Website of the Week: reEvent

Website of the Week: reEvent

crazy •® {CrEaTiVe}

I created my website, www.announcethisdesign.com about 3 years ago and since then it has undergone 5 major look changes.  the last of which...

is the result of not liking the look i spent oh about 3 months creating :/ ...

 

I must admit it wasn't the design I wasn't happy with here, it was the way the page was loading.  It. took. for. EVER! I I was afraid of losing brides :/

Let's not even discuss how ugly the first several designs were! Ok, not ugly, poorly designed.

Here is here I am now...

Changing colors! Trying to keep some resemblemce of the designs...

We'll see if this sticks!  I love the bird and have to STICK WITH IT

After all, the BIRD is the WORD!

The chandelier is in reference to the one in my office where i consult with brides.  I love love love this image!

So am I crazy •® {CrEaTiVe} ?!

...probably A LOT of both...

paper flowers {a great addition to many occasions}

 

gracielle + brian = magnetic magic!

Here's another fun one!  I'm having a blast creating magnet options for Gracielle & Brian.  Great engagement photos really lend a hand in creating an overall great look!  These will be business card size and are a great little gift for your guests.  What do you think?

We've also talked about mounting the magnets onto a printed flat card, like you see below, so the magnet is sliding around in the envelope.

I am a fan of a snug fit when it comes to mailing.  Not too snug so that the outer envelope has to be torn to shreds, but it is a pet peeve of mine when the envelope isn't suited for what is being sent inside of it.  Caring about things like that is how I know I am doing the right job!

amy + chet

Occasionally I have the opportunity to create invitations for friends and family.  It just so happens that I currently have 2 cousins and a great friend all getting married in 2011 so right now I am in HEAVEN!  I like to take these opportunities to create new invitations based upon colors and trends they love.  Right now I am working on invitations for my friend Amy who will be tying the knot Valentine.  Here are a few words/phrases she used to describe what she was looking for: BLOCKY, MUSIC POSTERS, SHADES OF PINK & RED, MODERN, ARCH-LIKE.  Here is what I have come up with so far...

I know I've got a favorite!

good earth

 ABOVE: GOOD EARTH FLORAL DESIGN STUDIO PRINT ADD FOR EA BRIDE

A few years ago while doing my first bridal shows I had the great fortune of meeting Ashley Hotka, a local florist who was also just starting out and trying to make a name for herself. For the last year I have had the opportunity to help design and develop her logo, design her business cards, adds and other promotional materials, and work with her closely as a follow member of MoH.  She is a pleasure to work with and SO talented!

ABOVE: FALL 2010 LOGO

ABOVE: FALL 2009 LOGO

MoH

This spring I was invited into a preferred wedding vendor group in KC.
What a great group of ladies. I have been so privileged to develop the branding for this group, i.e. logo, website, promotional materials.
We just wrapped up our debut event!
Check out the photos by the talented Rebecca Peters Photography on our website
www.madeofhonorkc.com under the events page!

Customized Save the Dates: Emily & Chad

I have a ton of templates on my website, but anything with a picture needs to be customized specifically for the couple I think.

Happy Birthday Geoffy

I believe in practical gift giving. It's my brother's birthday today so I made him this practical poster because it involves two things he loves.

drop boleys, not bombs

This is post is long overdo.
This is the poster I made for my dad's birthday extravaganza...enjoy.

tweet me!

i have recently joined twitter! something i swore i would never do! i think because i didn't really get it, and i still don't totally understand:/ but i thought i should swallow my pride and do it for my little business!

i would LOVE IT if you wanted to follow me! you can do so at twitter.com/AnnounceThis
here is my first "twitpic"...

i have struggled for a while with the packaging of my product. my latest solution...ribbons, bows, and boxes. let me know what you think and how you want your wedding invitations to come to you! i LOVE feed back!

never forget to give your host a gift!

hey all you brides out there!
just a reminder that your family and friends put a lot of work into the showers they are throwing for your big day so never forget to say thank you and bring a gift for them to your shower! It can be something as simple as a note, a flower bouquet or a bottle of their favorite wine! Anything will do as long as it is a THANK YOU!!!

Looking nice while you feel like ...

Graphic design isn't the only art I practice. I actually studied ceramics, and textiles in college. Then needed to actually make money, ha! Kids, if you are reading this take the fun classes but major in something that you can actually find a job in, I know that may not sound like much fun, but it's a reality check everyone needs.
Any way, point being, I also sew. I wouldn't exactly call myself a seamstress. I took sewing lessons and a child, worked in a fabric store in college and occasionally make pillows and curtains. I just really hate following patterns, some how when it comes to reading them my brain just stops working.
I am 36 weeks pregnant with baby girl Statler #2 and decided to make make (without a pattern) a delivery gown. I know a lot of people, my husband included, think this is silly but you know I JUST DON'T REALLY CARE:) It is nice to feel pretty when you are sweaty, uncomfortable, swollen, and trying to push a mellon through a key hole!

the first cupcakes the sweetest

saturday was my little girl's first birthday party (friday actually being the day of her birth). we had a big to do with over 50 family and friends, i can't do anything small;) i frosted 90 cupcakes, and oh baby they were yummy! i must say i am pretty proud of my work. maybe my next business will be called "FROST THIS!"...what do ya think?

boely fest 61

My dad likes to have a crazy party every year for his birthday with golf cart rides, ribs, beer, champagne (thanks to Wally) and the occasional cheese ball or potato gun shooting (no lives have been lost). A couple of years ago I decided I needed to make a tradition of making a poster in to remember the event. I am particularly fond of this years creation.

my latest project

So this isn't exactly a traditional art project, but it is beautiful and something I created;) She has been taking 2 or 3 steps here and there for the past couple of weeks, but yesterday on her 10 month birthday she really found her stride. It is some kind of wonderful.

st. andrews golf course show

I just got back for the bridal show at St. Andrews Golf Course and think it went wonderfully! Lots of interested brides and I felt much more prepared than I did at the Shoal Creek show. I really hope that opportunities to participate in smaller shows keep presenting themselves, I'm not sure if I could handle a big show yet. I also met a girl there with good earth floral design studios who gave me some excellent advice on were to get free small business counseling. I am pretty excited about that! Anything free is always good! If you were a bride from the show leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my designs!
p.s. my new favors seem to be a big hit as well!

my new light box

Today I made a new light box to photograph invitations and my artwork. It is too much fun and a little addictive! I will be adding a photo gallery of invitations so you can see real finished products instead of just the illustrations I have had on the site up to this point. In the mean time check out the pictures above!

shoal creek bridal show

I have recently broke onto the bridal show scene! I'm starting out slow, going to the smaller shows at area country clubs and golf courses. Maybe the larger show in the fall, we shall see. I also will be joining the Perfect Wedding guide this month! Look for my add in their booklets and online!

st. michael's day school brochure

I recently updated St. Michael's Day School's 15+ year old brochure. I was the art teacher there for 2 years and St. Michael's is so dear to me, this project was a lot of fun!