Hello Everyone!

Hi!

I am finally getting my blog back up and running. Ok I'm going to be real this is actually my second attempt at a blog. I am hoping to be better this time and post at least once a week. I plan on keeping you up-to-date on all my latest projects whether they are graphic designed based or otherwise, saving money and fun little things about me and my family. So now to see what else I can accomplish before my son wakes up from his nap.

Current Work and Something to do this weekend

I know, I know I am horrible at blogging. But I thought I would share my current work in Julie's Poster for her book signing. So if you have nothing scheduled for Saturday go by any of the Barnes and Nobles in Middle Tennessee and purchase a book and get it signed. Also the country band Due West will also be there performing.

 

New Wedding Web Site

I know there are about a million web sites out there to help you plan your wedding. To plan mine I mainly used Wedding Channel, which I loved. But I found a new one from Google, called Simplify Wedding Planning with Google. On there you can create a wedding web site, upload pics, and keep track of all your schedules and budgets all with one site. All you need to get started is a gmail account.

Ways to Save on Your wedding Stationary.

Weddings are expensive there is no doubt about that, and all the vendors want to be paid at once. Trust me I know all about this one as well. I am going to tell you about a few ways to save a little bit here and there that depending on the number of people invited could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Save the Dates
• Send out postcards instead of enveloped cards. This not only saves you the cost of the envelope but also some postage with a postcard postage right now being 28¢ and a first class letter being 44¢.

• Another option is to go digital. This option is great if you have tech savvy guest and you have everyone's email address. I personally did this one but it didn't go out to all my guest instead only went out to close friends and family that I for sure wanted to make sure showed up for the wedding.


Wedding Invitations
• Spend the money on nice paper and stick with black ink. On average you can save about 30¢ per invitation just by keeping it simple.

• Don't put too much in the envelope. The more you stuff in there the more it will cost you in postage.

• Have the RSVP cards as a postcard. With this you are saving the cost of postage on both the invite itself and the RSVP card but you are also saving yourself an envelope.

• Directions and Information cards. These cards are easily omitted but can be valuable to your guest who aren't familiar with the area and need to know what hotels you have rooms blocked in. My suggestions is to put one on the front of a card and the other on the back to save you weight for your postage. Yes it will cost you a little more on the ink side but you will be saving on the paper side because you are reusing the paper. You will also be able to save money by going to a text weight paper instead of a card stock. The paper you choose should offer a text weight that is thinner but just as pretty.


I hope to have more money saving tips for you later.

Good luck

Elaine

Baby Shower Ideas

If you have a baby shower to put together soon here are some themes for your baby shower.

The Mad Hatter Baby Shower or a Kentucky Derby Baby Shower, what better way to have some fun with your guest than having them wear a hat, the wackier the better. Enjoy some laughs with a tea and finger foods and do not forget to take lots of pictures of this unforgettable event.


The Ducky Baby Shower is a great way to use a toy that will show up soon in the new mother's life as the theme for the party. This party is a good one for a couple's shower as those are becoming more popular. Make sure to decorate the room with yellow balloons and streamers, and serve food on rubber ducky plates, cups and napkins.

Hi

My husband and I just celebrated our 1st anniversary a couple of weeks ago, and life has been interesting. About a year ago, I was just toying with the idea of starting in my own business, but life changes quickly and now I have had the time and the need to start my own business. So enough about that, make sure to check back often to see updates, new work, and advise on how to save money on stationary and printing advice. Also check out the vendors that I have worked with before and trust me they are great at what they do.

Thanks

Elaine