani, bridesmaid PHOTO BOOTH: Say Fromage (http://www.sayfromage.co.uk/) MAKEUP/HAIR: Kaz Fernando (http://www.kazfernandomakeup.co.uk/) CHEESE CAKE TOWER: Tastes Delicatessen (http://www.tastesdeli.co.uk) LIGHTING/DJ: Gosh Management (http://www.thegoshgroup.co.uk/)

Lucky List for the Cozy Home

1. Merino Throw Blanket

Snuggle on up with this classic 100% merino wool throw from Pendleton. We love the soft yet vocal plaid of the Dress Stewart Tartan, but it comes in various styles for every home. Add an embroidered monogram or personalization to create a lasting impression.

2. Rib Knit Pillow

Imagine wrapping your favorite knit sweater around a fluffy cloud and sprawling on the couch with a great book or movie. That's what we pictured when we first laid our eyes on these knit pillows from Nordstrom. It's heaven in an 18" x 18" square, and its neutral tones will warm up any home!

3. Knit Mug Cozy

Switch from cold hard ceramic to plush knit and porcelain this winter, 'cause your regular mugs deserve a rest! Whether for hot cocoa or your favorite hot tea, these cozy mugs are the ultimate cold weather accessory.

4. Owl Print Lounge Pants

The holidays may always seem hectic and blustery, but truly the best (or most enjoyable) activity this time of year is just lounging. Hanging out with loved ones, sharing family traditions and dining on classic wintery feasts, these are all the things we appreciate the most. The moment you slip on that pair of comfy pants you're ready for some serious lounge time. Anthropologie's wide leg trouser style bottoms are perfect for allowing extra snuggle space on all those cold winter nights.

5. Holiday Inn DVD

Of all the things we so obviously love about the holidays, the sound of Bing Crosby's voice might trump them all. Holiday Inn is a classic musical comedy for any collection. You'll be singing along in no time!

6. Men's Cashmere Socks

Cashmere scarves are great. Cashmere sweaters are classic. Cashmere socks? To die for. Your man will be sock-hopping all over the house after slipping heaven onto his tired feet. At Garnet Hill, buy 5 pairs get the 6th pair free.

7. Happy Cloud Coasters

Happy Cloud coasters = happy tables. Protect your mahogany and oak, and grab a box of 6 for all those on your list!

8. Kid's Wool "Seal" Suit

We admit, we had to really study this sea animal suit before including it in our gift guide. Mostly because we had to find out if it came in adult sizes. The designer Vik Prjonsdottir does have some eclectic variations, but all agree it's perfect for kids. We can imagine how much joy would come from being encompassed by Icelandic sheep wool, and can guarantee this could be a hand-me-down for generations.

9. Striped Candles

Prepare for power outages in style. These striped candles are drip-free and ultimately mess-free. Display them in a centerpiece or hit the lights for a romantic evening at home. We want a set in every color!

10. Red Blossom Tea

The Red Blossom Tea Company is a fantastic family owned shop located in Chinatown here in San Francisco. Importing teas from all over the world's most desirable growing communities, they specialize in loose leaf tea blends and their combinations are heavenly. We're definitely getting our tea lovers one of their curated collections this year, and just might pair it with a cozy knit mug!

Lucky Friday # 43 Cozy Gifts Thank You Card

Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 43rd edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card.  Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!

The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Wolfie, Leah and Lisa! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Dancing Dreidels card!

Now for this week’s cozy card:

Design: Cozy Gifts Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: We wool-gathered about it a while and when it came down to keeping warm and giving thanks, we needed a card that covered a cornucopia of comfort. Who to send it to: Maybe someone who's wise to your size and style and has been gifting you long johns and long socks for a long while. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: The "Snuggie Calisthenics" card lacked the necessary je ne sais quois. Favorite detail: We love anything and anyone with long johns on. Why letterpress? Letterpress makes those snowflakes extra crisp.

Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!

Shop Julia Kostreva!

We hope you haven't finished your holiday shopping yet this year because we have some exclusive Hello!Lucky news! Our lovely and talented junior designer Julia Kostreva just added some new products to her shop and we wanted to spread the love! Her brand new 2012 planner calendars and Mon Petit notebooks are the perfect mix of modern style and functionality.

And, if you're looking for some contemporary art in the bedroom, look no further! Julia incorporates her hand illustrated patterns on to 100% cotton pillow covers! They satisfy that desirable splash of color that every room needs.

We're so proud to have such a brilliant artist on our team! Great work J!

You can visit Julia's shop here, and keep up with her blog here

Holiday Cuties

There are only a few things that get us through the craziness of the holidays without fail here at Hello!Lucky. One being the delicious treats our talented bakers and chefs bring to the office, and another is getting to see the adorable munchkins framed so nicely in the family photos. With all of the photo cards flying through here lately, sometimes we just have to stop and say, "Awwwee." We've compiled a non-juried assortment of some of the most awe-worthy kiddo's, and just can't help but give you a peek. These are in fact the real photos our customers used, so we're sending a big thanks to the families who let us share!

DIY Holiday Cards

If you've got a crafty thumb - or let's admit, if you have time to hand-assemble your holiday cards - you should definitely head over to The Inside Source for their DIY Holiday Greetings feature! You'll find various ways to bust out all of your holiday paper needs, including a paper box! You even get detailed instructions on how to make this adorable card by yours truly! Inspired by the accordion photo card, Gifted (illustrated by Susy Jack), this card is a one-of-a-kind gift in itself!

We love the vibrant colors and retro-inspired ornaments in these cards by How About Orange...

...and these typographic gift tags from Uppercase! They are perfect for gifts year-round, and are great for recycling your holiday cards from last year!

Be sure to check out the whole feature here, happy crafting!

Lucky List for the Fashionista

1. Karen Walker Sunglasses

We might hardly see the sun in San Francisco but that doesn't mean we don't love to flaunt our favorite over-sized shades.  This vintage styled pair evokes an air of glamor and mystery and are sure to impress any leading lady!

2. Arrow Bangle

Arrows seem to be everywhere lately, and what better way to rock the trend then with this sparkler around your wrist?  Made of rose gold and black crystal, it plays nice with everything in her closet, from that little black dress to those skinny black jeans!

3. Leopard Print Wallet

Meow! When we spotted (pun very much intended!) this gorgeous printed leather wallet is from one of our favorite local businesses, 49 Square Miles, we were all smitten kittens.

4. Louboutin Heels Print

Certainly we've all coveted the red soled fabulousness of Christian Louboutin heels, but a pair that won't break the bank?  Done!  This digital print of an original ink illustration is frame-ready and just perfect for the shoe lover on your list.

5. Breakfast at Tiffany's

That feisty society girl, Holly Golightly, sure knew a thing or two about throwing a festive soiree and her effortless style is sure to inspire fashion lovers and classic movie buffs alike.

6. Nars Nail Polish

Like the cherry in a Manhattan or the star atop the tree, perfectly polished nails are the ultimate finishing touch to your holiday ensemble.  Nars is our pick for colorful tips and toes so make sure to grab a few extra for stocking stuffers!

7. Chiffon Pom Pom Shoe Clips

Your ballet flats work hard the rest of the year, why not let them have a wild night out for the holidays by snapping on a pair of chiffon shoe clips!   Even better, keep a pair in your purse for last minute party invites!

8. Ann Taylor Sequin Scarf

Ok, we'll admit it, we love sparkles.  Glitter,  sequins, even tinsel makes us squeal with delight!  This dazzling scarf has just the right amount of bling for the office and then can be retied as a belt or a headband for after-hours fetes.  Pair it with the shoe clips to be party ready in a flash!

9. Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick

Paint the perfect pout and grab some mistletoe. This stunner by Yves Saint Laurent feels amazing and will last through hours of sips, snacks and kisses!

10. Vogue: The Covers

300+ pages chock-full of the most glamorous photographs ever to grace the cover of the iconic fashion magazine.  Herb Ritts, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon - all of fashion's heavy-hitters are represented along with behind the scenes details and stories from the shoots.   Sure to look great on the coffee table and guaranteed not to sit unopened for long!

Lucky Friday #42, Dancing Dreidels

Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 42nd edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card.  Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!

The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Jana, Amanda P and Ann! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Caroling Creatures card!

Now for this week’s edition:

Design: Dancing Dreidels Artist: Shauna Leytus Inspiration: Gotta dig the idea of dancing dreidels under a dome of stars of David. Who to send it to: A certain Semite who's got a soft spot for silly & sweet seasonal stationery. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one:  We were thinking of a plate of potato pancakes leaping into a pan of olive oil and calling it Hello!Latke-- but that dimly lit candle got "shamashed" out in a jiffy. Favorite detail: Definitely the enigmatic "Yea!" on the flag. Why letterpress? Wait'll you see how great those dreidels look-- letterpress is the tops!

Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!

Personal Stationery for Everyone on Your List!

Despite the fact that (and perhaps because) we work with stationery every day, we sometimes forget what a nice gift personalized stationery can make, especially for those people who seem to have everything! Who doesn't love seeing their name in print, and with our new online customization tool, you can pick just the right color and font to match their style.

Here's a sampling of some of our picks for family members of all stripes this year!*

1. Wildflowers: For Aunt Susanne. She's a bird lover and persimmon is one of her favorite colors, so this design by Anne Smith was perfect!

2. London Skyline: For cousin Jonathan, an up-and-coming barrister in London, dignified and masculine.

3. Wild Rose: For Aunt Rose, who sends me a card for every known occasion and a few in between (recent accomplishments of cat, etc.). A large quantity, plus extra envelopes.

4. Honeysuckle: For cousin Elise, a history professor.  She used this Honeysuckle design for her wedding invitations. These are in a different color, and I imagine it bringing back fond yet modern memories as she jots a note about medieval trade routes linking the kingdom of Northumbria to Strathclyde and Wales.

5. Daydream: For Stella, my tween niece. She probably passes notes by tweet, but as I'm sure her mother will agree, every young lady should be a mistress of correspondence!

6. Southern Belle: For my mother-in-law, Olivia, who loves to sunbathe in her garden - a lovely bouquet that could be a gift from one of her many garden gnomes.

7. Chrysanthemum: For my other mother-in-law, Sophia, a sparkling career woman with modern style: the chic and bold Chrysanthemum design.

Order by Dec. 18 and approve your design online, and we'll rush your order FREE for delivery by Dec. 23.  And we'll gift wrap it for you if you like (enter code GIFT4U at checkout)!

So go ahead, cross them off your list!

Happy shopping! Sabrina

*all names have been changed, but these are real gifts!

Letterpress Printing Classes at SFCB

Have an interest in learning about letterpress? Know someone who does? Well now's the time to get printing! The San Francisco Center for the Book just released their Spring 2012 Workshops & Events Catalog and it's full of opportunities for beginners and professionals. It could be a tremendous holiday gift for a loved one, or a New Year's resolution project for yourself! Classes range from $40 - $600 and from 3 hours to 5 days! What a great way to learn something new. And if you like to plan ahead, our very own printer James Tucker will be teaching the Advanced Letterpress Production Printing: Core Curriculum class on April 14 and 15. Sign up today!

Orders, Orders, Orders!

We're seeing tons of holiday orders printed and shipped from the H!L studio this week! It's definitely a peak time to order holiday cards, but there's still time to personalize your own. One of our most popular designs this year is the Greetings from San Francisco photo card. We think the kelly green and red color combination is especially festive!

Visit from Santa

Santa stopped by our studio this morning, just to say hello!

Featuring Julia Rothman and Giveaway!

We still have one more artist contributor to our 2011 Holiday Collection! We're excited to feature the very talented Julia Rothman! Julia is the rock star designer behind some of our most popular greeting cards and wedding invitations. We could go on and on about her genius illustrations and famous hand drawn style, but that would take days! We're constantly getting inspiration from her work and are delighted to have her as a part of Hello!lLucky designer team. Check out her book blog here!

What inspired your design for the holiday collection? Thinking about hot chocolate and warm mittens and cozy armchairs with fuzzy blankets and glowing fireplaces. I'm not a big fan of the cold weather but i like being warm knowing it's cold outside.

What are you currently working on?

Today I was working on a bunch of illustrations for a magazine. I'm excited to start to working on a book I am going to do about New York City next. Oh, and organizing. That is my New Years resolution- to get my office in better shape. I've tried to start the long process a little bit early to get a head start.

What influences your style the most?

That's hard to pinpoint. At some point I realized I really like drawings that seem like they are for kids, the style is playful and simple, but the audience is for adults. I like looking at vintage wallpaper designs and old children's book. But I think what influences me the most is what I see on a daily basis around me walking the streets; the people, clothing, store windows, architecture, patterns...

What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

I like exchanging gifts with my friends. It's always really fun thinking up presents for them and I always know I will get a thoughtful gift in return.

Best holiday memory?

I used to help decorate my neighbors tree every year as a kid since we never had one. I liked hearing stories about all the ornaments and eating lots of cookies. One year she told me a ghost story and I was so scared and never forgot it.

To enter to win an assortment of 10 letterpress greeting cards designed by Julia Rothman, comment below telling us your best holiday memory! The winner will be chosen on Friday, December 9th at 12:00pm. Good luck!

**A winner has been chosen! Thanks for participating!**

Free Rush Turnaround!

Haven't gotten around to ordering your holiday cards yet? No worries! We're here to help. Save time and money on all orders over $100 and you'll get your holiday cards delivered just in time to send out to your friends and family. Be sure to order before midnight December 18th to save on this great deal! And visit our holiday shop here!

Lucky List for the Adventurer

1. L.L.Bean Boots

So you may have seen these before. Whether in gift guides throughout the cyber web or stacked in your great uncles mudroom of his log cabin. They are popping up in styled shoots and still maintaining their humble practicality. These boots can do no wrong! Classic and cool, every person should own a pair.

2. Hudson Bay 4 Point Blanket

A blanket like this is an investment. 100% wool and loomed in England, it's basically an 18th century antique! We love the simple primary colors, and that you'll want to hold on to this snuggle bunny forever.

3. Rite in the Rain Pocket Journal

Because we know you just can't wait to jot down the name of that rare owl you spotted while hiking in the woods, or sketch an image of the strangest looking fungi you've ever seen, this notebook will last in all wet weather conditions. You'll rest assured knowing your important notes are safe and dry inside this pocket pal. Perfect for stocking stuffers!

4. Stormproof Matches

Another loyal weatherproof necessity! You never know when your campfire will be doused by a rainstorm, or you accidentally drop your backpack in the river and your only matches are soaked. These stormproof matches stay lit even after contact with water. You will be glad you brought them along!

5. Stanley Flask

Perhaps it's not the ultimate outdoor accessory, but it's definitely a treat for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether filled with spirits or hydrating fluids, a flask like this one makes a wonderful gift.

6. Tartan Plaid Hat

A classic tartan plaid hat makes even an inexperienced adventurer look like a pro. It's no secret that we love all things plaid, and would give one to all the manly men in our lives!

7. Pentax Binoculars

How many times can we say waterproof? Well, here it is again. Waterproof binoculars. This small and lightweight pair of snazzy magnifiers is sure to please any trailblazer.

8. Marmot Puffer Vest

Marmot is a name you can trust. We were delighted to print the invitations for the grand opening of the San Francisco store earlier this year, and ever since we've been hooked! A puffer vest like this will keep your friends and family warm, without looking like a marshmallow. Save those for the campfire!

9. Petzl Headlamp

No adventurer can go without a reliable headlamp. Especially a waterproof, LED light, built-to-perform-under-extreme-weather-conditions headlamp. Its strap is detachable, so clip it to a hat or belt as a two-in-one gift for your lucky guy or girl! And did we say waterproof?

10. Cooking Iron

Campfire grilled cheese. Fire roasted burgers. This cast iron handheld appliance will bring your camping menu from dull to delectable. Forget the hot dog on a stick, ensure your campsite is equipped with the ultimate cooking tools!

Destination: Craftgawker

How fantastic is the website Craftgawker?! If you haven't visited the site yet, you must! Craftgawker is a visual web gallery of craft tutorials and DIY projects composed by user submissions. It's the ultimate destination for endless hands-on activities of all types, and we can't get enough. From perfect holiday how-to's to accessorizing your everyday wardrobe, you'll find yourself digging through closets and bins and busting out your scissors and glue! Above are some of our favorites, and are on the top our list for the holidays. Happy crafting!

From top left, clockwise: Gothic Ring, Wire Tree, Holly Pillow, Scarf Flats

Lucky Friday # 41, Caroling Creatures

Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 41st edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card.  Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!

The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Danyun, Theo and Jaime! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Christmastime card!

Now for this week’s edition:

Design: Caroling Creatures Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: The creatures were inspired by the spirit animals of a handful of the Hello!Lucky cohort who went Caroling around SOMA one season— we'll never say hoo is hoo! Who to send it to: Some seasonal songbirds, an alto owl, a soprano sparrow, a mezzo mouse, or a baritone bear. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: "Troll the Ancient Yuletide Carol" with a bunch of trolls in holiday garb was a little too Charles Addams-y. Favorite detail: The songbooks are in British English. Shout out to H!L UK! Why letterpress? All our woodland friends (and spirit animals) appreciate the sustainable papers and print methods we use in our letterpress cards.

Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!

Craft Bar Event at MOCFA

Tonight's Craft Bar event at The Museum of Craft and Folk Art is going to be a total blast! Every first Thursday of the month the MOCFA invites local Etsy artists to come participate in a craft night - complete with materials, tutorials, and beer! For just $10 you can go home with some adorable felted wool penguin buddies and handmade holiday cards! Artists Jackie Huang and Rigel Stuhmiller will be there offering hands-on help to all of you first timers. It's completely kid friendly so bring the family!

The event lasts from 6-8pm and is located at 51 Yerba Buena Lane in San Francisco. Don't miss it!

Anthology DIY Cook's Kit

Have you all had a chance to flip through the holiday issue of Anthology Magazine? It's filled with fabulous gift guides and festive features to get you in the mood for sleigh bells and snow! Eunice designed a retro chef's kit as a gift for her sister Sabrina, and there's a detailed tutorial about how you can make one yourself! Complete with guidelines for printmaking and sewing, your handmade gifts are sure to make a lasting impression.

Head over to Anthology to see the whole story!

Sweet Paper Proposal

This might just be the sweetest proposal we've ever been a part of! Months ago we were approached by a strapping fellow in the early stages of proposing to his beautiful girlfriend. He explained how the lucky bride-to-be has always been a fan of Hello!Lucky, and that he wanted to go above and beyond by incorporating letterpress into a handmade book with which he would use to pop the ultimate question.

In just a few words, the future groom had us melting. His short and sweet story finishes with a hidden box and a sparkly ring.

And of course, this book has the happiest of endings...she said YES! We were immensely delighted to help our friend take the leap, and think it all turned out magically. Congratulations you two!