tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74154851060223145222011-07-08T08:16:49.342-07:00graphic design, typography, web design, clients, printmaking, paper, crafts, photography, seattle, port orchard, kitsap county, freelancemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.comBlogger961100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-78069125701134874012010-04-19T15:09:00.000-07:002010-04-22T15:14:36.274-07:00

Where You Came FromWhen You Were SmallWe're loving these books by Sara O'Leary/illustrated by Julie Morstad... and keep checking them out at the library. Perhaps it's time to make them part of the permanent collection.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-116777287881275532010-04-13T14:13:00.000-07:002010-04-14T10:57:16.117-07:00

Amsterdam | March 2010

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-39346216093588456982010-04-09T11:41:00.000-07:002010-04-09T11:59:59.508-07:00

PART ONEWorking, mostly. But more importantly, I took a lovely vacation last month that I have failed to even mention. Better late than never, right? In March, I traveled to Reykjavik and Amsterdam with my brother for a week. I have been to Iceland before and absolutely LOVE it. Really, really love it. The usual response is, "Isn't it cold?" Well, yes. But that doesn't bother me. It's

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-69954265948490211772010-04-05T20:54:00.000-07:002010-04-07T20:58:41.468-07:00

and perhaps sometime soon I'll actually write something. Until then, enjoy. Again, the illustrations are wonderful!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-61883603583064779082010-04-02T14:21:00.000-07:002010-04-02T14:30:03.699-07:00

We picked this up at the library today. By we, I mean me. I couldn't help myself. The illustrations in the book Wonder Bear by Tao Nyeu are incredible. I think I may just have to buy it. Take a look at her portfolio at www.tao-illustration.com. Apparently this work is her MFA thesis project from SVA. I'm thoroughly impressed.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-20221364913278935122010-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:002010-03-19T13:52:51.867-07:00

Got this at the library this week... great illustrations! Oh, how I would love to write a book for my favorite little girl...

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-48054235306593322692010-02-24T07:18:00.000-08:002010-02-25T14:37:35.921-08:00

I recently purchased an application called Billings to take over my outdated system of sending manually-generated PDF invoices and estimates. Oh, has it been a time-saver. I've avoided products like Quickbooks, as they seem to be overly expensive and have too many options. So I began my search for something simple, customizable and Mac-friendly. So far, Billings has been worth every penny of its

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-20011350676266073222010-02-19T04:00:00.000-08:002010-02-19T04:00:00.190-08:00

What type are you? Surprise, surprise—I'm Archer Hairline (emotional, understated, progressive, disciplined). I took the quiz a few months back and then again this week... just to be sure.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-48025008197863327902010-02-18T13:06:00.000-08:002010-02-18T14:06:38.539-08:00

I have to face it, I'm a goal-oriented, deadline-driven person. If given a project with no actual deadline, it will most likely fall behind all of the other projects that are needed by a specific date. And it may possibly never be completed. This has certainly been the case with all of the projects related to my business. I have SO many ideas for great projects, as well as things that absolutely

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-89616802901432417002010-02-12T04:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T04:00:09.012-08:00

eat make readtasty recipes... from a graphic designer in brooklyn. are all designers obsessed with food? i know i am...la tartine gourmandgorgeous food photosprint & patternnot at all food related—just like the title says. pages and pages of prints and patterns!decor8and since we're getting away from the food theme...goodi just really like this site. check out the infographics.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-41592767972420311442010-02-08T15:04:00.000-08:002010-02-09T15:06:10.104-08:00

I picked up this book for a friend a while back and wish I would have gotten myself a copy... take a look!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-3745408462190269052010-02-05T12:57:00.000-08:002010-02-05T13:50:53.847-08:00

It's been a while since I posted some links. So here goes...Heart card from EssimarLeg warmers from the Purl BeeThis Is for You by Rob RyanFelt hearts by SewnNatural

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-84001650139325695542010-01-20T13:14:00.000-08:002010-01-21T11:46:58.328-08:00

Money is never a fun topic, but with tax season in full-swing... I have money on the brain. I've been thinking a lot about my rates and how I bill for individual projects. I started working for myself almost three years ago and have not increased my hourly rate—not once. I originally came up with my rate based on what others were charging locally (I was still in Washington DC), as well as the

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-20291689048748493282010-01-07T08:57:00.000-08:002010-01-07T09:26:38.726-08:00

Another year. I'm getting ready to send out my last quarterly tax payment for 2009 and I cannot believe it went by so fast. It was a crazy year for my little business. I more than tripled my client base, and doubled my earnings from the previous year. I was also able to volunteer my design skills and meet some great people. But all of this rapid growth has caught up with me and I must pause to

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-65048152646040374412009-12-31T11:08:00.000-08:002009-12-31T11:42:37.999-08:00

The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox, designed by Pentagram.Over the holidays, I had the opportunity to see Fantastic Mr. Fox—an absolutely wonderful movie! I was so incredibly impressed by everything—the characters, the story, the set, the art direction. It was truly fantastic. Of course, I am a fan of both Roald Dahl and of Wes Anderson, so I figured I couldn't go wrong shelling out the big bucks to

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-73042039996863176252009-12-17T04:00:00.000-08:002009-12-17T13:14:02.389-08:00

Coming a little late... but there are a few days left, right? Here are a few things I find wonderful. Though I always try to make at least some of my gifts, I never seem to have as much time to devote to the projects as I would like. Luckily, there are many great ways to support artisans and small businesses directly without having to leave one's desk. Take a look!BagguA great selection of

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-5957042618829004532009-12-09T12:13:00.000-08:002009-12-09T15:11:04.036-08:00

Bella Bella CupcakesBoy am I ever glad to have these clients! Not only do they make a wonderful array of tasty cupcakes, they're great people. I was fortunate enough to meet them at an open house for another client, FreshLocal. We started talking about their website and the rest is history! If you're in the Seattle-area, I highly recommend picking up a cupcake or six. If not, check out their new

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-11185586478763732062009-11-23T04:00:00.000-08:002009-11-23T18:25:57.519-08:00

Another great find from the local library—Follow The Line Through the House by Laura LjungkvistAnd... yet another book with lovely illustrations—Night's Nice by Ed and Barbara Emberley (it's over 40 years old and still great!)

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-71668726305238253002009-11-20T04:00:00.000-08:002009-11-20T14:04:20.060-08:00

It's been a while, to put it mildly. It's rainy and depressing here in the Seattle-area, so I think a few fun links might be appropriate (or appropriately inappropriate).Clients from HellI'm so glad I don't have any of these clients... though a few entries sound familiar :-)RegretsyAs an etsy addict, I find this site hilarious! Not for the faint of heart!Fantastic Mr. FoxWes Anderson + Roald Dahl

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-54501451936348429432009-11-16T13:35:00.000-08:002009-11-17T13:49:59.307-08:00

Another oldie... brings back memories and the illustrations are great :-)

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-65852323840834713612009-11-09T14:18:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:23:50.649-08:00

I have to recommend yet another Shel Silverstein book that I somehow never read—Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook. This one had us in tears. The illustrations are great, but the book is just fun to read out loud. There are a few examples of some of the stories at shelsilverstein.com. Take a look!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-48255119420480761042009-11-05T15:52:00.001-08:002009-11-05T16:09:21.742-08:00

Autumn is definitely upon us... quickly turning into winter. We've enjoyed the brightly colored leaves, crisp air and sunny skies. Now it's changing to wind and rain here in the Seattle-area, which means a lot more time inside... and perhaps upgrading that Netflix membership.For me, this time of year always means new music—a change of soundtrack for my days in front of the computer. I tend to

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-91227485009782005052009-10-21T10:47:00.000-07:002009-10-21T10:51:40.249-07:00

Night Gathering by Ed PienI ran across this today and just had to share...There's a new(ish) exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC called Slash: Paper Under the Knife and it looks spectacular. The site does a good job of showcasing some of the work, but I'm sure it's even better in person.Take a look!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-52121425796081462422009-10-15T04:00:00.000-07:002009-10-15T04:00:01.370-07:00

I cannot say this enough—I LOVE my iPhone. Back in June, I decided that it was absolutely necessary to have a business line, as my personal cell phone just wasn't cutting it—and I was getting sick of paying overage charges for long client calls. Then fate stepped in, Apple dropped their price on the 3G, and I had a phone that could field calls, check email, and entertain me on the occasional

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-45959697190498194902009-10-14T04:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T16:11:31.262-07:00

This has been a busy year for branding. I think I've designed more logos in the last nine months than all that I did in all of the years since college. Here are just a few...

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-56302787917832635002009-09-28T12:42:00.000-07:002009-09-28T12:46:25.461-07:00

I'm not sure how I ever missed this book—I have read so many of Shel Silverstein's books since I was a wee one—and this one does not disappoint! It got several laughs from my daughter—yet another one we need to add to the permanent collection.p.s. It's a fun one to read fast!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-40752102792301399182009-09-23T11:31:00.001-07:002009-09-23T11:32:37.313-07:00

Read this article today and thought it would be good to share.Looking forward to reading part two.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-13899006758795133692009-09-21T12:32:00.000-07:002009-09-21T12:39:16.487-07:00

My Grandparents and MeWe actually had to take this one back to the library today... but I enjoyed it so much that I think we may have to add it to our permanent collection. It's a nice alphabet story that isn't overly obvious (no "a is for...") and the illustrations are lovely. Take a look!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-82796670917636481352009-09-18T04:00:00.000-07:002009-09-18T04:00:00.477-07:00

Print by Chad Hagen via 20x20020x200Get something unique for your wall and support an artist, all for twenty bucks.An Illustrated Guide... from Chew on This—what a spectacular idea!Chew on ThisA nicely designed site with an even nicer message.Yearbook YourselfSelf-indulgent silliness... but hey, if you've got the time. :-)

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-7069459180102135152009-09-17T04:00:00.000-07:002009-09-17T11:32:54.593-07:00

CLM MakeupEarlier this year, I had the pleasure of helping my friend Carla create the look of her new company, CLM Makeup. Carla is the most put-together person I know—her clothes are always just right and her makeup is impeccable, so this venture seemed to be perfect for her!We started off with logo design—a bold, hot pink mark and everything fell into place from there. It was a great departure

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-15149879468765022242009-09-15T04:00:00.000-07:002009-09-15T15:08:42.889-07:00

I've been back in the office for a week, but it's taken some time to feel anything close to "normal". We were away on vacation in Kauai—my first time there. And am I ever glad that I decided not to do ANY work while were were there. It was amazing. The colors are so saturated that it seems unreal. I hope to go back again someday—adults only!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-89031090103507905772009-09-14T14:41:00.000-07:002009-09-14T14:48:35.049-07:00

Stopped by the library today and picked up this book—Lines that Wiggle. It's a cute story, just enough to keep the attention of a just-turned-three-year-old. The illustrations are great, too! Check it out >

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-49466954781580294032009-08-28T14:51:00.000-07:002009-08-28T14:53:39.630-07:00

As you can see, I'm on a bit of a hiatus from blogging. It seems the more deadlines I have, the less likely I am to find time to write. You do the math. And luckily, I'm about to get a week-long break from it all. We leave for Kauai early next week... and not a moment too soon!More when I return. Really.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-27835907314056638762009-08-17T04:00:00.000-07:002009-08-17T04:00:08.080-07:00

We're away for a short vacation in Montana (my home state!). But while we're gone, I thought I'd share one of our old favorites—Leonardo, the Terrible Monster. It's a sweet story of a monster that just isn't scary, complete with fun illustrations. It's my favorite of Mo Willems' books, who you might know from Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and Knuffle Bunny—also good books... but there's

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-6282712791345114712009-08-14T04:00:00.000-07:002009-08-14T04:00:02.919-07:00

A few great illustration links... I think it's time to start doodling again.Julia RothmanI LOVE her wallpaper. LOVE. IT.Tad CarpenterCreator of such lovely monsters :-)Virginia KraljevicBeautifully intricate drawings

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-33944255907454463602009-08-10T14:05:00.001-07:002009-08-10T14:15:05.477-07:00

It's been a long time since my last post, but I wanted to share my latest "book" purchase—Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar (I love Eric Carle's illustrations!!!!). I know, it's not anywhere close to Christmas... but I decided to take advantage of Chronicle Books' Friends and Family Sale and buy a few gifts. My daughter is finally old enough to start playing with some really cool

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-87523463763705318652009-07-29T14:57:00.000-07:002009-07-29T15:46:18.330-07:00

PicPocket BooksIt's about time I began introducing some of my wonderful clients. While I may feel the need to prove that I do, in fact, work (a little)—the real reason for the post is to focus on some of the great ideas people are bringing to fruition, even in this dismal economy. So in this inaugural "spotlight" post, I decided to highlight one of my newest clients, PicPocket Books. Not only are

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-70661443529593531892009-07-27T14:56:00.000-07:002009-07-27T15:08:59.084-07:00

On a recent trip to the library, I checked out You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination. I first took a look at this book right after it was published in 2004, but wasn't able to give it the time it deserved. You don't have to be a designer or cartographer to to appreciate this collection of innovative maps. It was definitely worth a second look.I'll be putting

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-83628993758571653442009-07-24T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-24T12:22:17.793-07:00

Girl of All WorkOffice supplies that don't suck.SudtiposType foundry from Argentina.Packaging by enormouschampion via the dielinethe dielinepackaging, packaging, packaging.RipeTypeFREE font—get it!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-48277155705493246832009-07-20T12:44:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:01:30.178-07:00

Another fruitful adventure to the library—we brought back at least a dozen books... but my favorites from this week are Sunny and Windy by Robin Mitchell and Judith Steedman. The paper dioramas/landscapes are so fantastic. And the stories are just perfect to keep my nearly three-year-old interested. I absolutely must take some time away from the computer and get back to making things—perhaps

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-81248336087341383252009-07-14T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:02:08.217-07:00

Happy Bastille Day! I was inspired to share some links in honor of the holiday after listening to KEXP's tribute to French musicians this morning.Paper Cut Map of Paris from Famille SummerbelleFamille SummerbelleReally cool stuff for kids' rooms.Jean Pierre JeunetOne of my favorite filmmakers. The visual worlds he creates are absolutely amazing. If you haven't seen Amelie, it's a great

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-60553891073072410362009-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:02:44.062-07:00

Our weekly trip to the library was quite fruitful, but it was the book I purchased (from a newly-discovered local independent book store) for one of my daughter's playmates that inspired this post. The book is Charlie Harper's ABCs, and it is so beautifully illustrated that I wanted to keep it for myself. A more complete gallery of his work can be seen here.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-80704768957483785032009-07-06T13:53:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:03:05.206-07:00

I ran across this book at the library today and had to share. The illustrations (by Sun Young Yoo) are amazing!More images here >

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-6902817060853051972009-06-26T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:03:41.000-07:00

What can I say? The projects keep rolling in—and the blog continues to be neglected... ;-)Jessica Riehl PhotographyA good friend, a great photographer, and an all-around wonderful person. I had the pleasure of assisting her at our friend Megan's wedding last weekend :-)Image from Inside My Sewing Box John Met BettyCute bags made of vintage materials... and located just up the road from yours

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-57955634643767328582009-06-15T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:03:54.923-07:00

On our weekly trip to the library, my daughter and I found this book. It's called Whatever by William Bee. The illustrations are great, the story is simple and catchy—an easy favorite. I can't wait to check out the rest of his books!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-50730138277065610832009-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:04:36.967-07:00

Better late than never, right?Jessica HischeAmazingly talented designer/typographer. Her blog is great, too...From SthlmFeatures a different Swedish designer every month.Nantaka JoyHave I shared this already? I LOVE her patterns.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-58420804036941831242009-06-11T07:59:00.000-07:002009-06-11T08:31:39.877-07:00

It's sale time at Etsy, so if you're looking for unique handmade goods and you'd like to directly support the artists that create them... head on over! Just search for YART to see who's participating.Here are a few things I found in my search...$10 off this hoodie by RepliccaFree shipping on everything from kid a collectiveFree shipping on this handprinted bag from BlackBagFree shipping on

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-3724773995717884792009-06-09T13:11:00.000-07:002009-06-09T14:17:54.119-07:00

I ran across the promo site for the movie Food, Inc. today and decided it was something I needed to share. The site provides a visually-rich home for an upcoming movie that tackles many important issues surrounding America's industrial food system. It's a subject that I am incredibly passionate about. We all need to eat—why not do ourselves a favor and demand something that's good for our bodies

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-15048344838578274802009-06-05T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:05:04.862-07:00

It has been unseasonably warm (and dry) here in the Seattle-area. So, in honor of the lovely weather, here are some outdoorsy links.Oregon 150 ChallengeA nicely designed site that challenges users to see several parts of Oregon, a state I love :-)Trails.comFind a hike in your areaGo to a craft fair!'Tis the season.Plant that garden!Searchable database of native plants for the US.Relax...in an

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-8988603602067798042009-06-03T15:38:00.000-07:002009-06-03T16:05:19.523-07:00

After a mildly embarrassing party faux pax (meaning that our guests were left in the dark after the sun went down), I decided to purchase a pair of these lovely lanterns. I was thrilled to find a product that not only suited my needs (outdoor lighting), but did so while being stylish and solar-powered. A+ for design!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-26330930132559522192009-06-01T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:05:19.138-07:00

For Just One Day by Laura LeuckOk, so we didn't make it to the library, but I have run across this little book which will soon be in my queue. The illustrations are by Marc Boutavant, a designer based in Paris. His drawings are fantastic! I can't wait to see the book up close.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-49887135558897170452009-05-29T04:00:00.000-07:002009-05-29T04:00:02.079-07:00

I have been super duper busy, so my blog has been suffering... but I'm always up for sharing fun links! Happy Friday!HomeSweetBlock printed fabrics + goods.TemplettesIt's back! Downloadable design templates.ShopSCADNewly redesigned and full of good stuff.Ana SerranoCartonlandia—oh so cool.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-72806199761923042382009-05-22T04:00:00.000-07:002009-05-22T04:00:01.175-07:00

In honor of my trip back to the East Coast, here are a few DC-related links.S CurveAnish KapoorWe got to see S Curve at the Sackler Gallery... but photography wasn't allowed. Bummer.Pyramid Atlantic Art CenterAn awesome studio not far from my old house.Dumbarton OaksOne of my favorite places in the city. Quiet and beautiful.Museum of Crime and PunishmentI'm including this for the pure novelty of

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-37181221047861819642009-05-21T12:47:00.000-07:002009-05-21T13:16:33.488-07:00

For years and years (and years and years), I have been designing for non-profit clients. I started out with print, slowly adding web and a little strategy for good measure. But recently (the last few years), I have been getting more small business clients. And with that, has come a shift in client needs. Most large non-profits partner with developers or content management companies to provide

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-68753174912739681492009-05-13T14:17:00.000-07:002009-05-13T19:08:03.449-07:00

Off for a long weekend in DC, which is the short explanation for no posts this week. More when I return!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-11520048504682363652009-05-08T04:00:00.000-07:002009-05-08T04:00:02.369-07:00

Apparently, this week just ran away from me. It's Friday and I have posted next to nothing all week. Getting back to normal after vacation is always difficult... especially when I have only enough time to get settled before I leave again—this time for a long weekend in DC (leaving next Thursday.) But I wouldn't miss out on posting some links, 'cause it's always fun to share cool stuff.Here ya go!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-60685233609127027322009-05-04T11:07:00.001-07:002009-05-04T11:24:33.266-07:00

We're back after a week "off" in Montana. While I was away, nearly every book I had on hold at the library became available, so today's trip was rather successful. One book we brought home was In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. I haven't read this book in years and I forgot how wonderful all of the illustrations are. It also made me recall some controversy surrounding the nudity in the book

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-73250559739501604922009-04-24T11:55:00.000-07:002009-04-24T12:15:01.897-07:00

Keeping it short today, as we prepare for a little vacation in Montana. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!Letterpress invite via Beast PiecesBeast PiecesA lovely design/letterpress blogDisplay and earrings by PolliPolliI bought a pair of their earrings a few years ago and they are still my most favorite pair ever.Final result by Nicole, from Making It LovelyBetter Homes & Gardens 48-Hour

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-25246754170131742722009-04-22T06:57:00.001-07:002009-04-23T07:10:26.944-07:00

It's official—Earth Day is here... and it's still trendy. I can't count the number of "Happy Earth Day" emails I have received from companies trying to position themselves as eco trendsetters. Don't get me wrong, it's great that our country is finally starting to get it. Unfortunately, we've abandoned some simple earth-friendly steps in favor of purchasing designer reusable bags and driving

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-40638674712192985642009-04-21T13:55:00.000-07:002009-04-21T14:50:38.287-07:00

The work has been piling on this week, rather unexpectedly. It's a wonderful thing, but it really caught me off guard. I don't advertise in any way, unless you count my website. Instead, I have a network of fabulous people who continue to send projects my way. Thank you, thank you!However, I have been wondering how long this arrangement can last. Eventually, I am going to have to put myself out

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-27639759734799089592009-04-20T14:09:00.000-07:002009-04-20T14:20:35.701-07:00

I recently found an incredibly inexpensive (used) version of Piero Ventura's Book of Cities online... and am anxiously awaiting its arrival in the mail. More soon!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-80523408419902703502009-04-17T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-17T04:00:01.899-07:00

Another week down. We'll be headed to the Tulip Festival this weekend, which seems like a fine place to enjoy the lovely weather!TapeSwellThe decorative packing tape is my favorite.Morris & EssexPretty hand-printed cards.The Small StakesJason Munn designs posters for awesome bands like it's nobody's business.Bold & NobleBeautiful screenprinted posters.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-18128031252098250652009-04-16T12:11:00.000-07:002009-04-16T12:22:14.502-07:00

Just thought I'd share this video from the folks at Free Range (my old company.) I thought it was nicely done... and it reminded me a lot of Michele Gondry's The Science of Sleep. Perhaps it will convince you to stop using plastic bags?!?

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-51032864460672943122009-04-14T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-14T14:07:06.016-07:00

While I absolutely adore my Adobe Creative Suite 4, its purchase left my pocketbook quite empty. I wish I could use it for everything, but sometimes I just need to make a spreadsheet... or attempt to organize my thoughts. Luckily I've found many great free resources that make my life at least a little bit easier.OpenOfficeThe first, and most powerful free resource I wholeheartedly endorse is

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-88098200555109290852009-04-13T19:52:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:06:55.023-07:00

Today's journey to the library was a bit disappointing, as none of the books I have on hold are ready for pick-up. But that won't stop me from posting about the one children's book I'm anxiously awaiting—All in a Day, illustrated by Nikki McClure. She's still one of my favorites and I can't wait to get a hold of this book. Every time I see Nikki's illustrations, I am blown away at the intricacy

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-84330150778549641332009-04-10T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-10T04:00:00.832-07:00

Here are a few spring-y links for the holiday weekend. Enjoy!CrafterallLovely, affordable papercrafts.Local HarvestIt's growing season, and I can't wait for our farmer's market to (finally) start. Find a market it your area and support your community by buying local!COLOURloversThe name says it all.eggling plant kits from sprout homeSprout HomeA large selection of wonderfully designed home goods.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-61938951519097818182009-04-09T07:45:00.000-07:002009-04-09T13:49:12.323-07:00

Flowers I never knew I had—what a pleasant surprise!Looking back at this week's posts, it seems that content has been sparse—lacking at best. My only excuse: spring. And that means two things for me—beautiful weather and allergies. Both have been keeping me from being my normal productive self. I've been spending a lot more time outdoors, attempting to get my yard and vegetable garden back to a

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-30031598166881281952009-04-08T12:57:00.001-07:002009-04-08T12:58:24.119-07:00

I received my latest issue of ReadyMade today. I can't wait to read it, after I meet a few deadlines.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-86688267121902353052009-04-07T15:32:00.000-07:002009-04-07T15:45:59.122-07:00

It's April 7th and I still haven't received a new issue of ReadyMade, which made me wonder if it was quietly going away, like so many wonderful magazines that have disappeared in the last year. So I looked into it... and it seems that the parent company is cutting jobs and consolidating everyone to Des Moines, Iowa. But none of the employees, originally based in San Francisco, wanted to move. Can

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-83430620734638326932009-04-06T19:15:00.001-07:002009-04-06T19:24:03.102-07:00

It was over 70 degrees and sunny here today, and so we stayed as far away from the library as possible. Instead, we spent lots of time in the freshly pollinated air (boo for allergies!)So no new children's book(s) to recommend, but I did run across this title that I am looking forward to reading soon. Once I have a chance, I plan to check out There's Nothing Funny About Design by David Barringer.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-33800748318455833712009-04-03T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-03T04:00:01.486-07:00

Friday again? Absolutely. And it's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend. Here are a few links for all of you procrastinators.LalaI am constantly in search of new music, and here's yet another way to listen to it without any commitment.Big Huge LabsDo even more with your flickr photos. I did :-)I think these are going to be next up on my baking to-do list.The Post Punk KitchenHome of yummy vegan

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-21644894397879852142009-04-02T14:55:00.000-07:002009-04-02T15:35:17.811-07:00

I am not qualified to give advice on this, as I have been so distracted that I am only beginning to write today's post at 3 pm. It's pitiful. What I can tell you is if you ever want to get anything done, don't get addicted to etsy, Scramble on Facebook, and most importantly... don't start reading blogs. These are not horrible vices by any means, but they're all part of a larger problem of having

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-75083217905407705552009-04-01T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-01T07:09:02.141-07:00

I've always thought of myself as a fairly organized person in both my personal and professional life. But the past few years have been rather challenging. I not only had a baby, but also began working for myself and moved across the country. So it seems I have been trying to figure out how to manage the clutter of a highly accessorized toddler, and survive a 3,000 mile relocation, all while

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-24657597373814775572009-03-31T10:17:00.000-07:002009-03-31T10:25:27.415-07:00

I ran across this blog today and am absolutely flabbergasted as to why I haven't been reading it for years. Not only do these people have a great blog devoted to graphic design, they give away stuff—on a regular basis. Honestly. Go to grain edit. Now!p.s. Marvel at the loveliness of their blog... but please don't stop reading mine :-)

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-20418841233180882172009-03-30T04:00:00.000-07:002009-03-30T04:00:00.694-07:00

It's library day... usually. But we made our trip a bit early this week. I came back with all sorts of picture books that I'm sure we'll be reading non-stop for the rest of the month. While my daughter's choices usually involve ballerinas, princesses, and all matter of frilly silliness, my selections for her are based purely on the type and illustration of the cover. This week, I picked up a

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-23073332142173161502009-03-27T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-07T15:24:31.423-07:00

And, it's Friday... again. If it's nice where you are, get outside already!National Parks ServiceFind a park in your area—discover something new!Green FestivalsThe Green Festival is going on this weekend in Seattle. I went a couple of years ago to the one DC... and while it was fun, it seemed a little strange to attend a "green" festival inside a huge convention center. I'll let you be the

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-89984510136412897422009-03-25T09:37:00.000-07:002009-03-25T10:20:43.263-07:00

It's quite possible I would write more often if I had cool note cards like these from The Paper Apartment.Poster by Mike Perry, author of Hand Job: A Catalog of TypeThis poster by my longtime favorite, Nikki McClure hangs directly in front of my desk as a reminder to just take a moment... and breathe.It will be a miracle if I haven't purchased this shirt from wonderthunder by the end of the day.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-69405927900705549632009-03-24T09:47:00.000-07:002009-03-24T10:47:11.375-07:00

Sadly, my short vacation is over. I'm back to work, sorting through more emails than I would have ever gotten had I just been home in the first place. Why is it that the number of requests seems to increase exponentially when I'm away? I should not complain—it's not a bad thing these days...We had a wonderful time. Victoria, or what we saw of it, is a cute little city—and we will most definitely

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-33987578724149501252009-03-23T20:27:00.001-07:002009-03-23T20:29:40.071-07:00

I'm back from Victoria... and will have lots to report in the next few days. Stay tuned—really!

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-48884183701307267912009-03-20T04:00:00.000-07:002009-03-20T07:34:39.722-07:00

Teacups Fabric by Hannah Raeside, from SpoonflowerI realize that "fun" is subjective. Just to be safe, we'll say these links are not lame.MOMA Color Chart Exhibit (2008)The site may be old news (the exhibit ended nearly a year ago), but it's nice and, well, colorful.SpoonflowerDesign your own fabric—I have to try this out!The OnionIf you haven't been to their site yet, go! You need a good laugh.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-19135510695091407722009-03-19T08:03:00.000-07:002009-03-19T08:32:48.849-07:00

Design Connoisseur by Louise FiliA Designer's Guide to Italy by Louise Fili (I just so happen to have a copy!)If you haven't heard of Louise Fili, where have you been? Kidding. I just happen to really love her book design. And when I saw that she had updated her site (via The Daily Heller), I had to share. Prior to my journey to Italy in 2005, I emailed her about her book, A Designer's Guide to

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-77821042280374164942009-03-18T04:00:00.000-07:002009-03-18T06:33:46.405-07:00

I am currently reading State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys quirky short stories. It's a great compilation that really gives a face to each state, sometimes confirming stereotypes, and other times just providing interesting facts that could prove useful in boring conversations. But it got me to thinking about the lines that divide us, real

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-82107046915845419512009-03-17T10:27:00.001-07:002009-03-17T11:38:28.488-07:00

Painting by Leela FordDress by The Smoking LilyPhoto of Miniature World by MEOMIThis weekend, we're off to Victoria, BC for a short family vacation. Before I travel to new places, I like to do a little research... beyond the usual guidebook. So, below are a few links to cool things going on up north. Stay tuned for photos (and recommendations)!Leela FordThe Smoking LilyThe MetropolitanPlenty

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-15340101444457235482009-03-16T11:35:00.000-07:002009-03-19T08:27:05.168-07:00

I can be found chasing around a curly-haired little girl. I rarely work on Mondays, so we use it as our day to go to the library. Today, I ran across a book that I decided to check out just for the illustrations. Take a peek. More of Oliver Jeffers' work can be found here.

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-21712907657445552292009-03-13T04:00:00.000-07:002009-03-13T04:00:00.304-07:00

I've decided to devote my Friday posts to fun links, things to do, etc.—diversions. I started it last week, so why not just continue? You weren't really serious about working today, anyway.Venus Zine's Washington DC City GuideAnother guide to DC, the city that was my home for over seven years. Ah, sometimes I miss it :-) Note: like all guides to DC, Venus has included Ben's Chili Bowl... but they

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-68666212849846862412009-03-11T15:14:00.001-07:002009-03-19T08:25:09.219-07:00

This is my room. MY room, my office. I have a room to contain the mess of lino shavings, cut paper and exacto blades that I have been known to create. I can shut the door to keep out curious 2-year-olds. It gets great light (which is why I decided it would be ok to paint it Bittersweet Chocolate) and is, most importantly, a filled with things I love.I still work from the desk my dad made me over

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-217693268865901062009-03-11T06:00:00.000-07:002009-03-19T08:28:21.019-07:00

I love making books. There's just something about having a tangible object to represent all of the hard work I've put into a project. It's great to be able to visit a website I've designed, but my true love is print, which is probably evident by now, if you've read any of this blog. While I take so much satisfaction in creating books by hand, bookbinding is time-consuming. And... I have lots of

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-69659444475573614662009-03-10T06:00:00.000-07:002009-03-10T06:00:00.866-07:00

When asked to choose my favorite era in design history, I would have a difficult time trying to pick just one. I adore the simplicity of Mid-century Modern, the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement, and the organic lines of Art Nouveau. But the style of Art Deco seems to have my heart. When I read The Daily Heller last week on a summer Master's program in Italy (Oh, how I'd love to go), and

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-67594102255608461622009-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:002009-03-06T07:52:11.502-08:00

It's been a longish week, so I'm going to try to focus on fun for today. Here are a few diversions for the end of the work week:Layer TennisMaybe this is only fascinating to all of us PhotoShop nerds—watch it live today, or check out the archives.CraftStylishMake something fun this weekend—without the computer! This site has LOTS of ideas... if you're a craftster.HuluNot at all design-related,

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-9339084701000653642009-03-05T06:00:00.000-08:002009-03-05T06:00:01.760-08:00

Oh, how I long to take a letterpress class. Back in my days at the Corcoran, we had one available to us in our screenprinting/bookbinding lab—and I never took advantage. How foolish of me! Now I'm nearly 3,000 miles away and yearning to print... but with no tools. In the meantime, I drool over others' letterpress lovelies and remind myself that soon, very soon, I will find a class and the time to

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-68635611606126344792009-03-04T14:40:00.000-08:002009-03-04T15:07:15.843-08:00

I saw this poster on Creattica Daily last week and it made me chuckle. Perhaps it's just an inside joke for for us type freaks, but it illustrates what I consider to be one of the most important dilemmas designers face today—misused type!With hundreds of sites devoted to providing free font downloads, it takes only a few minutes to expand your library with typefaces that ought not to EVER be used

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-78712201072750583192009-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:002009-03-04T11:16:12.037-08:00

By now, the downturn of this economy has hit most of us... in some way or another. Perhaps we're dining out less, foregoing a vacation, or simply ignoring it all in the hope it will just go away. But more specifically, our economy seems to have provided an interesting environment for designers, especially freelancers.When budgets are cut, creative departments are some of the first to go. Perhaps

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-52053344164458672522009-03-03T11:34:00.000-08:002009-03-03T11:46:29.632-08:00

What seemed like just a few weeks, was nearly a two-month hiatus from writing. How did that happen? The answer: I have been busy, busy, busy... which is great, great, great! While not blogging, I have actually put my long-awaited printing supplies to good use. My first print went out as a very limited edition of Valentine's Day postcards–each one unique. Cutting linoleum is much more tedious than

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-46722862872369673012009-01-12T14:17:00.000-08:002009-03-03T11:47:22.021-08:00

When the day is through, and I have made my twelfth edit to a homepage, or tweaked a logo until it no longer resembles my original vision... I am often too tired to do what I love most—make stuff. While designing websites and brochures is great (and I feel lucky to be able to do it), it is much more satisfying to create something a bit more tangible. For me, this can be a lot of things—a handmade

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-6838297167444004442009-01-09T13:38:00.000-08:002009-03-03T11:47:39.579-08:00

Just a warning, I'm about to get all business-like. I mentioned in my last post that I have been planning a design blog forever (YEARS!), but what finally made me start was an issue I encountered with a recent project, one that ended not-so-well. Long story short, the client will be finishing up the project with another designer. These things happen. It ended amicably. And we'll all be happier in

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415485106022314522.post-14219415958199403742009-01-08T10:34:00.001-08:002009-01-08T14:01:22.077-08:00

Ok, you say. Another blog about design? Reluctantly, yes. I know there are a lot of them out there. I read many daily. But this is something I have wanted to do for a REALLY long time. It's been over three years since I started my personal blog, and there are many posts I never published simply because they seemed a little off-topic. Now is the time to separate the business from the personal, to

mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066603114756761832noreply@blogger.com0