Portfolio: Longyne/Smies Wedding

A few months back I had the pleasure of illustrating a beautiful, city inspired wedding suite for Cindy, and husband-to-be, Tyler. You can see the mini moodboard here I created when beginning this project.

I loved hearing the passion that Cindy and Tyler have for the city of Grand Rapids, MI and how it has played a role in their relationship - and now in their wedding! We went with dark green and a grey metallic inks to bring out the scheme of their wedding. I love how the metallic ink shimmers and makes the city feel alive in the background.

Best of luck you two - I know the Lord has much in-store for you in marriage!

Links to Love: May, vol. 2

Original Image  by Jenny Causey for Sara Saipua

Well, May is almost finished - and it has been a good month. Birthdays, graduations, and all kinds of celebrations in between. I'm sad May went by so quickly, but I'm looking forward to a sunny June.

Here are some links I have been loving this last month:

- The National Stationery Show posts have been filling up all my feeds this past month, and I couldn't get enough! To see some of the beautiful new stationery, check out Oh So Beautiful Papers great reviews. Make sure you don't miss their Paper Party post - I just love that garland!

- With a recent inspiration from my sister redoing her apartment - I have been obsessed with  "IKEA hacks" on Pinterest - especially this bar cart one!

- In need of a good read this summer? Check out these lists here , here, & here
My favorite reads right now include Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand,  and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

- Rifle Paper Co. launched their wallpaper line at NNS this year, and officially to the public today. So much beauty - I'm in love!

-Think you can tell a persons age off of their first name? Maybe you can - read more about it here

- Long summer nights call for quick but delicious meals. The girls over at The Daily May have the perfect fix for this with 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta. They are also giving away the cookbook the recipe comes from, The Oh She Glows Cookbook, so check it out!

Color Companions: Spring Greens

This post may be a few days late, as June is almost here and we (finally) have a heat wave here in the Midwest. I'm loving the sunshine and the beautiful outdoors! Never the less, you can't go wrong with a beautiful green and white combo!

This stunning dress | This simple but attractive wall art | This inspiring flower arrangement | This elegant, but casual top

Portfolio: Forever Young Print

When my sister-in-law, Lindsay, was still pregnant we had talked about doing a calligraphy print for the nursery for baby to be. She brought up the song "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan. A personal favorite of mine, and such a sweet sentiment to hang in a nursery. Fast forward to February, and baby to be is the beautiful Olivia Mae!

My favorite line in the song reads "May you build a ladder to the stars | and climb on every rung", and thus I chose the night sky theme. (Plus it gives me an excuse to work in gold ink). I love how it turned out, and love that these words will bless Olivia for years to come!

Interesting Pinteresting: Ampersand

First Column : 1 /2  Second Column: 3 / 4 / 5 Third Column: 6 / 7 / 8 /

I can't resist a beautiful ampersand. I have a small collection now that you can spot around both my work desk and apartment. You can also see a few in my shop. There are so many more out there, I wish I could share them all with you! 

Here are a few more of my favorite unexpected ampersands:

Ampersand Cheese Board

The ampersand can be tracked all the to the first century AD. It was originally a ligature of the letters E and T (“et” is Latin for and). You are still  able to see the E and T separately in some of the modern ampersand. Read more on the ampersand here and here.

Ampersand Book Ends, Arrow Ampersand, Coffee and Cigarettes Poster

Sketeches: Spring Flowers | 02

Original Art by Caroline Hutchison for Lina Lulu Paperie

It has been a rainy week here in the Midwest. (Easter weekend was such a tease with the 80 degree weather.)  I purchased my own spot of sunshine in the form of the lovely Campanula house plant this week for my work desk.

How sweet are all the tiny little trumpet flowers that seem to be bursting forth? I really enjoy the natural purple of the plant, but for this weeks sketch decided to make the colors muted to match the weather we have been having. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Original Art by Caroline Hutchison for Lina Lulu Paperie

Easter Bunny Downloadable

Happy Easter weekend! If you are going over to see family or friends this Sunday, and have seemed to forget a gift - don't fret! Download our simple bag Easter Bunny Bag topper. All you need is a handful of your favorite Easter candy, a plastic bag and a stapler!

Materials:  
-Scissors
-Stapler or Glue
-Small Plastic bag
-Favorite Easter Candy

Step 1. Download our Easter Bunny Bag topper here.

Step 2. Cut out topper and add your message 

Step 3. Fill bag with candy. Lay bag top flat and attached Easter Bunny bag topper to bag with stapler or glue.

Step 4. GIve to family or friend!

You can  us it also as a mini card and attach it to some spring flowers or small gift!

All art original work by Caroline Hutchison for Lina Lulu Paperie

Whatever you do this weekend for Easter, I hope it is relaxing and out in the sunshine! Happy Friday!

Collaboration: Desktop Wallpaper

I had the pleasure of working with Chelsea on a new desktop wallpaper series for her blog, Lovely Indeed. I found the blog through my typical route - looking through other bloggers list of blogs they follow, and boom - instantly fell in love!

Chelsea has such a fun and vibrant style, I couldn't stop looking through her pages of wonderful DIY's and fun photo's. I follow her on both her blog and instagram, and when she called for calligraphers to work with I just had to follow up with her.

I used a Nikko G Nib with Dr Martin's Bombay Ink to create this quote.

She gave me a few quotes to choose from and I felt  connected to this one by Susan Polis Schutz. With a forever winter and only a glimpse of spring around here - I have longed for the days of warm sunshine. My calligraphy seems to sing paired with the stunning original photo by Chelsea.  Thanks Chelsea for such a fun project!

To download the desktop wallpaper visit Lovely Indeed, here.

Links to Love: April, vol. 1

Photo from Anthroplogie Blog. Photo taken by Anthroplogie.

This week has been full of appointments, a handful of work, and an unnecessary interruption of being down for the count yesterday with a terrible cold. Thank goodness it is Friday! Everyday seems a little closer to true spring and out of the winter woods.

Here are a few links to interest and inspire you this weekend:

-Check out the stunning Earth Day displays by Anthropologie promoting the awareness of the monarch butterfly here! See more of the window displays with #AnthroEarthDay on Instagram.

- Did you know April is National Card and Letter Writing Month? It's not too late to start writing! Join Egg Press and Hello!Lucky as they promote this great month with the #Write_On campaign.

- Hopefully this new take on the font Comic Sans, Comic Neue, will bring a positive light to this much loved to be hated font.

-This yummy Thai Frappe recipe from the ladies over at A Beautiful Mess would make a great brunch addition this weekend!

- I really enjoyed this article, 4 Reasons You Should Always Pay Designers & Developers by Jon Acuff. It had some oh so familiar truths.

-Check out these beautiful photos of Washington D.C. cherry blossoms by the talented Erica Baker of Erica Baker Photography. Does isn't make you wish these beauties were planted everywhere?

Portfolio: Bridal Shower Invitations

Do you remember a few weeks back I posted these mooboards? I'm excited to share with you one of the finished projects!

I learned from the client that the shower would be an afternoon tea, and the bride had chosen the color palette of black and creme with gold accents for their wedding. This time I stayed on the side elegance and a little bit sophisticated - but couldn't resist choosing a slightly whimsical font to be the centerpiece.

After sending the client three choices, they chose a combination of two. I blended them together and Voila! - we have the beautiful finished product.

Color Companions: Spring Blues

It's a wet introduction to April here in Chicago, but at least it's not snowing, right? With the absence of Spring greens and abundance of moody skies, I have a found a particular beauty in the different blues peaking out of the clouds these days.

Clockwise: Room | Lettering | Beach Blanket | Painting

Links to Love

I'm desperately desiring spring  - but for now I will have to just dream and draw the beautiful green plants and bright flowers that will come.

Beautiful portraits of New York City by Anne Street Studio. Makes me want to go even more to see the city that never sleeps.

With new babies in my life by both friends and family, I cam across these sweet little shoes that would look great on any one of the new little ladies we have welcomed to the world this past February. I wouldn't mind a pair myself, if only they came in my size.

Came across these beauties this week by Jessica Hische. How stunning is that gold lettering?

I love what Caroline Kelso of Made Vibrant had to say here. We do need each other.

 Anandamayi Arnold created these wonderful realistic crepe paper botanical creations. The colors are so lush, I thought they were real!

Have you seen this series yet with Jerry Seinfeld? Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a brilliant series with so many funny men and women. It will always brighten your day.

Finally, with my obsession with flowers (and a deep need for spring) - I was gaga over this post of editable flowers by Design Love Fest.

Sketches: Spring Flowers

When I was at the grocery store earlier this week I was immediately met by the friendly faces of these beautiful tulips. I had to purchase them; I had to take them home.

It's funny how a quick trip to the market for butter can spark such an unexpected inspirational find.

Aren't they lovely! So full of beautiful color!

(Left) A simple Sketch of the flowers  |  (Right) Water color and Ink

Creative Quotes

I stumbled across this beautifully written article, Women vs. Women, and a little thing called “self-respect” from Wit & Delight.  To the point, and very thoughtful - this piece examined why  women should build one another up and not tear one another down. We have our own strengths and our own path to walk as individual women. We will always benefit from support from each other on these travels. Great food for thought.

Handwritten By Caroline Hutchison of  Linalulu Paperie

Color Companions: Yellow and Orange

I took a recent trip to Florida to celebrate a dear friend and her now husband for a fun and relaxing wedding weekend. Coming back to the snowy Midwest made me long for the sunny colors of Florida to appear again both outside and in my wardrobe. Which colors better represent such a colorful state than a dreamy orange and a bright, sunny yellow? I can't wait to add these small pops of color in my wardrobe this spring. Till Spring arrives, I'll keep seeking out this bright and fun colors!

Clockwise: Flowers | Blanket | Pillows | Top

MoodBoard: March Projects

With Spring (hopefully) around the corner, I'm looking into more projects with fun motifs and colors. Here are little glimpses through moodboard's I have put together of somethings I have been working on!

I'm really excited to work on this unique invitation featuring aspects of Grand Rapids, MI as the main focus for this summer wedding.

Clockwise: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

With wedding season around the corner, bridal shower season is in full swing. I've been itching to finish these elegant and sophisticated bridal tea invitations just so I can show you all what they pick!

Clockwise: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Artisit Admiration: Paola Navone

Plates | Chair | Table Cloth | Fish Bowl | Lounge

I have had a fond love for Paola Navone's collections at Crate & Barrel since they started collaborating. Her gorgeous patterns, whimsical shapes, and Mediterranean influence place a joyful and easy air to each piece that would enhance any space. Her three new collections exclusively through Crate & Barrel are: Pic-nic Collection, Party Collection, and Fish Collection. Being a sucker for the black and white combo lately - it was love at first sight for me. With the strong accent colors varying between deep blues and vibrant teal, with watermelon patterns thrown in-  I'm head over heels for all three collections!

Check out more about the collection and her process with the video on Crate & Barrels page.

Portfolio: Lindsay's Baby Shower

To celebrate my sister-in-law, mommy to be Lindsay and baby, my mother-in-law hosted an adorable baby shower in their honor! I was so excited to add my calligraphy to the (already) wonderful decor and joyous celebration.

Beth out did herself with her theme "She's about to Pop!"  by including all things "pop" worthy including cake pops, blow pop champagne "poppers", poppyseed muffins and so many other delicious treats!

Color Companions: Red and White

Be Mine | Cookie | Ribbon | Garland

Nothing is more perfect than a bold red and crisp, clean white on Valentines day. Pull out your glitter pens, washi tape, and scissors and start making gold ol' fashion Valentines day cards, complete with hearts.

Moodboard: Valentines Day

I’m nuts about flowers, and with Valentines Day tomorrow I thought I put together a little collection of some of my latest Pinterest finds for you about the days most poplar gifts. I can't get over the paint shaped chocolates by Nendo or those red poppies! Which is your favorite? I know, it's hard to choose...

Romantic Flowers & Chocolates | Playful Flowers & Chocolates | Whimsical Flowers & Chocolates | Bohemian Flowers & Chocolates | Traditional Flowers & Chocolates