This photo shoot was the brainchild of Brea McDonald and Azalea Events with whom we were very excited to work. Red and white stripes, a vintage tandem bike, and a magnificent home off the rocky shores of Maine were some tidbits that were described to us — it sounded like way too much fun to pass up! We were immediately inspired by the meaning and playfulness of the tandem bike and kept this as the focus for the paper details. Using bright red and gold inks, we paired the imagery with clean type going at an angle for a bold statement. We designed and letterpress printed everything from the invitation suite to the escort cards, menus, signage, and coasters.

I sadly could not make it to the shoot but the photos say it all. Seeing all of the creative elements come together from the bike wheels turned chandeliers to the champagne bar on the beach made me smile in glee. And lucky for us, the talented Meg Simone worked her magic and caught the highlights of the day on video. To top everything off, this oh-so-pretty shoot made its way in the first issue of WellWed Maine and New Hampshire. We are thrilled not only for the opportunity to work with such inspiring wedding professionals but also to be in the pages of Well Wed Magazine!

photography by Brea McDonald Photography // event design by Azalea Events // cinematography by Meg Simone Wedding Films // catering by Kitchen Chicks // floral design by Blooms Flower Shoppe // dress by Madeleine’s Daughter // props by Day Trip Society // letterpress stationery by Smudge Ink

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If you’re dreaming of a regal backdrop for your wedding and want to meet some wedding experts in the region, I highly recommend that you come join us. And or course, we’ll be there ready to show off our work and talk about invitations! Details are as follows:

Sunday, April 21 at noon

The Crane Estate
290 Argilla Road
Ipswich, Massachusetts

Tickets are available online today for $10 or on the day of the show at the door for $15. 

Photo credit: Schippert & Martin

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We love the new year at Smudge Ink. It’s the perfect time to shake things up and start fresh, and for us, this means coming out with brand new products and designs.

So what are we loving the most about our most recent release? NOTEPADS. The new line pops with bright and playful designs, and there is something about gridded paper that makes us want to start list making right away. We’ve also added 16 new boxed notes to our collection. It’s such a treat to write a note on a card you just love. With a growing variety of patterns and florals you are sure to find a few designs you can’t resist. Not to mention there are a whole bunch of new everyday cards hot off the presses. Stock up now and you will be so proud of yourself when you are card-ready for your mom’s birthday, your sister’s new baby and your friend’s engagement.

All of this and more will be making a debut at the upcoming NYIGF. Eek, there is still so much to do to prepare! Has anyone seen my notepad?

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You’re likely glowing from all of the excitement until you start writing out lists of everything that needs to get done. Why not tackle some of that planning and be amused, delighted, and just plain ol’ inspired! Here’s where the Lovesick Expo comes in. Get to know vendors, check out the sleek green space at the Artists for Humanity, or catch a circus show (no, seriously). We’ll be there with our letterpress wedding collection and ready to get your ideas on paper! 

Hope to see you on January 20. Don’t worry, you’ll be back home in time to catch the next episode of Downton Abby! More info and tickets: www.lovesick.expo.com. 

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For the folks here at Smudge Ink, we’re looking forward to family scrabble games, making cookies and gingerbread houses with our kids, eating latkas, croissants and mom’s oatmeal bread…and most definitely staying in our pj’s all day. It is these rituals, along with time spent with family and friends, that make us forget about the stress of the holidays and allow us to focus on being together. However you choose to celebrate the season — enjoy it! — and know that we wish you a happy, safe and relaxing holiday. See you in 2013!

Most of the Smudge Ink team at our annual holiday party last night.

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Please spread the word to friends and family if you think they’d be interested.

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Each fall, I make a big batch of apple butter.  It’s homemade, there’s hardly any added sugar and my kids love it.  Plus, it’s a great small gift to have on hand through the fall and winter months if you have an impromptu evening at a friend’s house (or the like).  The process is frankly, a bit of a pain; but if you have the right tools and a rainy weekend in the fall when you’re cozying up at home, it’s something (fun?) to do and makes your house smell great.

Relative to my sisters, I’m in the little leagues when it comes to this sort of thing.  One of them makes a batch of apple butter for her daughter’s entire class (in addition countless other creative & ambitious endeavors) and the other one cans just about everything she grows in her garden and has a pantry that could rival Ma Ingalls’s's’ (blueberry & peach jams, homemade pesto, tomatoes, etc etc).  Anyway, here’s a simplified step-by-step of the process that I use…Enjoy!

1. go apple picking (bring the kids & eat the donuts)
2. clean the apples (gotta admit, I usually skip this step)
3. core and chop (leave skins on)
4. fill up your slow cooker (15-20 apples for the bigger sized slow-cookers)
5. add 1-2 cups of apple cider
6. cook on low for 10-12 hours
7. put through a food mill to get all the skins out
8. puree in a food processor to make smooth
9. return to slow cooker
10. add a little sugar & some spices (1/2-1 tsp each of: cinnamon, cloves, allspice) + stir
11. cook for 1 hr. on low, covered; 5-6 hours uncovered, depending on desired thickness
12. purchase some ball jars + sterlize them
13. pour apple butter into jars (careful not to get any on the rims)
14. get air bubbles out with a small spatula
15. put covers on jars and close finger-tight
16. immerse jars in boiling water (make sure there’s an inch of water over the jars)
17. let sit in a rolling boil for about 15 minutes
18. remove jars with canning tool or rubber tipped tongs + let sit
19. make sure jars are sealed (you can tell this by pressing down on the top of the jar – if it pops in and out, it’s not sealed, if it doesn’t, it is.)
20. enjoy all winter

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With its hand drawn leaf and berry elements, our Della suite came to mind as the perfect complement to the warm rustic look that Emily was planning. And seeing Della letterpress printed in a grayish brown and a pop of fuschia, I knew we hit it right on! Of course, the look wouldn’t be close to finished without the talents of Petal Floral Design (yes, I’m a sucker for airplants too!), Letter Be Calligraphy and Hello Love Photography. First step to a gorgeous table is great company! Thanks again to Emily and Peterson Party Center for making it all happen.

photography by Hello Love Photography // tables, chairs, linen, china & glassware by Peterson Party Rental // table design by mStarr event styling + design // floral design by Petal Floral Design // calligraphy by Letter Be Calligraphy // letterpress stationery by Smudge Ink

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