Links to Love: March 2016

Image by Robert Kutsaev for Unsplash

Image by Robert Kutsaev for Unsplash

March is here with the promise of Spring (maybe) in the midwest, and with Spring comes color! Here are a few links I have been loving so far in 2016 filled with color and beauty:

Jewelry with a cause, 31 Bits has an amazing Spring 2016 collection. I am in love with all their bright colors and designs. Any one else in need of their droplet bracelet collection right now?

As if you couldn't fall in love with Jessica Hische even more, read her 7 Truths for Creative Success here on the Minted blog.

Did you catch the Oscars this year? World famous photographer, Mark Seliger, is at it again with his instant Portrait Studio at the Vanity Fair after party. Among the stunners I particularly love how he captured Lady Gaga and Anne Hathaway.

Such a sweet DIY flower filled wedding—I love those colors!

When everyday objects match a favorite Pantone color, it's a good day. When tiny little objects match a Pantone swatch perfectly, even better. 

Letters for Love Songs

I have been doing a small challenge on my Instagram this month to post a love song lyric each day called #lettersforlovesongs. I compiled a list of my favorite love songs lyrics and have been giving myself 30 minutes to pick, sketch and (if need be) computerize the text. Some of them I feel so good about in person and then I photograph them and feel subpar—does that ever happen to you?

Despite the feeling of subpar work, I post it anyways as a challenge to myself not only to follow through on posting everyday, but to start getting my work out there and making bench marks for myself. Practice makes perfect—and I really do love practicing. It is just picking the lyrics that are hard! So many GREAT love songs out there.

You can hear the playlist of all the songs I have picked so far on Spotify, just click here. Remember to follow along on my Instagram and the hashtag #lettersforlovesongs

Portfolio: Voss Baby Shower

Over the holiday's I had the opportunity to celebrate my sweet friends Corrie and Matt and their baby girl! I met my sweet friend Corrie through mutual friends back in high school when they both knew Corrie and I were going to the same college. Fast forward a handful of years later, all of us being married, and now she's having a baby! To celebrate, a handful of our friends threw the most adorable outdoor themed baby shower. I loved getting to design the invitation and are so excited to meet their new baby girl this spring! Congrats Corrie and Matt!

Happy New Year!

Five days in and 2016 seems to already to be a promising year. I took a break between Christmas and New Years (which was much needed) filled with rest, family, and figuring out what this next year looks like. I I can't wait to show you all everything I have been working on. Cheers to 2016!

Holiday Craft Shows: Part Two

In the beginning of December, I wrapped up the craft show season with my favorite show, Renegade. Jammed into the beautiful Bridgeport Art Center's 1st and 5th floors, the fair had a cozy and inviting feeling to it. I was on the first floor, and once again was placed next to the nicest makers. We (literally) were sandwiched next to one another and saw the crowd roll in right on the 11am dot. It was busy both days, which I always favor. 

I did sneak away for a few minutes on Sunday to see what others had to offer and met some great makers. I love this market because of the variety of items—it made it so easy to get a handful of Christmas and personal shopping done. I snagged a beautiful necklace from Made by Maru that now is a staple piece in my jewelry collection, bought part of my GoodyGoodyGift Swap gift from Lady Alamo, and snagged these poster frames for my new office. 

It was a great weekend to end the year with—it was so great to have so many friends stop by, meet new people, and (my favorite part) getting to glimpse one of my celeb-crushes, Sophie Bush, as she wandered by my booth. Can't wait to see what 2016 holds!

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Color Companion: Color of the Year 2016

PANTONE announced it's traditional color of the year a few weeks back and surprised us all with the beautiful color combo of Rose Quartz and Serenity. I loved seeing these soft and versatile colors come splashing on to the scene. Just imagine how they will add to the minimalistic color scheme of neutrals for both homes and wardrobes—plus they will be great companions to 2015 Color of the Year Marsala. Can one hope that bright colors might be back in fashion with in a year or two due to this pick? This girl sure hopes so.

Holiday Renegade

This weekend is my last craft show of 2015 and I wouldn't want the year to end any other way than with Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago! Join me this Saturday and Sunday at the Bridgeport Art Center from 11am -6pm to get some great holiday goodies and gifts checked off your list! 

I'm booth #7 on the first floor so make sure to stop by and say hi! Also check out my friend Jessica's booth, J. Renee Illustration, on the 5th floor. Can't wait to see you all there!

Welcome Christmas Time!

If there is a time I love more than birthday's (especially mine) it is the Christmas season! For me shopping is fun, but getting to shop for others is even better! Here are three of my favorite ways you can spread the holiday season this year:

1. Goody Goody Gift Swap

Crafters and Bloggers and cute presents — oh my! This swap allows anyone interested to sign up and then be paired up with another interested gifter to create, gather, paint, construct or shop for a thoughtful gift for them! This is so fun to see what you will get - who knows, you might even be paired up with someone from across the world!

2. World Vision Gift Catalog

World Vision has had a special place in my heart for  a long time now, and what I have loved every Christmas season is when their Gift Catalogue comes in the mail. You can choose a gift or gifts for people around the world to be blessed with this Christmas —including ducks, goats, cows and even clean water. Pick something out with your family, or gift a few chickens in a friends name, either way this is a gift that can't go wrong. 

3. Operation Christmas Child

Another great way to get multiple people involved is Operation Christmas by Samaritans Purse. Grab a few friends and head to Target or Walmart and fill a shoe box with gifts and life necessities for a child in need. Don;t forget to write a note and send a picture - this could be a fun way to have a pen pal! Feel like you don't have time to shop for all the items, let Samaritans Purse do it for you by building a shoe box online here.

Don't forget that today is #GivingTuesday!  Now that Black Friday has past and Cyber Monday is gone, find the charity or company of your choice and refocus on the holiday spirit of giving by donating today. Not sure where to give—check out the site for a list of companies or head to your favorite charities site to give.

Let the Christmas Season begin!

Life Lately

I look at my life this year and am in awe in the direction the Lord has pulled myself and my husband. If you would of told us in January of the steps, leaps and step-backs we would have this year I would of thought you were talking about some one else's life. Just like most things in life, the sweetest things come slowly and surprise you when they finally arrive. 

In the course of the year we have committed more to growing in to taking so many steps in our lives. Steps into improving our marriage and relationship, steps in our walk with Jesus, and steps in relationships with friends. I took steps away from a secure, wonderful job into the unknown of self-business to take steps back into an office part-time. Reid took steps to a healthier lifestyle in both meals and working out, and in conjunction we both took steps to run races along side church members in partnership with World Vision to bring awareness of clean water. 

That decision has changed our entire year and our hearts forever.

In the last few weeks we took steps out of our comfort areas and had the privilege to visit Kenya and Uganda along side church mates and World Vision staff to see where the money we raised was being used and how the Lord is working in both these countries through World Vision. I will have to write more later on our amazing trip, but I know for the fact the Lord is doing a mighty work to change lives through the resources World Vision is helping to provide and the amazing staff they have all over the world, and specifically the Buliisa, Uganda team. I am in awe of how He uses people as mighty vessels to bring about change and how deep His love runs through his children. 

Then in a matter of hours we will be taking steps to move, yet again, to a new apartment. We now have the privilege to work with the organization Institute for Community by being apart of their Community Life program to help promote community and belonging within a specific apartment complex in Arlington Heights. We can not be more excited to meet our new neighbors and get to do life alongside them all! 

And just like that I look back and see that all these steps have created such an interesting and exciting journey that I am thankful I could have never imagined for myself. I often think what my 18 year-old self would say knowing she would be here at 25 and all the layers that led me from that freshman college version to the version I am today. She would be shocked, but not concerned; It wasn't what my 18 year-old self planned, but when is it ever what we planned? I thank God that his plans are sweeter and far more expansive than mine will ever be at any age.

Here's to many more steps, step-backs and directions changes ahead. 

 

 

Links to Love : VOL. 9

Seeing logo development and origins is always a cool thing. I love the progression of these MLB logos over the last 100 years.

I may be late to the party on this, but have you seen this App by Adobe? I'm so excited to try  out Illustrator Draw for the iPad.

A cute way to vamp up some old flat ware or add spice to that collection of mismatched soon in the drawer.

Though I didn't finish my personal #100DayProject - I loved what Mary Kate McDevitt did with her  100 days.

Adult friendly coloring books are a real thing and they are a beautiful. Here are a few of my favorites I have seen out there: Querkles, Secret Garden, and this one of Mid Modern Patterns.

Italics, the Kitty Cat

I had to share a little more about my life outside the studio, or in this case one of my favorite office mates - Italics, our kitty cat. Yes, I'm a cat lady! My husband and I had gone back and forth on getting an animal, and when we moved last August to a new apartment we said that we definitely would wait. We both enjoy animals, but I who grew up with multiple cats and a dog (among many other animals) was going through with drawl.

Just weeks after moving in, along came Italics, or Tally for short. My husband was apart of a running group at church which trained on Saturday mornings in a park near by. Long of the short of it, they found her in a tree, meowing for dear life in the park. My husband knew something was different about this little kitty, and off handedly offered if they couldn't find the home she belonged to he knew someone (me!) who would love to keep her. She was 4 months old at the time.

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A week went by, flyers went up, and they took her to the vet to see if she had a tracking chip. No one claimed her. Then the call came to my husband asking if we would like to take her. After a very short discussion we said yes (and I was giddy out of my mind) !

My husbands jokes Tally is the best thing that he ever did for me. I love her and even better she loves me. She cuddles with me in the morning, sits in my lap when I work in the office, and is playful. It makes such a difference to have a sweet, little companion.

I'm thankful for my husband noticing my longing for an animal. For this little runaway being caught in a tree where the running group met a year ago, and most of all for her sweet temperament and playful spirit. What can I say - once a cat lover, always a cat lover. 

Endings to Beginnings

Tyndale House Publisher, Design Department | Carol Stream, Il*Note: Above is a piece of artwork that was created by having each design team member contribute to the process - a beautiful picture of collaboration and and what can be made togethe…

Tyndale House Publisher, Design Department | Carol Stream, Il

*Note: Above is a piece of artwork that was created by having each design team member contribute to the process - a beautiful picture of collaboration and and what can be made together when a team is in sync. Hung in the main entrance to the design department, I always had a wonderful admiration for the artwork and the beauty it expressed both physically and metaphorically. 

I have found in my last few "endings" that the transition between where the end truly leaves off and the beginning starts is often rushed, blurred together, or left to reminisce on in later days or years to come. How do you neatly packaged an ending that is both sad and exhilarating? How do you find the words to say that hold meaning and not just space?

It has been a month since left my first job and work "home" and as I step into the next chapter, a sweet beginning, this time I have space to reflect on both the last chapter and the days to come. The Lord has done so many things in my life, and in the last 4 years specifically I have seen His affirmation and confirmation of me pursuing a life in design and the arts.

Now a little over three years later, as I quietly stepped out of the doors one last time as a co-worker and commercial designer for such a sweet company I was filled with peace and a whole lot of insight and knowledge on design and what a contributing team member looks like. There are so many words I could describe my teammates with - so much patience, creativity, consideration, willingness, and excellence. I will always be grateful for them, and for a company that put Christ at its core to create not only excellent products, but produce excellent teammates and friends. 

Thank you.