Baby Dixon Sits Under a Traditional Family Tree with a Touch of Whimsy!

He has arrived!! Lucas Thomas Dixon joins the Dixon Family and our wheels spun *literally* with inspiration! 

If you are a follower of us then you are familiar with the Dixons'! Not only are they staples in my personal life, as they are a couple of my closest friends, they have been loyal clients to me for years. In 2009, we designed their wedding suite of stationery, from save the dates to invites! In 2011, we were happy to art direct and plan Robyn's baby shower. (click the links to view past entries) And now we are so happy we created Announcements for the newest addition into the family, Lucas.  And I must tell you he is the cutest little bundle, with a giant personality to match!  

Robyn and Andrew are avid bicyclers. It's a lifestyle that they both enjoy, so of course little Lucas will grow up on a set of wheels of his own! With that in mind, we created this fun baby announcement design.

We decided to take a traditional concept and rework it into a unique and stand-out piece with this announcement. Playing off the classic idea of a Family Tree and the Bicycling theme we added some flare and thus emerged a quite fanciful tribute to the new birth of Baby Dixon.

Several elements came together to make this piece POP! Most think... "It's A Boy" = Baby Blue Head to Toe... Which to Us = MUNDANE! The solution, enhance that baby blue into bold Metallic Egyptian Blues, Rich Turquoises and Spirited Cyans. We went on a little further pairing our redefined blue palette with Lush Greens and a hint of Cream. 

A few finishing touches including Scalloped Edging & Tag along with our favored final detail, a Retro Silver Bicycle Charm came together to add just the right sense of playful whimsy to the arrival and growth of a much anticipated young boy. No more was needed than priceless photos and a simple envelope... soon those closest would know of Lucas Thomas Dixon as he began his ride through this wonderland that is life!     

A Winter Wedding with A Festive Flare!

"OMG Amy!!! It arrived today and Tim and I both just love, love, LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's gorgeous!!! It's laying on the bed right now so we can look at it AGAIN before we go to bed!!! We have a nightly ritual of trying on our rings before we go to bed at night - and now we will add opening and looking at the invitation to it!

You are the BEST, Amy!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!   "

~ Jennifer--BRIDE ~

Let me tell you, we were just as enthusiastic during the design and production process of this invitation!

It's Prime Time here in the World of Weddings and what a way to start off the season!
 The bride-- a doll who entrusted us with full creative freedom, The result--a glamorously adorned invitation package with divine details and refined extravagance! 

Being a winter wedding, we wanted to create a design that fit the theme of the holiday without becoming.... well.... cheesy. So instead of cliche holiday graphics and icons we focused on incorporating timeless elements into the details of this piece. Details became the main inspiration with Chevron Prints, Letterpress Accents, Metallics, and a Bold Color Palate & Play On Words that would exude a festive flare with sophistication.

The Felt Inlaid Invitation was framed with a Letterpress Border and finished onto a Silver Metallic Chevron Print backing. We carried these design elements into the response card adding Letterpress Chevron accents to be enclosed in a Silver Metallic envelope with Red Print detail. The combination of Letterpress and Screen Printing added clean dimension that would carry the eye.

************************************************************************************************************

Pulling it all together was an elegant Die Cut Invitation Jacket in Metallic Red for added splendor! Pushing further into the realm of luxury we went on to adorn the enclosure with a perfectly wrapped Red Satin Bow and Letterpressed Bellyband all of which would be held in a Quartz Metallic envelope to finish. I won't lie, this is one of my faves this season, it's classy and elegant with a hint of holiday flare!

If I had to choose what it is that I love most about this piece I would have to say it's BALANCE. It can be challenging to create themed pieces without falling into stereotypical expectations. I am thrilled that this piece seems to have embraced the opulence of the holidays without being over-the-top or predictable.

"I'm getting amazing feedback on the invites!! Everyone LOVES them! One of my friends flipped out over them today - said they were beautiful and that he and his wife just LOVED theirs!!   Woohoo!!! SOOOO exciting!! The invitations really did turn out beautifully, Amy! Thank you!!  So far, everyone thinks their gorgeous! Those who haven't gotten them yet are completely jealous of the ones who have! Lol!"

~ Jennifer--BRIDE ~

We are touched that the bride took the time to express her excitement and that recipients shared in out sentiments!

Inspiration Series - Quest Drape

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of Quest Drape.

I've had the pleasure of interacting with some amazing vendors and it always delights me when a foreign or unexpected medium is translated into a beautiful creation. Check out how Quest Drape takes the simple element of drapery to a level unmatched! The impact alone fires me up...!