50th Birthday Party Favors

Custom Candy Bar Wrappers for 50th Birthday Party

Color, don't be afraid to use it!

Costa Maya, Mexico Artisan Market

When I was in Mexico some of the most beautiful creations that I saw were painted with amazingly bright colors that all of the artisans used; they were not afraid of color, and you should not be either. How many times have you been to an event where the colors were so bland, they blended into the background. Colors like taupe or champagne were the color used to highlight the most important feature on a table scape? Have you ever received an invitation that was black serif font on a white card stock with no embellishment? Boring, right? Many people are afraid to use color so they completely shy away from it all together, but color can be used to add interest and liven up almost any piece of design. It can set the tone for an event, or can be the main element on an invitation. So why not experiment? You can be simple with color or as bold as you want! For example a simple glass vase with a lime green hydrangea can add color to a table dressed with all white linens, or a fuschia backer layer can be used on an invitation with a white invitation layer and light pink satin ribbon. When sitting down and planning an event or starting out on a new project I always determine what my feature color will be. This sets the tone for the color palette. From there, I chose an accent color or two, (usually one that complements and one that contrasts) and decide how I will be incorporating each of them. This color palette is always mixed and matched through each piece of a design ensemble in different ways, creating a very cohesive look. Color palettes can be bright, soft, jeweltone, earthtone, dark, light and so on...the combinations are endless! Look at how each of these artists uses color in a different way, some use many colors in their combinations others use one or two, but in the end each combination creates a design that stands out on it's own and creates a beautiful interesting piece that is daring and unique. They certainly caught my eye!

Finding Inspiration

So I am leaving for warmer weather in the morning, and will be visiting some new places. When I visit new places one of my favorite things to do is to look around for inspiration for a new project or something I can bring home with me that will spark a creative idea. I tend to do a LOT of photography, and plan on picking up handmade items that each are a creation and a representation of that artist.

When you are looking for ideas to make your event a creative and unique, you have to be inspired. Whether that inspiration be the pattern of a fabric that you turn into a color scheme, a theme you carry throughout an event, the smallest detail in a table arrangement that becomes your centerpiece or a monogram on an invitation. Let your inspiration be what guides your ideas and sparks your creativity or vision moving forward.

I like to keep an "Inspiration" folder. I put a collection of pictures or items in the folder to refer back to when I am looking for an idea. I think this is something great for anyone to do, but especially great if you are planning a big event.

I would encourage you to start an inspiration folder if you are planning a special event, it will help you get a sense of your style and will certainly come in handy down the road. If you are planning an event that has many aspects to it, like a wedding, make multiple folders for each piece of the puzzle. That way, you can stay organized and keep your ideas for each piece of your special day flowing.

Lastly, remember to pay attention to the tiniest details around you...they may spark the biggest ideas!

Jenna's Bridal Shower!

Place Cards

Custom Designed Cake (baked by D'Amici's Bakery)

Chocolate Cup Cake Mix

Centerpieces with Table Numbers

Tina & Anthony Bruno 10.10.09

Custom Table Numbers

Custom Wine Bottle Labels

Custom Menu Cards

(Photos by Photographer Adriano Batti)

Making Dreams a Reality!

Everyone dreams about their special event, whether it be a wedding, a birthday celebration or a simple dinner party with family and friends. Usually every detail is planned out and nine times out of ten you have a picture in your head of what you would like it to look like. But, you don't know how you are going to make that dream a reality, right? Creativity has always come naturally to me, pretty much since childhood, and as a graphic designer I have always had the the ability to take a person's description of what they would like and interpret it into something beautiful.

When my Best Friend got engaged, I began to help her plan her wedding and truly found my passion in designing all the aspects of her wedding day. Then, my brother got engaged and I helped him and my now sister-in-law design their wedding as well. The process of taking their visions and making their dream of their wedding day a reality was extremely rewarding, and seeing it all put together on their special day was incredible. I knew at those moments that this was something I HAD to pursue.

So, here I am, on the path to making MY dream a reality. I thought that I would start this blog in the hopes that I would share my design ideas with you, samples of my work, and use this as a reference place for your friends that may be looking for help with their special event.

I would love to hear your feedback, so feel free to e-mail me, debralee719@comcast.net. Enjoy!

d.Lee