A Few of My favorite Things

I am really looking forward to time in the studio today. It’s one of those days where the garden and studio blend into one, and there is no place I would rather be.

No iTunes for now. Singing birds, wind chimes and falling water provide the perpetual soundtrack to my designing whims. All the players know their role and there is perfect harmony here.

Upon observing the promise of the day, I was eager to see my 3 ½ mile power walk to completion. And I confess, part two of my workout, my yoga postures, was a bit hurried in anticipation of what was to come.

One of my favorite rituals is to take on creative tasks after I have adorned myself with my treasures. So today I am wearing a top given to me by my friend Donna. It was hers before it was mine. She is a creative and spiritual being, also a fellow musician. I like that this colorful clothing has a history with her. I am sure that’s why it always feels so wonderful to wear it.

I’m also wearing a favorite ring that I purchased for myself. It’s sharing the right hand with a charm bracelet that was a gift from my mother.

My left wrist, also charmed, honors my husband and celebrates 3 years of being cancer free.

It’s time to stop writing and dive into the sea of  bliss that awaits. Although my studio is a hop, skip and a jump away from Disneyland. For me, today this is the happiest place on earth.

Joyfully Yours,
Paula Estes
Botanical Artist and
Fan of Rituals

Poppy Love

One of my favorite botanicals to design with is the poppy, a colorful, vibrant flower. Against paper they have the appearance of a fine translucent fabric, adding interest and beauty to a hand crafted note card or invitation.

I enjoy having poppies as members of my garden family during the first few months of the year. I get to witness the remarkable unfolding of each blossom, and sip tea in the multi colored luxury of their beauty.

Below are pictures of the very first to arrive last weekend. I stepped outside of the studio to welcome them and record the moment.

Prior to blooming , hairy stems supporting swollen
buds have a fascinating “from another planet” look.

You don't know what color flower you are getting
until it opens; usually white, yellow, orange or red.

The reveal is as awesome as a butterfly shedding its cocoon. 

Crumpled petals break through their shell and reach for the sky.

There’s more poppy love to come, from the garden and studio of Petalos di Pauli. Until then, take time to breathe and enjoy the miracles of each day.

Joyfully Yours,

Paula Estes
Botanical Artist
Petalos di Pauli

Ceremony Magazine Features South Asian Creations

Petalos di Pauli is always thrilled to be among the vendors chosen to be featured in Ceremony magazine. The current Orange County issue features two offerings from our South Asian Wedding Invitation line.  Paula Estes, owner and designer for Petalos di Pauli, draws from her passion and expertise to create a uncommon blend of modern western and traditional South Asian cultures into her line of wedding invitations. Petalos di Pauli is known as the "designers of elegant, handmade stationery embellished with real botanicals for your special event." Paula's knowledge of South Asian customs and ceremonies, means that the cultural background of your event will be honored while creating a unique but traditional wedding invitation.

At Petalos di Pauli we specialize in custom invitations and stationery. The myriad of paper choices in a variety of textures are just the beginning of the design experience. We have over ten thousand design elements to help you create the invitation of your dreams.

Petalos di Pauli Custom Invitation

Often when planning a South Asian wedding, couples feel limited in their invitation choices. They may only know of a couple of local stores or websites that offer ethnic wedding cards. Petalos di Pauli's reputation for great customer service is complemented by Paula's passion and sincere desire to deliver a product that exceeds every client's expectations. You can come into our studio and hold samples of our high quality invitations, experiencing the excitement that your guests will experience when they receive your wedding invitation. We will help you put all the pieces together, including stylish presentations designed to hold multiple inserts.

Petalos di Pauli Custom Invitation

Petalos di Pauli Custom Invitation

Weddings are filled with tradition and history, whether it is South Asian or another culture. At Petalos di Pauli we strive to make your wedding invitations announce your wedding with all of the style and tradition that is uniquely yours. After all, at Petalos di Pauli, we have our traditions too. Namely, providing invitations that help fulfill your dreams for your wedding.

Letters and Kisses

What do a handwritten letter and a kiss have in common? Perhaps more than one might imagine. I’ve always felt that a kiss actually begins the moment you think about kissing someone, and that the prelude and wonderment of the gesture serves the purpose of extending that pleasure.

Likewise, the enjoyment of a card or letter starts with the wrapper, displaying my name in the unique handwriting of my correspondent.  And, like a kiss, I find the anticipation leading to the experience exciting and thought provoking. A mini mystery, if you will: a sealed envelope, delivered by a government agent, intended for my eyes only! Sometimes the color or texture of an envelope evokes a mood and can elevate my level of enthusiasm, with the stamp and postmark adding interest, depending on their point origin.

Clearly, I savor the experience of receiving old fashioned snail mail. With so many options for social communication, handwritten expression strikes me as a truly personal exchange. You might know people who have taken the task to the nth degree with, for example, a perfumed envelope and a lipstick kissed flap. For me, that person is Oma who used to send me cards whose envelopes were almost entirely covered with stickers! Although she died last year, I will always think of her with a smile, remembering the special way she brightened my days.

Of course, I also love being on the sending end of beautiful stationery, which in part lead to the creation of Petalos di Pauli. Over the past 7 years it has been a pleasure serving those who, like me, relish the experience of an almost forgotten art.

In closing, I'll offer a reminder: "Life is short" and encourage everyone to write often and kiss passionately. And may both expressions of sentiment leave lasting impressions on the people you love.

Paula Estes

Botanical Artist and

Promoter of Sentiments

Bloomin' News

We are thrilled to announce that Petalos di Pauli is featured as the cover story in the January-February 2010 issue of The Bloomin' News, a well know trade magazine published by the American Florists' Exchange/Los Angeles Flower Market.

The Bloomin' News featured Petalos di Pauli because of Paula Estes's unique use of botanicals in her stationery designs. Paula views the Los Angeles Flower District as an extension of her design "tool box," offering a wide assortment of flowers that translate into a rich color palette. The Flower Market provides Paula with the means to obtain botanicals that are difficult to grow in her personal gardens. When filling large orders for cards or complete wedding ensembles, the Los Angeles Flower District is an invaluable resource.

The Bloomin' News is published by the American Florists' Exchange / Los Angeles Flower Market every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November). The publication was started in October 1949 by the Southern California Floral Association, which operated the two major wholesale flower markets (Los Angeles Flower Market and Southern California Flower Market, the largest wholesale flower district in the United States) that, along with storefront vendors, today comprise the Los Angeles Flower District in the 700 block of Wall Street in Los Angeles.

To read the article go to www.BloominNews.com

Bidding a fond farewell to 2009 and welcoming 2010!

It may seem like we just got through the holidays, but we find ourselves well into January 2010. We would love to start the year off by sharing what made 2009 exciting for us, as well as what we are looking forward to in 2010. The 2009 holiday season was a treat in part because Petalos di Pauli was selected to design and handcraft 400 unique Seasonal Greeting Cards for Ceremony Magazine and CaliforniaWeddingWave.com. To be selected out of so many talented designers was an honor for us.


Paula Estes, owner of Petalos di Pauli, has always been known for her exceptional client relationships and it was those relationships that inspired Paula to explore new territory and form new friendships within the Indian Community. Paula teamed up with Amy Shah Patel of Planning Elegance, and participated in our first South Asian Bridal Show. In an effort to meet our clients' event visions, we now carry Charu's Wedding Collection from India, which offers a wide selection of exquisite and ornate Hindu, Muslim and Sikh wedding cards and accessories.

Our custom stationery line was enhanced last year by continuing to grow to include stationery for all of life's special events. One such custom design was a Photo Card that served as a "Thank you" for each guest attending a 50th Birthday Celebration. The client asked us to design the cards, as well as a sentiment that touched on the goodness of life and friendship. At the client's celebration, a picture was taken of each guest that was later incorporated into the design.

Petalos di Pauli continues with its efforts to make our planet a better place. We have discovered new ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and our company tries to share as much knowledge as possible. We have also contributed to the fundraising efforts of organizations such as UNICEF, St. Mary's Medical Center, and Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, among others.

As we look forward into 2010, Petalos di Pauli will continue to grow, while still giving our clients the excellence they have come to expect. In our upcoming Blogs, expect to hear from our founder and lead designer, Paula Estes. Those who have worked with her, clients and colleagues, know her well. Now in 2010, Paula has vowed to connect on a broader and more personal level, bringing "off-line" adventures "on-line" and sharing her inspiration. Paula's educational knowledge, combined with her entertaining wit, will provide for great blogs this year!

Look for an announcement of our Online Store opening soon. We will be carrying a line of Social Stationery, Greeting Cards and Note Cards. These beautiful creations, perfect for gift giving or personal use, will be embellished with the botanical artistry for which we have become known. Let 2010 be the year that you express yourself through the design concepts that make Petalos di Pauli your source for unique stationery using real flowers. Happy New Year!

Ancient and Lovely Ginkgo Leaves

In her studio, Paula has been designing an invitation using Ginkgo Leaves. The leaves are beautiful and versatile, and because of their history, they are a strong botanical component on which to build an invitation design.

The Ginkgo is a "living fossil," whose relatives date back 270 million years. Because it is such an ancient plant, it has been important in many cultures, including the Chinese and Japanese. Confucius is said to have spent time reading, reflecting and teaching under such a tree – this has led the ginkgo biloba tree to have a special meaning in Confucianism.

“The neutral golden or green leaves pair easily with other design elements. The elegant shape makes it an ideal botanical to design with,” says Paula.