Stationery Classics: Party Animal

My favorite birthday card I have created would hands down be these penguins. Adorned in their finest party attire, these penguins were originally sketched out for a New Years card. Yes, these dapper gentlemen were meant for the New Year, but I loved them so much I knew they need to send more cheer all year long. I'm so glad these guys turned into my most beloved card.

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Mothers Day Renegade Market

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Last month we had a great time at the annual Renegade Craft Fair, Chicago Pop-Up. We definitely lucked out with amazing weather both days, great crowds and a beautiful setting near their new offices in Pilsen. I loved getting to know new vendors, saying hi to clients I have seen before at the fair and debuting my new notepads. It was a fun weekend celebrating a great kick off to the summer and of course Mothers Day — with a surprise showing by my very own sweet mom!

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Beautiful art work on the side of one of the buildings. 

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Valentine's Day Around the Corner

2017 is here and the first month is already finished, what?!?! I can't believe how fast this month has flown by—which that means February is almost here—but that means Valentine's Day is almost here! I'm not a sucker for the holiday, but have always loved how the reds and pinks have warmed up the dead of the winter months here in the MidWest. Plus it is another great excuse to send out cards and tell those around you why you love and adore them! What could beat that?

Check out the love collection and new Valentine's in the shop! Click here to see more!

Dream Patio

Summer is so close! With our move to a new apartment last Fall we gained a patio space. I must say this was one thing I felt was lacking in our old apartment. With the days getting warmer, I can't stop dreaming about what our patio will look like and spending time there! Here are a few dream patios of mine...

I have been loving the fun black and white trend with a pop of color. I'll be honest, I don't love the color pink. Look at that lounge chair though! I love the scallops and the way it would pops with so many black and white accents. Just imagine the space filled with leafy palms and how the soft light would look at twilight bouncing off the gold plant stands. Dreamy!

My second dream patio mixes fun patterns and the ease of the boho trend. Pulling in more bright colors, beautiful wicker lounge chairs, and teases of copper and gold—this space would be great for relaxing on any day of the week. I love the idea of hanging plants to give a "surrounded" feel to the patio, but creating more foot space. Wouldn't it also be fun to fill that pretty geometric lantern with fairy lights?

I'm still figuring out what would fit in our smaller patio space (as well as in our budget), but I'll keep looking around and combining my dream patios till I find my "can't part with "pieces. 

Life Lately

This time of year I still feel the need to travel (It must be that internal ingrained Spring Break schedule from school for so many years). Between Reid going back to Africa in May, our role at our apartment, and just life in general—there have been few weekends that have given us time to travel this year, let alone sleep-in. Thankfully, this last weekend was a surprise, slow weekend full of sleeping-in, a refreshing day trip to Milwaukee Art Museum, and even time to cook more than just a meal. 

If you have never been to the Milwaukee Art Museum, it is a must! The Quadracci Pavilin by Santiago Calatrava alone is worth going for. On the more beautiful days the roof actually opens up to resemble wings—stunning! The collection as well is incredible. The galleries rotate out the works every 6 months and the museum itself owns over 30,00 pieces of work! I was particularly in love with their collections of Georgia O'keeffe (pictured below) and there modernism collection. Definitely will be making another trip back when the weather is nicer.

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!