Creative (and cheap) Graduation Materials

Back when I was a senior in high school, my parents spent an unreasonable amount from the school company to purchase name cards, announcements, senior pictures, and invitations. I know back 20 years ago, we were all stuck in the same spot. Graphic design was a new thing and not very many people  knew how to do it or we didn't have the resources readily available to us to do it on a much cheaper scale.

This year I have a senior in high school. Being the frugal mom that I am, I have been trying to find frugal ways to get my daughter's graduation invitations. Considering that her high school graduation comes only once, I want to make sure that her invitations are creative and yet something that won't break my bank account.

So to cut back on the costs I have taken her senior pictures myself. Sure we'll make sure that we get a nice photo done in a full blown size. I have taken advantage of new membership give aways from photo companies so that has cut down on the printing costs. Good thing I know how to work Photoshop.

My name card from 20 years ago. It looked good in its day.

You know those 3x1.5 name cards that you puchase to insert into the graduation announcements? I can't remember how many you can get in a package, but if you look at them, all you get is your child's name on it. Really - a little card with just their name? Maybe their graduation year too? I got to thinking one day, why can't I make Sarah's? I wanted to put her picture on it, add more information to it.

Sarah's graduation Name card

After some work on it in Photoshop and then copying and pasting the same image on a Publisher document, I was able to get 15 on a 8x10 document. I saved the document as a picture file and sent the file to Meijer to get printed. For the cost of 15 name cards for $2.50, I think I got a much better deal.




Next, I had to make her graduation invitations to her ceremony and Open House. I had talked with several people from Sarah's class and the local printer in town wanted .50 cents per invitation. We decided that we would need around 150 invitations made - so that would cost $75. That was still way out of our budget. We thought of maybe printing our own from our color printer. Figuring that we would be putting more wear on our printer, plus considering the cost of ink - this was out of our realm as well.

I had checked out WalMart's prices in order to use their services. They would have provided the envelopes with either size I wanted. Still, with what they were charging, I would have spent a huge amount of money to get this printed. Another strike.

I created some mock ups of her invitations: 4x6 and 5x7. The Princess liked the smaller size. So with that in mind, we were able to fit 3 invitations on a 8.5x11 document. We checked out what the cost would be  to get them colored copy. This was the much better deal. Compared to what will happen to the invitations once the whole event is done, why spend so much money on this? As you can see in the side picture, there are two lines. With my exacto knife, I cut the lines and inserted her name card in it. Very home made, very simple and very chic.

Some people may not want to do all that I did...it may be worth the extra money to just let your school company do all of this for you and not have the worry (other than the stress of the cost). But if you are a penny pincher like I am, the stress level is worth it and you have something that you can look at later and be proud of it.

Finished project once done.

Love,

What to do with all those old magazines

 If you are like me, you collect magazines and after a very short while, you start to get a pile that looks like this...

After awhile, my husband was starting to get a little upset with me with my never ending growing pile of magazines. I'm such a pack rat, I have a hard time throwing anything away. Most times when I go through a magazine, I love looking at the pictures, short stories, recipes, helpful tricks and ideas. I came up with this idea. What you'll need:

* At least 2 photo albums
* fancy cutting scissors (I used scrapbooking scissors)
* And of course, your growing pile of magazines

Inspiration for a July 4th party.

Scalloped edges make this flat image look 3D

I started going through my old magazines, used my scissors and started clipping out all those ideas from the magazines. Then I started adhering them into the photo albums. I have at least 2 photo albums. I use one for the recipes and the other for ideas for around the house, pretty/cute pictures that inspire me or tricks to remember on how to get something done, or other ideas. I have found once I did this, I cut down a lot on my magazine piles and makes for a very nice husband.

I still have quite a pile of magazines to go through, but with this idea, I can take the best or my favorites from 40 magazines and put them all together into one.

Have fun and happy clipping!

Love,

A Wimpy Beginning

The WIMP Project started when I was in college while studying for my undergraduate degree in Visual Communications. In one of my classes, we were to post something early in the week and let others critique our work so that we could improve it before turning in for a grade. The instructor called it "Works in Progress." Understanding that we are all a work in progress - generally speaking - that we have not arrived, nor will we ever arrive to perfection - but always striving for it.

So one day I got to thinking about that phrase "Work in Progress" and thought of something that I could add to it. Being a Christian, I wanted the twist to be geared more towards Christ and not so much ourselves. I've always enjoyed the thought of making something that is socially negative and turning it into something positive. That's what Christ does for us everyday. I thought of the word WIMP. Socially being a "wimp" is something that nobody wants to be or even crosses their mind of becoming. Not quite remembering how I got there, but somehow I arrived with the word "Marvel." If you look up the word Marvel it means "act of God." Once I found this, I knew this was the word I was looking for. I then wanted to look for a Bible verse that stressed this idea of God creating us for His design. In Ephesians it states "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." 2:10.
Perfect. So now WIMP stands for Work In Marvel Progress. So now it's cool to be a WIMP. Spread the word.

Now, this blog is for those who are a work in marvel progress. Continuing for those who are wanting to improve themselves - always striving for the aim set before us - Christ Jesus. We are all a work in progress - a work in marvel progress.

The main purpose of this blog is to post ideas to improve your technological skills - posting links that I like or have tested tried and true to me. Also any small glitches that may help you with your own computer problems will also be posted here. Stay tuned and always aim for the highest Work in our lives. Jesus.

Love,

PS - If you feel the need to post any ideas, suggestions, complaints, etc. please feel free to do that as well.