just a peek : gold foil + lasercutting

Some ladies came to us with a really wonderful invitation design opportunity. It was totally at the last hour and it needed to be completed, like yesterday, but we got to work immediately and came up with a lovely piece for the gala. Because of certain copyrights with the painting, we can't show you the whole piece, but here's a link to the artist Rachel Ruysch who's still life was featured inside. It's a stunner. The cover was laser cut which allows for tiny detail and the gold foil was the perfect touch to the cottony paper. Such fun. We're lucky ladies!

baby shower invitations // spring showers

Spring showers are bringing on the bambinos. There must be something in the water, because we know so many expecting mommas. Perfect timing to design a new baby shower invitation. Check out these lovelies. My favorite part is the photo liner. Such a fun way to personalize an invite. They're in the shop if you have a buddy with a baby on the way.

spring scenes

Nature has certainly come alive the last couple weeks. There's been some heavy rains followed by some seriously gorgeous spring scenes. Peonies blooming in the yard and office windows letting in the breeze. Life is good around here and was made even sweeter by my visit to Nashville last week. Currier and I got straight down to business with a long to-do list, but we snuck in a whole 'lotta fun after hours. Steeplechase at Percy Warner was a big day and then a criquet match followed on Mother's day. Good excuses for dressing up and sipping on Pimms.

nautical / map party invitations

We've been anxious to share this nautical party project we worked on last Fall and now's the time! It was a doozy (in a good way) and we worked really, really hard so they're really special. You can read all about them on the Oh So Beautiful Paper blog.

watercolor wedding invitation

This fall Margaret & Stevie will marry on the brides family farm set in the Tennessee hills.
The bride came to us with colorful images of patterns, natural textures, and lace. We ended
up with 2 color printing + deboss pattern + watercolor liner. Now on to the main event!

tenn hens in the dallas morning news

So proud that Miss Bonnaroo was featured in the Dallas Morning News today! And Tenn Hens even got a little shout out as well. Lotta love in the big D!

woodlands wedding

Our most recent bride, Miss Katelyn, came to us with her invitation concept already dreamed up. She is a freckly brunette and her fiance is a bearded red-head so she loved the idea of using their portrait in the design. This was a first for us, but they're mighty cute so our job was just to make 'em look as good on paper! Their color palate, think violets and greys on recycled stock, is muted so we desaturated everything a bit to give it the mood she desired. We think it turned out very sweet and wish this adorable pair a happy, sunny day this Spring.

sneak peek : save the date

A little preview of a save the date we've been busy working on in the studio. Currier's had her watercolors out so you know it's going to be good!

cocktails & cookbooks

After a little sketching and concepting, we cooked up a new shower invitation for a client last week. The hosts wanted to throw a kitchen & stock the bar so we came up with Cocktails & Cookbooks. Kinda fun and the illustrations we created could even stand alone. Check 'em out & they're in the shop as well!

martha, lady bird, and vintage stamps

Y'all know we love stamps. We practically hoard them, waiting until the right invitation comes along just begging for that perfect collage of stamps (new or old). It all goes back to a Martha Stewart article about using vintage stamps and artfully arranging them. It was an ahh-ha moment in the office for sure! Martha is one crafty lady and we adore her.

Anyway, the Postal Service just reissued these original 1960s stamps honoring Lady Bird Johnson. Originally engraved and adapted for printing today in offset lithography, they would be so lovely on a spring invitation. Hmm… stashing these away for now, but they will certainly be put to good use very soon.

Here's some other great examples of mixing and placing stamps creatively.

last 3 images from 100layercake & plurabelle

Americana Music 2013

This will be the 7th year Tenn Hens has partnered with the Americana Music Association. Each year we come up with a new design for their annual conference & festival. Something colorful, and fun, and reflective of the the music they represent. We create all their advertising, marketing, and promotional pieces, and do it with glee! It's truly a dream job. For 2013 we painted textures and patterns with a folk art feel.

painted ponies, flowers, cocktails, and sunsets

February has already kept us busy around the studio lately. Some pretty exciting weddings coming up + etsy shop orders. Currier's been painting ponies and illustrating borders, while Bonnie's been sprucing up her Dallas digs. The weather is changing every day from hot to cold as buttercups are blooming from the garden outside. Tiny touches of Spring. Inspiration is everywhere it seems.