We used our Birch design as inspiration when designing these letterpress Bar Mitzvah invitations for Max and his family. Max’s party was held under the stars at The Tropical Forest Conservatory at Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh. An earthy color palette and classically modern typography kept the overall look neutral and sophisticated.
letterpress inks: olive + antique gold | fonts: naive inline diagonal + avant garde + miss le gates | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply | envelope: bella cotton white | liner: natural woodgrain pattern in olive | customization #34862
A non-traditional color palette is paired with a modern layout and Tristan‘s antique botanicals on this floral holiday card inspiration.
We’re offering free envelope addressing along with complimentary rush service on all custom holiday orders placed by December 12, 2016. Browse our collection of holiday cards to get started today!
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We were deeply saddened to learn that calligrapher Kelle McCarter passed away last week. Kelle has worked with Bella Figura as a designer and calligrapher for years, and also developed two exclusive calligraphy fonts for our sister company, Smock. Kelle’s husband Shawn asked us to share her obituary with our community – Kelle was always so eager to learn about others, but rarely talked about herself. We hope those of you who are grieving Kelle’s loss along with us appreciate this glimpse inside her life.
On November 13, 2016 our world lost a beautiful and courageous spirit in Kelle Anne McCarter at the age of 51. She is survived by her husband, Shawn Wesley McCarter of Castle Rock, Colorado, and her parents Jerry Don and Judith Anne Mobley of Dewey, Arizona. She is also survived by Hallie Loy McCarter, Jamie and Margie McCarter and their family of Midland, TX and Kevin McCarter of Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay – all who embraced her as their own. Kelle was born March 2, 1965 in Chicopee, Massachusetts and moved to Midland from Clovis, New Mexico in 1972. She won the Women’s West Texas golf tournament twice during her teens, a feat reserved to only a couple of future LPGA stars. Kelle graduated from Midland High School in 1983 and then attended New Mexico State on a golf scholarship where she was an All-American Scholar and she received her BA and MBA.
After university, Kelle went to work with her father and the PGA Tour to redesign the TPC golf course in Cromwell, Connecticut. With the completion of the redesign, Kelle and her father embarked on a 15 year project to develop the Sand Creek Country Club community and Coffee Creek Center in Chesterton, Indiana west of Chicago. The sustainable development of the Coffee Creek Center and restoration of Coffee Creek earned the honor of being selected as one of the top 24 developments in the world. During this time, Kelle was on the board of the Chicago Golf Association and was director of the Northern Amateur Golf Tournament which has produced several PGA tour players.
At her twentieth reunion at Midland High School, she reconnected with Shawn McCarter and they were married in September 2006 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Friends and strangers alike observed the absolute devotion and love that Kelle and Shawn shared for each other. They embodied the idea of soul mates so many long for.
When Kelle moved to Denver, she began pursuing her other life-long interests of graphic design, the written word, designing paper goods, and calligraphy. She was an invitation designer and calligrapher for Bella Figura Letterpress and Crane Paper Company, and her work has been profiled in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, People magazine, Inside Weddings, Brides magazine and Luxe interiors + design. She was a lifestyle contributor for REstyleSOURCE – a beautiful online design site in collaboration with Where Women Create magazine, supporting local shops and artists across the country. Kelle also published an art magazine called Paperswell: modern design ideas for paper goods and weddings to raise funds for the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies.
Kelle was truly a renaissance woman, reveling in the outdoors, competing on the golf course, creating opportunities for others, starting businesses, helping others, supporting women-owned businesses, and collaborating with and supporting other artists in their pursuits. As a friend has stated so appropriately, “Heaven just became much prettier…I can’t wait to see what she does with the place.” Kelle was extremely passionate and caring for her “girls”, two rescued golden retrievers, and her deep friendships from childhood until now. She was a graceful, gracious, selfless and elegant soul as well as a true southern belle with a sharp wit, the vocabulary to match it, and a wonderful sense of humor.
Kelle’s ashes will be spread at their Colorado ranch in a small ceremony with family. If you care to share your comments about how Kelle touched your life, please use the hashtag #rememberingkelle on Instagram, or visit the MHS 83 Facebook page to join the hundreds of people in her wonderful circle.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies or your local First Tee Golf Program.
These holiday party invitations were inspired by our Vintage Study design and feature a palette of red and silver foil that highlights the quirky typography. One of our hand-drawn snowflake motifs adds another festive touch.
We’re offering free envelope addressing along with complimentary rush service on all custom holiday orders placed by December 12, 2016. Browse our collection of holiday cards to get started today!
tree | cocktail | decor
For a simple holiday greeting we paired our hand-drawn wreath motif and a festive font for a design that reflects the spirit of the holidays in effortless style.
We’re offering free envelope addressing along with complimentary rush service on all custom holiday orders placed by December 12, 2016. Browse our collection of holiday cards to get started today!
wreath | decorations
Our friends at Paper Moon helped Isaac and his family select our Simple Elegance design for their modern typography Bar Mitzvah invitations. The classic font and ultra clean layout were paired with a jute envelope lined in a vertical stripe pattern that tied in the horizontal lines accenting the invitation. We loved the mini tag with Isaac’s first and last initials, too!
letterpress ink: black | font: moravia | paper: bella cotton white 2-ply | liner: dune pattern in black | envelope: jute | Paper Moon | customization #33041
We printed these letterpress wedding invitations for Sarah and Benjamin’s Oklahoma country club wedding. Our Classic Calligraphy design was given a sweet makeover courtesy of the simple heart motif that adorned the invitation and reception card and the statement making envelope liner. Many thanks to our friends at Inviting Place!
letterpress ink: black | hand calligraphy: spencerian style | paper: bella smooth cotton 1-ply + 2-ply | rounded corners | liner: custom pattern in black | envelope: bella cotton white | Inviting Place | customization #33171
We reimagined our Abigail design as a retro holiday party invitation with a sugary color palette and hand drawn snowflakes from our motif library.
We’re offering free envelope addressing along with complimentary rush service on all custom holiday orders placed by December 12, 2016. Browse our collection of holiday cards to get started today!
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Our friends at Ipanema Press submitted the floral artwork to us and we paired it with one of our prettiest font combinations to create these watercolor wedding invitations for Christie and Zachary. We made an allover pattern for the envelope liner that tied in the floral artwork and used pale pink reply envelopes supplied by the store for another soft, romantic touch.
letterpress ink: charcoal | digital printing: cmyk | fonts: vessa + jubilant | paper: bella smooth cotton 1-ply + duplexed 2-ply | liner: custom pattern in cmyk | envelope: bella cotton white | Ipanema Press | customization #32558
Elizabeth and Michael worked with our friends at Magnificent Milestones to customize our Goldie design for their Chicago Athletic Association wedding. Their venue’s logo was featured on their black and gold wedding invitations and on their Chicago map envelope liner while their photo save the date provided yet another personalization.
letterpress ink: black | foil stamping: gold shine | digital printing: cmyk | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply + 2-ply and bella smooth cotton white 1-ply | foil edging: gold shine | liner: vintage chicago map pattern in cmyk | envelope: bella cotton white | Magnificent Milestones | customization #31492
This sheet music holiday card inspiration features a vintage Victorian color palette and the lyrics from a classic Christmas carol. A pretty script font ties the look together for an elegant way to offer a traditional holiday greeting.
We’re offering free envelope addressing along with complimentary rush service on all custom holiday orders placed by December 12, 2016. Browse our collection of holiday cards to get started today!
trees | child with lamb
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Rachel and Pierre printed their wedding invitations in French and English by alternating the language on each line of the invitation. Our friends at Houston Invitation Service helped them choose a classic design with a simple border that allowed their plentiful text to stand out and not feel crowded. Their color palette of gray and gold was effortlessly chic and perfectly complimented the traditional layout.
letterpress ink: charcoal | foil stamping: gold matte | fonts: norah + moravia | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply | foil stamped liner: diego pattern in gold matte | envelope: bella cotton white | Houston Invitation Service | customization #31237
