Oregon Bride Magazine's Best Of 2011

Last night was Oregon Bride's "Best of" event at the Oregon Historical Society.  Each year the magazine throws a fabulous party to announce the results of the "best of" votes, as well as show off the latest issue of the magazine.  I was so excited to attend this year, as I've spent the last year or so meeting other fabulous vendors and experts in the industry.  I've made some close friends and gotten to work on several inspiration shoots with several different people, so it was fun seeing many familiar faces.  I brought my darling husband, who is my ultimate number one fan, and he was really excited to meet these people that I always talk about!  When it came time to announce winners, we were quickly approaching the "best invites" category.  John asked me if I was nominated, and I said to him, "Doubtful."  In my mind, I still felt like I wasn't that well known but was just beginning to make a lot of connections and get my name out there.  It would've been awesome to be nominated but I just didn't want to get my hopes up.  So we both look up on screen and see the list of finalists for Best Invites: Uncommon Invites, Ecru Modern Stationer, and... Paper Bloom.  John nudged me and said, "Um..?"  I was completely surprised.  First to be in a category with two amazing invitation vendors, and second just to see Paper Bloom on the big screen.  Then Liz Hummer, editor of Oregon Bride, announced that Paper Bloom was the winner.  John SCREAMED with excitement (several people later told me how awesome his reaction was), and I was totally shocked!  I accepted my award and just couldn't stop smiling– I still can't!  It is such an honor, and really reassuring to know that other people know and appreciate my business and my hard work.  I absolutely love what I do and this gave me a big boost of confidence.  So thank you to everyone who voted for me, and who believes in me!!

Click here to see the other amazing nominees and winners, including a few I'd like to specifically call out: Fleur:ology (finalist for Best New Vendor), The Candy Buffet (finalist for Best New Vendor and Most Creative Favors), The Groomslist (editor's pick!) Crave Design (winner of Most Creative Favors), Uncommon Invites (finalist for Best Invites), Champagne (finalist for Best Wedding Planner), Abernethy Center (Best All-Inclusive Venue) and Focal Point Digital Media (Best Videographer). These are people I've met, worked with, and just love!!

Featured Vendor on Elizabeth Anne Designs

I'm happy to announce that you can now find Paper Bloom as a featured vendor under the stationery section of Elizabeth Anne Design's new Vendor Guide!  Check me out: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/vendor-guide/stationery/paper-bloom/

Inspiration Shoot with Kim + Phil and Punch

A couple months ago, I was invited by Kim and Bonnie of Punch to take part in my first inspiration photoshoot.  It was a vintage honeycomb theme to be photographed by Kim + Phil Photography at the World Forestry Center.  I got to attend the shoot and loved seeing everything come together so beautifully.  This was a great team to work with and I hope to collaborate with them again sometime!  Here are a few photos taken from this and this blog post over at Kim + Phil's blog:

Photography: Kim + Phil

Floral/Event Design: Punch
Invitations: Paper Bloom
Model: Heather Rieder
Clothing/Styling: Holly Stalder
Hair: Rebekah Emerson
MUA: Christine Marie
Venue: World Forestry Center

Vote for Plum & Bronze Glamour!

Friends!  If you follow me on Facebook, you've probably seen my millions of posts about the Inspired Creations Contest held by Elizabeth Anne Designs and The Sweetest Occasion.

I was asked by the lovely Liz of Fleur:ology to be part of her team, and of course I jumped at the chance.  I just adore Liz, and was excited to work with her on such a great project.  She put together an incredible team and came up this ridiculously amazing inspiration shoot.  Here are a few of my faves:

So if you haven't already, please go here and leave a comment telling them how much you LOVE Plum & Bronze Glamour!  There are some amazing entries and I feel very honored to be part of this.

Floral, decor, and styling – Fleur:ology \ Photography – Diana Marie Photography \ Stationery – Paper Bloom \ Cake – Le Cookie Monkey \ Rentals – West Coast Event Productions \ Venue – Bella Via \ Hair – Face Body Beauty– Jennifer Walker \ Gown – AniA Collection \ Accessories – FeathersandFrills \ Makeup – Rachel Aron \ Macarons – Rachel Aron \ Models – Simona + Dani

First thermography job!

In the 6 years I've been designing invitations, I have never had a client request thermography (raised printing).  It's a very traditional element to wedding invitations, so I'm a little surprised no one has ever wanted it.  But I think a large part of the reason my clients hire me is because I design less traditional invitations, and raised printing doesn't always go with the design.  And, flat printing is usually less expensive, but still looks great, so there's also that.  A couple months ago I got an email from Michelle in Chicago who needed an invitation designed, and she really liked thermography.  The image she wanted to use is a very pretty peony (purchased from istockphoto.com) with lots of thin lines and details.  I had to admit off the bat that I didn't have any thermography samples in my portfolio, but knew of a printer in town that specialized in it (NW Printed Solutions– love them!)  We got to work, placed the order, and I picked up the finals today.  Wow!  I had no idea how great it would look, and how much it adds to the design.  Here's just a snippet of the final product (taken with my cell phone under bad lighting, so it looks a little sparkly shiny):

Winter Wedding inspiration photoshoot

A few months ago, I was approached by Erica Bader of Erica Ann Photography to take part in a winter wedding themed inspiration shoot.  Kimberly of Billede Design was styling the shoot and it was going to take place at Timberline Lodge.  They had seen my invitation for Molly & Greg and thought it would be perfect addition to the shoot.  I was honored!  I anxiously awaited photos until one day I got the word it was going to be featured on Wedding Chicks. 

Be sure to check out Erica's post here with more amazing photos!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Photography: Erica Ann Photography
Styling: Kimberly of Billede Design
Venue: Timberline Lodge
Jewelry: Sahlia Jewelry
Hairpieces: Austie Eckley
Hair & Makeup: Kat Thompson of Bliss Salon and Spa
Floral: Moda Floral
Invitations: Paper Bloom (illustrations by Molly Trezise-Martin)

The bride and groom are a real married couple who were actually engaged at Timberline Lodge. The bridesmaid is a model named Courtney.

BHLDN!

Holy crap.

Where was this shop when I was getting married?!  I absolutely love these dresses.  Well, most of them.  There are a few that I just can't get on board with– but I know they would be adorable on the right person.  I'm a huge fan of Anthropologie so when I heard about BHLDN I began saying my prayers that one of my sisters would please-oh-please get engaged so we can have an excuse to try on these dresses!  I'm sure it will be some time before either of them start shopping for bridal party outfits, but i have a feeling BHLDN's offerings will just get better and better with time.  But for now– would it be too much for the sister of the bride to wear this fabulous Beauregard headband?

Ok, fine, I won't.  How about this or this instead?

Well done, guys.  This collection is simply beautiful!  I can't wait for an excuse to buy something from this shop.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is a very special day to me.  I know many people who call it a "Hallmark holiday" or think it's totally pointless– but I have to disagree!  Maybe it's because I love LOVE?  Or any excuse to eat chocolate and not feel guilty about it?  Or because my birthday is the day before so Valentine's Day has always been an excuse to extend the celebrations?!?!  Regardless, even when I was single or had been dumped two years in a row by my on-and-off-again college boyfriend the week before these days (I KNOW, right?!), I still enjoyed celebrating this holiday.  I love an excuse to give pink and red gifts to people who least expect them, and to express my love to those around me.  And, it reminds me that I need to do it more often, and not just on a marked holiday.

So, I'm going to wrap this up so I can go hang out with my incredible husband and adorable son in the living room– the two most amazing guys that I am beyond blessed to have in my life.  Even if you hate this holiday or think it's silly, please make an effort today– or tomorrow, and a month from now– to spread the love in any way you can.  After all, what goes around, comes around, right?  Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day!

These awesome photos are from a styled shoot featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs today.  Flowers by Fleur:ology, candy/cupcakes & styling by The Candy Buffet, rentals from The Party Place, and photography by Sara Gray Photography. Don't you just love them?!

New logo for Fleur:ology

You all know how much I love weddings and everything about them, right?  I started designing invitations after my own wedding was over because I had total post-wedding blues.  Was I allowed to continue adding wedding blogs to my Google Reader?  Would it be crazy to attend bridal shows as a married lady?  Did I really have to cancel my subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings?!?  Luckily, just a couple months after my wedding, a friend of a friend contacted me and asked to design her invites, and ever since I've had plenty of reasons to stay involved in the wedding scene.

I absolutely adore brides and grooms and invitations and wedding stationery.  But something else I love?  Wedding vendors, and working on projects for them.  I have had the privilege of seeing some amazing people hard at work over the years.  At my wedding, at friends' weddings and other events.  Photographers, DJs, jewelers, florists...  You name the type of vendor, I probably have a favorite.  {Side note: I just added some links to my website to share this love!}  So you can imagine how excited I was for the Art of Weddings event last month, not only to meet brides and potential clients, but to chat with other wedding experts.  I love just meeting these folks and talking about the business, but it's even more fun when there's a project involved.  I made some great connections and will have some cool projects to share with you as they come about!

The first is a new logo for Fleur:ology.  Liz Rusnac, owner, came by my booth at the show and introduced herself.  Right away, I liked her.  She is passionate about what she does, extremely friendly, and talented.  Very, very talented.  

Photos by Liz Rusnac

She asked if I designed logos– YES please!  I was so excited to meet her for coffee and talk about rebranding her business {and our kids, and being a small business owner, and our husbands, and families, and high school, and... you get the idea– we have a lot in common!}  She had so many great ideas and we quickly settled on a clean, modern logo with a fun flower graphic {that Liz selected herself}:

I also designed some business cards that I'll share when they get back from the printer.  There are 4 different backs– a "collect all four" type o' thing!– with photographs of some of her amazing floral designs.  Love it!  So, be sure to stop by Fleur:ology's website and fan her on Facebook.  This is one woman to watch!!  Liz, it's been a pleasure :)

2011 Bride's Choice Award

For the third year in a row, I've been awarded a Bride's Choice Award by WeddingWire!  It means that I've gotten good reviews from clients, and I'm in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide.  It's an honor to work with such great people.  I love my job!

Sneaky Peeky!

I'm so excited to be working on an invitation suite for an inspiration photo shoot with Punch and Kim+Phil Photography.  Here's a little preview of what's to come...

A Paloma's Nest giveaway!

I absolutely LOVE everything Paloma's Nest has to offer.  I've adored the ring bearer bowls for a reallllly long time and love seeing all the new things in her shop.  I'm so excited that my first giveaway is this fabulous "To Have & To Hold" Ring Bearer Bowl™!

To enter, become a Fan of Paper Bloom on Facebook, and leave a comment.  For those attending The Art of Weddings show tomorrow, stop by by booth and enter your name for a second time!


{Winner will be drawn on Monday 1.10 :: One entry per person :: Comments left here will not be entered in the drawing}