I met with the bride, Kathy last May to discuss wedding invitations. When she mentioned that the wedding date was April 2012 we both laughed that it was a long time away. Even with that much time, Kathy never wasted a second confirming all the details.

For a bride-to-be and a full-time working mom, Kathy never displayed any frantic behaviour during the whole process. But why would she? She was organized as can be!

I was impressed. Very impressed.

We discussed including their little girl into the design for the wedding pieces. I was excited, because she is cute as a button. So the brainstorming and designing began, was approved and completed.

I blinked and April 2012 came and left.

I am so grateful that each client project allows for new friendships. I am always so happy that I am able to be a part of such a wonderful and happy day.

Congratulations, Kathy, Andrew and Madi!

Here are a few pictures of the pieces created for them by Miss Thio Designs.

You may contact me here for any wedding or event stationery or via email: pixels(at)missthio(dot)com.  I look forward to working with you!

Custom Illustrated invitations and inserts

Table Number and Menu

Ceremony Program/Thank you tent card

Cake Topper - Cake by Keepsakes

Happy New Year!

Miss Thio Designs has been busy but so thankful for all the new and existing clients that we get to work with.

Something new is in the works (Launch date: February 14th, 2012), please stay tuned!

In the meantime, please contact us for any of your design needs or if you just want to say hi. We like mail!

***There are a few spots left on the May 15th session in Oakville. It’ll be fun times AND a portion of the session fee will be going to a good cause: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada. So if you’d like to donate, why not have fun while doing so by booking a session?***

For more information, and to reserve your appointment, contact Eh! Good Looking Children’s Photography Boutique or Kimberly Dunbar Photography.

When you meet two like-minded individuals who collaborate on an idea, you get nothing but awesomeness. I’m talking about Kimberly Dunbar Photography and Eh! Good Looking Children’s Photography Boutique. They’ve set up an outdoor mini photo session… Think whimsical backdrops, a fun photo booth, “‘Stache & Lips”…

Check it out!

I was excited when I was approached to illustrate for their email blast. Coincidentally, earlier that morning I was doodling out some ideas and themes I was interested in working on for new projects and I had doodled something similar in my notebook:

Remember Sasha, owner of Purple Box Makeup Design? Here, let me refresh your memory.

Well, I got the opportunity to create an avatar for her. Sasha, in person, is so animated with her awesome-ly curly hair and her gorgeous face that it made me a little nervous to illustrate her. I was slightly worried I’d misrepresent her in cartoon-form, but I managed.

Have a look at the final result:

For inquiries on custom illustrated avatars, please contact me at pixels(at)missthio.com or here

It’s been slightly hectic around here and I’ve neglected to update my blog with the new projects I’ve been working on. So there might be an influx of recent projects on this blog in the next little while.

I had the opportunity to work with Kimberly Dunbar, a talented natural light, studio and on-location photographer on some marketing materials for the Baby Time Show which is happening this weekend, April 15-17, 2011.

The concept for the brochure was from an ad that I had created for Kimberly Dunbar Photography a few months earlier that was going to be in the Complete Baby and Toddler Directory, a directory with all the products and services you’ll need during pregnancy and after the arrival of your newborn. It’s also a comprehensive planner to help moms stay organized while keeping track of and documenting important milestones. (who will also be at the Baby Time Show. Go by booth #622 to pick up your FREE copy of the directory)

The second piece is a business card which doubles as a promotional handout for this weekend to get $50 toward a collection at a session with Kimberly Dunbar Photography.

It was interesting working together with Kimberly on the marketing materials because we were able to visualize the same things right away. I’d like to think it’s creative simpatico.

If  you live in the Greater Toronto Area and are planning to go to the Baby Time Show this weekend at the International Centre on Airport Road in Mississauga (Hall 5), check out Kimberly Dunbar Photography (Booth #556) and The Complete Baby and Toddler Directory (Booth #622). (As I am posting this, I am kicking myself for not having posted this earlier).

As a soon-to-be mom, I am off to check out the show this morning. Now, to wake my husband up so I can drag him through the different booths.

Here is a quick look at the two pieces that were created:

Here is a recent custom illustrated wedding invitation I did for a destination wedding.

Quick background on the couple: Both Bride and Groom-to-be have been dating for a long time (something like 10 years?) and it’s obvious to anyone who sits even for a few minutes with them to see why they’re perfect for each other. They are both so laid back and so funny together.

We were bouncing ideas back and forth and some of the keywords that came up were shark, fishing, mermaid, jet-ski, para sailing. In the end, both the bride and groom just wanted something fun and colourful, but asked to incorporate the colour green from the Pantone 358C family. Ummm… I love that I was given the Pantone colour. How awesome is that?

Congratulations, you two!

For inquiries on custom illustrated invitations, please contact me at pixels(at)missthio.com or here

This past fall, I had the opportunity to work with Sasha Salandy, owner of Purple Box Makeup.

Purple Box Makeup provides services in the Toronto area and creates flawless, lightweight and long lasting looks by using the latest techniques and specializing in airbrush make-up. Services include makeup for portfolios/head shots, special events (Weddings, Proms, birthday parties, etc.), commercial, editorial, film and fashion shows to name a few.

Not only is Sasha a fantastic and creative make-up artist, but she has such a wonderful demeanor that she makes everyone she meets feel at ease instantly (and that laugh of hers is contagious).

Sasha and I actually met in Drama class (how fitting) at the age of 15 and immediately clicked. We had lost touch once we left high school, but I was happy to find her again after a looong time. And as one would have guessed, we connected like we never missed a day in each other’s lives. When I found out she was a make up artist, I approached her to work with me. We had briefly discussed doing a shoot a few months before and when it finally happened, it was so pleasant such an honour to work with someone as talented and professional as her.

Check out Purple Box Makeup on Facebook, Model Mayhem or contact via email at purplebox(at)rogers.com

Have a peek at some pictures from the day!

Make-up Prep: Sasha of Purple Box Makeup and model, Christine

Make-up Prep: Sasha of Purple Box Makeup and model, Christine

The Siren

Mistress of Darkness

Lonely Doll

Lonely Doll

I was asked to do an illustration of this cute family. This was a gift for hubby. As you can see in the illustration, they are about to welcome a second addition into their lives.

You see the illustration of their little girl? Yup, she really IS that tiny (She’s just under the age of two) and YES, has a full head of LONG, dark hair. She is such a doll.

Here is a photo that was sent by the client. She had it framed and presented it to her husband. Here is what she had to say:

I made Jay open the present yesterday so I can put it out on top of our piano

… I love love love it!

Chloe recognizes herself in it, but of course daddy being so good looking (in cartoon form) it took her sometime to realize it’s daddy and mommy lol

Thank you so much for cartoonifying us!

You’re very welcome!

Here is the original:

Anyone who knows me, knows that nothing makes me happier than personalizing the gifts that I give. And I’m not talking about engraving names into an ID bracelet type of personalizing. So it’s nothing new to anyone, but this Christmas, it was a little different.

It was a really small gift (about the size of a plum – at the time) that was presented in a well thought-out manner (If I may say so, myself!). Have a look…

Some fun facts for the coming year!

Can you believe it has been 20 years since the Goods and Services Tax?

“Last but not least…”

(If you can see, the drawing of the girl in the second picture above, she is holding a glass of wine…
and when the card is opened, the wine glass is replaced…:) )

Gift wrapped and under the card was the sonogram of the little one in a frame that we gave to our families

***This photo, in particular, was part of the gift for my husband’s avó (Portuguese for Grandmother)***

"Bisneto" - Great Grandchild in Portuguese.

I love designing for themed birthday parties!

Before the holidays, I was asked to design a circus themed invitation for a 1st birthday party. There is going to be a clown and cotton candy and games (Oh my!).

I love anything that enables me to illustrate and design with lots of colours.

Here’s a quick look at the final product!