A Fresh Start

Each new year brings a fresh start. New beginnings. New insights as we reflect on where we've been and set goals for where we would like to go. Yes, its impossible to wipe the slate clean...to start with a blank canvas. What is possible though is the resolve to keep our eyes on the horizon and keep moving forward.

Get where I am going with all of this? My 2008 blogging attempt started out great, but the follow-through left much to be desired! So....here is to new beginnings.....and I hope that you will join me for the adventure ahead!

Two-thousand and eight was a wonderful year at AJK Papery!! It was a year of working with so many wonderful couples and expecting or proud new parents that I am now so honored to know as friends. It was a year of paving new paths and stretching my creativity. It was a year of much learning through the various bumps along on the way. Most of all, it was a year of so many blessings as I have been so fortunate to be able to do something that I truly love everyday! I am so honored to have been a part of so many "most memorable moments" and being a part of making other's dreams come true. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair to call it "work"!

Some of my favorite highlights from the year were:

** Enjoying my studio space as a cozy and calming place for consultations as well as just a joy of a space to work in everyday.

** Being invited by Mr. Micheal Nolte of Nolte's Bridal to participate in his annual WHITE event....the premier bridal event in Kansas City. What's even better....we will be back again this year! More information to come...

** The amazing addition of Lucy McGilley and Jessica Brown to our AJK team! Few words can describe what it meant to have their help, energy and support throughout the year!

** So many amazing new friendships with several of Kansas City's most wonderful wedding coordinators....Cindy Patrick, Holly Davidson and Kindra Browne with Simple Elegence (www.iplanyourwedding.com), Diane Boone with Arcadian Events (www.arcadianevents.com), Jenny Steffens with Occasions Entertaining and The Bliss List (www.occasionskc.com and www.blisslistkc.com), Jayme Dean with Event Studio (www.event-studio.com) and the aforementioned Michael Nolte with Nolte's Bridal (www.noltesbridal.com)! AJK Papery would not be where it is today without their amazing support and friendship!!

** Being invited to be a part of two of the best wedding blogs on the web today...Style Me Pretty and The Bliss List! More to come....

And now it is time to usher in the last single-digit year of the 21st century. To build and grow upon the foundation that has gotten us this far. To forge new paths. To take new risks. To enjoy new adventures. And I can tell you this...with the way the first-half of the year is already taking shape, it is bound to be an exciting ride!

What a wonderful world!

Since the idea behind having a blog is to give a little insight into the world of AJK Papery, I thought there is no better way to do so than to introduce you to my home-away-from-home....my studio! As this little business has grown, I have often wrestled with the idea of having my own retail space. When it came down to it though, one of the primary focuses of my work is that it be personal and how best to do that than to welcome my clients into a welcoming, comfortable and personal space. I have witnessed brides and their moms sitting at a tiny table trying to sift through huge invitation books....it looks uncomfortable and tedious and certainly not like much fun at all. At AJK, I want you to feel like you can relax...like you can dream....like you can have fun planning your wedding invitations. Planning your wedding ultimately is supposed to be fun afterall....I cannot remind couples of that enough!

What's even better....even my cozy little neighborhood of Old Leawood is a welcoming and comforting place to come visit! Located right between 83rd Street and 95th Street and Mission Road and State Line Road, the area is rich in character....something I just love. With tree-covered streets and big yards, you can't help but take a deep breath and take it all in!

So, welcome to the wonderful world of AJK Papery! Working in a residential studio has so many advantages...and I hope that you will come get to know me and see how fun and relaxing designing your very unique and personalized invitations can be!

Its finally time....

Yes, its time! Its time to join-in the world of blogging! Quite honestly, it wasn't until I finally got a facebook page that I started to understand what the blogging hype is all about! I have had such fun updating my fb page and reading what my friends are up to...and then it finally hit me that my current and potential clients would enjoy knowing what's going on in this crazy place known as AJK Papery in just the same way! So, here I am...

There is so much going on day-to-day at AJK Papery, and I hope through this blog you can enjoy the ride along with me! I also hope for you to get to know Lucy and Jessica, the wonderful individuals that work with me...keeping me organized and always thinking ahead....making sure every piece that goes out the door is assembled with great care and love...and most importantly making it a whole lot more fun around here ;) Whether it be reading the "behind the scenes" details about your design or just getting to know what the crazy world of AJK is all about, I truly hope you will look forward to keeping-up with me and the exciting journey of each new day!