I have sooooo many invitations that I haven't photographed yet - some going back to early 2008!  I dragged out the giant invitation archive last night and decided, on a whim, start organizing it all.  And then this morning I needed to shoot some of my finds.

This mostly came out of a need to catalog and store each invitation in a way that I can easily share them at consultations.  And the organizing pressure is on since Martha and I move into the newly renovated meeting space next weekend (well that's the goal anyway!).  More on that later.  We are soooo excited!!

Invitation for a favorite client of mine who, together with her sister, hosted a reception in honor of their brother's recent wedding in Thailand.  I was all about the envelope liner on this invite and really loved how the color palette came together - the muted colors with that crazy pop of limey-yellow.  

Double sided postcard invitation for a house warming party.  The Dupras Family, also a previous wedding client of mine, hosted a down-home country shindig at their new diggs.  As simple as this invitation was - it is on my list of all-time favorites.

I have to admit I am already thinking about the holidays!  This invite was for a holiday party celebrating new ownership & renovation of the salons.  I don't know what it is about the holiday season that makes me feel like I need to glitter everything in sight!

I have to say one of my favorite clients of all time - the Ciapessoni Family ordered these invitations for a 60th birthday celebration.  It's always a creative challenge designing an invitation for the dude's out there and still keep my girl-y little twists in there.

My son's 4th birthday invitation.  We loooooove Scooby around here.  Seems like I never get the time to really go nuts on my own party invitations - boo, hoo.  I'm always trying frantically to get them done in the midst of everything else going on.

Feelin' the tiki torches yet?  This was a super-quick invite for my good friends, The Braner Family.  Ashli graduated high school this year and they hosted a BBQ beach inspired bash.

This one was fun!  Introducing the double sided invite.  One side girly - one side all boy.  My friend Coleen has twins and triplets.  Yes!  I know.  For the twin's, Falyne and Karson, 5th birthday I came up with the double sided invite - you choose who's party your attending - one event two invites all in one. 

Sooooo, that's it for this morning.  As I go through the rest of the archive, I'll pull more invites - photograph 'em and post 'em up!

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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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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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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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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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Been super-busy with invites and it's been a month now since my last post!!  Yikes.  I had to put up these first birthday invites - they came out super cute.  Not sure if you can see in the photographs but the icing on the ginger-girl is hand glued and glittered.  Very time consuming - but the effect is sooo worth it!

The invitation is a 7x7 square, triple matte plus the invitation layer - 4 layers in all, hand glittering, Swarovski crystal, flat satin bow, custom printed envelope liner, classic & metallic papers and a custom printed envelope.  Wow-y!!  

This set of 25 ran: $15 each (plus sales tax and custom design fee of $85 for celebrations).  Assemble it yourself and save more!  I offer incremental discounts on all invitation packages, too.  100+ = 5%, 150+ = 10%, 200+ = 15%, 500+ = 20% and DIY (Do It Yourself) = 25%.  Savings may appear even greater (on your invoice) than the incremental percentage since with custom printing there are charges at the printer that are incurred on each order. 

This little invite posting is a reminder, too!  The holidays are right around the corner ... order your holiday greetings now to ensure timely delivery.  There are several signature designs for this year >>> look over to the menu on the right under HOLIDAY or we can create one uniquely you!!

You'll want to mail your holiday greetings to family and friends by the week of December 15th.  If (you're like most of us) and wait until the last minute ... you can create a Happy New Years type greeting.  If that is the case - those should go out the week of (or immediately following) Christmas.  In any case, I'm booking up, so don't delay!!!

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At last!  Final of the Signature Holiday Collection - the 3.5x5 Happy, Happy New Year Signature Gate Fold Design.  I have materials on the way for this design as well.  As soon as they arrive I will post a photo of the design so that you can see the texture of the paper, ribbon & crystal buckle.  For now you can click the link above to view a digital rendition and pricing information.

Ordering & Proofing Schedule

• Accepting Orders > October 13th through November 10th
  
• Rush Orders > Orders received after November 10th are subject to a 15% Rush Charge
  
• Order Early Special > 10% off on orders placed before October 27th
  
• Digital Proofs > Provided within 48 hours of receiving your photo
  
• Invoices > Digital invoices will be emailed within 48 hours of placing your order
  
• Payments > Due upon receipt of invoice
  
• Payment Types > SJD accepts cash, check and credit cards via PayPal
  

How to Order

• Call 916.257.1641 or email (stephanie@stephaniejdesigns.com) 
  
• Provide contact information: name (first and last), shipping address, phone number and email
  
• Provide style name
• Pricing for the photo cards is listed on the style sheet: Happy, Happy New Year Gate Fold Design
  

Customizing

• Happy, Happy New Year Gate Fold Design > Optional Photo Watermark, Family Message & Signature Line

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New Design!  This is the 3.5x5 HollyDaze Signature Portable Pocket Design.  I have materials on the way and as soon as they arrive I will post an actual photo of the design so that you can see the texture of the paper, ribbon & crystals.  For now you can click the link above to view a digital rendition and pricing information.

One more holiday design on it's way ... it'll be a 3.5x5 Gate Fold Design with a striking Black, Pyrite and Red color palette.

Ordering & Proofing Schedule

• Accepting Orders > October 13th through November 10th
  
• Rush Orders > Orders received after November 10th are subject to a 15% Rush Charge
  
• Order Early Special > 10% off on orders placed before October 27th
  
• Digital Proofs > Provided within 48 hours of receiving your photo
  
• Invoices > Digital invoices will be emailed within 48 hours of placing your order
  
• Payments > Due upon receipt of invoice
  
• Payment Types > SJD accepts cash, check and credit cards via PayPal
  

How to Order

• Call 916.257.1641 or email (stephanie@stephaniejdesigns.com) 
  
• Provide contact information: name (first and last), shipping address, phone number and email
  
• Provide style name
• Pricing for the photo cards is listed on the style sheet: HollyDaze Portable Pocket Design
  

Customizing

• HollyDaze Portable Pocket Design > Family Message & Signature Line

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They're here!  This is the first of two signature holiday releases.  First, the photo cards.  Something unique with that little SJD twist - but still won't pack a serious punch on your pocket book.  Tomorrow, I'm posting the designs for the Signature Portable Pocket and Gate Fold designs.  As always, I can still create a holiday card that is unique to just you and your family.  These signature designs were created to save you on the design fee that comes with a uniquely you design concept.

There are two signature photo card designs available - Holiday Ornaments and Holiday Family Crest.  Clicking on either of the signature design links will take you to a style sheet that shows a Portrait & Landscape version of each - as well as three color concepts for each of the signature designs (the documents are also available to your right > listed under the header { HOLIDAY }.  The photo cards are 5x7 printed on glossy high-quality photo stock and include a coordinating color envelope with your printed return address on the back flap.  Below is my holiday ordering schedule, deadlines, delivery weeks for holiday orders and how to place an order.  

The crest option is named Holiday Family Crest but you can alter the text inside the crest - so it really works well for anyone sending the greeting.  Say a business name, a couple, your pets ... whatever!

Ordering & Proofing Schedule

• Accepting Orders > October 13th through November 10th
  
• Rush Orders > Orders received after November 10th are subject to a 15% Rush Charge
  
• Order Early Special > 10% off on orders placed before October 27th
  
• Digital Proofs > Provided within 48 hours of receiving your photo
  
• Invoices > Digital invoices will be emailed within 48 hours of placing your order
  
• Payments > Due upon receipt of invoice
  
• Payment Types > SJD accepts cash, check and credit cards via PayPal
  

How to Order

• Call 916.257.1641 or email (stephanie@stephaniejdesigns.com) 
  
• Provide contact information: name (first and last), shipping address, phone number and email
  
• Provide style name, orientation (portrait or landscape), color palette and quantity
  
• Email photos to stephanie@stephaniejdesigns.com
  
• Photos must be at 300dpi and minimum of 6" x 6"
  
• Pricing for the photo cards is listed on the style sheets: Holiday Ornaments & Holiday Family Crest
  

Customizing

• Holiday Ornament-Portrait > Color Palette, Photo, Family Message & Signature Line
  
• Holiday Ornament-Landscape > Color Palette, Photo & Signature Line
  
• Holiday Family Crest-Portrait > Color Palette, Photo, Crest & Family message
  
• Holiday Family Crest-Landscape > Color Palette, Photo & Crest
  

Enjoy these first two photo card designs and I'll be back tomorrow with some fancy-schmancy ones!!

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OMG.  It's been crazy busy.  I wanted to put a little teaser out there > I will be announcing a signature holiday line next Monday, October 13th!  There are 2 5x7 photo card designs, 1 3.5x5 portable pocket design and 1 3.5x5 gate fold design.  Ooo, I am so excited to share them with everyone!!

I will also be running a early bird holiday special > order before November 10th to receive 10% off.

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