KruBooks

Holiday Cards 2011

2011-10-14T14:44:00.005-04:00

It's (almost) that time of year! Ok...it may seem a little early, but let's be honest, I start thinking about Christmas cards January 1st. And why not get a jump on the holiday to-do list? I had a previous customer ask me on August 31st when I would be listing my holiday card designs. That alone is plenty of validation for posting these mid-October.

The other reason I wanted to get these out early is because I will be out of the country December 10th-January 3rd. That means...no printing Christmas cards after December 9th! Get your orders in early, people!

This year, I felt inspired to design four new cards, and I'm very excited to show off these contemporary styles. Behold the 2011 KruBooks Holiday Card Collection:

Check out the listings on etsy for more details!

"You Are My Sunshine" Wall Art

2011-10-12T22:27:00.002-04:00

Introducing the newest member of my Favorite Things Wall Art Collection - "You Are My Sunshine"

Last week, my sister-in-law told me that her sister (my other sister-in-law) used to sing this song to her twin girls when they were babies. I couldn't resist adding these sweet lyrics to my collection - wouldn't this print be perfect for a nursery or playroom?

The sign measures 11.75x36 inches and is printed on heavy coated bond paper. Custom colors are available for an additional fee.

Just in time for the holidays! Order your "You Are My Sunshine" print now!

Erin and Bobby

2011-09-15T13:54:00.002-04:00

Another lovely wedding from photographer Julie Wilhite

Congratulations, Erin and Bobby!

Jessica and Aron

2011-09-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

This wedding comes from Boston photographer Zev Fisher. Zev and I have now produced seven albums together, and it is truly a joy to have him as a client. He is extremely talented and prefers a nice clean style which I love.

If you are planning a wedding in the Boston area, you definitely need to check Zev's availability!

Real Home - Baby Nursery

2011-07-22T17:42:00.003-04:00

In May, a friend of a friend asked me to design her wedding album. She and her husband have been married for three years, and are now expecting their first child. I had a blast working with Heather on her album. She is such a sweet girl - I like to now consider her my virtual friend :) Here's a link to her blog to see the post she wrote about the album.

A couple weeks ago she asked if I could help with some wall art for the nursery. She liked the Rod Stewart "Forever Young" print, but wasn't sure if the colors would work. So she sent me some pictures of the room decor and the corner where the sign would be hung. I did a couple variations, with different shades of grey and yellow. But when she found this beautiful grey frame at Michaels, I knew a cream background would be the perfect fit. I matched the yellow accent to the pillows and ribbons in the room and...voila!

I'm so excited to "meet" Heather and Christian's sweet little one. Now that the nursery is ready, Baby can come any time!

Amanda and Bradley

2011-07-14T09:53:00.003-04:00

Another pretty album to share. I love the details from this wedding. Most items were handmade or bought on etsy. The invitations on the first page were custom designed by her bridesmaid Chelsea Windlinger. To see more pictures from the wedding, you can check out their featured post on the Ruffled blog.

Photography by Brooke Schwab

Erum and Moiz

2011-07-06T10:08:00.004-04:00

As a friend pointed out this weekend, I've been behind on updating the KruBooks blog with recent work. And it's not for a lack of having beautiful things to share! First up, this gorgeous South Asian wedding shot by photographer Julie Wilhite. Luckily I've done a Hindu wedding album before, so I was prepared for the number of pictures and festivities. There are so many different events involved in the traditional South Asian wedding that Erum and Moiz decided to do two albums - one for the Mehndi and Sangeet, then another album for the wedding ceremony, reception, and crying ceremony.

Featured on Dream Albums Blog

2011-06-02T11:16:00.003-04:00

Things are heating up around KruBooks - welcome to wedding season! I'm taking a quick break from designing to let you know that our album design was featured on Dream Albums blog! You may recognize this design from last June when I posted about the album. I always love seeing my layouts make their way off the computer screen and into a real live book.

Real Home - Custom Subway Sign

2011-05-22T16:43:00.004-04:00

I always love showing off my client's subway signs. I was thrilled when Emily sent this picture of her freshly framed custom wall art. She picked a quote from her favorite TV show (One Tree Hill - love it). The sky's the limit when it comes to these things!

Check out my etsy shop to see more fun wall art!

Crystal and Jeff

2011-05-02T16:47:00.005-04:00

I recently got a request for a special "vintage" style album from photographer April Smith. Her client wanted a design that used wallpaper, but maintained a classy and elegant look. The end product was soft and sweet, the perfect compliment for April's romantic images.

The bride and groom seeing each other for the first time

Reception details

First dance

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

2011-04-08T09:09:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments on my first ever blog giveaway. I'm thrilled with the success of this contest. And I'm inspired to do more in the future, so stay tuned!

The lucky winner is...
#62 - Kelly Shields

Kelly wrote, "AHH! Decisions... Decisions! Rod Stewart takes me back to my own childhood and would look great in our family room reminding me to cherish my babes and keep the young... Audrey - classic - would look AMAZING in my little missy's room!! I am going to go with Rod!"

Congratulations, Kelly! Please send an email to krubooks@hotmail.com to claim your prize!

To everyone else, thank you for sharing your excitement for my new line. I really appreciate all the feedback and enthusiasm. I'm excited to do even more!

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Wall Art GIVEAWAY

2011-04-04T11:56:00.015-04:00

My first ever blog giveaway! How exciting!

Most of my work revolves around designing custom wedding albums, but I also have a KruBooks etsy shop. I sell some cards (especially around the holidays), and I also sell city and custom subway signs (you can catch up on my past subway sign posts here). This week I am introducing a new line of wall art I fondly call my "Favorite Things Collection." This line includes favorite quotes, lyrics, sayings, and verses. I am starting with four so far, but I'm sure more will be added down the road.

Check out this link to see bigger pictures and read descriptions of the newest collection. Of course the Favorite Things Collection would not be complete without the "My Favorite Things" Sign!

The signs measure 11.75x36 inches and are printed on heavy coated bond paper. Custom signs are also available so you can proudly display your own favorite lyrics, quote, saying, or verse. If interested in this option, send me a message for more information.

So that's the introduction, now on to the GIVEAWAY! This week, one lucky winner will be getting a free wall art print from my etsy shop. This can be a City Subway Sign or something from the new Favorite Things Collection. It gets better - you can increase your odds with THREE chances to win! Leave a separate comment below for each task you complete:

1) Check out the Etsy Shop then leave a message on this blog post saying which sign you would pick if you won.

2) Head on over to the KruBooks Facebook page and "Like" KruBooks. Then leave a message on this blog post saying you've completed this step. If you already "like" us, you can just leave a message to say that.

3) Share the link to this giveaway blog post in some way - as a Twitter update, facebook status, or in your own blog. Don't forget to come back and leave a message saying you've completed this step as well!

**Note: You can leave a separate comment for each task you complete so you have three chances to win!**

Giveaway closes at 8:00 AM EST on Friday, April 8th. The winning blog post number will be announced Friday morning. Must have a US mailing address to be eligible.

Good luck!

New Look

2011-03-18T10:14:00.003-04:00

You may notice that the blog got a bit of a spring make-over. Well, the website is sporting a fresh look too! I decided this week that it was time to update my KruBooks site with more recent work, and then I realized that the new work deserved new surroundings, and soon the site and blog were completed revamped! I'm excited for this change as it more accurately reflects the design style I desire for my albums - clean, simple, and sophisticated. It's amazing how one's work evolves through the years. I love looking back on albums I did four years ago when first starting KruBooks. They are like old friends, and it's a nice bit of nostalgia. But there's no reason for my website and blog to dwell in the past. Welcome to 2011, friends!

Karen and Brian

2011-03-01T14:32:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Karen and Brian, married November 13, 2010. I am a friend to any couple who includes their dog in the wedding pictures!

photography by Julie Wilhite

An Argument for Wedding Albums

2011-02-24T10:11:00.012-05:00

It's true that the times they are a-changin'. This world is getting increasingly digital, and with the development of the ipad and Kindle, books and magazines are becoming less...well, necessary. It's interesting to think how this will affect the world of wedding albums. A while back, I was asked if instead of printing the layouts and getting them bound into an album, if I would just give the couple the jpgs so they could show it to others on their computer or iphone. I had no problem with this, and they did save money on the printing, but I couldn't help thinking how sad it would be for the couple 20 years down the road when they don't have anything physical to hold and show the kids. I made sure to mention that they could hold on to their files and contact me at any point if they wanted an album printed.

The other day I stumbled upon this photographer's blog post detailing how his daughter recently discovered her parents wedding album and how much fun they had looking through it with her. Dave writes:

"I think the most striking thing about our daughter discovering this wonderful time capsule is that she could discover it. If it were a DVD, she would have read the title, found it boring and moved on. Also, after several moves and boxing and unboxings, I doubt it would ever be found and if it were, we certainly wouldn’t have been able to share the warmth of a family moment on the couch, turning the pages and sharing part of our past with our little girl. An album is so much more than the 1′s and 0′s so many of us photographers burn down to a DVD. An album is immune to advances in technology. If the DVD format changes and drives are updated and the jpg format becomes a thing of the past, your album doesn’t care. An album is unaffected by power outages. Light’s go out, it still works. Brides are often referred to as princesses, what self-respecting princess doesn’t have a book to tell the story of her wedding!

I realize that so often the issue with buying an album is price. I would rebut with the simple fact that if a bride is going to pay $25,000 for her wedding, she should trust her photographer to put together the best !#@%$ book they can to show off their big day! Forever! In a medium where, should their daughter (who, by the way, believes in true love, fairy tales and princess stories) find it on the bookshelf, she can bring it to her mom and dad and ask them who every person was at their wedding."

Wonderfully written and so TRUE! There are many brides today who walk away with just a CD of their images, intending to get an album made later but never do. Well, let me tell you, it's not too late! I've done plenty of albums for people who have been married for several years and are finally ready to get an album. In fact, this Christmas I designed a wedding album for my husband's sister and brother-in-law who had just celebrated their five year anniversary. And because I hate having a blog post without pictures, I might as well sneak in some favorites from their album!

It's even sweeter to remember this special day five years down the road. And now Lorren and Cole have two precious girls that will LOVE to look through the book about their princess mommy and prince daddy!

Allison and Alex

2011-02-21T08:44:00.003-05:00

Be still my beating heart - another gorgeous wedding from Julie Wilhite. I'm so thrilled I got to be a part of this one. How adorable is this couple?

Congratulations, Allison and Alex!

Paige and Matthew

2011-02-15T09:36:00.004-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day! I'm lucky that I get to "see the love" every day when designing wedding albums. Check out this little lovely from Brooke Schwab:

Now that's "true love."

Real Home - Custom Subway Sign

2011-02-07T12:23:00.004-05:00

In July, I posted about a friend who ordered a custom sign as a first anniversary gift for her husband. In December, sweet wife Mallary contacted me about doing another anniversary gift sign. She wanted to include "all the places and important dates/firsts in our life" - and what a fun list she has! The first line is their wedding date, and the last line is the month their first baby is due!

Congratulations, Mallary and Kurt! Can't wait to see pictures of sweet little Ben!

If you are interesting in making your own custom subway sign, shoot me an email or check out my etsy shop!

Linda and Darrel

2011-01-26T17:46:00.003-05:00

Had to share a little taste from this album. Another beauty from April Smith.

Courtney and Quoc

2011-01-21T09:56:00.003-05:00

I mentioned my new Houston photographer client, Julie Wilhite, in a December post. This is the third album I've designed for her and I continue to be blown away by her talent. Such a beautiful wedding and such beautiful photography! This is the kind of album that puts a permanent smile on my face.

Congratulations, Courtney and Quoc!

Rhea and Eric

2011-01-11T15:53:00.005-05:00

Like pink? Then I've got just the album for you! Rhea and Eric got married in this awesome hot pink venue. This was the first album I designed for one of my new 2011 photographer clients, April Smith. April is located in Southern California and has such style and talent. If you are in the area, you definitely need to look her up!

So excited to be working with April this year! I'm sure you'll see plenty more from her in future posts :)

Real Home - NY Subway Signs

2011-01-04T08:16:00.004-05:00

I love happy clients! Jill ordered my NY Subway Print 1 and NY Subway Sign 2 in August. She was kind enough to send a picture of the finished product hanging in her lovely living room:

Looks great! If you've ordered a subway sign from my etsy shop and would like to have it featured on my blog, just email me a picture. I'd love to share!

Beth and Carl

2010-12-13T14:48:00.009-05:00

I am thrilled to share an album I recently designed for my newest photographer client, Julie Wilhite. Julie, being the incredibly talented artist she is, captured so many gorgeous shots of Beth and Carl's special day. It was nearly impossible to keep the album at 24 pages!

I love when a photographer's style fits perfectly with my design style, their work inspires my creativity, and, hallelujah, they are looking for some album help too. It's absolutely meant to be. I can't wait to team up with Julie on more artistic collaborations!

Allison and Jeff

2010-12-03T08:16:00.014-05:00

This multi-colored wedding set a fun and youthful tone for the day. The bride is stunning and obviously enjoying her big day! Every wedding is marked with its own unique vibe - some are somber, some are romantic, some are anxious anticipation, some are intimate - this one was clearly a celebration!

photography by Brooke Schwab

Meredith and Matt

2010-11-18T12:39:00.007-05:00

A beautiful Wildflower Center wedding in Austin, TX. The colors, the nature, the pretty Tiffany blue bridesmaid dresses...I love it all! Congratulations, Meredith and Matt!

(click on image to see larger)

photography by Brooke Schwab

Baby Shower Album

2010-11-14T18:27:00.006-05:00

I was thrilled when one of my newest photographer clients, Liesl Diesel, asked if I could design this baby shower album. First of all, it's always fun to mix it up with something non-wedding. Second of all, this baby shower was to-die-for! I caught one glimpse at the facebook album and was already swooning. Everything Liesl captures is beautiful - I could stare at the gorgeous images on her site all day! I was thrilled to find out there would be an opportunity to work together. It doesn't hurt to have a lovely venue and stunning parents-to-be as well.

photography by Liesl Diesel

2010 Christmas Cards

2010-11-08T14:31:00.006-05:00

Can you believe it's that joyous season again? I'm a little behind this time around (I released my 2009 holiday cards on October 16th!), but I'm in the Christmas spirit now! Time to start thinking about sending those warm holiday greetings!

I simplified my offerings this year and just kept my very favorites. I also included a new baby birth announcement/holiday card. Check out my shop to see all the fun options! Here's a sampling of what you'll find...

Julissa and Trey

2010-11-05T10:21:00.008-04:00

After our big move three weeks ago, I am finally back in the swing of things! I am so happy to be back to work designing albums and drooling over wedding images. This album was actually completed before we left, but I am just now feeling caught up enough to blog. I loved looking through Julissa and Trey's wedding (photography by Brooke Schwab). It was an all-out glamorous event. Check out the beading on that dress! Of course, you've got to include the guys having fun and showing off their crazy socks. Even in a fancy wedding, boys will be boys!

(click on image to see larger view)

KruBooks News

2010-10-14T15:43:00.008-04:00

I can't believe I haven't announced this on my KruBooks blog yet, but we have some relocation news! My husband was offered a 20 month assignment in Grand Cayman, and we decided to seize the moment and go for it! When are we moving? MONDAY! We've known about the move for about six months, and I've already contacted my current clients to let them know, but silly me - I forgot to post it on my blog!

Anyway, I love the nature of KruBooks because it really can go anywhere. Since the business is so much file transfer (photographers send me images, I send back finished layouts), it's easy to do from wherever. If someone orders a design, print, and bind album, I will still be able to order from my printing suppliers and have the book shipped to the client. Hopefully you won't even notice much of a change! I am so excited for this new adventure, but want to assure you that I will still be very much on top of things here at KruBooks. You can't get rid of me that easily :)

Reduced Albums Prices!

2010-10-05T09:34:00.004-04:00

I've just reduced pricing for all bound wedding albums! Prices are lowered on Flush Mount and Coffee Table Albums. Just in time for the holidays! Stop by my site to check out the new pricing (pricing tab is on the right side of the bottom).

I'm also offering some new size options for the Flush Mount albums. Horizontal albums are quickly growing in popularity and becoming a trendy alternative to the standard square sizes. I now have pricing for 9x12 and 11x14 albums on my site. If you are interested in another size, let me know and I'll send you custom pricing. Other common horizontal sizes are 7x10, 8x10 or 10x14.

Happy album ordering!

Lauren and Blair

2010-10-01T12:30:00.006-04:00

I'm loving this soft and sweet look. Lauren and Blair are absolutely adorable. Designing their album was such a pleasure. Congratulations to the happy couple!

(Click on image to view larger)

photography by Brooke Schwab

Rachel and Chris

2010-09-15T09:17:00.007-04:00

This was a very special album for me since it is the first one for my newest clients, Paperlily Photography. Paperlily is based in Atlanta and their work is absolutely amazing! I was so thrilled when they said they were looking for someone to help with album design. When I first saw their site, I just sat and drooled over all the beauty. Let's just say photographers Brooke and Christy know what they are doing :)

This album is a real wedding that will be used as a studio sample. I'm sure they'll book a million weddings after showcasing this one!

Labor Day Weekend

2010-09-07T12:46:00.009-04:00

I love this time of year. There's the sweetest mix of embracing the end of summer and just starting to feel hints of fall. Absolute perfection. We celebrated the Labor Day holiday with enthusiasm - the fun including a good old fashioned church festival and family tailgating party.

The tailgating rules? Wear a team shirt and eat lots of junk food. Can't beat that.

Here's the day's menu:

1. Hamburgers and Dogs @ The Blue (sort of) 2000 Toyota Corolla

2. Birthday Cake @ The Tan 2005 Hyundai Elantra

3. Chicken Wings @ gold Toyota Matrix

4. Cheese Quesadillas @ Red Kia Sportage

5. Skyline Chili Dip @ MawMaw's Mazda remix

6. Nachos and Cheese @ Isuzu Rodeo

7. SHAAAAASTA @ The Wonderful White Van

8. Cowboy Beans and Deviled Eggs @ The Navy Mom's Vehicle

9. Mac and cheese --@ The Old Buick

10. Walking Tacos @ Dark Blue VW Beater

12. Cracker-Jacks @ the Blue Dodge Van

13. Cookies @ White Chevy Cavalier

That Bongey family sure does know how to have fun.

Audra and Paul

2010-09-01T12:34:00.009-04:00

Well la de da. One year and four months into this blog and I'm finally reaching my 100th post. Good thing I just completed an album worthy of this milestone!

Audra and Paul - June 26, 2010

photography by Brooke Schwab

Summer Staycation

2010-08-30T10:23:00.008-04:00

Brent and I had some vacation days to burn, so we decided to enjoy the last few days of summer with a little "staycation." It was great - plenty of pool time, eating out, and relaxing with friends and family. We took a day trip back to Madison, IN (where we celebrated our October birthdays last year) to visit the shops and wineries. And we even pulled off our first yard sale. It was a wonderful, happy week, but now it's back to work! Only 3 weeks till our Myrtle Beach vacation with Brent's family!

The Downtowner in Madison, IN

Blue Bell ice cream

Organizing and tagging for the yard sale. Of course this task required wine.

Our nephews, Jack and Noah. I can't get enough of these boys!

Anne and Richard

2010-08-09T09:17:00.007-04:00

A beautiful April wedding, such a lovely couple. Photography by Brooke Schwab.

Louise and Drew

2010-07-30T09:33:00.007-04:00

I'm a little behind sharing recent album work, but I've had some good ones lately so I need to catch up! Here is the most recent album for photographer Brooke Schwab. Aren't these pictures amazing? This has to be one of the prettiest weddings this year!

First Anniversary Custom Sign

2010-07-28T11:05:00.004-04:00

A couple weeks ago I was contacted by an old high school friend who was coming up on her first year wedding anniversary. She asked if I could create a personalized sign for husband - complete with their wedding date, last name, first song, and special places. She was especially excited because it fits with the traditional anniversary gift for 1 year - paper! I thought this was such a neat and thoughtful idea. What a sweet wife!

I've sold quite a few custom signs in my Etsy shop, and it's always fun to see what people decide to use and how they turn out. They can be semi-personal (street names from the city you live in or your favorite vacation spot) or uber-personal (all the cities/street names your family has lived in or the names of your grandkids). The sky's the limit! If you are interested in making a sign for yourself or someone else, shoot me an email for more information.

My Paw Paw

2010-07-21T13:30:00.009-04:00

My beloved Paw Paw, Jack Bongey, was called home to heaven last Thursday. He was such an amazing man, treasured by our family and many loved ones. My cousin James did a beautiful job with the eulogy, perfectly summing up Paw Paw's loving and jovial nature - "(Jack) had a way of making everybody feel special, be they family, friend or soon-to-be friend. When we would go on our trips together he would greet everyone with a giant smile and an 'Oh! There he is!' as if he had just been talking about them in admiration."

Over the weekend I put together a slideshow of Paw Paw pictures for the visitation. It was incredibly moving to look through all those memories, some I recall and some taking place long before my arrival. I especially love the wedding images, a younger Jack and Isabel Bongey just starting their 56 years as husband and wife. I thought I would share a few of these special pictures in honor of my sweet grandpa.

You are greatly loved and missed, Paw Paw. We can't wait to hear you singing in the heavenly choir!

Holiday Wonderment

2010-07-07T11:56:00.013-04:00

Who doesn't love holidays? I'll take any excuse to dress up, grill-out, wear big sunglasses and eat festively colored donuts. Our 4th of July was filled with family, food and fun - just as a holiday should be :) We didn't do any fireworks this year, but we did get to experience my 3-year-old nephew's first sparkler.

I must say, everything is much more fun when there's a child around to delight in the wonderment of it all. You start looking at things with new eyes and a fresh perspective. Little things matter more, and worries aren't as big. It was a great way to kick off the long weekend. The next couple days were full of swimming, soaking up the sun, and lots and lots of water slides. Summer, I hope you stay a long, long time.

Tiffany and Jason

2010-07-01T10:36:00.009-04:00

Another beauty from Houston photographer Brooke Schwab:

Tiffany and Jason had a lovely intimate ceremony. They are a super cute, fun-loving couple. The bride was absolutely beaming in every shot. Designing their album was a straight up shot of happiness.

Oh yeah, I also love the lime green heels.

Brooke, you continue to inspire me! Congratulations to Tiffany and Jason!

Bunco Girls Night

2010-06-28T08:49:00.011-04:00

A few months ago my friends started an all-girl Bunco group. It has been an absolute blast! There are 12 girls in the group and we meet once a month, each time at a different person's house. Bunco is such a fun and simple game to learn. Best of all, there's absolutely no skill involved. You switch tables and partners every 5 minutes or so, which is perfect for mixing up a large group.

Last week was my turn to host, and I was excited to do a little entertaining. I love how you can transform a typical Thursday night into a special occasion with just a few personalized touches. The Bunco Girls straws were my favorite; they were perfect for our orange julius drinks!

Charleston

2010-06-25T12:00:00.006-04:00

Last week Brent and I were lucky enough to spend a week in the lovely city of Charleston. It was a blast - our first week-long trip alone since our honeymoon. I so love my husband. It was awesome getting to spend that much uninterrupted time together. We went out to eat every night (my favorite part of vacation), and got to experience a lot of local favorites. Throw in sunning by the pool, sitting with our toes in the ocean, shopping on King Street, admiring the beautiful old South architecture and lots and lots of sweet tea and ice cream, and it was all around a wonderful trip.

I will say that there were times when it truly felt too hot to move. Brent, being a true South Carolina boy, was loving it. I was literally melting. But the evenings were amazing. Just perfect. And who doesn't love night walks on the beach?

Brenty, thanks for the wonderful memories! I can't wait for our next adventure together!

Summer Sale on Thank You Postcards

2010-06-21T09:42:00.005-04:00

I'm starting a sale on my Thank You Postcards - just in time for summer babies and birthdays! I've changed the listings on Etsy. For now, cards are $30 for 25, $52 for 50 and $88 for 100 cards - that's 88 cents per card!

These Thank You Postcards are perfect for the busy mom. The starter note on the back makes sending your appreciation quick and easy. Not only are they great for new moms, but they are also ideal for birthday parties, baby or wedding showers, or housewarming parties. The possibilities are endless!

Here's what one happy user had to say: "I can't tell you how easy and effortless it made writing thank yous! I sat down during naptime one day with a pen and a stack of cards, and I got them all finished in a snap. They're the perfect solution for a busy mama like myself who still wants to express heartfelt appreciation. And since they're postcards, I even saved some money on postage."

Check out all the style options here. Happy shopping!

Caroline and John

2010-06-10T15:20:00.005-04:00

This photography comes from one of my best and sweetest clients, Trisha Hardin Kern. She is truly a joy to work with. The wedding actually took place several years ago (in 2007) but the couple is just now ordering the album. Proof that it's never too late to get yourself a professional wedding album!

Best wishes, Caroline and John!

Rosalia and Roberto

2010-06-04T09:56:00.013-04:00

A while back, The Dream Album Company approached me and asked if I would design a studio sample for them. Dream Albums offers beautiful products for wedding and portrait photographers worldwide. I especially love their flush mount D ream Albums - the image wrap cover is beautiful!

These layouts were designed for an 11x14 album. Horizontal albums are a trendy alternative to the standard square sizes. To keep things simple, I currently only have pricing for square albums on the KruBooks website. But if you are interested in getting a horizontal album, let me know and I'll send you custom pricing. Other common horizontal sizes are 8x10, 9x12, or 10x14.

I was so happy with Rosalia and Roberto's album, I had to share. Beautiful couple, beautiful wedding, beautiful photography...what more could you ask for? As always, you can click on the layouts below to see them larger.

You can see the the complete album design here. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Carolyn and Chris

2010-06-02T13:28:00.009-04:00

Another stunning wedding captured by Brooke Schwab! Carolyn and Chris were married this March in River Oaks, Texas. I loved everything about this wedding, especially the gorgeous reception site! For more pictures from this beautiful day, you can check out the post on Brooke's blog.

Lip Puddle

2010-06-01T09:39:00.006-04:00

Walter had a busy Memorial Day weekend. Lots of walks, playing ball, trip to my mom and dad's new house, family party, eating outside at Molly Malone's. He's used to getting a lot more sleep during the day! While we were doing yard work on Sunday, I snapped these pictures. He was laying on his lip so funny - Brent said it looked like a "lip puddle." It was the perfect description!

I think he's glad to be back on his normal sleep schedule today. I just heard him jump into our bed as I typed this.

Courtney and JC

2010-05-27T15:51:00.008-04:00

I first heard from Courtney in November of 2008. She told me that although she wasn't getting married until November 7, 2009, she already knew she wanted me to do her album. Before she picked her photographer she wanted to know what she would need from them in order to work with me. I thought she was so incredibly brilliant to be thinking ahead like that! And, of course, I was very flattered and excited that she choose me to design her album.

Well, a year and five months went by, and Courtney emailed again to say that she was finally married and had just gotten her pictures from the photographer. It was such a pleasure working with Courtney on her album. Her details and decorations were so bright and happy. I love the bright green and orange color scheme - perfect for her Isle of Palms wedding.

photography by Kim Graham

Congratulations, Courtney and JC! Thanks for letting me design your album!

Haiti Medical Missions Album

2010-05-21T08:41:00.009-04:00

My big sister Amy went to Haiti on a medical missions trip at the beginning of May. When she came back, she asked if I would design an album using her journal and pictures. I was very excited to take on this project for her. I'm so proud of my sister for raising money and using her vacation time to do this trip. Amy is a wonderful nurse, and I'm sure the patients in Haiti were blessed by her gentle comfort and encouragement. It's an incredible thing when people use their God-given gifts to serve others in need.

Here are some layouts I wanted to share. I can't wait for the book to arrive!

You can see the rest of the album here. I love you, Ames, and I am so proud of you!

Jack's Party in the Park

2010-05-19T10:41:00.011-04:00

I can't believe my little nephew Jack turned 3 this May! My sister Sarah threw the most adorable Party in the Park, and I just have to share some pictures. She's so amazing! At what point am I too old to say I want to be just like her when I grow up?

"Lunch in a Box" - pasta salad, fruit salad, pretzels and juice boxes

Jumbo chocolate covered marshmallows

Jack's proud aunts

The adorable birthday boy and his adorable mom:

Aunt Kiki and Uncle Brenty

I'm sure there will be more details on Sarah's Jack and Izzy blog in upcoming weeks. Check it out!

New Product - Thank You Postcards

2010-05-18T10:53:00.008-04:00

I'm adding a new product to the Etsy Shop this week! Introducing... Thank You Postcards! I got the idea from my good friend, Elizabeth. After having her son Henry in December, she was showered with meals, gifts, and extra help. She asked me to create a photo thank you postcard so she could send a quick "thanks" to family and friends. It was such a great idea that I decided to create some for my shop as well.

These Thank You Postcards are perfect for the busy mom. The starter note on the back makes sending your appreciation quick and easy. Not only are they great for new moms, but they are also ideal for birthday parties, baby or wedding showers, or housewarming parties. The possibilities are endless!

The cards come in three styles: Fun Retro, Sweet Stripes and Modern Circles. Each style has several color options, so check out the listings to see more!

Wedded Bliss

2010-05-10T17:08:00.008-04:00

I know some people roll their eyes when it comes to weddings - the unnecessary stress, hassle, and expenses. Silly little details, bridezillas, drama, and the ever-expanding budget. I get that - it is just one day. But despite this, I can't help myself. I love, love, love weddings. I love the little things that make the day personal to the couple. I love pouring over the colors, flowers, rings, dresses, and cakes. But what I love most is this tangible feeling in the air. When you look around and feel that all of THIS is taking place to celebrate one couple's love and commitment. It's hard not to get absorbed in these thoughts as I design wedding albums. The joy and excitement are written on every picture. As I design a couple's album, I feel like I am sharing this amazing day with them, like I am right there at the wedding cheering them on. Of course I love the detail shots and the ceremony pictures and the getting ready chaos. But my very favorite shots are the stolen moments between the newly-pronounced husband and wife, glowing in a way only a bride and groom can. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the romance of it all!

I recently designed an album for the talented Amanda Pappas. She is a pro at capturing these defining moments. The bride and groom looked so sweet and it was obvious that they were really enjoying their wedding. I love that! Here are some spreads to share. Enjoy!

photography by Amanda Pappas

Blog Books

2010-04-21T10:17:00.009-04:00

One of my very best friends had a beautiful baby girl on St. Patrick's Day. Throughout her pregnancy, Jess did an awesome job updating her blog with pictures and stories. Even though we live in different cities, I really felt like I could share in her excitement and anticipation. Reading the updates and seeing pictures of her growing belly made me even more thrilled for little Lucy's arrival.

As a gift to the new mom, I decided to design and print her blog as a book. I did this a couple years ago for my sister-in-law when she was pregnant with the twins. I just think it will be so cool for these kids to go back and read how excited their moms were for their arrival, and how much they were loved even before they were born.

Here are some pictures of the blog book I created for Jess:

Blog books don't have to be limited to pregnancy blogs - imagine baby's first year blog books, traveling blog books, engagement blog books, cooking blog books. If you spend all this time documenting your life, won't you want to cherish it in a hard copy some day? A blog book allows you to share your adventures with future generations - isn't that an exciting thought? If you are interested in making a blog book, let me know and we can discuss custom pricing. Don't let your stories be lost in cyberspace - create a lasting heirloom!

Featured on NBC Los Angeles

2010-04-09T08:21:00.007-04:00

Happy Friday everyone! I have some great news to share this morning. As you may remember, I've been selling these subway signs in my Etsy shop since December. I started out with the Cincinnati signs, and eventually designed NY and Toronto signs as well. Yesterday I released my newest creation, the LA Subway Print. A few hours later, a freelancer for NBC Los Angeles contacted me to ask if she could feature the print on nbclosangeles.com. Of course I was more than happy to oblige!

You can check out the NBC Los Angeles post here. Thanks to Alysia Gray Painter for featuring me. This Friday is off to a great start!

Trip to Raleigh

2010-04-08T11:27:00.006-04:00

As promised, here are the pictures from Easter weekend in Raleigh. Brent and I were so excited to visit his family and meet baby Hailey. Even though it was a short trip, we packed it full! We had a picnic at the park, an Easter egg hunt, a b-day party for Savi, and even time for the adults to chat around the fire pit.

Here's little Hailey, a little over two months old. Isn't she the sweetest?

And here's Hailey's big sister, Savi. This picture cracks me up. She really didn't want a family Easter picture!

Brent and I on Easter morning:

The whole Kruithof clan together! I just love this family!

Happy Easter...a day late

2010-04-05T10:15:00.012-04:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! Brent and I got to visit his family in Raleigh. It was so good to see everyone again, and to meet our newest niece, Hailey. Unfortunately I left my camera in Raleigh, so it will be a couple days before I can put up pictures of the trip. But I do have a couple pre-Easter pictures to share.

Before we left, I made some Easter goodie bags for Brent's family. Each bag had a little something inside - candy for the adults, chalk eggs for the girlies, and wrist rattles for the babies. The tags were personalized with their names and a vintage Easter postcard image.

I also used similar tags on the Easter bread I made for my family and neighbors. Zucchini bread is one of our favorites!

On Palm Sunday we did a little Easter egg dying at Sarah and Garret's. We had so much fun! Here's Brent's masterpiece:

Jack's masterpiece:

Noah couldn't dye his own eggs this year, but he sure did look festive in his "Chicks Dig Me" shirt. He is such an easy going little guy!

Here are the finished products. I think we did pretty good!

Hope for all had a joyous weekend too! Easter in Raleigh pictures coming soon...

Baby Hailey Announcements

2010-03-17T08:33:00.009-04:00

I recently designed birth announcements for my newest niece Hailey. Such a beautiful baby girl, it was easy to make some cute cards. Here's a couple of the designs I created:

This was the final design:

And here's the back. Isn't Savannah an adorable big sister?

I'm so enamored with this little one. We are making a trip to Raleigh for Easter - I can't wait to meet Hailey and see my other nieces and nephews again. I still can't believe Brent's side has produced 5 kids in 2 years!

If you are interested in a custom designed birth announcement, please email me for more information (krubooks@hotmail.com). I'd love to create this special keepsake for you!

Subway Signs

2010-02-15T08:05:00.009-05:00

A couple years ago, Brent and I were watching What Women Want and saw these posters with Cincinnati neighborhoods hanging in Mel Gibson's NY apartment. Then we started seeing them in other movies like I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Just Friends. We loved the look and thought they would be cool personal touch in our home. I did an extensive search but couldn't find them anywhere online (though I did find a whole bunch of other people looking for them - so I knew I wasn't crazy!).

* Edit - I was told you can find similar signs on www.subwaysigns.com for $279 each. They have a lot of other cool vintage subway signs as well...check it out! *

So this year for our anniversary, I decided to make my own posters in the same style. I made them for Brent, and then thought maybe I should sell these in my etsy shop too.

In the shop, you can purchase the Cincinnati trolley signs for $50 each, or get your own custom subway sign for $75. I was contacted by an interior designer in Canada (Carol Reed Interior Design) about creating a custom Toronto sign. I checked out Carol's site and was amazing with her work! She bought the print for a bachelor's condo she was finishing up, and recently posted picture on her blog. I thought it would be fun to share the finished product!

If you are interested in the Cincinnati or Toronto prints, check out my etsy shop for more information. And if you have a custom project, send a message...I would love to help!

Senior Album

2010-02-09T18:06:00.006-05:00

I recently completed a senior album for one of my favorite photographers, Mark Ketcham. This was an especially fun project since a couple years ago I did Amanda's sweet sixteen album. What a beautiful young lady! As much as I love wedding albums, I always enjoy the chance to mix it up a bit. Here are some spreads from the book:

photography by Envision Video and Photography

QUESO album

2010-01-29T09:04:00.011-05:00

I worked on a special project for Brooke Schwab last week. Her and her husband created this cool looking photo booth that you can rent for weddings and other events. They call it QUESO - you can check out their website to learn more.

They decided to get a booth at the WPPI this year that would showcase their new business. Brooke asked me to create an album to show off photos from the booth, something that was modern and fun. The book was so much fun to design, and I was really happy with the way it turned out. Hopefully the booth is a big success!

Cover:

Cover page:

End Page:

My Newest Nephew

2010-01-16T12:12:00.006-05:00

Noah Andrew Swartzentruber
Born January 12, 3:03 am
7 pounds, 1 ounce

Since I was watching Jack while Sar and Gar were gone, I didn't get the visit Noah at the hospital. But I did get to be there for his homecoming!

I'm in love :)

Baby Blessings Shower

2010-01-16T11:52:00.010-05:00

Last Saturday I hosted a baby blessings shower for my sister's second-born...just in time! Sarah called me at 1:00 am on Monday so I could watch Jack while they went to the hospital. She got to the hospital at 2:15 am, and Noah was born at 3:30 am. So quick there was no time for an epidural. I'm so proud of my big sis!

Here some shots from the shower. I sent out "Notes for Noah" cards with the invite so everyone could write a message to Noah. We put them all in a little album, next to the favors.

The food!

My favorite were the chocolate covered marshmallows and pretzels.

Cupcake and food tags:

My three wonderful sisters and first born nephew. I just love my family!

Pictures of my newest nephew coming up next!

Back in the Swing of Things

2010-01-15T11:19:00.006-05:00

After the holidays and a crazy first couple weeks, I'm finally jumping in to 2010. I completed my first album of the year last night. And I have to say I really, really love it :) The couple hand made a lot of the wedding details, even a custom cake topper. Love the aqua and red color scheme. Everything about this wedding makes me smile!

Photography by Brooke Schwab

You can see the rest of the album here.

Happy Client

2010-01-04T08:52:00.003-05:00

Oh, it's been so long since I posted. But there's no better way to kick off the new year than with some positive feedback! I was so excited to hear my client Amy got her wedding album and parent album on December 23. She wrote:

"Hi Katie! I got the albums yesterday and they look amazing! Spencer and I and our family love them! They were the perfect Christmas present! Thank you so much and have a Merry Christmas!"

Hopefully there will be a lot more happy clients in 2010! Here's to a new year!

Happy 3 Years!

2009-12-15T17:44:00.005-05:00

Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary! I am just crazy about my husband. Not only is he my best friend, but he is also the the most amazing person I know. I am so blessed to be his wife!

I love you, Brent! Happy anniversary!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T12:33:00.009-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I had such a busy week finishing albums for holiday deadlines and getting ready for Turkey Day at our place. I was really looking forward to having everyone over to our house this year. It was a great day. I always love spending time with my amazing family, and a lot of delicious food doesn't hurt!

Our dining room - all ready for the feast!

Name tags around the glasses:

Centerpieces - SO thankful for my wonderful husband who stayed up till 1:00 am helping me get ready!

Getting the turkey ready to go (not my favorite part of the day):

Almost time to eat - Brent did a great job carving this thing!

As we head into the holiday season, I'm definitely reflecting on all the blessings we've had in 2009 - a new house, Brent being promoted, two healthy pregnant sisters and one beautiful new nephew, getting Walter (and finding him after a truck hit), another amazing year for KruBooks... So much to be thankful for!

100!

2009-11-25T15:21:00.005-05:00

This week I finished my 100th KruBook album! And not only did I cross off number 100, but 101 and 102 too! What an exciting milestone! Thanks to everyone who helped me get here. I couldn't love any job more!

Here's a couple spreads from lucky # 100...

photography by Envision Video and Photography

Dog Park

2009-11-20T13:32:00.005-05:00

Last weekend we went to the dog park with our good friends Mary and Brad and their dog Garfunkle. We had such a good time! Walter was pretty scared of the water, but loved playing with the other dogs. Here's a video of Brent and Walter playing fetch. Walter skids to a stop just before he goes off the dock. Funny dog.

Photographers are Fun

2009-11-19T18:45:00.005-05:00

Over three years of album design has brought me to this conclusion - photographers are fun. They are imaginative and resourceful. They see art in everyday things, and they aren't afraid to be a little crazy. I'm inspired every day.

I'm loving these details shots with the vintage phone. Kudos to Mark Ketcham of Envision Video and Photography.

Baby Baptism Album

2009-11-18T09:17:00.004-05:00

I recently completed a baby christening album for a sweet family in Houston. The pictures are beautiful, and the ceremony/celebration looks awesome! What a handsome little boy! This was a fun project for me since it's a little different from the wedded norm here at KruBooks - and who doesn't love looking at pictures of cute babies? I think baby baptism books are a great idea. Perfect for grandparents, and a lot more fun to share than a regular photo album. Here's a couple of the layouts from Eduardo's big day.

photography by Brooke Schwab

Cupcake Baby Shower

2009-11-09T09:40:00.015-05:00

This weekend I co-hosted a baby shower for one of my closest friends. We decided to have it at Sugar Cupcakery, which really is the perfect shower venue. The party room was sophisticated and classy, and the cupcakes were, of course, amazing! You can read more about Sugar on my sister's blog.

The invitation I designed for the shower set the scene for Sugar's modern and fun decor.

The party room:

The adorable mini-cupcakes!

There was a great outside patio area right off the party room. We got lucky with the most beautiful November weather. We decided to put the food outside, along with the food tags I designed to match our invitation.

The co-hosts with the guest of honor:

Congratulations on your baby boy, Elizabeth! We can't wait to meet him!

Rave Review

2009-11-04T09:09:00.005-05:00

One of my extremely talented photographers, Brooke Schwab, just wrote a Vendor Review on KruBooks. You can check out the review for yourself on her blog. Here's a little of what she had to say:

"If you are a bride who has received your wedding album you have likely worked with Katie at KruBooks. She is my album designer who has been amazing this year in designing all of my wedding albums. Her work shows her passion for her job, plus, she is amazing to work with."

Thanks for the kind words, Brooke! The feeling is definitely mutual :)

Halloween Baby

2009-11-02T14:08:00.005-05:00

This weekend my newest nephew decided to make a surprise arrival - on Halloween! Joelle was scheduled for her c-section on Nov 3, but this little guy just couldn't wait to join the fun. Brent and I are bummed we couldn't be there for the big day, but we are so thankful to get these pictures from the rest of the family. Welcome Kru William Turner!

Kru was an incredible 10 pounds, 14 ounces! Here he is with the proud parents:

And his two precious sisters:

Congratulations, Joelle and David! We can't wait to meet you, Kru!

Birthday Fun

2009-10-30T12:39:00.006-04:00

For my birthday weekend, Brent took me to a bed and breakfast in Vevay, IN. The bed and breakfast was gorgeous and and filled with character. If you are nearby, you should check it out. The town of Vevay itself is quaint, and was voted the 4th coolest small town in America. Not too shabby!

Here is the bed and breakfast, Schenck Mansion:

We were blessed with the most beautiful fall weather. Perfect for walking around the neighboring town of Madison:

While in Madison, we stopped at the Lanthier Winery for a wine tasting. We ended up getting a bottle of their blackberry wine - so delicious!

I'm so thankful for my sweet husband! I'm a lucky girl to have him :)

Fall Bliss

2009-10-23T13:59:00.007-04:00

I don't know if it's just me, but this seems to be an especially pretty fall. I started noticing the vibrant colors on our mountain drive home from Hilton Head, but this week they've really popped! I am loving it! Last weekend we had our third annual Fallapalooza celebration. Each year, my extended family gets together for an October campout to celebrate all the fall birthdays. It was quite chilly this year - lots of bundling up around the campfire. Poor Walter was shivering all weekend!

Happy Campers

Man's Best Friend

This weekend Brent and I are celebrating our October birthdays with a long weekend in Vevay. We are staying at this great bed and breakfast. I am so excited. I promise an update when we get back. Hope you all have a great Friday!

Holiday Card Giveaway

2009-10-18T13:23:00.004-04:00

My new Etsy shop has been featured on the Jack and Izzy blog. I am giving away one FREE custom holiday card (the digital file). Check out her post and leave a comment to enter. Jack and Izzy will annouce the winner on Tuesday morning, October 20th. Good luck, everybody!

Introducing...KruCards!

2009-10-16T08:35:00.011-04:00

I know it's been quiet on the KruBooks blog for quite some time, but I've had something up my sleeves! After doing my blog series on card design, I felt really inspired to start selling custom photo cards on Etsy. This week, I finally got my shop up and running! Right now, I only have holiday cards available. But check back for birth announcements, save the dates, and more! I'm really excited for this new extension of KruBooks. Check out the shop and let me know what you think!

Here's a sample of some of the cards:

Tis the season for holiday cards! Check out my shop for pricing and more information!

Hilton Head 2009

2009-10-13T09:00:00.008-04:00

We had a such great time on vacation. Hilton Head in October is the BEST...no crowds and awesome weather. Just when things are cooling down in Cincinnati, it feels good to get one more shot at summer.

As promised, here are some pictures of our trip. It was so nice having all four sisters together for a week. I love these girls!

Poolside wine tasting with my dad:

My adorable nephew, Jack:

Sunset with my love:

Night walk on the beach:

It was hard to leave those sunny days behind, but it feels good to jump back into the swing of things here at home. As much as I love laying out by the pool, I'm ready to embrace fall. And, hey, only 72 days till Christmas!

Hilton Head...here we come!

2009-10-01T08:42:00.010-04:00

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon for a week in Hilton Head. I'm so excited that my whole family is able to come this year. On the way home from Hilton Head, we'll spend a couple days with Brent's family in Greenville, SC. It will be a wonderful 10 days!

Here are some pictures from last year's trip to Hilton Head. I'll be sure to post this year's when we get back!

Harbor Town

The Behlert sisters minue one (we're all so happy Amy can come this year!)

Brent's birthday

Visiting Brent's family in Greenville

Hindu Wedding

2009-09-29T08:33:00.014-04:00

A few weeks ago I featured a layout from Neha and Mohit's wedding. They had a traditional Indian wedding, with festivities that stretched over four days! Here's what photographer Brooke Schwab had to say about the wedding: "The Hindu wedding celebration is focused on rituals and centered around family. Deeply rooted in tradition, the colors and sounds of this event were truly a unique experience AND the food was to die for!" I was so inspired by this 40 page album that I decided to share a few more spreads with you. As always, you can click on the spread for a closer look at the pictures.

On the Wednesday before the wedding, the bride and her close friends had a "putting hena" ceremony.

The bride and groom do not see each other during the pre-festivities. This spread shows Neha's family at the sangeet.

Thursday includes the gift giving ritual for the families.

The bride's preparations the day before the ceremony:

On Saturday, the groom participates in the baraat. Here's Brooke's description of the event: "The baraat is a marriage procession. It is customary for the groom to travel to the brides on a horse. This event is spectacular with lots of singing, laughter and dancing and Mohit could not have worn a bigger smile on his face. "

The bride and groom had new attire for the reception. All the clothing and accessories were brought in from India.

It was an incredible reception with amazing florals, food and dancing. Look at these colors!

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to design the album for this unique wedding. It was a wonderful learning experience for me. Special thanks to Brooke Schwab for the incredible photography!

Cards: Christmas

2009-09-18T08:35:00.009-04:00

Instead of doing a layout of the week this Friday, I'm going to continue with my card series. I'm afraid I'll loose steam if I wait till Monday!

I know it's only September, but, believe it or not, it's not too early to start thinking about Christmas cards! I love, love, LOVE the Christmas season. Everything about it makes me giddy. I always try to send my cards early so I can get everyone else's cards when they send them (an incredibly selfish motive, I know!).

Here are the cards Brent and I sent our first and second year of marriage:

I've also designed Christmas cards for photographers to send out to potential/past clients. Here's one I did last year for Dede Edwards. Front:

Back:

We have family friends who, instead of sending Christmas cards each year, send Valentine's day cards. This gives them more time to spend enjoying family and friends around the hectic holiday season. I think it's such a great idea!

If you are interested in having me design your Christmas card (or Valentine's Day card!) this year, please shoot me an email at krubooks@hotmail.com. The design fee is $50. Then I can order the cards for you (pricing will vary depending on quantities) or I can send you the high resolution file to order on your own through Kinkos, Snapfish, or another printer. Please don't hesitate to call or email for more details!

Cards: Birth Announcements

2009-09-17T08:50:00.015-04:00

More card designs! This time, here are some birth announcements for your viewing pleasure. As always, you can click on the image for a closer look.

Here's is the Tuner Twins' announcement:

We played around with a couple ideas for Savannah's announcement:

Here's the one we decided on:

It's a boy! Grant Lewis:

And here's a sample I made for the KruBooks site:

There's nothing like some cute baby pictures to brighten your Thursday :)

Gender Party Fever

2009-09-16T16:09:00.004-04:00

Remember the gender party I wrote about last week? Well, my sister's party has been showing up all over the web this week! First it was on Ohdeedoh (Apartment Therapy's Kids @ Home Blog). And today it is featured on the popular entertaining blog, Hostess with the Mostess! I'm so proud of my big sis!

Sarah's blog
Sarah's Etsy stationary store, Jack and Izzy

Cards: Invitations

2009-09-15T12:00:00.010-04:00

As I've mentioned before, I am crazy about card design. I've dabbled in a little bit of everything - birth announcements, Christmas cards, save the dates. Today I'm going to feature a couple of party invitations, and hopefully get around to showing off some other types of cards soon.

First, here is an invitation I did for my sweet twin nieces first birthday. The pink and green elephants made for a fun party!

Note: All addresses and phone numbers have been changed and are not intended to be real

I designed this invitation for a baby shower. The mom-to-be calls her little one "ladybug" so we played off that :)

Finally, here is an invitation I designed for a friend's bridal shower.

If you are interested in a custom designed invitation, please email me for more information (krubooks@hotmail.com). The design fee is $50. Then I can order the cards for you (pricing will vary depending on quantities) or I can send you the high resolution file to order on your own through Kinkos, Snapfish, or another printer. Please don't hesitate to call or email for more details!

Perfection

2009-09-10T17:01:00.005-04:00

I'm currently working on a second studio album for the incredibly talented Mark Ketcham (San Diego, check him out). I love how at every wedding or session there is always one shot that becomes THE shot. You know the shot I mean? The one that catches your breath. The one where the stars aligned and the moment was perfect and the camera snapped. Need an example? Voila:

photography by Envision Video and Photography

It's a GIRL...and a BOY!

2009-09-09T08:59:00.014-04:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! Don't you wish all weeks had one less weekday? We had an especially fun treat this weekend - we found out the gender for two of our on-the-way niece/nephews! Right now, Brent and I have three pregnant sisters. We will have SEVEN nieces/nephews by February! We've known for a while that Brent's sister Joelle is having a boy, Kru William, in November. When we found out that Lorren and Sarah's ultrasounds were a day apart, I was ecstatic! On Thursday, we got the call that Brent's other sister Lorren has her second GIRL on the way. I'm so glad little Savi is getting a sister!

My sister Sarah had her ultrasound Friday, and planned a little party to announce whether baby Addy or baby Noah is on the way. Everyone had to wear pink or blue for what they thought the baby would be. It was such a fun party!

Here's my nephew Jack and I (both predicting a baby girl):

Jack's been saying for MONTHS that he thinks baby "Addy" is in mommy's tummy. Here's a clip from the party...

Time for the big reveal! Sarah and Garret put a pink or blue gumball in the center of each cupcake.

And...it's a BOY!!!

You can see more pictures of the party details on Sarah's blog. She is incredible!

Brent and I are so excited for our new niece and nephews! We can't wait for them all to get here. I just love being an aunt :)

Layout of the Week

2009-09-04T09:15:00.006-04:00

It's been a while since I've done a layout of the week. But here's a really good one to make up for it. This week I finished an album for an Indian wedding - what a fun project! The wedding festivities took place over FOUR days. I can't even begin to tell you how many images there were for this event! It was incredible. This spread shows the ceremony decorations, and the bride finishing getting ready.

photography by Brooke Schwab

The final album is too fun to only have one "layout of the week" post. Check back for more designs from this beautiful wedding.

Pink is My Favorite Color

2009-09-02T09:04:00.009-04:00

Since Walter was hit by a car last Sunday, we've had to take him to the vet everyday to get his bandages changed. I'm always excited to see what color wrap they will use - we've had teal with stars, green with bones, orange with smiley faces, purple with dots. I've been secretly hoping they would bust out a pink wrap one of these days, but for the last week, no such luck. Finally, yesterday, my dream came true.

Brent is horrified. But I love it. And I think Walter does too.

I love this dog.

Anniversary Album

2009-09-01T12:18:00.011-04:00

A while ago I mentioned a 40-year-anniversary album I was just starting. Well, I was so happy with the way it turned out, I decided to share a couple more layouts. I love this idea! I hope I get to do a bunch more.

As always, you can click on the images below for a closer look.

A Good Friend

2009-08-31T11:50:00.004-04:00

This is a good friend: A while back I heard from a guy who was looking for a unique wedding gift for his buddy. Several members of the wedding party were going in together to get something, and he was wondering if I would do an album for the couple. I thought the idea was wonderful, of course, but a little tricky logistically. First, the groomsman had to find out if the couple was already getting an album in their photography package, then he had to make sure they were getting a CD of images. Finally, he had to figure out how to get a copy of the images to me without raising too many questions. Amazingly enough, he pulled it off! He surprised the couple this weekend with their finished album. Here's what he had to say:

"Hey Katie! So I finally gave the book to Ryan and Andrea! They, like me, thought it was just amazing. They were so impressed, and very touched by it. You really have a gift for capturing the moment and laying it out for all to see for years to come. Thank you again for all of your work on this."

I'm so glad I got to be a part of this special gift. So fun! Let me know if you are interested in giving an album to one of your friends. I am always up for a sneaky scheme :)

Walter: Lost and Found

2009-08-27T14:40:00.011-04:00

What a tramatic week we've had...

Sunday night we had some really great friends over for dinner. As people were saying goodbye, Walter slipped out a door, ran for the road, and was hit by a pick-up truck. I didn't see it, but was told he was hit really hard - the truck was going at least 30 mph, and he was dragged 20 feet. His leg was pinned under the car, but as soon as it backed up, he bolted. I've read since that many dogs instinctively react that way- maybe to escape something that might hurt them again. That night, we spent hours and hours walking/driving around calling out his name. We did it again in the morning, and that next night. I put up flyers and Brent called every shelter/vet nearby. I really thought it was a lost cause. I was torn between grieving for our little guy, and worrying sick that he might still be out there in pain and scared. The night Walter ran away, we put his bed on our porch, hoping the smell would bring him back. Tuesday morning, Brent and I heard a sound out front. I went downstairs, and there was Walter, just laying on his bed! It was truly a miracle. We took him to the vet right away, expecting the worst. His back leg was swollen to twice its size and and the whole things was one big open wound. But amazingly enough, there were no broken bones. His leg is completely torn up, so it will need daily bandages for about a month. But we feel blessed - it could have been so much worse. We are so thankful God heard our prayers and brought him home in one piece!

The First Forty Years

2009-08-20T21:32:00.003-04:00

I'm starting a new project that I am wildly excited about. A few months ago, I did a wedding album for an awesome bride in New Orleans. Her parents were so impressed with the book that they asked me to do an album to commemorate their 40th anniversary. I got all the scanned pictures this week. As I flipped through them, I was struck with just how special this project is. In my job, I see a lot of wedding pictures. There's nothing like it - the new love, excitement, promise. But this is different; this is enduring and forever. With these images, I'm watching an entire story unfold as this beautiful couple evolves and remains in love through the years. I'm touched to the core with this one. I just had to share their album's first page:

Congratulations, Edwin and Barbara on forty years of wedded bliss. May you have many, many more!

Camping with Walter

2009-08-12T08:27:00.009-04:00

We had a great time camping with my family last weekend. Walter loved being outside and surrounded by people. He especially loved sleeping in the tent with us. He curled up between Brent's legs and stayed there the whole night. Such a good dog (except for the time he escaped and ran into our neighbor's site...they weren't very happy about that...)

Here's my nephew Jack just waking up Saturday morning. He was so cute in his little giraffe chair!

One of the best parts of the weekend was the water balloon fight. I think Brent made the biggest one!

It was an incredibly hot weekend, so we tried to lay low during the day. But we did take time to visit a few stops on the World's Longest Yardsale. This yard sale follows Route 127 and goes from West Unity, Ohio to Gadsden, Alabama. Brent and I have gone the last three years, and we didn't want to miss it!

When we got home on Sunday, Walter was exhausted. He slept the entire day (and most of Monday). It was a great trip!

Layout of the Week

2009-08-07T10:51:00.004-04:00

This week has gone by so fast for me that I almost forgot to post my Friday layout of the week! This layout is for Dede Edwards, one of my favorite photographers. First, I just love the shot of the wedding dress with the two pink dresses on either side. The colors in these images are just amazing, so I decided to play that up with pops of pink on either side. The background for the spread is a very muted black and white close up of the flowers. Fun and girly, just the way I like it :)

photography by Dede Edwards

I hope you all have a great weekend! We are going camping with the family - and Walter is coming too! I can't wait!

It Runs in the Family

2009-08-04T08:15:00.006-04:00

When Brent and I got married in December of 2006, I searched high and low for the perfect photographer. But after seeing the album prices, I decided to just get the CD of images and figure out something myself. Designing my own album was a blast! I started dreaming of someday doing this for other brides and photographers. It took months of planning, marketing, figuring out suppliers and prices. Finally, in October of 2007, KruBooks was launched. I can't believe it's been almost 2 years! It's been an amazing journey, and I am so thankful to be living my dream.

As it turns out though, I wasn't the only one in my family who had the creative entreprenaur gene! In February 2009, my sister Sarah started her own online stationary shop called Jack and Izzy.

Her etsy shop features a great variety of products - personalized stationary, stickers, prints, invitations, birth announcements. One of her most popular items are these adorable bookplates. Aren't they so sweet?

Sarah's business has exploded in the first 6 months, and I am so proud of her. Her ideas are all incredibly creative, but what's even more wonderful is how her attention to detail ensures that each product is impectably produced and packaged. Check out these party packs! If you want to throw a perfectly cordinated shower or birthday party, this is the way to do it!

For more information on Sarah and her shop, you can check out the Jack and Izzy blog. Visit often for great home/entertaining inspiration, gift ideas, and other fabulous etsy artists.

Layout of the Week

2009-07-31T10:45:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday, everyone! It's a beautiful sunny day in Cincinnati, which makes me very happy indeed :)

The photography on this week's layout is brought to you by Neysa Ruhl. I just love her style. The full bleed on all four sides of this spread is the perfect way to showcase these amazing getting ready images. I especially love the ruby red shoes and how nicely they matched the bride's sweatshirt. That's magic.

photography by Neysa Ruhl

Have a wonderful weekend!

Birth Announcements

2009-07-30T08:43:00.007-04:00

It's no secret that I have a passion for album design. But here is something you may not know - I also love love LOVE to design cards. Invitations, birth announcements, Christmas cards, you name it. I recently designed these birth announcement postcards for a friend's sister:

BACK:

Isn't Grant adorable?! Designing this card was so much fun! I plan to write another post later featuring some other cards. Consider this a sneak preview :) If you would like more information on my card pricing, shoot me an email - krubooks@hotmail.com.

Sigh

2009-07-24T16:45:00.005-04:00

Two posts in one day! And you thought I didn't care :) I was just working on an album for Brooke Schwab, and came across this sweet shot:

photography by Brooke Schwab

Doesn't that just melt your heart? Sigh...how can you NOT be a romantic when you have this job?? You can see more pictures from this wedding here.

Layout of the Week and "Playing Dead"

2009-07-24T11:10:00.006-04:00

Yikes, I haven't posted since last Friday's layout of the week. Sorry about that! This week's layout is actually a cover design for a coffee table style album. Sometimes these are my favorite part of the book. Aren't these pretty colors?

photography by Dede Edwards

And as a special treat, and an apology for not posting in a week, here is a video of the new trick Brent taught Walter. He's pretty cute :)