Custom Calligraphy Design for Wedding Save the Date

Custom Calligraphy Save the Date Design, $50

Are you tired of cookie-cutter Save the Date invitations? Want something a little more modern, and unique?

I was so thrilled to be contacted by a recent bride who just wanted a simple Save the Date invitation for her San Diego wedding - but she wanted it to have a handwritten appearance (cue, calligrapher!) I met with her for a consultation a few weeks ago, where she showed me sketches of what she envisioned, printouts of things she had liked on Pinterest.com, and asked me to tie it all together.

I have to say, working within these parameters is so exciting for me. I love using my creativity to piece together something completely unique. The challenge always is - as I'm sure it is with every wedding vendor - is matching the vision that the bride has in her mind.

So I practiced and sketched, trying to fit all the pieces together in a coherent way. She wanted the coastline of California to be drawn on the left side of the invitation, with the Pacific Ocean and the actual wedding location of San Diego to be identified. I poured everything into coming up with a design she would love, then held my breath as I sent it over. After a few minor edits (like removing her original request for a compass rose - she thought it looked a bit too much like a treasure map!) she said she absolutely loved it!

Above is the final product: I also made this into a digital file and was able to easily manipulate the image to conduct the bride's revisions using Photoshop. She then took the file to a printer to have them printed and mailed, and I can't wait to see the final product when I meet her for her wedding invitation consultation in June!

If you are interested in some custom calligraphy work for your Save the Date or Wedding Invitation, please contact me to discuss your project, pricing, and find out what we can do to make your vision become a reality!

Custom Calligraphy: Return Address for Ink Stamp

Custom Calligraphy Return Address Digital File, $15

After consulting with a bride recently who was looking to have some custom calligraphy work done (my favorite!) one of the items she requested was getting a single calligraphy "Return Address" digital file that she could then bring to her own printer so that she could have a custom stamp made for all of her future return addressing needs.

I thought this was such a great idea! After completing the job (see file image, above) I sent to her in her required size and file type. I then decided to try my own and see how it would come out. I chose to use Staples, and uploaded my own address in calligraphy artwork to have a custom self-inking calligraphy return address stamp made.

I was so excited when my stamp finally came in the mail - it came out perfect, and I'm now pleased to offer these custom self inking return address stamps on my etsy website! Not interested in dropping $40? I also  have an option to just purchase your own custom calligraphy return address file that you can use to bring to your own local or favorite printer of your choice!

Custom Calligraphy Return Address Self Inking Stamp, $38

I've sold a few so far, and they've been such a success - I can't wait to do more. You'd think as a calligrapher I'd have thought of this already...but now I look forward to bills and mail so I can stamp my return address. Lame? Maybe. Excited over little awesome things? Definitely.

Click any of the links above to visit the shop listing to get your own custom calligraphy stamp or custom calligraphy return address digital file - it makes a great gift for a new bride (help them commemorate their new address together or new shared name!) or will definitely make your own life easier, if you're a bride with Save the Dates, Invitations, and Thank You Notes to address (that's you're entire guest list x3!)

RAM Construction: 10 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing a Home

As a calligrapher, I cater many of my posts to things of wedding nature for my bridal clients. But after the honeymoon, there's still things to read up on - like how to take care of your new home together! In this guest post contributed by RAM Construction (carpenter and home remodeling contractor in Massachusetts' North Shore), he discusses the top 10 questions you should ask before purchasing a new home.

Finding your dream home can be a challenging experience: especially since you are physically visiting houses that must stack up to all that dreamy criteria in your head. While it's great to visit open houses, it's not enough to just do a walk-through. In order to paint a comprehensive picture of your investment, you should ask the right questions for every house you visit, and don't be afraid to ask!

Here are some essentials every potential homeowner should ask when viewing a home. Print this out as a worksheet if you have to, especially if you have a few houses in mind without a method to compare them. So let's get started!

1) What am I buying?

Ask exactly what is included in the sale, including land, that spacious garage, and other fittings. You'd hate to  invest in your new home and realize that you've now got to purchase a boiler.

2) How much will my bills be?
It's not enough to just determine what your monthly mortgage payment is: you'll need to know how much your utilities and council tax bills will be. Determine whether the house uses electricity, gas, or both, and ask the seller what you might expect to pay for these bills.

3) Who’s lived here before me?
While not many people think to ask this question, it's a good way to approach the condition of the house that you're interested in. New homes that have just been placed on the market ensure that it hasn't had any previous neglectful owners.

4) Have there ever been any issues with the boiler?
Boiler issues are extremely expensive, so always inquire as to whether there have ever been any faults with the boiler, and details on when it was last serviced.

5) Is it insulated?
A properly insulated home will save you hundreds in heating bills. Ask the seller about the cavity and loft wall insulation: if the home doesn't have any, you will need to pay for a new remodeling project.

6) Has it been remodeled?
If the home you're viewing isn't new, ask about previous remodeling projects that the house has undergone. Be sure to request building and planning consent forms so you can see the history of the house.

7) Is central heating installed?
This is a big one: ask if the house comes with full central heating. If not, you could pay a great deal for individual heaters or remodeling projects to fit radiators. If there is central heating, ask how old it is and if it has a history of problems.

8) How new is the décor?
A house with dated decor may require you to invest in updates when you move in. In this case, you'll have to evaluate whether this is something you are willing to do and how much it will cost.

9) What’s the surrounding area like?
This is good to both research online and to ask the real estate agent or seller. Ask about local amenities that are important to you, and inquire about the crime rate.

10) What are the neighbors like?
Take time to ask about the neighbors! You'll be living next to them for years to come, so it's a good idea to get to know the street atmosphere. Ask how long they've lived in the area, who they are (i.e., young couples like you or big families?) This could save you a lot of frustration in the long run, and maybe be a deciding factor if you're in a deadlock between a few properties.

So go look at some houses, and good luck! And if you're local to Massachusetts' North Shore, contact me for any remodeling questions or projects and I'd be more than happy to help out.


Source: The Most Important Checks You Must Make Before Moving Into a New House

About the Author: Rick McManus of RAM Construction in a local Massachusetts' North Shore carpenter who has owned and operated his own business for several years. He specializes in indoor and exterior remodeling, as well as home construction projects such as deck construction and home additions. For more information, please visit this great business' home construction website to contact him about how you can get started on your next home improvement project!

Want to write a guest post for The Ash Tree? Contact me to get started!