Someone asked me recently how I keep things fresh and new in my creative business… and I responded with an initial “I don’t know.” But after thinking more about it, I responded by saying that creativity is a muscle. If you only use it every once in a while, it won’t consistently produce as effectively. However, if you make a point to exercise your creativity on a consistent basis, your capacity for growth and consistency increases exponentially… and continues to grow as you continue to challenge yourself. There are definitely days when I feel like I can be creative anymore… like it’s all been done already. It’s SOOO easy to get stuck in the rut of “what works well”, but I have to find new and “outside the box” ways to challenge myself in order to keep getting better and to be come more of who He created me to be.

I wanted to share a few “creative” projects that have been my challenge in the past 10 days….

1. My OWN Save the Date Cards. The problem with being in the wedding industry is I feel like people EXPECT greatness from me in anything regarding weddings. So when I’ve been trying to decide on colors and themes and places and flowers and photographers and invitations and caterers…. it’s been so hard to remove myself from that unnecessary pressure in order to make a decision that reflects Christopher and Me… and not what I think other people expect of Christopher and Me. So, finally, I finished the design for our Save the Dates and I feel pretty good about it. What do you think?

2. My OWN Wedding Website. I’m finally getting excited about my wedding day. I’m in the middle of putting together our wedding website… but I love it so far… and it’s been so fun being “the bride” in all this! I’ve still got a lot to go, but I’m stoked.

3. 6 Items or Less. My good friend Holly in Heels turned me on to this challenging social experiment… and I’m excited to say that I’m DOING IT! Click here to read my first blog post about it…

So all this to say, January 2011 is a time for new beginnings, and I’m fighting hard to challenge myself creatively, to find and establish who I am creatively aside from the world’s perceptions… and, hopefully, become more like who He created me to be. Happy Monday!

January was full of new and exciting things. It was the first month of the 2010, thus serving as a perfect starting place for improvements and ideas. And although January isn’t prime wedding season, it’s definitely a big wedding planning and booking month…. which is exactly what’s been keeping me busy lately. In talking with my brides for this year, I’ve noticed a common point of frustration… there’s just SO much out there, it’s hard to choose what… and where …and how …and what colors …and what music …and what venue… etc. There’s invitations to write and design, there’s venues and vendors to book, there’s dresses and tuxes to pick, and then there’s the smaller details like whether or not to include RSVP cards with return stamps… or not. And even though I’m not a bride yet, I sympathize with their frustrations and feeling overwhelmed…. there really is a LOT out there.

So this year, I’m excited to offer something that eases just a little of the frustration and overwhelmed feelings my brides have voiced. This year, I’m offering personalized wedding websites for every wedding I shoot this year! Wooohoo!!!

Wedding Websites are a great way to hit several birds with one stone….

* Save money on paper RSVP cards and postage…. and request that all your guests RSVP directly on the site.

* Have a centralized location where your guests can view directions, view wedding details, and your engagement/wedding pictures

* Direct people to a Registry page on your website where your guests can see where you’re registered, click on the link, and start online shopping right then and there

*  Create a cool and super fun way to share your love story and excitement with your family and friends

Pretty much the best idea since sliced bread, if you ask me…

Here’s a few pages from a site I just finished for Billy Jack and Alissa, whose wedding in May is going to be super fun It features their wedding colors, their story, picture galleries, their wedding, registry, and vendor details, directions, times, and addresses, a place to find them on the internet, and a place to RSVP…. basically everything they could want in one stop! Check it out…

You can view more here.