Thank You Very Much!

With the holidays just passed, it's the perfect time to send those little hand-written thank you notes for lovely gifts received and parties and visits hosted during the season. Writing thank you notes may seem a bit daunting, but it really is easier than you may remember - as with so many things, just starting is the hardest part.

First, choose your stationery. A beautiful folded note card or personalized flat notes would be the perfect backdrop for your note. Full sized stationery may be a bit large, as your note will likely be brief, but if you're up for filling a page, then you can certainly make that your choice. There are loads of wonderful options out there, both specifically for thank you notes or just lovely stationery, many suitable for children as well as adults. Make your stationery choice speak to your personality!

Now, for the note.

1. Start with a personalized greeting.

Dear Auntie Mary,

2. Express your gratitude, specifically. “Thank you for the gift” doesn’t cut it.

Thank you so much for the beautiful hand-knitted scarf and gloves. You are so talented!

(Easy, right? Just a couple more guidelines. For a monetary gift, do not mention the specific amount, but thank the gift-giver for their generosity. If the note is for a host or hostess, thank them for their hospitality.)

3. Describe how you will use the gift or provide more specifics.

We are off to a cold and snowy start to the winter, and I'm certain they'll get much use over the coming months. The raspberry color is gorgeous, and will brighten the gray winter days ahead.

(For a monetary gift or gift card, you may also mention how you plan to use it, for example "I have been saving for new golf clubs, and now look forward to having them before golf season begins". For a host or hostess, give some specifics about your visit that were particularly memorable, for example "Dinner was fabulous, as always, and you invite such an interesting group of friends, making the conversations unforgettable".)

4. Personalize a bit more, mentioning something in the past and / or future.

I have always wanted to learn to knit, and am hoping you'll come for a visit and perhaps give me a little lesson. I'll give you a call in the next week or so to see if we can arrange a date.

(You're almost done.... this isn't so hard, is it?)

5. Give your thanks again, and close.

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly

And there you have it! Here are examples of a few completed notes….

Dear Auntie Mary,

Thank you so much for the beautiful hand knitted scarf and gloves. You are so talented!

We are off to a cold and snowy start to the winter, and I'm certain they'll get much use over the coming months. The raspberry color is gorgeous, and will brighten the gray winter days ahead.

I have always wanted to learn to knit, and am hoping you'll come for a visit and perhaps give me a little lesson. I'll give you a call in the next week or so to see if we can arrange a date.

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


Dear Larry and Michelle,

Thank you so much for your hospitality. Dinner was fabulous, as always, and you invite such an interesting group of friends, making the conversations unforgettable.

I am planning to get some friends together next month for dinner at my house, and will call to check dates with you!

Thanks again!
Fondly,
Molly



Dear Uncle Pete,

Thank you for your generosity. I have been saving for new golf clubs, and now look forward to having them before golf season begins.

I can’t wait for the first day of golfing (after the snow melts, of course). I’ll give you a call so we can make a day of it!

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


See how easy that was! And if you check back later today, you’ll find a post with a lovely selection of thank you cards. Surely there will be at least one to inspire you to write your notes!

Molly, Artful Sentiments

photo courtesy of Artful Sentiments

Place cards, Escort Card and Butler Cards, Oh My!

Not all weddings require place cards or escort cards. But do you? Do you know the difference?

If you are concerned about where guests will sit (maybe Grandma doesn't get along with Aunt Margery and they might thrown down if stuck at the same table), or need to let your caterers know who should get the chicken and who should get the beef, using place and escort cards can make life much simpler. They do mean a bit of extra work for you before the wedding, but in the end, you'll be glad you avoided any family fights.

While typically all of these little cards end up being called place cards, there is a difference. Escort cards are usually set out at a separate table, with guests' names and table numbers directing them where to go. Place cards usually are set out right at the table and are more for assigned seating. These usually accompany a seating chart so the guests know which table to go to. Both cards can do double duty however, particularly in the event that you are having a plated dinner. If you have asked on your RSVP card who exactly wants which meal, you can denote this with a little symbol or certain color card at the table (#5 is a good example). This way, it eliminates the servers need to ask, and also takes the guess work out of it for your guests who might not remember if they chose chicken or beef. These are also sometimes refered to as Butler Cards.

If you know you're going to need these, your stationer can coordinate your cards with the rest of your invitation ensemble. It's also a good idea to let her know in the beginning so that she can schedule you in. Check with your stationer about the best format for submitting your information, particularly if you want to have your guests names and tables printed directly on the card.

Photo/Design credits:
1 & 2- Feterie
(#2 image courtesy Christa Hoffarth Photography)
3 & 5- Custom Programs
4 & 7 Lasso'd Moon Designs
6- Paper Stories Letterpress

~Carey @ Lasso'd Moon Designs

Table Cards Today: Anything But By The Numbers

Today's weddings are all about personalization. When planning your wedding you will quickly discover that there a myriad of ways in which you can put your personal stamp on your special day. Take, for instance, your table cards. Once merely small numbered cards which served as a way for guests to identify which table they were suppose to sit at at the reception, today's table cards have evolved into yet another way for a couple to put their unique spin on their wedding day.

For starters table cards no longer have to contain just numbers. Nowadays it is common for brides and grooms to name versus number their tables. Getting married at a vineyard ? Perhaps you could use cards like the above from Fleur Creations, which feature names and descriptions of different wines. Did you fall in love in New York? Why not name your tables after different neighborhoods or special spots in the Big Apple (below, also from Fleur Creations).


If you’re more of a traditionalist and want to stick to a numbering system, you can still make your table cards stand out. If you have a common motif or color scheme running through your stationery suite why not have your stationer design table cards that incorporate these elements? Maybe include the cherry blossom design from your invitations and menu cards, or the personalized monogram, logo or font you are utilizing elsewhere. You could also design table cards which incorporate pictures of you two as couple or as kids.

You can also make your table cards stand out, by how you display them. Most venues provide small metal stands for table cards, but it is also common nowadays for brides to use their own picture frames, small easels, or other unique holders to display their table cards. Just keep in mind that whatever type of holder you utilize it’s important to give the correct measurements to your stationer so that they design your cards so that they fit into the holder properly. You don’t want to be trimming off the top of your “5" the night before your wedding so that it will fit into the cute Pottery Barn frame.

Again it’s all about making your table cards reflect you two as a couple. Think of what you two are all about and start brainstorming ideas. Here are some other ideas I came up with, but would love to hear from you as well. So if you have a great idea please comment here and share!

Winter Wedding: Use small snow globe picture frames to frame your table card numbers.

Film Buffs: Frame headshots of old movie stars and name each table after a star. Clark Gable Table anyone?

Beach Lovers: Name your tables after famous beaches. Get small metal buckets, fill them with sand, and stick a paper flag in each which displays the beach name.

Wine Connoisseurs: Have your stationer design labels to stick to wine bottles, and make the wine bottles your table card holders.

Disney Lovers: Name your tables after the different lands of Disney, after certain rides, or famous Disney Couples. Incorporate pictures with each name.

Sports Fanatics: Name your tables after your favorite teams or players. For the players utilize their jersey numbers as well as their names.

History Buffs: Name your tables after famous (or infamous) couples in history.

Travel Fiends: Name your tables after various countries or cities you have traveled to and include pictures of you two at the locations. Use pieces of old maps as your mats in the frames.

Far East Theme: Paste table numbers to Japanese fans or Chinese Lanterns


-Diane, Shakespeare's Bride

All photos courtesy Fleur Creations.

Letterpress 102

While letterpress stationery is typically on the more expensive side, there are still many variables that go into determining the cost of letterpress printed items. Some of the factors that contribute to that cost are the type and quality of the paper, how may ink color are used, and what else goes into the design such as additional layers of paper, ribbons or other embellishments.



The paper
Most letterpress printers like to use 100% cotton paper, which gives it a soft, toothy feel and a deep impression. Also, many cotton papers come in a variety of thickneses, including some so thick they fell like cardboard. Cotton papers are on the more expensive side and obviously, the thinker the paper, the more expensive it is. Other papers can be used that are recycled or a combination of recycled and cotton. These tend to be less expensive, but also less thick and not as soft. On the really high end, there are handmade papers, which are all cotton or a combination of cotton and recycled materials. Because the process to make these papers are completely by hand, they are usually the most expensive, but also can be the most beautiful because they can include things like flower petals, recycled bits of catalogs and even scents.



The ink
Many printing presses are manually operated, like my Vandercook, where it is hand cranked and one piece of paper is fed through the machine at a time. A one color print job is going to be less expensive than a two color print job, usually by a significant amount. A two color print job is twice the labor because it requires twice the set up, feeding the paper through and clean up.



Embellishments
Many of my designs use several layers of paper, decorative papers and ribbons. These can take letterpress to a completely different look, but also a different price level.

First Birthday Bash — A Superhero Theme to the Rescue!

Marking your baby's first birthday with a fabulous bash can be fun when you make the planning less stressful by pulling all the basic elements of a theme together. As an example, let's look at a superhero-themed first birthday party for both boys and girls.

The Invitation
Send friends and family a fun-filled invitation that gives a flavor of the event's theme. Choose a design with bright colors reminiscent of superhero comic books or fonts that have similar characteristics. Another option is to work with a designer to customize every element of the invitation. Include fun wordings in the tone, catch-phrases or words such as, "KaPow!" or "Zap!" and don't forget to give your child a superhero alter ego, too!

The Favors
What are parties without favors? Instead of the traditional favor goodies, involve every boy and girl in making the event a gathering of "super friends" by giving them their own superhero gears — capes for those with the power of flight, power cuffs empowered with amazing strength, or even a mask to hide secret identities.

The Decor
Set the right atmosphere with simple elements from the theme to make it extra special. There are many fun ways to sprinkle superhero elements around the party scene. I love finding old comics and making them into confetti to scatter around tables or printing out action phrases from superhero comics and adding them to all sort of surfaces (walls, doors, etc.) to add to the excitement.

The Cake
The perfect cake for such an event calls for cupcakes dressed with superhero emblems. I love the sight of a sea of cupcakes with different emblems and the kids will love snatching one to "power up" or have them decorate their own sugary sweets! Look out world, here comes some supercharged little superheroes!



{Cathe, Feterie)


Photo credits: Feterie (top), Discovery Denim, BombusCrafts, BiteMeBakery (bottom)