Jess's Wedding Invitations

Tonight's project was finishing assembling Jess's invites. They're 5x5 layered square on a beautiful ivory linen stock, with separate rsvp and reception inserts. Her wedding is going to be all soft Victorian pinks, ivories, and other soft colors, and it will be held at a mansion out on the East Coast this fall. I'm fortunate enough to be part of this wedding twice - in designing her invitations, as well as photographing the wedding itself. East Coast in the fall... a mansion... a beautiful bride and handsome groom - it's going to be absolutely amazing!

Lance Borrowed My Roadbike

On June 7 and 8, 2008, my friend Anna & her team will be biking 150 miles to raise money for the MS Society. Her goal is to raise $500, and her team goal is $5,000. As of the moment I'm posting, they have already achieved $3,457! That's pretty impressive! If you would like to help her reach her goal, or learn more about MS, visit her donation page:

Lance Borrowed My Roadbike

From their site: "Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and stops people from moving. We believe moving is not just something you can or can’t do, but that moving forward is who we are. Just by being here, you are connected to the potential, the hope, the momentum of it all.
We've formed a team for the Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride 2008 because the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Minnesota Chapter represents an estimated 9,000 people with MS in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
We ride together during Bike MS to make a powerful statement and to keep us moving toward a cure. Join our team as a biker or a volunteer! Make a donation online! With the help of people like you, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world."

I had the honor of designing their team t-shirts, which is the image you see above. Go team!! :)

Environmental Portraits

Our assignment for this week was to take Environmental Portraits, which is photographing a person in their natural surroundings to portray the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features. I had four fabulous volunteers, and we had a ton of fun on these photoshoots! I took lots of pics, but I'll just post two of each person. (Thanks again everybody!)

Now, normally I'd tell you who these people are, but if I was successful in this project, you shouldn't need an explanation ;)










These last couple are just us having fun at the hangar :)

Welcome, Elizabeth!

My beautiful niece, Elizabeth was born on Saturday! Please join me in welcoming the 8lb, 7oz bundle of joy into the world. Congratulations, Melissa & Bill, we can't wait to make the trip home to meet her!

In honor of her arrival... baby shower invitations! They chose the pink & aqua one in front. Let me create some for you too! :)


(click image to enlarge)

Over grapefruit and long strides

I often find myself immersed in deep conversations with myself over grapefruit. No, not conversations about grapefruit, but rather conversations about things that have been on my mind, or things I have shoved to the back of my mind... all while I'm peeling my daily grapefruit. Steadily peeling back the thick skin, then rhythmically peeling the white from each individual wedge, one at a time, skin in the trash, fruit in the bowl, skin in the trash, fruit in the bowl... My mind wanders. Lately it's been venturing over into my thoughts on sense of purpose. What we're here for, what I'm here for, what I'm meant to do, what's my calling. I haven't come to a conclusion yet, but this song keeps popping in and continues on repeat since I only know a few words... "Something's callin' me..." And before long, my grapefruit is peeled, and it's time to head back to my cubicle and get back to work, back to reality. Ah, but blissful moments they were.

This afternoon while out walking with my dog, I again let my mind wander. We were actually headed down the road to drop off Colin's announcement cards (yay!) Rhythmically walking, arms swinging, shoes hitting sidewalk, breath in, breath out, little Lexi trotting along in front of me... And what should pop into my head? "Something's callin' me..." Callin'. Sounds like Colin. Then baby Maya pops in... Maya, Colin... My Calling? This epiphany strikes me. A smile spreads across my face, and my step quickens. Maya, Colin. My calling. As I let this thought roll around and savor the idea, I notice a bright green bush near the sidewalk up ahead, revealing itself as the snow melts and the frozen earth thaws, bright green against the dirty & dull spring grass. It's holly.

Imagine. As I was walking, smiling to myself at the thought of my calling, I came across Holly. How wonderfully deliciously intriguing...

:)

Sorry, that got a little long... Back to those announcements. Here they are! You know you want some of your own... ;) Call me - let's take some pictures!

New Logo!

I think it's the curse of the graphic designer to never be satisfied with one's own logo. I have about twenty options I've designed, each with about 10 font and color alternates! I love them all, but I finally narrowed it down to 9 of my favorites today, and then the final one... and this is it!


New logo means the last logo and blog header will be retired, but it'll remain here. :)



New logo also means a page layout change, since the black background wasn't working anymore! Helllooo, white!

Let me know what you think!

Christmas Card Samples!

Here are three Christmas card samples. If you would like me to make cards for you, you can use one of these templates, or I can design something new for you to coordinate with your photo! You can use a photo you have taken, a photo from another photographer with permission, or I can take your photo! But call me (616.719.6220) right away, I fly home to MN on Friday!



They are a little bigger than 5 x 7, and come with A8 envelopes.

Christmas Cards

Have you started your Christmas cards? I have... and I have a few ideas if you would like me to do yours too! You can personalize them with family photo(s) and a message, or I can design something brand spankin' new just for you. Send an email to khollydesign@gmail.com for more info! :) Check back here too, I'll post samples soon...

Holiday Wallpaper 2

Okay, two more... One is regular sized, one is wide-screen :)

Holiday Wallpaper

My desktop wallpaper image had been there way too long, it was time for something festive, so I whipped up this red snowflake image. Might as well do a couple colors :) Enjoy!





Click on one of the images above to get to the larger image, then right-click to save it to your computer and set it as your wallpaper.

Westbury White Horse

This was one of Chris's favorite photos, but it just didn't do the Westbury White Horse justice due to a dreary day. After some cleanup, the Old Grey Mare is looking pretty good for a 300-year old, and back to her beautiful gleaming white.