Wednesday, October 28, 2009

WINNER! 100 holiday cards or letters from Kennalyn.com

WOW! Thank you for 263 entries to this contest! Holy moly, I wasn't expecting quite so many. They were coming out from everywhere - the blog, the website, Facebook. Super fun!!

Congratulations to Lindsay Clausse! YOU WIN!

For everyone else, check your email later today for a special holiday TREAT from me!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

GIVEAWAY 100 Custom Holiday Photo Cards or Letters




Can you believe it's almost November already!? My first thought is to freak out a little bit that the holidays are just around the corner. But one of you can cross one of the biggest seasonal "to-dos" off the list because I'm giving away 100 holiday photo cards OR letters, completely customized for YOU. The winner can choose from a design on kennalyn.com or request a custom design (SERIOUSLY.)

Your name can be placed in the drawing multiple times. Here's how to earn entries:

1. Get one entry by visiting kennalyn.com and voting for your favorite design in the comments on this post.

2. Get 2 additional entries by signing up for the Kennalyn.com PERKS email list by clicking here.

3. Get 4 additional entries if you spread the word on Facebook by posting about Kennalyn.com holiday printables. (To get credit for this one, you have to let me know you've done it by commenting here.)

4. Get 7 additional entries if you have a blog and you post the HOLY CUTE Kennalyn.com animated button in your sidebar. Get the button from my sidebar. If that button is too big, use this button instead. (To get credit for this one, you have to let me know you've done it by commenting here.)

5. Get 10 additional entries if you actually talk about kennalyn.com OR this contest on your blog.

These entries can add up fast. If you do all of the above, you'll have 24 entries into the drawing. I have approximately 3 regular blog readers, so your chances of winning are pretty great!

Check out the collection of holiday cards, letters, and gift tags at kennalyn.com - new designs are being added regularly.

Time's a ticking, you have ONE WEEK. (Tues, Oct 27th @ midnight)

Good luck!!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tell me what you think, and don't lie.

I'm pretty sure everyone who reads this blog knows I've been a graphic designer for a decade, give or take. I mainly work in the realm of corporate identity: logos, catalogs, business cards, websites, etc., but every now and again I do personal-type items like birth announcements and wedding invitations.

For the last few holiday seasons, some friends and family have asked me to design custom Christmas cards, gift tags, etc. I'm happy to do it for my favorite people for free. (They just reimburse me for the cost of printing.)

The other day I was anticipating the upcoming design frenzy I normally experience during the next couple of months, and a great idea came to me. I decided to create a handful of designs (some with specific friends and family members' personalities in mind) for my best buddies to choose from this season. That way, I could very quickly implement their customizations and possibly avoid going bonkers this year! (Friends, I love you. You could never make me bonkers.)

As I was finishing up the last design, I realized that streamlining this process made it completely scalable. I could offer the same gift I give my closest friends to everyone, and it would require no extra work on my behalf. So that's what I've decided to do...

My holiday gift to my family's family and my friends' friends (and their friends and family, too!) is to give them access to my holiday cards, letters, gift tags and stickers for FREE! All you'll need to pay for is the cold, hard cost of printing. Annnnd, I've scored us all some pretty amazing prices with my long-standing offset and digital press relationships. I can KILL VistaPrint on pricing, as well as Costco, Heritage Makers, etc. Except that I'm giddy with gleeful glee (Do you watch Glee? It's my fave new show this season) to promise you that the quality of printing I'm able to offer is incomparably higher.

So now, please do the following:

1. Go check out the handful of designs I have put up at www.kennalyn.com and let me know what you think! I'll be adding more designs periodically, and if you are looking for a Christmas card with, say, a hippopotamus on it? Just let me know, I'll do my best to make a darling one available asap.

2. Feel no obligation to order your holiday paper goods through me. Remember, I created this process first and foremost to save ME time. But if you like what you see, by all means, take advantage. And share the love! Send to anyone you think might be interested.

NOTE: You can also design your OWN business cards, magnets, sitckers, bookmarks, envelopes, letters, cards and more using my online design portal. Just upload your own design and take advantage of killer prices.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Seasons

Sometimes life just kind of kicks your butt, doesn't it? How do many of the full time working moms I know do it all? Work, be a mom, cook dinner every night, shave BOTH legs, look hot and stay caught up on laundry? I fall short on at least one of these things each week.

Or, am I just seeing what I want to see? Maybe they don't get it all done like it appears. Maybe they look at me and wonder how I keep it all together. (That's laughable. If they were only to come take a peek in my fridge. Or under my couch!)

A week or so ago, cjane posted something I haven't stopped thinking about.

"I am not right. I am not right because I am not listening to what is right. Right for me, my body, my season of life."

Like cjane, my current season is not about house decoration, rather organization and cleanliness.

My season is not about fashion, rather simple items that are easily laundered.

My season is not about cooking elegant meals, rather green smoothies, sandwiches, and plain produce.

My season is for getting through. For working at the office and leaving it all there as I drive out of the parking lot. For soaking in every second of time I get with my son (and soak it all in, I do.) A season for growing with my husband and creating our family.

Though many women can do more, I cannot ask myself to do more than the above.

Another season may call for fashion-forward wardrobes, social entertaining and silk drapery.

Until then, this is enough. I don't need any more than this to be happy.