On the 1st Day BEFORE Christmas...

Merry Christmas EVE everyone!!!! The big Day-Before-The-BIG-Day is finally here!!! I don't know about you but I am excited! And I am even more excited to finally be able to show you my Favorite of all the 12 Days BEFORE Christmas countdown for 2012!!!

Are you ready? Here is is.....

"On the 1st Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
.. my best gift this year... Aeden Lily!" 

- Here is the Birth Announcement for my littlest love, my new daughter, Aeden Lily Sutherland!! Yes, it is true, I got my big Christmas gift early this year. Almost 2 whole months early in fact. This little one has been on my Christmas wish list for quite some time now and I can not express in mere words how blessed I am to have her in my life. She is a complete miracle and will always be the best Christmas Gift I will ever receive. Thank you all who have walked beside us, prayed for and with us, and encouraged us in the adventure of getting her here. They say the best gifts don't come from a store and I could not agree more. What a beautiful, precious, gift LIFE is!

ENJOY and may this Christmas Season find you and your families richly blessed!!!!

A HUGE Thank You to the wonderfully talented and incredibly patient, Lyndsey at Lyndsey Lew Photography, for the amazing photos of my little lady!

On the 2nd Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 2nd Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you..
.. A Very Merry Christmas!!!"

- Ta Da! Here is my family Christmas Card for 2012. Christmas Cards of any kind make me happy and I hardly ever get to design things just for me.. so I had a lot of fun with this one. 

From my family to yours, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas to you all!!!! This year I am finding myself incredibly blessed beyond measure and I wish the same for YOU in the New Year!!! -

ENJOY!

A million thanks to the wonderful Erin at Art & Soul Photography for the amazing photo of my two precious daughters. You are the best!

On the 3rd Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 3rd Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... the Fabulous Keegan Family!"

- Can this kid get any cuter? I love his little grin.. and I LOVE this little family. I was so excited when they asked me to design their cards this year. YAY for fun designs to go with such a fun and wonderful family (and awesome photos taken by the wonderfully talented Beth Ann!!) I seriously don't know what I, or my daughters, would do with out these guys. I am so incredibly blessed to have them in my life. LOVE you all!!!! - 

ENJOY!

On the 4th Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 4th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... a Pet Friendly Christmas!"

-  I love designing Christmas cards... and even more so when they come with a new twist. I can honestly say that this is my first card design that included photos of pets (and these are the best pets at that too!!!!) A dear friend of mine asked if I would design cards for her this year with her 'babies'. Except the babies cant really sit still long enough or next to each other for one group photo. So this was our fun solution. I love how they turned out and I am super excited to have finally designed a Pet Friendly Christmas Card! -

ENJOY!

On the 5th Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 5th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... the Wonderful Young Family!"

- You met one of the crew on this Christmas Card in yesterdays post.. but here is the rest of the family. For the past few years I have been honored to design their Christmas Card and I just have to say that each year they continue to get more beautiful. I love being able to watch these kids grow up even though we no longer live close by. Love you all bunches and Many Many Blessings in the New Year! - 

ENJOY!

On the 6th Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 6th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... a Big Heartfelt Thanks!"

- This card design just about brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. A few weeks ago I was given the honor of designing a Thank You card for an amazing young hero who has been through more than most of us ever will in his little life. He, and his family, got to experience their Christmas Miracle early through the amazing recovery and healing of his little heart. Shaun, you are such a blessing in so many lives, Thank YOU for letting me be a small part of it! - 

ENJOY!

On the 7th Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 7th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... the Common Reader 2012."

- Here are a few of this years Common Reader marketing projects for CMC. I love being able to design a whole matching set of different projects around a new book theme each year. And as always, this years book choice did not disappoint in getting my creative juices flowing! - 

ENJOY!

- Bookmark - 

 - Postcard - 

 - Poster - 

On the 8th Day BEFORE Christmas...

OOPS!!! Yesterday came and went and I did not have time to post.. so here is yesterdays countdown.

"On the 8th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... The Luggage Jacket."

- Just a little flyer/ad I designed earlier this year advertising NCAA Themed Luggage Jackets. Super fun little concept for travel.. and I LOVE how fun and bright the ad turned out. - 

ENJOY!

On the 9th Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 9th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... the New CMC Guidebook!"

- This is the newest version of the Colorado Mountain College Guidebook. I had so much fun designing this and upgrading it from the previous version I helped design a few years ago. I know I have mentioned this before, but I love being able to work for my alma mater. It is so fun to see the college grow and move forward and add new programs each year. Makes me feel like I am part of something big!!! I also love how fun this new Guidebook turned out and I can't wait to see it in print and not just on screen! - 

ENJOY!

- All photos property of Colorado Mountain College - 

On the 10th Day BEFORE Christmas...

"On the 10th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... a Wonderful Wintery Holiday Party Poster."

- This is the 4th annual Holiday Party Poster I have been honored to design for Garfield & Hecht, P.C. I LOVE how Winter Wonderland-like this one turned out... it just makes me want to go hit the slopes.. or have hot coco curled up by a warm fireplace. Either one is good with me! I hope your Holiday Party was wonderful yesterday! - 

ENJOY!

On the 11th Day BEFORE Christmas...

In light of events that happened today in CT, I decided to swap my posts around for one that has a little more meaning to it.... and I just happened to have recently worked on a logo design that is just perfect for today.

"On the 11th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...
... a "STRONGER" Logo."

- This is a little logo I designed a few weeks ago for a local Church Youth Group Retreat. Their theme verse was 2 Corinthians 2:19 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." The main idea of the retreat they were trying to get across was that we are stronger when we learn how to lean on God and trust in His power instead of pretending like we've got it all figured out on our own.  

I don't know about you but I know I don't have it all figured out.. especially after learning about the tragedy that occurred earlier this morning. There are a lot of questions I would like answered, things I would like to know and figure out. But today is not that day, and I just have to continue to trust that the Lord will take care of us and only then will my weakness be made strong. - 

ENJOY and hug your children extra tight tonight, I know I will!!!!

On the 12th Day BEFORE Christmas...

Happy December!!!! I guess a little "Welcome Back" is in order since it has been about 2 months since I posted anything. I have to confess I have been a little busy with the birth of my 2nd daughter in October... BUT I am back.. and I have tons of fun designs to share with you all.

I decided it would be fun to do my own little version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" and make a somewhat backwards countdown to showcase some of my recent work.

So without further ado.. I give you "The 12 Days BEFORE Christmas!!!"

"On the 12th Day BEFORE Christmas, I present to you...

... A fun little Welcome Back card!"

- Designed earlier this fall for CMC to hand out to teachers and staff at the start of the school year. -

ENJOY!

Happy October - Class of 2013!!!

Yay!!!! October is finally here!!!! My favorite month of the year has finally arrived. Not only do I love this month because I love Fall but because it is also my birthday month AND this year it could possible be baby #2's birthday month as well. Yes indeed, October is my Favorite!!!

To kick off my favorite month I wanted to share with you some super fun photos of one of my favorite people (who's birthday also happens to be this month). A few weeks ago I got to hang with this amazing girl and take her senior portraits. We had a blast!!!! Bubbles + Rivers + Old Barns + Sunsets + Playgrounds + Awesome Sunglasses make for the perfect photographic adventure!

ENJOY, and Sophia darling, you are a true gem, never forget that! Love you for days!!!!

Colorado Blues Dance!

And now for my FINAL September Showcase Logo... I bring you the new Colorado Blues Dance logo!!! If you have known me for a while (or had the chance to read a few of my past blog posts) I LOVE to dance!!!! I just can't help it.. there is something about good music and a good beat that gets my toes tapping and eventually up and dancing!!!

This year I was asked by a few local dance event leaders to help with designing some of their event posters, flyers ads and a new logo. Of course I said YES!!! It just does not get any better than being able to combine two of my favorite things, Dance & Design!!!

ENJOY!!!!

- Colorado Blues Dance Logo

- Mardi Gras Poster

- Willie Houston Poster

- Delta Sonics Poster

- Rachael's Dance Instructor Ad

- Denver Dance Experiment Poster

- Denver Dance Experiment Web Banner

- Tuesday Blues Poster

Dawna's Design Threads...

Are you ready for this weeks September Showcase Logo? I know I am!!!! I have been eagerly awaiting sharing this fun little design with you and today is finally that day!!!!

I love small businesses, I know I say that a lot but it is true. I love being able to help give people who are just starting out, or who want a more professional look, a fun "face lift" to their business. This new client of mine has been in business for a while but was wanting that personal one-of-a-kind logo and marketing look that would help her stand out from the crowd and help her business reach the next level.

My very talented new friend runs a quilting pattern design business called Dawna's Design Threads. She creates fun repeating patterns that fellow quilters can buy and use to finish off their quilts giving them a unique patterned texture to their handiwork. I personally have never quilted in my life, but I just LOVE how beautiful these patterns look on a finished quilt. (You can check out more of her products and examples HERE)

Working with someone who is artsy and talented is always a fun experience. I LOVED her patterns and since she wanted a personal one-of-a-kind logo we decided to use a part of one of these quilting designs she has created and fashion it into a logo design. FUN! It does not get more unique than this!

I just adore how it turned out, simple and elegant and so perfect for her booming small business!!!

ENJOY!

- Finished Logo Design

- Sample of Quilting Pattern used for the Logo Design

 - Business Card

Mandy Smith Studio

It is a beautifully rainy day here and not only am I exited for the rain, I am also super excited to share with you this weeks Logo addition into the September Showcase!

A dear friend of mine recently took the leap of taking one of her passions and talents and starting her own photography business, Mandy Smith Studio. She has an amazing eye and is WONDERFUL with children. Time after time her photos capture the pure joy and beauty in life. This girl is gonna go far with her camera and I am honored to be a part of her big adventure by designing her official logo.

Mandy, best of luck darling, and many blessings as you continue to seek and capture the beauty in the world and people around you!

ENJOY!

Caresse Rose Photography...

September is here. YAY!!! The temps are slowly dropping and the leaves are beginning to turn wonderful colors. I love Fall, change and the beginning of new things.... So for the month of September I am going to showcase a few super fun new logos I have been working on for some small businesses. Are you ready? It's gonna be fun!!!

First up for this week, is a cute little logo I designed for a fabulous up-and-coming photographer and owner of Caresse Rose Photography. I love being contacted by new clients through the referral process and in turn not only do I gain a new client but I gain a new friend as well!

Caresse, it was wonderful to meet you! I wish you all the best in your photo adventures and I can not wait till my little family gets the opportunity to experience your photo expertise first hand!!!

ENJOY!

(You can also check out her business facebook page HERE!)

Tee Time!!!

I recently had the honor of photographing a super cute little family and their 9 month old twin boys. We had SO MUCH FUN!!! Not only were the boys full of life and personality that made for some awesome photos.. the location they chose was perfect. We went to a local golf course so the boys could sport their cute little golfer outfits. What more can two little boys want than to be in the grass playing with more than a dozen golf balls? I love it when clients have fun ideas and locations they want to try for their photos and this session was exactly that. FUN!

Rex and Heather, thanks so much for letting me spend a beautiful summer morning with your cute little golfer boys. They are adorable and I wish you many blessings as they grow into wonderful young men.

ENJOY!