great words to live by in the new year.
from LookyLoo Letterpress, available on etsy.

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Back from a whirlwind Christmas vaca on Wednesday, December 31st and will return messages & emails then.

Cheers!

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front & back. double sided flat card. 7" x 5".

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My friends, The Chiesa Family, just picked up their holiday cards yesterday.  Sarah couldn't decide which photos to use of her beautiful baby girl - so she had me create - not one, but two - holiday cards!  Fabulous.  The portraits were taken by my good friend Jessica Giblin of Jessica Giblin Photography.

I'm wrapping up a few other holiday card orders and will have more pics to publish soon!

Stay warm ...

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Hello, all!  I will be out of the studio this weekend painting a mural for my niece.  Photos to come ... :)  I will have access to email and my cell - will be checking messages a few times a day.  Returning non-urgent messages on Monday.  Have a happy weekend!

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We also can design custom graduation announcements for college and/or high school. Just call us or stop in for more information.

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Just wanted to post a quick note about my schedule.  My work days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.  Most of you who know me - know that I usually answer my phone later in the evening - but I try to close up the studio around 5pm to share a meal with my family.  I prefer to book appointments on Mondays & Sundays - anytime day or evening.

I am off on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  This is new.  I have finally realized that I am not a machine and need to rest my mind & body to be in tip-top creative shape.  I actually turn off my phone and check messages (both phone & email) once during those days.  It's a bit of a necessity to get that uninterrupted 1:1 time in with my family.  I return messages on the following work day.  

I'll also be posting messages/notes/updates to the blog under SJD Messages in the label section to the right >> so that you know the 411 24/7.  It's just the quickest and easiest way to get a note out to the masses.  Mostly quick notes like updates to my schedule, product availability, and the like.

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Does everyone get mushy like me around the Holidays?  At the movies yesterday with my family, (we saw Bolt - super funny and a great pic for the whole family by the way) at the end of the movie I found myself blubbering like I don't even know what.  Earlier in the week, we rented Narnia: Prince Caspian (also a good family pic) and every time (I've tortured myself by watching it, and crying with it, three times!) the movie nears the end there's this song (I have to figure out what the name is) starts and the waterworks start.  My goodness - it's not even just movies a commercial can get me too!

Guess it's that I start thinking about everything all at once ... what am I making for dinner, ooo - have to grocery shop, finish up holiday shopping, get out the holiday cards, return phone calls, check email, finish that artwork, assemble those invites, did I send out all my estimates, did I figure out preschool for next week, am I getting enough sleep - no, I really want to see Twilight, am I heading in the right direction with my career, the weight of our country's economic woes, the fact that our Christmas will not be as grand as years past and more and more ... then (there's a glimmer of light) realize that I don't mind the previous list so much since really do have so much to be thankful for and just well up.  I really hope the tearing up goes away soon.  People may start to ask questions.  :)  Or maybe they're just thinking (ladies this is) that we really are all a lot more alike that we'd like to think.

I definitely am thankful - that is for sure.  To my past, present and future clients ... thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me to create the first glimpse into your most special events.  I am blessed to have worked with wonderful brides, businesses and families thought out my 6 year stretch as a business owner/graphic designer and really do love every crazy moment of it.  My growing business would not be possible with out ya'll!!

The pic above is from my annual holiday photo shoot with the two men in my life.  Oooo, they are so cute.  Without their love and support (along with the rest of my family), I wouldn't make it through a week.

I talk a a lot throughout my blog about my friends at The Memory Journalists and this year we were honored to have two photographers from the studio shoot our family pics.  We sorta felt like we were being stalked by the paparazzi for the afternoon - and loved it.  We do enjoy hamming it up for the camera.  :)  I have been blessed not only with great clients throughout the years, but have formed lasting friendships with colleagues through projects in the wedding & event industry.  Thank you to you all (ya'll know who you are!) for being a great source of inspiration and support!  

I know that all seems just a little disjointed - sort of rambling a little but I hope the message is clear - Thank you, everyone for everything you do to make my life a little sweeter.  Cheers!

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We carry pewter seals and wax sticks in our store. We can also order your monogram in a seal to customize your envelopes.

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last night loveleigh invitations attended the preview party for the 2009 lemon ball, benefiting alex's lemonade stand. loveleigh is donating the design for all the print materials for the event! the party was at g lounge and was a great time. it was the first time our logo was displayed to the public eye! so exciting. can't wait for the ball next month!!!

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just went to a lovely little craft fair at the urban outfitters offices at the philadelphia naval yard. got this fabulous, screenprinted card by tory franklin.

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yum! these scrumptious little things are from brown betty bakery, located in liberties walk!

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a few weeks ago, we were visiting a friend in nyc and stopped in a lovely little store, kate's paperie. we had a ball in there, so many beautiful papers, envelopes, journals, pens...i could go on and on. here are some of the fabulous patterned papers i purchased.

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The new issue of Real Weddings Sacramento (formerly Sierra Wedding Style) hit the newsstands last week and my designs were featured in the Style Files.  Yippee!!  

On the left hand side of the page; top row: all three "Laine & Joe" 5x5 Z-Fold invitations, Second row (issue with photo 3 and more on that below ...); third row (l to r): (photo 1) Tsakopoulos Library Galleria photo shoot hand glittered place cards and (photo 3) "Megan & Peter" 5x7 panel invitations; fourth row (l to r): (photo 1) Tsakopoulos Library Galleria photo shoot silk boxed invitation and (photo 2) "Amanda & Richard" 5x5 panel invitations.

Now for the annoying news ... the photograph in the magazine in the second row (photo 3) was a bit of a unwanted surprise.  The border (and a few other elements) in the program photo are original designs, by me.  But I didn't produce those programs.  Yeah.  Design thieved (above a photo of my original design).  Upon some investigation I figured out who lifted my original artwork (the iron-like border).  Not so nice.  My advice to anyone looking for custom design (1) pay for it and (2) if you're hiring a designer - make sure you are getting an original and not a ripped off imitation.

On a side note ... totally not the fault of the mag or photog simply a crazy coincidence that the pilfered artwork showed up next to some of my work.  Hello!  Karma at it's finest.

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One of my favorite holiday designs last year was for the Hewitt Family.  Their invitation suite was a three holiday greeting - holiday card, new address announcement and housewarming party invite all wrapped up into one.  

Instead of traditional greens, reds and the like, we opted to used colors from their new ranch home - warm browns, antique golds, spicy curry yellow and fiery copper.  To bring in the holiday feel - I hand glittered - uh - nearly a thousand little snowflakes.  My house and studio were gilded to say the least.  :)  

The invitation suite was a 7x7 pocket fold, double matte family photo on the front panel, single matte holiday housewarming panel, gilded snowflakes, single matte photo of the girls, six layer invitation panel (yeoweee!), direction panel, accommodation panel, reply card, reply envelope and custom outside envelope.  It was a flurry of work here the week before Christmas last year getting these babies ready for delivery.

The Hewitt's have become dear friends of mine and I'm looking forward to more special greetings & invites!!  

Happy Holidays to all!!

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baby shower invite  for a very elegant baby shower in NY. 9.25" x 3.975"

matching thank you cards. 5.5" x 4.25"

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This tea length invitation is printed on a handmade petal paper with a pine tree design printed in dark green. The dark green panel is wrapped with an ivory satin/organza ribbon. Adding a graphic design to your invitations is another great way to really customize your wedding stationary.

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Hope you find some inspiration from these 2009 Spring Wedding Trends. Remember we can custom match your invitations to your exact color scheme. Take a look at what's in this Wedding Season! We would love to hear what your colors are this Spring or Summer. Please leave us a comment.

Pink and Blue - Lots of Pastels!

Bright Blues & Greens -
Think Tiffany Blue & Lime Green!

Tangy Yellow - Mixed with gray,
brown and other monotones!

Black Flowers & Accessories -
Black and White is oh so classic!

Gray is the new Brown -
Brown took over Black and now Gray is in!

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Just wanted to put a quick note that I will be busy, busy prepping (11/25-26) for the big Thanksgiving Day feast on Thursday and enjoying a little vacation time with my family.  I will be checking email and voicemail periodically - and will return non-urgent messages on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Meet Megan and Peter.  Their wedding took place in Angwin, California at Megan's uncles winery, Robert Foley Vineyards on August 9th, 2008.  The day was captured in photography by the talented team of Artistic Imagery, Amber & Alan.  If I could put all the photos they so expertly took - I would.  The cellar photos are simply breathtaking.

If there is any couple I have worked with in the last 6 years that I connected with on just about every level - it was Megan & Peter.  From their wedding to tattoos - I think we just about covered it all!  Their vision was clean and crisp with a Rock-a-billy attitude.  

Their invitation was a 5x7 panel design, double matte invitation of black linen and classic white - three layers all together, enclosures secured to the back with a bandwrap, grosgrain ribbon & monogram panel, directions, accommodation info and reply postcard.  The table cards were 5x7 single matte in black linen, table name printed on classic white and double sided so that guests could see the table name from any direction. The thank you notes were printed with their custom monogram on classic white 4x5 notecards with matching classic white envelopes.

Thank you, Megan and Peter for trusting me and allowing me to share in your special day!

Photo courtesy of: Artistic Imagery.

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Boy!  I didn't realize I had so much to say this morning!  Tee, hee, hee.  Custom maps - fabulous way to inject some personality into your invites - it's those extra little touches that make your invite suite truly personal & unique.  Size and shape of the maps depend largely on the location of you event and the paper size we're working with.  I like to show the ceremony & reception locations in relation to each other - giving your guests their bearings.  Usually, I then give turn-by-turn directions from the ceremony to the reception.  But this all depends on your event and the event locations.  Custom maps are $100, plus printing & sales tax. 

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Did you know ... I include coordinating thank you notes with all my custom invitation orders?  It's my little thank you for ordering from Stephanie J Designs.  You get the same number of free thank you notes as the number of invitations ordered - order 100 invitations and get 100 thank you notes.

Etiquette Tip > Mail thank you notes within 1 month of receiving a gift - the sooner the better - but 1 month is the longest you should put it off.

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Checked out Dynamite Weddings yet?  Dynamite has a website and blog that are fabulous.  My friends at Dynamite are super bloggers on TNT (Tips N Trends) bringing you the who's who and what's what about weddings right now.  On the Dynamite website you'll find the details on the who's who to make your dynamite event come true.  Yours truly is listed among the best in the biz!

I've had the privilege of designing the logos & a few invites for the Dynamite team and can't wait for the next project!

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Hot summer wedding??  Fan programs are perfect.  They serve as a nice touch on seating at the ceremony, provide an overview of the ceremony, a listing of the bridal party & processional (on reverse) and serve as a keepsake for your guests.  Remember that not everyone will take a fan/program - I usually recommend counting up all the women, plus 15%.  Example: If you have 100 guests, 75 are women - order about 85.  Fan programs range from $5-15 each depending on quantity and embellishments.

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