Mina's Guestbook...

Source: etsy.com via Shelly on Pinterest

My friend Emily lives in Springfield, Missouri and I went to visit her earlier this year (January to be exact). When I got off the plane, I immediately walked towards baggage claim overwhelmed with excitement about seeing my Emy. She was just as enthusiastic about my arrival, and actually brought her friend Mina with her. John had JUST proposed and Mina was just beaming. We didn't spend much time together at all, but in those quick minutes, I could tell she was just a dear. Mina and John aren't getting married until summer 2012, but she is already dreaming. She mentioned on facebook that she had spent (way too long) a while browsing my pinterest and fell in LOVE with the tandem bicycle thumbprint guestbook idea...so I whipped one up for her. It doesn't have the cutie little basket on the front, but I think it turned out well and MINA loves it...

SUPPORT KYLE OSBORN

My friend Kyle Osborn is a missionary with Campus Crusade and works in college ministries in San Francisco, CA. At the beginning of each academic year, one of his responsibilities includes renewing his support team and being fully funded...which in these economic times is no easy task. He asked me to help him with his support postcard. It is much harder to design for a guy than a girl - but with his mad photography skills and a little typography, we created a product that exceeded his expectations!

congratulations graduate...

on Saturday, one of my best friends graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts. she is an INCREDIBLE artist and is basically going straight into the credentialing program with hopes of investing in art education throughout her future.  Rach and i met in the spring of 2008 when i had been living in Orange County for approximately 7 months and had virtually no friends (that is a slight exaggeration - but you get the point). on March 30th i moved into a super sketchy house in Stanton and met Rach - my new roommate (she had the master suite, and YES i was jealous! that room was SERIOUSLY huge!). anyway...we only lived together for about 6 months, but it was the perfect foundation for an amazing friendship that we are confident will last a lifetime. i am poor and still paying off my student loans (i'm probably going to be saying that until i'm 40, so get used to it!), so i needed to get a little creative with my gift. i framed an "R" print for her and then created a card listing 25 reasons i love her and included a $25 check. i think she like it and appreciated the effort (although i am sure it doesn't even begin to compare to the diamond necklace iPad or massage...someday i'll be able to give that kind of gift, right?!?!!).   

find your seat...

every once in a while I get to do a project for an "unknown bride" - somehow producing for a client i have never met makes me feel SO MUCH MORE LEGIT! ha! meghan is one of Amber's brides and she had a last minute design need - so with some direction on color and general style, i created this seating arrangement for the nuptuals that will take place on Saturday! we are still working out final details on size, etc. but with that much text on a single page, simple and clean is my motto and i definitely think i accomplished that.

Congratulations Graduate!

one of my best friends in the ENTIRE world is graduating from MED SCHOOL next month! i know, insane right! who graduates from Med School? smart people. smart people with a WHOLE lot of determination. Anna definitely falls into that category. she has worked SO VERY HARD for this and it is time for us to celebrate this INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT in her life. I personally will be attending the actual graduation ceremony in addition to the festivities...and i cannot wait! i was at Anna's graduation from Jr. High and High School (we graduated together from Grossmont High in 2003) so it seems only appropriate to watch her walk across the stage to receive her doctorate. WOWZA. Anna Rae Garcia, MD. sounds FABULOUS!

this announcement was printed on crisp white paper and some black and crystal jewel embellishments were added. i also created coordinating address labels and return address seals to create a seamless package. Anna was happy with the outcome AND it saved her a TON of money (i cannot believe how much they charge for graduation announcements - RIDICULOUS!)...now it's time for mexican food and LOTS of gifts! 

SO MANY CONGRATULATIONS my dear friend. iloveyou endlessly!

Trustee Board Dinner...

i have mentioned my actual job here on the blog more lately than usual - BUT - i promise i'm still working on fun side jobs...more on those coming SOON! yesterday i sent out the "trustee board dinner" invitation. i work at a church - so there are boards - and each year members go off the board and new members come on the board and we have a dinner. back in the good days, it was a catered meal and everyone really enjoyed it. now it is backyard picnic potluck style and everybody still enjoys it (everyone except probably the people bringing main dishes - or people who have already worked all day at their real jobs...you know...most of us!). i didn't have much time to pull it together - i got the request for an invitation when i arrived at work (aka approximately 8am) and the host wanted the invitation out by afternoon. sounds like a lot of time - but i had about 10 projects in line in front of it AND a 2 hour meeting to attend. SO it may not be my ALL-TIME BEST WORK - but overall it's alright and definitely WAY better than the typical church potluck invite!

hawaiian retirement...

my boss Kathy is retiring after over 30 years working at Ev. Free Fulellerton. she is an ICON around here and undoubtedly one of the most amazing women i have ever had the privledge of working alongside.  she has invested in me and has been such a huge support and encouragement to me throughout the past 3 years...she is a faithful leader and a dear friend.  she is having a plethora of retirement celebrations and then heading on perhaps the most AMAZING cruise ever...including several stops in Europe {jealous!!} but i have the honor of hosting a gathering for all the administrative assistants along with Leslie Green - the previous admin in my position.  we are throwing a simple and sweet hawaiian themed lunch and sincerely hope it will be a time Kathy treasures.