custom invitations & stationery

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Syd Design is a custom stationery company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a small business, we strive to promote and support the local community while working towards a healthier planet.

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As the winter season has officially began, and snow is on the ground, let’s start thinking about that beautiful dark green spring grass that is only a few months away! Which brings me to Ashleigh & Steve’s wedding. I love the way they used various colors of green throughout their details (starting with blades of grass from their invitation). Everything correlated nicely, but didn’t seem to “matchy matchy.”

I’d like to point out the unique detail of the table number holder. Most reception halls will provide a stand for your table numbers, but it’s always fun to see some other ways of showing off table signs.

These cute & fun images are from Shelley LaLonde at Face Photography.

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An Irish-inspired wedding

I would like to share with you a March wedding that was inspired around the Irish. As you can see, we used a simple, elegant 4-leaf clover illustration to carry throughout the stationery.

Why did they choose an Irish theme? The couple had their first date on St. Patrick’s Day, and with the Irish origins from McCracken the whole idea fit well. She said that since it was a March wedding, they actually had a really good turn out, since the summer months are usually pretty busy for everyone.

Here are some of the other ways that Mr. & Mrs. McCracken shared their heritage: hunter green bridesmaid dresses; green shamrocks on the garter; the groomsmen and ushers wore green vests and ties with their tuxes; lottery ticket party favors with a penny and a saying on the escort card that wished the guests “luck” and included an Irish poem; the ceremony programs also contained an old Irish poem; and the couple served green beer at the reception!

All images above provided by the talented (and beautifully named) Abby at Abby Rose Photography.

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UICA Holiday Artist’s Market
You must come check out the UICA this weekend where about 70 artists from the region will be selling their artwork. This is a wonderfully unique shopping experience, especially for holiday gift buying! Admission and parking are free, and there will be snacks, beverages and a children’s workshop.
I am honored to say that I will be there with some yummy stationery goods and info to pass out if you’re a 2010 bride or groom! {Be sure to also seek out my sister-in-law, Beth Fowler, a local, mighty-talented painter!}
Holiday Artists’ Market: December 4, from 5-9PM December 5, from 10AM-9PM

UICA Holiday Artist’s Market

You must come check out the UICA this weekend where about 70 artists from the region will be selling their artwork. This is a wonderfully unique shopping experience, especially for holiday gift buying! Admission and parking are free, and there will be snacks, beverages and a children’s workshop.

I am honored to say that I will be there with some yummy stationery goods and info to pass out if you’re a 2010 bride or groom! {Be sure to also seek out my sister-in-law, Beth Fowler, a local, mighty-talented painter!}

Holiday Artists’ Market:
December 4, from 5-9PM
December 5, from 10AM-9PM

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Naughty Elves are in!
A2 size, inside reads “Happy Elfing Holidays,” comes on white shimmery paper with matching shimmer envelopes.$2.95 each or 8 designs for $20

Naughty Elves are in!

A2 size, inside reads “Happy Elfing Holidays,” comes on white shimmery paper with matching shimmer envelopes.

$2.95 each or 8 designs for $20

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I just made this card, while working on my own personal holiday cards, and thought I would share! Hmmm… I wonder where I got the inspiration for this one? {you know who you are}

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Mountain/Urban Celebration

I’m sharing with you an August wedding that had the perfect Colorado mix of nature and urban. Rebecca & Chad decided (which I wish I would have done in my own engagement) to have separate wedding ceremony and reception celebrations.

Their wedding was literally in the mountains, in White River National Forest. So much so, that their small gathering had to hike in to the location of the ceremony (see image). Two weeks later, they had a reception at Mile High Station in downtown Denver, a hip, urban paradox to their ceremony.

A mix of city/nature is found in the heart of many people, and it was inspiring to feel that energy while working with Rebecca & Chad on their stationery. For the ceremony we did a more rustic invitation with a forest design on matte, textured papers, and for the reception we had shimmery papers with a ribbon detail. Their reception location has beautiful modern chandeliers that I immediately noticed when preparing their samples. I imitated these chandeliers into a design, which they chose and then carried throughout the rest of their stationery.

All ceremony images above are from the talented, Denver-based photographer, Julie Kemerling from A Fine Photographer.

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NOVEMBER GARDEN ROOM SALE

The lovely and talented floral designer, Ann Forrester from Forrester Farm, is presenting her last 2009 Garden Room Sale. After attending the last sale and being pleasantly inspired by the local influence and handcrafted goodies, Ann and I started talking about stationery. We met over coffee at Schulers and shared some similar outlooks on life, business & art. I am so very excited to say that I will be sharing some of my product at next week’s sale! Other local artists will be selling gift, home decor, seasonal items, antiques and repurposed goods, herbal soaps, painted furniture, Christmas ornaments and more!

Rumor has it that items go quickly, so if you can come earlier in the sale, you might have more to choose from. Here are the hours and location:

Forrester Farm
4554 Pettis NE, Belmont, MI 49306
616-874-3453

Thursday, Nov. 5th {9am-6pm}
Friday, Nov. 6th {9am-6pm}
Saturday, Nov. 7th {9am-3pm}

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SAVE THE DATE! 
My husband (Mac Fowler) and Aaron Schaap, owner of Elevator Up, are opening a coworking space in Grand Rapids, called The Factory. I am excited to share this hip addition to downtown GR, and invite anyone who is interested in checking out the space to the Grand Opening event.
Grand Opening:  Tuesday, November 3, 2009 6:00pm - 9:00pm 38 W. Fulton, Suite 320, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (the 3rd flloor above San Chez!)
Check out the official facebook invitation.
Also get a sneak peek of the space. (notice the swanky Steelcase furniture, more cool seating is coming in this week!)
Hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE!

My husband (Mac Fowler) and Aaron Schaap, owner of Elevator Up, are opening a coworking space in Grand Rapids, called The Factory. I am excited to share this hip addition to downtown GR, and invite anyone who is interested in checking out the space to the Grand Opening event.

Grand Opening:
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm
38 W. Fulton, Suite 320, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(the 3rd flloor above San Chez!)

Check out the official facebook invitation.

Also get a sneak peek of the space. (notice the swanky Steelcase furniture, more cool seating is coming in this week!)

Hope to see you there!

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Elegant, Simple Christmas:
A2 size, 6 colors, blank inside, comes on jute paper with matching colored envelopes.

$2.50 each or all 6 colors for $13

please email me to purchase: syddesign@gmail.com

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Holiday Crystal:
A2 size, 4 color combos, blank inside, front has a swarovski crystal detail, comes on white high-shimmer paper with matching shimmer envelopes

$3.25 each or all 4 designs for $11

please email me to purchase: syddesign@gmail.com

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