You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘anniversary’ category.
In September, I was honoured to design a special “Bat Mitzvah Invitation Suite” for Miss Audrey Cole, a dear friend of my daughter, Kate.
Audrey’s parents shared a family photoshoot from 11 years ago, and with that I began to build a custom book invitation. On the spread below I featured a very sentimental letter written by her parents, paired with a touching portrait converted to black and white.
Inside the book, I included bible verses and more gorgeous monochromatic childhood images.
To accent, I designed a custom logo for Audrey which anchored the invitation book and was also used throughout the event, on t-shirts and other give-aways.
A portrait session with Robyn Graham, Photographer, provided the current image below which was placed opposite the formal invitation to the event.
Celebrating with good friends is absolutely the best way to celebrate. Audrey with Kate at the Waterwheel, Doylestown, PA.
Auxiliary pieces with the full Invitation Suite.
Contact Heirloom to create something special to memorialize your next life or business event.
Memories matter.
Happy New Year to all my Heirloom friends. It’s been a very long time since my last blog, so here is one to get you thinking about summer again. This is a blog about the ART of creating a party from scratch. Brought to you by the Heirloom Studio in Doylestown, PA, BUT brought to life in Rehoboth, DE. last July.
After years of enjoying the royal treatment from my husband’s parents, it was my turn to treat them. This is how it all went down. I decided on a 70th surprise party ….with lots of twists. It all began with the creation of custom designed wearable TARGET props and a scrolled list of invitation directions, uniquely wrapped in a mailing tube. You’ll see these again soon. All props and party supplies were secretly transported to Rehoboth Beach for the grand unveiling.
Here are my in-laws. Susanne and Jeff Bensing. Two of the jolliest folks I have ever known. They both celebrated their 70th birthdays this summer, which I know is hard to believe just looking at them.
After we tricked them into dressing up for dinner, we laughed instead and handed them a tube with these colorful instructions inside. Instructions read: “Because you were lucky enough to survive the last 70 years, today you have to go on a beach scavenger hunt, while being video-recorded.” Wait til you hear some of the things we had them do.
1. Place these “younger you” faces in front of your current faces, and walk up and down the street introducing yourself to complete strangers. 2. Walk toward the beach and draw a hopscotch on the boardwalk, and begin jumping. 3. Go into a boardwalk shop and ask for shark teeth to replace yours when the fall out. Buy them for the future.
Yes complete strangers. They did it.
4. Choose a spot on the boardwalk to sing a Beach Boys song to the masses. Good sports that they are, they also did this.
5. Place these artfully-designed front/back targets on your shoulders and walk back to the beachhouse. Targets read: “Shoot me because I’m 70!” and “Shoot me because I am nearly 70!”.
Kids and Grands all hid behind trees, cars and houses with water guns waiting for the “AMBUSH”. Yes, we got them…good!
They hid behind me, the camera girl, but I was simply too fast.
After they dried off, we surprised them with polka dot cupcakes, popcorn cups, ice cream sodas and an assortment of fun games and activities they played against their grandkids for prizes!
All the games had my in-laws competing against their grandkids. Prizes included great memory makers such as: “A morning walk with nana”, “An ice cream treat with Doc (my father in law)”, “A trip to candy kitchen”, “A breakfast alone with your grandchild”.
Here we have the “Great Bubble Blow”. Judges chose the largest soap bubble blown.
This was probably the hardest contest to judge.
Next we had a “Bubble gum blowing contest”.
“The Great Lick Off – A lollipop licking contest”. The fastest wins.
“Traditional apple bobbing”.
Even “Rubber Duckie Water Races” in the pool. No hands, just current. First one to the other side wins!
It was a great day, and a forever young way to celebrate 2 very happy lives.
Back to front: Kim, Mike, Kyle, Angie, Doc, Susanne, Tessa, Kate, Anya, Luke, Noah, Blake and Nick.
I was recently asked to become a founding member and designer for an elite group of specialists, the Bucks County Event Specialists. We are all award-winning Bucks County Artisans, creating together and inspiring each other, to elevate upcoming special events. So whatever your event, holiday party, birthday, anniversary brunch, wedding, backyard picnic…let us help you elevate. Follow us on facebook.
*Design
*Illustration
*Invitations
*Calligraphy
*Photography
*Printing
*Florals
*Favors
*Make-up
*Music
*Culinary
It feels good to win. Recently Heirloom held a facebook contest and Katie Hopkins Kessell of Bucks County won our GRAND PRIZE DESIGN: her very own LOGO!
Several designs were submitted and this is the one she chose. It’s nice to have your own piece of graphic art to use whenever you want, on whatever you want. Here are some great uses:
Gobo lights for a party or event
Gigantic wall art for a kids room
Box design for homemade holiday sweets
Fabulous family t-shirts for a vacation or reunion
Rubber stamps for classy mail
Trendy designed cake topper for an anniversary or birthday
Cocktail napkins for funky backyard events
Wine or beer bottle labels
Thank you cards for everyone
Custom designed hair ribbons
Fabric or wallpaper design
Designer luggage tags
Personal gift tags
Personal logos $100, Corporate logo design by appointment
It’s Easter, my favorite week of the year. As I watch the birds outside my studio perch on limbs with brand new buds, I anxiously prepare for our Annual Vintage Easter Brunch. Each year I try some new ideas, simple cakes, lavender cookies, and a little luxurious outdoor table art. We live in the Northeast, so we can’t always rely on the weather to cooperate, but we try our best to set a few pretty tables outside, just in case we get lucky!
I am obsessed, by the way, with this artform, so I studied the internet for some great examples for you. You can also see them on my new pinterest board which will be continuously updated, Outdoor Tables.
Here are some simple ideas that do NOT need to be reserved for weddings and big events. Try some of these the next time your best friend is coming over for lemonade, or when your kids invite a few friends for backyard soccer. Lovely ideas when the neighbors stop by with a new bottle of wine. And remember, don’t buy anything, instead use vintage tablecloths from your grandmother, buckets from your shed, pretty vintage glasses from a consignment shop, and any pretty plates you pick up! Place your table in an unexpected spot and enjoy.
Take note of the bucket of flowers off to the side and the mix matched chairs –
all colorful and perfectly positioned in this lovely orange grove above.
I think this table is stunning. Fun bird houses dangling from trees.
You can use a giant curtain and just throw it over any old table.
I just love lime, so this image above spoke to me.
I could not take my eyes off this table and natural lattice. Dangle a little chandelier, and you are all set.
This is colorful and fun. Just hang some paper butterflies or birds above your table of cakes.
Every afternoon should look like this.
My favorite place.
Above I love the big benches and the huge vase of water and greens.
Simple and easy. Enjoy Easter and Passover, a little bit outside if you can!
– Award-winning, CUSTOM DESIGNED STORY INVITATIONS for EVERY EVENT –
A long time ago all little girls played with paper dolls. Fun, simple, creative. Here is an oversized party invitation idea that goes in the mail in a 9×12 envelope. Guests cut out one of the dresses and send it back as their rsvp. It then gets recycled and made into their nametag. Completely customizable, interactive and also very GREEN. Boy versions available upon request. See some other Heirloom Party Designs.
Sometimes a brief announcement is perfect for a birthday, graduation, anniversary, save the date, or even the holidays. Here is an example of a Philadelphia Wedding Save-the-Date, created to resemble the Declaration of Independence. A simple parchment was chosen, printed and then hand-burned around the edges before it was tied with brown twine and scrolled into a kraft brown mailing tube. Easy, economical and interesting to receive and read. Currently Heirloom is creating a similar proclamation for an Enchanted Forest Wedding. Use your imagination. See Heirloom Designs.
I love my extended family….because creative doesn’t begin to describe them. I’ve had the privilege to be inspired my entire life by so many fun and interesting cousins, aunts, uncles and now, kids. I spent my Labor Day weekend watching my cousins throw a 2nd wedding surprise for their mom and dad. This time, with a scavenger hunt, bubble gum contest and watermelon sipping. They asked me to create a small invitation to send out to our family and a few friends, inviting them to our Annual Labor Day Picnic, only this time, the guests of honor, would be walking into their own 2nd wedding.
After the invites went out last June, plans were drawn up for a secret scavenger hunt. My aunt and uncle were sent to write their vows over a cup of coffee at McDonalds. They did not know they were writing vows, because they were just answering some silly questions. Next, they were sent to change their clothes. Again, this time a bag of island wear was waiting for them so they would look appropriate. The third stop was to the florist they used on their wedding day – 40 years ago, where they picked up a small yellow and white bouquet, “coincidentally” very similar to the bride’s wedding bouquet. Last, they visited the home of their best man to pick up their actual vintage wedding veil. Then and only then, were they permitted to drive back to the picnic grove.
When they drove up, they were greeted by our entire extended family, their minister and a colorful mock alter created with paper parrots, tiki faces and inflatable palm trees. Precious grandchildren posed as ring bearers and a flower girl. Daughters, dressed in blue, filled in as bridesmaids. Ken and Beth said their newly written vows with ring pops and even cut a homemade cake which looked suspiciously like their wedding cake. The cake was baked and decorated by another cousin, who just happens to “make wedding cakes for fun”, and because she’s amazing with sugar. Below see some cake smashing in action.
Here you see, their cake smashing technique has probably had something to do with their many happy years. They did it, and still do it with ease.
After the cake cutting and official wedding portrait, a bubble-blowing contest got all the older kids involved, while the younger ones sipped watermelon juice straight out of the melon. Both of these rituals, new this year, will hopefully find their place in our annual event. To top off the afternoon, the crowd danced to favorites, and we all enjoyed a delicious clam bake.
So next time you have something wonderful to embrace, grab from your pool of talent, and create your own version of a grand celebration! And remember, sometimes the less formal, the more memorable.
Sugar, spice and everything Vintage Ric Rac. Last week my daughters and I created a party. By that I mean, in one day, we had to come up with something interesting for Tessa’s 8th birthday bonanza. We pulled out everything we had in the house, colored paper, lace hearts, gems stones, ribbon and ric rac. Tons of vintage ric rac. I LOVE the stuff. I try to adorn every gift, basket and card that leaves this place with pieces of it – if I can.
The idea to create hats was inspired by an obnoxiously expensive party hat we saw on a store shelf in Rehoboth Beach a few weeks ago. I made a mental picture, and then set out to recreate the beauty with my girls. These are nothing permanent and everlasting, but we were proud of our single afternoon activity. Keep some ric-rac supplies on hand by ordering from this nifty little site: The Ribbon Jar
We delicately tied them to the heads of ten little girls as they approached the party, then sent them out for a backyard pose.
A few days earlier (on her REAL birthday), we set off Sky Lanterns on the beach. Now I won’t tell you how we almost single handedly burned down the boardwalk and a 150-year old Victorian Hotel, but let’s just say…don’t take Sky Lanterns to a beach! For BETTER results, launch them where it’s not windy!
It was, however, spectacular and I do think we were the “talk of the town” the next morning when all the sky lanterns disappeared off the shelves of the local shops.You can buy them anywhere online, but here is a link if you want to take a look: Sky Lanterns
To “frill-up” her dessert we baked Orange Dreamsicle Tulip Cupcakes, topped with Cool Whip and a few sprinkles! They were delicious, very summer, and very “girly”. The recipe calls for orange jello which you actually pour into the cake via little tiny holes, then refrigerate. I placed them on two antique glass dishes from my husband’s grandmother, and they looked and tasted DREAMY, to say the least! The paper petal beds were discovered one day at A.C. Moore.
I hope this blog inspires more people to create HOMEMADE fun. The memories are priceless and the celebration was very inexpensive.
Party Hats: free (use materials you have around the house)
Sky Lanterns: $1.50 each
Tulip petal beds: $3.99 for 24
Throw an old-fashioned homemade party in your home.
Heirloom Birthday Art
Custom invite design
Envelopes
Calligraphy
Themed party art
Logos, monograms, icons
Favors – tags – bags – decor
Blending of artistic spirits -it’s what all events need.
A few months ago, I was interviewed by Stephanie, and her mother, Barbara Krantz to design Stephanie’s beautiful Font Hill wedding. If you don’t know Font Hill, it’s a gorgeous castle right here in little ole’ Doyelstown, PA. Font Hill is a National Historic Landmark, and was built by Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer to be his residence. Mercer decorated the walls and vaulted ceiling with a lavish display of colorful Moravian ceramic tiles that celebrate nature, the labors of the seasons and the quarters of the compass. These unique architectural tiles are still hand-fired on the property and provided the inspiration for designing this wedding.
Heirloom decided to tell the couple’s tale with a little wedding book invitation so we could easily sculpt how Stephanie and Clayton met, ironically while taking a ceramics class in high school. The invitation would be many pages and could share with guests all the adventures they encountered over the years leading up to their engagement at Niagara Falls. (Book invitations can be a special gift for guests, as many of them may not know the the details of your life and some may have never met your betrothed.)
On the cover of the invitation book, is a water color and gouache painting of Font Hill, Niagara Falls, Paris, London and Rome icons formed to resemble a clay tile. The illustration, which is now framed and hanging in the couple’s home, was created by the talented artist, Jane Ramsey, with whom I am lucky to often have the opportunity to collaborate.
The clay inspired invitation book is obviously a metaphor for marriage, with the title THE ART OF MARRIAGE. It’s lovingly dedicated to Clayton’s mother who passed last year, and each page is graced with a page-appropriate subtitle: “choosing a good clay”, “molding shapes character”, “glazing adds color and shine” and firing solidifies and strengthens”. The last page of the book is where the invitation card pulls out of a chartreuse green envelope and says “Admiring shows love” .
The elegant outer envelope calligraphy was hand-drawn by my dear friend, Linda Gray, of Linda Carol Arts in Pipersville, She used the artful Specerian font in white to grace the bright fusia outer envelopes from Envelopments. The gorgeous thermography printing and assembly by Lori and Kelly at Paravano Printing in Doylestown, brought the book to life. The touches of thermography on the cover reflect light and add texture, much like a chunky Mercer Tile.
The entire PRE-wedding ensemble was just a wonderful collaboration of MANY artistic minds, but there is much more to come. The event is this Saturday and I’ll be at Font Hill to photograph all of the other little fun details we were very proud to design for Stephanie and Clayton. Stay tuned…
To see other weddings that Heirloom has designed, click right here!
Creating Heirlooms 
