Etsy Save the Date [New York, NY : designer, ornate]

Simple, modern, typographic Save the Date. Now on Etsy

Full image save the date [San Francisco, CA : designer, invites, save the date]

It's really nice to do projects that are beautiful and simple. Especially when it comes to wedding related things, less seems to be more, especially when you are paying an arm and a leg for photography and want to use that photography in a layout that will showcase what you paid for.

You may begin to notice that often times I use the same couple in all of my layouts, although the names, dates, and locations may change. I do that to protect the anonymity of my clients. But bet you can guess who is in those photos :)

Modern ... [California : calligraphy, lettering, handwriting, modern, envelopes]

Some days you just need a good break to experiment.

Chalkboard typography Save the Date, RSVP [Orange County : designer, letterer, calligraphy, typography, ornate]

Well it happened, my old computer finally kicked the bucket. I have been saying for years now (literally), this is the year I will need a new one, I better prepare my budget.

I'm so happy I was able to hold out until the new iMacs came out. This thing is TINY and takes up hardly any room on my desk, although if I could do it again I would wait for a 27"...21" just feels like nothing now.

Anyway, here are some new projects I've been working on.

Save the date - simple and typographic chalkboard style, with a small picture of the couple

Save the date and beginning of RSVP - typographic, ornate chalkboard style with no pictures

I've also started rebranding my etsy shop. I'm quite sure I will be changing the name of the shop soon and will have it align with the new name of all of my websites. My main design site will be newname.com, this blog will change into newname.blogspot.com, and etsy will be newname@etsy. Big things ahead for 2013, so excited!

holiday cards [Orange County : holiday cards, designer, DIY printables]

I've been busy designing! I added this pretty typographic holiday card to my etsy store today! You can find this one here:

And a sneak peak at what I will be posting tomorrow:

Chalkboard Save The Date postcard [Southern California : designer, handwriting, save the date, wedding]

Such a great break but now back to doing what I love!

Just finished a lovely Save the Date that combines the chalkboard writing style with modern rustic playfulness. I LOVE these, and am happy to be offering them on my etsy shop for YOU to print out on your own (and save some $$$). Follow the link here, to purchase.

Minimalist Wedding Suite [Orange County, CA : calligrapher, designer, wedding invites, wedding RSVPs, lettering]

New to my etsy shop: the rustic minimalist invite and RSVP design.

Good things happening!

Modern Calligraphy [Irvine, CA : calligrapher, designer, wedding invites, destination wedding]

The secret is out: I love kraft paper. And I love white ink. And I LOVE (x 1,000,000) white ink on kraft paper.

Here is a sneak peak at the next invite to be included in my etsy shop + another new style of calligraphy that I am now offering!

Modern wedding invite suite [Orange County, CA : calligraphy, rustic invites, whimsical, custom font]

So excited to finish my first wedding suite that I will now be offering for sale on my Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/DIWed). This pairing is so special because the buyer is able to get the invite, RSVP card, and both envelopes (which include calligraphy!) at a great price, and any color combination they would like. Not to mention that the bride and grooms names are customized for each couple.

Modern Calligraphy [Orange County, CA : calligraphy, wedding invites, custom fonts]

Trying out a new calligraphy style...and so far I love it! My goal was to make it more a whimsical and modern font than the usual static style. This is going to be ready for clients very, very soon, and I can't wait!

NYC to California [Aliso Viejo, CA : modern calligraphy, custom font, designer, handwriting]

Coast to Coast

custom font [Los Angeles, CA : calligraphy, design, fonts, typography]

Print [Albany, NY : illustrator, calligrapher, custom fonts, designer]

Place Cards [Aliso Viejo, CA: designer, calligrapher, handwriting styles, custom font]

Do you think that they will be able to make it to my dinner party?

"Thank You" envelope address design [Aliso Viejo, CA: designer, invites, calligrapher, handwriting styles, custom font]

While handwriting and fonts are a huge passion of mine, my full time job is being an Art Director/Designer. So when I get to combine two of my passions together, calligraphy and wedding invites/thank you cards, I get crazy excited. Being able to work with brides and grooms who let you have a vision and follow through with it are my favorite. Here are some great D-I-Y styled thank you's and envelopes that I got 100% creative input on, and of course 100% execution.

wedding ring boxes [Orange, CA: craft, calligrapher, handwriting styles, custom font]

I totally have no problem posting some favorites from my own wedding! Mostly because it was such an amazing day and everyone commented on the small touches that often get left behind in all of the commotion of weddings.

These boxes were built by hand and of course lettered by hand, and were one of my favorite parts of the ceremony.

logos [Albany, NY: calligrapher, handwriting styles, custom font]

I'm so excited to be helping friend and photographer, Danielle Stevens out with her new branding and logo! We've been working through some initial phases right now. I sent her about 12 custom font options that were drawn by hand, ranging from quite intricate to very very simple, and I honestly loved every one I created, but we in the end, we both knew which one would be best for her branding. Below are some "rejects" that I'm still going to move forward with, just for fun. Both are in pencil and pen initial sketch phase.

Can't wait to post the final one in a few weeks!

food labels [San Diego, CA: chalkboard calligrapher, illustrator]

This project was so cute and so much fun! I was able to showcase my illustration skills as well as my handwriting.

"Envelopes" Sign [Orange County : calligrapher]

Here's a great shot from Danielle Stevens Photography of an envelope station sign featuring my AnnMarie style writing.

Escort Cards [Orange, CA : calligrapher, designer]

A month or so ago I designed some adorable "escort card" flags for a wedding in Orange, CA

All flags utilized a different shade of either yellow, orange, or grey, and were placed on a hand-painted stick.

All flags used my SOPHIA style writing.

In the end, they were put into these great little plants and given to each guest as a favor.