Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Capturing Moments in time (Captivating Photography)

I may be biased because one of my best friends is truly talented, her photography is such an inspiration to me! Sarah has such a creative artistic side, that shows through on her photography! So this post is dedicated to her!

If you are looking for someone to take wedding photos, engagement photos, capture those first moments with your new baby, or just everyday family shots she is a great choice !

Here are a few of her amazing pictures! Also check out her Blog to see the rest of her amazing work !
http://captivatingphotographybysarahwest.blogspot.com/

xxJenica




Rolling in the New Years with a Special Offer

After the hustle and bustle of the christmas season, it's time to start thinking of that upcoming wedding that you have been putting off! I am booking into the New Year and wanted to start it off with a bang ! That's why I am offering FREE envelope printing with your invitation order! Offer expires Feb 20th, 2012! So book now!

Fresh new designs, whether it be Weddings, Wedding Showers, Baby Showers, Birth Announcements or Birthday party invitations... we are your one stop shop for all your stationary needs !

Hope everyone had a great christmas

xxJenica

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

" A Night to Remeber" - Silent Auction for Lipedema

I know this has nothing to do with wedding invitations, but i wanted a place where i could share with my friends and family who all came out to my fundraiser for Lipedema!
With your generous donations I was able to raise $4372.00 to go to the Lipedema Foundation
http://www.curelipedema.org/

Here is my speech from the Silent Auction Night

Welcome everyone, and THANKYOU for coming out to support this cause. Your love and support means so much to me and it really gives a warm feeling to know that so many people care.

For those of you who may not know what  Lipedema is, I will just share with you what I know. You may even know someone with the same body description and the same complaints about pain and therefore this night will all have been worth it if you can make somone else aware of this condition.  It's a very misdiagnosed condition in Canada and the United States, and therefore treatment is nearly impossible to get here. In General Lipedema is a painful fat disorder which affects the andipose tissue of the skin and it occures exclusively in women. Swelling often extends from the waist down, almost in a distinct line towards the ankles.

Some of you may look at me and think " there is no way that she could have a fat disorder" but you would be amazed what pants can hide when you are in Stage 1 of the disease like I am. Some of you may have noticed that I don't wear skirts, dresses, bathing suits etc. as I am very self concience of my lower body image.

If Lipedema is untreated it can cause a multiple number of health problems leading to mobility issues. I have some information printed out and if you will take the time to read it,  you will know what I am talking. The pictures on the pamphlet will tell the story. Most cases generally develop during puberty which is where MY story begins.

Having started puberty rather late in life at about the age of 18, I noticed that my legs were a bit swollen and mentioned it to my doctor and was told "you just have thick legs". At that time I didn't have any of the pain associated with Lipedema, so I tried to ignore that it was there. Because Lipedema is brought on by hormonal changes, I didn't have the next run in with it until I was pregnant with Quinn. My legs became huge and again asked the doctor about it and was told "it is just pregnancy fluid and it will go away" once you have the baby.  

A year later the swelling was still there and increasing and that's when the pain started, I remember going to the family doctor and telling him I  felt like I had the flu "you know when your body aches" but just from the waist down.  I told him my legs were very restless, resulting in me not getting a descent night's sleep. He told me at that  time to take vitamin B and that I was probably lacking it.... but he did not give me anything for the swelling. So off I went to take vitamin B.

Well that didn't seem to fix the problem, so I went to see a specialist in internal medicine and he diagnosed me with Lymphedema. You see, Lipedema is not well known to many doctors here. The specialist told me to wear compression stockings and it would go away. Well, that didn't happen. Also with Lymphedema it is not painful and there is pitting if you press the skin in, where as Lipedema is painful and non pitting.
So after that not being of much help, I looked into seeing a Lymphatic massage person who told me that I have Lipedema not lymphedema. !! So she gave me massages which helped with the pain management.

My Aunt also had Lipedema and Lymphadema hers had worsened over time as she had Lymph node cancer as well and the Chemo does not spare the Lymphatic system. She passed away a year ago and I could really relate to her as she had this same condition as I do. She had not gotten any treatments for her Lipedema and she always said she wished more could have been done.
I will be travelling to Germany in May to get a tumescent  liposuction procedure done which is performed on  Lipedema patients there. It consists of taking out those fat nodules that are causing pain and swelling. Studies show that it is supposed to take away 95 percent of the pain and help a bit with the visual effects. It can arrest the sysmptom from going to stage two and three for up to 10 years. Altough Lipedema is Chronic, and there is no cure for it, this seems to be the best long term treatment thus far. I will have to go to Germany three times this year as they can't do it all at one time. I am hoping for the best and that this will work for me.

There are a few people I would like to thank tonight. The first being my husband who has stood by me and supported me thoughout this process. He has helped immensely in making this auction happen. Thanks honey, you're the best!

As most of you know my mother in law Pat has come in and learned how to preform lympahtic massage and has been giving me treatments of up to 3-4 times a week now for about 1/2 year. She has been such a great support system for me ! I am so thankful to her for all she does. You are truly an amazing person.

I also want to thank Uncle Tony and Aunt Margo for genuinly being so intrested and looking up research, this support means so much to me.. to know that someone cares that much to go out of their way is something to be thankful for.

Also to Becky and Ron for bringing the PA system.... without their help you probably would not be able to hear me !!

Thank you to all the family, friends and businesses who have donated for tonights auction.  People  have come out of the wood work to help out which has made me feel so loved and grateful. And a big thank you to all of you  for coming here tonight to learn about what lipedema is, which was  the main reason I wanted to host this auction. All proceeds will be going to the Lipedema Foundation by Beau Dunn and Dr. Karen Hurst for research and to spread awareness. We hope that someday Canadian and American doctors will ALL know about Lipedema so people can be properly diagnosed.

Go to http://www.curelipedema.org/ to find out more info on Lipedema



Tuesday, 25 October 2011

"Sharing your smiles"

I was so happy when a friend's brother of mine contatced me to do their wedding invitaitons!
Ryan and Erica were my easiest couple yet ! I was also able to meet their sweet little girl! You could feel the warmth in the room the way they all interacted together!  They wanted something simple, a bit country and elegant! They loved my first sample that I produced. Here it is!

xx Jenica


Sunday, 23 October 2011

We love because it's the only true adventure

Rachelle and Marc came to me wanting a "postcard" style invitation for their destination wedding!! I was so thrilled to design up something i have yet to do!

Hope you like it !

xxJenica



Sunday, 9 October 2011

Spring Fever

This wedding invitation was a unique design that I have never done before. It is two sided with the monogram being the front side. The green and Magenta tones compliment each other, with the green making in feel earthy and the pop of magenta gives this invite a true "spring feel"!

Thank you Julie and Chris for letting me take part in your special day !!

xxJenica


Friday, 7 October 2011

You'll be my honeysuckle, I'll be your honey bee

This was small, intimate, country style event!! "The buzz" was all about this bee themed wedding, from the invitaitons to the party favour tags. The sweet honey on the tables were just the right touch for this country affair !

Thanks Janis for letting me take part in your special day! Loved designing such a unique wedding invitation and party favour tags ! You were such a "sweet" bride to work with!

xxJenica

photography for this wedding was done by: www.thismomentforever.com







Thursday, 6 October 2011

How dare we say the word "Christmas"

I know, I know, the sun has been out and the weather is great !! Just thought I would get started advertising a custom christmas card design... pairing up with Captivating photography get your photos taken for your Christmas Card.

if you're interested, message me!

thanks

xxJenica










Packing for a Move ... exciting? Well this one was!!

Lindsay and Allan's Engagement:
I was packing a few things up in my kitchen to move in with Al.  We had talked about getting married in the future but did not expect him to ask me during this crazy week of moving. I have this funny thing about having an even numbered date/month/year for my wedding date and pictured a winter wedding.  He waited until my hands were full then proceeded to ask me if I had any plans for February 18th 2012.  Thinking there was no way we could book anything less then a year in advance, he continues to tell me that he has booked my favorite place for our wedding.  It was perfect !

A winter themed wedding is always fun, as they are few and far between, so i was thrilled to take part in this special one.

xxJenica



Wednesday, 5 October 2011

A Sweet Surprise

I was so excited when I was asked to make themed birthday invitations, party favour tags and a welcome sign for a little girl named Jordans upcoming 6th birthday party. . I don't normally get asked to do birthday's so it was a SWEET surprise. Her theme is going to be a "sweet shoppe " with cupcakes, lolipops and gumballs galore!! This little girl is going to have a birthday to remember!

Thanks Laura for asking me to take part in this

xx Jenica



Thursday, 29 September 2011

Yolanda and Ree

Just finishing up the final details for Yolanda and Ree's wedding. The table numbers and signs are coming along great, her themed demask wedding is sure to be a hit!  Right from the beginning Yolanda was such a sweet bride to work with, I know she will make a beautiful bride!

xx Jenica

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Forest City Motorhomes' "Camping" Themed Open House!

This past weekend was the Annual Open House at my husband's business Forest City Motorhomes. I spent all night baking and creating a collection of delectable sweets for the kids to enjoy.  These cute cupcake toppers were a real hit, and I wanted to share them with you!  If you like what you see and are interested in ordering something like this for your next themed event (whether it's a birthday party, baby shower etc.) contact me for more info!


New Baby Shower Invitations!

Just playing around with an upcoming shower, and wanted to introduce a new line of invitations! Hope you like it!


About Me

My photo
Ilderton, ON, Canada
I started out as a kid with a passion for art...always trying to make things look "pretty". I saw my passion all through high school where I took numerous art classes, and followed it through to college where I studied graphic design. I specialize in custom designed event invitations, paying attention to detail. I have an appreciation for sophisticated, clean, simple designs. I offer everything from the newest trends to the timeless classics. I look forward to working with you. Jenica