A Quick Catch-Up

It's been quite a long time since I've blogged. Since starting my full-time job doing graphic design it seems time flies by quicker than ever before. I am really loving my job --who knew you could LIKE a job?!--and have been learning so much in just the few short months that I have been there. It's been crazy busy there and already I have designed 30-ish book covers, a cookbook, and currently working on a party ideas book...among others.

Even with being so busy at work I have found some time on the side to continue a few freelance projects, which is fun because the creativity is entirely up to me.

I recently designed a logo for "Yakity-Yack", an online company that advertises local business. The company owner, Laurie, was great to work with and had great ideas to use in getting the logo design started. I love the retro-like feel of the logo. The colors are eye-catchingly bold and definitely have an "advertising" appeal to them.

Another project was a baby shower invite. The shower was for my friend Heather's sister-in-law. We did a blue, green, and brown color scheme to match the party details, and threw in a couple of fun zoo animals.

A t-shirt design has been in the works for an LDS Stake in Colorado. It's based on the poster design I did for 2012 YW theme, and the stake young women will be using them for their Camp shirts this year.

The other t-shirt design I've been working on was for Easter Fest 2012. Easter Fest happened this past weekend and was an ATV riding shin-dig put on by some of my family in Blanding. It was a ton of fun and we're hoping to make it an annual thing. Of course, no event is official without a t-shirt. (Back of shirt shown).

Also in the works is a wedding invite for one of my very best friends, but it deserves a post all of it's own...to come soon.

Cristie + RJ: The Wedding Announcement

While this post has been a while coming, I am no less excited to share it! As with most brides, Cristie wanted her invite to reflect her wedding color scheme of silve, blue & white--in conjunction with her & her fiance's love for BYU, of course! I think it's always fun for the couple to throw in some personality into their invitations.

After a few color re-arrangements we came up with the final design, and I absolutely love it. I particularly love the wording in which Cristie's son, Kole, announces the marriage of his mom, and they have included them in their photos. What a cute and fun way to make a child feel a part of their parent's special day!

Thanks so much for allowing me to add something to your special day Cristie! I wish you and RJ the best of luck & the happiness you deserve!

Baptism Invitation: Owen

I love doing baptism invitations! I think it is such a fun way to share and announce such a special day!

This is Owen's announcement. As always I was excited when Hayley, a good friend of mine, asked me to design the announcement for Owen's baptism. We re-vamped the initial color scheme a little and I love it! It think it gives a "grown man" feel but still has a reverent playfulness of a child--perfect for this type of occasion. (I also love his vest and tie, what a handsome guy!)

Thanks for letting me be a small part of your special day!

Invitation: Van Ausdal Family Reunion

Not gonna lie. I have been anxiously waiting for an opportunity to arise to create a vintage poster-inspired invitation, so when my grandparents asked me to design the invitation for our 2011 Van Ausdal family reunion I decided it would be a fun & fitting occasion.

I have had my eye on a lot of poster/designs done in a similar fashion because I think they are a fun way to portray information rather than your run-of-the-mill invitation layouts. I also have this crazy obsession with typography & that's what these types of layouts are centered around. The images, colors, fonts, and blocky layout all seem to work really well together to help create the retro/vintage feel.

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!

Tyson's Baptism Invite

I love how in recent years parents have chosen to send out invitations for their children's baptisms! I think it is such a fun idea, and of course a great opportunity to create a "keepsake" for such a special occasion.

Tami left the design for Tyson's baptism open for me to work with. My intent was to come up with a design that kept with the reverence of the occasion but was still up-to-date/modern, and held that "eight-year-old boy" feel--and I think the overall outcome was a success.

Congratulations on your decision to be baptized, Tyson! I hope are always able to remember your special day!

**Check back within the next two weeks for some fun cupcakes I am also making for the occasion!

Hailey + Justin

Here is the wedding announcement I designed for my cousin & had mentioned in the previous post. I've been dying to share it! Hailey's wedding colors are pink and turquoise and she wanted a worn-vintage look for the announcement. I dulled down her wedding colors a tad and added a "dirty" edge to each side of the invite to look worn without being too over powering and grungy. The turquoise/teal damask added a touch of classy-vintage and texture. I really love the way these turned out and was glad have the opportunity to add a piece to Hailey's big day! Best of luck to you two in the future and best wishes for a wonderful wedding day!

Hailey's Bridal Shower Invite

I've had a lot of fun lately designing invites/announcements for my cousins upcoming wedding. Here is her bridal shower invite. I love the cake and that it incorporates her colors. I also love the overall simplicity of the invite itself. The wedding announcement, soon to come.

Andrea + Tyler

This month has been booming for me as far as wedding invites go, and I was no-less than excited when Andrea asked me to design her wedding invite for her. I worked with Andrea for a few years at Work Care and was so glad to get to associate with her again. She asked for a 5x7 layout using her colors: black, white, and purple. I have always loved the black and white color scheme with a pop of accent color--it's simple, yet classic and elegant--and I love the purple Andrea chose for hers!

Thanks Andrea for allowing me to create a piece for your wedding! I wish you and Tyler the best as you start your life together---I'm so happy for you! :0)

Shaylee + Krieg

This is one of the few wedding invites I've been working on lately.

Shaylee requested the layout I did for Kellie & Brian's announcement, (seen printed here), and incorporated their colors which were a really dark purple, baby blue, & chocolate brown. I love when people have unique color schemes for their wedding to include in the announcement, it makes my part a lot of fun and helps bring about some creativity.

I think they turned out great and both Shaylee & Krieg were wonderful to work with, especially considering the whole design & printing process was done through long distance communication as they live down in Blanding. As always I was grateful for the designing opportunity and want wish them the best on their wedding day!
Outside spread:

Inside spread:

Susan's Bridal Shower Invite = Hello Nebraska!

I was super excited when I received a call from Gayle, a woman who had attended the last bridal shower that I designed an invite for, who wanted me to design an invite for a bridal shower that is to be held in Nebraska. That's right folks, Purple Paisley has ventured to Nebraska! Who would've thought? My most recent projects have all came about via word of mouth & I'm very grateful for those who are out there spreading the word!

Gayle told me the bride was using an aqua blue and Gerber daisies along with the colors associated with them & she wanted the invite to reflect that theme. I LOVE the way these turned out! I have had so much fun with bright & vivid colors lately.

May

Another raffle reminder for my department at work. I realize these "reminders" aren't super exciting and rather simple, but I really loved the colors in this one & thought they appropriately fit the "anything summer" theme. Besides, I enjoy any excuse to design. Big or small, extravagant or simple!

Curtis

When Curtis said he wanted to use bright greens, blues, oranges & yellows on his announcements I was super excited! It's not very often you get to play with such fun colors & they seemed to spark something fun & funky in the announcements without being too "in your face." I also really liked the idea that Curtis wanted to include on the announcement that he would be attending Snow College in the fall, I thought that was such a neat idea. Thanks for allowing me to do your announcements Curtis, and I wish you the best of luck as you move on and attend college this fall. Congrats!

McKenzie

McKenzie wanted a turquoise and black theme for her graduation announcement. I love that she chose to "showcase" a few of her senior year accomplishments through her photos she chose, such as her reign as Miss Santaquin and making the Payson High Dance Company team. Congrats McKenzie, on all of your accomplishments and your graduation! Best wishes and good luck as you head to Miss Utah this June, you're very talented and I know you'll do great! Thanks for the opportunity to design your announcement!

Bridal Shower Invite

I was very excited when a lady I work with asked me to design an invitation for a bridal shower she was throwing for one of her neighbors/friend. She wanted the colors to match the wedding and was looking for something retro/vintage-style.

March Raffle Invite

I told you more were coming! This is the latest invite for our March Sub for Santa Raffle at work. Everyone is starting to get spring fever and are tired of this yucky, gray weather so I thought this theme was appropriate to brighten everyone's mood. I love the cheerful colors and the way the grass and frog sort of peek out over the side borders. Besides, how could you not want to participate when welcomed by a sweet face like that?

Raffle Invitation

At work our department works all year long to raise money for a Sub-for-Santa program and by the end of the year we usually have a couple thousand dollars to give to needy families at Christmas time. It's a great program and one of the biggest fundraisers are our raffles. Each employee is asked to purchase and donate an item relating to the theme (our next one is going to be a Spring/Easter theme) and then purchases tickets to put in to win the items.

This year I have been asked to help out with the Sub for Santa program for our department and designed this invitation to kick off our first raffle. It was a big hit and felt it did a great job to set the mood, get people thinking about the event, and kick off our first raffle of the year. (Of course the white corners you can see were trimmed to more resemble a raffle ticket) The raffle itself was so successful that we have decided to hold one every month to raise money...so it sounds like there are gonna be many more invites to come in the mix.