Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Summer of Lavished Lingerie!!









Obviously way overdue.. But the summer of 2008 was fun for numerous reasons. A big one.. Lavish Boutique! Thanks to my friend, Cristina of CCH Marketing. I met Jennifer of Lavish Boutique located in HANNIBAL SQUARE of Winter Park. She asked me to help her and Cristina further develop the Lavish brand! We needed photography, collateral, events (which of course Cristina had covered!)

Over the course of the summer The 2u Collection designed and developed the Brand for a Direct Mail Postcard, A Lingerie Rack Card, A Lingerie Party Invite, Business Cards, A Gift Card Holder, Eblasts, and much more. (some printed pieces pictured above) Jennifer and have I built such a relationship that we have not only became friends, but we have participated in several events together and my Paper Couture Stationery line even sells in her Boutique!



Advertising Collateral just isn't as effective without GREAT photography-- and of course my photography go to gal? Abby Liga of Liga Photography. We scheduled a photoshoot which I got to art direct. (but see below all of the genius goes to Abby!) Here are some behind the scenes and a few of the amazing results Abby got that day! All the collateral I discuss in this blog just wouldn't be as good without Abby's photography contribution. She's not just a Wedding Photographer you know.. Pretty genius on many levels that girl! (oh and did I mention Abby shot all of the collateral photography also!





All of the ladies I have mentioned in this blog are great friends and savvy business women. I am proud to be lucky enough to be involved in various projects with them all!


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Look What We Accomplished!


If you are a follower of this blog you know I'm a huge fan of Liga Photography. Abby is not only my friend, but an incredible photographer! She has photographed my husband and I, we have shared
brides on a few occasions, and have spent the last year working together on various collaborative efforts!

I must say, what I am most proud of is how far we have come as individuals, growing our businesses, and the collaborative partnership we have built. And lucky for me the feeling is mutual, because she has trusted me with the look, feel and design of her business! In 2008 we decided we would work together-- she would photograph all of my invitations and product and I would start developing the brand of Liga Photography! Trust me when I tell you we had no idea we would accomplish so much together in 2008. We had a party together, Photographed my Catalog of Work, Designed and Created her Brand and Collateral, ... and so much more!

I wanted to share with you some of the amazing collateral piece The 2u Collection created for Abby this year. The picture at the top is an overview of all the work (shot of course by Abby herself).


Presentation Kit (pictured above, detail shots below)-24 page booklet containing information about Liga and some of her Amazing Photography. Printed on Classic White Linen Paper- embellished with a salmon pink belly band with gold foil accents and bound with gold elastic ribbon.


Bridal Gift (pictured above, detail shots below) -10 Blank Notecards with Matching Pink Metallic Envelopes. This tin was created as a gift for abby's brides. The notecards are a combination of white and espresso brown furniture finish paper, with die punch where abby's black and white photography shines through. White Eyelets and Ribbon embellish each card. With quotes from some of abby's favorite photographers. There are 4 unique designs in each tin, 4 different photographer quotes, and 4 distinct Liga Images!


Vendor Thank You Card (pictured above) -Thank you note Abby sends to fellow vendors she does work with in the industry! A faded back Black and White Liga Image printed on Photo Paper, Attached to Espresso Brown Furniture Finish Paper, finished with a pink metallic belly band- with a gratitute quote on it. She slides the belly band down, writes a quick note.. In the envelope and off it goes!



Business Card & Anniversary Card (pictured above) -The anniversary card is interesting. I designed it to follow the brand, and left a space on the front, so she can affix an image of the bride and groom from their wedding, and send it a year later as a Happy Anniversary Treat!

Other things pictured in the group shot above are: Gift Card Holder & Holiday Card. I hope you enjoy it all. And Abby, Thanks for letting me do so much work for you. It's been fun and challenging.


Tuesday, January 20, 2009

In the Garden.. Robyn & Andrew will Wed!


So this one is close to my heart! I am not only excited about this invitation because the project has been fun and Fabulous, but the Bride and Groom are close to my heart! Robyn Thomas and Andrew Dixon have been great friends of my husband and I for the last 4 or 5 years. In fact, I was the one who said all along they would end up together, and with my husband's persuasive game of Elimidate.. The rest is history..

This project has been fun and I'm so proud of it for several reasons! I get to work with one of my closest friends, she pretty much let my imagination go wild, and it challenged me in more ways than one. And of course I'm getting to work with the amazing Lisa Konecny of E-events.. What more could I ask for! (and special thanks to Abby Liga of Liga Photography for once again making my work look amazing! Heather, I haven't forgotten you either, without you these crazy ideas of mine would be dead in the water!)

The Wedding will take place on February 28th, so I have to keep alot of things we are doing secret until after the wedding, but I can share with you the invitations and save the dates!

They are having a small affair of about 75 people to their home to get married in their English Garden! So the invitations needed to reflect both Robyn's style and Andrew's English heritage. So off I went, with pretty much no other guidelines than that.. Robyn, for that I thank you.. A designers dream..
FREE REIGN.


So off I went, with Classic White Linen Paper, English Rose Accent Paper, And Pastel Green Linen Envelopes.. So far so good.. Then I found this amazing ribbon, sheer, with leaves and flowers imprinted on it in this perfect earthly green color.. And let's not forget the Antiqued Brass Rose Button, that I used as an embellishment! It's all coming together now.. So after I spent some time with.. It all became clear, and Photographed below is the result.. We've had great feedback and both Robyn and Andrew loved both the Save the Dates, and Invitations!





Again, this is just a teaser, there are a few other innovative things I've tried for this wedding that I've never done before, and the result.. I must say I'm proud of myself for pulling it off. But MUMMS the word.. I can keep a secret, be sure March 1st I will blog first thing, with images and details from the reception and post wedding collaterall!




Monday, January 19, 2009

TOO SWEET!

Wanted to let all of you know The 2u Collection will be showcasing our Limited Edition Stationery, Paper Couture by 2u Creations at the event below! Hope to see you there! If you would like to be on evite list, please email me amy@2ucollection.com!

Lavish Boutique presents the 1st Annual TOO SWEET! Trunk Show.

Come find great Valentine's Gifts for yourself or your SWEETIE! Lavish Boutique is hosting it's 1st Annual TOO SWEET! Trunk Show. Featuring such designers as Cleanse Bath & Body, Kelly Shannon Floral, Paper Couture by 2u Creations and much much more!

For all you guys out there BEER AND SNACKS will be served! What's better than getting to taste great beers, while doing your Valentine's Day Shopping! You can also order flowers at the to be delivered on Valentine's Day!

Ladies, we haven't left you out either! Lavish Boutique features some of the Hottest Lingerie that will spice up any Valentine's Day! Plus ladies, starting Feb 1, you can stop by Lavish and create a Wish List of your Favorite Items that we will email to your Sweetie!

Monday, January 12, 2009

HAPPY 09!

HAPPY 2009!

After a whirlwind Holiday Season, I'm finally sitting down to get you all caught up. So First off I want to thank all of you who were supportive of The 2u Collection in 2008.. It was an exciting year of growth and learning. Not only did I get to meet some of the best people as both clients and friends, but the 2u portfolio of Custom Design and Paper Products grew and is now a more rounded comprehensive collection!

There are lots of exciting things coming up in 2009, and I hope you all continue to follow and support us as we take some of these ventures on..Here are a few teasers for what we have coming up this year!

This year we are so pleased to announce that Heather Campbell who has been with us as an intern for all of 08' will join us at 2u as staff member. She is amazing and has been invaluable to me in the past year as the work came. Not only is she a talented designer but a busy little production elf when the deadlines approach.

Also, coming up in February we will be participating in a Valentine's Day Trunk Show at Lavish Boutique. Be sure to come and check it out, there will be great gifts for your sweetie, husband or wife. There will be another post on this soon with all the details.. If you want to be on the invitation list please email me amy@2ucollection.com.

And my last teaser I have to give you is we at 2u will be launching a new website this year.. Hopefully by end of first quarter, (but don't shoot me if it's a little later than that!) We did so many innovative and creative things in 2008, and finally had the time to further develop our Brand. We can't wait to share them with you. And think a re-vamp of our website is just the way! And of course quick props to Abby Liga of Liga Photography-- she shoots all of our product and we get so many compliments on how great our images look, we wouldn't leave her out.. The new website photography will of course be done by Abby.

Here's to a Successful 2009 for us all. Stay tuned, and be sure to check back to see what we are up to!