There are big changes coming around here. And while we are preparing, we are in a little bit of chaos. But that’s OK. Deepak Chopra said so. And it’ll all be worth it. Stay tuned!
HEADSPACE + HEARTSPACE Page 9 of 21
In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities
From the moment he proposed I knew that I wanted to make our wedding cosy, handmade, special. And one of the most exciting parts of that for me – a paper lover and stationery addict – was the design of the wedding invitations.
We have opted for a very tiny wedding – only around 35 people – which is hard in one way (as we’d love to have all our friends there) but perfect in another – because it can be intimate and friendly, and because we can enjoy spending time with everyone there. And having just a few guests leaves room for more unusual invitations, and more time to spend on each. Although I wasn’t quite expecting it to take me two months…!
Adventure is a massive part of the life my man and I share, and it was one of our years for 2012 when we got engaged (in the middle of a big adventure in Japan), so it seemed appropriate to use that as inspiration for the invitations. In the end we decided to make each one a message in a bottle, with the invitation wrapped up inside the glass.
The invitations can be pulled out of the bottles using string with a key attached – a key which looks medieval, like the building where we will get married later this year. I made the invitations using paper I made myself at the Awagami paper factory in rural Japan.
The front of the invite itself is an illustration that I commissioned from talented designer Libby McMullin, using one of my favourite quotes: “In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities”. I hope we continue to believe that every day of our married lives.
Wrapped around each bottle was a mini paper book, hand stitched, containing details of the day’s logistics. The cover of this book was a piece of exquisite paper from my favourite paper shop in Paris.
I loved every moment of making them, and never stopped to think that the RSVPs might also be made with care.
Here is the one my parents sent back to us – a gorgeous tiny envelope reply tied with ribbon inside a delicate bird cage. What a precious gift.
Ahhh weddings are so special…
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Are you married? What were your invitations like? What did they mean to you?
Hello 2013!
(The Do What You Love declaration and a sneak peek at our new branding, all to unveiled very shortly with a brand new website!)
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I have a very good feeling about this year.
Apart from the fact that I am getting married(!!) there is so much to look forward to. And there is something in the air that makes it feel like a year full of possibility.
I know there are some big changes coming, but I am excited about them all.
How about you? What are you hoping for in the year ahead?
Whatever it is, I hope you spend 2013 doing what you love!
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PS Do What You Love is getting a major overhaul for the new year – stay tuned for a brand new website later this month, with heaps of fresh resources to help you make 2013 the year you finally start doing what you love, for life!
Farewell 2012
A cup of celebratory gold-leaf tea for you
2012 was always going to be a big year. It had a circle round it in the ten year calendar of my mind ever since London won the right to host the Olympics back in 2005. And for many years I was involved in that monumental build up… but then I changed track, and ended up here, with a very different 2012 from that which I had imagined. It has been a sparkling, eye opening, special year, so I thought I would write it a letter.
Dear 2012,
You were extraordinary.
You made me slow down, speak up, laugh every day.
You made me move half way round the world, and back again.
You taught me how to make beautiful paper with my own two hands.
You showed me sunrises and sunsets, mountains, sand dunes, ocean, sky.
You introduced me to some amazing new people, and saw me get engaged to my true love.
You were full of adventures, you made me learn and grow, you pushed the boundaries of what I thought I could do.
You surprised me, uplifted me, delighted me.
And you have brought me here to the cusp of 2013, where I have no idea what is going to happen next year, except that I am going to get married, go on a honeymoon, start a new chapter and choose love.
I am grateful for so many of the things, people, experiences, opportunities you presented – please have a word with 2013 so they keep on coming!
Thank you 2012. For everything. I will miss you
Beth
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Wherever you are in the world, whatever year lies behind you, and whatever year lies ahead of you, I wish you a moment of stillness to be thankful, and to choose to make 2013 the year that YOU do what you love.
Thought for the week (1)
Where will your imagination take you this week?
Introducing the Wall Of Wisdom
The other day I painted every inch of a wall in our house black. Not just any black – blackboard black! And now I can doodle and scribble to my heart’s content. It is such fun!
And in the process I decided to write an inspirational quote on there and thought it looked cool. And so the Wall of Wisdom was born. Every Monday I am going to share an inspiring quote from my Wall of Wisdom – sometimes musings of mine, and sometimes those of others. I am going to start with the quotes you told us are your favourites (in the comments of this post).
And if this day – December 21 2012, is not the end of the world as some predict, then what a perfect day to begin the rest of your life. There is no better time to ask “What are you waiting for?”
Please feel free to share the Black Wall of Wisdom images on your blog/Facebook/Twitter and inspire someone today and every Friday!
The Simple Things
Have you discovered this beautiful magazine yet? I have been a subscriber since issue 2 and I absolutely love it. The magazine is a celebration of all simple things in life – from gathering round a bonfire to eating with friends, from making gifts by hand to exploring the countryside. There are delicious words, unusual stories, mouthwatering recipes and breathtaking photography. There are wise words, and things your grandparents knew about but have somehow got lost in time. It is a magazine that encourages you to pause for a moment, be grateful, and do something simple just because it is fun, beautiful, special.
I have a feeling you might like ‘The Simple Things’ too.
Selvedge
For those of you who have not discovered Selvedge magazine, I encourage you to seek it out. Dedicated to ‘textiles in fashion, fine art, interiors, travel and shopping’, the Nov/Dec issue is, as always, a visual feast. It feels like midwinter, with the snowy white cover and wintry woodland photoshoot (complete with eagles and horses) showing off exquisite textiles at their best.
Issue 2 of MOYO is here! Featuring Marie Perkins, Khristian A Howell and more!
Issue 2 of MOYO is here! This bumper second issue of the world’s only online magazine dedicated to surface pattern design includes exclusive industry insight with Marie Perkins of leading blog Print & Pattern discussing the changing face of surface pattern design, and designer Khristian A. Howell talking colour and collections.
We need your help! How can we serve you better?
As we approach our second birthday here at Do What You Love HQ, we need your help!
We are undergoing a BIG overhaul of our website and online presence, and we want to hear from you. What do YOU want from us? How can we serve you better?
Image: Kohari