MadiLu Designs

New Blog!

2010-10-10T12:37:00.001-07:00

Time to update your bookmarks and RSS feed! I've got a new blog address … come find me over here … for good!!!

I'm Over Here!

2010-09-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Find me over here today! Love That Shot is a great resource site for photographers. I'm giving away two $50 gift certificates towards custom design. Good luck!!

My new blog needs a bit of technical support. If you click to it via my site, it's up and running but don't update your RSS feed just yet! :) I'll keep you posted!

New Site Coming Soon!

2010-08-31T20:35:00.001-07:00

The new site is almost finished. Just putting the finishing touches … kind of like the icing on the cake. If you're interested in learning the ins and outs of blog design, I highly recommend photoblog 101. Rachel and Nancy are awesome!!

94 Days of Summer

2010-08-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

I realize it was only 94 days, but believe me, there were definitely times when it felt more like 500. And so it ends … yesterday was the last day before backpacks, crayons, markers and lunch money. I played hooky for a while. I needed to spend time with my kids before we get caught up in everything that fall brings.

I worked all summer … and worked, and worked and worked. I've got so much to share and show, but I'm sharing a bit about my kiddos instead. I have no idea how long this post will be, so before I forget, don't forget to check out my giveaway over at Inspire Me Baby. Everyone loves free stuff, right? Just make sure to come back because it gets really interesting. :)

So, as we were heading to the zoo, we talked about what they got to do this summer. Granted, not all of this was with their parents. Sometimes grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends were involved. It truly takes a village! My heart was full as I listened to the chatter coming from the back seat. I loved that Lucy put her two cents … she was part of it after all. The laundry list includes: a 16-hour car ride both ways and a week at Disney, Tower of Terror, the Haunted Mansion, watching fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, throwing up at Magic Kingdom, going to baby Simon's house and to his Baptism, a weekend at the Lake, getting carsick on the way home, Toy Story 3D, growing our own tomatoes and peppers, first summer with a dog, Despicable Me … just Lucy and her dad … it still causes Sam to cry. A 20-mile tube ride behind Grandpa Mustache's boat, a week at VBS, three nights camping at the cabin, making s'mores and watching Fourth of July fireworks with cousins.

A late night showing of Eclipse. Jack's crazy ride on the flat tube and the fact that his hair has magically stopped defying gravity after 8 years. Six Flags and the water park with more cousins and riding on major roller coasters until dark. A family reunion with lots of people we didn't know. Hosting three birthday parties with friends and family at the lake and three kids turning another year older. Getting Little People, Big Planet … yes, my kids play video games too … one who can officially water ski, lots of fighting and art projects. A babysitting safety class and first time babysitting for someone who wasn't related. Friends coming over to play and spending the night. A few golf outings with the grandparents, quick trips to the lake to swim instead of eating lunch.

So whew! We packed A LOT into this summer. Did we slack? Let's say fall sounds like an excellent time to tackle a very dirty house, a mountain of laundry and sleep wasn't a priority. However, I can't say I felt more blessed than I did yesterday when I was riding the zoo train with my kids and sweet nieces, when we finally gave up and ate our picnic lunch in the back of the van instead of walking to the park, when I was so tired I dropped my only vice (Diet Pepsi) and we made a pact to stop on the way home and get milk shakes and frozen Cokes bigger than our heads. It's the little things that make a difference. The little things that make my kids smile and remember this summer. Sam started kindergarten this morning. I blinked and it just happened. Madison is in 7th grade and almost as tall as I am. Jack is a fourth grader and is starting to look much older. The house is quiet … fall … here we come!

Have a great rest of the week. If you're still here … head to Inspire Me Baby!

Find Me Over Here!

2010-08-17T00:12:00.001-07:00

Have you heard about Inspire Me Baby? It's a wonderful resource for baby photographers. Lots of inspiration! Zenia is the editor and a rocking photographer herself! Even cooler … you can enter to win one of two marketing sets! They are 4-piece sets and would make a great addition to your business or help you get the ball rolling. Good luck!!!

Couldn't Wait!

2010-08-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

I know I said "no more blogging until I relaunch in a few weeks". Well, sometimes a girl can't help herself. Elizabeth's set was just too pretty to wait! We worked on her logo and all coordinating pieces. We actually started with a different color palette in mind but once we hit the "sea glass" it was a resounding "YES … this is it!!"

Hope you love it as much as I do! Have a great weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for the new site and all things fun to come. :)

What's Next?

2010-07-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

I've got some really fun projects to share. It's a mix of things that I've designed over the spring and summer. However, I think I'm going to wait until the fall and share when my new blog launches. That's right … NEW, fun blog. I'm so excited to show everyone and brag on the ladies who have taught me their Wordpress tips. Look for new links, recommended vendors and workshops and more! Seriously. Cannot. Wait.

Question for you on a totally different subject … the kids' school is having a fundraiser auction this fall. I'm in charge of a few things. What makes a great donation? We're looking for fun ideas and I'd love to see what you have in mind! Any comments are much appreciated.

Have a great week!

Amber's Set and an Update!

2010-07-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer! My Jackson turned the big one-oh yesterday. This means I have two children in double-digits. They grow up so fast. It's a good thing I still have the other two under ten!

In other news, look for exciting things this fall! I'm taking a blog workshop. It's awesome! The instructors, Rachel and Nancy, rule. Look for my new blog and a new look come September. Bigger pictures, a better portfolio, a special premade section and easier navigation! I'll also have a great list of resources that will fit right into your business needs and some other fun goodies. It's almost as exciting as having the kids go back to school next month. Seriously … we're on Day 68 so it's a big deal! :)

To leave you with something pretty, check out Amber's new set and logo. We've worked together on smaller projects over the last year. Love her! She was ready for a new look and here's what we came up with. Fun stuff!!

For Renee …

2010-07-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Red is one of my favorites and I kind of have a love of all things polka dots. Needless to say I'd thought about arm-wrestling her and keeping it for myself. Too bad she's an ocean away! Love it Renee … love your logo, love the rest. Cheers to you sweet girl! xx

Mari's New Set

2010-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here's hoping everyone had a fabulous Fourth of July! This is usually the turning point of summer, where all of the hustle and bustle has ended and it's time to start thinking about school. I don't know about you, but I'd love longer summers! Ask me again in a few weeks and we'll see if I still have the same response. My daughter asked for Borax today so she could make her own "Goop". We may be running out of thing to do around the house!

I wanted to share Mari's new logo and set. She loves fall colors. I love how the reds, oranges and yellow come together on this one. I really like her bookmark and you've been spotted cards. Fun set … thank you Mari!

Holy Heat Wave!

2010-06-23T19:03:00.001-07:00

The title has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but it is HOT outside. I can't remember when it's been so hot quite so early in the season. I love summer. I love gardens and fresh vegetables. I love swimming and sitting in the sun. I love going on boat rides and roasting marshmallows over campfires. I love ball games, popsicles and fireflies. Right now however, I'd love it if it was about 10 degrees cooler or if we had a pool. Thinking a drop in temperatures will happen long before we see a pool at this household!

Sharing a couple of new sets this week. The first one is for Carolyn. We designed her logo and marketing set. Her packaging ideas sound fun and I can't wait to see it all come together for her! The red set is for Sheila. Red is pretty much one of my favorites. I love the bit of life and warmth it brings into everything. It makes Sheila's set pop!

Keep watching for more updates … lots of fun stuff to show off! Don't forget to check out MadiLu Designs on Facebook … do you "like" it? Have a great week!

More Custom Sets!

2010-06-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's easy to get behind on blogging over the summer. Things just tend to get really busy this time of year … ball games, swimming lessons, vacation, kids home 24/7 and work. I've found my groove though and have been plugging away. I'm sharing a few sets I've done. Enjoy!

This one is for Stephanie. Steph rocks birth photography!Tiffany at OTSS did her logo and I designed her marketing pieces. I love the colors in this one! We did a referral wallet and card. I think it's a great piece to give your clients to help generate business with a little bit of bragging rights for your client.

I designed Patrice's logo and marketing set. It's got a softer look to it, but very elegant. Patrice is not only an amazing photographer, she's also a talented seamstress. Check out her Etsy shop and clothing line! I would like one of each, please. :)

Last but not least, this is Clair's set. She had a logo, but wanted to pull it all together with a marketing set. The soft pinks and bright corals and chocolate really make it pop! Her tagline is "celebrate the beautiful things in life" and I think that sums up Clair. She's a beautiful person. She also volunteers for NILMDTS.

It's always fun to see how different everyone's styles are. I'm taking new marketing sets mid-July and would love to help you find your look. Things tend to book up quickly … let me know if I can help! I'm working on a post about an awesome gathering with girls I met almost two years ago through a photography workshop. Just trying to come up with words as beautiful as the women I've come to know. Will share soon! Have a wonderful week!!

I'm Back!

2010-06-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

It's seems like it's been forever, but we've finally wrapped up our vacation. Never mind the kids are here 24/7 for the next 80+ days, but the part where we leave the house, unplug and get away from the daily routine is over. It will still be crazy busy, but my mouse will be permanently attached to my palm for a good long while.

We all survived the car ride and Disney. That being said, we'll never take that trip with four children again. It was tough to keep all ages and both sexes happy 100% of the time. The child I was more worried about (the youngest) was the absolute best. Lesson learned!

I'm finalizing projects and starting on my June list. I'm currently booking for July. Please email me if you're interested.

I'm sharing Amanda's set. We wrapped this up right before I left. I've "known" Amanda for almost two years. I've watched her grow as a photographer and mother and excited as she takes the leap! If you are in Texas, look her up. She's also a fantastic knitter … think baby cocoons.

Edited to add: I've had a few inquires on where you can find Amanda's knitted goodies. Check out her post and you'll see the cocoons she has made. I can also vouch for her scarves as she made some gorgeous scarves for Christmas. My girlfriends loved them! If you'd like to get in touch with her, please email me and I'll send your her address. Thanks!

See Amy. See Amy's Set.

2010-05-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

This post is chock full of info, so get yourself a cup of tea and get comfy!

First, I'd like to share Amy's new marketing set and logo. Amy, supermom of four who I swear sleeps less than I do, loves all things Dick and Jane. We played on that theme and developed a block-like, whimsical set that ties to those stories we all grew up with. I can't decide what I like the best but I still smile every time I see that little wagon. :)

In addition to being a photographer, Amy also creates actions to make your processing easier. They are coming out this weekend and she's holding a contest and giving a great discount. Definitely head her direction and check them out. If you swoon over creamy skintones and a little sugar, you'll love her product.

Last but not least, we are taking a family vacation. I'm calling it the "SuperVacation" because who else sticks their four children in a car for a 32-hour round trip?? Yes folks, we're heading to the Sunshine State and spending a little time at Disney. The kids are stoked, I'm already tired and my husband seems, well, let's just say I'm really not sure how he feel about this. Anyway, I will be out of the office from May 21 through June 1. I will have access to email, but give me 24 hours to respond because I'm sure our schedule will be packed. I won't have access to your files, but I can probably talk you through something because I dream about Photoshop shortcuts in my sleep. I'm sending out as much as I can before I leave and will have lots of fun goodies to post when I return. I'll be taking new projects towards the end of June. If you'd like to get something rolling, please let me know.

Have a great week everyone and wish me luck!!

Dreaming Tree Photography

2010-05-05T16:38:00.001-07:00

I keep looking at the new sets I need to blog and WOW! I've got some stuff to share. It's down to 7 days of school and about two weeks until we head on our family vacation. Doing this one Griswold style and will be on the road 32 hours with four children. I can't wait to share how that goes!

This set is a special one. It was designed for Amanda of Dreaming Tree Photography. We met last fall and she's just an hour or so from where I live. We went to the Pioneer Woman book signing in St. Louis and have also met up for photo shoots. She's an awesome photographer and I love her wedding and lifestyle work. As it turns out, she's actually photographing a wedding this fall and working with my sister who will be doing the flowers. Very small world but I bet the two of them will rock that day!

Amanda was looking to rebrand her business and going for a very soft vintage look. We really watched and pulled colors that would appeal to moms, brides, senior girls and not scare off senior boys! She just did a booth at a baby fair and it was so cool to see how she pulled it all together. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

(PS - Amanda … thank you for the images that I totally pulled off your Facebook page! Amanda, Ree and myself at the signing, my daughter, and Amanda's super cute display)

Anastasia's Set

2010-05-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with Anastasia on her logo and marketing set. We developed her logo and then carried that same theme over to her set. I love working with circles! The colors in her set are great as the taupe gives an upscale vibe but that orange brings in a bit of fun. It was great to work with you Anastasia!

It's going to be a busy week! I've got a lot of projects going out the door and then we're taking a vacation with the kiddos. If you're interested in starting a new project, please contact me and we can discuss availability dates. Have a good one!

Ali-Oop!

2010-04-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one week … shocking … I know! I just have some projects I've worked on that I'm dying to share! This one for Ali is super cute! When she came to me with her logo, I knew this was going to be a fun one! It started as a mini set and we added a few things. There are a lot of places where she can swap out the colors on this set and mix/match for different looks. Still in love with the name! Thanks Ali!

Kelly's Set and a Little Update

2010-04-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning! I wanted to share Kelly's set today. Kelly and I developed her logo and marketing set for her photography business, Creatively Yours. I love the rich golds and plums in this one! We did a variety of pieces to get her rolling. Love it Kelly … thank you!!

In other breaking news, I'm going to be out of my office this morning for a few hours. I have the pleasure of accompanying my nine year-old son on his class trip today. We've got a long list of places to visit, including a county jail (YIKES!), the park, a historic home, an electric company and wrapping it up by making our own sundaes at a local restaurant. Class trips mean it's dangerously close to the end of the school year. My kids only have 14 days of school left! After that we're all here … all summer! I'll probably tweak my hours just a bit so we can enjoy the break together, but everything at MadiLu Designs will roll right on schedule. We're taking a family trip the end of May. I've discussed project deadlines with my clients and with those who have been inquiring about starting. If you're on the fence, let me know as soon as possible so I can complete your project before our trip. If it gets too close, I'll be taking more projects beginning June 1.

If you have a few minutes, keep little Parker in your prayers. Her mom is a fabulous photographer whom I met through NILMDTS. Parker has been in the hospital since Saturday after having several seizures. Some of you know that hits really close to home as my Lucy has had a few hospitalizations after seizures as well. Scary stuff for any mom! We're praying for you Parker!

All right … off to visit the inmates! Here's hoping all goes well on today's trip! I'll respond to emails as soon as I return. Have a good one. :)

Imma Be …

2010-04-22T21:08:00.001-07:00

Imma be loving this one and NO I couldn't resist singing the Black Eye Peas the entire time I worked on this one! Very fun! Michelle and I worked on her logo for SassyBee Photography. I love how her marketing set turned out. I think my favorite part are the images in the honeycomb. Did you notice how her images coordinate with the set? Yeah … I noticed that too. Super fun! Thank you Michelle! You were a blast to work with!

I've been as busy as a bee lately! Ha! My kiddos are almost out of school for the summer … yikes! We're taking a family vacation at the end of May … like a 16 hours in the car both directions vacation. I'm sure it will be interesting to say the very least. If you're looking to do a marketing set or logo, let me know so I can get you scheduled.

Have a great weekend!

OMGosh …

2010-04-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

I'm over here today! Very exciting and wanted to say thanks to Robyn for the opportunity.

I'll blog more about this set because it's so, so fun. I loved working with Linsey and couldn't have asked for a sweeter client.

New Premade Set!

2010-04-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Take this new set and swap out the colors to make it your own. The white, pink and orange design shows how this could be changed. Set includes a business card, gift certificate, thank you, 2" sticker, print care card, copyright card, referral card, #10 envelope, 5x7 card, letterhead and a 5x5 digital negative holder. Cost of the set is $100 for all pieces. Please email me at kim@madiludesigns.com to purchase.

Note: Nephews were not harmed during the creation of the set.

Just a Stone's Throw Away …

2010-04-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

If I were to hop in the car and head about two hours south, I'd run right into Stephanie of Stephanie Greenwell Photography. One of these days I'm going to have to make a road trip because I really enjoyed working with her. In addition to being a fabulous photographer, she's also a hard-working mama of four!

Stephanie's logo was created by Tiffany at OTSS. I was able to work with Steph on the rest of her marketing collateral. We started with pinks and greens and finally pulled in that blue to make it POP! I'm loving how it came together. Go get 'em Steph!!

Creating Memories

2010-04-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

As I'm looking out my office window, I see my daughter and her friend playing on our swingset. She's 12 and ever so close to entering those teen years. I can remember those days. It's hard to believe she's grown up so fast!

Remember the image box template I said I'd upload the other day? Here you go!! My plans are to eventually make a box for each child so I can throw pictures and notes of their accomplishments inside. It all goes by so fast! I've got instructions included so you can tweak the colors to match your image or decor and see what fonts I used. Enjoy!

Speaking of Miss M, it's Day 6 of spring break. I've been trying to keep up with projects and emails, but with the holiday thrown in the mix, it just got a little busy. It was kind of an eye opener though, as trying to work with four kids underfoot is definitely a challenge. This summer they will turn 4, 6, 10 and 12. I realize we're missing an 8 year old in there, but to quote the infamous Ross Gellar, "we were on a break!". Anyhow, I'm already thinking of how we're going to structure our summer so we're not all pulling our hair out. It can be a challenge to accommodate their different ages and personalities. I'm excited, but would be lying if I wasn't a little scared. I'll definitely be working full-time. Catching up on revisions and emails today! Exciting things brewing for MadiLu next week, including some guest vendor spots. If I've designed your marketing materials and you've taken pictures of the final product, please let me know. I'm on the hunt for a few images.

Enjoy the weather and have a great day!

Michelle's Custom Set

2010-04-02T19:52:00.001-07:00

This set was designed for sweet Michelle. She was actually the winner of a custom designed set on CM. She had her logo, website and colors established. All we needed to do was pull a few print materials together. She's well on her way!! If you're needing a photographer in the San Antonio area, make sure you look her up!

I feel blessed to be spending the holiday weekend with my family. I'm also thankful to have gotten to know so many amazing people through my work. To all of you … have a safe and very happy holiday weekend! Try not to eat too much candy!!

No Foolin'!

2010-04-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

I really don't have any good April Fool's jokes this year. I've pretty much used up the, "honey guess what!" in past years. Serving funny foods has been done before. I could have gotten the kids up early and made them get ready for school since today is the first day of their spring break. However, that's only punishing myself!! Speaking of spring break, I'm working with the kiddos here the next six days. Wish me luck!!

In celebration of all things funny, the beautiful weather and the fact that my kids can play outside, let's do something fun! Leave a comment with your funny April Fool's story, a good joke or just something humorous you'd like to share. If we get 25 comments, I'll post a link to download an image box template that can be printed at WHCC. Start thinking! :)

Jasmine's Mini Set

2010-03-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! TGIF!! I've got a lot to post, but thought I'd start the weekend off with the lovely Jasmine's set! Jasmine needed a few things to get her marketing set rolling. She came to me with her logo and wanted to design a few complimentary pieces. We worked on a packaging sticker, blog header, digital negative holder and her trifold brochure. I love how her logo pops off the dark color and the lighter green gives off a fresh feeling. The green makes the think of all things spring and truth be told … I'm really ready for spring!!

This spring is a little more special than past years. My brother and his wife are expecting and due in a few weeks! I'll finally have my first niece or nephew on my side of the family. There are a boatload on my husband's side, but I'm looking forward to a little boy or girl to spoil!! My baby is three (sniff), so it's been a long time.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Whooo's Set is this?

2010-03-20T18:05:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist! I've been waiting to blog about Trish's set. It's been a LONG week plagued with illness at our household. Luckily not kid-related (quick … knock on wood!), but take both parents out of the equation for a few days and things get interesting. Let's just say the kiddos may have had cereal for dinner more than once this week.

So, Trish's marketing set … I think the world of Trish! We met through the Explore workshop and have kept in touch ever since. This summer marks two years. It's been fun to watch her grow as a photographer. I love seeing the images of her children and how they've grown. All three are destined to be heartbreakers someday!

We started off with something a little softer in mind and ended up going a different direction. I'm so glad we did! I really like the deep, rich colors, but they still have that punch that catches your attention.

The coolest news … I get to meet up with not only Trish, but a group of fabulous girls from the same Explore workshop. A major meetup is taking place in June. I can't even begin to say how excited I am! Trish, make sure you bring me one of your cards. :)

Stacie's Pretty Set!

2010-03-15T02:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Time Change! (not really but if I pretend to like it, maybe I'll adjust faster!) I wanted to share the logo and set I did for Stacie. When I first met Stacie, she sent tons of samples of styles she liked. It mostly consisted of decorating and furniture samples. It's a good way to express your taste and what you're looking for. I'd like to hire Stacie to be my personal shopper. Take a peek at her set. Soft and sweet!

More blogging to come this week. I'm wrapping up more custom sets, getting all of the paperwork sent to those ready to go and finalizing new, initial set designs … it's a busy time of year! Spring forward everyone!!

Lots of Logos

2010-03-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a while … since my birthday actually. Did you think I'd forgotten?? You know … being over the hill and all! Just kidding! Things have been rolling at MadiLu Designs. Custom marketing sets are my niche. Sometimes though, I'll just do a custom logo. Here are a few I'd like to share. Some of these are rolling into custom sets and some of these have sets that are just about finished. I'll blog those again later once it's a wrap. Blues seem to be a trend, but that goes hand in hand with the Pantone color of the year (turquoise).

In other news, our family got a puppy, a Jack Russell Terrier. I'd managed to maintain a nearly pet-free household for almost 14 years. They must have caught me at a weak moment and last week we rescued a puppy from Field of Dreams. Welcome Fender … you're in for quite a treat from this bunch!!

Dear Steph Platt …

2010-02-23T19:14:00.001-08:00

I am ecstatic to tell you are the new owner of an Apple Magic Mouse! ♥

Steph is a MadiMoo member, a fan of MadiLu Designs and left a comment on the blog post about the birthday prize. We participated in the Eye Candy workshop together and most important, she is a dear friend. (I swear random number generator is not fixed!) Recently, she skyrocketed to fame when her bird image was featured on the Pioneer Woman's blog. I'm pretty sure that makes me somewhat famous just by association :)

Congrats Steph and thanks for playing! I will be in touch. Keep checking back for more fun stuff!

KT's set and a few interesting tidbits …

2010-02-22T12:22:00.000-08:00

It's been an interesting week! First, I'd like to show the set for KT Photography. I love her bright colors and the overall set makes me think of sunshine and fun. Much needed change of pace since it only seems to be overcast these days. Thanks Kendra :)

What else?? Today is the LAST day to enter for the Magic Mouse giveaway! Don't forget … will announce the winner tomorrow. Must enter on this post. I've given up caffeine. Boo! Not fun but it was time. Maybe not the best time to start as last week my husband was out of town. There were many endless days of kids stuck inside because of bad weather. Saturday was gorgeous and they headed outside. Within the first ten minutes, Lucy sent a swing right into Sam's lip. I had my first true "kid or camera" experience. Ever have one of those? Do share :) He was fine. I'd just forgotten how bloody the mouth can be.

Have a great week!

Girls Rule!

2010-02-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

We're a divided household … three boys, three girls. I try to keep things balanced, but let's not kid ourselves … I love all things girly! I just finished this set for Christy of 2 Twirly Girls Photography. Christy had her logo designed by Tiffany at On The Spot Studio. Super cute logo girls! I helped her pull the rest of her look together with this marketing set. I love the bright colors!

Speaking of bright colors, I think everyone has spring fever. I finished another set this week that uses similar colors. I'll post next week KT :) I've also been working on Kristy's set (almost there Kristy!) and she's got a similar color palette as well. Everyone came with these requests … we may be seeing a trend!

Have a great weekend and don't forget to enter for the Magic Mouse!!

Birthday Magic!

2010-02-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

I've got a birthday just around the corner and I'm celebrating by giving one of YOU a present! Through the years I've learned it's better to give than to receive (thanks Mom!) and I'm excited to give one of you an Apple Magic Mouse! I know … swoon! I don't even own one myself.

Here's the deal! You are all eligible. And it's easy to win.
One entry - Leave a comment on THIS post.
Two entries - Grab that MadiLu Design's button at the top right of my site. Post it on your blog with a link back to my site and comment on THIS post again. Please include a link to your blog b/c I'd like to check out your work too :)
Three entries - Become a fan of MadiLu Designs on Facebook. If you already are, post a link to my site on your Facebook page.

If you're a MadiMoo or Little Lu member, you are automatically entered once so you have four chances to win!

Drawing will be held on February 23 (my birthday). You have until midnight CST on February 22 to enter. If you aren't using a Mac and win … you're still in luck! Take $75 off the price of a custom marketing set. If you have a Mac and would rather use the discount, that's fine too. Good luck!!

Watch this week for new marketing minis! Perfect for someone who just needs a few pieces. Lots of stuff going on at Pink Ink Studios too … don't forget to check it out! I'll also be posting some of the custom sets I've been working on … fun stuff!

Posting a little bit of Lu's birthday magic last summer. Birthdays are much more magical at three ♥ So are double-chins.

Ava's Rule

2010-02-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Remember Ava and her family today. If you haven't read her story, take a few minutes to read Ava's Rule, especially if you have small children. Last August I created a book to remember the Superprincess' birthday. All proceeds went to Paradise Kids in Ava's memory. Kirsty shared her lovely creation with me today. It's beauty full. Thank you for sharing. Hugs to Sheye and her family today ♥

Happy Monday!

2010-02-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sweet Rebeca just emailed me with a "Happy Monday". What a great way to start off the week!

Things started off a little "stinky" this morning. I just finished going through hundreds of pairs of shoes to send to charity. Our school did a shoe drive. Basically this organization picks up used shoes. They get paid per pound. The shoes are sent to less fortunate countries and the money made is used to purchase a water drilling rig. This particular round of shoes will help provide clean water in Haiti. Just wanted to share a bit of charity info this week. I left school and kind of felt like I worked at a bowling alley. Good cause … just kind of stinky.

Back to Rebeca's set. We worked on her logo and marketing pieces to help her brand her photography business. She wanted something that showcased more traditional portraiture and would cater to parents. I like her colors. I like her set! The card with the smaller white squares is to showcase images from different sessions. Great way to show off your different specialty areas!

One last note… start date for new marketing sets is now February 21. As I blogged before, prices are going up a tiny bit on March 1. If you're on the fence, let me know before March so you can still get your set at the current pricing.

Have a good one!

A Little Something to Say …

2010-01-22T17:36:00.001-08:00

I'm feeling a bit sappy today. I'm counting my blessings. I have a great family and friends, and I truly appreciate my clients and the amazing people I work with in this industry.

Things to check out :
Pink Ink Studios - Talented group of designers. Great resource for photographers.
Eye Candy Workshops - Already into photography? Just beginning? Life changing experience.
Eye Candy Actions - If you swoon over vintage and all things pretty.
On the Spot Studios - Tiffany is an extremely talented logo designer and a total sweetheart.
Flowers: My sister continues to inspire and amaze me with her talent.
Eliza's Library: Because everyone should become aware of rare neurological diseases. The smallest people can make the biggest difference.
Just because: One of my favorites … love the movie, love the music and I'd pay good money for Summer Finn's wardrobe.

Have a great weekend!
** Image from when we had beautiful November weather. I really, really want the rain and fog to disappear!

Here Comes the Sun

2010-01-21T19:53:00.000-08:00

Has it been uber-dreary where you live? I don't think I've seen the sun in weeks! I told my daughter that it appears we've up and moved to Forks! Yes, we both read the Twilight books last year :)

I'm showing off Nakia's new set. It's bright and cheery … taking the place of much needed sunshine! We've pulled it all together and she's ready to roll! I've come to the conclusion that it makes me a little sad to finish projects. I truly have a "what if I never speak to them again" moment as I send off the last email with the files. I feel like I always end up knowing more about my clients and their lives and how they're doing. I always wonder about the final product too … how did it look when it printed? Do your clients love it? What images did you choose? Did you find awesome coordinating packaging? See … you think I'm happy to finish up but I think about your work for a long time. Thank you Nakia!

Tahlia's Set and a little MadiLu Update

2010-01-18T12:48:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday to everyone! Actually, it's not all it's cracked up to be … I've got quite a workload, a meeting and four kids who have been cooped up far too long. We just did the "everyone run around as fast as you can" outside for a bit. Hoping fresh air brings long naps!

Posting Tahlia's set today. I really like the colors. She's got all kinds of awesome cards … business cards, referral cards, rep cards and even bookmarks that can potentially act as a card. They all coordinate, but each one has a bit of a different look. Lots of ways to reach your target audience! Thanks Tahlia :)

So … the little MadiLu update. A bit about myself. I strongly dislike two things … waiting on something and money. If you know me, you can attest to how true this is. I hate billing design clients (I feel guilty) and I hate paying bills (I feel guilty b/c I often forget and am late). I had a heart-to-heart with my husband this weekend. He's so smart and since he doesn't check my blog it's totally cool to put that out there!

Here's the scoop and both go hand-in-hand with my pet peeves.

1. Wait List - I've got a bit of a list going. I need to be fair to all of my clients and give each project 100% of my attention. I will only be starting on new logos and marketing sets beginning February 10 … not too far away. If we've been in contact prior to today, please don't worry. You're on my list. If you'd like to get something started, please contact me and I will add you to the list for February.

2. Money - I swear this gives me a stomachache and I've been debating for quite some time. Here goes … as photographers, I read and find great value in discussions regarding pricing. I wholeheartedly believe people should find the value in your work, but you also have to value yourself.

Based on the number of hours I spend on my projects, I will be raising my rates. Please don't head for the hills … not much, just a little but enough for me to justify time spent away from my family. New rates will go into effect March 1, 2010. If you contact me to schedule your project before that time, you will be locked into current rates. At this time I don't publish my rates on my blog. It's a lengthy description because I don't quote per piece and I like to make sure you know what you're getting.

Rates for custom logos will remain the same – $125. Please feel free to email or ask me any questions.
kimdrury@gmail.com or kim@madiludesigns.com

Have a great week!

For Erin …

2010-01-15T12:14:00.001-08:00

Erin is one busy lady! Not only is she a nurse, but she's also a mom and runs her photography business. She let me in on her secret late one night … she never sleeps. Neither do I and I enjoyed our late night chats. :)

Moving on … Erin and I started with her logo and moved on with the rest of her set. We did referral cards in addition to her regular business cards. These are great for passing on to current clients and should provide the incentive to help get your name out there. They always say word of mouth is great advertising.

Thanks Erin … loved working with you and wish you all the best!

Catching Up …

2010-01-12T10:11:00.001-08:00

Wow! It's been a crazy week. Last week I designed, designed and well, designed. Left Saturday to head to Nashville to the Imaging USA conference. It was amazing. Yes, it's for photographers, but as a designer I was on the hunt for new products and to find the best printer to refer my clients to. Photographers, do you have any idea how many albums are out there?? Wow is all I can say!

I met some great people. I had some of my templates in the Savvy Photographer booth. There were a few of us in there. Marsha was promoting The Savvy Sisterhood Workshop … awesome opportunity. I loved meeting Marsha and her sister Ann … both photographers and super nice people. Lori Nordstrom was also promoting her workshops and her camera straps. My husband's family business employs engineers. These guys think things through … they think EVERYTHING through. These camera straps were developed by a photographer and an engineer and let's just say they rock. If you are in the market for a new strap, check out Pepper straps. Your camera isn't going anywhere :)

I gave a presentation last night to the Greater St. Louis PPA. We discussed logos, marketing material and branding. It was a small, informal presentation and such a good experience. I enjoyed meeting that group. If you are in the St. Louis area and involved in photography, I'd check it out. Many, many resources.

So, I'm back. I'm not settled, but I'm crawling into my hole and designing my heart out. I'm getting a bit of a list for custom logos and sets. If you are interested or even thinking about doing one soon, please let me know so I can get you worked into my schedule.

Sorry for the long post and lack of pics … I'll be sharing a few new sets this week! I'm also going to post several premade logos I've got. I need to revamp my blog (shout out to Nancy at Monkey Tails), update my website and such … isn't January supposed to be a slow month?

Take care!

New Beginnings

2010-01-04T07:12:00.001-08:00

Even though I dislike January and the winter weather, it's always nice to have a fresh beginning to the year. New ideas, new resolutions and hopefully finding ways to improve upon the last year.

Today is officially my first day back to work after the holidays. Although many of you noticed I worked during the break :) Definitely one of my resolutions for 2010. Not to work less, but to work more efficiently and give myself back some of the time I'm missing with my children.

My new working hours will be on Monday through Thursday, 8:00-3:00 CST. I will check email in the evenings, but it may be the next morning before I get back to you. I do play catch up on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and there is a good chance you'll hear from me … I just don't want to commit. I know many of my clients are in different time zones and even on different continents. No worries … I'll work with you to make sure everything is taken care of. I'm just trying to get everyone, including myself, on a better schedule this year. I love to create and design, but if I don't set limits for myself, I won't take a break and sometimes it makes me not such a nice mom and wife … aka tired and crabby!

I'm working on a lot of projects … lots of great things to come. Gearing up for Imaging USA in Nashville, TN next week. I'll be in the booth with the Savvy Photographer. I'm excited to meet new people and see what new things are on the horizon.

Cheers to a great year!

Tami's New Set

2009-12-28T10:33:00.001-08:00

Well, we survived Christmas! I'm not quite sure how. We spent four days and visited with nearly 100 family members on two sides. Whew! Now it's back to business, although the kids are all on break until January 4. Wish me luck :)

We finished this up right before Christmas. It's Tami's new set. I love the rich colors in this one. Tami was super sweet to work with. I'm so excited for her!

Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend!

2009-12-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

I love starting off a Monday with a new post. It makes me feel very on top of things … even if I'm playing major catch up. I can't believe I need to have all of my Christmas presents/goodies organized in 9 days.

I've been working with Kristen, of Kristen Lea Photography, on her new logo and set. It's a very clean, fresh and simple design. I love the purples and the pop of lime! We did her main logo and then a coordinating accent piece that she can include in her blog or use as a watermark. Did you notice the diamonds incorporated into her set? Kind of fun when your name is actually Kristen Diamond :) My pleasure Kristen … you've been a sweetheart to work with!

Jen's Custom Set

2009-12-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

I just wrapped up Jen's custom set. She was looking for something with greens, a bit of pink, modern and classy with a bit of whimsy. I know that sounds like a mouthful, but that's what we came up with! We started off with her logo and finished up with this set full of greens, limes, pink and polka dots. We also developed the smaller "jb" to use as a stamp or watermark. It's incorporated as a design element in her set. Great working with you Jen!!

The Holiday Season …

2009-11-30T11:46:00.001-08:00

Someone help me out here. Is it REALLY December tomorrow? Who OK'd that?? I'd like to skip back to Halloween, please. Where did time go? Let's see … quite a few logos, lots of custom marketing sets, holiday cards, custom albums (don't tell my mom and dad!), and Christmas pictures. I still have a LOT to do.

I'm wrapping up a few sets early this week and will be posting lots goodies soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd share my holiday card. It's got a back as well, but there needs to be some surprise, right? What else?? I braved Black Friday shopping. My sister and I actually started at 11pm and finished up about 7am. That was quite an experience. My family seems to be having a very "electronic" Christmas this year. I haven't decided if that's cool or not. What is your family getting for Christmas?

La La La La Lemon

2009-11-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

This song has been running through my head ever since I've been working on Mary's set. This used to be one of my FAVORITES when I was a little girl! The Barenaked Ladies have a cooler version, but you can't beat Bert and Ernie … yes … I am a product of the '70s.

Moving on … it was great working with Mary on her new set. We started off by reworking her logo and then added lots of sunshine to her set. I love these bright colors! Lots of goodies in here, including a bookmark that doubles as an offer card. Sure to catch your attention. Good luck Miss Mary!!

Leia's Set POPS!

2009-11-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

I love the color ruby and I think poppies are such beautiful flowers. Maybe it stems from my childhood love of all things Wizard of Oz. Whatever the case, I love the reds and lights greens in Leia's new custom marketing set.

Every time I do a new set or logo, I catch myself saying, "this is my favorite set yet!". I'm starting to realize it's similar to my relationship with my children … you're ALL my favorites! I love how each set fits with each photographer's personality. So much fun! Good luck Leia … who coincidentally is from the land of Oz :)

Lovin' Lori's New Set

2009-11-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'm LOVIN' Lori's new set! We started with her logo … she was looking for something bright, fun and fashionable. Lori has so many great newborn shots. It was fun to coordinate her set while thinking of the little ones and their cute hats! You might recognize the image on her business card (little girl in pink knit hat). Lori won the Amazing Image contest over at the Savvy Photographer with that shot! Congrats Lori … wishing you much success!!

Just the Kiddos …

2009-11-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

It was a Happy (yet chilly) Halloween!! Off to figure out what to do with a TON of candy. Bless her heart … Lucy asked someone for an apple :) Lots of new previews to come this week!!

Teresa's Custom Set

2009-10-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm in LOVE with Teresa's new marketing set! She wanted something clean and airy. Her logo has bolder colors. We needed to create something that would work with the softness of newborns and also the popped color of sweet girls in pettiskirts. I've really enjoyed working with her. If you're in the Tampa/Clearwater area, check her out! We also added a few new products … order forms, print care instructions, copyright information and digital negative holders. If you're looking to do a marketing set, these are now available.

Thanks Teresa! I wish you much success!!

Holiday Template Sale!

2009-10-21T20:08:00.001-07:00

You still have time to get those holiday templates for your clients! Now through October 31, all holiday templates are available for $30 … regularly $60 … AWESOME deal! Please email if interested (kimdrury@gmail.com).

Simple Holiday Season

Classy Christmas

May Your Days Be Merry

If you were a MadiMoo, you'd have ALL of this too!

2009-10-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yes … it's the October collection. Four two-sided cards, four storyboards and two 20-page albums. Enjoy! Interested? Email me: kimdrury@gmail.com.

Lots of exciting custom work to show you next week. A few logos, Kym's rocking new senior set and Teresa's bright, yet subtle new marketing kit.

Happy Friday!

Eras Photography Custom Set

2009-10-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

This week I'll be unveiling a few of the custom marketing sets I've been working on. This one belongs to Amanda of Eras Photography. Amanda came to me with her logo and a feel for where she wanted to go. I love how the soft browns and purples compliment each other in this design. Hooray Amanda! So happy for you :)

In other major news … tomorrow marks the 19th anniversary of my first date with my husband. Isn't it romantic that we both remember?? I'm also sneaking out Friday afternoon with my kids. We're heading to the pumpkin patch and going apple picking. This will be the first time in nearly 12 years that I won't have to take a diaper bag. That is a very. big. deal!

Also, if you signed up for the holiday drawing (won by Melinda), I promised I'd send the card you commented on. I've got these ready to go. I feel like I'm stalking my own blog b/c I had to try to figure out how to email each and every one of you. If you've got your blog marked to private or have no other contact info, I apologize … I can't send. If you want to email me, that would be most helpful! kimdrury@gmail.com

More to come …

Watch Them Grow!

2009-10-10T14:36:00.001-07:00

Whew! By the time I design this card, post over at PinkInk Studios and in my Etsy shop, tweet and blog about it, I can't feel my arm! Great new card … watch them grow through the years! Can't type anymore … working on logos and marketing kits and seriously … if I can't move my arm, I can't make dinner … hmmm!! Go check it out!

Unplugged …

2009-10-09T04:50:00.000-07:00

It wasn't for an entire day, but it was MOST of the day and it was GREAT! Yesterday I was able to sneak out and accompany Sam on his Pre-K field trip. We were supposed to "pumpkin patch it", but it rained buckets and we ended up playing in a gym, hitting the library and swimming. Who knew Sam liked basketball so much? It felt wonderful just to give him my undivided attention. With four kids running around and a business in my home, it's not easy to do.

My phone died and I had no access to email. For someone who stays up into all hours of the night and gets up even earlier to keep up, this was a welcome break. I've got lots of marketing kits and special projects and feel refreshed and ready to jump right back in. Here I go!!

PS - Phone is fixed, thanks to my super SMART husband :)

"I Need Templates"

2009-10-04T18:33:00.001-07:00

That's what Melinda said and that's exactly what she'll be receiving! Congrats to Melinda of Melinda Tuttle Photography. By random number generator lucky number 13 was the winner. She receives two sets of the holiday templates.

Thank you for all of the comments! Everyone else who made a note of their favorite will receive their favorite template as well. See … everyone wins! It is obvious I have four kids??

I'll get those emailed this week. Hopefully everyone has a link to their email on their blog! Or if you've checked back, feel free to email me at kimdrury@gmail.com.

Have a great week! I'm finishing up lots of custom marketing sets and will have beautiful previews to post. The MadiMoo and LittleLu October pretties are coming out with TWO awesome albums. Hooray!!

Branching Out and a New Giveaway!

2009-09-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

MadiLu Designs continues to grow, constantly looking for fresh ideas and new opportunities. You'll find us as a new advertiser on The Savvy Photographer. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a beginner, this is a great site for inspiration and ideas. In fact, I was so excited to see that one of my clients recently won one of the photography contests. (More on that to come as soon as we wrap up her awesome logo and marketing kit)

What else … I submitted my first photo over at I Heart Faces. Check out Baby Jack below. What a cutie! This is a big step because I do not consider myself a photographer but so wanted to share this image. The MadiMoo and LittleLu Clubs continue to grow. October's albums are sure to rock … can't wait to send those out :) MadiLu Designs is also participating in MCP Actions workshop. Confused on how templates work? Take Jodie's online workshop and you'll realize how easy it is … plus you get a TON of rockin' cards and storyboards.

I just saw that there are only 91 days until Christmas. How crazy is that?? Let's do a fun giveaway. Leave a comment on this post about the holiday templates. Which one is your favorite? They each have a letter. I'd love to see what you like the best. Check them out here.

Random drawing for a winner will be held the evening of October 4, 2009. What do you get? One lucky winner will receive TWO sets of the holiday templates. Woo-hoo! Easy enough … just enter :)

i heart faces : blue

2009-09-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

I spent yesterday with this guy. Meet Jack. He is the youngest son of my friend, Kristy. Kristy and I have been friends since we were three. My house was her house. Her Barbies were my Barbies. I'm sure at some point I even tried to give her my little sister … she didn't take me up on that.

In April, Kristy lost her mom, Jane, to ovarian cancer. I am sad for my friend … Every. Single. Day. A small part of moving forward is finding great ways to remember or honor her mother. Yesterday we participated in a 5K Run/1 Mile Walk to benefit ovarian cancer research. I shouldn't say we … TeamJane had over 75 people there who love and support their family. We were the largest group there! We identified ourselves w/blue TeamJane shirts. I'd love to show the back of the shirt, but this is my I Heart Faces entry :) Everywhere you looked was a sea of blue. I snapped this of Baby Jack (b/c I have Big Jack). He might be too young to remember his grandma, but I know his mom will do as much as humanly possible to share her story so Jack will know how special she was.

MadiMoo Savings!

2009-09-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

Special pricing for the MadiMoo Club … only $50 for yearly membership. Savings good through 9/25/09. Enjoy a collection of cards, storyboards and albums. Fresh ideas for your clients. Here's a sneak peek at what the other members received in September. Remember, when you join, you get all templates up to date. Membership runs June 1 through May 31 each year. Please email me for more information: kimdrury@gmail.com

*Senior image courtesy of Portrait Gallery.

Nine Nine Oh Nine

2009-09-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

What a fun day! Just thought I'd share 9 random things with you. Some are business related, some personal and some just interesting.

1. Today is one of my best friend's wedding anniversary. Wouldn't you like to say you were celebrating 9 years on 9/9/09? Kristy is an awesome friend. We've known each other since we were three. In April, she lost her mother to ovarian cancer. I still cry about it. I cry for my friend and I've realized how fast life goes by. We're running for TeamJane on September 27 in St. Louis. It's a 5K run … I'm not prepared, but I know I can do it … for Kristy, for Jane and for my aunt, another person lost to ovarian cancer.

2. I enjoy reading blogs when I have time. I met Jodie at a NILMDTS meeting. She's such a nice person and I love her writing. It's so real. Check out Fresh Art Photography here. Jodie and Kim are doing amazing things with newborn and family shoots.

3. I LOVE doing custom design work. I'm currently working on custom marketing sets. I enjoy working with each photographer to show their style. Basically everyone has the same job, but the styles and possibilities to express what they are doing are endless. Super fun. I'll be post samples soon so you can see what we've come up with!

4. I had to include a picture with the post. We had family pics when we were on vacation in August. Pam and Lance of Oh Look! Photography were so much fun to work with. Showing off one of our crazy bunch! Thank you Pam :) My mom secretly wanted all of us to wear white and khaki and my sister and I wouldn't participate. Sorry … we don't dress like that in real life. It's beautiful for some … it's just not "us".

5. Many of you commented on or purchased the album I made to celebrate Ava Rosemeyer's birthday. A donation is being made to Paradise Kids in Ava's name. It's not too late to scoop one up if you're interested. If you held a tea party that day, this is the PERFECT album to display those images. One mom emailed me how much she loved it when she was finished putting in her daughter's images. Hooray!!

6. I've been on the Pink Ink design team for almost 7 months. If you're looking for great marketing templates, album pages, overlays, textures and more, head over to Pink Ink. We've kicked off September with new products and posts. Join the forum … it's free and always a great place to get advice. Hats off to Holly for all of her hard work. If you're a senior in St. Louis, check out her work … magnificent!

7. Today I took Sam and Lucy for their "well" check-ups. Always nice to go to the doctor when you aren't sick. We dropped off a ton of books. It's great to have something to read when you're waiting with kids in a 10x10 room. The books are part of Eliza's Library. Eliza is our friend in Utah. Her mom has got to be one of the best mom's ever. Please read more about Eliza's Library and if you have extra new or gently used books, they've LOVE to have them.

8. I have a NINE year old son, Jackson. He is the sweetest. kid. ever. His teacher emailed me the other day how much she enjoyed having him in class. It doesn't take much to persuade me, but that definitely called for an ice cream celebration!

9. Christmas is coming … yikes … I know! Lots of fun holiday templates available. Designs are shown here. What better way to end my Nine Nine Oh Nine post than with a deal? Choose any three templates for … you guessed it … nine dollars. You can email me the letters of the design you like and I'll happily send your direction. Woo hoo! (valid through 9/19/09)

Ooh La La …

2009-08-24T07:00:00.001-07:00

Vanessa and I just wrapped up a gorgeous marketing set for her studio, Ooh La La Photography. She wanted something to match her logo … something beautiful, something shabby, yet chic. Does this not make you say, "Ooh La La"?? Pleasure working with you, Vanessa. Hoping great things come to you and your photography business.

(Funny story … I have another Vanessa whom I think the world of. This is for Vanessa from the States. Both lovely women … must be the fabulous name!)

Random Bits …

2009-08-16T11:02:00.001-07:00

Just a little post to say that we've returned from our family vacation and I'm in the process of getting caught up with everything. It was very, very hard to come home. I believe I'm a beach girl at heart. I also didn't realize how much I needed a vacation. It was wonderful to be able to spend time with the kids and my family, just sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun. My mom also taught me to play Canasta which was a lot of fun once I got the hang of it! We also had beach pics taken … so excited to see those. I rented a wide angle lens and realized I'm much more comfortable with my prime. Besides, I get better exercise. I also noticed that my children rarely look when I take their picture. I may be the queen of the walking away shots.

What's in store for MadiLu Designs? I'm working on new products, don't forget to order your holiday cards, remember that August is a special month for Ava Rosemeyer and you can purchase her Superprincess album with all proceeds going to charity. It's wonderful to see how many lives she's touched. Thank you to all who have participated. There have even been some who have been generous enough to buy for others … I love working with such thoughtful people.

I've got new marketing sets in the works and am working on custom sets. How I love custom marketing sets! I enjoy showing off the unique style of each and every photographer I work with.

I'm finishing up a new website for MadiLu … hoping to make the products more visible and simplify the ordering process. I'll share as soon as that is up. I think that's it … better go start making sure the backpacks are organized for tomorrow … wishing summer would never end.

For the Superprincess …

2009-08-01T13:30:00.001-07:00

It's funny how life will take you on unexpected journeys. I'm a full-time designer, but about a year ago I was involved in a photography workshop that instantly changed me at the core. I was fortunate enough to participate in a workshop taught by Sheye Rosemeyer. Sheye's an amazing, actually more than amazing, natural light photographer. Her keen eye, subtle images and style of processing warm my heart. When her children are adults, they're going to be able to look back and have a wonderful collection of images that truly tell their life's story. How lucky are they?

If you visit Sheye's blog, you're going to read about her Superprincess … Miss Ava. Be prepared to shed many tears. I think everyone who participated in Sheye's workshops feels a personal connection to both Sheye and Ava.

This month (August 22) marks Ava's birthday. To honor the Superprincess, I've created a 5x5 album … all girly … all things pink … perfect for images of your princess. All proceeds from this album will be donated to Paradise Kids in Ava's memory. The album sells for $10 (US) and is made up of 10 pages, fitting WHCC specs. If interested, please send payment to Paypal: kimdrury@bloomsdale.net.

Thank you for celebrating Ava's beautiful journey. Thank you Sheye … for everything.

Christmas Collection

2009-07-27T14:36:00.001-07:00

MadiLu Designs Christmas Collections are here! Lots to look at … here are the details:

Any single template available for $6
One set for $25 (5 cards)
Purchase all 3 sets for $60 (total of 15 cards)
Mix and match – any 5 for $25

If you don't want to deal with editing the template, you may email me your image, logo and text. I can place your logo or website on the back of the card if you choose to do so. I will provide you with a proof. Once approved, you'll get the flattened file that you can upload to your lab. The charge for this is $10 per card.

I will also do custom card design (2 sides) for $15. If you want me to handle printing, ordering and shipping, please email me for more information.

All cards are designed for WHCC specs and include both front and back.

Please email me if you are interested: kimdrury@gmail.com
This will also be on my blog. If you are a MadiMoo or LittleLu member, you'll get an additional 15% off.

Simple Holiday Season

Classy Christmas

May Your Days Be Merry

Christmas in July at Pink Ink

2009-07-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the Pink Ink Studios Christmas in July Sale this weekend! Several designers are offering their holiday products at 50% off. Other designers have additional items on sale. My Senior Starter Kit and NEW Marketing Kit are also half-off until Monday.

Happy Shopping!

Getting Seniors on Board

2009-07-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

I've worked with Sheila for several years. We started off with her logo and branding many moons ago and I'm now the digital artist for her senior and wedding pics. She shoots … I edit and retouch.This year we're trying something different for the senior market. If you're interested in tapping into the senior market, drop me an email and we'll come up with something to grab their attention. Enjoy!

Keep Her in Your Hearts and Prayers

2009-07-14T09:22:00.001-07:00

I've got lots of new stuff to show, but instead would like to spread the word to pray for Kate. I don't know her family, but have come across many links asking for prayers. She's a beautiful little girl, same age as my Sam.

Custom Set for Catherine

2009-07-08T10:40:00.001-07:00

Here is a new logo and custom marketing kit designed especially for Catherine. Her logo offers a lot of branding opportunities … she can use it as is and also as the "C" alone if she chooses. We also came up with a version of the C with scrolls that makes a great blog signature. You can check out how she uses this on her blog.

Great to work with you Catherine!

Drumroll Please …

2009-07-06T03:06:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone enjoyed a safe and happy 4th with friends and family!! Ours was a WET one.

Thanks to everyone who left a comment! Since my children were beat and unavailable to participate, I used Randon Number Generator for this one. The lucky winners are …

New Member of the MadiMoo Club
Brandi
I've enjoyed working with Brandi on the design of her new blog. Great things to come!!

New Member of the LittleLu Club
Trish
OMG … so happy for you Trish! We've participated in Sheye's workshops together and have kept in touch through a photography forum. Such a sweetheart w/3 gorgeous kiddos!

BIG DISCOUNT
If you entered, but did not win, I am offereing the MadiMoo from now (good grief it's 5:30am Monday) through Tuesday, July7 for only $50 (regularly $125). You receive a total of 4 monthly wall, 4 monthly card/announcement and 2 quarterly book designs. Here's a peek at what's in store for July … please email me if interested - kimdrury at gmail dot com

I think that's all for now … check back soon for more tips, templates and other fun goodies!

Independence Celebration - All Kinds of Goodies!

2009-06-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

I love this time of summer! The weather is finally hot (OK maybe a little too hot!). It's a great time to celebrate with family and friends, swim, enjoy popsicles with the kids and be outside. It's also a reminder to be thankful for our freedom and independence.

I'm starting a HUGE contest. Once again, it's very easy to enter.

PRIZE #1 - Membership to the LittleLu Club. This is a free membership that runs from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010. You'll receive 2 wall templates, 2 announcement/card templates each month. You'll also receive quarterly albums (20 pages). If you want to enter to win this membership, please leave a comment on this post.

PRIZE #2 - Membership to the MadiMoo Club. This is the BIG one. It's the same format as the LittleLu, but you receive FOUR wall templates each month and FOUR announcement/card templates. You receive TWO quarterly albums. It's valued at $125, but worth so much more. Tons of fun stuff to show your clients!! If you'd like to win this membership, please leave a comment on my blog and on your blog (nothing huge, just a small shout out!) Please leave a link to your blog, because I enjoy seeing what you do too!

Drawing will be held Sunday, July 5. Please comment before 7:00pm CST.

BONUS - If you don't win either of the membership drawings, you'll be eligible to purchase either membership at a discounted rate as long as you leave a comment. Check the winner's posting on Monday for details.

FREEBIE - Enjoy the template for the above image.

Holiday Sneak Preview

2009-06-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

The rest are coming … just wanted to share one with you on this 100° day!

New Marketing Set

2009-06-17T07:19:00.001-07:00

Just added this one to the collection of marketing sets. I was inspired by a logo I was working on for a beautiful photographer … such a great person. I'll be blogging about her logo soon! We headed a different direction with her logo, but the colors from this one sparked an idea and it turned into this kit.

Like the others, you may choose eight files for $100. Two-sided pieces count as one file. There is more than what is shown here, including 5x7 marketing cards, bookmarks, senior rep cards, poster and more.

I snapped these images at Easter. That Claire might be too cute for her own good! Love her :)

Christmas is Coming …

2009-06-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Lots of ideas in the works for the 2009 holiday season! MadiLu Designs is putting the final touches on what should help SIMPLIFY your card ordering process. If you prefer individual templates, great! We've got something for you. If you'd rather not mess with the templates at all and want to send us your images … that's in the works as well! If you want the completed order to show up at your studio or your client's doorstep, that can also happen.

Club members will receive discounted pricing on holiday orders in addition to the fun storyboards, cards and albums they're already receiving … we'll keep you updated!!

Kristy's Custom Set

2009-06-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share a custom marketing set that I designed for Kristy Milton Photography. After designing the logo, I started off with a two-sided business card, letterhead, envelope, and packaging sticker to give her a good supply of "the basics". I created a little brighter card that will work great for senior reps. Her info sheet is a great piece to have for miscellaneous notes, price sheets and even to handwrite a personal note to clients. Last but not least, I designed a gift certificate and a 5x7 marketing card.

It's going to look AMAZING with Kristy's images! Good luck Kristy!!

And the Winner is …

2009-06-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Shana Cawley … Check out the cute pics on her blog. Looks like a gorgeous area to take pics.

I'm pretty excited that all of you took the time to comment on my blog … really, it means a lot! As a mom of four, I feel that I'm constantly thinking of what's "fair" and "who gets the most attention/bedtime stories/snacks" … I'm sure you understand. Such is life.

So here's the deal … you looked, you commented, you're great! I'd love to send each and every one of you a full set, but understandably I can't pull it off … maybe someday … when I'm famous :) I'm a bargain shopper and I like a good deal when I see one. If any of you who commented are interested in a marketing set (remember this includes 8 files of your choice, two-sides still counts as one file) I will make these available through Saturday, June 13 for HALF-OFF … yes ladies … $50 for the set. You choose the one you like the best. They're very user-friendly and changing to your color scheme isn't a big deal. I'm always available to answer questions if needed.

Just email me if you're interested and we'll go from here. The sooner the better … heading to the big city of Minneapolis for the weekend … no kids in tow!! I'll be riding on the "tour bus" (aka in-law's motorcoach) … give me a shout out if you see me!

**Don't forget to sign up to be a LittleLu or MadiMoo! Great templates each month … make your life a little easier!

Feeling a little Cheeky …

2009-06-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

So, I occasionally take pics and couldn't resist … somehow it's just not as attractive when you're 34, right??

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a FREE MARKETING SET! Drawing tomorrow night by Random Number Generator or by Sam, the very fair 4-year-old. The marketing sets have everything you need to get your business up and rolling or just to make things more consistent. Remember … branding is important. You want to make a lasting, professional impression.

Check out the MadiLu Design Clubs … the LittleLu and MadiMoo. You'll receive a monthly selection of templates. Great to have something new to show your clients without having to think about it or search for it! Very cost-effective (like giving up Starbucks once a month) and customizable so you can have different looks for different client styles.

Will post winner tomorrow evening … check back!

Building the Blog Love … BIG Giveaway!

2009-06-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've been fortunate to meet so many great photographers through various forums and blogs. To celebrate the kick off of the MadiLu Membership Clubs … it's time for a BIG Giveaway! I have three Marketing Sets on my blog that I love. It's too easy … just leave me a comment and tell me which one you love and why. You'll get eight different pieces in the kit ($100 value). You can choose what best fits your studio needs.

I'll announce the winner on Wednesday night (June 10th). Don't forget … club memberships are rolling! Sign up now to get the goods for your senior and wedding sessions!! First book release is July!!

Just for Fun … June's Sneak Peek!

2009-05-31T20:25:00.001-07:00

See the details below on how to join … this is what's in store for June!

*Sample senior and wedding images provided by Portrait Gallery.

And a sampling of July's book release …

Remember … join the club!
**Note to self: fix links in my blog header so they actually work! Maybe later … when I'm not cross-eyed from posting so much!

Introducing … Little Lu and MadiMoo!

2009-05-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Finally … the BIG scoop!

Who's ready to spend more time behind the camera and a little less behind the computer? If you said, "ME", MadiLu has something in store for you!

Sign up for a yearly membership today! You have two options … the smaller package, LittleLu and the larger, MadiMoo. You might get a chuckle knowing these are named after my girls and you might even LOL if you knew how far from the truth these descriptions actually are :)

Anyway, check out the details. I think you'll find something you like and the best part is that it keeps coming … every month. You'll continuously have fresh, new ideas to present to clients. Yes, you may be able to do these yourself, but wouldn't you rather spend more time in sessions and selling your images?

Ready to join? Hurry before the intro pricing expires!
Drop me an email and I'll get you set up!
kimdrury@bloomsdale.net

The fine print (just in case you don't feel like clicking on the images):
*Membership Year runs June 1 - May 31. When you become a member, you will receive all materials up to date for the current year. Products released by the 10th of each month. Photobooks are released in January, April, July, October.Designs are exclusive to MadiLu members only. Templates willnot be released for resale on other sites until the end of each membership year. You may use these products to sell to your clients, but you may not resell templates as your own. All files are layered .psd files, customizable for your use.

Giveaway!

2009-05-31T18:51:00.001-07:00

Just for you … from MadiLu!
4 x 5.5 template – fits WHCC specs.
Download here.

**Sample image provided by Portrait Gallery.
Remember, even though this is a freebie, please don't resell the template only as your own.

Custom Logos and Marketing Sets

2009-05-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

MadiLu Designs offers custom logo design. The price of a custom logo is $125 and includes three initial concepts and revisions. Once finished, you will be given a .psd, .jpeg and .png file.

I am also happy to provide you with a custom marketing kit. Please inquire for pricing.

**If you are a participant in Sheye Rosemeyer's workshops, please let me know. Discounts on custom logos with marketing kits are provided.

How to Contact MadiLu Designs

2009-05-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

Have a question? Feel free to contact me:

Email is usually the best way to get a hold of me.
kimdrury@bloomsdale.net or
kimdrury@gmail.com

Become a Fan! Kim Drury Graphic Design

Follow Me on Twitter!

Payments may be made to paypal via kimdrury@bloomsdale.net

About MadiLu Designs

2009-05-31T14:12:00.001-07:00

I am a graphic designer with over 12 years experience in the design and printing industry. I've worked closely with photography studios for the last four years. My goal is to provide photography studios with easy to use, fresh, simple templates that will give them more time behind the camera, capturing beautiful images.

I sell my templates at PinkInk Studios and Etsy. You can also join my LittleLu or MadiMoo clubs and get monthly templates and albums.

I freelance on a full-time basis. I'm also a mom of four … two boys, two girls and their dad is the greatest guy I know. Things are usually crazy-busy, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I count my blessings each and every day.

I also have a really cool bio Amy Kant wrote if you want to know "long version".

Where in the World is MadiLu Designs?

2009-05-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

You've found MadiLu Designs, but you'd like to see more …

Find other cards, templates, marketing kits and albums in my store at PinkInk Studios. Similar products are available in my Etsy shop. If you're looking for the BIG marketing kits, you'll find those on Etsy. Both places are free to join and are worth checking out!

Remember, what you see at Etsy and PinkInk aren't available with the LittleLu or MadiMoo memberships and vice versa. If you're looking for individual templates, check out Etsy or PinkInk. If you want the monthly collection of templates and albums, drop me an email and I'll sign you up for the club.

I design corporate work, including newsletters, corporate identity packages, catalogs, billboards, ads, direct mail, print management and more. You can find me here. I also do custom wedding invitations, programs, menus, seating charts and custom wedding monograms.

In addition to this work, I also retouch photos on a daily basis. If you're in a bind and need help editing a session, please let me know. This includes NILMDTS photographers as well. I volunteer as an approved digital retouch artist for the organization.

Have questions or comments? Please contact me at:
kimdrury@gmail.com
314.550.7450

Exclusive MadiLu News!

2009-05-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've been mulling over how and where to sell my products. I currently sell on this site, at PinkInk and in my Etsy store. It's a lot to keep track of when you add in all of the custom work I do, not to mention the "regular" work load I have for retouching and corporate clients.

I will continue to sell the products through Etsy and PinkInk, but MadiLu is coming out with an exclusive membership club. One yearly subscription will get you several new products each month. These products will not be available on PinkInk or Etsy. They are exclusive for MadiLu members only. It's a great way to update your own products each month, including wall templates, cards, announcements, and photo books. If you're interested, drop me an email (kimdrury@gmail.com) and I'll make sure to contact you once I have the details in place.

Watch for details! It's COMING!!

As always, I'm still available for custom work. Don't forget to check out my premade logos … they're on sale for $40! If you're just starting out and trying to watch costs, it's a great way to get your feet off the ground. I'll be adding more :)

Premade Logo SALE!!

2009-05-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

Time to do a little spring cleaning and I'm happy to announce a PREMADE LOGO SALE! All premade logos are now available for $40.00. Name and color changes only. Please email me if interested.
kimdrury@bloomsdale.net

MadiLu Designs Updates

2009-04-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

Yes … it's been FOREVER. I've been cranking out tons of work for my Etsy store and have also joined the design team at PinkInk Studios. I'll still be posting updates here and this is a great place to contact me if you need custom work.

Here are a few logos I've worked on. I'm also including a few wedding monograms I've done. I think I'll build a whole collection of those!

There are some really great photographers and/or suppliers here … check them out :)
Mama and Me
Hannah's Tutus
Georgie Watson Photography
Hadley Scott Photography

Marketing Set #3

2009-01-26T09:52:00.001-08:00

The look of this set works great with color or black and white images. You can use the bright colors shown and emphasize the red or switch it up to more earthy tones … it's up to you! Visit my Etsy site to purchase this set. Not a member? Drop me an email and we can discuss.

*Quick note: The premade logo that is shown on this set is no longer available.

Marketing Set #2

2009-01-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

Love, love, love this one! The colors are customizable. You can achieve a lot with this set … muted colors, bright colors, black and white … works well with color or black and white images too.

The full version of this marketing kit is available in my Etsy shop. A mini version of the kit is available at PinkInk.

Like the logo? This was a premade logo that is no longer available for purchase. If you need help with a logo, please ask and I'd love to come up with something to match your style.

New Marketing Set

2009-01-26T08:26:00.001-08:00

This set is great for the studio specializing in wedding photography. You can simply go black and white or you can add a a splash of color. Add a custom, pre-made or your own logo to make it your own. Colors are customizable.

You can purchase the full set in my Etsy store or a mini-version of the set at PinkInk.

*Images provided by Portrait Gallery

Marketing Sets are here!

2009-01-26T07:59:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited about the new marketing sets! Here's the scoop …

Each set comes with the electronic files for standard pieces (letterhead, #10 envelope, two-sided business card and marketing sticker). The rest is up to you! Choose four additional pieces from the following:

CD Cover
Blog Header
Gift Certificate
5x7 Marketing Piece
5x5 Trifold Marketing Piece
8.5 x 5.5 Mutli-Purpose Info Sheet (great for in-house printing of price lists and studio policies)
Studio Poster
Senior Rep Card
Large Sticker (3.5 x 2)
Bookmark (2x7)

I have several options as far as pricing goes.
If you use your own logo … sets are $100 for 8 electronic files. I can place logo and images for you.
If you choose one of my pre-made logos … sets are $150 for 8 electronic files and pre-made logo.
If you would like a custom logo … sets are $200 for 8 electronic files and custom logo.

All pieces are designed to fit WHCC guidelines. Colors are customizable to match your identity. If you would like any of the sets to be exclusively yours, the price will be $250 and the set would be removed from my site. You may also purchase individual files for $30.

Off to post the new sets!!

Lots of Dots! 16x20 Wall Template

2009-01-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

Try this one on for size. This is a 16x20 template and is designed for an 8x10 image. Looks great with bright, popped color images. This template is $4.99 and is available in my Etsy shop. Lots of dots! Did I mention no animals were harmed during this shoot? :)

New Birth Announcements

2009-01-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

One for him and one for her! Margaret is especially for little girls and Henry is for the little guy in your life… enjoy! Available at Etsy.

Be Mine Set

2009-01-06T11:50:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! This set is made up of five 5x7 templates. All colors and fonts are easily customizable. Perfect for that special someone!

Compatible with WHCC templates.

*Thanks to Portrait Gallery (wedding couple shot) and Belinda Perry Photography (sweet siblings) for the images.

New Storyboards

2008-12-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

Here are two new storyboards, available in my Etsy store or by contacting me directly. They are $4.99 from either site.

The first two are the same template, one uses a textured layer that you can easily turn on or off for a different effect.

Here's one that is great for little guys!

New 5x7 Templates!

2008-12-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? Possibly spent with family and getting ready for the upcoming holidays!

I'm showing off some of the new 5x7 templates I've designed. They sell for $4.99 each. You can easily change the colors on most of these. It's fun to see what you come up with! All templates are based on WHCC printing guidelines.

Here is the same template… shown after using a different color.

Birth Announcement Template (shown using various colors… one template does all the work!)

Another… this template includes a layer of texture that you can turn on or off… fun to see how different the effect is!
Available here.

Logos to Go-Go!

2008-11-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

Ready to add a professional touch to your business?

I've got a small sample of pre-made logos to choose from. Click on the image and you can view these larger. I'll replace the shown information with your studio name and change to your colors. Once purchased, the logo will be retired from the site, giving you an exclusive logo. Logos are $79 and I will provide you with a .jpeg, .psd and an .eps file. I also do custom logo design. Please ask… I'd love to help!

Please leave a comment with your email address if you're interested.
Thanks,
kd

Sneak Preview… Little Liz!

2008-11-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a sample from the latest collection, Liz. Bold stripes and colors make this perfect for boy or girl! You'll be able to change the opacity of the stripes and go for just a hint of color or all out bold, which would look great with a black and white image.

The 8x10 template is available on Etsy or PinkInk. The 10x10 is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Meet Miss Jane!

2008-11-07T11:42:00.001-08:00

Here is a 5x7 flat card that works great for a larger image… meet Jane. You can easily customize the colors or leave it as black and white. You can change the initial so your client's can have a customized piece of art.

This template is available in my Etsy shop. If you have questions or aren't an Etsy member, please let me know and I'll send it your way.

Hello Ruth!

2008-11-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

This design is for a 5x7 flat card, Ruth, designed for a 3x3 image. Black and white or color would work! This is designed based on WHCC's printing guidelines. Find it here.