2011 in Review

Interprintations - 2011 in review!

Cheers to another fabulous year in our studio!

It's hard to believe that 2011 is almost over, and with it brought many milestones & new adventures for our small business. I am so proud of the accomplishments we achieved this year and am looking forward to another record year in 2012!

Without further ado, here are some of our favorite moments & accomplishments from 2011...

First off....we finally joined the Twitter world in early 2011! With a little pressure from fellow event pros to get ourselves on this media outlet, we finally caved. =)

We've enjoyed having this additional outlet to share our latest work & general happenings with our twitter fans. It's also been a great tool for helping us keep on top of growing wedding trends & networking with our favorite event pros!

In March, I hosted a "bee themed" baby shower for my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and their soon-to-be baby boy, Bentley! I loved being able to stretch my creativity outside the wedding realm! The invitations, table decor & coordinating sweets table were all a huge hit among guests. Plus, the catered food at Adelino's is always delicious. =)

Bentley joined us in April - and my husband and I have enjoyed our new roles as Aunt & Uncle ever since!

This year marked another record year for our Etsy shop! At year end, we have now made 421 sales since opening our "virtual shop" doors in April 2010. We've now shipped to customers in all 50 states, as well as to the UK, Australia & Canada. Thank you to all of our Etsy clients for your loyalty & positive feedback!

Our Facebook page has quickly become our primary source for sharing recent photos, new Etsy listings, and wedding/event tips & trends. We're seeing our fan base increase every week, which is so exciting! We truly value hearing your feedback, suggestions & input on our latest work & new product lines. If you're not a fan yet, be sure to check out our page!

In November, we attended the inaugural Wish Upon A Wedding gala, held at the Conrad in downtown Indianapolis. Not only was I able to spend the evening with some of my favorite fellow event professionals, it also gave me an opportunity to learn much more about this exceptional charity. I am now signed up to be an official "wish granter," and am looking forward to contributing!

Throughout this year, we've also had the chance to work with some local venues for the first time! It was great to finally check out there event spaces, as well as see photos of our paperie at our clients' weddings. Here are a few "firsts" that topped our list...
Indianapolis Museum of Art
D'Amore
Omni Indianapolis
Milltop
....just to name a few!

Needless to say, it's been an eventful, exciting, and exceptional year for Interprintations!

Thank you to all of our friends, family, fans & customers for your continued support. Interprintations would not be where it is today without you!

We wish you all the best in 2012, and look forward to seeing what the upcoming year has in store!

Happy New Year!

Playing Catch Up!

The Etsy shop has been closed for the holidays, all of the holiday card orders have been shipped, my Christmas shopping is done and all of the presents are wrapped....

...aside from a couple of batches of fudge & cookies to make, I'm officially ready for the holiday weekend! =)

Now that things are finally quieting down around here (for the first time since, well, last holiday season), I've had time to catch up on some of my favorite things. First and foremost being my blog roll! I have so many fabulous blogs to read, and so little time.

I always love sharing my favorite blogs, so here are a few of my favorite ones that I've caught up on from the last few weeks....

STYLE SECTION

Do you follow the fashionably fabulous Jessica Quirk on What I Wore? You DON'T?! Well, you really should. =)

I am in awe of her effortless style, and love when she offers up fabulous tips on the perfect outfit or easy updates to your wardrobe. Today's blog features tips straight from her new book, advising on how to easily update your closet for 2012 - take a look!

photo credit



AROUND THE HOUSE

At my house, we're currently working on a couple of bathroom remodeling projects....which has now inspired me to revamp a handful of other rooms in the house! I now find myself seeking out home decor & home improvement blogs to add to my blog roll. My latest favorites are Material Girls and The Inspired Room.
(Which also reminds me....I need to put a trip to Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel on my calendar for next Monday. Can't wait to check out their post-holiday sales!)

LOCAL NEWS

This goes to show just how far behind I am on my blog reads! How did I miss this awesome post by Snappening, detailing some fabulous Super Bowl party ideas? From the perfect venue in Indianapolis to party activities to the perfect invitation, it is chock full of great ideas.

(...and thanks to Snappening for mentioning us in the article!)

Thanks + Giving

We hope that all of you are enjoying the extended holiday weekend!

We were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving back home at my parent's house, complete with delicious home cooking & wonderful company. It's nice to travel back to "small town" Indiana every once in a while, where there's no traffic or a cell phone signal to be found. In all honesty, I was thankful for a little break from our usual, fast-paced city life. =)

Now that I'm back in the studio....it's OUR turn to give back to all of our fans, for which we are SO thankful!

In honor of Small Business Saturday, we are offering a special deal for today only!

* drumroll please*

Today only, you can get our ever-popular, large boxed notecard sets for $10.00/each - that's 50% off!


These sets include 45 flat notecards (4.25" x 5.5") & 45 white euroflap envelopes. Items customizable in your choice of colors & name preference.

Design options include our Baroque Frame set....

...our Damask set...

...and our Modern Monogram set!

These make perfect gifts for the school teacher, sister, mom, co-worker or girlfriend on your Christmas list! Or you can even snag a set for yourself - when customized in Christmas colors, they make lovely Christmas notecards to include with your gifts!

Here's How To Order:
Please email us at interprintations@gmail.com with the following details.
* Quantity desired
* Design(s), Colors and Names for each set
* email address for which to send the final invoice
Once we've received the above information, we'll promptly send you a Paypal invoice, where you'll be able to complete your payment online. Once purchased, your items will print and ship within 7-10 business days. {Shipping Fees will apply.}

This special offer expires at midnight, so be sure to submit your order asap! We hope you enjoy today's big sale - and be sure to visit all of your favorite local businesses today in support of Small Business Saturday!

Small Business Saturday - Mark your Calendars!

According to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Spend Survey 2011, 61% of consumers plan to shop at locally-owned clothing & accessories stories the weekend after Thanksgiving. Are you one of them? {source}

This year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 26th - so mark your calendars! It's a great way to bring exposure and generate extra business to your locally-owned retail shops, restaurants and other small businesses. It's also a great way to support your local economy & ensure your gifts are one-of-a-kind items. =)


....and if you own a small business, be sure to check out the Small Business Saturday Facebook page and website for in-store signage, e-marketing tips & materials, and the opportunity to earn $100 in free Facebook ads.

I'm sure most of you are already making plans for Black Friday shopping. However, please be sure to save a little bit of that shopping energy for Small Business Saturday!!

(....and keep an eye on our Facebook & twitter pages.....there just might be a fun coupon code for Small Business Saturday!)

Etsy Envy: November Finds

As I dined at one of my favorite local lunch spots this week, I spotted a wonderful little quote painted on the wall...

"The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table."

I thought this was so fitting for today's post! This month's Etsy Envy centers around the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday - the perfect time to enjoy a wonderfully delicious meal & fabulous conversation, all while being surrounded by those you love the most. =)

If you're hosting Thanksgiving at your place this year, here are a few fun items that are sure to make a lasting impression & set the tone for those fond family memories....

Personalized "Big Turkey" & "Lil Turkey" aprons by Heather Rogers Designs
Expecting to have {kid-sized} helping hands in your kitchen this year? Help them play the part of Thanksgiving "chefs" with these adorable personalized aprons!

Pudka Pod Potpourri by Huckleberrie Primitives Candle Co.

A subtle Country Harvest scent a great way to accent your home this autumn holiday. I've always found this scent to be so relaxing & inviting. I'm sure your guests will, as well! Plus, the lovely fall colors will blend well with your other decor.

Rustic Candlestick Holders by bragging bags
Finish off your perfect table decor with these chic, rustic candlestick holders! The colors are so neutral that you could even get away with leaving them out year-round. ;-) (At least in my household, anyway - brown hues seem to be my favorite color palette!)


Vintage-Inspired Place Cards by Ask Amy
Impress your guests by customizing each place setting with these pretty place cards. Complete with pretty fall foliage and autumn hues, they'll tie in well with the rest of your table decor.

Retro Tea Towel by Kitch Towel
....and if you're heading to someone ELSE'S house for the holiday, check out these fun & festive tea towels! Paired with your favorite soup mix or some homemade pumpkin bars, they make the perfect hostess gift. =)

Have some of your own favorite fall-themed Etsy items? We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to share them below...

A Spooktacular Evening!

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! I must say, this year was one one of the most fun Halloweens I've had in a long time. =)

Here at our house, we celebrated in true fashion. Our trick-or-treaters were greeted by scary skulls, creepy lights, spooky sound effects.....and my husband in a crazy clown costume!!

....and if the kids were brave enough to approach our haunted porch, they received a handful of our favorite treats - snickers, m&ms, skittles, tootsie rolls, dots & laffy taffy!


We had so much fun seeing all of this year's trick-or-treaters! Plus, the kids got a kick out of my husband's costume. There were a few younger kids that were a tad frightened by him.....but I just met them halfway down the sidewalk with their candy, in my un-scary pirate get-up. =)

Now we just need to make another trip to Party City - they had some awesome Halloween decor ideas, which I'm sure will now be 75% off! Time to stock up for Halloween 2012! I just love a good clearance sale. =)

How did you spend Halloween this year?

Weekend Recap: A Favorite Read & Fabulous Event

This weekend has been so wonderful! I squeezed in some family time yesterday (...and got to see our precious nephew), received one of my FAVORITE wedding reads in the mail, and even had the chance to drop by the ceremony & reception set-up for some of our local clients. =)

If you haven't ordered or picked up a copy of the latest issue of Southern Weddings, you are truly missing out! I was beyond thrilled to see this beauty in my mailbox when I arrived home yesterday afternoon. Their largest issue yet (seriously, this thing is HUGE!) is jam-packed with gorgeous photos, inspiring details & lovely stories. It's a must-read for everyone planning a wedding, working in the industry, or just loves hosting parties & events. =)


As mentioned before, I was able to swing by my clients' ceremony & reception set-up, which was taking place at D'Amore in downtown Indy. I dropped off some custom-designed program cards, escort cards & various coordinating signage to be used throughout the event.


As always, I had a blast finalizing the "day of" stationery with Lori at Boldly Chic Events - her chic style & attention to detail are incredible!

The florals & event decor provided by David at The Empty Vase were also stunning - check out these lovely arrangements that graced the ceremony space & escort card table!


I can't wait to see the photos captured by Soda Fountain Photography! I always love seeing how everything turns out at our clients' events. =)

Now it's back to the studio to finish production for our remaining fall weddings......April + Brad in Indy, Melissa + Charles in San Francisco, and Jessica + Shane in Charleston!

Enjoy the final hours of your weekend, everyone!

Fall is in full swing

I cannot believe it's October already. This year is flying by faster than any before it. Well, you know what they say! Perhaps I'm just having too much fun in 2011. =)

Here's a quick peek at some of the fun things we've been up to lately...

Dulin & Stephanie - 9/4/2011 - Carmel, Indiana

Matt & Jenn - 9/17/2011 - Indianapolis, IN


David & Christiana - 9/3/2011 - Indianapolis, IN


Designing a new logo & branding material for one of our favorite local businesses - Cake Zen

...and as I look at my production calendar for the next month, I'm reminded of a trend I've seen over the last 2 years - September & October are becoming the hottest months in which to plan a wedding (and I'm not talking temperatures). Fall is beginning to rival summer for the title of busiest wedding season!

To no surprise, I'm one happy wedding pro, as autumn is by far my favorite time of year. =) I love creating paperie to coordinate with the warm, autumn color schemes and rustic-inspired decor! I've been looking forward to these weddings all year & can't wait to see how they turn out....

Next up for Interprintations - a handful of lovely October weddings at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, D'Amore in downtown Indianapolis, the Milltop in Noblesville, and the stunning Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, SC!

Stay tuned for teaser photos of our upcoming October events!

Down on the Farm

I love my line of work - not only do I get to help brides & grooms with paperie for their wedding day, but I also get the occasional opportunity to work with them again in other life events. We help them with everything from birth announcements, baby shower invitations, moving announcements, and........birthday party invitations!

One of my former bridal clients came to me in August with a request for custom-designed "farm" themed birthday invites, fitting for a barnyard birthday bash for her (soon-to-be) 2 year old son. LOVE! So many creative possibilities with this one. =)

We just finished up the design last week - so now that they're in the mail, I'm so excited to share some sneak peeks with you. Enjoy! =)

10 years ago today...

....I was bringing this guy home from the Tippecanoe County Humane Society. =)



What started out a few days earlier as a leisurely visit to see the animals & give them some company, quickly turned into a case of love at first sight meow!

Spending the majority of the day with the dogs and puppies, I pass the cat room on the way out. Something inside me was aching to take a quick stroll through there....as soon as I enter the room, I hear a cat's cry that is noticeably louder than all of the others. I glance over to him, and his paw is reaching out of the cage towards me. His sweet yellow eyes are filled with more personality than I've ever seen in a cat. From there, I was completely hooked. =)

I read his information card - 8 months old, 10 lbs, given to an older couple as a kitten & they couldn't take care of him. He had already been there for almost 2 months. My heart broke for him.

I went to take him out of the cage, and noticed it was actually locked. His sign read that he was sick, and was not to be removed in order to prevent a spread to other animals. I was SO sad I couldn't hold him right away. So, I stayed outside his cage for a while, talking to him and keeping him company. But that was no deterrent - I already knew deep down he belonged with me. =)

I then proceeded to place a deposit down for him, and returned a few days later (1o years ago today!), after the background check & landlord approval, to pick up my newfound friend.

I've never known an animal with such a big personality (and a big appetite). Working from home, he definitely does well at keeping me company. The vet has said he's part Siamese - which explains why he is quite talkative (to put it lightly), is a tad sassy, and loves anything with wool! But, that's why we all love him SO much around here. =)

Happy 10th anniversary, Izzy Biz!!

A month in review

......has it really been almost a month since I've posted last?? Yikes!

In my defense, August was my busiest month. EVER. Besides finishing up the final touches for a record number of August brides (programs, placecards, menus, you name it!)....I was also wrapping up production on custom invites for my fall brides. It's a lovely, never ending cycle here in the studio. Good thing I love what I do! =)

August also brought another big feat to our company - the title of BEST INVITATIONS IN INDY! We are walking away with this title for the 2nd year in a row, and owe it ALL to YOU, our fans & friends. Thank you so much for your votes & continued support. We love all of you!

So as I gather my thoughts & wisdom for upcoming blog posts, I'll leave you with some snapshots of a few big orders from this past month....enjoy! =)




....stay tuned for our next blog post, a recap of our local Labor Day weekend weddings!

Things to look forward to....

I'm getting SO excited about what's in store these next few weeks for Interprintations!

First off, we are setting up a display at the IGH Premiere Party Bridal Show - so be sure to mark your calendars for an evening out with your bridesmaids & friends on Wednesday, August 24th! With outdoor displays, cocktails, great music & awesome vendors, it'll be a fabulous way to unwind after a busy workday.

Another reason to attend - we will be showcasing some NEW never-before-seen products! We are now offering laser cutting & engraving on anything from paper to wood and beyond. Here's a peek at a fun table number on veneer being engraved in the new machine....



And that was just a quick test run! Wait until you see all of the other fabulous laser-cut pieces we'll have on display. You'll never be able to look at a wedding program or place card the same way again. ;-)

We hope to see you at the show!

A Better Way to Budget

When it comes to saving money on wedding expenses, most brides think that DIY projects are the only option. But don't be fooled! Sometimes DIY projects end up costing the same (if not more) in supplies, not to mention taking up a LOT of your time.

Instead of risking the quality and style of your wedding decor, here are a few alternative ideas to put ease on your wedding budget....

1) Get married in the "off season" - many venues, DJs and photographers offer discounted services between the months of November through March.

2) Ask your seamstress to create a veil to match your dress. This will save you a small chunk of change.

photo source

3) Stick with wedding flowers that are in-season - these will most likely be grown locally, cutting down on your floral costs.

5) When working with your stationer to create your invites, keep it simple! A flat-panel invitation set & envelope will most likely only require a single first-class stamp. Compared to postage costs of much more elaborate and bulkier invitations, this will help put ease on your stationery budget.

photo source

5) Before you go out and buy your bridal jewelry, check with your mother, grandmother, and other female family members about heirlooms or other pieces you might be able to wear for your big day. Not only will it save you some money, it will be your something old AND something borrowed!

Have more great money-saving tips for brides-to-be? We'd love to hear from you - feel free to share them below!

A {Sweltering} Week in Review

This week has been an interesting one, to say the least!

The craziness began on Tuesday morning, waking up to a house that was 82 degrees at 8:00am. Followed quickly by the realization that our entire A/C unit decided to break down during the hottest days of the year. No worries, though. After 2 days & a {stupid expensive} installation bill, we were back up and running with a new A/C unit by Wednesday evening.

We also discovered this article on Thursday, which features one of our May couples who were wed in the Cape Cod area {I spy a signature Interprintations program in one of those photos!}. Don't you love their subtle tribute to their love of sports? =)

photo source

We've also started adding more wedding stationery & gift set designs to our Etsy shop. So if you're planning a wedding, party, shower, or just need some gift ideas....be sure to keep checking back for this season's hottest designs. =)

Then the week ended on quite a fabulous note - we delivered reception stationery this afternoon to the historic Stutz building downtown, where one of our couples, Laura + Jeff, are getting hitched this evening. We walked into one of the prettiest receptions we've seen this season. The creative talent of the Boldly Chic Events team never ceases to amaze me, and I can't wait to share photos of this one!!

Lastly.......don't forget that we still need your help! Click the link below to vote & help keep us #1 in Indianapolis. {Voting is only open a few more weeks!}

Mark Your Calendars: IGH Premiere Party Bridal Show

Are you newly engaged? Do you live in central Indiana? Then mark your calendars for this fabulous event on August 24th!

Enjoy a delicious cocktail & great giveaways, as Indy's premiere wedding professionals provide inspiration & advice on the wedding planning process. {We'll be there with tons of stationery inspiration & ideas, so be sure to stop by & say hello!}

The event will be hosted at the Community Life Center, an up-and-coming venue in the Indy area. Tickets are $5.00 when purchased in advance, or $10 at the door.

To RSVP, please visit:
http://www.snappening.com/event/indy-getting-hitched-premiere-party-bridal-show

This event is being hosted by Indy Getting Hitched