Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is a very special day to me.  I know many people who call it a "Hallmark holiday" or think it's totally pointless– but I have to disagree!  Maybe it's because I love LOVE?  Or any excuse to eat chocolate and not feel guilty about it?  Or because my birthday is the day before so Valentine's Day has always been an excuse to extend the celebrations?!?!  Regardless, even when I was single or had been dumped two years in a row by my on-and-off-again college boyfriend the week before these days (I KNOW, right?!), I still enjoyed celebrating this holiday.  I love an excuse to give pink and red gifts to people who least expect them, and to express my love to those around me.  And, it reminds me that I need to do it more often, and not just on a marked holiday.

So, I'm going to wrap this up so I can go hang out with my incredible husband and adorable son in the living room– the two most amazing guys that I am beyond blessed to have in my life.  Even if you hate this holiday or think it's silly, please make an effort today– or tomorrow, and a month from now– to spread the love in any way you can.  After all, what goes around, comes around, right?  Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day!

These awesome photos are from a styled shoot featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs today.  Flowers by Fleur:ology, candy/cupcakes & styling by The Candy Buffet, rentals from The Party Place, and photography by Sara Gray Photography. Don't you just love them?!

New logo for Fleur:ology

You all know how much I love weddings and everything about them, right?  I started designing invitations after my own wedding was over because I had total post-wedding blues.  Was I allowed to continue adding wedding blogs to my Google Reader?  Would it be crazy to attend bridal shows as a married lady?  Did I really have to cancel my subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings?!?  Luckily, just a couple months after my wedding, a friend of a friend contacted me and asked to design her invites, and ever since I've had plenty of reasons to stay involved in the wedding scene.

I absolutely adore brides and grooms and invitations and wedding stationery.  But something else I love?  Wedding vendors, and working on projects for them.  I have had the privilege of seeing some amazing people hard at work over the years.  At my wedding, at friends' weddings and other events.  Photographers, DJs, jewelers, florists...  You name the type of vendor, I probably have a favorite.  {Side note: I just added some links to my website to share this love!}  So you can imagine how excited I was for the Art of Weddings event last month, not only to meet brides and potential clients, but to chat with other wedding experts.  I love just meeting these folks and talking about the business, but it's even more fun when there's a project involved.  I made some great connections and will have some cool projects to share with you as they come about!

The first is a new logo for Fleur:ology.  Liz Rusnac, owner, came by my booth at the show and introduced herself.  Right away, I liked her.  She is passionate about what she does, extremely friendly, and talented.  Very, very talented.  

Photos by Liz Rusnac

She asked if I designed logos– YES please!  I was so excited to meet her for coffee and talk about rebranding her business {and our kids, and being a small business owner, and our husbands, and families, and high school, and... you get the idea– we have a lot in common!}  She had so many great ideas and we quickly settled on a clean, modern logo with a fun flower graphic {that Liz selected herself}:

I also designed some business cards that I'll share when they get back from the printer.  There are 4 different backs– a "collect all four" type o' thing!– with photographs of some of her amazing floral designs.  Love it!  So, be sure to stop by Fleur:ology's website and fan her on Facebook.  This is one woman to watch!!  Liz, it's been a pleasure :)

2011 Bride's Choice Award

For the third year in a row, I've been awarded a Bride's Choice Award by WeddingWire!  It means that I've gotten good reviews from clients, and I'm in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide.  It's an honor to work with such great people.  I love my job!

Sneaky Peeky!

I'm so excited to be working on an invitation suite for an inspiration photo shoot with Punch and Kim+Phil Photography.  Here's a little preview of what's to come...

A Paloma's Nest giveaway!

I absolutely LOVE everything Paloma's Nest has to offer.  I've adored the ring bearer bowls for a reallllly long time and love seeing all the new things in her shop.  I'm so excited that my first giveaway is this fabulous "To Have & To Hold" Ring Bearer Bowl™!

To enter, become a Fan of Paper Bloom on Facebook, and leave a comment.  For those attending The Art of Weddings show tomorrow, stop by by booth and enter your name for a second time!


{Winner will be drawn on Monday 1.10 :: One entry per person :: Comments left here will not be entered in the drawing}

Paper Bloom on TV!

You guys...  The Art of Weddings is next week!  I am getting really excited for the show.  I have everything I need for my booth and have a pretty good idea of what it will look like.  I'm putting the finishing touches on everything and will be ready for next Thursday.  Yay!

I met with Alexis of Jasmine Photography (the creator of the event) and gave her a few samples of my work to show on a segment on KOIN 6 today.  It was so exciting to see Molly & Greg's invitation up close!  That set has gotten a lot of attention, and I love it.  Molly's drawings are just so perfect and make the set unique and personal.  They didn't zoom in on it, but Brianne & Steve's invitation was also sitting on the table :)  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours :: wishing you a wonderful & blessed Christmas!