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The inspiration behind Stella – an exclusive calligraphy font from Smock

Here at Smock, we’ve developed six exclusive calligraphy fonts based on the actual penmanship of master calligraphers. New for the 2013 wedding season are two brand new calligraphy fonts: the Smock Stella and the Smock Plaza. Last week, we gave a behind-the-scenes look at Sarah Hanna’s inspiration for the Smock Plaza, and today we’re sharing Kelle Ann McCarter’s inspiration for the Smock Stella font.

How did you develop the Stella Hand for Smock?
I spend much time developing new styles of calligraphy and experimenting with different types of calligraphy nibs. I normally think of a character or personality and then try to translate it to the lettering. In “Stella”, I envisioned the French American stage and movie actress Claudette Colbert. I wanted her to be strong, quirky, independent, playful- perhaps with a touch of mysterious contradiction; one who has self-possession and is comfortable in any setting; understated without excessive flourish.

Kelle McCarter creates a swirly and fun calligraphy font for smock

The inspiration behind Stella:
I purchased some vintage straight pins and the packaging design in which they were enclosed showed a lovely lettering- dainty and spritely. I was smitten with the movement and simplicity of the strokes. I knew I wanted to create something in this vein which is different from my other calligraphy styles.

Stella is inspired by vintage details, and Claudette Colbert

(sources from left to right: decor | Claudette Colbert | clutch and jewels | dress | cake )

What kind of weddings do you picture this font used for?
Since “Stella” was conceived to be a well-rounded lady, she can be used in any wedding – from modern to vintage to formal. For example, in the current issue of Brides Magazine, “Stella” in foil stamping is shown as a perfect pairing for a black-tie soiree.

Stella by Kelle McCarter is a calligraphy font with personality

Visit a Smock dealer today to see the Smock Stella font (and all of our other fonts) in person and get started on your next custom order!

10 Tips for Using Foil Stamping for Smock Stationery + Invitations

Since we introduced foil stamping to Smock this summer, we’ve been head-over-heels in love with the way it looks on our bamboo paper! Foil is the perfect way to add a bit of sparkle and shine to any invitation, and since we offer 12 foil colors, there are lots of different ways you can use it! For color pairing ideas, tips on when to bring in a bright colored foil (like fuchsia!) and when to keep it classic with an essential like silver or gold, check out the list below for some inspiring ideas.

10 tips for using foil with Smock stationery + invitations

Wash away in a sea of love with these Custom Letterpress Save the Dates

It’s easy to get swept away in these beautiful and delicate letterpress save the dates.  These beauties were submitted to us by our great friend, Nancy at Epitome Papers in Edina, Minnesota.  We think you’ll agree that these save the dates are current and look absolutely fabulous printed in three ink colors.  The oversized textured starfish is the perfect motif for a seaside wedding in Key Largo, Florida.  These save the dates are whimsical in their own right – while still being playful and chic.  The seahorse pattern envelope liner really makes a bold statement of what guests can expect as far as wedding atmosphere.  We can just close our eyes and feel the warmth of the golden sunshine and the white sandy beaches!

inks: spring + slate + inkless blind deboss | font: smock harrison | paper: 2-ply white bamboo | printing: letterpress | edge painting in spring | back patterning: gala in spring |liner: the seahorse pattern in slate | invite size: S8SQ

nautical letterpress save the dates

 

The 2012 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is May 13 and quickly approaching, so make sure you’re ready with a nice letterpress card and a sweet gift for mom! Cheery stationery goods in bright colors and patterns are sure to be a hit, but she’ll be even more impressed when you wrap it up beautifully with some of our eco-friendly, double-sided gift wrap (here’s a hint: you can use one side to wrap the gift and use the other like ribbon)!  We’ve picked out a few of our favorite gifts for mom, but be sure to take a look at all of our new letterpress stationery goods to find the perfect gift today!  And if your mom has a green thumb, be sure to check out our sustainable Sunflower cards (pictured below) — 100% of profits help the Pesticide Action Network, and the cards come with organic sunflower seeds that can be planted in her garden!

Smock's 2012 Mother's Day stationery gift guide

1. Botanical Thanks boxed letterpress cards $14 for 6 | 2. Mother’s Day Flower Burst letterpress card $4 | 3. Ness notebook $9 | 4. Pearl Jotters $6 for 2 | 5. Queen for a Day letterpress card $4 | 6. Flower Burst letterpress scratchpad $7 | 7. Pearl boxes: small $6; medium $12; large $18 | 8. Park boxed offset notes $12 for 8 | 9. Picadilly notebook $9 | 10. Carri attachments sticky note cube $18 | 11. Mom & Trust letterpress card $4 | 12. Sunflower boxed letterpress cards $14 (100% of profits help save the honey bees!)

Coastal Letterpress Invitations in Glacier Ink

We’re always excited to see the creative and unique invitation orders from Michelle at Paperkiss in Balmain, Australia.  This beyond beautiful custom invitation is letterpressed in our glacier ink which adds even more to the nautical design.  Such a soft color palette makes this invitation even more charming!  We also feel the soft hue helps set a romantic atmosphere for the upcoming nuptials.  We’ve heard that starfish represent a love that cannot be measured – and this makes this invitation all the more sweet!

inks: glacier | fonts: custom | paper: 1-ply white | printing: letterpress | invite size: SQ8

nautical blue letterpress wedding invitations

Lively + Cheery Wedding Invitation Suite

We have Liz at Paper Place in Austin, Texas to thank for submitting this bright and beautiful Dawson invitation to us for printing.  Lively and cheery are definitely adjectives that come to mind when taking a look these beauties!  We feel that pairing our ocean and yolk inks together is the perfect choice for a wedding in early spring.  When this is the time of year we’re used to seeing softer color palettes – pastels, too – it’s refreshing to see such a bubbly and bold invitation.  The couple also chose a custom letterpress sleeve which adds even more pizazz!

inks: ocean + yolk| fonts: smock clermont + carrington| paper: 1-ply white  | printing: letterpress| letterpress sleeve: custom pattern in yolk | invite size: S-8 for sleeve

colorful and fun letterpress wedding invitation

Paper Place was also sweet enough to send along the accessory pieces they printed in house to coordinate with the letterpress wedding invitations we printed.  The reply card, information card and rehearsal dinner card were sent along with the invitations.  The larger reception invitation and registry card were sent separately by the groom’s parents.  We love that the vibrant color palette is maintained throughout this set.  We always adore working with the lovely ladies at Paper Place – and we’d like to give a huge THANK YOU to them!

 

 

Beautiful Offset Birthday Invitation

We printed these simple, yet elegant, birthday announcements for our friend Linda Chamlin at LS Amster Company. They were offset printed in our Espresso and Heliotrope inks. They are a beautiful way to welcome an 18th birthday.

inks: espresso + heliotrope | fonts: estrella + cooper | paper: 1-ply white | printing: offset | invite size: S-5SQ

offset birthday party invitations

 

Floral Letterpress Save the Dates in Soft Hues

These letterpressed save the dates were submitted to us by our good friend, Aileen at Aileen Invitations in Miami Beach, Florida.  Our Rhon design looks truly sensational printed in our lavender and pewter inks.  There are certainly times when a softer color palette works best and this is definitely one of those times!  We print save the dates for all sorts of occasions and these save the dates happen to be for an engagement celebration.  We can’t help but feel that the lavender ink represents gracefulness and charm while the pewter ink helps keep this set looking refined.  Purple hues have always been connected to royalty which makes these save the dates all the more classic.  The couple chose our payette pattern in lavender for both the offset back patterning and envelope liner – which ties this whole set together nicely.

inks: lavender + pewter| fonts: etienne + auden | paper: 2-ply white | printing: letterpress | corner rounding |back patterning: payette in lavender |liner: the payette pattern in lavender | size: S6

floral letterpress wedding invitations

Sharp and Chic Hekla Letterpress Baptism Invitations

Submitted to us by our good friend, Elle at Petite & Sweet in Toronto, Canada these letterpressed Hekla baptism invitations are downright swank!  I mean talk about being up-to-the-minute!  These invitations showcase our royale and inkless blind deboss inks – and the end result makes for some of the most chic invitations we’ve had the joy of printing in quite some time.  The envelope liner adds another nice modernistic touch to this anything but simplistic set!  We think these invitations are the perfect prelude to such a memorable occasion – and helped achieve the vision the proud parents were hoping for.  We look forward to many more unique and current customizations from Petite & Sweet!

inks: royale + inkless blind deboss | fonts: shaw + social | paper: 2-ply white bamboo | printing: letterpress | edge painting in royale | liner: the ridley pattern in royale | invite size: S8

chic baptism letterpress invitations

Vintage Inspired Letterpress Wedding Invitations

This vintage inspired customization of our Chasseral design was submitted to us by our great friends at LS Amster Company in Scarsdale, New York.  We think our eggplant and saffron inks were the perfect pairing for an autumn wedding.  The rich colors of the season are seen throughout- so much that it’s easy to see the leaves changing color! The iznik pattern envelope lining in saffron gives off the perfect amount of charm!  Complete with direction cards printed on both front and back- these cards tell guests everything they need to know about getting to the celebration!  The couple also chose letterpress thank you cards and we cannot think of a better way to show all of your guests your gratitude for being such an important part of your special day.  Vintage inspired + autumn color palette = ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!

inks: eggplant + saffron| fonts: graham + tally| paper: 2-ply ivory bamboo | printing: letterpress | edge painting in eggplant |back patterning: sinclair in eggplant |liner: the iznik pattern in saffron | invite size: S8SQ

elegant letterpress wedding invitations

 

 

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