enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Watercolorinvite

One of my bestfriends, Erin, is having a baby girl in April. I'm so excited to be co-hosting her shower at my house in the beginning of March. Early in the process, when we asked Erin what she wanted the shower to be like she responded, "I'm feeling earthtones." So "earthtones" it is.

We're going to throw a candlelit dinner/backyard picnic with s'mores and twinkle lights then spend the night on air mattresses in my living room watching movies. There are just six of us girls so it's a small group and perfect for this sort of party.

Watercolorinvites4

At the end of last month, I wanted to get the invitations out the door and decided instead of messing around with graphics in Photoshop, I'd work up something super simple (black text on white paper) and then add color embellishment with watercolors. I always love the look of a simple font (this is Gotham) paired with script. I used my tablet to handwrite her name (though you could totally handwrite the name after printing too).

Watercolorinvites2

I left plenty of space on the top of the invite to add the watercolor though I wasn't sure exactly what it would be. I "practiced" my colors with some lines on scratch paper and decided simple lines were perfect.

Watercolorinvites

A little bit of paint mixing and I had four "earthtone" colors from my cheap watercolor set. These were crazy simple to make but so fun. I forget how much I enjoy these sorts of projects and man do I love "designing" with no agenda at all. I am so looking forward to throwing this party.

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35 responses to “watercolor baby shower invites.”

  1. Elizabeth Avatar

    These are so lovely! I always love how watercolors look, but get intimidated because they seem complicated/easy to mess up. These are simple and perfect. Definitely stored away in my “project ideas” for the next shower/fun event I get to plan.

    Like

  2. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I absolutely adore these!!! love the simplicity, but so modern and chic too

    Like

  3. Jen L. Avatar

    I’m thinking fun DIY business cards.
    Thanks for the endless inspiration, E.
    Jen @ Upcycled Education

    Like

  4. Dusty Leslie Avatar

    These are really adorable! What fun! That shower sounds like it will be fabulous. I really love those earth tones, I am just an earth tones kinda’ gal. 🙂 p.s. and I really love that script font!

    Like

  5. andrea Avatar
    andrea

    So simple but so beautiful. Just curious, when you write with your tablet, do you use the brush or a pen tool? I got a tablet for christmas and I’m still trying out what I can do with it.
    Oh and I will try to catch the first item in your shop. (Although it’s 6 am in Switzerland when they will be released.) It’s so beautiful. 🙂

    Like

  6. caitlin frost Avatar

    i love these! especially the simplicity and unique touch.
    http://www.caitlinmfrost.wordpress.com

    Like

  7. caitlin frost Avatar

    i love these! especially the simplicity and unique touch.
    http://www.caitlinmfrost.wordpress.com

    Like

  8. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    oh, and LOVE that you added hash tags, too! Is that a regular thing with your group???

    Like

  9. Traci Avatar

    I like that each one is a little bit different, and I love that earth tones were chosen for the color scheme! Thanks for sharing this project.

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  10. Martina Avatar

    Very simple and elegant looking – lovely! Quick question if you don’t mind….the blur effect you use hide sensitive info is that a photoshop effect, and is it in full photoshop or in PSE? I’ve been using free photo editing software up til now and I’m thinking of upgrading to Photoshop now and I’m trying to decide between full photoshop and PSE….thanks 🙂
    Martina

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  11. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    These are very cute.

    Like

  12. Jenny @ Coffee and Honeycomb Avatar

    AHHH! ELISE, YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!
    Even with simple invitations you are BRILLIANT.
    Thank you for sharing the entire process for how you did this… As I was reading I was thinking of questions I wanted to ask: the font you used, handwriting, how you chose colors, but yet you answered them all. (: These turned out so great and the event sounds like it’s going to be a blast! Please post photos of how you did the backyard candle night—I’m intrigued! It sounds simple + classy.
    Congrats to your friend!

    Like

  13. Jenny @ Coffee and Honeycomb Avatar

    Ps. Downloading Gotham, STAT.
    And I would download your handwriting in a heart-beat if I could.

    Like

  14. Amanda - Small Home Big Start Avatar

    Looove this idea! Simple, yet so dynamic. Great job 🙂
    Ditto to Jenny @ Coffee and Honeycomb ^^^ on downloading Gotham.

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  15. michelle t Avatar
    michelle t

    Pretty paper. Love it. Michelle t

    Like

  16. Katie Stilwater Avatar

    LOVE these! Thanks for sharing which font you used. Also, I would totally buy your handwriting font, too. Maybe a new business venture in the future?? 😉

    Like

  17. Welcome Home Taylor Avatar

    I love this! I’m definitely going to be using this idea for my sister’s upcoming shower. Did you print the invites yourself or go through an online shop?
    xoxo
    Taylor
    http://www.welcomehometaylor.com

    Like

  18. Nicholette Garcia Avatar

    What app do you use to add your handwriting on your tablet?

    Like

  19. Brittany Avatar

    The invitations are adorable. I love the watercolor and simple type/lettering. Also, what a fun idea for a baby shower! I will have to keep that in mind for future reference!

    Like

  20. Jan Avatar

    What a great party idea for a bunch of gals! Also love the original invite idea …makes it even more personal …how very special. Did your use watercolor paper?

    Like

  21. Emily Avatar

    These are great! And that sounds like such a fun party idea, I wish I could get all my girls together for a slumber party!

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  22. Jess Avatar

    Love the invites and the party idea! Sounds like a very fun and relaxing way to celebrate a mama-to-be.

    Like

  23. Fanny Avatar

    I love them!
    Good job!!
    The party sounds really fun and special!!

    Like

  24. May Avatar
    May

    This sounds like the most magical, perfect, and feminine baby shower!

    Like

  25. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    I use the pen tool… cleaner text. 🙂

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  26. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    I’ll throw hashtags on anything. 🙂

    Like

  27. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    It’s the “finger smudge” tool in PSE

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  28. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    the trouble is my handwriting looks good as full words and lame as individual letters. 🙂

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  29. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    printed myself on normal paper. 🙂

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  30. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    Nope, just cream text weight paper.

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  31. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Such a cute idea for a baby shower! I’m sure you girls will have an amazing night of festivities and fun 🙂

    Like

  32. Color Me Water Avatar
    Color Me Water

    Love them! So simple, yet so gorgeous.
    I also kinda like the practice invite as a finished look. 🙂

    Like

  33. Fran Avatar

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