Inspiration Series - Ian Prosser & Zoë Gallina of Botanica

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series.

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of Botanica.

Featured in this installement are the unsurpassed talents of Owner Ian Prosser & Creative Director Zoë Gallina. Lose yourself below and be captivated by the Beauty that is Botanica!!

Highly coveted and acclaimed, Ian Prosser is a floral phenomenon having created an array of masterpieces for the likes of Queen Elizabeth, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Donna Summer, Dan Wheldon, & Kirstie Alley.  Yes, we are "dropping names" here... with this repertoire who wouldn't?!  Not to mention his work in the presidential inauguration of President Bill Clinton & his role as "Floral Design Chair" for the inaugurations of President George W. Bush.

However accomplished and with over 30 years experience, Ian still remains personally connected, approaching each creative opportunity with explicit care and inspired artistry.  Having seen his work first hand, it is simply BREATHTAKING.  A leader and mentor in the industry, a worldwide award winning inspiration to be sought after, Mr. Ian Prosser.

A perfect complement to the ambitious Prosser, let us also introduce Zoë Gallina the decorated Creative Director of Botanica.  With unrelenting creativity and a passion for "the feel of the flower", Gallina has gone on to support and uphold the exceptional reputations of this unmatched design studio.  Winning floral awards as early as age 8 and having been featured in various publications throughout her professional career, she is a blooming talent who is continued to be watched and respected by all in the industry.  Not to mention, she is simply a DOLL!

Special thanks to all the creative minds at Botanica for sharing their artistic expression!

With hopes that you continue on your journey towards inspiration, we invite you to browse our entire Inspiration Series on our blog and perhaps become further fueled to create, pulling inspiration from us here at The 2u Collection.

"My Favorite Holiday Gift" - A Jeffrey Stoner Treat

In his latest sprinkling of joy perfectly themed for the season, Jeffrey Stoner presents a window into 'Christmases Past' as he asks friends and peers, "What's YOUR Favorite Holiday Gift?!"



Peek at the videos and feel free to have a giggle, even at my own expense!  You may recognize some faces, so make sure to give them a tease, as we connect in a bit of holiday amusement & jubilation!!

Too much fun!  
As our fellow entrepreneur at Jeffrey Stoner Video and having worked with him more times that I can count, Mr. Jeffrey Stoner has become a most fabulous friend.  A stand out character, Jeffrey is a phenomenal videographer often enthralled behind the lens as he captures the essence of those on the other side.  With an exuberant personality he melts the inhibitions of even those closest to him... a testament to his skill, as we are often most shy amongst those we know best!




Hungry for more Stoner?  Browse his collection of delights here and be swept away....

May Your Season Be Merry & Most Blessed - The 2u Collection 

And as a special treat! You can see just how creative Jeffrey is by this holiday video with the family!!

Our 2012 Christmas Film - Lisa, Jeffrey, Sara & Carolina from Jeffrey Stoner Video on Vimeo.

Glitter... Confetti... Sparkles Galore? New Years Nuptials!!!

The New Year is approaching and here at The 2u Collection we have been beautifully reminded with the honor of creating wedding stationery to fit the season for one of our own in the industry!

What you may not realize is that working in the wedding industry doesn't necessarily make planning and executing your own day much easier. In fact, knowing the ins and outs of your vendor's capabilities can sometimes create option overload! Such is the case with fellow vendor and soon to be bride Ronnie Renaud of RW Chocolate Couture Fountains & Decadent Desserts!

Take a peak at how Mix & Match wedding stationery may ease the indecisive mind.

The original inspiration was driven by the fact that the bride hadn't really decided what kind of wedding and experience she wanted to create. So we brainstormed and thought her invitation could be her "something blue"! And of course we didn't want to ignore new years, so Pale Blues & Dazzling Golds, Gleaming with Glitter and a Sprinkling of Iridescent Confetti are just some of the ideas we landed on!  

The piece turned out a gorgeous result, one that raised the question "What MORE can we do!?" Without a clear direction for her wedding and underestimating her guest list. We went back to the drawing board. We had used up all the invites that she had ordered. And at this point a clear Old Hollywood Glam tastes started to emerge- which made our blue invites seem a little out of place. So after some discussion Ronnie became compelled with curiosity and I proposed that we create a second round of invites that will be similar to the first "something blue" invitation- but will sit solidly in the developing concept for the event decor.

Challenge accepted!!! 

We focused on creating Mix & Match invites that were unique enough to make a stand alone statement, but that would remain harmonious when recipients shared the designs within their admiration. Highlighting the boldest elements of the first round of invites and then adding slight modifications we reveled in success! An invite in Midnight Black, Dusted with Gold Glitter,  finished with Silver Ribbon and of course the Celebratory Confetti.

Side by side the invites are reminiscent of one another, but when you take a closer look the individual delights of each begin to stand out. It even becomes a playful way to engage your guests and get them talking! Without competing these pieces have managed to create a "Which one did YOU get?!" buzz while lending the same feel to the overall creative concept of the wedding event.

       

Baby Dixon Sits Under a Traditional Family Tree with a Touch of Whimsy!

He has arrived!! Lucas Thomas Dixon joins the Dixon Family and our wheels spun *literally* with inspiration! 

If you are a follower of us then you are familiar with the Dixons'! Not only are they staples in my personal life, as they are a couple of my closest friends, they have been loyal clients to me for years. In 2009, we designed their wedding suite of stationery, from save the dates to invites! In 2011, we were happy to art direct and plan Robyn's baby shower. (click the links to view past entries) And now we are so happy we created Announcements for the newest addition into the family, Lucas.  And I must tell you he is the cutest little bundle, with a giant personality to match!  

Robyn and Andrew are avid bicyclers. It's a lifestyle that they both enjoy, so of course little Lucas will grow up on a set of wheels of his own! With that in mind, we created this fun baby announcement design.

We decided to take a traditional concept and rework it into a unique and stand-out piece with this announcement. Playing off the classic idea of a Family Tree and the Bicycling theme we added some flare and thus emerged a quite fanciful tribute to the new birth of Baby Dixon.

Several elements came together to make this piece POP! Most think... "It's A Boy" = Baby Blue Head to Toe... Which to Us = MUNDANE! The solution, enhance that baby blue into bold Metallic Egyptian Blues, Rich Turquoises and Spirited Cyans. We went on a little further pairing our redefined blue palette with Lush Greens and a hint of Cream. 

A few finishing touches including Scalloped Edging & Tag along with our favored final detail, a Retro Silver Bicycle Charm came together to add just the right sense of playful whimsy to the arrival and growth of a much anticipated young boy. No more was needed than priceless photos and a simple envelope... soon those closest would know of Lucas Thomas Dixon as he began his ride through this wonderland that is life!     

A Winter Wedding with A Festive Flare!

"OMG Amy!!! It arrived today and Tim and I both just love, love, LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's gorgeous!!! It's laying on the bed right now so we can look at it AGAIN before we go to bed!!! We have a nightly ritual of trying on our rings before we go to bed at night - and now we will add opening and looking at the invitation to it!

You are the BEST, Amy!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!   "

~ Jennifer--BRIDE ~

Let me tell you, we were just as enthusiastic during the design and production process of this invitation!

It's Prime Time here in the World of Weddings and what a way to start off the season!
 The bride-- a doll who entrusted us with full creative freedom, The result--a glamorously adorned invitation package with divine details and refined extravagance! 

Being a winter wedding, we wanted to create a design that fit the theme of the holiday without becoming.... well.... cheesy. So instead of cliche holiday graphics and icons we focused on incorporating timeless elements into the details of this piece. Details became the main inspiration with Chevron Prints, Letterpress Accents, Metallics, and a Bold Color Palate & Play On Words that would exude a festive flare with sophistication.

The Felt Inlaid Invitation was framed with a Letterpress Border and finished onto a Silver Metallic Chevron Print backing. We carried these design elements into the response card adding Letterpress Chevron accents to be enclosed in a Silver Metallic envelope with Red Print detail. The combination of Letterpress and Screen Printing added clean dimension that would carry the eye.

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Pulling it all together was an elegant Die Cut Invitation Jacket in Metallic Red for added splendor! Pushing further into the realm of luxury we went on to adorn the enclosure with a perfectly wrapped Red Satin Bow and Letterpressed Bellyband all of which would be held in a Quartz Metallic envelope to finish. I won't lie, this is one of my faves this season, it's classy and elegant with a hint of holiday flare!

If I had to choose what it is that I love most about this piece I would have to say it's BALANCE. It can be challenging to create themed pieces without falling into stereotypical expectations. I am thrilled that this piece seems to have embraced the opulence of the holidays without being over-the-top or predictable.

"I'm getting amazing feedback on the invites!! Everyone LOVES them! One of my friends flipped out over them today - said they were beautiful and that he and his wife just LOVED theirs!!   Woohoo!!! SOOOO exciting!! The invitations really did turn out beautifully, Amy! Thank you!!  So far, everyone thinks their gorgeous! Those who haven't gotten them yet are completely jealous of the ones who have! Lol!"

~ Jennifer--BRIDE ~

We are touched that the bride took the time to express her excitement and that recipients shared in out sentiments!

Inspiration Series - Quest Drape

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of Quest Drape.

I've had the pleasure of interacting with some amazing vendors and it always delights me when a foreign or unexpected medium is translated into a beautiful creation. Check out how Quest Drape takes the simple element of drapery to a level unmatched! The impact alone fires me up...!

 

Playground Magazine - The Dying Thank-You Note

The 2u Collection just loves Playground Magazine! As fellow local entrepreneurs and independent business owners, we would like to show this fabulously fresh publication a little support and appreciation. Flipping through the pages of their latest issue, we ran across an article that hit close to home as Playground Magazine featured the importance of the Hand-Written Thank-You Note. Our stationary division more than agrees that this is a dwindling art that must NOT be lost. Sure, a card and a signature will cover the obligation, but there is something to be said about the increased gratitude that is exuded with a personalized touch.

CHECK OUT THE FALL ISSUE OF PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE to see their take & get some inspiration on expressing your own thanks! 

Color Inspiration - The Glory of Gold... on Gold

Luxurious and Bold Gold is a sure fire way to add a little Swank to your wedding!  Both romantic and sophisticated... this color adds elegance and tradition.  It's one of those colors that can make a bold statement, acting as your complete design base, or can add a dash of class as just the accent color. Using Gold in your event will envelope your guests with warmth and luxury!

Images courtesy of Detail Wedding Dress Blog, Venue Safari, Macys.com, The Ritzy Bee Blog, Martha Stewart Weddings, Imoni Events LLC, Wedding Nouveau

Inspiration Series - Ronnie Renaud @ RW Chocolate Fountains

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of RW Chocolate Fountain Rentals.

Featured in this installment is the oh-so-sweetly talented Ronnie Renaud of RW Chocolate.

At The 2u Collection we have been fortunate enough to indulge (inspiration enough) in the simply fantastic creations of this master confectioner & chocolatier extraordinaire. We like to consider ourselves "official" taste-testers, and let me tell you there is nothing to complain about! The only challenge? Putting these delectable dessert treats down! Solution?... We simply refrain from having scales in our creative space..... *wink*

Ronnie sets RW Chocolate apart from other industry professionals with her strong consideration for not only taste but the overall event aesthetic as well. It's not just chocolate flowing down a fountain, it's an adorned focal piece that fits. Truffles and cakes  are carefully arranged to compliment and enhance. You just haven't experienced sinful indulgence, until your lips are glitzed with glitter from her infamous Disco Balls. I'd have to say it's the fun and whimsy of it all that inspires me most. She also does amazing chocolate molds. You can see in the picture below! I had her make these for my best friends baby shower and they were a huge hit!!

I hope that you are lucky enough to enjoy not only these images, but her edible artistry as well.  May her work inspire you to 
break free!