New birth is such an amazing part of life! I am always amazed, especially after having my own two little ones, how one day they don't exist, then next thing you know, they are born and you can't imagine life without them.

This was the case for my dear friend, Margaret, whose first grandson was just born. This special little guy came into this word in May, and was named after his late grandfather. I had the privilege to design his announcement card, to share the news of his arrival with the world! His proud grandmother provided the sweet photo.

"Hello World", welcome little Enrique Josiah! We are so blessed to have you! Congratulations to the Cruz family. Thank you for allowing me to share your great news!

Thanks,
Amanda

2014 Brought quite a few fun projects. From celebrating a miracle child's 1st birthday, a Senior Photo shoot, Sweet Family engagement, beautiful invitations, small company branding, an adoption profile, to most fun of all, a special announcement to the world!

Here is the countdown to my favorite 2014 projects!!

7.... Arnold Senior Photo shoot

This handsome young man had no problem posing for the camera. The Elyria High Senior and member of the wrestling enjoyed his senior photo shoot at Olmsted Falls Park on a beautiful Autumn day. The park was full of mini photo shoots, but Caleb shined. Take a look at some of his best photos! Congrats Caleb, and the class of 2015!

6.... Sweet Family Engagement

Nicole and Roland Sweet allowed me the privilege to capture their beautiful merging family this past summer. Not only did I get to work on their engagement photo session, but also got the opportunity to design their Save-the-Date and wedding invitations. On this beautiful August day, I not only captured their love for each other, but also for their new family. It was a Sweet day! <3

5... Branding fun

This year also brought me the opportunity to design some branding for two special organizations, VOIS (Your UNspoken Message) and Zion Ministries International. For VOIS, I was able to re-create their logo, choose their colors, and create the beautiful business cards the CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) envisioned. The VOIS message is such a powerful non-profit helping young ladies find their inner voices. The Zion Ministries branding was fun to create for Dr. Cynthia Carter-Smallwood. It was such a privilege creating a few concepts for Dr. Cynthia to choose from. The final branding was just her style and included a logo, business cards, letterhead, envelope and a postcard with ministry information.

4... Invitations & Wedding Bliss

There were several events going on this summer including the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Dzurik, the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ramos and the baby shower Team Thomas! I really enjoyed creating invitations for these special events! Once you see these beauties, you will know why I had tons of fun. I also had the privilege to design invitation and capture some beautiful photos for a special couple's wedding.

3... Adoption Profile

The adoption journey is not always an easy one, but the matching of hopeful parents to special children warms the heart. This is especially true for this amazing couple, Chad & Arian May. It was truly an honor when Arian approached me to create an adoption profile sheet or two for her adoption agency online profile. I was so touched and moved by their story that I just had to share it. When the day arrives that they get matched with their little one, everyone will rejoice because this couple is truly deserving and will will be the best, most humble, God-fearing parents any child can have. The child will be beyond blessed to call them parents and I hope that birth parents who are out there looking for the perfect adoptive parents will look at the May's profile and see they are the ones. I can't wait to share the news when that glorious day arrives. Check out their profiles below and click here to learn more about Chad and Arian May!

2... Celebrating a Miracle!

One of the biggest highlights of 2014 was celebrating the 1st year of life of Josiah, the precious miracle to our family. Born three months early, this little guy was a preemie, weighing in at 2lbs 2oz. Though it looked a bit rough for the first few weeks of his life, this little fighter has made it through and has amazed us and the doctors daily. It may not always be easy, but he has shown true signs of growth and began walking at 16 months, just weeks after the doctors placed little braces on his legs. On his first birthday, we celebrated with a 'Jake and the Neverland Pirates' party, where little Josiah was loved and honored. Lotts of Designs had the fun in designing the invitations, creating party decor and setting up the celebration. Here are some of the highlights of this celebration! Josiah was created for something great!

1... Lotts to Announce!

The best project and moment of 2014 was by far the announcement of our new bundle arriving May 2015!! It was such a blast to find out the great news, plan ways to awe and surprise our family and of course, design some pieces to cherish for years to come. When announcing our pregnancy, we had to do it big... from our personal photo shoot by the amazing @Pebbles Betts, the poster announcement for social media, the videos captured of our family reactions and the baby's gender reveal, to our Christmas Card/Announcement, this news had to be shared in the most creative way! View our photos and videos below, and join us in the journey of announcing the expanding of our family! Special thanks to Olaf for helping us with our gender reveal. Were jointing team blue!

Our family thought we were moving to NYC for work, but they were in for the surprise of their lives to find our baby announcement instead of the offer letter they were expecting! Their reactions are priceless!

Our family thought they were posing for a family portrait, but they were in for quite a surprise, a baby announcement. Their reactions are priceless, they could hardly believe it!

Hope you enjoyed some of my favorite projects of 2014.... 2015 will be even greater!!

God Bless and Happy New Year!!
Amanda @Lotts of Designs

McGrath Winter snow

Baby Announcement!

Favorite Projects of 2014