Simple Yet Elegant

Elaine called me frantic three weeks ago on the verge of tears, apparently she placed an order with another invitation designer a couple of months ago, but they called her a few days prior to when her invitations were due to arrive to inform her that her invite selection was discontinued and they wouldn't be able to provide her with invitations. The wedding is scheduled for February 8th and she was stuck without invitations, and was running out of time.

I went to work immediately and designed a simple yet elegant invitation for her using her colors and design style.  Both Elaine and George were absolutely wonderful to deal with, they are such a nice couple and I am so glad I was able to come up with something that they both loved.

I'm happy to announce that the invitations were completed within a week and were sent out before Christmas, giving her guests a little time to prep for the wedding.  Although it is not ideal timing to send out wedding invitations so close to the happy day, due to the unfortunate events that took place, I think we made good time and still gave guests a month and a half to prep for the big day.

Elaine was so happy when she saw the invitations, that it made the rushing around and all the late nights worth while. I love when my brides are happy, it makes everything absolutely perfect!

Baby Girl is on her Way

Our gorgeous client Roshie wanted an invitation as unique as her for her upcoming baby shower.  Roshie loves lace and her colors were pink and gray silver for her baby shower.

Instead of using the gray I covered it in lace and placed the invitation on top. On the invitation itself I added Swarovski crystals, because really what girl doesn't like diamonds, and on the front added an adorable silver baby carriage to match the cake topper that is being used.

I loved seeing the excitement when Roshie saw the invitations. They were a big hit. I cant wait to hear what her guests think of the invites. 

1920's Inspired Invitation Design

The other day I was contacted by a new client who is in charge of her company's holiday party, the theme was Roaring 20's.  She wanted me to come up with a few ideas using the opulence of the Great Gatsby.  

Since her budget was still up in the air, I created a few different samples for her to discuss with her committee.  We decided on a color palate of Gold and Black. 

I started my first design using an antique gold metallic card stock and embossed it to give it that tufted pillow appeal.  I proceeded to add crystals to the front of the card, on the inside I added a pocket for the additional information for each guest.  I placed the actual invitation on the inside of the invitation.  

Since my client really liked the antique gold look, I kept it going to my next design.   I grabbed a beautiful presentation box, and added my signature pillow covered in beautiful white satin. Then I started working on the invitation, I created a double layered flat panel invitation, then added a beautiful gold and crystal ribbon slider and a beautiful white feather. I mean really, what is a Roaring 20's invitation without feathers.

And finally, and just to be on the safe side, I created another invitation for the budget friendly event. This one was featured a beautiful 1920's flapper silhouette with a glitter covered feather.  In this case we opted to  not layer the invitation, making it really affordable for any budget.  I really enjoyed how this one came out. 

Edith loved these invitation and had a really tough time choosing one, can you guess which one they went with?  I will tell you when I get pictures from the event. 

Tata for now my friends.

Royal Blue Wedding

Deedra is getting married in Bermuda, and when we spoke she told me that she wanted something that would wow her guests.  Her colors are royal blue and silver, and her dress is covered in lace.  Her mom wanted the invitation to sit inside the lace.  I thought about making an envelope using the lace but since she loved our Kimono invitation I thought making a few adjustments to it would work. Of course we still had to customize it to match her colors and theme.  

I started by creating the pad, added the beautiful royal blue taffeta and the ribbon with the brooch.  I then created the pillow for the box, and to tie in her lace, I added the lace underneath the pillow and brought it around the front to use as a cover for the invitation.  

I really like the way this came out, what do you think?

Holiday Dinner

Lita contacted me a few weeks ago, wanting a different invitation for her annual Holiday Dinner. She wanted something elegant to wow her guests.  

We created these pocket invitations, using the beautiful shimmer finish card stock in red and created a die cut in the pocket.  Then we went to work on the invitation, using the same color red for the ink, we created a lovely design and added some stunning Swarovski crystals to the invite and took a step further and added to the outer card to create a beautiful frame for our invitation.

Lita loved the invitations, she was ecstatic when she received them.  I am so thankful to have some wonderful customers, they are so great with the feedback and are truly a blessing. 

I just love my customers, they are the best. 

Marlen

Golden Engagement

Natalie and Alin are getting married next year. Natalie wanted something different for their engagement party, so we worked on an invitation that stands out and won't be easily forgotten.  Her colors are gold, light pink and cream.

I created these gorgeous invitations for them using an antique gold envelopment and wrapped it with a satin ribbon and a beautiful gold buckle.  I added crystals to the invitation, because really what girl doesn't like diamonds.

They are such an adorable couple, I can't wait to work on their wedding next.

Marlene

Angel Invitation

Wouldn't this invitation make a great birth announcement. Our newest invitation can be Used for  a Baptism, Cheistening or a birthday. 

What do you think

She's About to Pop

Jim and Jovi are about to be mommy and daddy for the first time.  The setting and the location was amazing for this couple.  Great time was had by all, Thank you Jim and Jovi for making a part of your big day.  They are so cute!

Real Wedding, Mike and Marie

Mike and Marie got married this past Saturday at the beautiful Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California. This gorgeous hotel was a perfect setting for this beautiful couple.  

I love how everything turned out. The couple were so amazing to work with, all I can say is that I am truly blessed to work with such wonderful people. They made the entire process so wonderful and all the hard work was well worth it.

Marlene

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

The beginning of every Fall Season marks the beginning of my need to bake. I have no idea why this is but I just love being in the kitchen around this time of year.  Of course being in California I have to check the calendar to see what season we are in, seeing as how I cant really tell by the weather.  But I always know, because it is when I start wanting to bake.

And seriously last night at 10:00 pm, instead of preparing to go to bed, I decided I wanted to make  my favorite fall dessert.  Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. And boy was it worth it.

I dipped them in a chocolate glaze and they are truly heavenly. Check out below how easy these are to make.

I used to make this cake from scratch but I tried it with a boxed mix once and fell in love with how easy fast this is.  This is what you will need

Preheat your oven at 350

For the Cake Mix you will need

1 box of Spice Cake.. (I used Duncan Hines)
1 Can of Pumpkin Puree
3 Large Eggs
2/3 cups of milk ( I only had evaporated milk on hand, and that worked as well)
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips, (I used more, but that is because I love chocolate)

Mix all the ingredients together, (I like to mix my dry ingredients first and then incorporate my liquid ingredients at once).  With a small ice cream scoop, scoop the mixture into your cupcake cups, let rest for a couple of minutes and bake in preheated oven for 18 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

For the Glaze you will need

1 cup of Half & Half
1 cup or more Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip

Heat half and half in a small pot, once it is heated through and through start adding your chocolate stirring constantly, remove from heat and keep stirring till all the chocolate melts.  If you need to add more chocolate then this is the time to do it. When the chocolate is melted it will start to thicken and will start to have a beautiful shine on it.

Pour a little of the chocolate glace into a small bowl and dip the top of the cupcakes in the chocolate sauce.

Let cool completely, and enjoy

Gone Fishing

Oh these were so much fun to design and make. little Wyatt is turning 3 and the theme for the party is fishing... What do you think of these door signs for the little guy. 

Feathers and Crystals Wedding

Feather and Crystals Wedding Invitation.

Great Gatsby inspired wedding invitation for Anne Marie's wedding. 

Halloween Baby Shower

Halloween Baby!

Nancy is throwing a baby shower for her friend and she wanted something unique that matched her whimsical friend.  The baby is due at the end of October and what a better way to celebrate then with a Halloween Baby Shower Theme.  These invitations came out so cute, I cant wait to work on the decorations next. They are going to be so much fun to make. 

What do you think?

Project Runway

Jennifer called me and asked to custom design an invitation and decorations for a client's daughter.  She is having a fashion show for her 10th birthday and wanted something very glitzy and over the top. Her colors were going to be hot pink, orange, purple and black.

I started by designing the invitations

Once she decided these were ok, I created the rest of the products. 

I love how everything came out, can I just tell you that my office was covered in glitter and so was I.  By the way, glitter doesn't wash off very easily, but the end result was worth it. I especially liked how the VIP passes came out, I thing it adds such a nice touch to the ensemble.

I cant wait for Jennifer to send me photos of the event, so I can see how everything came together. 

Boarding Pass -- Disney Cruise for Darius

Met with a new event planner the other day. She is planning a birthday celebration for her son next year, yep you guessed it, she is taking him on a Disney Cruise for his 10th birthday.  I am so jealous, I wish I could go. Since they were actually going on a cruise for his birthday celebration I decided on doing a Boarding Pass style invitation, using the red and blue to keep the nautical theme going.

What do you think of this?

Green Goddess

Its been a while I know, things have been crazy since I came back from vacation, with getting caught up on everything and a slew of new clients, I haven't had time to share anything with you.

A few weeks ago I was approached by a client who was having a Greek Themed wedding and her main color was gold Gold, she didn't have any other color for her wedding design but she liked green. She wanted something different that would stand out from the rest. We put our heads together and decided on Green and Gold for the colors, she picked out her embellishments and I went to work.  This is the design that she chose, what do you think?

Vacation with the Family

Well vacation is over and now its time to get back to work. But first I want to share this amazing (amazing doesn't really describe it) house (house describes this villa even less)  we rented for our mini reunion, all I have to say about the house is that we so want to go back to it. BTW it really isn't a house, its more like a villa that sits on 4 acres in Murrieta, California.  This place was gorgeous, the views in the evening breathtaking.  I have never seen so many stars at night. I tried to take a picture but they didn't come out.

Here are some photos of the house. I wish I was a better phonetographer but this is the was I was able to get.

I had to take a picture of the entryway. I loved the staircase. 

The Salt Water Pool I am in love with this pool. Needless to say the kids lived in it for the week and we are all a bit sunburned from it. But Hey its a small price to pay. 

We traveled to San Diego and had to visit the cute animals when we were there.

These were the only photos I was able to get, I loved the Giraffe, I couldnt believe how nosy she/he was.  She/He kept posing for the camera, I wonder what the tall cutie was thinking?

And of course I had to get a picture of our little zoo.  We had such a great day, I loved it!

Chic Baby Shower

I met with a gorgeous mommy to be the other day and we discussed her upcoming baby shower.  She wanted something chic yet sassy for her shower.  She wanted her invitations to stand out and be remembered. So without further ado, this is what I came up with.

 

These invitations came out so cute, I have to share all the details, so here you go

Adding glitter and crystals takes it up a few notches dont you think?

What do you think of the cute little umbrella charm on the front?  

Tata for now, till next time my friends.