tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61844857249647788512011-10-02T10:15:24.487-04:00Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-36234421179201189482011-01-25T08:17:00.000-05:002011-01-25T08:17:45.688-05:00

When I opened my e-mail this morning, I found a newsletter from one of my paper suppliers that discussed the advantages of "handwritten media" over "social media". While the writer of the article and I agree that outlets like Facebook can be very useful for attracting new clients and keeping current clients involved, there's just something to be said for the seemingly-lost art of handwritten

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-23126103656342060282011-01-04T07:44:00.002-05:002011-01-04T07:50:16.371-05:00

It's Tuesday, and that now means Inspiration Board Day! For my first one, I decided to consider the possibilities of Pantone's 2011 Color of the Year, Honeysuckle. It's a gorgeous, rich, vibrant pink that is a beautiful choice for a wedding any time of the year. While you could go the more traditional (but still lovely) route and pair it with ice pink, silver and pearl, I chose to play it up by

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-63508308095994676452010-12-30T07:25:00.000-05:002010-12-30T07:25:17.048-05:00

If you're here, then you're probably already aware of the major changes that are taking place at Defining Moments in 2011! Just take a look at the site - there's a brand new logo, new items being posted (or getting ready to be posted), and - probably the biggest change of all - we have permanently discontinued the Home Fragrance line (although you can find our huge clearance sale at http://

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-87483645682022537002010-09-22T12:29:00.000-04:002010-09-22T12:29:17.734-04:00

I'm in the process of preparing for two back-to-back craft shows at which I'll be selling my candles. Doing all this prep work has made me realize a few things. So, let me tease by saying that major changes are coming to Defining Moments. No hints. But here's a sneak peek of the new logo! You saw it here first....

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-63036984618567094892010-08-18T08:07:00.001-04:002010-08-18T08:08:15.247-04:00

Below I posted a design I was working on for an old friend's Save the Date. It's finally finished! I sent it off to the printer today. This is the final version, complete with a photo of the actual couple (how adorable are they?). Now if I could only find someone willing to do their invitations in thermography...

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-46231770269267233842010-07-16T08:58:00.001-04:002010-07-16T09:04:05.065-04:00

I don't just do weddings...I also do all the parties that come before and after!

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-33430436962511317882010-07-14T12:53:00.002-04:002010-07-14T13:36:03.286-04:00

In the process of deciding which designs I want to upload to my business site, I started to play around with ways to make them look like more than just flat drawings on a computer screen. Since I don't have physical samples to take photos of, my digital images have to look great. Here are two samples I did this morning. Do they look professional? Does the fact that it's not a photograph of ink

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-26600936009021661582010-07-14T08:22:00.000-04:002010-07-14T08:22:27.478-04:00

Yet another potential design for my Etsy shop...this invitation suite is designed with colorful tropical leaves. Perfect for a destination wedding, or a regular tropical-themed wedding closer to home. I can see this one turning out really gorgeous if printed on a pearl-colored shimmer cardstock, with matching envelopes. What do you think?

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-25677298755492206062010-07-13T11:50:00.001-04:002010-07-13T11:51:16.544-04:00

About a month ago, a girl I've known since I was 16 and worked at Pathmark e-mailed me through my business website. We'd lost touch over the last few years - I quit that job nearly 10 years ago - but she'd run into my best friend, who also worked at Pathmark with us, and told her she was getting married. My friend let her know that I'm now an invitation designer and told her to look me up. Well,

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-2188975483523303702010-05-14T10:08:00.003-04:002010-07-14T08:24:27.127-04:00

For the last few days I've been working on designs to offer on Etsy. Most of it has been garbage. This one, however, might just end up going on there. Shown in chartreuse (but also designed using hot pink, pale lemon yellow, cerulean and a pretty orchid color), this one's simplistic and modern. I just did an invitation and a matching response card. Thinking about offering other accompanying

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-86226961755594289602010-04-30T12:46:00.000-04:002010-04-30T12:46:27.942-04:00

I made this last weekend when I was practicing with my new die-cutter. The finished product is just a shape, but can be easily recreated into a folded card. It's an engagement ring box (obviously) and the box part is black velvet paper, the ring band is gold cardstock and the diamond is cut from holographic silver paper. I am quite proud of myself, and can't wait to make other things. This

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-45854249278370393102010-04-30T12:40:00.001-04:002010-04-30T12:42:02.537-04:00

I came across this article today on CNN.com. As the article states, destination weddings are becoming more and more popular. But many times, it's a major expense for the guest. I have mixed feelings about destination weddings. On one hand, a wedding belongs to the bride and groom and nobody else. After planning my own wedding I have very strong feelings about that - NOBODY else should have any

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-70426983743543436202010-04-26T07:11:00.003-04:002010-04-26T07:12:58.885-04:00

Sort of a continuation of the last discussion, regarding whether I should offer predesigned stationery packages. I've been browsing around on Etsy to see what, if anything, people offer in the way of custom candles, favors and stationery. I've been impressed with what I've found - there are some very talented artists and designers there. I, personally, have never thought of offering my items on

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-41833214527703843302010-04-13T07:15:00.002-04:002010-04-26T07:13:23.327-04:00

When I started this stationery business it was based on the premise that all work would be custom-designed, down to the very last detail. In my mind, that's something any bride would go for - most women regard their wedding day as one of THE most important in their lives, don't they? I know I did. And I know that I wouldn't want to have to share anything about my day with anyone else. I never

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-79166488762744239582010-04-09T12:59:00.002-04:002010-04-09T13:10:00.208-04:00

For a long time, the idea of ever owning Adobe design software was a pipe dream. I satisfied myself and my clients with programs I downloaded from freeserifsoftware.com. If you're an aspiring designer or even a professional who doesn't yet have the funds for $800 software, don't despair. Don't let anybody tell you you can't make quality art with software that won't make you skip a mortgage

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-20154958418307258382010-04-09T08:22:00.002-04:002010-04-09T08:24:30.716-04:00

These days, more and more people are opting for smaller, more intimate ceremonies and destination weddings. With that being the case, there is a greater desire for marriage announcements, which are sent after the wedding to notify loved ones who may not have attended the wedding. I was playing in Microsoft Word today for lack of anything better to do on a boring, rainy Friday morning at work and

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184485724964778851.post-30596118706882051242010-04-06T08:03:00.000-04:002010-04-06T08:03:35.891-04:00

I'd like to open this blog with an announcement about my redesigned main website, http://www.definingmomentsonline.com/. Gone is the heavy maroon background, wedding-specific images, and clunky photo galleries. Instead you'll find a calming aqua color scheme (much easier on the eyes!), a different image (an artistically blurred and cropped photo of lit candles), and slide-show photo galleries

Colleen Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357988745625476198noreply@blogger.com