Pushing the envelope with trendsetting ideas

Pushing the envelope with trendsetting ideas
Elsje Designs creates fun & functional gifts, stationery and table decor with a true South African touch

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Our first CARD-OF-THE-WEEK



We will aim to select a weekly "card of the week" to publish. Tough choice but Linnett (our senior graphic designer) has committed to help me choose from an all too wide array of beautiful cards!

This particular invitation is plain and simple, tied with a beautiful ornate lasercut belly band. Every page is a different colour paper, though we decided to keep the front page white, to keep it clean and simple - allowing the lace band to do the talking! Less is afterall more...

Friday, April 9, 2010

A taste of trends to come


Li Edelkoort: A taste of trends to come

Birds will offer inspiration during the next two to three years. And even though there were hints before, this trend will grow into a full-blown movement that will extend from fashion to architecture, says international trend forecaster Li Edelkoort.

“Our relationship with nature and animals is going to deepen,” predicts Li, whose informative and inspirational seminars outline the styles, materials, colours and marketing strategies that will be important in years to come. “I don’t think trends can get better than they are at the moment.”

Major trend: birds in fashion
Exploring the influence that birds will have on fashion during Autumn/Winter 2011/12, Li notes that there will be a strong focus on blurred edges and visual texture, reminiscent of soft, yellow chicks. Fabrics will be soft, cuddly and tactile.

Swans, traditionally associated with dancing, will continue to have an influence: we’ll be seeing more lace, tulle and fluttering knits. Water birds will influence the colour palette: expect to see blue, grey and green, with the pea coat taking centre stage as a key item of the season.

Inspiration will also come from urban birds: colours will be bleak, echoing concrete, and abstract patterns will dominate garments. The healthy, slow lifestyle associated with peasant poultry will also leave its mark: we’ll wear honest clothes in warm, deep colours and vintage prints.

We’ll be inspired by weaver birds and their nests, with fabrics made from hand-spun yarns. The coloured coats of singing birds will inspire us to wear sophisticated brights, while birds of prey will move us towards powerful neutrals, casual clothes and folk details.
Words Carine Visagie, Visi Magazine

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The latest font in our family

Can we ask for money on our invitation?

An etiquette query that we often come across, is how to tell your guests that you would prefer money to wedding gifts. This is an extremely tricky question to answer and the last thing you want to do, is to offend your guests.

Regardless of how you will word this request, there is one requirement. Do not put this on your invitation. Wedding invitations are a keepsake for many of your guests and the last thing they want to be reminded of is your request for cash, even if you decide to use a quirky money verse!

There are a few options for getting around the "We want money" issue:
• Try to spread the request verbally via your family and your closest friends.
• By not registering, you're motivating your guests especially the ones that might be very busy, to go the cash route.


Remember, it's not possible to please everyone attending your wedding.