Busy Busy Busy! July 31, 2008

It’s been a hectic week!

I’ve got two orders that I need to finish and one new client to get mock-ups to this week. One order I’m working on is a huge order – 115! The other order is invitations for my sister’s upcoming Sweet 16 party. I can’t believe that she’s turning 16. I feel so old! :)

Here’s a glimpse of what I’m working on…

photo by Paper Monkey

Almost official! July 23, 2008

I’ve had a hard time coming up with a logo that I’m satisfied with. I have something in mind, but for some reason when I put pencil to paper, I can’t translate it out of my head. This has been going on for over a year now. It’s pretty ridiculous actually. I’ve also been lagging on getting business cards because I wanted a cute monkey logo to put on my fabulous business cards. Since I couldn’t get a monkey I liked on paper, I hadn’t ordered any cards yet. It’s dumb, I know.
So yesterday, with the input of a friend and my Hubby, I finally ordered some cards that are pretty fab. I’m really happy with them. They’re right up my alley, color wise, and style wise. They’re a little generic, but will serve their purpose for now until I can get a hold of that monkey in my head!

Here’s a sneak peek:

You can have fun with Tables – and not have to dance on them… July 18, 2008

Plain old table numbers are boring and lack personality. I love seeing personal touches in little things at the wedding that showcase the couples’ interests, life, etc. Below are some of my favorite examples from weddings that my husband and I have been to:

photo by Paper Monkey

Ok, so it’s not exactly showing a lot of personality, but instead of using numerals, she spelled out the number. It looks very elegant.

photo by Paper Monkey

This couple definitely has a love of music. Each table was named after a classic band that they love. We took this one home and have it displayed on our bookcase. It’s very cool!

photo by Paper Monkey

This is from a lovely wedding at the Disneyland Hotel. She named each table after a song in a Disney movie. I was a bridesmaid, and all of us at at this table.

photo by Sheri Wade Photography

This was a table card from my wedding. We named each table after a place we had been together and/or a place that was significant to us in our relationship. We also added a picture of us at that place or something cool from that place on each card. Rome was where my Hubby proposed, right in front of the Trevi Fountain. I love you Mr. Monkey!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears! Oh My! July 13, 2008

When my best friend, and maid of honor, was in need of invitations for her baby shower, I jumped at the opportunity to help. She lives on the east coast with her new husband, and now new baby boy, so I was excited to do every little thing I could to help her plan this bash. I didn’t have too many limitations on designing her invitations, so that made it even more fun. Here’s what we came up with for her shower invitations.

photo by Sheri Wade Photography

 

Here are some other fun things she did to tie in the jungle theme at the party.

photo by Paper Monkey

photo by Paper Monkey

Brown & Orange July 9, 2008

Just because you’re having a beach wedding doesn’t mean you have to use “beachy” colors. I did these invitations for Sheri Hansen (now Sheri Wade) who was the photographer at my wedding. She had her wedding on the beach in San Clemente, but her colors were not the typical beach wedding colors. I loved that. I’m all about thinking outside the box and doing something a little off the traditional path.

I love how Sheri’s invitations look so crisp. Using chocolate brown with a hint of cream really makes your accent color(s) pop. I’m partial to using chocolate brown as a base color and then adding whatever accent colors. Brown is such an inviting color and definitely translates that to the atmosphere of your wedding for your guests.

photo by Sheri Wade Photography

photo by Sheri Wade Photography

photo by Sheri Wade Photography

Where do I sit? July 9, 2008

Sometimes getting your guests to send in their RSVP is like pulling teeth. It’s not until they actually have to plan a large party that they start to understand the importance of RSVPs. So once you receive your RSVPs, make the grueling phone calls to your lovely guests that have not responded, and figure out which table to sit your crazy aunt at, you’re now down to the wire to either get placecards or get a seating chart made.

I love how placecards look on a table with gorgeous linens when they’re all set up in neat rows at the reception, but there’s something so easy and simplistic about a seating chart. I’ve done quite a few, and each time there’s something a little therapeutic about working on them. That’s probably just my Monica Gellar side (you know…Monica from Friends that likes to organize everything and anything), but I like organizing it and making sure all of the pieces line up. Really, I think they’re fun! Ok. I guess maybe that’s just me… Anyways, here are some of my favorites that I’ve done:

photo by Dru Chen

photo by Paper Monkey

photo by Sheri Wade Photography

photo by Paper Monkey

 

 

Testing, Testing, 1 – 2 – 3 … July 7, 2008

Here is my first blog. It’s nothing special quite yet, just something to get me started. I have several friends that have been on my case about getting a website up or at the very least, starting a blog to showcase my Paper Monkey work. So here you go world, here’s my blog. I hope we can share a few laughs and that our relationship will be mutually beneficial.