You’re invited to my first Snapshots! Photography Exhibit at the Kirksville Arts Center. The show is up for the months of September and October, and the reception will be held September 7th from 5:30 to 7:00. Most of the enlarged prints will be for sale and smaller prints will be available as well.  To get an idea of what you will see, click on the Snapshots! tab here on my website.  Please share with friends and family that might be interested.  Thank you!

Brides all over the U.S. are finding Originals Paper Art booklet invitations and loving them.  Here’s another beautiful invitation I designed for an adorable couple in Albertson, New York.  They’re getting married in Puerto Rico this fall.  The words casual and elegant often surface in pre-design discussions… so I used a cover stock that has fabulous texture, I hand-tore each edge, bound the booklet together with natural cord and incorporated metallic envelopes.

The booklet invitation has three different monochromatic styles of paper inside, it’s truly the paper-lover’s dream invitation.

As with all destination weddings, there’s a lot of information that needs to be incorporated into one easy-to-handle piece. We successfully included the weekend line-up of events, ceremony and reception, travel accommodations and RSVP postcard in one divine package.

And here they are, 100 destination wedding invitations ready to ship off to New York. Best wishes to my new friends, Melodie and Joe!  I wish you lots of luck on your wedding day and a future full of love and laughter!  Cheers.

A few words from Melodie:

We got them!  We love them!  We love you!  Thank you.

Before I left on my road trip to the Great Northwest I designed new business cards. As a designer you can imagine how difficult it was designing for myself. A million ideas going through my head and having to choose one.

I decided to make a business card that’s a miniature representation of my design niche. It’s slightly shorter than a standard business card, folds in half like a greeting card and has all my info in a clean and concise layout.

It perfectly proves my ability to do all the things I market myself to do!  Now that’s a successful design solution!  Agree?

I fold the business card in half and corner round the two right corners to compliment my round swirl and font, and then slip two cards into this miniature black envelope. BC ADVICE: Always give two business cards away, one for the recipient and another for the the recipient to give away!

For fun I take my business card to another level of fabulous!  I add an eyelet to really hit home my ability to truly create an original business card.  Besides, the point these days is to stand out, right? So do it, dare to be different and be an original!

I do this bindery step by hand and it’s  well worth it in the long run! Check these out!

Then I insert a natural thin cord through the eyelet and tie a knot, and like that, you have a functional tag and business card that’s sure to be a conversation piece for weeks and months to come.

So tell me this, if you received a business card like this, would you keep it or toss it? My bet is that you’d keep it. That, to me, is why spending a little extra on your business card is very important. Cheaper isn’t always better.

Have a great day!

The Kirksville Stars and Stripes Marathon/Half Marathon was nearly a month ago, but since I was gone I didn’t get the opportunity to capture any images of the event itself. I posted early electronic files showing these marathon items, but seeing the real thing gives them credibility.

This is the finisher medal. Each participant received one as they crossed the finish line. A nice keepsake for such an amazing accomplishment. I ran the Seattle Rock’n Roll Half Marathon this summer, and let me tell you, it really is an accomplishment I’m very proud of.

Here is the number bib that each runner received in their goody bag.  When Allen received them from our vendor he said, “Brooke, these are a keepsake all by themselves.”  That made me smile.  I hope some of the runners felt the same way.

The 100 series was for the marathon runners, and 200 series for half marathon.

This is a template Allen cut out and used for mile markers along the route.  He totally understands the power of branding an event, OR is simply entertaining me, either way you’ve gotta love it.  Under each logo painted on the route was the mile marker in white.

I simply love the color and texture of this shot, it has so much character, kinda like each and every runner!

Have a great weekend and remember to slow down and take time to enjoy the simple things in life.

AT LAST! I’m back to work! Allen and I have been on a six week summer adventure to the west coast and back again! We traveled through ten states, drove over 9100 miles, participated in four official events (one triathlon, one half marathon and two bike rides) and visited numerous friends and family members along the way. It was perfect. Here’s a picture of my mom and I crossing the FINISH line of the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride. 202 miles in two days, the best way to wrap up our trip back home. I have lots of projects to post, so check back often.

Here are two of three custom wedding items being shipped this week. This one comes from a bride in Canada. She wanted a marriage license that included their vows, their colors and wedding theme and most importantly… the inclusion of their children in the signing.

Their wedding colors are silver and butter yellow, and the ceremony is at a beautiful rustic lodge. I designed this piece 11 x 14 so it will fit a traditional picture frame and/or mat.

Here’s what Tamara wrote in one of her email messages, “It is perfect! We are thrilled..it is exactly what we wanted for all of us to sign in participation of the ceremony! I will highly recommend you Brooke…it’s awesome!”

Beth was in search of a guest book alternative.  We combined our two ideas and came up with this beautiful and functional piece.  Beth is having a small wedding at a vineyard in Missouri and wanted a vintage look and to incorporated grape leaves if possible.  I do believe we hit this one right on.  This piece matches her invitations (that I’ve yet to blog about).

This piece is digitally printed on a fabulous textured card stock and is fabulous to touch.  The script font compliments the scrolling graphic beautifully!  I get so giddy when fonts and graphics blend this well… I’m such a graphic designer!  HA.

This piece is also 11 x 14 so that it can be matted and framed for years of enjoyment.  One more coming… stay tuned.

What will I do with my time when this marathon is over?  I’m certain Allen will come up with some other multisport event… do I hear Century Ride?!  For those new to the blog… my husband is the Director of the first Kirksville Stars and Stripes Marathon that takes place on Saturday, July 3rd.  In addition to designing the marathon logo, below are some of the marketing materials I designed for this awesome event. This is our 11×17 full color poster. I added runners to compliment the single runner in the logo itself. I really like the way it turned out.

Here is the Registration Form we posted on the marathon website and mailed to an established runners list.

This is the Sponsorship Form which mirrors the Registration Form… continuity is important in branding an event (or business). We used this form to solicit sponsors that we know enjoy the sport of running. We hope to build on this base next year. Interested in the title sponsor?  Somebody, anybody?

Here is the current T-shirt design. It’s not final yet, but we’d better be by the end of the week! HA!

This was a new project for me, a Race Number Bib! Are you familiar?  I’ve worn a handful, but never imagined designing one. Fun. Fun.

Last, but not least, the Finisher Medal. It’s a simple 2.25 round medal that hangs from a ribbon and every runner/walker receives one as they cross the finish line. It’s a symbol of completion, satisfaction and bragging rights!

So, as you can see, if you have a sporting event that needs a designers touch… I’m here to assist you! Waste no time… contact me soon for your 2011 Event!

If you’re in the Kirksville area and a patron of the arts, please swing by Arts Center this evening between 5:30-7:00 and join us for the Kirksville Arts Association Membership Mixer. Here’s the flyer for more details:

I just got to thinking I should have done “BEFORE & AFTER” pictures of this brochure.  Perhaps I’ll follow up with that idea later this week.

This is obviously a tri-fold brochure I designed for the Adair County Public Library.  It’s an informational self-mailer piece  marketing their Endowments and Gifts.

Glenda came to me and said they needed to step it up and hire a designer to overhaul the brochure and give it a professional look.  They provided me with all the copy, photos, and logos.  The brochure came together quickly and under budget.

With ample preparation and planning on your end… hiring a professional designer doesn’t have to break the bank!  If you’re looking at some of your own marketing materials that really need updating, contact me today and let’s talk!

It’s that time of year again. I designed these graduation announcements for another one of my nephews. I have ten (nieces and nephews) total… so I’ll have designed many when they’re all done with school. It’s my goal to make them all different and ORIGINAL! Imagine that!  Enjoy the recipe.

This is a slender folding card with a school mascot wrap keeping it closed. Slip the wrap off and it reveals the announcement and houses additional party information and/or pictures my sister decides to tuck inside.

Congratulations Brandon! Enjoy your final days of high school… because the real world is right around the corner!! See you soon.