Katman Customs LOGO

With so many holiday card designs to complete, I was finally able to finish up the identity design for Katman Customs. It is a new embroidery company in New Jersey.

When designing their logo they wanted to use a hot pink and kelly green with a pop of dark blue. They also already had sew in labels from Cherry Hill Designs using a very specific script. I wanted to use this somehow so they could continue to use the labels and they would still match! I had to do some research on which font was used, but I found and obtained it. I provided a variety of concepts and this is the end result.

double sided business cards with rounded corners and high gloss finish

2" square stickers with logo and web address

Silhouetted Deer Holiday Card

I'm very pleased with how this card turned out. The family wanted to use an image representing the three members of their family. I found a stock image of a single silhouetted deer in the winter woods. A little work in Adobe Illustrator and I was able to create 3 deer, one for each family member.

I love the classic, simple colors and type. To make even more elegant, the card is digitally printed on #110 metallic coverstock in "quartz", with rounded corners. The "jupiter", metallic, euro-flap envelope matches the corners nicely and includes the return address.

Old Christmas Cards...ha.

Finding the 2006 card inspired this post, but it only makes sense to add them chronological order.... Prior to 2005, I didn't do all the design on the computer, so I'll have to find physical copies. I may have them or maybe my mom hung onto hers from each year???

2005

Brian deployed. Dominican Republic. Kitties. First Ohio State game in "the Horseshoe" vs. the University of Texas. I don't remember the colors being so drab in person... who knows. Not a very exciting layout, but I do like the typography of the "N" and the year.

2006

I was looking through an old Snapfish "album" and came across our Christmas card during the one year we lived in Germany while B was still in the Air Force. (Snapfish does NOT print my cards.)

I'm glad I've gotten better since then and know a lot more!! I wonder if I can find more blasts from the past??

2007

Check out this dark hair. I actually like it for a change. Can you tell this is pre-kid? We did live within walking distance to PetSmart and they told us to bring Mitsy and Toonces to see Santa. :) At least the design is better. A holiday card & change of address!

I'm pretty sure I didn't send out cards in 2008. :( That is what happens when you have a 4 month old that doesn't nap and you find out your a moving AGAIN in the middle of winter.

2009

 I made up for it in 2009. We had 3 different versions and I actually started designing cards for other people! It was also double sided (just not shown here). All three designs used the same concept with the snowflakes, but 3 different pictures.
 4.25 x 5.5

2010

Another sepia picture (a little less antiquing this time). Double sided with rounded corners and our annual Christmas "letter" on the back. Look very closely to find the year on the front. I like to do it subtly.

2011

  2011's card is brighter. The front photograph was professionally taken, but I actually did quite a bit of additional editing in Photoshop (like taking Connor's face from another picture in the same session) to get a picture that was actually good of all of us! There were so many pictures that I loved from the year and wanted to include them on the back, so I went for a bit of a collage approach with our update in the middle. I designed it in both a 4x6 and 5x7 size.

Now I am determined to find more...old ones....even if I have to scan them in! I need to wait until I'm not so busy though...priorities, Allison...priorities. I've got to find the one from 2003: the year we got married and it has a picture of us in bride/groom Mickey ears from Disney! :)

LACE Save-the-Date POSTCARDS

I am so excited about these save-the-date postcards and I can't wait to see how the invitation suites come together! I am not a huge lacey person, but I LOVE how this lace is subtly combined with a modern script and bold, engravers-style font. I intend to carry over the subtle use of the lace onto the invitation design as well. I always try to create a common theme within all of the pieces of the wedding package.

These economical, double-sided postcards are 4x6 in size, allowing a postcard-rate stamp. The front will be coated in a high gloss covering for additional durability during mailing. The back will remain uncoated for easy addressing. I've even added very faint lines to aid the addressing process.

Stay tuned for additional pieces within this suite!

Polka-Dot Cupcake Birthday Invitations

Have I mentioned that cupcakes are popular?

I got a recent request: 1st birthday, black and white polka-dots with dark pink, cupcake & a picture.

I provided quite a few options, but this is the design that was chosen. I love the colors, subtle black and white picture and the fact that I got to use one of my new fonts!

I am happy to play around with the color scheme to fit your needs. I'm testing out something new by adding the pricing to the image....we'll see how it goes! I also think it would be an easy change to make this for a bigger girl birthday....just change out the number! I even think this would be very cute for a sweet 16?!
There are also lots of "extras" to make the invitations suite complete! You can order thank you card sets at the same time as the invitations, or wait and use an image of the birthday girl with cake all over her face! There is no additional design fee for any of the extra pieces. The fold-over thank you card and return address wrap is also available in white.

BRIGHT Holiday Card

Sometimes one has to be very politically correct and simply send out a winter or holiday card....as opposed to a card highlighting a specific religious holiday. Although it makes me a little sad that some card recipients look passed the intention of the card; a greeting, and take offense, this bright, cheerful, politically correct holiday card does make me happy.

4 x 6, double sided (back not shown here....same snowflake pattern with sender's contact information)

high gloss finish, rounded corners
Sour apple A6 envelopes with return address printing

I have other politically correct designs available as well. Email me to see options.

Gingerbread House {Decorating} Party Invitation

"Gingerbread Mousse"

Isn't this a cute idea for a party?!

I had a lot of fun creating these design compositions for a fun, youthful, festive holiday party for little ones (and their moms, too!) The first is the design that was chosen, complete with super cute return address wrap stickers and festive, red envelopes in the traditional Christmas color scheme.

I really liked this one too, so I thought I would add it as well. It uses more of a candy color scheme and I love the red/light blue combination with the fun font, called Delight Script. Thus the name of this one is "Gingerbread Delight".

I'm sure the party will be a blast.....I'll be decorating a house with my little guy for the first time this year, too. :)

A Fabulous Couple

I had the pleasure of photographing this fabulous couple last year for their holiday card and they asked me to help out once again this year. We had a lot of fun walking around our little downtown area and were able to get quite a few great pictures.

This is still definitely a "just for fun" aspect of my little business, but let me know if you are local and would like me to snap a few pictures of you and your family. :)

Birthday CUPCAKE

Cupcakes are big at little kid birthdays. Cute. Easy. No cutting. Portion control. :)

This invitation was designed for a first birthday, but I think it would also be cute for a bigger kid as well....just send me the wording you'd like to use. Both a boy and girl version is shown above.

Colors are completely customizable.

Roses 70th BIRTHDAY

 I design invitations for many children's parties, but I think adults should get the same special treatment....especially older adults hitting milestone birthdays!

I love roses and I love line art. The color of the roses in this design are completely customizable. There are also 3 paper color choices: white, natural, and a fancy "metallic white". Use the same colored envelope or pull out an accent color like the gumdrop green in the sample above.

I really want to expand my selection of adult birthday invitations, so let me know if you need to plan something special and what you have in mind. I would love to create something custom just for you!

Bridal Brunch — Wedding SHOWER

Bridal Brunch (Monogram) — Wedding Shower

I've been doing a lot of "cute" stuff recently, so this "fancy" invitation was a fun departure.

I'm sure there are casual brunches all over the place, but when I think of a "bridal brunch" shower I am reminded of fancy serving pieces, little tea cakes, finger sandwiches and ladies in pretty dresses drinking delicately out of tea cups. :) I may be way off, but that is what I think of when I hear "bridal brunch".

Using the brides wedding colors of silver and blue, I came up with several designs with a little bit of glam. This was the design chosen. To make it even a little bit more special, the invitations are printed on a 110 lb. metallic white coverstock with a coordinating, designed metallic envelope.

This invitation is easily customizable to fit your color scheme and is sure to make any bride feel special.

Bridal Brunch (Teapot) — Wedding Shower

I don't usually post images of designs that were not chosen. However, I just love this one and hope that you do, too. There is a subtle toile pattern in the background and a vintage, antique, teapot at the top...perfect for a morning brunch. I also think that this invitation could be manipulated for a generic brunch invitation.

Of course I altered the colors (from the original blue/silver) and I can change them to whatever you wish to fit your needs.

If you would like to order either of these invitations, email me and specify which design you prefer: Teapot or Monogram.

Thanks!

"GIA" — Subtle Zebra Birth Announcement

"GIA"

Double-sided 5x7. Also available in a 4x6 or 4.25x5.5.

I designed this custom invitation for good friends.  She provided a variety of photos and the instructions of "purple and green". I took it from there. I gave her several designs to choose from and she gravitated to the zebra print. With a few modifications, this is the end result. :)

I am happy to customize this design just for you or come up with something unique and special just for your little one. :) Email me for more information!

Pink Tink - Fairy Birthday

3.5 x 8.5 with a white #9 envelope.

Little girls love princesses, fairies, and PINK.

I altered Tinkerbell's traditional coloring to go with this pink design with fun fonts and patterns your little girl is sure to love. The number of balloons can change based on your child's age. The fun patterns open many doors for fun party decorating! I can also make "Tink's" hair brown, if your little girl is a brunette.

Divas & Dudes BIRTHDAY

A cute idea for a young boy/girl party.

The "divas" arrive early to get all dolled up and then the "dudes" come a bit later for a lot of fun!

The client specifically requested using pink and black as well as a zebra print. I think it turned out very cute and we tied in the guys with a silhouette and a punch of electric blue.

These are an economical 4x6 size with matching pink envelopes.

Email me for customization options or to order!

Peek-a-Boo Paintings BUSINESS CARDS

My extremely talented friend asked me to update her logo and design some business cards for her prosperous custom painting business.

She has a love for, and uses a lot of polka dots in her designs. It was only fitting to incorporate this pattern into her new design. I also used youthful fonts because the majority of her work is for young children.

Please check out her work on etsy and order today! You'll see the etsy banner I designed for her when you click on the link to her site!

Classic Minnie Mouse BIRTHDAY

I watch quite a bit of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (with my 3 year old little boy). It should be no surprise that these classic characters inspire birthday parties for many little ones. I love patterns, bold colors and kid-friendly fonts, so I'm very pleased with how these turned out.

These classic, red & black, Minnie Mouse invitations are 4 x 6, double sided, flat card sets. They are available on a heavy matte coverstock, semi-gloss/satin finish, or high gloss. (Allow additional time for the satin or gloss options.)

I think it is a fabulous idea to include a full size, frameable photo on the back of the invitation.  The 4 x 6 size (also available as a 5x7) is perfect for this option and is a true treasure and keepsake for family and friends even before the party begins!

This design can be customized by color changes, various ages and even a vertical option (if you want to match the orientation of your photo). It is also available as a single sided flat card set with only one side of printing.

Another Minnie design.

Nest • Change of Address / Moving POSTCARDS

Keep costs down by sending out postcards to let your friends and family know you've moved. These very economical 4 x 6 postcards are printed on 100#, tropical green coverstock in black only. They are double sided with lines for easy addressing.

Don't forget postage is only 28¢ too! (not preprinted...must add postcard stamp)

Fishing Birthday Party Invitation

I'm not asked very often to design birthday invitations for older kids, so I had a lot of fun working on this project! I think a fishing birthday party is a huge memory-maker and a fabulous idea. I decided to go for a rustic, outdoorsy look and used silhouetted images I found or created and pieced together.

Can you find the subtle number in the invitation? I thought it was appropriate to keep it a little more low key for a big kid.

As you can see, I've paired this invitation with a light natural colored, A7, euroflap envelope.

Coordinating, custom thank you cards are also available.

ONE — Color block Birthday Invitation

This is the first 1st birthday party invitation I've done for a little guy using photos. His mom didn't want a theme, but something fun. She supplied me with several color photos of him throughout his first year of life and wanted to highlight the most recent of the series. This is what I came up with.

The fonts are classic and modern and I just love the big blocks of color. I chose these specifically to go with the colors in the highlighted photo, but they are fully customizable.

I am happy to change up some fonts & colors to create a more feminine look for a little girl.

This horizontal design is classic and economical.

I will try to add supplemental materials in the next couple of days!

Fall / Halloween (Block) Party Invitation

I am so blessed to live in a ridiculously fabulous neighborhood. This is the 3rd year for this annual party and it is always so much fun! I am on the social committee this year and was happy to design the invitation for digital distribution. I also designed a postcard (very small print run) to have on hand at our annual association meeting also held in October.

The front of the postcard is also used as the Facebook event icon. I am happy to provide low resolution files for this purpose for any event. Just let me know!

Toy Story "3" Birthday Invitation

This set was designed specifically with twins in mind. (I am happy to adjust it for a single as well.)

These boys are turning "3" and mom appropriately wanted to use the 3 logo within the design. The font choice and bandana pattern create a bit of a kid-friendly western flare. I had Woody in mind, of course. I love this invitation paired with the bright golden yellow envelope. It is sure to stand out in any mailbox!

I've also already designed coordinating thank you card sets. They are pictured here with the coordinating wrap around address label.

And last, but not least. Coordinating water bottle labels and favor stickers!

Email me for pricing and customization options!

"MALLORY" — Baby Girl Birth Announcement

"MALLORY"

Aren't these cheeks to die for?!

I just love the image used on the front of this card. I created some extra blank space to the right of the sweet baby create a great space for a unique typographic treatment of her name. There was still plenty of room for her birth stats and a greeting from the family.

Baby Mallory's dad is a photographer (http://www.blue-eye-media.com) so there were lots of cute shots for the back of the card as well. I created a coordinating monogram of her initials and used polka dots and pink (her mom's request) on the back side. The 2 images are "scattered" over the page with white borders and shadows for extra interest.

Pink and black always look sharp. I paired this design with a "pulsar pink" A7 envelope with the designed return address printed in black.

"LIESEL" — Sweet Monogram Birth Announcement

"LIESEL"

This birth announcement is the epitome of sweet. I absolutely love the negative space of the image on the front of the card that allowed for perfect text placement.

Liesel's mom really wanted to use her monogram, so I created one, including her full name. It is simple, sweet and perfect for this brand new baby girl. This little one is a gift from God and the meaning of her name could not be more fitting, "God's Promise".

The back of the card features 3 additional pictures on a soft, pink, gingham background.

This card is designed as a 5x7 but can also be ordered in a 4.25x5.5. If you don't have 3 pictures you want to use on the back, I am happy to customize it just for you....no worries. Colors are also customizable.

This design is paired with a "pink lemonade" A7 envelope with the return address printed on the back flap.

Western / Cowboy BABY SHOWER Invitation

I had so much fun working on this baby shower invitation. The theme is a bit non-traditional and I loved getting to use a variety of "western" patterns and textures. This sherrif shape (I'm sure there is a different name for it, but it reminds me of an old badge) was just calling out to me and I love the grungy distressed texture within.

I used some "western" fonts, but also coupled them with a softer script since this is indeed a baby shower. I used baby booties at the top, but I also have super cute cowboy boots or a cowboy hat as alternatives.

This listing is now available in my NealonDesign Etsy store. Click HERE for a direct link.

Nealon Design PHOTOGRAPHY

I think I got my first camera for Christmas when I was 6...maybe 7 (mom?). It was a real camera, even if it was Fisher Price and required 110 film. It was blue and had big rubber grips to help hang on to it. There was no flash, so I had to buy big, disposable flash bulbs that were inserted to the top. They popped when used and then had a bizarre smell that I loved yet couldn't stand... Or just take pictures outside. (Holy cow, I just Googled "Fisher Price blue camera 1980s" and found a picture of it! The internet continues to amaze me! It is listed as "vintage" HA!)So, I've always loved taking pictures, and am usually the one that can always be counted on to have my camera....usually pressed up to my face.




I dreamed of having a SLR camera when I was a teenager. I was constantly doing "photo shoots" with my friends whether we were creating our own faux Glamour Shots or if I was pretending to take senior pictures. I finally got a basic Nikon DSLR at age 27 the Christmas after my little guy was born. Man, why didn't I get it BEFORE he was born to have better pictures of his first months of life?! Oh well. "Mamarazzi" is a term I heard from a friend a while ago that I've embraced whole-heartedly.




Since that time, my interest in photography, lenses, light and editing has increased significantly. I now own a Nikon D3100, 4 lenses, and have a lengthy wish list of lenses....if only this "hobby" wasn't so expensive....




I know just enough to be dangerous. I'm taking a general photography class with a friend this fall, so hopefully I can get some pointers on low light settings and brush up before I do several "Christmas card" shoots this fall/winter. I should have paid more attention to the technical stuff in my 2 photography classes in college. Too bad that was in the early 2000s and I didn't even have a digital camera back then. Those were still the good-ole film days. (I'm aging myself, aren't I.)



The design aspect of my work is still my favorite and will continue to be my focus. However, if I can make a little cash to feed my photography passion, I am happy to get snappy! ;)




I had my first paid shoot a couple of weeks ago. The mother is the sister of a coworker of a friend and neighbor of mine (follow that?!). I drove up to northern Grand Rapids to take 2 year old pictures of their precious little girl and some family shots in hopes of getting a good one for a Christmas card.




Two year olds are moving targets for sure. I'm used to this and ended up taking about 400 pictures. (Praise God for digital cameras!!) I narrowed and narrowed the selection down and then tried my hand at actual "professional" editing. I think it went pretty well and I hope that the family was pleased with the proofs that I sent. Here are just a few of my favorites. (click to enlarge)


Following that session, last weekend before going to a birthday party I asked my own little guy if he would let me take some pictures of him. He was a willing subject (this is the most important factor with him...) and I got some great shots of him playing outside and on a swing. He just turned 3.


Lastly, I've been known to get a little artsy with my photography. I was an art major...can't help it. Anyway, this one was taken in an underground, walking, street tunnel back in June. It is my little boy with his paternal grandparents. I just love it.


I'm certainly not a professional photographer and DO NOT claim to be. But I love to play around and I'm learning a lot. I'd love to be able to fund my hobby with photographs, so please let me know if you are in west Michigan, northeastern Ohio, or middle/northeast-Georgia and want me to snap a few pictures for you and your family.

"GEMMA" — Diamonds & Dots Birth Announcement

"GEMMA"

Isn't she a sleeping beauty?! And I just adore the picture with her big brother.

This diamonds & dots design can be customized in the colors of your choice. This is a double sided sample but it can easily become single sided as well.

Rustic, Fall Wedding Suite

This is one of my favorites.

I love the warm, "tangy orange" paired with the "hot fudge" color. The wedding and reception are being held at a barn, so I thought a rustic, yet elegant design was appropriate combination.

The suite includes a double mounted invitation and two 4 x 5.25 inserts. One is a double sided response postcard and the other is a single sided accommodations card. All with rounded corners.

Fitting with the rustic theme, I thought it would be super cool to seal the petal folds with a vintage-style wax seal. I actually found the seal with wax stick at our local dollar store!! I think it adds a very fun and memorable touch.

I also love the custom petal-fold thank you cards. These can be customized with a name or just the wedding graphic. They slip beautifully into a 4bar envelope and you can use the same wax seal on these little beauties.

Autumn Leaves Wedding

{The upper section of the image above is the digital files and below are actual product photos.}

I just love a classic fall wedding.

Ashleigh wanted to use rich fall tones and leaves to highlight her wedding invitations. Her bridesmaid's dresses are chocolate brown with a champagne sash. In keeping with those colors, we opted for an metallic antique gold gatefold invitation. The invitation panel itself is a 4 x 6 with rounded corners printed on 80# Classic Crest Cream cover stock. It is then mounted to a 4.5 x 6.5 metallic sheet in bronze. Both of those are adhered to the 5 x 7 interior panel of the gatefold invitation.

She has one insert, a double sided response postcard that floats within the interior of the folded invitation. (110# Classic Crest Cream)

Everything is held together by a 2" logo band, also printed on cream coverstock. The leaves design wraps around the invitation to add interest to the back as well. It is mounted on bronze and the entire band slips off to open the suite.

Additionally, Ashleigh had me design the rehearsal & dinner invitations in the same theme. These are single-sided, 5 x 7, flat cards that can be slipped in behind the wedding invitation or mailed separately.

Programs to come.

Bachelorette Party — Floral Heel

I was asked to create a rather generic bachelorette party invitation for a bride that loves purple and is using "eggplant" as one of her wedding colors. The letter B has turned out to be a pretty big theme of the event, so I highlighted each B in the poem (very cleverly written by the hostess) by using a bold font.

The look of the invitation is customized and classy, with a little flair of a floral heel. I am happy to adjust the colors to fit as scheme you have in mind.

There are also 2 size choices. You can go with the double-sided 5 x 7, or the less expensive, single sided vertical option (several sizes available).

Of course the return address on the flap of the envelope is also available, just not pictured.

Hopefully these girls have a Beautiful & Bodaciously fun Bachelorette Bash!!

Movie Birthday Party!

I've been so busy with weddings and other's invitations that my little guy's 3rd birthday really snuck up on me! I thought of doing an outdoor movie a couple of months ago and finally got around to designing the invitation.

We live on a little lake, so the kiddos are welcome to swim and slip-n-slide and as the invitation states, "when the sun gets low, settle down and enjoy a show!" Since the party is on a Sunday night and I'm not confident about the attention span of kids ages 2-8 and I wanted to keep the "movie" short....an hour or less. I didn't want to do something really current that most of the kids have seen, so I'm not sure how I came up with Dinosaurs, but that is what I settled on. Does anyone else remember this show on TGIF in the early 90s? I remember thinking it was funny as a kid and I'm sure none of the neighborhood kids have seen it because none of them were born! They can stay for a couple of shows and then head home before it gets too late.

We are going to show the movie on projector screen in our sideyard (moved it under the deck in hopes that it would be darker). Although I'm sure it will not be pitch black (because we live very far north, on the very west side of the eastern time zone), hopefully the movie will still be visible. My awesome neighbors also have a full sized popcorn machine that they've offered to bring over for an authentic movie experience! I'm hoping to turn our "lake room" into a concession stand and another awesome neighbor has offered to man this station.

I also designed "concession vouchers" to hand out as little booklets to all the kids attending. These will clearly tell them what their options are and make sure that there is enough candy, nachos, special cups, etc. to go around. I didn't get a good picture, but I found awesome Disney character cups with lids and straws at our local dollar store. Once the child chose the cup, I wrote their name on the bottom and they used this to drink all evening and then took it home as a party favor.

Hopefully there will be fun pictures to add of the birthday boy's festivities. (big collage added below 9.1.11) He is so excited about his birthday and party. He'll tell anyone that asks that he is "going to be 3 in August". August is here, buddy and your birthday is just around the corner!

Of course I can customize this invitation for your little one. I can alter the colors for a more feminine look and can use an alternate background if your movie party is not outdoors. Of course the little poem and party information is completely customizable. I can use a small logo of the movie you plan to show/attend as well as other scenes from the movie (that I can find online) or images of your little one.

Here are some images from the party. It was hectic, but we had a lot of fun. The kids all thought the concession stand was very cool and loved to pick and choose their treats.

I combined several things I found online to make his special movie "cake". I baked chocolate and yellow cake inside ice cream cake cones (with flat bottoms). I used cream cheese icing on top to act as glue. I printed out popcorn labels that say "happy birthday" that fit perfectly around the cone (and used a little icing as better adhesive). For the "popcorn" I took mini marshmallows and pressed an "x" into the top of them after dipping the knife into a bowl of water with a little yellow food coloring in it —— instant "buttered" popcorn. (I'm sorry, I don't remember where I found this very cool trick online...I did NOT come up with it myself.) It takes a ton of marshmallows, so I definitely recommend soliciting help. Just pile all the "popcorn" on top of the icing and you are done. I transported mine in a large baking sheet with tall sides, but you could also cut round holes in the top of a pizza box that that would probably work even better for presentation purposes (especially if you covered or decorated the box first!)