by Amy | Jul 29, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Gathering, The Art of the Moment
It seems like eons ago that I shot Anne and Jay’s g-g-g-gorgeous wedding. In reality it was only weeks ago…but I suppose that’s how summer goes up here in Practically Canada. We wait for it all year long, then before we know it it’s practically fall again.
But, today’s post is far too warm and sunny to spend our time talking about dropping temps. So instead, let me tell you what an immense privilege it was for me to be a part of this big day. There is nothing that delights my heart more than watching two people who love Jesus, commit to one another in marriage. I love weddings that put Christ at the center–it’s such a beautiful picture. A miniature, mortal diorama of the love Christ has for His church and the love and submission we are called to give Him.
Anne and Jay’s big day was beautiful on all the levels a day can be: spiritually God-honoring, picture perfect weather, DIY decor that will make Pinners drool, delectable home-cooked food, beautiful singing, and a crowd of friends and family that filled the dance floor. Now, without any more chit-chat…let’s relive the day.
If I did my wedding all over again…I’d do a first look. It’s so special for the bride and groom to have a few minutes together alone before the craziness sets in. {Well–alone except for a creepy photographer standing off to the side…} Anne and Jay exchanged some meaningful gifts during these moments and their sincere reactions are really what the Art of the Moment is all about.
This ring bearer…he’s too much. He’s just. so. cute!! You might even recognize him from last winters Christmas mini sessions…
Oh, did I mention that Jay sang a song to Anne during the ceremony? Yeah, he did. This couple is just that precious.
Now. If you are into crafts, DIY and all things awesome…take a moment to go to the bathroom right now. If you don’t, I’m afraid you’ll wet yourselves with giddy excitement when you see the adorable reception details that Anne coordinated and crafted {along with help from friends and family}. Okay? Scroll down…but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Chalk board signs. A cookie bar. A COOKIE BAR!! A pop corn bar. One of the cutest photobooths I’ve ever laid eyes on. Gorgeous graphic printables. An awesome kids area. Cupcakes galore. Ball jars. Wholesale roses in DIY arrangements. {Read…they did their own floral!} Color me impressed. This was a seriously gorgeous fete.
I only post my favorite favorite images here in the preview…so I love all of these–but I really, really love those shots from the father-daughter dance. What a moment.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Borseth. I’m so very honored to have spent the day with you and your amazing families. Your images are all done and will be in the mail to you tomorrow!!
by Amy | Feb 3, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Gathering, The Art of the Moment
Remember that crazy long road trip we took earlier in the month? Well…a major reason for taking it was to get to this amazing wedding. Why, so amazing? Let me tell you. First of all, it was held in Louisiana…so I worked all day with no jacket–despite the fact that it was January. Second, the event was beautifully coordinated by the Girls in Black. But, thirdly and most importantly…it was amazing because it was the wedding of one of our dearest friends: Jon Skinner.
In this lifestyle it is very rare that we can attend these major life events. So the fact that we got to attend and they honored me by asking that I do the photography was huge. Jon has been a part of our lives since Derek’s first pilot training base. I hope he remains in our lives forever and ever. And now, knowing Jon comes with a bonus: Gwen. She’s fun and bubbly and gorgeous. I am thrilled for this couple and just so happy to know them.
Okay…but enough chit chat. The moment we’ve all been waiting for…Jon and Gwen.
I love snapping a photo of the bride when she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror–all prettied up for the big event.
This just might be my favorite photo of the whole day. I think it sums up what every bride wants in a maid of honor…heck, I think it sums best friendship in a nutshell. Only a bestie would remind you of deodorant, apply it, look adorable doing it, and make you laugh in the process. 
I always love the daddy first look, don’t you? But–can it compete with the reaction of a groom when he first lays eyes on his bride? {It’s a toss up.}
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the excitement of a certain groomsman in this image? 
It really was a day for the books. Have I mentioned how much I like these people?! Congratulations on your wedding–it was gorgeous {and now you have photos to prove it.} I loved capturing this wedding so much, I’ll be posting more from this day on Facebook in the coming days…but I want the couple to get their flash drives first–so they can enjoy them in private before I show all of them off to the world!Thank you again for letting me capture these moments for you. I cannot wait until our paths cross again {and I’ll cross my fingers that that crossing takes place at Harry Potter World…deal?}xoAmy
by Amy | Jan 22, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Gathering
Tonight I’m pleased to be showing you six new {and one updated} printable invitations and card designs that are now available in my Etsy shop.
Most of these are modified versions of custom orders I’ve taken over the last year/two/three. I owe a huge thank you to all the clients who have trusted me to create something special for their event. For all of their creative ideas and their cool parties. Without really fun people requesting my designs…I wouldn’t have anything to design at all.
So take a look. Tell your friends. When you need an invitation…look me up. You can access the shop here–or directly at Etsy.
As an update of a previously listed creation….I now have more colors available in my paper doll bridesmaid cards AND…I have unleashed an additional “profile” design. {I say “more colors” but really I mean…more samples. These are still completely customizable. You can get virtually any color you like!}
Now for sale, the entire paper suite I used for Erin’s Baby Shower. You can buy the entire set here…or just the invitation. Either way, your guests will love these!
For your little one’s birthday, I’ve got these adorable balloon themed invitations all made up. The party that these were originally created for even featured a balloon artist! Isn’t that just the funnest?!
You know I love chalkboards!! So you can only imagine how much fun I had making these chalkboard baby shower invitations. I love this invitation because it leaves the theme pretty neutral and wide open.
And speaking of chalkboards…yes…right now, my favorite invitation of all time is for sale online! I LOVED creating this. I loved it so much I wanted others to be able to experience it’s joy as well.
And speaking of weddings–I’ve got a couple’s wedding shower invitation up online as well. This design is perfect for a low-key, dessert themed shower.
For those a little more athletic than myself…I’ve got a basketball shower invitation. I really think these are a treat. The woman who requested these had some pretty cool ideas in mind–she throws some very cool showers. My favorite part is the little one’s name on the back of the jersey hanging on the crib!
Thanks again to everyone who has ordered and worked with me. I love bringing your creative ideas to fruition!
Amy
by Amy | Sep 29, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Projects
You know how something just keep getting shoved to the end of your to-do list? If not, props to you. Maybe we can chat sometime and you can tell me how to quit doing that.
But I digress.
Something that has been pushed to the end of the line over and over again, is getting my shop up and running. I’ve had the photos in a folder on my desktop for months. I’ve had the products to be sold sitting in the cloffice since June. But every time I thought about reviving my Etsy shop and updating my PayPal account, I felt like gagging…then I’d simply walk away from the computer, or take a stroll through Pinterest instead.
But after my weeks in South Dakota and Indiana, I came back revived and refocused. Ready tackle, promote and grow the blog and business. {The amazing feedback from the Bridesmaid Thank You Cards, also gave me a pretty good push.} I can now proudly say that:
The Amy Allender: The Art of Living Etsy shop is now open for business!
So, now, you can shop products I’ve created in my home “sweat shop” or designed. You can access the shop from my navigation bar here at the website, or by visiting my Etsy shop. Soon I’ll be adding more invitation designs as digital downloads, and new items as the holiday season approaches, so be on the look out for those.
And now that the PayPal account has been revived as well, I’m hoping to add a “pay online” feature for photo clients…so no more check writing at the time of your session. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll let you know when that goes live.
In the mean time, enjoy the shop. Favorite the shop. Share with your friends. Buy some gifts. You know, that kind of thing. I love you all. Thank you so much for encouraging me and being so amazing. If you have an Etsy shop, let me know by leaving a comment {I think I got that bug fixed too}. I’d love to check you out. Here are some items to get you started:
[shop_featured_listings]
by Amy | Sep 22, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Art, The Art of Design
I love ideas. I just think ideas are the cat’s meow. So I’m always excited when a friend comes to me with an idea that I can help with. I’m count myself blessed to have a quirky little skill set that can make lots of artistic/crafty/designy ideas come to life.
So when my friend Kait came to me with an idea for some adorable bridesmaid thank you cards I was chomping at the bit to make her vision a reality.
Before we go further, let’s meet Kait. I don’t know how I’ve lucked into such cool friends. I mean, look at her. She gets football, she’s a nurse and she loves Mumford and Sons. She’s awesome. {This photo is stunning. Yes, I know. But I did not take it. It’s from the talents of Briana Moore Photography. If you are in the Boston-ish area and need photography…you should totally check her out!}
She’d seen something similar, but wanted a look that was a little more custom and a little more wallet-friendly. {And what is more wallet-friendly than a girlfriend willing to be paid in chai-tea lattes? It’s my pleasure.} What she had seen was a paper-doll-ish card that could be customized to look like her own bridesmaids. Blonde, brunette, dress color, flower color, skin color…you get it. Here’s the finished product. They fold on the elbow and have an adorable shape. Cute, yes?
If you follow me on Instagram {I’m @theartoflivingproject} you just might have seen this image floating around a while back when I was in the design stage of these gems.
The process was so fun. I started with sketches, then picked my favorites. Added some fine-tip Sharpie {a must for almost all my hand rendered designs} and finally digitized them by using my handy-dandy scanner. Once on screen I digitally colored them. I love the effect of the hand drawing with the digital color. Ahhh, the sweetness of 21st century art.
Her wedding has come and gone, so I figured it would be safe to share these with the world now. I haven’t heard if they were a hit or not…I hope they were. I think they are adorable and wish that I had thought of this when I was getting married. But alas…that was years ago, when I used actual notebooks instead of Pinterest and my best ideas came from a tangible copy of Martha Stewart Weddings. *sigh* But alas, I’m thrilled to be able help friends realize their Pinterest dreams and spread the wealth of my artistic skillz. {Yes, the kind with a “z” at the end.}
And, just in case any of you are wondering…I really am planning to resurrect my Etsy shop–or open a shop page here on the website. Once that happens {current opening date is set for the end of this month} these will be listed, so you and all your marrying friends can have some for yourselves.
Have I told you how awesome you are lately? Seriously. Thanks for reading and liking and supporting. I love you guys.
Amy
by Amy | Sep 10, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Art, The Art of Design
A friend of mine is getting married. So when she asked if I could create her invitation suite, I was set on making something super special that would be just what she wanted. My wedding gift to the happy couple. Chalkboardy, woodsy, quirky and fun. That pretty much sums up Courtney, Mark and their wedding theme. Aren’t they precious? {In a way-cool kind of way?}
{BTW…this amazing photograph is from SMC Photography. You should a)like her page on FB to show some love…and b)check her out for photography need if you live in or near America’s best region. Michiana. Obviously.}
They’ve been mailed and received by now, so I figured it was safe to show the you all the finished product. I really love them. It’s a chalkboard wedding invitation suite!
Courtney has a stamp in the same font as the YES and NO on the response card. So the real deal has those word stamped on in gold ink. Gold ink! {I’m telling you Courty is super cool.}
The biggest challenge was making this map. Because I’m on par with Buster from Arrested Development when it comes to cartography. But thanks to the magic of Google Maps and a little digital tracing…I think people will at least be able to find the place.
And if they can’t find the way…then they’ll just have to pull up Google Maps on their own. So….
Anyway, all this to say, there is going to be one fabulous wedding once November rolls around. And I couldn’t be more thrilled for such a sweet, way-fun couple to be starting their life together. Marriage is amazing when you seal the deal with the right person…and the wedding is just the beginning.
by Amy | Nov 12, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Being chosen for the job of wedding photographer is always an honor. It means that someone is trusting me with a once in a lifetime event. It’s a tall order…but always a blessing. The blessing is just that much sweeter when the bride is a dear friend. That was the case a few weeks ago when I had the great privilege of capturing Kate and Jacob’s wedding day. Their love is pure, they have a full understanding of what it means to take on the roles of husband and wife, and {most importantly} their relationship stands on the rock that is our savior Jesus Christ.
Oh, and you may remember them from our engagement session over the summer. They were the couple that battled fierce North Dakota mosquitoes between shots. Yeah, that was them.
Anyway, without further ado, feast your eyes on this blissfully sweet day.
For years Kate has kept a journal of prayers and notes written for and to her future husband. Before getting dressed she passed the notebook to Jacob. The man that God answered those prayers with. (more…)
by Amy | Sep 25, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
You know the phrase, “All because 2 people fell in love…” I’m sure you’ve seen it on picture frames, wall decals, signage above a gallery wall of family photos. A few weeks ago I had the great privilege of photographing one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever attended. It was like walking into an issue of Wedding by Martha. One thing that stuck out to me during my day with this lovely couple was a sign that read:
“All because 2 3 people fell in love.”
That’s the truth. This wedding is the story of how Erika, Elly, and Matt officially became a family. It’s not simply the story of two adults getting married, it’s the story of a family being formed.
Just look at this beautiful family, and prepare to be amazed. This day was Erika’s vision and she carried it out in amazing, affordable, DIY fashion. Every detail of their big day was thoughtful and beautifully carried out. (more…)
