A while back, I decided that I wanted to be my own boss. I mean, don’t we all want to be our own bosses? In pursuing that dream, I’ve taken up a lot of hobbies & passions in order to make that happen. Being an author has indefinitely been put on hold in order to do more photography, work with photoshop in a more creative outlet, and to spend more time on my website(s). This afternoon I was photoshopping some stuff I am going to use in my (first) maternity photo-shoot in a couple of weeks and it occurred to me that I really enjoy making these types of things. And you can’t spend you life doing something you don’t really enjoy right? So I’ve decided to branch out, and offer my photography services as well as invitation-making services as well! I’ve got a lot of work to do still but I’m starting some trial runs and I think, so far, it’s going pretty well. Next on my list is buying an awesome photo printer so I can make my own cards–which I already do, just with a normal printer.
Above on the left, there is a wedding invitation from Wedding Paper Divas, one of my favorite sites to just peruse in my free time. They have so much pretty stuff, in addition to a great variety and great customer service (I order some stuff there during my own wedding, as did my sister for me). And on the right is my first attempt to make an invitation SIMILAR to it. I wasn’t trying to copy it exactly, just do something relatively similar. Instead of using the red wine/burgundy color, I opted for a brighter purple. I only did this because I wanted the overall appearance to still stay similar to my example invite. And I went with swirly things instead of the Victorian look, although I think I like the latter a lot better. And I eliminated the divorced parents thing off the invite, because I like it simpler–LOL. I also like the spacing on the bride & groom’s name on the WPD invite better, but I’m not so sure how to do that with my current set-up. Anyway, what do you guys think of my first try? Be honest, I need feedback! You can see the original WPD invitation here, and you can see my invitation here.
Here’s another, different one I did a few weeks ago just messing around. I love black & white, btw.
I would say one of the worst things about this one is the font, but I wanted to choose something less formal that ALL CAPS fonts. And the black, white, black border would obviously be black cardstock on white cardstock on black cardstock. Anyway, I like the above one for a black & white themed wedding or party, and I like the simplicity of it. I’m not big into frilly, ornate invitations, so this relatively simple look was what I wanted. But like I said before, I’d want a more readable font. (Oh and all the info is made up, too!)
Now here is another one from WPD’s that I really like. I think it’s just enough simple, elegant and beautiful. They have it in a few different colors but yellow is my favorite.
I really love the Orchids, the font they used for the bride & groom’s names and the “reception to follow” part. I am guessing the orchids invitation is used in this example since the wedding is in Hawaii, but I really think if you chose Orchids as centerpieces (or any other elemental design in your wedding) that this invitation is perfect. You aren’t limited to using it only at a beach/ocean wedding at all.
And now a flier for a (fictional) store. Although I’m not sure how often fliers are used these days, what with the internet and everything. Fliers in lots of color, especially, LOL! But, nonetheless… here was my first flier attempt.
I definitely don’t like the color scheme I chose for any of it, especially the colors on the little girl. I really don’t know what I was thinking with that awful pink for her dress but oh well! Anyway, this was relatively simple to make and wasn’t all that time consuming (less than an hour… 40 minutes maybe?) but that’s also because there’s nothing super complicated. And that’s why it’s just mediocre. But still, my first 
If anyone has questions as to how I am making these (or any other things I’ve made & posted on my blog) feel free to shoot me an e-mail or comment and I’d be more than happy to share with you. Also, I’m using CS3 (and CS4 on occasion, but it’s on my husband’s computer and I have 3 so mostly CS3!) for all of these. Never used any non-Adobe programs for this type of stuff but would be open to it if anyone had anything to recommend?
So there’s a few of my attempts to be cool Suggestions? Advice? Tips? Hate mail? I’d be open to hear any of it, although preferably not the last one!
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