Thankful for 10 Years!

I'm about a month late on this post, but I just realized that I have been designing invitations for 10 years!  I created my first invitation while I was in art school for my brother-in-law's surprise 30th party.....I completely forgot until Heather pulled it out for Tim's recent 40th birthday gathering!  What was once a hobby has evolved into a wonderful side-business that I can absolutely say I LOVE what I do.

I've been so blessed to partner with so many anazing people throughout the years......my awesome family, friends....I have also been so lucky to reestablish connections from my past as well as so many new clients.  I am thankful for each and every one of you and look forward to the design challenges you pose each and every day!

I have so many new ideas that I can't wait to share soon!  Given I'm so obsessed with Etsy.....there will definitely be a shop in my future as well as more!

Finding Nemo Onesie

I love making new baby onesie designs and this one is especially cute with a Finding Nemo baby room theme.  Using the Disney character as inspiration, I came up with my own illustration to hopefully do the Disney character justice.

Heather thanks so much for reaching out to me to complete and I hope Danielle loved the baby shower gift!

snow.monday.funday

Such a wonderful weekend +1 day.  The snow rolled in early afternoon while the boys were napping and we were able to go outside for a snow.monday.funday!  Kyleigh and I are both holding out for some big snow to make our first snowman together!  It definitely was not today....but I'm guessing we won't have to wait long!

Oh Lordy, looks who is 40!

Tim knows how to throw a GREAT party, even when he has no clue he is having one until the second he arrives!  Heather did an amazing job planning the entire experience as well as keeping the secret safe.  From the save the date ~ to the decorations ~ to the cake, everything could not have been more perfect!  I think Tim would be the first to say that it was a pretty fun party {which is definitely an understatement} .  

Growth Chart Orders for Christmas

For anyone who would like to order a growth chart for Christmas orders will need to be placed on or prior to 12/1.  For custom orders please reach out ASAP with the following information to jaimebyrdakdesigns@gmail.com:

1) Child Name
2) Link to bedding, imagery or design concept to allow for custom design inspiration
3) For a design concept (for example - I want a ballet dancer) please provide desired color palette.
4) Shipping Information outside of the Chicagoland area

Examples Designs:

Link to custom design posts: Grace, Sydney, Reese

Link to custom design posts: Corinne, Lucy, Nicholas

Materials: rolled canvas
Size: 15" x 45"
Price: $55 (plus shipping outside of Chicago)
*Custom sizes available upon request

Baby Robert's Baptism

Such a special day for sweet baby Robert.  I am so excited to be able to create the invitations for his Baptism!  Heather and Bobby selected one of the pictures from the family shoot for the front of the invitation and details on the back.  I love the way it turned out and so happy to be part of such a memorable day!

Vote for your favorite Wedding Invitation!

I'm hoping everyone can help me pick your favorite wedding invitation of 2013!  One of the BEST paper suppliers is having a contest, and I need your help to pick my one submission!  Each invitation is unique in many different way and I can't choose.....

I narrowed it down to 8 weddings, each invitation is identified by the brides name, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and cast your vote (you can pick more than one if you like).  Selected bride will win a set of custom thank you cards matching their invitation fonts, colors and theme!  

{Torrey}

{Christine}

{Colleen}

{Leslie}

{Michelle}

{Nicki}

{Sarah}

{Marianne}

Halloween Favors

As we head into the holiday season I don’t want to forget to post the cute Halloween favors Kyleigh shared with her classmates a few weeks ago.  With being so busy these days the plan was to not do anything, but something changed my mind at 4am on 10/31 and Kyleigh’s special daddy went to Walmart to pick up some goodies.  

I already had a pumpkin illustrated from last year and found a puncher (as all of my other supplies were in storage) that fit the straw circle perfectly!  Kyleigh had her Halloween parade that day so I was able to go to school and watch and her, and she could not have been happier handing the treats out! 

Corinne growth chart

New growth chart custom design inspired by 3 prints from Corinne's Nursery.  

Nursery Art - Inspiration

Rehearsal Dinner Postcard

Postcards are becoming more and more popular....I've even used a few myself!  Thanks so much Aunt Sue for reaching out to me to complete the Rehearsal Dinner Invitations....hope the wedding was amazing {as well as the Rehearsal Dinner}!

Holiday Cards ~ Custom Designs

It's that time of year again.....is everyone ready to start thinking about Holiday Cards?

With all of the changes going on in my life I'm taking on a limited amount of custom orders this year so please reach out sooner rather than later if you are interested in partnering up so I can reserve a spot for you.  In order to have enough to design/produce I'm asking everyone to reach out no later than 12/1.

Feel free to send me an email to jaimebyrdakdesigns@gmail.com even if you are not set on your quantity, picture, style, etc....we can figure out something together and that way you reserve your spot!

A few highlights from last year, click on the photos to link to the post!

Engagement Invitations

Congratulations to Lauren, representing the next wave of weddings in the Kinetic office!  Here's to 2014:-)  Hope you had an amazing time at your engagement party!

We now have a teenager on our hands!

While that might mean a bit more stress for Breeanna's parents....means a babysitter for Scott and I!

All kidding aside, I REALLY cannot believe Bree is 13, the first time we met was on the eve of her 1st birthday.  It has been so much fun to watch her grow up into an amazing, beautiful teenager!  She is such a wonderful big sister and is so great with our kids I could not ask for anything more:-)

Bree's Aunt Nikole from Kole Karee Photography took gorgeous shots that we had to use in the invitation!  Bree was involved in the creative process and selected the paper and font colors....love the way it all came together, and Happy Birthday Breeanna!

Picture by:  Kole Karee Photography

Also, it's always fun to look at old pictures, I realized when Bree was really young we were still using a film camera, how funny is that?  I'm not sure what year this is, but I'm guessing this is when Bree was 3 1/2.  Such a cutie:-)

Happy Birthday to Kyleigh and CJ

Kyleigh and Christopher's 2nd annual birthday party!  A 3 year old little girl and a 10 year old boy do not have a lot of interests in common, but Heather and I thought....everyone loves candy, even the adult guests!

We created a bold and bright postcard invitation with lots of primary colors to get both of our families ready for the party with the following saying:  "sweet treats and candy galore, what a celebration we have in store".

I wish I had some pictures of the candy table at the party, but with all of the excitement I must have forgotten to take a shot, but I did get a picture of the awesome banner Heather made for both Kyleigh and CJ!

Favor stickers for the candy bags: