Friday, May 17, 2013

Such a Dingbat!

Created with Jackie’s Hand font and 2Peas Garden Girls love me dingbat font
Have you heard of dingbats? That’s the name for a fun type of character font that works well with custom graphic design work and digital scrapbooking techniques. Wikipedia defines a dingbat font as:

A dingbat is an ornament, character or spacer used in typesetting, sometimes more formally known as a “printer’s ornament” or “printer’s character”. The term continues to be used in the computer industry to describe fonts that have symbols and shapes in the positions designated for alphabetical or numeric characters.
Using dingbats is as easy as typing, just click on the alphabet key associated with the image you want to use. You can adjust the size of the font and fill with different colors. You can even use the shapes as a clipping mask and fill with colored or patterned papers (in Photoshop, I'm brand new to Photoshop so this is a learning process for me!). Many dingbats can be modified (such as colored). They are such an fun way to add easy and mostly FREE details to illustrate titles and themes to whatever you creating.



Here are a few of my favorites: 

Pea Betsy free at fonts for peas










 
Pea Cookie Doodles free at fonts for peas









Convo Balloons Free on dafont.com







 
Harry Potter Free on dafont.com






 
Garden Girl love me Free on fontspace.com














Forced Reentry (StarWars) free on dafont.com







 
Famous Folks free on dafont.com








This post inspired me to create this fun little piece with one of my favorite female American icons and quotes, using the Famous Folks dingbat font. Fun, right!?   


 
So are you ready to raid your dingbat files or download some now? I’d love to see what you create with these tiny little bits of art. Feel free to leave a comment and a link to the images you've created. Remember, it’s ok to play and have some fun!

Cheers!
Angee


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner



If you think wedding planners are only a privilege the rich can afford, think again. Here’s 10 reasons to reconsider.



10. Saves time – Planning wedding takes enormous amount of time. In fact, the average couple spends well over 200 hours planning their special day. A good wedding planner will save you time and energy by researching vendors, taking care of the many, many details, and coming up with various creative ideas to make your wedding amazing!

9. Saves money – Weddings can be extremely expensive.  However, by hiring a wedding planner, couples can save a great deal of money.  Because wedding planners provide so much business to vendors, they are often able to negotiate discounts for their clients.  Wedding planners are also well-versed at helping couples set budgets and sticking to them.

8. Saves relationships – Weddings are very stressful.  This stress often results in many arguments for couples as well as with family members and friends.  Wedding planners have been there time and time again and know how to avoid such problems before they begin as well as act as a buffer when there are conflicts. Wedding planners are also able to take on the responsibilities often assigned to loved ones so that everyone is able to enjoy the wedding.  Remember, you still want a relationship with your mother well after your wedding!

 7. Ensures dreams are made realities – Most have been dreaming of their wedding day their entire life.  Wedding planners work for the couple and ensure that all desires are met (and often surpassed)!

6.  Offers advice – Wedding planners have planned countless weddings and know exactly what works and what doesn’t.  They are also knowledgeable on wedding etiquette.  Furthermore, wedding planners are able to recommend competent vendors, based on personal experience.

5. Acts as the “go to person” – The average wedding has at least 22 different vendors.  Combine that with the entire wedding party and all of the guests and that is a lot of people with questions and concerns!  By hiring a wedding planner, couples can simply tell others “talk to the wedding planner!”

4. Creates schedules – There are so many events leading up to the big day!  Couple that with the many things that happen during the wedding and who can keep track?  The wedding planner can!  Wedding planners are well-versed at making detailed itineraries for all involved (including other vendors) and making sure that everything happens on time!

3. Handles crisis – Whether we like it or not, most big events involve crisis.  Who really wants to deal on their wedding day with the bakery not delivering the cake on time or the flower girl throwing a tantrum?  No one!  Wedding planners know how to handle all unforeseen circumstances.

2. Orchestrates from rehearsal through the end of reception – Do you want to be responsible for organizing rehearsal or making sure the bridal party is properly lined up?  How about making sure that the guest who had a little too much to drink departs safely?  Wedding planners orchestrate from rehearsal through the end of the reception, ensuring everything goes off without a hitch!

1. Minimizes stress and maximizes fun! – Hiring a wedding planner ensures that you will have a worry-free and stress-free day, thus, allowing you to enjoy your day like your guests!

Blessings, 
Angee

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Pantone's 2013 Fall Color Report!



Pantone’s 2013 Fall Color Report


I forgot!  How did I forget?  

We all know that I love color. I love it! I love talking about it and thinking about it and putting together palettes and reading about it and planning and imagining it.

Here’s my little take on Pantone’s 2013 Fall Fashion Color Report: 


My guess for fall weddings is palettes of:
Purples and Pinks like Acai and Vivacious
Mixed greens like Emerald, Linden Green and Deep Lichen Green
Bright and bold like Samba, Koi and Vivacious
Mystical and Magical with Mykonos Blue, Emerald, Acai and Turbulence
Naturals paired with a deep bold like Carafe, Deep Lichen Green, Linden Green and Samba

 Cheers!
Angee

Monday, May 13, 2013

Happy Birth Day - A Non Traditional Baby Shower!



 
Oh baby, you’re not hip on traditional baby showers, but still want to plan something special for your girlfriend who’s expecting? Why not plan a Birth Day Party–a shower designed around the needs of your friend and the day of delivery. This party is ideal for mothers who aren’t having their first child, or who have already had a traditional shower. It’s also perfect for those who can’t stand the thought of one more silly baby shower game. By turning the focus on the new mother, you can add comfort to her days and nurture her with loving support. Here’s how:

The setting
Showers are traditionally held in homes or in fancy halls. Either would be fine for this party too. But remember, this is an un-shower. So, think about where your girlfriend feels most comfortable. Outdoors in nature? In a coffee shop? Nightclub? Consider her personality and try to make the day about her.

The invitations
PaperHeart Company has a great custom invitation idea that lets you use an ultrasound picture of your pregnant girlfriend. If you choose to make your own invitation, we still like the idea of focusing on your girlfriend and honoring the changes she is going through.

Food and drink
Well of course, you’ll need to think about her favorite foods. Give the woman what she wants! It will be the last time for a long while that anyone will make a fuss over her, so try to get it right. Don’t forget the Birth Day cake…and it had better be chocolate if your girlfriend is anything like ours!

The gifts
Instead of bringing gifts for the baby, ask each guest to bring a gift to make the days around delivery a little easier. These might include: A comfy robe and a pair of slippers to relax in (check out this one), pretty nursing pajamas, a stash of magazines to pass the time in the hospital, snack food for her cravings, music to help her unwind, a good luck charm or a symbol of the occasion (like one of these from Zazzle).  For DIY & some ready-made gifts (or just ideas to use), see this New Mother Comfort Kit, Birth and Beyond Delivery Kit, or Essential Labor Comfort Kit. Girlfriends who would rather give of themselves can make gift certificates for hours of baby-sitting, dinners to deliver, or house cleaning.

Nurturing activities
  • Give each shower guest a few diapers and some Sharpies and ask them to write a message to the new mom on the front and/or back of the diapers. These diapers are to be reserved for late night changings by mom so the point is to write something funny or encouraging to give her a little pick-me-up in the wee hours of the night!
  • Ask each guest to bring a baby picture of themselves (do not show anyone) when they arrive display with numbers and ask guest to “Name that Baby”.
  • For a twist, have each guest complete the following sentence, written to the unborn child: “I know your mother was excited about your birth because_____________.” The answers can be read aloud, and then put inside a penny bank to be opened by the child on his or her birthday (milestone birthday of mother’s choice). This makes a great “time capsule” and is a great way to include the child.
  • Before everyone leaves, have them sign up for a date to bring your girlfriend a meal after the baby arrives.

Party favors
What better way to celebrate the new life growing inside your friend than with a tiny plant or seedpacket, wrapped up with a bow in a small, pretty pot? You might try to find baby’s breath or sweet pea plants or seeds to keep the theme going.

Have a wonderful day celebrating your friend’s big event! Let me know how it turns out!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Graduation Party Tips & Ideas

Source: Google Image Search


Celebrating your child's graduation is important and exciting, and it can be expensive. It may be the second most important party you throw for them. (We'll assume the wedding will really be a show!) 

For a successful graduation party, planning is the key; you have to get organized from the very start so that you won’t be stressed at the time of the party. Whether it’s a high school graduation, college graduation, or graduation from kindergarten; planning ahead of time will help you throw a memorable and fun party for all to enjoy. From the invitations to food and drink, I’ve put together some great graduation party planning tips to help you.

Set the Budget: Like any big party, this is an essential first step. I've heard everything from, thinking I shouldn't throw a party and just put the money in an envelope, to throwing the biggest graduation bash ever. The best choice is probably somewhere in-between. Bring family and friends together to celebrate this great accomplishment but keep it informal enough so that it's fun and relatively inexpensive. Setting a budget will help you make decisions along the way.

Set a date and time for the graduation party: This can be harder than you think and should coordinate so that the most people can attend. Write down a few options or ideas and start calling those you would like to see come. Narrow down your choices until you have a date that suits the most people. Remember; be flexible with your child. It is quite possible that there will be other parties around the same time as your child’s party. Talk the timing through and see how you can best accommodate your party and your child’s need to say goodbye to school friendships.

Where Will the Party Be Held? There are 3 basic choices. Your final choice will depend on your budget, how much time you have, and how many people are attending.

1.   You can rent a hall. If you are having lots of people, this works very well. No worries about renting chairs, tables, or silverware. Most halls have good entertainment opportunities also. Dance floors, stages, and even outdoor activities like horseshoes for the old folks and playgrounds for the kids. This is a good choice for larger parties.
2.   You can make restaurant reservations. Perfect for smaller events. If your child is graduating from an out of town school and just the immediate family can make it, this is a great solution. Easy to plan; the restaurant does most of the work and you can concentrate on the celebration. Try to get a private room, if possible, so you don't have outside interference and you don't feel obligated to leave quickly.
3.   You can host the party at your house. Still the most common option. Many graduation parties are open houses and your house works for this approach. This can also be the least expensive option while still giving you great opportunities to make it special.

Getting the word out, invitations: Once you have settled on a guest list you'll have to get the word out. There are lots of very cool invitations out there. And don't forget to order other printed materials you might need:

Invitations/RSVP/Other Printed Items

    ___ Invitation to the party! - Go to your local party store, check out Zazzle for personalized invitations or email me from for a one of a kind custom design. Complete packages are available. There are plenty of graduation parties happening at the same time so get this out early and try to make it special!
    ___ Response Card and
    ___ Response Envelope - Not standard for a graduation party, but, if you are having lots of out of towners, it's not a bad idea.
    ___ Directional Card - Basically a map to where the party is being held. If it's at your house, this is probably not needed, but, if you're going to a restaurant or a hall, it's a nice touch.
    ___ Seating Cards - Only if you are having a sit down affair.
    ___ Agenda - I think this is a nice touch for out of town guests, especially if there are other informal get-togethers over the weekend.
    ___ Signage/Sign-In Boards - If you are getting any specially made signs, sign-in boards, or cut-outs now is the time to order them. VistaPrint is a great and inexpensive place to create signs and banners, or you can go to your local printer for design and print ideas.

Set a theme and buy the décor: When you consider graduation theme ideas, keep in mind the interests of the guest of honor. You will also need to consider your venue for the party as it might lend itself to certain themes better than others. Everyone loves a themed party so let your graduate help you pick the theme. There are so many fun choices for a themed graduation party. Some of my favorites are; Sail Away, Smart Cookie, Keys to Success, and Picture Your Future. Check out Oriental Trading for lots of inexpensive decorations and party favors. 



Source: Celebrations at Home via Angee's Eventions on Pinterest
Source: Party Pinching via Angee's Eventions on Pinterest

 Food: This will all be dictated by your venue. If you are hosting the party at home or a venue allowing outside food and drinks check out this fun site for graduation themed finger foods! 

Source: Love the Day via Angee's Eventions on Pinterest

Weather you decide to have a giant blow out or a small gathering with friends and family remember this is all about your graduate and should reflect their personality and future…but most of all be FUN! 

Cheers! 
Angee