Real Wedding Inspiration {Robyn & John}

Last weekend was a busy one: 3 weddings on Saturday and moving on Sunday.  But I just had to take a moment and share some photographs from one of my good friend's weddings.  Robyn chose rich purple, lime, and teal blue for her colors.  John and his mother made the cake (props to the groom!), and everyone had such a good time dancing and celebrating.  So congratulations Robyn and John!

Longaberger Tablescape

My aunt is a Longaberger consultant, so she's always sharing the latest baskets and products with me.  As soon as I saw this dinnerware set, I knew I wanted this for my home.  The black plates look so slick against the cream colored linens.  The square shape gives this set a contemporary look.  Don't you love?

You're Invited to...

...Check out the fourteen feet ceilings Pandora Station.  It's a unique blend of country & contemporary that features artists such as Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, Patty Griffin, and Lee Brice.  So take a listen and let me know what you think!

Image Board: Timeless Vineyard

Black, white, and timeless elements such as white flowers, calligraphy, vintage cars, and baroque emblems give this vineyard-inspired mood board a classic feel.

{Images courtesy of Southern Weddings Magazine, Snippet and Ink, Style Me Pretty, and Sparkle}

Product Packaging as Inspiration

It's so true that we judge our books by their covers.  And our food and drinks.  When we walk down the grocery store aisle, our eyes gravitate towards the product with unique packaging that makes it stand out from the crowd.  Lately I've been drawn to simple labels with one or two bold colors, a vintage style, and multiple fonts used together.  And I love drawing inspiration from these labels to get ideas for page layouts, logos, cards, etc.

1. Student Work by Gonzalo Perez Otero on Lovely Package
2. Labels by The Good Earth Food & Wine Co. by Insite Design on Lovely Package
3. Student Work by Ben Osborn-Macpherson on Lovely Package
4. Student Work by Miles Cartwright on Lovely Package
5. Peak Tea label by Soulsight
6. Packaging for Hairy Bikers Potato Chips by Here on Lovely Package

Watercolor Edges Photoshop Tutorial

A couple of you all had asked me about how I got the watercolor-like edge effect on the links to the right side of fourteen feet ceilings and my wedding blog.  I compiled a tutorial to share on how I created the graphics.  It is really easy, and I know that you all are great at photoshop so I'm sure you'll come up with creative ways to tailor the tutorial to fit your style.  Feel free to share anything you create using this technique, I'd love to see it!

Step 1:  Open a blank photoshop file.  I've set up a square canvas size, 748x748 pixels large.

Step 2: Choose file>place to place an image onto your canvas.

Step 3: Using the transform tool, stretch your image to fill your entire canvas.

Step 4: Create a new layer.  Paint bucket the entire layer white.

Step 5: Load new brushes from Brusheezy.  Search for 'watercolor' in their search box.  I loaded the sets Watercolor Splatters & Dry Paint Strokes.  You can definitely do this technique with only one brush set, but mix and layer multiple brush sets together to add variety.  After downloading the brush set to your computer, bring them into photoshop by selecting the brush tool. Click the drop down brush menu, then click on the small round 'play' button on the right side.  Select 'load brushes'.

Step 6: Select the eraser tool, and choose one of your new brushes.  Erase away the white on the blank layer little by little using watercolor brushes.

Step 7: Continue using the eraser tool-be sure to vary your brush style, size, and opacity to give your image depth and make it look more like watercolor.  I erased away the middle horizontal section of my image, but erase anywhere you want depending on the image you chose.

Step 8: You can move your entire white layer to showcase different areas of your photograph.

Step 9: Add type, if desired.  A great website to find free, unique fonts is Dafont.  This font style is called Sue Ellen Francis.

Step 10:  Save your completed image and email it to me to be showcased here on fourteen feet!  Hope you enjoy this tutorial!

Image Board: Coral/Aqua Vintage

This is an eclectic mix: rustic Spain, an antique truck, poolside, seaside, chinese lanterns, etc. all tied together with a refreshing aqua, khaki, and coral color palette.

{Images courtesy of Snippet & Ink, Southern Weddings Magazine, Style Me Pretty, & Sacramento Street}

Loving these Nautical Photographs on Flickr

It's My F8's photographs on flickr are simple and beautiful, and evoke a vintage nautical feel.  As soon as I saw them I knew I had to share them with you all!

Weekend Wedding Update

Some wedding shots I'm currently loving...

This simple leaf provides a great backdrop to photograph the wedding bands.

I love everything about this trio of images-the dress, the bride, her hair, the background.  In. Love.

Belly bands like this one provide a great way to package the invitation, rsvp card, & directions in one neat organized group within the envelope.

The thing I particularly like about this photograph is the bride's hair.  Its natural while still keeping it out of her face.

I love this photograph.  The way that it is cropped gives it a fresh perspective while showcasing the ring as the couple dances.

Another great way to photograph the rings and the invitation.

Mr. and Mrs. signs are a great way to designate the bride and groom's seats at the reception.

For an engagement shoot, I can envision a bride blowing these light paper hearts at the groom.  So fun.

{Images courtesy of Southern Weddings Magazine, Simply Hue, Style Me Pretty & Unknown}

Mood Boards and Work Studios

One common thread between artists and designers is that we all need inspiration, and we look for it in different places and love to be surrounded by it on a daily basis.  I find inspiration just by seeing other artists work places and bulletin boards.  Here are some inspiring boards and desks I've found.

{Images courtesy of Lorenz Studio, Apartment Therapy, Ogilvy, Impressed Inc., Ashley's Journey, Coochicoos, & Decorology}

Colors I'm Currently Loving

Whether you wear them or paint them on your walls, these colors are catching my eye right now.

 

{Images via Ruche, Polaroid Mandy on flickr, April Joy Events, Ruche, Coastal Living, & Coco & Kelley}

On the lookout for my something Blue...

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.  A wedding tradition that you can't forget about.  But how do you incorporate something blue into what you're wearing?  Shoes, jewelry, or perhaps something a bit more hidden?  Here are some blue things I found that you could wear or be surrounded or inspired by on your big day.

1. Aqua Ball Mason Jar with Carnations by Patia on flickr
2. Ocean Haven Interior from Coastal Living
3. Rubenesque Earrings by Anthropologie
4. Sailing the Streets Wedges by Anthropologie
5. Hydrangeas on GardenBeet Blog
6. Michael Kors Advertisement
7. Flower Girl Photograph by Paul Johnson
8. Napa Wedding Image from Style Me Pretty

A Week at the Marina

This week I had the pleasure of traveling to Hampton, VA with my dad.  We stayed at the most beautiful nautical themed hotel ever.  We ate and shopped on a little pedestrian street surrounded by historical brick buildings with beautiful architectural features with adjacent decks to eat on.  Our hotel looked out over the marina, where we watched boats of every kind take off and dock.  The lights reflecting off the rippling water was beautiful, and reading the names of the different boats in the marina was really interesting- 'Goody 2 Screws' & 'Pirate Pete' just to name a few.

The interior of the hotel was just as nautical as its surroundings.  Crisp whites paired beside sea navy's made a perfect match- set against pale yellow walls.  The curtain fabric tied the gold and navy together with a rope pattern.  All the hardware and lamp bases were made from shiny nickel.  The artwork on the walls was all black and white photographs from the thirties and forties of people sailing on their boats.  So of course I had to take photographs to share with all of you!  What do you think?

Perhaps the Most Beautiful Wedding Ever

When I first laid eyes on this wedding, I loved the casual elegance the images had.  Style Me Pretty always has beautiful weddings, but this one fits my taste perfectly.  Everything from the mason jar chandeliers to the charcoal gray bridesmaid dresses has a simple beauty.  I love the blankets and pillows scattered in the field- just inviting guests to mingle.

To see more images of this gorgeous wedding, click here.