Calligraphy Etc. Blog

Venue Spotlight: Spirit Ranch

Outdoor Weddings at Spirit Ranch

by Guest Blogger Lauren F.

Ask any bride what quality she most desires for her wedding and you will hear the word, or a word similar to, beauty. Beauty is the quality that brings about intense pleasure or deep satisfaction and ties the whole wedding together. This sought after quality is present in every custom stationery design as the couple plans their event as well as the venue where it all comes together the day of.

Nestled in the Escondido Valley just outside of downtown Lubbock, Spirit Ranch is among the most beautiful scenery in West Texas. Towering, 100-year-old Elm trees, green meadows, strutting peacocks, and Open since 2007, Spirit Ranch is a leadership and team development retreat center working to bring people closer to their creator. Spending the day in the relaxing environment of the ranch does just that. We specialize in everything from small, intimate gatherings to large celebrations, and whether you prefer a casual, western, or formal affair, you’ll find the breathtaking Spirit Ranch to be the perfect backdrop for the wedding of your dreams.  

With years of experience in hosting special occasions, our courteous and experienced staff will ensure you never have to worry about your wedding venue details. Give us a call to schedule your very own tour at (806)762-6201 or visit our website at http://www.spiritranch.us/weddings.  You really won’t believe it until you’ve seen it!

National Stationery Show Recap

Just back from NYC, I thought I would share with you guys a little taste of our experience in the Big Apple!   This was a SUPER short trip (just Saturday through Monday), but it was still great!  We enjoyed some great moments- from dinner to sight-seeing to breathing in all the beautiful paper goodness... so I must say we can't complain one bit about the overall experience!

Once we arrived in NYC, we were anxious to get our Big Apple on since we were so short on time.  After a quick lunch brisk walk through Times Square, we headed down to Ground Zero to check out the 9/11 Museum and Memorial.  I was amazed by how BIG the waterfalls were.  I had seen them on television, but they are much more impressive in real life.  The footprint of what was once the Twin Towers is enormous... and it really makes the gravity of the situation that much more compelling.  It's just a beautiful tribute to the lives lost that day.

After visiting the memorial and cleaning up at the hotel, we headed up to Harlem for what I was most looking forward to - our dinner reservations at Red Rooster (Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant).  It was such a fun place- a hopping bar, a great menu and very lively atmosphere.  I even got to take a photo with the Chef himself!  We both enjoyed our dinner of "Jerk Bacon and Eggs" appetizers and "Fried Yard Bird" entrees and were happily stuffed to the gills!

On Sunday morning, the show officially opened and it was fantastic!  Since we missed the show last year, it was nice to be "back in the fold" among the rows and rows of greeting cards, invitations and gifts.  Since we only had a day and a half to walk the show, we knew we had to power-shop a bit, but we hit up some great booths, right off:

- Jenn Sprinkle Paper - *LOVED* their wedding invitation suites - customizable and gorgeous!  Sorry for the blurry pic, but we're super pumped to have the in-town exclusive on this one!  We think you'll love it too!

- Rifle Paper Co. - We've been swooning over this line for awhile now, so we finally decided to dive right in.  It's a beautiful collection of vintage-inspired designs, from greeting cards to holiday postcards to notecard sets.  Gorgeous designs and a top-notch quality!

- Jan Sevadjian Designs - We've had a lot of requests to carry this line of gorgeous wedding memory books and photo books, so it's on its way!  

- Bombinizz - This is a great new company that makes "pillow carrier" overnight bags, perfect for any sleepover!  We love the designs and simple, practical use.  They are made right here in the USA and are fully customizable by monogram on the front pocket.  We think you guys will love these!

- Whisker Graphics - A few of you DIY-ers have asked for this line by name... so your wish is granted!  A great selection of colorful twine, favor bags and decorative stickers are on their way this summer, so stay tuned!

- Crane & Co. - Crane has been a staple, quality brand for years, but their new personalized line is just gorgeous!  Expect to see it with us in the fall!

 We also found a few great greeting card and gift lines that we're excited about, but we can't reveal everything right now!  You'll just have to check back with us regularly to see what is new and exciting in the store.  If you're not already a fan on Facebook, you can become one here.  We often post photos of "JUST IN" products, so our FB fans are the first to know when something new and exciting has arrived!

We are so thankful for the opportunity to go to the National Stationery Show and visit with all of the fabulous vendors that exhibited.  It really gets us riled up for a great year in paper!  Thanks NYC!

April's Picks - Teacher Gifts

Since the end of the school year is drawing near, nearly everyone is needing teacher gifts... so we asked a teacher to walk through the store and tell us what SHE would want to receive (and mind you, apples were NOT on the list).  If you want to WOW your kid's teacher this year, you  might want to use a few ideas off of Teacher April's list!  There's something for every budget (and style). Take it away, April!

AHHHHHHH yes, Vera Bradley. I remember you. A gift that can show the true value of how deeply you are appreciated, appreciation can be expressed in many ways and can be seen from various perspectives. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is different, but if I can help prod you in the right direction here are a few things that I could deeply enjoy as gifts from my students…like a huge chocolate sundae on a smoldering hot day in Lubbock.

Here are a few things, from the Vera Bradley collection, that I could definitely make use of:

1. A lanyard for my school ID 
2. Beach towel
3. Sunglass case
4. Note cube
5. A pen set
6. iPad sleeve or a Kindle sleeve  

Additionally, here are a few more useful ideas that can make a tremendous impact on a teacher (much like they have made a tremendous impact on your child’s life). As we all know our pocket books have been impacted by the economy and the various curve balls life loves to throw at us. So let’s do this! Let's knock this out of the park! Check these items out… more great gift ideas to give to a teacher. Trust me; teachers appreciate the acknowledgment you are giving them when you send them a gift. It lets them now how appreciative you are with all their help when helping their students strive throughout the year.

1. Notepads & pens- A teacher can never have too many notepads or pens!
2. Keep Calm notes or anything with the logo Keep Calm on it.- Need I say more? 
3. Cupcake journal- to write down how the day went, or to write down a time when Little Johnny remembered how to complete a math equation, or to write down a time it took everything out of them not to yell at a student that was instigating a fight! Just saying…
4. A Voluspa Candle (Makassar ebony/Peach is my favorite!!) Hint Hint…
5. A Shemergency kit- The quintessential kit that holds 25 items. From towelettes, static remover, lip balm, pain reliever, blotting tissues, hand lotion, lint remover, to tampons this Shemergency kit has everything and an absolute MUST HAVE for any teacher on any given school day! 

 Here's to giving your favorite teacher a gift that's A+!

Teacher April

Top 5 Cinco de Mayo Ideas

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, we've taken inspiration from our Pinterest board and created a Top 5 list of ideas for you to implement for your own Fiesta this weekend!

1.  Single serving seven-layer dip as appetizers (so easy and fun!)  Seven layer dip is a classic party food, but we love how this version is the perfect size for individuals!  Much less messy and more personalized!

2.  Delicious Mexican fare for your dinner party guests (yum!)  Leave it to bon appetit to rustle up a great Cinco de Mayo dinner menu!  Looks delish!

3. Pinata Cookies (In this case, Sugar Cookies filled with a surprise)... how clever are these?!  We just can't get over how cute they are!  What  a creative way to present dessert...or party favors for guests to take home and enjoy later?

4.  Tequila Bar (because your guests WILL want to partake).  These terra cotta shot glasses really give the right feel to the tequila bar- rustic and useful!  We love how the options are laid out simply, inviting guests to enjoy with a no-fuss attitude.

5. Maracas make the perfect party favor for your South-of-the-Border shindig!  Tie them up with a tag of well wishes, party sentiments, or simply the party date... guests are sure to recall how they "shook things up" at the party!

Trust the Experts

Would you hire an electrician to prepare your taxes?  A seamstress to give you a root canal?  Probably not...

So why would you get your invitations, stationery and announcements from someone other than a professional stationer?  Why would you place the importance of your invitations, the preview to your big event, with someone who sells them "on the side", such as an event planner, photographer or big box party store?  Truth is, you shouldn't.  There are only a handful of professional stationers and invitation specialists that you should trust with the most important paper products you'll purchase in your life- for weddings, birth announcements, and important milestones like graduations and birthdays. It's such a specialized area of expetise that it's hard to compare someone that CAN do it, to someone who can do it WELL.

We are the experts when it comes to stationery, party invitations, wedding invitations, graduation announcements, escort cards, place cards and everything paper! Celebrating the most memorable events in your life through the art of paper is not only a time-honored tradition, but a celebrated right of passage. Rarely does one find an old love letter, invitation, or announcement, printed on delicate paper, that doesn't feel a bit of heartwarming nostalgia.  Sure, an e-vite is appropriate for some occasions, but one is never kept in a memory box, or pressed between book pages to keep for years to come... There's something to be said about real paper that makes us want to hold onto it, and for that kind of keepsake, there's no reason to let anyone but a professional handle the job. If it is important enough to do, it is important enough to do right.

As professional stationers, we will help you navigate the many options of the paper world- cardstock color, weight, printing style, lined envelope design, font, ink, wording. Afterall, we ARE the experts.  Our free advice on selections and  ettiquette can create something that is professional, attractive, and en printe that will not be just "tossed away".  Send a message that is thoughtful, sentimental and hard to discard, no matter who the recipient is! 

Let us help you with your next event and show you how easy we can make the process!  We are after all, the specialists... it's our job!

{photo courtesy of Captivated Images}

 

Girly Carnival Birthday

Have we mentioned that we love a challenge?  Recently, a customer inquired about a custom Carnival Invitation that she saw on our blog, but she wanted to mix it up a little bit for a girl's first birthday... and we jumped at the chance!  She sent us this inspiration board that she found on Pinterest {originally pinned from the jesykaditri.com blog, which is fantastic, by the way}. Immediately, we were drawn to the fun but slightly muted color tones, and we used this as the color palette for our custom invitation design.

We also added a little bunting, as there are so many cute ways that you can incorporate that into party decor (hanging on the table, icing on the cake, etc.).

What you see here are the invitations, party favor gift tags and custom 8 x 10 signs for the different carnival booths.

Thanks Julissa for letting us do this custom design, it was definitely a fun one!  {And Happy Birthday Elle!}

The First Anniversary

After you've said your "I Do"s, it's time to get settled into life as a newlywed couple.  The first year of marriage is exciting, but it's also a lot of change and learning about one another too.  I've heard time and time again that while the "newlywed phase" is a wonderful time, the first year of marriage can be one of the hardest... so your first anniversary is big deal!  It marks a certain level of achievement and hope for the future.  As year as an anniversary arrives, it marks the increase in your investment in one another as a couple, fuels your commitment and solidifies your partnership. 

Traditionally in the United States, a special gift is associated with each anniversary year, made of a specific material.  Over the years, those gifts increase in substance and value (much like the marriage) - from paper and flowers to silver and gold, and then up to diamonds. and other baubles.  For the first year wedding anniversary gift, "Paper" is the traditional gift of choice. It was originally chosen to symbolically represent the anniversary because of the tremendous strength of the many fibers which bind paper into a solitary sheet. 

While "paper" may be the tradition- it doesn't mean that you should buy your honey a ream or two from the office supply store!  Here are a few great gift ideas that are paper-related:

- personalized stationery (this is great for men and women)

- personalized weekly notepad planner

- a journal

- a nice pen

- a picture frame (including a wedding photo)

- letterpress personalized coasters

- custom note sheets 

- an agenda or daily planner

- a cookbook or special book that would interest your spouse

- an anniversary coupon book

- an artistic print or poster

- tickets to a movie, play, symphony or an airline reservation (to whisk them away on a spontaneous vacay?)

... there are many paper gifts that your sweetie could adore!

 

Congrats all of you First Anniversary couples!  Cheers!  Here's to many more happy anniversaries ahead!

 

Luck O' the Irish

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, we thought it might be fun to give you an idea or two (and FREE printable) to get in the Spirit O' the Irish! How about this straw idea for your St.Patty's shindig?  Kids and adults alike will enjoy being Irish for a day at your party!

Want to re-create our look?  You're in LUCK!  Simply download our template for the Red Mustaches, print on white cardstock, and glue them to any decorative straw (like these stripey ones).

Download Red Mustaches 

We also love this free printable St.Patrick's Day card featured on Make It Do.  What a fun and lovely tradition of giving a "lucky" $2 bill on this "green" holiday!

Want to go all out with authentic food too?  This recipe from Martha Stewart for Corned Beef and Vegetables looks pretty delicious! 

 For dessert, will anything less than "magically delicious" do?  Of course not!  That's why we think these Lucky Charms Cupcakes from Betty Crocker are a fun and whimsical choice!

Want more ideas?  Check out our St.Patty's Day Fun board on Pinterest!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends!

May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.

 

Pinterest Party

Do you LOVE Pinterest?  We do too!  That's why we love the theme for this Girls' Brunch- it's a Pinterest & Pajamas Party!  What could be a better combination than friends, food, pajamas and crafts?  Almost everything for this party was inspired by ideas seen on Pinterest, from food to decor to the projects!  Each guest was asked to bring a frame or shadow box (in the size of their choice), and with the help of a "craft cart" and printed instructions for possible projects, they were able to take home their very own Pinterest masterpiece!  Check out the craft cart, filled with ribbon, cardstock, wire, glitter, stickers and all kinds of little trinkets to play with!

We can't take the credit for all of these great party details... as they were inspired by things seen on Pinterest (don't worry, we've pinned all of the details on our "Pinterest Party" Board so you can find them for yourself!)... but we will take credit for the custom invitation and menu, which have a fun take on the Pinterest logo and a Valentine's Day theme.  We also designed the "all you need is LOVE, LOVE is all you need" tray that you see in the photo below.  With Valentine's Day around the corner, this party is one we hope you will LOVE as much as we do!

The menu:  Berry Pink Buttermilk Pancakes with Raspberry and Blackberry Butter, Cupid's Arrow Baked Eggs, Sweet Berry Medley with Mint, and crispy bacon.  Guests sipped on milk, mimosas and Red Rooster Punch (cranapple, orange juice and vodka mixture) through striped paper straws adorned with hearts and sayings (to match the logo on the invitation).  For the party favors, each guest was given a "You're all write Valentine" pink pencil.  The decorations:  Vintage Valentines on the mantle, a conversation heart topiary, and scattered conversation hearts on the buffet counter, just for fun!  What's not to love?!

Gray + Gold Color Trend Watch

We just got back from shopping Dallas Market for new products, and we're pretty excited about some of "pretties" we saw!  It's always amazing to see what new ideas are out there, especially when it comes to popular color palettes.  This Market, it seemed like Gray + Gold was in full force! 

It does make sense, since Driftwood and Solar Power were two of the Pantone Spring 2012 fashion forecast, but seeing the color combo on actual invitations was a real treat.  Most of the time, the invitation/stationery industry is a couple of seasons behind when it comes to what's "in", but this year they're right on target!  The gray + yellow combination makes for a chic, sophisticated color palette... and since we've been back from Market this week, we've had several brides tell us that's what they're doing for their wedding colors {you guys and gals are just so hip}!  If you haven't seen the trend yet, be on the lookout.  In an effort to keep all of our fansin the loop, we thought we'd give you a sneak peek of what we've found.  Whether it's for a baby shower, wedding, or birthday, you can't go wrong this spring with the gray + gold!

(New designs shown from Inviting Co.)

 

Yellow and grey by kristen-344 featuring forever 21 jewelry