Mommy cards (without photos)

Here are a few samples of Mommy Playdate cards without a photo. Several clients have asked for this option as they are giving the cards as new baby or shower gifts, and a photo was not available. These are two sided cards....other information can be included on the back side as well.

FAQ's

I've had some questions asked recently so I thought I'd do a "Frequently Asked Questions" post...here goes..

1. Can you use any picture that I give you in your designs?
Yes and No. You can use any picture as long as you email me the original file size and when I open it the quality is good. If the picture is just so-so, I can attempt some Photoshop editing on it. In some cases, photo quality cannot be adjusted and you may need to choose another photo.

2. When is the latest I can place my holiday card order?
Once the final product has been approved by you and ordered, it will take 2-3 days for me to receive it from the lab. If you are local, we can work something out so you have your product as soon as I receive it. If additional shipping is required, more time is needed. Orders can be drop-shipped directly to you, but I like to see them myself first to make sure they are "just right". With that in mind, December 1st seems like an appropriate date to have all necessary information received on my end (your design choice, wording, photo file). December 5th is the last date I will place orders, unless other arrangements with me are made.

3. Is volume pricing available on Mommy Playdate Cards and Gift Tags?
Mommy Playdate Cards pricing is as follows:
50 cards= $20
100 cards= $35
150 cards= $45

custom design: add $5.00

Gift tag pricing is as follows:
Set of 50= $20
Set of 100= $40
Set of 150= $60
(Sorry, the lab doesn't give volume discounts on these!)

Please note that these prices are my holiday "sale" prices. Regular prices will go into effect January 1st.

4. Do you have to use a photo on the Mommy Playdate cards?
No! I am in the process of creating some designs without photos. Expect these in the next couple of days.

5. Where are your baby announcement prices?
The pricing for announcements can be found under the "Pricing" post dated October 15th...or click on the link "Pricing" under the Labels heading on the right hand side of the blog. Prices are listed for 5x5 and 5x7 prints, lustre/glossy finish or metallic finish. If you need pricing for another size, please leave a comment or email me.

In setting up my business plan, I acknowledge that there are many, many options for holiday cards and birth announcements out there. I feel my prices are competitive with many online photo sites, and you have the added bonus of a design created just for you.

6. Do you offer photography services?
I was going to wait a little bit longer to add this service, but I have had some interest so I am open to inquiries. I am currently working on building my portfolio. Email me for a price list and more details.

Any more questions? Let me know!

Mama Playdate cards revisited

I know my focus should be on holiday items right now, but I opened our Sunday newspaper today and on the front page of the Living section was this HUGE article about Mommy Cards. I read through it, and it was all about how "mommy cards or 'family cards' are marketed as a classy alternative to writing contact information on any old scrap of paper you dig out of a purse or diaper bag....." The author profiled a woman from Chicago who started a business selling these cards. She mentioned how the woman had not sold to many customers in Ohio or Michigan. Well, my friends, let's look out for the local small businesses...ME! Lol! I too offer these Mommy Cards. Mine have photos of either your family or children, just to put a name with a face...but I could also design something for you without a photo. These cards really are a great way to keep track of all of the women and families you meet. They also can serve another purpose as well, as is indicated in this article. "...many parents list a child's health alerts on the back of the card- a peanut allergy or asthma, for example-that are helpful for baby sitters and teachers to know."

Here are a few of the Mommy cards I have designed. The possibilities are endless with these...from simple to fancy, photo or no photo. Let me know what you need!

And yes, I will be contacting Ann Weber, the Toledo Blade staff writer to let her know there is a local woman who provides this service! Me!

Mommy cards are offered in packs of 50 for $20.00.

Colors

just wanted to make you aware of how colors can affect a creation. Obviously in each set there are the same design, with different colors used. if you like a design you see, but don't like the color scheme, let me know. these things can be modified! need inspiration? check out www.kuler.adobe.com This is a great site that allows you to search for different color combinations. Be creative!
Note: The samples above were just created...more procrastination by me equals more samples for you!

Birth Announcements- Easy Viewing

Here are the available boy and girl birth announcement samples. Please remember that any design you see is able to be customized to your likes. Don't see anything you like? Let me know and we'll come up with something together! There are some unique designs in both sets, so be sure to check out both, even if you are just looking for girl designs. Colors can be modified easily!

Holiday Designs Easy Viewing and Choosing

Another thing on the "to-do" list was to consolidate my holiday designs into a more viewer friendly format, and to provide a way for you to choose which design you like. Of course I still need to do this with the baby designs, but as holiday requests are coming in, I thought I'd start here. Don't forget, you can always double click on the image to view it larger. I've also updated some pricing on the previous post titled "Pricing". Original, huh?

a few more to choose from...

...these holiday templates can double as birth announcements as well. i've had the color combination on my mind lately and played around a little tonight with it (also known as procrastinating other things i should be doing). just a couple to add to the list....

Gift Tags

Here is a fun little addition to your holiday gift giving! Self-adhesive gift tags! Can be created from any holiday card design. Available in increments of 50. Size is 2x3.5. (Larger sizes are available at additional cost.) Cost: $20 per 50 tags. One design per order. Custom design (something other than what you see on the blog: add$5.)

PLEASE NOTE: BE SURE TO CHECK THE LINKS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BLOG. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS OR OTHER ITEMS, THEY ARE CATEGORIZED THERE. THANKS! ALSO, BE SURE TO DOUBLE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR FULL VIEW.

Pricing

One may think I have neglected to post pricing here on the blog, but I really haven't. It's been on the "to-do" list for sometime now! With the holiday season coming though, I figured I better move it to the top of the list. Please let me know if you have any questions!

I will be offering a 3-tiered pricing program for my holiday cards. This will offer you the client flexibility in choosing what package works for your needs. All final products are produced from high-quality professional labs.

Package #1:
Image design only. You provide the .jpg photo file, I’ll create your holiday card. You can either use the pre-designed templates posted on my blog, or I will create a custom design for you. Final design (after approval) will be emailed as a high resolution .jpeg file for you to upload and print at your favorite online or store photo developer. You could also email the file to friends and family and save a stamp!

Pre-designed template: design fee $15
Custom designed: design fee $20

Package #2:
5x5 or 5x7 greeting cards printed on high quality photo paper. Printed from Professional Photo lab. All cards come with white envelopes at no additional cost. Prices listed below include design fees. Custom design additional $5. Shipping additional.

Interested in a 4x8 design? Let me know!

Package #3:
Press printed folded greeting cards. Email for pricing.

Other Gift Ideas:

Storyboards: Have a few photos you would like in a unique design? Check out a storyboard. Can be printed in several sizes. Text can be included. Price dependent on size and design.

Card sets: Would you like to have a set of birthday cards, thank you cards, or congratulation cards available on hand at all times? A great gift idea! Let me know and I will design an image just for you. Press printed folded greeting card. Price dependent upon quantity and design.

Mommy playdate cards: Great new mommy gift! See previous post for samples
Cards are 2x3.5 and come in sets of 50. Cost: 50 cards: $20. Custom design: add $5.

As always, if you have any questions, let me know! I'll work with you!

A few notes about photos: Several of my holiday card designs have been designed for mulitple photos. When emailing me your chosen photos, please send the original file size. Photo editing can be done at no additional cost (i.e., change colors, remove blemishes, etc.).

Christmas Templates Final Sets

FINALLY got these finished up. As always, all designs can be customized with font, color schemes, etc. Enjoy!

Mama Playdate Cards

Ever meet a new mom at the park or some other "child-centered" event and wish you had a quick and easy way to exchange contact information? Here you go! Exchange "Mama Playdate Cards"- an easy way to provide new friends with a name and a face. (How many of you are known as "Jack's Mommy"?? ) As always, colors, font, and design can be customized for you.

Great newborn or shower gift as well! (Click on photo to see larger image)

The MoJo is Missing

I have a good reason for not posting anything new here in awhile. This morning sickness has knocked me out, and my creative mojo has gone on vacation. I will be back up and running soon...just a couple more weeks of this madness! I will be posting probably only one more Christmas set, instead of two. Am also planning a few Fall Holiday cards, Mommy Cards, and that darn Baby's First Year Scrapbook! Thanks for your patience!

Christmas in July part1

Since I did promise Christmas in July, here is the first set of Christmas card templates i have been working on. I have 2 more sets in mind that are in the works, but they will have to be shared in August! Summer seemed to take over in July, and we have been super busy!

Storyboards...

I've been playing around and here is a simple storyboard I've created. There are so many possibilities with these. I've also done a few Christmas cards...will post when I have a complete set!

coming soon...

i'm still here...just enjoying summer with the kids and a few "mini-vacations".
coming soon: 10x20 storyboards, 12-month digital scrapbook "baby's first year", more celebrations & christmas 2008!
i will also be cleaning up the blog...making things more user friendly...adding some "stuff" to keep this little thing running smoothly. please be patient!

More birth announcements...

just a few more for the little ones. am working on more birthdays, save the date, etc. enjoy!

Other celebrations

I'm just adding a few new invites tonight. Two birthdays and a fourth of July party invite. My goal is to add a little more variety over the next few weeks, and then in July I will reveal my inital Christmas card layouts. It will truly be Christmas in July!

Girl Samples

Here are a few girlie samples!

Boy Samples

Here are a few of my boy samples for birth announcements. Girl samples and other celebrations to be posted tomorrow! Color schemes can be modified, font, photo colorization, etc. Customized for you! ENJOY!

Welcome!

Welcome to Simple Celebration, a little business I've started to feed my need to create things with photos. As if my personal scrapbooking wasn't enough, I am now going to market my abilities to you! Birth announcements, thank you cards, birthday invitations, holiday greetings...any "celebration"! My products are all digital, custom-designed, custom-created for YOU. I will work with you on color schemes, photo choices, and design...until you are satisfied with the finished product. I will offer several options for my creations.

• Custom designed digital work for purchase in the form of a .jpg file. You will then have permission to email this creation to family and friends, or have it printed at your own favorite printer. A flat design fee will be charged.
• Customed designed work for purchase in the form of high-quality, professionally printed cards. After your approval of the design, it will be sent to be printed at a professional lab, and mailed to you. A variety of sizes are available. (Photos provided by you!)
• Customed designed "Baby's First Year" digital scrapbook pages. You provide the pictures and the journaling information, and I will create your baby's scrapbook based on the templates I have created.

Please take a look at a few of my designs. I will be adding more frequently!