The Art of Alt Business Cards

DIYconfetti-businesscards

I went to my second Alt Summit in March to represent J. Sorelle. What an incredible experience! I am so grateful to Alt for the opportunity to attend such a phenomenal conference, and meet inspirational women. Plus, the location, Palm Springs, has been on my wish list for quite some time now. It lived up to all my expectations!

You see (or you already know) that I have a fear of flying. I’ve never loved it, but I had a bad flight that really did a number on me, and then I had kids. We all know the worry and crazy (and really amazing things) that comes out when we have kids. I’m afraid of flying, and I’m really, really afraid of flying without my family with me. I had a ticket to Alt in my online shopping cart two years ago, and made excuses not to go. Last year I had an actual ticket, and just couldn’t do it. It was an investment I wasn’t ready to pay for. And, that irrational fear crept up, and I was afraid to fly there.

This year, I made it happen. A large part of it is because I have the most amazing husband that was willing to go on a road trip with the kids and me to Palm Springs. He always encourages me to do the things I want to do, but am afraid to do. He’s just the best. So, I was able to “work” and play in Palm Springs. Plus it was our first road trip (more to come on that), so it was overall a fantastic adventure to Alt Summit 2019.

Back to Alt, and the point of this post – business cards. The tiny, and maybe not so tiny, cards are the first impression we leave with people, other than our brief (if any) personal interaction. At conferences, I get to meet so many people, and it’s nice to go through my purse at night and remember people, plus it gives me an opportunity to check out their work. At Alt, some of the most creative people in the country bring their business card A-game. So, it’s important to bring a business card that will grab the attention of fellow bloggers and business owners, and help you stand out.

amazing business cards at Alt Summit

This year some of my favorites were:

  • Seeking Alexi and her fun construction pencil
  • Laura Plouzek and her Palm Springs mini pennant from her line XOELLE
  • Greeting cards from the amazingly talented Lisa Bardot with her own artwork on the front
  • Dapper Animal wooden pins (these ladies had the cutest purses)
  • Notebooks I used throughout the conference with fantastic quotes on the front by Salt & Honey
  • A business card with a cute photo and pops of confetti (which very much matches her aesthetic) by the lovely Haeley of Design Improvised 
  • Alison Winterroth‘s biz card, where the beautiful photography speaks for itself
  • Clean and simple, black and white cards by Callie Christensen (the one and only Callie from Slumberkins)
  • Our confetti business cards (tutorial below)
  • The colorful and modern design on Jessica’s biz cards caught my eye, plus we had a great lunch together, so I definitely kept her card.
  • Colorful tattoos from Art 2 The Extreme, the creator of the original rainbow crayon.
  • LaCroix was a sponsor, and their product is so good, they didn’t even need a card, but I just couldn’t help but include their amazing LaCroix straw in there.

amazing business cards at Alt Summit

The must-haves for every card is the name of the business, social media handles, your name and contact information (how to reach you via email and/or phone number), and a word or brief description that tells someone what you do (i.e. graphic designer, photographer, blogger, etc).

The first time I brought business cards to Alt, they were mini file folders with out contact information inside. This time, our business card was inside a confetti party. Plus, we gave an added bonus gift to attendees we met – DIY lip balm. We homemade it with organic ingredients and essential oils. Since we from the high altitude of Colorado, and I was on an emotional “high” at Alt, the packaging was all about High Altitude Vibes. If you were at Alt and want one, we have some leftover and would love to send one your way. Visit us on Instagram and direct message us.

Here’s how we made the cards.

amazing business cards at Alt Summit

 Materials:

  • Business card (Jenna made ours)
  • Protection sleeves for paper
  • Fuse tool
  • Confetti, or glitter shapes (not fine, thin glitter), Target and Michaels

How To:

We do have a close up look at how we made these cards on our Instagram stories. If your more of a visual person, check it out.

Step 1: Once you have a business card, get the other materials ready, and get ready to add some sparkle to your cards. We used the same tool and sheet protectors for our DIY confetti bookmarks, which also has good photos to follow along on how to use the Fuse tool.

IMG_4696

Step 2: Set the business card inside the protective sleeve. There will not be sections like the photo above – this photo is just to show you the tool and the sleeve. You can add about 4 or 5 cards in there at a time once you get into the groove. Set the metal ruler on one side of the card, directly next to the paper (but not on top of the paper), and begin to burn along the edge. Continue until you get to the end of the card, and repeat on another side until you meet the end of the 1st fused side.

Step 3: You should have two sides sealed. Now, garb a pinch or two of glitter, and add it to the card. Next, seal the other two sides.

Now, shake and watch that glitter move. Get ready to make a cute and sparkly impression when you exchange cards.

amazing business cards at Alt Summit

 

amazing business cards at Alt Summit

summer garden party essentials

Where is the summer going? Although the booties at Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale were so pretty and my feet were drawn to them, I held onto my flip-flops tight. I can’t even think about a colder season right now – we are loving summer too much.

Before the summer is over, we really need to embrace all the bright colors, smells, outside play and parties and bare feet. So, we challenge you to either…

1. Complete numbers 1-10 on our Fun in Summer Essentials list below, inspired by photos from the fantastic Alt Summit garden party.
or
2. If there’s a fab hostess inside of you, throw a summer garden party like Alt Summit did {see photos below for inspiration}.

Alt Summit knows how to throw a fabulous party, so there is no greater inspiration for you. I was fortunate enough to witness it first hand this year. Not only was every detail well thought-out and executed beautifully, but their parties were really fun!

BIG THANKS to Justin Hackworth and Brooke Dennis for Alt Summit photos

alt summit_garden party inspiration

alt summit_garden party

alt summit_garden party

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alt summit_garden party

alt summit_garden party

alt summit_garden party

alt summit_garden party

alt summit_garden party inspiration

alt summit_garden party

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Justin Hackworth and Brooke Dennis for Alt Summit photos

Alt Summit Video

I attended Altitude Summit in June. I. LOVED. IT.

As expected the business cards were beautiful and so creative. There were pretty parties and great attention to detail. The ‘high school girl syndrome’ of feeling like you have no friends and are totally awkward was re-lived all over again…only this time, there were no mean girls…just nice ones. Fashion was fabulous. Talent was out of this world. And, I learned A TON.

I am so grateful for my experience at Alt and really hope I make it back every year, and take both sisters with me.

Among the many, many things I learned, here’s 10 things I took from the Alt Summit {then be sure to watch the video at the end}…
1. Martha Stewart is not a b****, but rather like a beech tree
2. We need to hashtag everything.
3. I want the energy and positivity that radiates from Rachel of Handmade Charlotte {she is really talented too, so check out her site here}. And, fashion advice from pinfluencer Alexandra Evjen would be greatly beneficial too.
4. A lightbox will rock our instagram world {thanks @zelmarose and @sarahderagon} and help with my composition, consistency and color.
5. We need to find more creative ways to date our hubbies {thanks Camille at Fridays We’re In Love}.
6. Joy Cho of Oh Joy is just adorable and a fantastic business woman, and we can “create something from nothing.”
7. We want to work with Bing, The Honest Company , Silhouette and Wayfair on a regular basis.
8. Dream Big. Be Brave.
9. It’s time to collaborate y’all. We’re brainstorming ideas now Freshly Picked, Freckles in April, Shoes Off Please, Spitfire Girl, McCall of the Wild, Agnes & Dora, One Charming Party, LuLu the Baker, Yellow Bungalow Shop, Hillary Butler, Annie Reeves, One Little Minute Blog, The Alison Show, White Plum, Design Improvised, Pepper Design Blog, fellow Colorado gal Courtney Khail, Thrifty Littles, Happy Confetti, Planning Pretty, Petit Lemon, Leland Gal, and The Banner Shoppe…and all those who we didn’t get a chance to meet, but really wanted to {please, please introduce yourself}.
10. My dream job doesn’t exist, I must create it. Thanks Melissa at Best Friends for Frosting {so glad I met you during checkout with my kiddos running around}.

As we gathered together to talk about our special experience at Alt, we had our friend and wonderful photographer Meredith of Meredith Moran Photography bring her camera and handmade marquee letters {so so cute…you can buy them here} to capture it all on film…and say ‘thank you’ to everyone on the amazing Alt team.

Please take 1.5 minutes to watch our video. Enjoy!

click here if the video above does not load

thanks to my hubby and his dad, the fantastic builders, who let us use their new, gorgeous home for our backdrop.
Video by Meredith Moran Photography
Photography by Meredith Moran Photography

Search For Your Awesome with Bing and The Alison Show

I was lucky enough to be a part of ‘Search For Your Awesome’ with bing and The Alison Show twice in one week – once at Alt Summit and then again on their ‘Search for Your Awesome’ tour in Denver! We believe in what bing and The Alison Show are doing. We are all awesome and its hard to remind ourselves of how awesome we are with our busy lives, and our sometimes noisy and loud worst critic {ourselves}, so we applaud the fun and generous team for touring the country and getting the creative community together to inspire and create…and just be awesome!

Last week was such a whirlwind and I feel like I’ve been living in a lovely dream. You see, I’ve been dreaming of attending Alt Summit for years now, and was lucky enough to score a ticket this year. As I sat at each roundtable and expert presentation, or enjoyed the new company of crazy-talented bloggers, bakers, creators and brands at fabulous parties, I took many moments to really take it all in and feel grateful. It was the opportunity of a lifetime {that I hope to make an annual thing}. I still haven’t quite digested everything yet, or visited new friends sites, so once I do, I will share it all with you.

Upon my return from Alt, I was invited to craft and celebrate awesomeness with bing and The Alison Show in Denver at a gorgeous new venue, Blanc. We enjoyed delicious food from Los Molinos, styling by the amazingly talented and sweet Melanie at You Are My Fave and then craft time {my happy place} with Rachel from Smile and Wave.

We’re sharing some of the ‘Search for Your Awesome’ party with you today, and hopefully you can find small ways to celebrate ‘your awesome’ daily. If you need a little help, Alison is the girl you need to check out here and here. She’s as fun and happy as she appears to be online. I just loved her.

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show

 blanc denver and search for your awesome tour

bing and the alison show search for your awesome

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show

coral place setting at search for your awesome

search for your awesome by bing and the alison show at blanc

balloon decoration at search for your awesome

search for your awesome at blanc denver

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show in denver

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show in denver

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show in denver

diy decor by you are my fave

search for your awesome by bing and the alison show

search for your awesome bing bar

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show in denver

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show

search for your awesome with bing and the alison show

VENDOR LOVE
Venue: Blanc Denver
Styling: Melanie at You Are My Fave
Hosted and Sponsored by: bing and The Alison Show
Popsicle: Aiko Pops
Ice Cream: Ems Ice Cream
Fiber Art Weaving: Rachel Denbow at Smile and Wave
Food Truck: Los Molinos

{images via j. sorelle}

Breastfeeding Support and Humor for New Moms

pregnancy photo shoot

It’s May, so we are still celebrating mothers everywhere! We hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day. My 5 year old ran into my room at 6 a.m. to be the first to wish me Happy Mother’s Day, and on this day, it was a beautiful wake up call.

For all you mothers out there, you know motherhood is the most rewarding and exhausting job in the world. You know what a miracle each and every child is. You know the worries and prayers that we pray hourly for our children. You know that no matter what you do, they will continue to grow up. You know that if you have boys, your most likely going to get peed on. And, you know that breastfeeding is amazing and a ‘whole new world’ in and of itself.

For all of you who are about to become a mother, you’ll see…

or you can read an honest opinion of it here…

breastfeeding
written and produced by Jessica, Jenna and Jodi…the sisters of j. sorelle.

9 months of nourishing and painful hours of pushing,
but wait the sacrifices to your body have just begun…now its time to breastfeed your little one.

it’s another miracle of what our female bodies is capable of,
in addition to nurturing, strength and unconditional love!

though it can be beautiful and amazing, there are some things we must say,
there’s some joys and pains to it at the end of the day.

you will walk around the house topless and full of milk,
and not like the steamy nights of your honeymoon draped in silk.

when you pump, the thought of a cow may pop into your mind,
just stop yourself…remember…be kind.

nursing pads are a necessity if you are a leaker
yes, there are times, you may feel like the neighbors sprinkler.

in the next months/year or so your boobs will be free,
but expect that they may sag down to your knee.

i never knew something that caused me much pleasure would one day cause me pain,
but, as a mom, there is simply to time to be vain.

 if it’s too hard to do, don’t feel guilty about stopping one bit,
in fact, a happier you is a much better fit.

please remember to give yourself a break,
because as a mom you will give more than you take.

try to stick with it for several months – they say the lucky number is 3,
just remember, your milk is not only healthy, but it’s FREE

i promise the toe curling pain will soon begin to fade,
and hopefully it will be the best decision you’ve made.

it’s bonding time only you and your baby can share,
and time alone with your baby on your lap soon will be rare.

we do it all because having a child means to love like no other.
for your about to experience the pure joy of being a mother.

 #Alt Summit believes every mother counts

{image via Meredith Moran Photography}