TLO Letterpress

2011-04-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

2011-01-29T07:08:00.000-08:00

In the meantime, we will be taking a blogging hiatus while we prepare

for all the goodness to come this spring. Thanks for your patience

and we can't wait to see you at the fig!

SEE OUR WORK IN THE PAGES OF…

2011-01-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

WE ARE SO THRILLED TO HAVE CHRISTINE on board at TLO and we can't wait for everyone to get to know her. She is running the behind the scenes production in the studio and keeping us all in check. So, here is a bit more about Christine in her own words…

Highlight of your wedding day? Celebrating with those I love the most!

One thing you would change? I wish I could have spent more time with each guests!

Favorite TLO invitation? The Prioleau. I love the contrast between the delicate details of the paisley and the sleek simplicity of lines of the text. It gives an "old meets new" vibe, and in that sense it reminds me very much of Charleston. Of course, the Cannon collection is a very close second place! I'm a sucker for calligraphy!

Best advice for a new bride? Include yourself on the guest list for everything. It's fun to receive your save the date, invitations, accommodation cards, ect… in the mail!

Favorite dress at the Golden Globes? SLEEVES! I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the bold long-sleeved dresses last night. Strapless dresses, in my opinion, don't hold a candle to the elegance and subtle sexiness that a well draped dress with slinky long sleeves gives. Do it wrong and you risk looking like Laura Ingles or an unfortunate, outdated bridesmaid. Do it right and you can look like Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, and Leighton Meester. Maybe its my love for 70's fashion, maybe it's the fact that strapless never quite works on me (hence my sleeved wedding dress!), but either way, I think these girls nailed it at the Golden Globes.

Must have accessory for spring? The Rachel Bellbottom from 7 for all Mankind. I'm going to need some great wooden platforms to wear with these bad boys

2011-01-14T07:05:00.001-08:00

HELLO HONEYSUCKLE! This vibrant, energetic hue has been named Pantone's color of the year for 2011 and we can't agree with them more… we love it! Pick up the latest issue of Southern Living hitting newsstands next week for more images on this gorgeous wedding we worked on with Tara Guérard Soirée.

WELCOME TO HORSE COUNTRY! I love this image of Tara touring the beautiful grounds of Keenland, while here in Lexington for her speaking engagement at the WOW event. Also pictured: Jacki Allen of Kentucky Bride Magazine (center), and Elizabeth Messina, photographer extraordinaire (left). I think Tara and Elizabeth were very happy to board their plane back to a warmer climate!

2011-01-11T07:31:00.001-08:00

THE MIDDLETON COLLECTION was featured in a recent edition of Charleston Weddings Magazine. I just adore how they paired our elegant suite with such a textured rustic backdrop. Gorgeous!

2011-01-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

WELCOME YOUR GUESTS IN STYLE! It really is the little things that matter and welcome bags are one of the first ways you can thank your friends and family for being a part of your big day. Wouldn't you just love to receive a bottle of Champagne tied up in a fabulous lingerie bag like this one? I know I would. Absolutely adorable!

A DETAIL FROM THE GUEST BOOKLET…

2011-01-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

IT'S A NEW YEAR and I can't wait to see all the beautiful letterpress 2011 will bring. Things are off to a great start with this gorgeous spread in Weddings Unveiled. A big thanks to them for including our invitations with gorgeous hand lettering by Debi at The Blooming Quill…

IF YOU ARE IN THE LEXINGTON, KY area, don't miss the WOW Event this weekend presented by Kentucky Bride. Tara will be a featured speaker and it's sure to be a fabulous time!!

2010-12-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE LETTERED OLIVE! We will be taking a blogging break over Christmas, but will be back in the New Year with lots to talk about. We will also be launching our new website in the coming months and the anticipation is killing me. I absolutely can't wait for everyone to see it. I ventured out to my very snowy front porch this morning to snap a picture of Tara's holiday cards. Enjoy!

2010-12-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

EAT, DRINK AND BE MARRIED! We recently worked with a bride on all the details of her vintage inspired garden wedding. One of my favorite things we created were these custom wine labels…

2010-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

SOIRÉE GETS MARRIED! One of Tara's very own interns just celebrated her big day. We were thrilled she chose The Cannon Collection to set the tone for her event…

2010-11-22T08:19:00.000-08:00

I'M TAKING A MUCH NEEDED WEEK OF VACATION to celebrate the holiday and spend time with family and friends. Please check back next week for new postings. In the meantime, pick up the November issue of Southern Living featuring Tara and her mom in the Mother/Daughter Style Finds. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

2010-11-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

WOW, November is a busy month!! I apologize for my absence on updating the blog, but I've been full steam ahead on designing great invitations. I am so excited to finally share a few…

THE FLAVOR OF FALL

THERE ARE A FEW PROJECTS I FEEL VERY LUCKY to be a part of, and this invitation suite is definitely one of them. Our bride gave us the creative freedom to create something completely unique, yet classic to set the stage for her upcoming nuptials. I can't wait to get started on all the wedding printing to come!

THIS SOPHISTICATED SAVE THE DATE combines ornate style with vintage flair…

2010-11-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

THIS GORGEOUS WEDDING held on Martha's Vineyard was all about the rustic details. One of my favorite things about the event was the great wood signage…

2010-10-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

BRIDE'S BEST FRIEND! We've seen lots of canine companions dress up and walk down the aisle, but this is the first time we've included them in the actual save the date. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first, but how can you not be totally won over by the final result!

2010-10-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ENGAGE…

We heard so many awesome speakers. Here are just a few… FROM TOP LEFT: Bryan Rafanelli, Dary Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, Todd Fiscus, Tara Guerard and David Beahm

A SPECIAL LUNCH DEMONSTRATION BY SYLVIA WEINSTOCK…

TOP: Here I am at dinner with Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress and Jennifer from Kelly Kiefer, LLC

BOTTOM: At lunch with Sylvia Weinstock, Amy Atlas and Tara Guerard

2010-10-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

SOME GORGEOUS SHOTS from our first day at Engage 10, photographed by the very talented Donna Von Bruening and her team. Lots more to come!!

2010-10-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

I'M BACK FROM SUCH AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE at the Engage Conference in West Palm Beach. I can't wait to post all the great details and pictures, but first I had to share with you these super fun halloween birthday invitations i just completed for my little boy…

2010-10-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

I'M OFF TO WEST PALM BEACH for the next few days to attend the Engage conference with the Soiree team. Lots of pictures to come!!

2010-09-27T06:56:00.001-07:00

MY BIGGEST PROJECT OF THE YEAR IS UNDERWAY… designing the new Lettered Olive website. I am so excited about it's debut (fingers crossed, by December!) and had to give you a sneak peak of things to come. I spent the day with the amazing Melanie Mauer who photographed our invitations and for someone who loves paper like me, it was as good as Christmas morning. Here is a quick shot I ran in and took of the Simmons collection while the session was underway…

2010-09-22T06:32:00.001-07:00

I LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN PLANNING A BIRTHDAY PARTY! My little boy was born the week before Halloween, so we've decided on a birthday "spooktacular" theme. I'm having to get in the spirit a little early, but it's so much fun. I can't wait to get my hands on this web punch and start the invitations!

2010-09-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

A BIG THANK YOU to fashionablebride.com for featuring us in your inspiration gallery…

2010-09-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

A SOFT PALETTE OF BLUES and bold ikat pattern paired with classic type and unexpected details (like the gorgeous die cut corners and edge painting!) set the stage for this rustic summer wedding on Martha's Vineyard…

SEE OUR RUTLEDGE COLLECTION featured in October's issue of Traditional Home and check out the amazing feature on Tara!!

2010-09-07T17:34:00.001-07:00

SEE US ON THE BRIDE'S GUIDE from the experts at Martha Stewart Weddings…

2010-08-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

I SAID "YES" to watching every On Demand episode of this show over the weekend and how much do I love that they now have a southern version. I really just can't get enough!

2010-08-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

MEAT AND GREET! Letterpress on birch wood sets the tone for this rehearsal dinner shindig…

2010-08-10T07:57:00.001-07:00

JUST HOME FROM VACATION and although it was awesome to spend a week with my toes in the sand, I'm ready to dive back into all things paper. I just recently had the opportunity to design birthday invitations for a good friend celebrating her triplets (yes, there are 3!) circus themed first birthday. It was so much fun to work on and I couldn't wait to share them with you…

2010-07-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

SEE OUR MEGAN GUEST BOOK AND BUTLER BOXES featured in the current issue of Bridal Guide Magazine…

2010-07-10T06:01:00.001-07:00

WEDDING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING and keeping us Oh, so busy! We are working on such great new projects and I can't wait to show them off over the next few months. I shared this fun letterpress wedding invite with you a few weeks back, but we just received some great detail shots taken by Gabriel Boone Photography… how great are these!

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS…

How amazing are these custom calligraphy stamps by Primele. I am totally ordering one and a few for gifts!!! www.etsy.com/shop/primele

A girlfriend just sent me a link to the most fabulous jewlery from artist Tina Steinberg. Custom charms with your little ones fingerprint. Precious!! This begins the official start to my Christmas wish list. www.tinasteinberg.com

And what's not to love about all things Jonathan Adler… I can't wait to get his new stationery collection on my desk!

www.jonathanadler.com

2010-06-19T05:44:00.000-07:00

WHILE DESIGNING A GUEST BOOK for an upcoming wedding, I found myself thinking about how much I absolutely adore working on welcome packages. They are fun, creative and the perfect little "thank you" to all the guests that made the long journey to watch you say I Do! Here are a few of my favorites over the years…

2010-06-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

A BRIDESMAID LUNCHEON…

2010-06-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT WEDDING LOGOS because they are such an effective way to capture the overall feeling of an event. They may be small in design, but the impact they have is big. Here is a new one created for a recent bride and how event designer, Tara Guérard used it throughout the wedding…

2010-06-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

A FEW WEEKS BACK I showed the identity options we created for a private residence in historic Charleston. The final design has been chosen and is being incorporated throughout the house. We love all the details…

2010-06-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

THIS CUSTOM SAVE THE DATE incorporates our brides two favorite things… lion head door knockers and vintage blue and white china. I can already visualize what a fabulous wedding this is going to be!

2010-06-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

A LOOK INSIDE The Lettered Olive…

2010-06-03T09:35:00.001-07:00

FEELING BLUE? Well, this invitation makes that a good thing! Various shades of blue were paired with pinstripe and ikat patterns to make this suite perfectly lovely!

2010-05-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

FRESH OFF THE PRESS… I absolutely adore how versatile our Lamboll Collection is. The ever changing background pattern, keeps this design fun and fresh. Alpine Creative Group recently sent us the order below and I'm loving the color combination and diamond pattern that was chosen!

2010-05-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

SPRING IS IN THE AIR and the past few weeks have been filled with weddings galore. I can't wait to show you pictures from all the events, but in the meantime, here is a sneak peek at a few of our favorite custom letterpress items…

2010-05-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

MORE AMAZING CALLIGRAPHY… Debi over at the Blooming Quill sent me a sneak peak at the placecards she's been working on for our bride's upcoming reception. How gorgeous is this!

2010-05-07T07:50:00.001-07:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the awesome moms out there. I'm so proud to share the special gift I received, made by my own little artist!

CHALKBOARD MENU for one of our bride's rehearsal dinners. Thank you Debi for the amazing print job you did on this!

2010-05-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

A NICE SHOT OF THE MIDDLETON COLLECTION MENU…

AS SEEN IN…

2010-04-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

WE HAD THE AMAZING OPPORTUNITY to work with Martha Stewart Weddings on this eco friendly wedding for Martha's assistant, Liesl Menning. One of my favorite ideas from the event was the sapling favors…each guest received a tree sapling from the Arbor Day Foundation. We wrapped them in paper made of bark fiber and letterpressed a card attached that gave instructions for planting. We also letterpressed escort cards that directed guests to their seat by using illustrations of different trees native to the area.

2010-04-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

IN CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY THIS WEEK, I had to share this luxe green design that just came off press. Eco friendly letterpress on recycled paper paired with Neenah Environment envelopes and lined with a beautiful natural banana fiber paper. A great "green" tip from our bride… Instead of a traditional reply card and envelope, have your guests rsvp by email or to your wedding website.

2010-04-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

I HAVE A HUGE PASSION for logo work, so I was thrilled when we were asked to create an identity for a private residence in historic Charleston. Below are some of my first ideas that will be presented. The final mark will be embroidered on linens in the house and used for their personal letterpress stationery. I absolutely can't wait to see the finished design and will keep you posted on our progress!

2010-04-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

SIMPLE + ROMANTIC = PRETTY

2010-04-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

DON'T MISS TLO at the New York Weddings Event…

2010-04-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER…I'm taking a little break from blogging to enjoy the long weekend, but I wanted to leave you with some pics of this new invitation. We absolutely adore our retailer Scriptura (www.scriptura.com) in New Orleans, because they always bring us the most beautiful jobs. This invitation was the perfect example. Classic black and white, with a big pop of color and unexpected pattern. Thanks Ladies!

2010-03-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

LOVE IN BLOOM…This invitation is Colorful, Romantic and feels like a spring day.

ON STANDS NOW… Be sure to pick up a copy of the new Charleston Weddings and check out the feature "A Classic Act." Lots of TLO work showcased in this spread!

2010-03-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

IDENTITY SUITE

The Carrick House, a historic mansion in Lexington, KY came to us looking for a way to freshen up their identity materials to appeal to new brides looking for a wedding venue. The final product marries the vintage feel of the home while still maintaining a modern look.

The backing on all the pieces reflects the wallpaper running through the main hallway of the home…

HOT OFF THE LETTERPRESS…

2010-03-25T11:45:00.001-07:00

ALL THINGS BABY… We'll it's no secret I've been in baby mode lately and when my new Serena and Lily catalog (serenaandlily.com) arrived, I couldn't wait to sit down and peruse the pages. Not only do I appreciate how beautiful the catalog itself is, the bedding collections are pure perfection. Although I love my Avery's nursery, my heart skipped a beat when I saw the Mexican art inspired Marlo bedding. I'm obsessed! Oh, if only it had arrived about 9 months earlier!

And if all that gorgeous bedding isn't enough, they've added a new section to their site called Bazaar… an eclectic mix of art, toys and furnishings. I'm loving this pillow. How great would this be on an invitation!!!!

2010-03-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

LABOR OF LOVE… I've spent my weekend cutting, pasting, lining, sticking and sealing. Finally, Avery's birth announcements are done. Whew! Since they are a bit late, I decided to take advantage of the time of year and combine them with a "good egg" Easter theme. I found a great bunny paper at Paper Source and it completely tied the whole project together. I especially love how beautiful the blind letterpressing of the egg pattern is… and I have to say a very special thanks to Debi at Blooming Quill for the beautiful calligraphy. I do believe they turned out just about as as sweet as she is!

2010-03-06T05:52:00.000-08:00

CURIOSITIES OF THE BIRD… I received this gorgeous calendar from a calligrapher I met at the National Stationary Show in NY last year. The pages are filled with a beautiful mix of illustrations, pattern and hand lettering. Thank you so much to Margo Dittmer for sending this work of art. Visit her website to find out more… www.margodittmer.com

"Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn't we?" Rose F. Kennedy

I LOVE TO SEE our collection pieces printed in different color combinations. Champagne is a huge color trend this season and it adds elegance and romance to any invitation set.

CHECK OUT Tara's expert advice in this month's issue of Martha Stewart Weddings!

2010-02-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT TLO… First, I'm excited to be back and can't wait to start on new designs for our brides. It was an amazing 8 weeks of maternity leave and I enjoyed every moment with my sweet Avery. I have to admit, I've been very slack on the design front, so announcements were just completed this week. I'll post a pic as soon as they roll of the press!

I was so excited to receive my Spring/Summer 2010 issue of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style. It was a thrill to have our custom "Lawton" invitation included!

Tara's new book WEDDINGS BY TARA GUÉRARD officially debuted in bookstores nationwide and she has been busy with book signings and speaking engagements. Here she is in action along with a few spreads from my favorite chapter…

Tara's also launched a gorgeous new website definitely worth checking out! {taraguerardsoiree.com}

Our friend Karly was gracious enough to take over the design responsibilities and hold down the fort for the past few months. I absolutely love the feel of this "down home" save the date she created.

AND Martha has been busy at work filling collection orders for our retailers. I am loving the coral and pewter color scheme shown here on our Simmons Collection. So fresh and modern!

2009-12-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

The New Book…

This will be my final post for the next 8 weeks as I prepare to take some time off and welcome a new baby into the world. While I'm away exciting things are happening for our sister company, Soiree. Weddings by Tara Guérard will be released and in bookstores nationwide this January. The book was a true labor of love for everyone involved and we are thrilled to finally be able to share it with you. It features sixteen weddings and events all photographed by the amazing Liz Banfield. Pick up your copy as soon as it's available and be prepared to drool over all Tara's creative ideas. Thanks to everyone who keeps up with our blog and we will see you in February!

2009-12-07T06:36:00.001-08:00

Good Cheer…

Custom Holiday card letterpressed in cherry and sand with metallic gold edge painting… so much fun!

Rutledge Holiday…

Inspired by our wedding collection, The Rutledge, this card uses a non-traditional color palette for an unexpected twist. Thanks to Letterheads in Miami, Flordia for bringing us this job.

2009-12-06T14:54:00.001-08:00

Holiday Elegance…

When one of our favorite magazines, Weddings Unveiled asked us to design their holiday cards, we jumped at the chance. We used the design from our Lamboll reception card and letterpressed it in gold and ice blue. We've also used this same design for a baby shower invitation with equally great results. Check out our website to see all the pieces in our Lamboll Wedding Collection.

2009-11-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

What's New…

I'm loving this new save the date we had the opportunity to work on. It's elegant, yet modern and beautifully letterpressed in one of my all time favorite color combinations!

2009-11-08T07:21:00.001-08:00

Fresh off the press…

I thought I'd share a few recent jobs brought to us through our retailers. First, a version of our Middleton collection customized for a Bar Mitzvah. They asked us to turn our menu card into the invitation itself and we couldn't be more thrilled with the result. Next, the Lowndes collection with a bold black envelope liner and all custom hand calligraphy. I'm really in love with this invitation… so classic!

2009-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

As Seen In…

It's hard to believe it's that time of year again, but we are in full swing getting holiday cards ready to go in the mail. Check out our new feature in Southern Living Christmas at Home…

2009-10-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Placecards

Here is another fun detail from our Halloween inspired rehearsal dinner…

2009-10-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Spooks & Spirits

With the holiday fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to share some pics from this Halloween Rehearsal Dinner we had the opportunity to work on last year. We created an invite for both the dinner and after party…

2009-10-13T11:15:00.001-07:00

The Marion Collection

2009-10-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Lamboll Collection

The perfect look for that shabby chic bride…

2009-09-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Tasty Inspiration!

I love to see how so many of our invitation designs directly inspire the look of the wedding cake. Below are a few of my favorites. All these tasty creations are by the fabulous Jim Smeal and yes, they taste as good as they look!

2009-09-22T06:16:00.001-07:00

Fall Fever III

Here are some detail shots from this gorgeous fall inspired wedding. I have to admit, it's one of my all time favorites!

2009-09-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

Fall Fever II

We love the color combination off rich eggplant and golds used to set the tone for this November ceremony. Stay tuned for more details from this gorgeous fall wedding…

2009-09-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

Fall Fever

I love all things fall and fall weddings are no exception. The weather is perfect, the colors are beautiful… nature is at it's best. In celebration of September, we are showcasing one of our favorite fall inspired wedding invitations…

2009-09-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

Monogram Mania IV

Below are the collection pieces we offer which feature monograms. From top to bottom (The Wentworth, The Rutledge and The Montagu). All invitations suites in our collection are 100% eco friendly letterpress, available for quick order and ready in 3 weeks!

2009-09-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Monogram Mania III

The "JJ" logo we created became the signature look of this fabulous wedding by Soirée by Tara Guérard. It was incorporated into every little detail…

2009-09-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

Monogram Mania II

Here are some pics from real weddings featuring some creative ways to display your monogram…

All events by Soirée by Tara Guérard.

2009-09-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

Monogram Mania

We get a lot of request for monograms and we love designing them. From water bottle labels, to the decor on the cake… a monogram can become a true reflection of your special day.

2009-08-29T07:03:00.001-07:00

Special Delivery…

We are so excited to announce the newest addition to The Lettered Olive family… Jane "Gardner", daughter of office manager, Martha Robbins. Mom and baby are doing great (except for lack of sleep!). Congratulations to the new parents!!

2009-08-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

Citrus Twist

Inspired by a recent bride, we customized this save the date for an upcoming feature in The Knot. We absolutely love the unexpected pairing of lemon and spearmint.

2009-08-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

As seen in…

The Simmons collection with lace wrap is featured in this month's Charleston Weddings. Be sure to pick up your copy!

2009-08-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Behind the Scenes

We're finally finished!!! Martha and team have been working, working, working on getting all of our new books shipped out to retailers. It was a lot of work and we are really proud of the final product!

2009-08-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Details, Details!

Here are some details from a recent wedding we worked on. From the save the date to the guest bags, this bride was all about classic elegance. To see more on this event, check out Tara Guérard's new book Weddings by Tara Guérard when it debuts this January!

2009-08-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

By the Shore

We just finished this save the date for an upcoming winter soirée. The bride sent us a great collection of fabric swatches that will be used as decor throughout the event. It was the perfect inspiration for creating this one of a kind piece.

2009-07-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

Flower Power!

This custom save the date was created for one of our brides having a hydrangea inspired wedding. We absolutely love her color palette and were thrilled at the chance to letterpress 3 colors. The invitations are currently being printed and we can't wait to see this completed suite of materials!

2009-07-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Middleton Save the Date

We recently printed the Middleton save the date for one of our brides, who paired it with an envelope liner in our Modern Flora pattern. We were thrilled with the results!

2009-07-19T09:14:00.001-07:00

The Middleton Collection

We debuted the 2009 TLO Collection to retailers in May at the National Stationary Show. We are sooooooo excited to finally be showing it to you. Check back for postings of all nine new invitation suites. We hope you love them as much as we do!