I LOVE this script.
(I mean look at the X... isn't is just gorgeous?!)
It is a perfect combination of elegance and grace. A wonderful font for all things wedding.

{You can download this font for free here.}

Inspiration to Creation: Bachelorette Party Invitations

{Inspiration} Napkin

{Creation} Bachelorette Party Invitations

My client is planning a bachelorett party for a friend and had already purchased the napkins as inspiration for the party theme and decorations. She asked me to design an invitation based on the napkin... I think it turned out beautifully!

Inside Look: New Inspiration

An inside look at what I am currently working on: custom wedding invitations. My most recent client is using these images as her inspiration for her upcoming wedding next spring. The couple will be using orchids and wanted to incorporate them into the invitations. My job is to make that happen. I will be drawing the orchids, giving the invitations a very organic feel.

Super excited about this project!




Just a little peek into the way I work:

Some of you have asked me how I do all that I do... I thought I would take a minute to let you know the systems I have created and put into place that help our life be less crazy, less stressful, more productive, and fun!

Note the lists upon lists. I am super forgetful by nature, thus the multiple lists. (I carry this amazing planner with me everywhere. *Little secret, I always buy my planner a day or so after Christmas when they are 50% off.)

I wear many hats... I am a wife, mother, church graphic designer, business owner/designer... The way I manage (I use that term loosely) all of those roles? I schedule out my days (morning playtime with Drew, cleaning/laundry in the mornings, etc.) and assign myself different tasks for different days - note the mini calendar paper clipped to the top of the planner. As for my personal design work I have a 'Weekly Task List.' I start a new list each week updating the clients and tasks needed to complete for each client. At the top of the 'Weekly Task List' is a small list of the things I should be doing weekly to maintain my business (i.e. updating my shop with new products, blogging regularly, researching/designing new products, etc.)... 'should be' is the key word.

I am learning though, that more important than lists and schedules, is flexibility and correct priorities when it comes to balancing so many roles. My goal with the schedule and the list taking is not to live this crazy rigid life where I am never available to meet with a friend or have a playdate, but to eliminate stress.... because if I am stressed then so is my husband... and really, he has enough to worry about without me freaking out about my printer not working or that the post office is closed.

I hope this was helpful. I would love to hear from you about how you balance all that you do!

Do you have any other questions for me about this sort of thing? I am by no means a master but I have spent the last year working on this very thing pretty much daily... so I may have a few ideas to help you! ;)

Font Love: Existence

I LOVE the super thin lines of this font.
And my favorite letter? The lowercase f, the way is extends high and low... beautiful.

{You can download Existence for free here.}

Inspiration to Creation: Vintage Strawberries

I love finding inspiration from everyday things. This beautiful photo of strawberries sparked the artist within me and this sweet little birthday invitation was created.

{inspiration photo courtesy of Shay Cochrane Photography}

I drew a simple line drawing of the strawberries and used a vintage color scheme, both directions were inspired from the photograph.

Along with the invitation I created matching address labels.
The return address is printed on the left hand side of the invitation and wraps around the envelope.

As a designer I love a complete design experience from the outside in. For example, coordinating colored envelopes with the address label and opening up to the invitation. At the actual birthday party you could carry on the entire idea with the vintage color scheme, a coordinating birthday banner and cupcake toppers (strawberry cupcakes of course), favor tags with strawberry candy or strawberry jam... I could go on and on.

ah. I love this.

(and my husband just caught me smiling at my computer like a little school girl with a crush... haha... hilarious.)

Inside Look: Wedding Invitations

I am working on updating my wedding invitations. I am designing all the coordinating pieces in order to make a complete wedding stationary suite: response cards, thank you cards, programs, menus, etc. My goal is to complete these designs soon and begin on the line of wedding stationary for 2011.

What wedding color palettes would you love to see? Do you have any suggestions for future wedding stationary design? Is there something that you have been looking for and can't seem to find for your special day? I would love to hear from you!

Do you have a favorite?

Favorite Finds - Savannah

Last week I had the privilege to spend 5 days alone with my husband (well... not really, we had a tag along 3 month old to keep us company as well) as we celebrated our 5 year anniversary on May 20th.

We had an amazing time in Savannah, Georgia. We explored every nook of that beautiful city.

My favorite finds this week? All the things that I loved in Savannah!

1. THE FOOD. I am pretty sure we ate more than should be humanly possible...{fun wall of old signs inside a candy shop that we frequented multiple times a day}

{have you ever seen anything more yummy?}

2. THE AGE. I love that everything has a history there. The architecture is amazing and such inspiration... every detail was thought through back in those days (1800-1900's).

3. THE PARKS. Within the city there are 22 squares or parks that are just gorgeous. There were trees in some of the parks that are probably around 300 years old!

4. THE SHOPS. Adorable boutiques and antique stores line the streets.

5. TYBEE ISLAND. A little beach community about 15 minutes away that houses one of the oldest lighthouses in the nation.

6. EVERYTHING. Let's be honest. I loved everything about this little city and loved the opportunity to explore it with the one I love the most!

{this door was my favorite for no particular reason....
although the layers of peeling paint I find beautiful in combination with the crystal doorknob.}


What's the best place you have ever visited and why? I would love to hear from you!