{:Dajon Design:} 2010 Holiday Greetings

After posting my New Year's greeting, I realized that I had to post some of the Christmas cards I created this year. I love creating these, knowing that they will bring smiles to family and friends througout the season. I hope you enjoy!

I love Christmas verses and lyrics, so that's exactly what inspired this card!

{:For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.:}

*I didn't take the photos for this card.*

For this next card, we visited the beautiful town of Stillwater to get this photograph. Can you tell how much I like typography? I also ordered these cards from Mpix.com and printed them on their metallic photo paper...amazing! I wish there were a way for me to show you how awesome this paper is...but it just doesn't translate to the screen. =-)

And finally, here is our Christmas card. It was interesting trying to take this photo in my makeshift studio using my camera timer. hee hee I'm surprised I wasn't sweating in this photo! This was also printed on metallic paper, which really gave it a fun 3D effect.

Well, that's all for now! I truly hope you all are enjoying this holiday season with the people you love!

{:Joy to the World!:}

{:Dajon Design:} New Year's Eve Invitation

There's something about a new year that just gets me all giddy. In honor of 2011, I'm giving you a peak at my NYE invitation. As always, let me know what you think!

Cheers and blessings to you and yours in 2011!

{:Free Printables:} Fruity Flakes Tags

In honor of Today's Creative Blog, I'm featuring my first free printable! I'll be developing more for this collection, but you can get your free tags now! {:Download your tags here:}

For best results, print your tags on bright cardstock! You can even save the file and print at your local Kinko's.

{:Dajon Design:} Apples and Pears Invitation

Now that you've seen the birth announcement, check out the shower invitation. This could be used as a theme for a birthday party or could be used as blank cards by a teacher! You could order a blank batch, tie with a ribbon for a unique and practical gift for your child's teacher.

{Dajon Design:} Baby Birth Announcement

A while back, I shared the photo session that I had with Baby Addison. I'm preparing for her 6-month photos and decided to look back at her newborn session and I ran across her announcement. What a precious peanut! To order these invitations, please visit my Etsy site.

*Names have been changed to protect the baby and family's privacy.*

{:Dajon Design:} BBQ Invitation

It's not the 4th of July, but I just love the patriotic feel of this BBQ invitation. In fact, I thought I'd make a few changes and see if it couldn't be 'spruce'-ed up into a Christmas invite, get it? Well, I'm not so sure it works, but here it is anyways.

{:Dajon Design:} Funky Floral Invitations

Baby, it's cold outside...so, how about a little color to warm things up? I love this color combo and it could be used for a variety of events! Let me know what you think!

{:Dajon Design:} Circus Invitations

Come one, come all! The circus is in town. Check out these new circus-inspired invitations. I'll be posting pictures soon from my son's 1st birthday party with more fun circus ideas!

Check out my Etsy site for matching thank-you tags and labels!

{:Dajon Photography:} Dima Photo Session

I had the best fall photo session with little Dimitri! He's such a fun-loving and bright little guy!

Those baby blues will melt your heart! Look out ladies...

Super cute and check out that log...it's totally heart-shaped!

OK, I couldn't resist another one with this log!

Some fall fun!

His mom came up with the barn idea...too cute! I can't decide which one I like best.

How about you?

Something tells me that this face gets him out of a lot trouble. =-)

Just hangin' around...another fun idea from mom. I think I have a new assistant!

{:Dajon Design:} Spa Birthday Party Invitations

Check out my latest design, a colorful invite for a sweet little girl! She's having a spa party for her birthday and wanted hot pink and lime green. This is what I came up with. The picture was provided by her talented mama and I just edited it by changing the saturation on the flower (it was originally red) and turning the rest black and white.

*Name and info has been changed to protect her privacy.

{:Dajon Photography:} Justin & Emily Engagement Session

I know I've been M.I.A., but it's been a hectic summer. I'm back at it though and wanted to share my last adventure with you all! Check it out and make sure to let me know which ones are your faves!

{:Dajon Design:} American Girl Party Invites

Wow, so I'm not so good at this blogging business, but check out a recent project that I think turned out pretty cool. My friend, Casey, is throwing an American Girl party for her daughter and wanted a fun invite that looked like their American Girl magazine.

(Names have been changed for privacy reasons)

Of course, we had to have a fun photo session!

What a little cutie!

And that's a wrap!

{:Dajon Design:} BBQ Invitation

One of my favorite things about summer is the BBQ's! Whether it's steak or turkey burgers, I'm there! We actually even decided to hold our own neighborhood BBQ this year, so I had to whip up some invites. Nothing says American BBQ like red, white and blue.

Let me know what you think!

{:Dajon Design:} Graduation Invitation

It's that time of year...graduation season! Congratulations to all those graduates out there, especially Britta!

So, here's my latest creation. Britta, her mom and I did some brainstorming for ideas and this is what I came up with. Britta is going to college to become a meteorologist, so we wanted to incorporate the four seasons. Then they gave me some pictures of her in various seasons and voila!

Let me know what you think!

***Her name and info has been changed to protect her privacy.***

{:Dajon Design:} Baptism Invitations

I love designing invites and I love photography. I'm not great at either one, but I still love both! Here's a fun invite that I created for my son's baptism. I took the picture in my sunroom using natural lighting and some fun fabric! I'm really loving green this year...

can you tell?

{:Random Tidbits:} What are you passionate about?

Marketing Mama inspired me to ask myself, “What are you passionate about?” This is a great time for me to ponder this question, since I’m transitioning into a new chapter in my life. I’m cutting the umbilical cord to my military life.

I say cutting the cord because I’ve relied on National Guard jobs for the past 8 years. It’s been a blessing that I’m grateful for, but it has also hindered me because I’ve been afraid to truly challenge myself, to step outside of the box, to reach for the stars!

I believe that everything happens for a reason. I met my husband in the military and my current military job helped me realize my love for graphic design. Family and graphics…two things I’m passionate about.

“They” say to live what you love, so I’m hoping to make a living out of Dajon Design, but in order to do that, I need to be healthy. I’m passionate about my health! We need to properly take care of ourselves in order to function efficiently! If you don’t put gas in your car, you’re not going to get very far. Same thing if you fill the tank with sugar, eh?

Alright, I think I’ve got this figured out. I need to take care of myself, in order to create my creations, which will in turn support my family, without relying on a boring 9-5. Taking care of myself also allows me to have the energy to really enjoy my family when we are together!

Sounds easy, right? Not so easy, when you have to run your ‘croupy’ son to the doctor and don’t have time to eat anything, but a drive-thru burger!

NO MORE EXCUSES! You’ve heard it here first. I, Dajon, vow to take care of myself, even if that means taking the time to prepare healthy foods. I vow to love my family and truly appreciate every moment with them. I vow to not contribute to the family gossip. Last, but not least, I vow to reach for the *s*t*a*r*s*!!!

What are you passionate about?

Check out what some other ladies are passionate about:

The Marketing Mama: What am I passionate about?

Kate in the Kitchen: unveiling my passions

Pink Vanilla Cupcakes: What am I passionate about?

Healthy Heart Journeys: Putting the P in PASSION

Nightlight Journeys: Living with Passion

Challenge: 1 year, no restaurants: Passionate about?

Girl Meets Geek: On Passion

I couldn't resist posting a picture of a little guy that I'm most certainly passionate about!

(Photo by Aunty Colleen)

{:Dajon Design:} Marble Frosting Cookie Goodie Bags

So, I'm not the best baker in the world and definitely no Bakerella, but I just had to share these with you all!

This was my first time trying the marble technique. Super fun!

I made these little cookie goodie baggies for my Lizz's bridal shower (new sis-in-law)! Each quest recieved one as a thank you. I also designed the little 'thank you' tags with their monograms!

YUM!

More proof that I'm a jack of all trades, master of none. I put together a couple of fun flower arrangements for the shower. Can you tell that I like bright colors! The limes actually added a nice fresh scent to the air!

{:Dajon Design:} A Sweet Sundae Celebration

I think we can all remember how exciting it was to stop at an ice cream shop when we were younger. Now imagine having a Sweet Sundae themed birthday party! Here's some fun products that I designed for my Sweet Sundae display! You gotta set the mood and start with some sweet invites!

This is a small example of a sundae party set-up.

What sundae party would be complete without sprinkles? Gotta love the fun tags!

Some party circles all packaged up and ready to purchase. I love the little sundae graphic. I created the graphic myself with Illustrator!

That's all for now...remember to add a little dazzle to your day!