Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Sophie Milman

Since I have totally exhausted my collection of Micheal Buble songs, I went looking on iTunes for some new jazz music to listen to. I get so tired of listening to all the the top hits on the radio and I wanted to buy something that was totally different. I found this up and coming jazz singer named Sophie Milman and I am really loving her voice and her style. Her new album, "Make Someone Happy" was just released on iTunes today and of course I went and bought it. Here's a little sampling of her music for you to listen to! You can also check out her MySpace here: Sophie Milman

Sophie MilmanSomething In The Air Between Us

Sophie MilmanLonely In New York

Sophie MilmanReste (Stay)

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Revamped Blog

I was getting really tired of using that prefabbed Blogger template, so I designed my own header and changed all the colors! What do you think? Do you like the new layout? I also added another section on the sidebar with Clint and I's wedding links and I added a Cluster map so I can see who is visiting! I hope you like the new design!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Wedding Journal: August 21, 2007

Wow! Time is really flying! I can't believe Clint and I have been engaged for over two months with less than five months until we are married. I am so excited! So, in the past two weeks, I got some more planning done. I put down a deposit on the reception site! I'm glad that's taken care of. The bridesmaids and I also got all of the dresses ordered last week...including Mercy's junior bridesmaid dress, Melissa's flower girl dress and my mom's mother of the bride dress. I am so excited to see how they look on everyone. My bridesmaids are going to be so beautiful! Here are some pictures of Hannah trying on the dress. This is the espresso color, but we ordered black to contrast with the very red bouquets they will be holding! Here's a blurry photo of me in the bridesmaid dress so you can see the whole thing! Sorry, you won't be seeing me in a wedding dress until January 4th!
I was finally able to get a hold of my florist after a week of calling! It was good I was able to talk to them because we went a different route for the centerpieces. They are going to do exactly what I am wanting for 1/2 half of what it was going to cost me! Praise God! There will be lots of candles at the reception. If my math is correct, we will have 168 candles lite! I think it's going to be beautiful.

So my big news for this week is that I broke down and created another registry. I was going to be strong and just register at one place. But I just couldn't! I have been dreaming of registering at Pottery Barn for years! So, Clint talked me into it! Mostly because we are desperate for some nice furniture! As of right now, we have nothing to sit on when we get married...except for the bed. But even that we won't be "sitting" on! Anyway, this is one of the reasons that we registered:I have always loved this table and it ended up being the same price if we were to have bought a table at World Market. So I registered for it, with the slat chairs! We still have yet to decide on a couch. This is the one Clint likes, but we can't decide on a color. I'm thinking the Stone EverydaySuede, but here it is in the Natural Twill: I was disappointed that I couldn't find bedding at Target. Especially a true red that would look good with the wedding ring quilt my mom is making for me. And then I saw this: Oooh la la! I love it! This cranberry colored velvet and silk quilt and velvet Euro shams are perfect. It's going to look so classy and beautiful!

I have also been on the search for the perfect green towels for our guest bathroom! Everything I saw was either sage green or too lime green. I just wanted a nice vibrant green and I couldn't find them! I finally discovered them on Target.com. Wooohooo! They aren't available in the store, but you can order them online.These green towels are going to go with these cream and black swirl towels that I'll have in both the master and guest bathroom: Anyway, you'll notice that I added a link to my Pottery Barn and Target registry on the right for you to easily view the fun items I have registered for! There's still lots of planning to do! I'll be starting on the invitations here before too long!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Lots of Cards This Weekend

So, I spent the majority of my weekend designing cards, teaching a class and making all the extras. So fun! I taught a Make a Wish Birthday Card Class on Saturday. I designed and taught how to make five different Stampin' Up birthday cards. I had two sets left over, so today I finished making the rest of the cards. I also made some other cards that I was needing.
Here are my designs:

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Meritorious Recognition

Just before I graduated, my great teacher, Ron Howe nominated me for The Denver Post's Colorado Private School Association's Student of the Year award. I felt so honored that he would take the time to nominate me! I didn't know if anything would come of it, but today I received a letter in the mail stating that I had won Meritorious Recognition (or runner up) for Student of the Year in Art & Design! How AWESOME is that!?! Wow, I feel so honored to have been selected out of the many art students in Denver! Here is my name listed on the website:
The award ceremony is on Thursday, September 13th. Let me know if you would like to attend and I'll get you the information! I may even get to be in The Denver Post! How cool is that?? God just continues to bless me and give me favor!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Introducing: Spink Studio

I am very excited to announce that I have officially launched my graphic design company, Spink Studio. It has been in the works for over a year and I am now running my company full time as a freelance graphic designer and photographer. Originally the name of my company was Scallop Pink, Ink. (SPInk for short). In June, I shortened the name to Spink Studio and I launched my new website this month.


Here is some information about Spink Studio:

Spink Studio is a graphic design company that specializes in creating designs that will effectively portray your image and showcase it to your target audience. We are dedicated to learning about your company's needs and will help you to successfully communicate your specialties through graphic design.

Graphic designer, Kayla Schwisow, creates inspirational and unique designs that will help promote and grow your business. Kayla holds an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Computer Graphic Design for Print.

Spink Studio also specializes in portrait and wedding photography. With a design background, we can creatively capture the images that reflect your unique personality and event.

Specializing In:
Identity Design
Logo Development
Promotional Materials
Marketing Collateral
Cohesive Advertising Campaigns
Website Design
Trade Show Graphics
Package Design
Wedding Invitations and Collateral
Portrait Photography
Wedding Photography

If you would like more information about Spink Studio or would like to see several galleries of Spink Studio’s award winning graphic design and photography, please visit:
Spink Studio

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Taking some time to design...

So I finally got a little break from all of the fast paced wedding planning. My mom and I were planning Josh's 18th birthday party today. I think it is going to be so very fun! I designed some invitations for him to pass out that would be just as fun and awesome as the party is going to be! You'll also see this invitation on my new website that I will be posting about here very soon! Stay tuned!

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Wedding Journal: August 5, 2007

I am so excited because in exactly five months, Clint and I will be married and on our honeymoon!!!! Wooohooo! The wedding planning is slowly coming along. Mom and I went down to Texas and got a majority of the planning done there.

In the past couple weeks, I have:

1. Found a florist. We are waiting on the estimate from her.

2. Decided on a cake lady. I figured out the flavors and style for the cake and I paid for it!

3. I got all 175 Save the Dates sent out in the mail! I really like how they turned out and I am excited to start working on the invitations. I hope you liked them! Here are some photos of me cutting them all. It took a really long time!


4. We have everything set at the church so far. Mom and I went to meet Julie, who has known Clint and I for quite a long time, and she will be the wedding hostess at the church. If you haven't seen the church, it is so gorgeous! I took a couple photos to give you a sneak peek:


Here is the beautiful bridal room:


5. While I was in Midland, Kim took some great engagement photos of Clint and I. I am excited to use them! We took some really cute ones to use on a Thank You card, so I am excited to design those!

6. I also went and ordered my veil this week. It is sooooo beautiful! It really adds a lot to the dress. I can't wait to try on my dress and the veil together when they come in.

7. I spent some time searching for bridal shoes. I haven't found anything that I like, but I am going to keep looking. I was wanting something that has some pretty lace and beadwork, but I may end up going with something simple and classic. Let me know if you know of any places that sell unique bridal shoes!

8. Clint and I got the tuxedos picked out while I was in Midland! They are very classy and will look so sharp! I am excited to see it all come together.

9. I'm continuing my search for the bridesmaid dresses. It's kind of hard since I want to have a matching jr. bridesmaid dress. I think I may have found a very classy style that will look beautiful on all four of my girls!

10. And I'll end with #10. I tried on some different jewelry with my dress to see what looks good and now I have an idea of what I need to get. I'll have to start looking at some different stores.

Well, I have LOTS more to do this week. I will be finalizing the reception site and blocking for some rooms at hotels. I also need to call a photographer and get the bridesmaid dresses ordered! I'll keep you updated!

Friday, August 03, 2007

"Sparkle" in June Creating Keepsakes

I forgot to post my most recently published scrapbook page. This was an assignment that I did for the 4 Product Challenge column in the June 2007 Creating Keepsakes. I could only use the four products that they sent to me. It was really fun! I took these photos of Mercy specifically to match the paper. Hopefully one day I'll have some time to scrapbook for myself!

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Leave Me a Message

Hey blog lurkers!! I was just wanting to see who all out there has been surfing my blog lately. I know Clint visits regularly, but he's not the only one keeping my stat counter busy. Leave me a message and let me know how you're doing. You can post a comment without registering under Anonymous, but make sure you leave your name so I can say hi back!!

Two Incredible Bands=One Awesome Night

Well, Clint has been bothering me for days to post the photos that I took in Alpine a week and a half ago. I was really disappointed because the lighting in the building was very poor, so the majority of my photos did not turn out that great. But here's some of the ones that were okay. You can click on them if you want to see them larger. Clint played in his two bands: Johnny & the Yahoos and Lifted^. They both did a fabulous job and I loved listening to them play. Our friend, Jermaine also came and gave a wonderful message. It was a great trip and everyone really enjoyed it!

Check out John and his Yahoos on MySpace at: John's MySpace






Check out Lifted's MySpace at: The Lifted^ Band's MySpace








And the whole gang:


And of course, we had to get a photo of Clint and I. Sorry, Chris, but I painted you out of the picture!! ;-)


And I promise I'll get around to posting some of the cruise pictures!! There's so many to go through, but I want to share them with you.