Brooklyn Betrothed Anniverary Party: Lemons and Lace

Hello and Happy Winter Solstice!
Here is a summery post to warm up the chill in the air. This past July the Brooklyn Betrothed ladies and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary at The Green Building in Carol Gardens. Delicious catering by Dish Food and Events, signature cocktails served by Smith and Vine and By Brooklyn. Lu Lu’s Confections and Haute So Sweet created sugary treats, and Whisk kept the dance party hydrated all night with fashionable, flavored water drinks. The rustic space was transformed by Rebecca Shepherd into a summer garden, Patina Rentals furnished the space with vintage nooks (and a croquette set) and Blackbird Theatrical Services added to the atmosphere with up-lighting and I created the paper details, invitations and hand painted sign work to complete the look. To add to the glamor, Anni Bruno did an amazing job assembling, styling and staffing a beauty bar in the speak easy lounge. Cheers and enjoy!

 

Thank you to everyone that came out, and cheers to my Brooklyn Betrothed co-founders, a group of amazingly talented ladies. This first year was amazing, I look forward to the next one!
xox
-Ruth

A Rustic Alphabet

Last week I worked on some illustrations for a rustic wedding at the Brooklyn Winery. The couple wanted to depict their love of exploring music, food and booze in the designs. Here are a few of the alphabet cards that where apart of the escort card display case. They were a blast to create :). This design has also inspired a new line that will be up on Etsy soon! Enjoy

Cheers!
XOX
-R

Brooklyn Bridge Wedding Invitations

Hello and Happy Wednesday!
On this rainy winter day in Brooklyn looking out on the Williamsburg Bridge its a great day to post up a watercolor invitation suite I did for a lovely couple who where getting married by the Brooklyn Bridge, on a sunny, beautiful day in June. The ceremony was held in Brooklyn Bridge Park, with the reception nearby in the Dumbo Loft building. The wedding theme was a Mexican meets Brooklyn celebration, with stunning flowers by Rebecca Shepherd, a Brooklyn Betrothed Co-Founder.


When the couple and I first met up to talk about their invitations, I brought several ink washes that where based on previous conversations we had over email about what they had in mind for their wedding invitations. They wanted to incorporate their love of outdoor adventures, perhaps the band they play in together, and most importantly their shared love of Brooklyn.

After spending a pleasant afternoon perusing sketches and images over tea and biscotti, they selected an illustration of the Brooklyn Bridge as seen from the central lawn of the park where they were to be married. In the following weeks, the final composition and size were designed.

The flowers illustrated in the invitation and the R.S.V.P. are flowers the bride chose with Rebecca to match the colors of her wedding palette. All the lettering was inked and painted by hand in a custom font made for the couple.

Laurie and Todd received the original watercolor illustration suite to frame and keep as a reminder of their beautiful love and special ceremony on their wedding day.

For more information about Papertopias wedding paper goods, or for a free consultation, email me at ruth(at)papertopias(dot)com, or check out my online shop here.

Enjoy!

xoxo

-R

Valentine's Day Pop-Up Shop at Rebecca Shepherds

Happy Weekend to you!
We had a fabulous time this weekend at Rebecca Shepherd's Flower Shop in Park Slope where the Valentine's Day Pop-Up Shop was held. So many glittering and tasty treasures! Thank you to everyone for coming out and toasting to love and hand made gifts! Here are a few moments captured of the vender's displays and ephemeral shopping experience.



Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design and Adornments designed stunning non traditional bouquets to give your loved one. One of the sweet votive arrangements followed me home...





Lulu's Confections created divine truffle bites. Rye whiskey was a crowd favorite.



A stunning view in the shop, the bedecked ordainment tree. Lisa Bodo's Magical Ornaments and Amulets. Lisa fabricated these small shrine like treasures for the eyes and mind, glimmering in crystals and provocative fashion. You can see more of her work here.







A few of the beautiful 3d and acrylic necklaces and earrings DESiGNERiCA displayed. I love Erica's work policy of designing sustainable, beautiful modern jewelry.





My favorite treat of the day!! Free hot chocolate in your gift bag. Heaven. Thank you Erin of IM Handmade.


A few more treats on IM Handmade's table, for wearing.....


Sally Tseng also set up a clothing rack near the back of the shop with some sassy jackets, shirts and dress shirts.
And Papertopias!



Behind the scenes in my studio, getting ready for the shop!



Making the stickers, illustrating the hearts with watercolors.


Cutting the stickers out.


Creating custom envelopes for the Sugar Skull valentine.


Wax seals for the closure.


Complete!


Merkong assembly. Papertopias created a limited Merkong edition for the Pop-Up Shop.



Best, have a wonderful Valentine's day,
xoxo
-R

Valentine's Day Collage Card and Park Slope Pop-Up Shop!

Hello All! I hope you are enjoying making cards and gifts for you loved ones! If you are looking for ideas or inspiration, here is a quick how to make a Valentine's day card out of paper and pieces you have in your house.

Step 1: First collect your favorite bits and pieces of paper and ribbon, I love working with various textures and colors for collage pieces. You will want to chose a good structural backbone for the
piece, something you can use to build the collage on, I suggest using a postcard, they tend to be sturdier then magazine or ribbon elements, and are pre cut to a card size.




Step 2: Next select various pieces of imagery and paper to apply to the front and back of you postcard. Glue and past those elements to the postcard till you build up a strong, glamorous image.




Step 3: Next, I add glitter and other non paper items to the card to add personal touches your loved one will adore.




Step 4: After I have added all the non paper elements, I do the ink work. Its important when scripting your message, if you use ink, to leave it for the end since its easy to accidentally smudge. You can make the message to your valentine out of collage elements or other mediums, the more the card reflects your asthmatic, the better!




Step 5: While the card is drying from the glue and ink, you can decide how you want it to be opened. I love how you can use the qualities of paper to create a ceremony of romance by layering, concealing and relieving pieces of the card! I chose a semi-transparent gold and blue
paper as the cover, and allowed some of the writing to be read while other words where partially hidden until you open it.




Step 6: After you decide how you want the card opened, pick a binding technique that works for your card. There are many different binding techniques, I used a modified Japanese bind tied with a half bow. Wrapping the card with a ribbon, making a cut closure, or using wax are a few other binding examples that add to the ceremony of opening.




Step 7: For a sweet touch on the out side of your card, you can add some college elements to the envelope, I added a red glittery heart.




Also, if you are looking to pick something up, I am participating in a Valentines Day pop-up shop with some very talented artist this weekend the 11th in Park Slope, DESiGNERiCA, Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design and Adornments, Lulu's Confections, and Koalas Are Small Bears are among a few of the artist selling. I hope to see you there!



Have fun card making, and I would love to see what you have created for your loved one!

Cheers,
-R