2BSquared Designs

Rustic Lodge

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:33:00 +0000

Here is the lovely "Rustic Lodge" wedding invitation suite that's been sitting half finished in my design files for well... just about forever. Finally got around to dusting it off and completing the suite. Enjoy!

Font Friday: Wasua

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Looking to get down and dirty? Then todays #fontfriday type is for you. Wausau is a serif font in distress, chased by shadows...overly dramatic? Maybe just a tad...but it's a seriously cool type. Created by Yellow Design Studio, this font features a massive selection of alternate characters and ornaments including ornamental caps and at only $30, while it's not free it's well worth the price.

I smell coffee

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:57:00 +0000

Is there a 12 step program for coffee drinkers or do you just refer to yourself as a coffee aficionado? Sounds better than coffee junkie doesn't it? Either way I am not functional let alone verbal until I have had some java. Want to declare your love the stuff? Check out Column Five’s In Caffeine We Trust infographic print. You can track just how much you drink over the course of a month, then use a cup to paint your tally.

Journal Jars

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:05:00 +0000

So I've got a little design project I am working on...it's not going well. AT. ALL. I need to come up with a design for a journal. Easy peasy right? C'mon, I LOVE paper! I. LOVE. JOURNALS. How hard can it be? Apparently, tremendously. Why you ask? I like blank ones. Yeah... as in nothing on the cover. I gravitate to those gorgeous leather covered ones filled with endless crisp blank sheets of paper goodness.

Bird Journal from MoonandHare

See what I mean. Delish! But alas no go. So in my utterly depressed state as I trolled the interwebs I stumbled on Journal Jars. Totally not gonna work for my project but LOVE them! Decorative jars filled with slips of paper with a different journal topic. Clever and cute! My fav.

So the slips are supposed to act as prompts for "real" journals later on. So when you sit down to work on your journal, you pull out a slip, read the topic and start writing about that subject, event or memory.

I actually really love the idea of just putting the thoughts in the jar. Just jotting down a short note about the day, person or event and stashing it in the jar. Would make a great Mothers Day present or Graduation gift. Fill the jar with special memories about mom or the grad. Wanna make one? Go HERE to find out how.

Real Weddings: Jenna and Russ

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Just got these gorgeous pics right before the holidays from one of my lovely brides Jenna. Absolutely amazing...every detail! You can see the rest of her stunning wedding over at Kickstand Studios .

MInted Challenge: Its Party Time

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:31:00 +0000

You say it's your birthday....then check out my entries at Minted's Childrens Birthday Party Challenge. I would love it if you would take some time to vote and let Minted and me know what cha think?

Hand Lettered Calligraphy Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:31:00 +0000

Is this not the cutest stinkin thing you have ever seen? Made from stainless steel and a 15″ sterling silver chain, you can purchase this custom made calligraphy pendant from the hand lettering of calligrapher Crystal Kluge at Brevity.

Font Friday: Diner

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:49:00 +0000

Today is Friday and you know what that means. It's all about font love. Today's lovely font is called Diner. Available in four weights and all them for FREE.

DIY: Heirloom Wedding Keepsake

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Found this gorgeous brooch bouquet over at Bridal Guide. I thought I'd share their handy DIY guide for creating one of your own.

MATERIALS:

floral tape

craft wire

silk flowers ( hydrangeas pictured)

48 vintage broaches, pins, earrings

HOW TO:

1. Collect vintage brooches, pins, and earrings. Look for them at estate and garage sales, vintage and antique stores and resale shops.

2. Wire each brooch and covered the wire with floral tape. Form the silk flowers into your desired bouquet shape. Scatter the brooches throughout the silk flowers.

3. Cover the stems with vintage handkerchiefs, add a charm for your handle!

TIP: Save a couple of choice broaches, pins or earrings from your hunt and gift one to each of your bridesmaids!

DIY: Paint Chip Garland

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Looking a fun and quick DIY project for Valentines Day? Try this super cute paint chip garland. It's pretty self explantory: paint chips + paper punch = garland

Courtesy of GraceandLight

Real Wedding: Tomo and Phil's Antique Garden Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:03:00 +0000

I love. LOVE when brides share their pics of their big day but I am always tickled pink when I stumble on them myself! Was crusin the interwebs and found these lovely pics at Spindle Photography. Tomo was such a sweetheart and she looks amazing!

Off the Beaten Path

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Thought I would share some more cool designs for save the dates up for vote at Minted's Mark your Calendars that point your guests in the right direction.

Merge Ahead by KLC Notes

Bow and Arrows by Annie Clark

Here's a Story by Inkblot Paper

Black tied by Carol Fazio

A Show of Hands - Jenincmyk

Path to Love

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:16:00 +0000

i'm so excited to share my Path to Love save the date that I created for Minted 's Mark Your Calendars. I love the illustrated maps done by Laura Hopper and wanted to create a similar simpler concept. I love how it came out. It's up for vote now. Let Minted know if you like it!

DIY: Nautical striped yarn bangles

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Ahoy! This DIY project I found over at katye elliot will have you in knots! See her handy tutorial below or visit Martha Stewart's original craft post.

MATERIALS:
cheap acrylic bangles
cascade 220 wool yarn or cotton ( for year round wear)

HOW TO:
1. First, pick your first color and gather the yarn into a small ball. Tie a knot onto the bracelet and leave a long tail.
2. Wrap the yarn around the bracelet making sure to keep the strands even and tight; keep the first long tail exposed.
3. To change colors tie the two yarns together in a tight knot. The tighter the knot the smaller the bump. Trim the ends leaving two long tails.
4. Start wrapping with the second yarn to create tension. Drape the tails on the inside edge of the bracelet. Wrap the yarn over the tails. Hopefully the small knot will be the only evidence of a color change. Continue to wrap and change colors as you like.
5. When you reach the end secure the working yarn onto the long strand you have left dangling from when you first tied on. I clipped the ends and applied fabric glue on the knot and ends so they wouldn’t unravel. Don’t butt the two ends too close together. You want the knot to have some room to nest between the yarns and blend in.

Inspiration Board: Crochet

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:17:00 +0000

I don't knit or crochet but Mr. Wonderful comes from a long line of women who work wonders with a bit of yarn. Over the holidays I got an eyeful of some gorgeous antique dolies just laying around at his grandmothers house. It took an inhuman amount of strength not not to throw my tea cup of tea down and grab them but I did it. I might have politely mentioned though that if she should ever want to part with them. I would be the grandaughter in law ( hmmm...is that even a word)? most likely to accept them with open arms. She said "what these old things? They're old as dirt dear." Yes...yes I know grandma...that's just the way I like 'em.I think she was secretly pleased.

Anyhoo...until then. I created this to hold me over.

images from bhldn

This crochet wedding dress by Lela Rose is stunning coming and going!

I LOVE this necklace. So pretty for a wedding. Can you believe it’s only $32? Check it out at treeandkimball.

all images from bhldn

Away we go

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Check out some of my fav travel/destination save the dates currently up for vote in Minted's Mark you Calendars.

Prepare to Celebrate by Jana Volfova

Boarding Call by Jennifer Wick

Lift Ticket by Alex Elko

Costa Rica by Katie Wahn

Pack your Shades by Believe Notes

Want them? Need them? Go vote and let Minted know!

Inspiration Board: Ethereal

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:15:00 +0000

From the graceful shoulders to the A- line hem to the hundreds of appliqued butterflies, this airy organza dress from There Is Only You & Me, designed for BHLDN is a Spring Bride's answered prayer. Love the pleated tulle lining peeking out from the bottom. Looks like you're floating, rather than walking across the room! Seriously, I ask you . . . what bride doesn't want to look like she's doing that!

Source: 1) wedding gown 2) pearl necklace 3) headband 4) clutch

Quote of the Month

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0000

New for 2012.Quote of the Month.

A year in my rearview

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

2011.Oh the year that was. I will spare you the boring details but happily share the lessons learned. I found these lovely Maya Angelou quotes that sum it all up quite nicely.

LESSON #1

Making a "living" is not the same thing as making a life.

LESSON #2

You shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.
LESSON #3
Whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
LESSON #4

The main thing in one's own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry.
LESSON #5

Nothing will work unless you do.

LESSON #6

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.

LESSON#7

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
and my personal favorite

LESSON #8

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

Bad Holiday Photos

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

The world is filled with uber photogenic families which I must say are a joy to work with but I thought how fun would it be to a get a card with one of these pics plastered on it. Kinda puts a different spin on the phrase "Joy to the World" dont it?

Perfect Photo Syndrome

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Whew, holiday cards are finally in the mail. Ran a little behind this year...caught a severe case of "perfect photo syndrome." You know...it's when you obsess so long over which photo to use in your Christmas cards that they become Happy New Year cards. I never did find one I "loved" so my peeps got a randomly selected choice of shot a) a two year old pick of my holiday bedazzled front door or shot b) a year old photo of my boys. What can I tell ya...it's the best I could do. I've picked next years photo though... it's not me but the sentiment is perfect.

Let go my Logo

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:19:00 +0000

Stumbled across these fantastic uber clever minimalist logo designs and had to share!

Reuse, Recyle: Tank Top Totes

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:38:00 +0000

If you are like me...okay so maybe you already did this and you ARE NOT like me and just now sorting your summer clothes in December into the usual piles of:

What was I thinking ?

Damn dryer!
Still fits, still cute AND still in style.
and the lonely hearts club... tanks and tees that still rock but well, you just dont want to rock them anymore.

Before you resign them to the back and beyond of your closet check out this tutorial from Crafty Nest for turning them into uber cute totes!

Inspiration Board: Hello Sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:14:00 +0000

Check out the wedding suite featured in this inspiration board in my Etsy shop

I think there is a Candle Ring Shortage

noreply@blogger.com (About Me) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:57:00 +0000

It's is just me or does there seem to be a shortage of decorative holiday candle rings? I know they used to make them cuz I just gave away a boatload to goodwill so I could buy new ones. Perhaps I should have gauged the availabilty of said candle rings before I gave away the old ones? Once again desperation is the invention of all good decor at my house.

Start with one grapevine wreath...

Add 17 berry sprays found at AC Moore ....

Insert one glass hurricane and candle...

Equals = one rather cute and inexpensive custom candle ring.