Photography: Touch of Spring

It's been quite some time since I pulled out the trusty ol' camera and gave it a whirl. So in preparation (sort of) for my first wedding shoot next weekend I decided to do this spur of the moment "photography session" (although it has has nothing to do with weddings).

I love the simplistic yet lively & vibrant feel of these photos--whether it be from the colors or just the nature of the objects themselves.

New in the Etsy Shop!

70's Disco Themed Cupcake Package:


Nautical Themed Cupcake Package:


Count Your Blessings Wall Decor/Poster:
(available in various colors, check out the shop!)

Cupcakes : Spring Fever

The weather today was beautiful! The first inklings of spring always get me in the mood for cheery things--which was the inspiration behind these cupcakes. While they're simple they have that hint of "happiness" about them, which is why I love 'em.

I made the flowers and leaves out of fondant using my Cricut Cake, and I must say--I am a big fan! As much as I hated to admit it at first (because as you probably know the Cricut Cake isn't a cheap lil' toy) I was a bit underwhelmed by the results I was getting with the machine while using gumpaste (which was what Provo Craft seemed to recommend OVER using fondant). I was left with all sorts of raw & jagged edges. So, in one last desperation to make it work, I tried cutting designs from fondant, and viola! Amazing! And it cuts so much cleaner than gumpaste did!

If you're interested in some "custom" cupcakes for an event or party of your own, please let me know and we can work something out, I'd love to help!

St Patrick's Day Cupcakes 2011

At work we are having a potluck to celebrate St Patrick's Day, so OF COURSE I just had to make cupcakes! Going with the Irish origin of St Patty's day I went for (root)Beer Float cupcakes...and I'll admit, I "tested" one (gotta make sure they're edible), and it was delicious!

As usual, & because 3 is a great number to use in any sort of design/decor, I made 3 toppers containing a rootbeer mug, a polka-dotted shamrock & the cupcake flavor. I choose the brown & vanilla colors to keep with the rootbeer theme, but then added a mossy green to tie in St. Patty's Day. I didn't want to be too over bearing and have the cupcakes scream "IT'S MARCH 17TH!!", and I felt the color & image combos worked really well together to give a sense of both themes.

The cupcake stats:
Vanilla/Rootbeer Cake
Rootbeer buttercream
Dallop of whipped cream
White sprinkle pearls to represent the carbonation of rootbeer (love, love, love it)

Jessi + Trace : The Invitation

This is the latest wedding invitation that I have been working on for Jessi & her fiance Trace. I absolutely love the typography on this invite as well as the so-called "non-traditonal" wording format that they chose for it. I'm always up for & excited for doing something a little different from the norm when it's suggested!

While having two dark colors (black & purple) can be challenging through the design process, I think the white, purple, & black color scheme ultimately worked really well! And as it always does-- the little bit of black adds some elegance & sophistication to the design helping to balance the "fun" & typography seen on the upper half.

Best wishes to Jessi & Trace as they start their new journey together!

(*Stay tuned as I bravely attempt to fulfill their request to photograph their upcoming ceremony and reception!)

Custom Toppers : Relief Society Birthday

I'm not gonna lie, I was really excited when I got an email (from a client who had ordered my CTR/Baptism toppers from my Esty shop) asking if I would design some toppers for her ward's Relief Society Birthday party.

Putting a "custom order" option in my Etsy shop has been on my to-do list since I started the shop last week (and will finally be available tonight), and so I was glad that Suzanne took a shot in the dark by asking if I would do a custom order for her.

The theme for the party was "Heart to Heart" and she wanted to use a pink and brown color scheme (excellent choice...that's a "never fail" color team, especially when women are concerned). She also wanted to incorporate a quote by Sister Julie B. Beck, and have another topper containing the Relief Society seal, which she planned to put on the back side of the other two toppers. I updated the colors in the RS logo to better fit in the color scheme. (Pink & brown themed toppers with a gold & blue RS seal was not really jiving, as you might imagine).

It was wonderful working with you Suzanne, and I hope your party is a success!

Tyson's Baptism II : Cupcakes

As promised, here are the cupcakes I made for Tyson's baptism. I stuck with the color theme from the invite (click here) and designed two toppers--a CTR emblem & a simple circle topper with his name, age, & date of the baptism. I finished them off with a color coordinating wrapper.

And, if you're wondering---that sweet little cupcake is made from a triple chocolate cake, cream cheese icing, and chocolate sprinkles. Mmm mmm!

**Want some for a baptism of someone YOU know? These are customizable from the text down to the color scheme! Check them out & purchase them in the Etsy Shop. (click here)

Now Open : Etsy Shop!

Yahoo! I finally broke down and created an Etsy Shop for Purple Paisley Designs--even if it's kind of slim pickin's at this point. I am hoping it will be an incentive to continue to delve into creativy and I look forward to adding more items to the shop!

You can check out the Etsy shop, anytime, from my blog by clicking the link in the left hand column under the "About Me" section.

Feel free to leave me any feedback, suggestions or requests! I'd love to hear from you!

Anniversary Party

My (amazingly awesome) parents celebrated their 25th Wedding anniversary back in October (and yes...I'm just getting around to posting this). My sister and I had a plan to throw them a surprise party with immediate family. At the time my dad was working crazy shifts at his job, and knowing my parents are low-key & don't like big to-do's about themselves, I finally broke down (aka ruined the surprise) and asked my mom what night would work best for them & if they would mind. While they appreciated the thoughtfulness they suggested that they'd rather spend some time with just us kids than have a big shi-bang, which was fine with me--after all it was THEIR anniversary. However I wanted to post a few designs that I created in anticipation for doing the surprise party because I loved the way they turned out.

With silver being the 25th wedding anniversary color I wanted to be sure it was incorporated into the color theme, to which I added black & turquoise to give it sort of a modern-flare feel.

Invitation:

Cupcake Toppers :
"Thank You" tag for favors:

*Need a package for your next party? Check out the right column for prices & contact me for more information!