Are you Subscribed to the New Blog?

Hi friends,

Just wanted to make sure you know about the new blog over on the Beauty Divine website! Now that my website is up and running, I’ve started regularly posting again but you’ll have to follow me over there!:) If you follow me on a feed reader, you can subscribe to get updates by using this link.

Here’s what you might have missed in the last month or so over on my new blog…

Me & The Misters updates – what me and my two favorite gents are up to these days

Design Trends – some of the fun trends for spring…neon brights and fiery oranges

Ask the Experts – great advice from creative experts like DoubleTake Photography

New In Shop – a glimpse of what I’ve been working on – some of my new projects and designs

+ Motivation, Tutorials, DIY projects, etc.

 

I’d love for you to head over there and leave me some comments so I know you’re still reading! Let me know what you’ve been up to!

xoxo, Laurie

 

 

Put Your Best Font Forward – Design Rules pt. 1

Having an “eye for design” is sometimes less about natural talent and more about knowing some basic rules.

I think one of the #1 rules for an overall nice design is knowing how to choose a font and how to lay it out.

Simplicity – Go simple. Make sure your font is readable and you can picture it on a book cover. That always helps me to know whether a font is professional or not.

Contrast – If you’re choosing two or more fonts for a title, make sure they don’t look too much alike. There needs to be a good contrast – like maybe one larger title in a scripty font and one smaller title below it in a basic font. There should also be good contrast in your sizes as well.

Spacing – This is why it’s hard to design anything too special in Microsoft Word. Words need to be spaced well. Especially in titles, there needs to be enough space to give balance. It’s good to consider letter spacing (kerning) too.

Avoid – There are some fonts that are pretty much blacklisted from overuse or just because they stink. I think it’s safe to say you should stay away from these…Comic Sans, Papyrus, Storybook, Impact, Brush Script & Curlz. Just say no. Haha.

Okay onto the good fonts!

Here are my top 10 favorites right now… and they are all FREE. (Click on the image to find them for download at DaFont.com)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

Recognize #8? Yep, that’s the font I use in my logo design. I absolutely love it.

What fonts do you use over and over again?

MONSTER Giveaway Winners Announced!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the MONSTER Giveaway this past week!

Here are our winners!

GRAND PRIZE

Tricia Bastian

2ND PRIZE

Jess Geddes

3RD PRIZE

Sheri Bartay

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Congrats to our winners!

(An email has been sent to each of you with details!)

Free Graduation Template! Oct. 25th Only!

I was so excited to see that Beauty Divine hit 200 sales today!

This may not seem like a big deal to most people but for me it REALLY is! When I started this little design business back in April, working only during my son’s nap time every day I was hoping to just make an extra $50 a month for an extra date night with my husband. (We are suckers for eating out haha)

So I have been blown away by watching the business grow way beyond my expectations. I love how customers have become new friends and continually bring me such encouragement, spreading the word for me.

So all that to say…THANK YOU!

Here’s a gift from me to you:

Today (Oct. 25) only, you can download my best-selling Graduation Template for FREE by clicking  the link below!

Hear the Melody Luxe Card

Thanks! Laurie

P.S. Want a chance to get more free stuff? Enter the MONSTER Giveaway going on this week!

The MONSTER Giveaway

It’s Giveaway Time!!

This week’s giveaway is HUGE! You might even say it’s MONSTROUS!

(In honor of Halloween of course!:))

It features 17 of the TOP photography template designers and digital designers on Etsy! We decided it is much more fun to collaborate than compete! These vendors are so talented and great to work with so be sure to spend time checking out each each of their shops after you are finished entering!

Now on to the Giveaway prizes…

Prize #1: One of each of the following templates or digital items – just under $400 worth of merchandise!

The Electric Guitar Marketing Kit + Photography Forms Bundle

15 Business Templates from my newest kit + 5 Critical Photography Forms!

[See more at the Beauty Divine Shop]

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Holiday Templates from Kaylee Bug Designs

Set of 10 Photoshop files from the Lalalalala Collection

[See more at www.kayleebugdesign.com & www.etsy.com/shop/meganhorsch]

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Baby’s First Year Portrait Guide from HoneySuckle

4×8 Portrait Guide Marketing Postcard with Baby Milestones

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/HoneysuckleArt]

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A Bit More Holiday Card & The French Countryside Collection Vol. 1

from Frank and Frida

11 total 2-sided Holiday Card Templates

*Frank and Frida is also offering a Coupon Code for 25% to their shop for all viewers of this post… Coupon Code: MONSTERDEAL

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/frankandfrida]

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Nichole Collection Marketing Set from Kandid Designs

13-piece Marketing Set including Accordion Brochure, Business cards, DVD Set, and Gift Certificate

[See more at www.kandiddesigns.com/ and www.etsy.com/shop/KMarshPhotos]

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Ornamental Christmas 2011 Collection from Melissa Starr

Six Holiday Photo Templates

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/MelissaStarr and www.designsbymelissastarr.blogspot.com]

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Halloween Clip Art from DreAmLoft

Set of 9 Super Scary Cupcakes

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/DreAmLoft]

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Sweet Baby Girl Album from Catch Can Graphics

20-Page Baby Girl Album

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/catchcangraphics]

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Modern Chevron Holiday Photo Card from Heidi Stock Design

2-photo holiday card template with 3 color combinations: aqua, green & yellow

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/hmschell and www.heidistock.blogspot.com]

*Heidi Stock is also offering a Coupon Code for 10% to her shop for all viewers of this post… Coupon Code: MONSTER

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Photography Portrait Contract from Blue Daisy Designs

Photography Business Form Template

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/bluedaisydigital & www.bluedaisydigital.blogspot.com]

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The Gift of Faith Holiday Card from SassyInk Studio

A two-sided, 5×7 card

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/SassyInkStudio &  www.sassyinkstudio.com/]

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Doodle Frame Collection 1 from VanDerBerg Design

10 Photoshop File Frames

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/vdbdesign]

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Joy Bird Holiday Luxe Card Set from Remember When Designs

3 two-sided luxe cards

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/rememberwhendesign]

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Just For Guys Graduation Announcement Set from Chic Digital Design

4 two-sided, 5×7 cards

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/ChicDigitalDesign]

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$25 Gift Card from Casala Studio

A $25 gift card to the Casala Studio Shop

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/casalastudio]

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Candy Christmas Collection from Yummy Design Studio

Set of 5 5×7 Postcard Christmas Card Templates

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/YummyDesignStudio and www.yummydesignstudio.com]

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Designer Holiday Template Card: Joy from Life-n-Reflection

2-sided 5 5×7 Holiday Card Template

[See more at www.etsy.com/shop/designsbylnr and www.lifenreflection.com/shop]

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Prize #2: Halloween Only Discount!

Winner #2 will receive

Coupon Code to get 25% off of one item in EVERY shop

from the vendors listed at the bottom

+ 50% discount to Frank & Frida’s Shop.

(Note: Make sure to stop by on October 31st so you don’t miss your chance to cash in!)

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Prize #3: $100 in Gift Certificates!

$50 Gift Certificate to use in the Kandid Designs Shop

and a

$50 Gift Certificate to use in the Beauty Divine Shop

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The Giveaway is now CLOSED!

Thanks to all of you who entered! The winner will be announced on Halloween!

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Participating Vendors: (“Like” these on Facebook!)

1. Beauty Divine Designs

2. Kaylee Bug Designs

3. Honeysuckle

4. Frank and Frida

5. Kandid Designs

6. Designs by Melissa Starr

7. DreAmLoft

8. Catch Can Graphics (No facebook – check out the shop above instead!)

9. Heidi Stock Design

10. Yummy Design Studio

11. Blue Daisy Designs

12. Sassy Ink Studio (No facebook – check out the shop  or blog above instead!)

13. VanDerBerg Design

14. Remember When Designs

15. Chic Digital Design

16. Casala Studio

17. Life-n-Reflection

Evil Heels + the Comparing Game

I’ve never been able to pull off high heels.

[heels via pinterest.com]

Last weekend we watched Transformers 3 and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was RUNNING in high heels. I don’t know whether that is super impressive…or super crazy…maybe both:)

[credit: imdb.com]

But me? I can’t even walk in them. Someone please explain to me why I have a closet full of smokin heels that never get worn.  I’ll tell you why. They are sneaky.

In the store, they are always twice as cute as the low heels or flats. And they whisper things like, “I would go great with such and such outfit. I’m different than all the others. Four inches is really not that tall. All you have to do is wear me to dinner and then you can take trade me for flats.”

And next thing you know I am swiping my card and determining yet AGAIN that I can do this. This time WILL be different. I’ll be able to walk like a runway model in THESE heels.

But then, just like with all the others, I can’t walk.

Sure they might look nice with my outfit …if I don’t move. But the minute I try to actually wear them some place, I look ridiculous! I even took Pointe in ballet where you balance on your toes…and I just can’t transfer that balance to heels.

I knew it was all over when my husband asked me one night if I had an extra pair of flats in my bag. We weren’t even out dancing or something difficult like that….it was in the parking lot…on my way to the restaurant. He didn’t think he wanted to carry me to the door hahaha.

[credit: fashionisspinach.com]

So many times I think we play the comparison game and put unnecessary expectations on ourselves. We look at things other people are able to do or able to wear and thoughts creep in. “Maybe I should be more like that…” or “Maybe I’m not good enough because I dont…”

But there’s two reasons why we always lose the in the comparison game.

1) We start getting jealous – we start noticing all the things we aren’t good at or don’t do well. We get depressed. We get bitter. We stop being unique and noticing our strengths.

or

2) We start getting prideful – we start thinking we’re the best and looking down on others. We stop listening to advice and treating others like they don’t have value.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be either of those things. So the first step is to STOP comparing.

Romans 12:15 says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Easier said than done, right? How am I supposed to be excited when someone designs something better than I do? Or be rejoicing when someone else is rocking stillettos and I’m looking short and stumpy in my flats?

Did you see what I just did? I looked at someone else’s positive outcome and turned it into something that’s negative about me.

If we stop comparing, maybe we can realize that it’s NOT all about us. And someone else’s positive outcome doesn’t mean that your outcome can’t be positive too. It’s a shift in the way we think. For example, I need to look at my own designs and remind myself what I like about them or what needs work. Or I need to remind myself that my husband likes me in flats because a) he doesn’t have to carry me to the door haha and b) he likes me to fit under his arm.

[flats via pinterest.com]

So here’s a fun homework assignment for you today… answer the following questions:

1) Who have you been comparing with and how have you let it make you feel bad?

2) What strengths are unique to you and what can you get excited about that you already have?

3) What is a step you can take to rejoice with others without looking down on yourself? Do it!

Two Great Giveaways!

Today has to be super short and sweet but I couldn’t wait to tell you about two great giveaways!

ONE

The first is over at Rustic Star Photography where Anita is hosting a huge birthday bash giveaway this week with 14 exciting vendors and gift certificates to their shops! If you win, you can pick out photo props, accessories, photoshop actions and textures, children’s items, even chocolate! The grand prize winner will also get a $30 gift certificate to my Etsy shop!  So head over here and enter!

TWO

The second giveaway is over at New Nostalgia today. My sister Amy is hosting a really fun giveaway where you can win a gift certificate to the Krafty Kash shop! Kashoan designs these gorgeous custom necklaces from antique dictionaries, atlases, and Bibles. I’ve been dying to get one (or a few;)) because you can pick out a word, place or verse that is really significant or special to you. You can enter this giveaway here.

Have fun entering and let them know who sent you! Good luck!

Me & the Misters: Road Trip and Rockin Out With DC*B

Yesterday was so stinkin fun!

My husband and I got a mini vacation with just the two of us…okay it was more like an extended date haha but it felt like a vacation! We took a roadtrip about 3.5 hours away to the KU campus to see David Crowder Band!!! Since it was a late night concert, we let our baby Micah stay the night at our friends house for his first sleepover without us and we didn’t get home until about 4 in the morning. But oh it was fun!

It’s kind of funny when we aren’t in charge of the youth group, we get the freedom to be as crazy as the students hahaha. (Okay maybe we are like this all the time.) We spent the whole car ride asking each other questions from the Truth Be Told game and blasting DCB.

When we finally arrived, the campus was so crazy from the KU/Oklahoma game basically next door…but we managed to find a less busy spot and take a half-way normal picture (even if it is blurry with our heads cut off). Oh yeah and my husband convinced me to dye his hair black lol. What do you think? Isn’t he handsome?

The show was SO good. Even the openers blew us away. I had never heard Gungor live before, but holy crap were they amazing. The I think my mouth dropped open during the first song when their cellist started beat-boxing:) I heard he is also on The Sing-off on NBC. Their acoustic set was hauntingly beautiful. If you look them up you should listen to the song “Beautiful Things” but I’m pretty sure it was way better done acoustic and live.

Finally David Crowder hit the stage and played for two more hours which was AWESOME but made it a 4-hour show. This is their last tour together which is why we made the long trip and it was so worth it. We got to park it in the seventh row:) The guys of David Crowder Band were as silly and fun as always and we had ourselves a texas style “hoedown” haha. And you gotta love a guy that can rock a beard like that.

 One of my favorite song by them is “How He Loves” and was really cool to hear them play it along with the other bands. I also added their music video “Shine” for you to watch below. They did it with stop motion and a bazillion lite-bright pegs! Amazing.

After the show we had to make a stop at BWWs, where we used to have weekly dates before we moved so far away! So fun but we were exhausted driving home!

Poor Micah boy was ready to get back to his own bed too! He took a good 4 hour nap when he got home:)

P.S. Aren’t these Vintage frames fun? I got them for free by becoming a fan of FloraBella Collection on facebook. Love their actions and textures!

10 Killer Ways to Use Printable Paper + Halloween Paper Freebie

One of the items I’ve recently started in my Etsy shop are digital paper designs. I have been amazed out how many people are buying them or out there looking for them. A few of you have asked me what they are or more specifically what to do with them. So I found 10 Killer ways to use them! And if you stick around to the end, there’s a freebie Paper Pack for you to try them out yourself!

1. Do-It-Yourself Cards

[credit: hgtv.com]

You can get so creative with this. For a baby, you could use them on shower invites, birth announcements, cute holiday cards. For a senior, you could send out a graduation announcement or a thank you for coming to an open house. For a wedding, you could save hundreds just by creating your own invites or save-the-date cards.

2. Creating a Brand

[Damask Studio Marketing Kit]

If you have a business, repetition is huge for getting customers to remember you and recognize your brand. You can easily use digital paper to create a common look to your website, twitter background, business cards, referral cards, mailouts, etc.

3. Digital Scrapbooking

[credit: peppermintcreative.com]

Now that most of us use digital cameras, printing and organizing all of your photos for a physical scrapbook or photo album can be a lot of work. If you do digital scrapbooking like with mixbook.com or smilebox.com, you can use digital paper to put together a creative album and then share it online or print the entire book instead of photo by photo.

4. Journal Covers

[credit: Studio827KC]

Having a creative and unique design on the cover of my notebooks and journals are so motivational in getting me to write. So why not pick out your own design? They can make great homemade gifts and you can even sell them. Check out the Studio827KC shop above – she is a great example of creating your own journals.

5. iPhone Covers

[credit: GetUncommon]

Did you know you can design your own iPhone cover? I’ve seen tons of people use digital paper + their family or engagement pictures to fancy up their iPhones. Here’s a cool place to do it: GetUncommon

6. Decorating containers

[credit: BetterHomesandGardens]

I love this idea because it is a great way to reuse your can and tins. My sisters used this idea of covering cans with printable paper at my baby shower. You can fill them with flowers, pencils, snacks, etc.

7. DIY White Board

[credit: MakeAndTakes]

This is a cool idea I found on pinterest and I immediately made my own. I use mine to keep track of all of my to-dos. All you have to do is print your digital paper, frame it with a glass cover and grab a dry erase marker. That’s it – instant custom dry-erase board! Or try this other idea – DIY Magent boards

8. Printing custom fabric

[credit: caitlinwilsondesign]

I was so pumped when my customer asked if she could use my digital paper design on fabric for a swimsuit! Such a brilliant idea to print your own fabric design. I just purchased gray and white chevron fabric for homemade curtains and can’t wait to use my designs to print more! You can order custom fabric here: KarmaKraft

9. Wrapping paper

Since the holidays are coming up, I had to include this fun idea. If you find a digital paper design that has a repetitive pattern, you can order customized wrapping paper. Try boxandwrap.com to order your own.

10. Home decor

[credit: Addicted2Decorating]

I love how these people have used printable paper to decorate their homes. I really want to attempt the lampshade and bucket idea.

[credit: everydaymomideas.com]

[credit: thethriftress.com]

[credit: casablancatransformation]

[credit: JenniferNacePhotography]

Some tips:

-Use a quality paper and printer. You really don’t want there to be printer lines going through your design and it helps to have a thicker, bright white paper so that the color comes out nice and bold.

-If you’re printing larger than 12×12 (like for a custom fabric) make sure you have a seamless repetitive pattern, so that you don’t see weird cutoff edges.

-Mix and match! Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what different papers look like together.

*Now for your freebie!*

Click here to get the Monster Mash Paper Pack (Limited Edition)

This will be available until Halloween only! Want to shop for more digital paper designs by me? Click here.

Let me know what you use yours for!

Just Wondering…