Sneak Peek and a Special Fall Promotion

More gorgeous photos of this glamorous wedding coming soon. Here is a peek of the wedding reception stationery pieces.

The place cards I penned were nestled among roses and jewels. We used Biltmore Estate historic facts for the table names, which was fun, as well as interesting and informative.

The bride asked me to have a menu designed in a square format using various type sizes, going from small to large. We wanted to use the same script and Parisian borders I used to design her wedding invitations and have them flow into the reception pieces. I asked Heather, owner of Real Card Studio (one the exquisite lines we offer at A Fine Line), to see what she could do with these special requests. Heather never disappoints, so I knew she would come up with something fabulous …and she did! This is one of my most favorite menu and program designs ever. They were letterpress printed in chocolate and champagne on handmade Italian paper. The bride wanted something very modern, while her mother requested the design be classic and traditional. We were able to please both and the final product was stunning! The bride’s mother told me the menu was the most photographed element of the wedding among the photos taken by their friends and family.

This brings me to the special we are offering at A Fine Line running until December 31. Receive 10-15% off wedding programs and menus when purchased with wedding invitation suites from the same company. This promotion applies to specially selected lines we carry.

photography by Parker J. Pfister

Sketching at The Bloom Room

It appears I have way too many photos and designs on my computer and it has finally crashed! I cannot get to the wedding photos I was going to post, so here are a few sketches I did at my friend Stacey’s shop, The Bloom Room, last week. Since I can't scan or adjust them, please excuse the quality of the photos – yes that is my excuse for them. :) and no, the Wizard of Oz is not behind the curtain! ... I just didn't get around to finishing the details while I was there.

Stacey and I used to share the same shop until she needed a larger work room and more storage space. Not only do I miss her company, but I miss the beautiful flowers! Stacey is a fabulous event and floral designer, with a great vintage style, and does shabby chic like no one I know. I decided to go over and see what they were working on for the week and practice sketching interiors...in which I need a lot more practice, but I am enjoying it. It was a fun day!

Perfectly Inscribed

My fabulous hand bound journal arrived today. It is perfectly inscribed and ready to fill with calligraphy, sketches, watercolor, quotes and things that bring me inspiration. I ordered a smaller version a few months ago from Melissa Meaders McArdle (Simply Mel) over at Reverie (a must follow blog!) The book is filled with gorgeous handmade paper that takes ink and watercolor beautifully. The books are hand bound by a bookbinding artist in Scotland. When I saw that she had a larger version, which could be personalized, I had to have one. The cover’s inscription reflects the name of my little dog Ginger and other things that bring joy into my life.

The arrival of the book is bittersweet as little Gigi was hospitalized again today for diabetes. Last week, when we took her to the oncologist in South Carolina, we had hoped to get a great report that the chemotherapy was shrinking her brain tumor. What we found out was that she had developed diabetes and was in serious condition and a CT scan could not be performed. They referred her back here to our animal hospital, where she was hospitalized and started on insulin. The oncologist believes the diabetes is a result of prednisone being used for the tumor, therefore it cannot be discontinued. We have not been able to stabilize her glucose levels with the injections at home, as the dosage has to be increased gradually, so she is back in the hospital today. We have taken her off the chemo until we get the diabetes under control. Our veterinarian still has high hopes that she will rally, so we are still hanging on.

I look forward to brighter days when I can relax and enjoy creating something artful in my spectacular new journal.