Letterpress Love: New Business Cards

I had a wonderful date with a Chandler and Price letterpress on Sunday.  The result, my new business cards!  I'm super proud of these, they turned out great and I can't wait to start handing these babies out! 

Besides actually allowing me some time with her press Tanya over at Snap and Tumble was a great help including her guidance mixing the blue ink you see on the cards. Thanks Tanya!

PLAY with Softbox Pro

As promised I had some time this week to take a few pics with the app Softbox Pro, that I had discovered last week.  The picture is one I took with the app in a dark room with the only light source being the Softbox Pro app on the iPad, and two pieces of metallic paper to act as reflectors.  The results I got where only okay, but I'm sure that has something to do with my lack of skill in the photography area.  I think I'll have to create a light box, or maybe use some tinfoil to reflect the light and see how those photos turn out.

Now a little about the invitation in the picture.  I created the invitation for an organization called PLAY - Physical Lifestyle for Autistic Youth.  When I was contacted in late January to create the invitation for their event I was happy to help out.  PLAY is a non-profit agency dedicated to facilitating the well-being of families living with autism.

Abstract Owl

There’s nothing better than framed artwork made by little hands, so imagine my delight when my son brings home this awesomely cool piece of art he created at school.  He’s an amazing artist, athlete, son and big brother, what a blessing he is!

There's an App for that?!

Image taken with 'Softbox Pro' as the only lighting source Flickr

While browsing the App store I came across this app called Softbox Pro. Softbox Pro claims to "Turn your iPad into a professional studio lighting system". I'm really excited to test this app out and see if it improves my product shots! I'll take a few test shots and post the results next week.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Is it okay to have guests reply to my wedding by email, phone or text message?

Let me start by saying I can imagine the appeal some couples may see in bypassing the reply card envelope in that it saves the cost of the envelope the cost of the postage, and I suppose for some it may be easier to check their email in-box than their mail box.  However, etiquette says a written reply is necessary for a written invitation, which would mean it’s a no to email and phone replies.  Usually I’m not a stickler for etiquette however I’m going to agree with this one and say your wedding invitations should include a reply card WITH addressed envelope and sufficient postage.  That being said, you can’t stop your guests if they decide to text, email or call in their reply, but it shouldn’t be encouraged by adding them as options to your reply card. 

Although I’m on etiquette's side {this time} I also believe in options.  If you are adamant about providing alternative options to your guests for their reply, instead of adding an email address or telephone number on the response card consider incorporating your wedding website on a separate insert card.  This way you can create a wedding website that will allow guests to respond to the invitation as well as get additional information about the venue, transportation, accommodation etc. while still allowing other guests the more traditional method of mailing the reply card.  

Under no circumstances should you invite guests, or allow them to reply to your wedding celebration via Facebook, Twitter, My Space etc.  Ask yourself if your wedding belongs beside the ‘Beer Bash’ the friend of a friend of a friend is throwing, or beside a Farmville request or potentially tweeted for many unknown followers.  Think about the feeling and tone you want to have for your wedding and determine if the decisions you are making fall in line with that vision, feeling and tone.

A snap shot of the design process

A comparison of what I send a client during the proof process (top images), and what they receive as the finished product (bottom two images).

One of the many things I love about being a designer is watching a project progress through the different stages.  Starting with the notes I scribble during the initial consult to the proofs and then to the finished product, each step is so exciting. 

p.s. The finished product looks even better in person.

Why not have it all!

 

Envelopments® stock and Midori Ribbon create a beautiful combination!

Most of the designs I create for clients involve pocket fold invitations, however I think options are wonderful!  This invitation is a great alternative to a pocket fold.  It saves on cost without sacrificing design and your insert cards are held together just as neatly as they would be in a pocket fold.  With this invitations there's no need to sacrifice style or functionality for budget.