Here I go again...love me some beautiful, wise words....
I shared this quote a while ago here. I love Whitney English's work and blog. What a huge inspiration she is.
Branding: Mobile Mardi Gras style
I'm killing two birds with one stone today. Here's a “Throw Back Thursday Wednesday” post + branding project. Thankfully, tomorrow I'll be far away from my computer and in the Tennessee mountain land—eating lots of turkey and being thankful for a much needed break! I'm so excited to re-share this branding project I designed back in-the-day (see original blog post here). I completed this design project in March of 2011...so it's pretty old school now...but still one of my all-time favorite projects.
Throwback from Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Kings and Queens and Beads, Oh My!
Yes, Mardi Gras was last Tuesday, but I wanted to share with you some design work I did for the King of Mardi Gras Juvenile Carnival Court, Benjamin Partridge Cummings Jr. I met with his mother, Laura Cummings, before Christmas and we have been working diligently ever since. Laura was an absolute joy to work with and I loved getting to know her and her family.
As you should know, Mobile is the original Mardi Gras. Believe me, as a "transplant" to this town, you can't help but notice the pride Mobilians have in that title. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and of course the crowds of parade goers that is Mardi Gras in Mobile. I've grown to love it, but when you experience it for the first time it is a very foreign culture and like nothing you've ever seen. There's a lot that goes into Mardi Gras, especially for the King and Court's family...whew...it's a different world around here. It really reminded me of planning a wedding!
King Ben's royal monogram was custom designed and began with pen and paper. The rakes and cowbells symbolize the history of Mobile Mardi Gras. Ben's family played a major role in the Mardi Gras history, which made it even more special. Here is excerpt from the Press Register article: "Most Mardi Gras royals have relatives who were involved in Carnival festivities in the past. But Benjamin Partridge Cummings Jr., the 2011 juvenile king for the Mobile Carnival Association, has a unique claim to fame. His fourth great-grandfather (that’s the great-great-great-great grandfather) was an antebellum Mobile hardware store owner whose rakes, cowbells and other tools helped found Mobile’s very first mystic society."
This hand-assembled pocketfold Coronation invitation featured a custom-designed royal monogram for the MCA's Juvenile King.
Here's a great picture and article of the fabulous King Benjamin in the Press Register
I designed these neckties for the family to give out as gifts. I've never designed clothing before, let alone neckties, so this was a fun and challenging project.
And finally, one of my favorite creations was Ben's royal crest, which illustrates and symbolizes everything that he loves.
What an incredible memory for the entire family, and I'm truly honored to have been a part of it.
Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 4:23 has always been one of my very favorites. I just printed it out and hung it in my office so that I can be reminded daily of this foundational truth.
Happy THANKSGIVING week everybody!
Chapel Farm Collection
Well, I dropped the ball on blogging about a branding board this week (typical), but I do plan on posting something early next week.
Yesterday, I had such a fun brainstorming session with a new client, Chapel Farm Collection. Much more coming soon: New branding, stationery system, website, blog, and more. For now, you can like them on their facebook page.
It's Monday, but... it's ok
Like I've said before...I’m a sucker for quotes and graphic design, so when you put the two together I go a little overboard. Here are some of my favorites this manic Monday...
I sure wish I could source all of these (see my Pinterest board for a gazillion more). Some credit is thankfully included in images. But the last one is from Lara Casey. I'm one of her biggest fans.
New Branding: Friends of the Delta
Whew. Life has been crazy lately. I feel like we've been going 90-to-nothing, and as much as I love being busy, I'm ready for some slow-down time. I can't wait to spend Thanksgiving in Chattanooga with our entire fam. Oh, to be away from the computer for a few days with nothing to do but sit around, eat good food, talk and laugh with the people I love, eat more good food and of course, play with our Calder-bear!
I can't wait.
On another (somewhat related) note, I'm going to try to take the time to share some of my recent design projects on the blog. I haven't blogged about a lot of my work because I've been so busy working on new projects. Every time I think about blogging, another deadline gets priority...OR I attempt to begin writing, but my brain is so fried it literally makes NO SENSE. Yes, I know, my typos are out of control these days! Needless to say, all of my clients are very special to me and deserve their own post(s)...hopefully some day soon I will have time to share the stories, sweat and tears that went into each project. My goal is to post at least one branding board a week, so here goes...
Here's a recent branding design I did for the Friends of the Delta, which is a group of folks who work together to promote a new National Park in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. See the website here. A new website is currently in the works. It was such a fun project to be a part of, and I can't wait to see what the Friends of the Delta do to help promote and restore our beautiful Mobile Delta.
It was a true honor to be a part of this project. We explored many logo options (many is an understatement) because the Delta means so many different things to everyone, but in the end, we chose the father and son image above. I loved learning about our Mobile Delta on a three hour morning boat ride with Bill Finch. Bill is the Mobile Botanical Gardens executive director and the Press-Register’s garden writer—and he was an amazing guide to say the least. He taught me so much about this incredible treasure we have right here in Mobile Bay. Did you know we're getting a National Park in 2016? Pretty amazing to be a part of this project—and it's these times I'm reminded how much I love my job.
TBT: the beach + white space
I've decided to do a "Throwback Thursday" post (if I can ever remember to do it), from my old blog onto this one. I still haven't figured out how to transfer my old blogger posts onto this wordpress blog (for a reasonable price that is!), and it makes me so sad to lose all of those years here. If anyone knows how to do this easily please let me know. I guess I could go in and manually transfer every post, but I barely have the time to repost one, let alone hundreds. So here goes: this post from June 2013 makes me happy...
What a wonderful weekend away with my two loves. This was our first actual “family” vacation— just us three. I think the images speak for themselves but we had a wonderful time. It was my-kind-of perfect: laid-back, sans makeup, sunshine, lazy beach days, catching up on sleep, building sandcastles, lots of snuggle time, poolside reading, yummy seafood and just good, quality time together.
I recently read something that has stuck with me:
“Life is all about the white space.”
If you’re like me, you make very little time for white space. My day is packed full of to-do lists, phone calls, errands and appointments. I always feel like there are never enough hours in the day to finish it all, and then 4pm rolls around and I don’t know where the day went.
So…I’m trying to make more time for the “white space” in my life…to say “no” to a design project when my plate is too full, to stop trying to be everything to everyone and everywhere at once…because that white space is so critical to balance and joy. That white space is where the things that matter happen and where our relationships grow.
Well, our little 4-day getaway was definitely full of white space! It was a relaxing, quiet, non-event-filled, long weekend—which was just what we needed. How nice to slow down for a little while and let time stand still.
Caroline Ceramics
I can't tell you how much I LOVE this girl and her beautiful pottery. We've been working on her new marketing material so stay tuned...fabulous, round letterpress business cards, postcards and new stationery system coming soon. Here's a repost from my old blog about her recent branding, website design, and her NEW ONLINE SHOP!
The new Caroline Ceramics website is live! This was a true labor of love, and we so worked hard to make sure this site was everything it needed it be, including an online shop and blog. I can't tell you how much I love this girl, and it thrills me to see her beautiful work come alive on the site. The site design and branding is so Caroline, and that's what matters most in the end.
Check out Caroline's new site and buy her work online from her NEW ONLINE SHOP. Caroline is the complete package. Her work is so original and beautiful, just like her sweet little self!
Before/After of Home Office
I didn't show a before/after picture of the office, so here's the best I can do! The "real" before picture didn't have a a window (which changed the entire room), new insulation and of course, no electrical/lighting/etc. What a far way we came in 2/3 short weeks! This project taught me so much, but primarily about the power of space. Although small, when done right, a small space can be just as efficient as a large one.
New Office!
THE OFFICE (and connecting 1/2 bath) are FINISHED!!!!!!!!
As of today, I'm no longer working in our kitchen or the guest bedroom! No words can say how THRILLED I am to have my own space to work and spread out.
Our handyman/contractor extraordinaire, Robert Shotlander and his assistant Aubrey (who are honestly more like family these days) did an AMAZING job. I can't say enough wonderful things about their work and attention to detail. They were here for 2-3 weeks straight (see the before pics here...they really started from scratch). I cannot believe this used to be the disgusting (this word deserves to be bold, trust me), bug infested storage room for Bruner's tools and lawn equipment.
I feel like a kid on Christmas morning! It's everything I desperately needed in order to keep my work and life together. And it turns out Bruner's likes his new, real shed even more, so it was a win-win situation.
Of course, there are some loose ends that aren't finished like the wall decor...I want to add an inspiration board/bulletin board as the back splash underneath the bottom shelf. I'd also like to add some kind of simple window treatment, and the awning will be here next week, etc. BUT...those details mean nothing to me right now—I finally have space to breath!
Here's a peek at the connecting half bath below (separate post coming soon). There's a closet door separating the two rooms, and that bathroom also leads out into our den. I love having access to the outside (especially when I come and go during the day) AND to the house, so I'm right there anytime too!
Love the exposed brick, which was a hidden treasure we found when gutting the room.
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This cabinet was a must for storage. It holds all of my binders (I'm a huge binder junkie/dork), paper samples and books. I can't wait to get in and have time to organize everything, but for now, it's all there and in ONE place which is what matters!
Someday I'll get around to making pretty printed labels for those binder spines...someday...
I found these old hand-crafted letters at Charles Phillips Antiques a few weeks ago. I spent a good 30 minutes digging through a huge bucket in a hot barn for these treasures...so we will definitely need to find them a home here soon....
Outside entrance is in progress.. The awning will be installed next week and we're adding some stones with mondo grass...
And Calder says:
"That's it for now folks! We need to get back to our real work."
lately
Here are some recent shots from my desktop and camera. I tried to mix up work and life—just like my real life balance I guess. I had a hard time narrowing it down from the gazillion options....sure wish I had time to do this post every day. And I really wish I had time to post more of Calder lately. I have thousands of pictures I've never done anything with. I try to place a big print order every 4 months or so and store them all in albums (we help keep shutterfly in business). It's so easy to forget to PRINT in this digital world—but I do hope that print will always win.
Calder is 22 months and growing like a weed. Gosh, she's fun. I rocked her to bed tonight and got so sentimental (and saaaad) about how fast time is going by. I'm trying to soak in every minute with her while maintaining a busy work schedule, which can be challenging to say the least. BUT, we're making it work and I love our schedule right now. She goes to MDO 4 days a week from 9-1. I cherish our mornings together and that's "our time" until she runs to the door with her backpack saying "schoooo, schoooo!!" She loves it which makes it a lot easier! From 9-1, I either have work appointments or work from home. It's amazing what you can get done in such a short time, when every minute is intentional and time can't be wasted.
I pick her up a little before 1, and we come home and have lunch. She rarely eats her lunch at school, so we make grilled cheeses and eat together everyday. From 1-2, we play together, usually outside, especially on these beautiful fall days! I love that time with her so much. She usually naps from 2-4ish (thankfully the girl loves her sleep), so that's my crunch time in the office working on deadlines and projects. When she wakes up, my work is over until she goes to sleep. Oh yes, sometimes I do have to work after 8 in order to make deadlines, BUT I wouldn't give up my day and mommy time for anything. It's a crazy schedule I know, but it works for us. Bruner goes to bed early and wakes up at the crack of dawn, so usually when he goes to sleep (8:30-9) I put in a few more hours if I have to. Not always, but I won't lie, I work a lot...but I get my time with my c-bear too, which is the most important thing to me.
Whew, sorry about that schedule info overload!
I will say that one of the MANY things I've learned since becoming a mother, is that there are MANY different ways to do everything and none of them are better than the other. Every situation is unique, and you just do what you have to do to make it work for your family. I've learned so much from other moms about scheduling and prioritizing. Believe me, our journey has been a trial and error process—and we don't have all the answers, that's for sure. But, I wanted to share this in case it helps any working moms out there. It's not easy finding a balance, but I do think you can make it work. I'm very thankful I'm passionate about what I do and love graphic design and everything that comes with it.
Of course, a few years down the road, things could be different and what works now won't work then. Schedules will change and life changes...so you have to change with it. But, I'm constantly reminding myself to soak these moments in. They are precious and time is flying by—so the focus has to be on what matters.
Office demo-Round 3
Making progress on the office! Floors are supposed to be put in tomorrow...we shall see, but no doubt the guys are working hard and we've come a long way in 1 week.
Several people have asked about where it attaches to the house. Here's a better idea..see that open storm dorm behind the pretty lady in hot pink?
And the window to the far right is new and makes all the difference in the space. It's almost like it should have been there the whole time...
Imagine a dark charcoal awning (with great looking iron spears...my favorite), a new paint job around the door, and stones or pavers leading up to the door... YAY FOR PROGRESS! Stay tuned. More coming soon.
And here's one from our Halloween playdate last Saturday. It was rainy so we opted for Sarah's house over the pumpkin patch. If this doesn't brighten day nothing will. That peeeeeecock was hanging in there like a champ!
Sarah Otts Paintings
There's nothing I love more than helping talented, aspiring artists' businesses grow. I find it a true honor to work for every single one of my clients, but there's something especially special when that client is one of your best friends too. I just love Sarah Otts AND her paintings. Her work is amazing—there's no other way to put it. I have two of her paintings in our home, and I'm telling you, each one of them makes the entire room. Our kitchen and living room wouldn't be same without Sarah's artistic touch. Seriously, investing in her art is worth every single penny in my opinion! I can say that with 100% honestly, but let me remind you, mine were all 100% barters...lucky me for sure!
EXCITING NEWS! We just launched her ONLINE SHOP and revamped her website! You can now buy her paintings anywhere, anytime, which is HUGE!!! Check it out! Isn't she fabulous??
And bare with me as I get a little sentimental here about our little girls who are only 3 1/2 months apart. They've been best friends since birth, regardless of whether their mom's had anything to do with that or not!:)
Love you Sarah and so, so proud of you and all of your hard work!
And finally, I can't believe it's already that time again! We're headed to the pumpkin patch this weekend with the same crew for pic #2. Calder's gonna be a peeeeecock!
Office demo - Round 2
When I told you the "before" pics of my office would scare you, I wasn't kidding. But believe it or not, we've made a lot of progress the past few days. Plumbing, electrical and insulation are all DONE.
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Stay tuned for more updates about this crazy office reno/more like demo...
And on an even brighter note, here are some of my favorite pics of my sweet girl from this week...
She is so fun and goofy! The craziness around this house doesn't phase her for one bit that's for sure!
Office Demo Round 1: Bloom Where You're Planted
After months of searching for a new office space and/or a new home, it's official. We're staying put for now, and have chosen to bloom where we are planted!
I've outgrown my home office (which is a part of the kitchen) and just need more space away from the central traffic area of the home. View my current office here and here. So after looking at many homes on the market and weighing all of our options, we've decided to stay put and we're turning our storage shed (which is luckily connected to the house) into my office. The storage shed is where Bruner's tools and lawn equipment were stored, so we bought a free-standing storage shed from Lowes and put it in the backyard, and everything has been moved...so we're ready to start the process TODAY! Turns out he likes his new and improved space much more, so it's a win-win situation! The same awesome handyman/contractor we used for the previous home office project and our kitchen renovation (and everything else we've ever done) is doing this project as well. I trust him and know he's capable of everything I want and more, which makes this so much easier.
The room currently has no AC and will have to be completely gutted, along with the half bath it connects to, so we've got a project on our hands that's for sure! We're definitely doing this on a budget, yet at the same time, making sure we design a space that I can work in for years to come as well. The room has a door with direct access to the driveway (which will be so much easier when I come and go from appointments throughout the day). In the end, I am still home, which was the most important thing to me.
Designing your own office space from scratch is fun. I have the floor plan ready to go, and I'm finalizing the details this week as they're busy gutting the room and rewiring it, etc. We're adding a window, which will make this little room come alive. Natural light is so important, especially when you're designing things all day long! I've been pouring myself over Pinterest and my decorating binders for ideas and inspiration. It's going to the perfect space for HBD, and I'm so thankful we had this as an option.
Much more coming soon. Here's a peak at some of my inspiration....
Stay tuned! Half bathroom renovation details coming soon...as well as some current pictures of the storage room, which may scare you!
Words to Live By
I'm a sucker for quotes and graphic design, so when you put the two together I go a little overboard. Here are some of my favorites this week. All are black and white and fabulous.
Welcome!
Welcome to my new website and design blog!
I can't tell you how much hard work, sweat and tears (not to mention sleepless nights) have gone into this site. I honestly don't think I've ever worked so hard on any design project in my entire life. This site redesign started Spring 2013 and has taken me many months to finish. I'm thrilled to finally have this redesign behind me and in front of you!
Thanks for stopping by and following my design work and life as a wife and mom. I can't wait to share more with you soon!