Free Typography Lesson!

Something that always urks me a little as a designer is when I get a bunch of text from someone and after every period there are TWO spaces. Let me inform anyone reading this... that is an incorrect practice.

It all began with the typewriter, when each letter took up the same amount of space whether it was skinny like an "i" or fat like a "m" (called monotype). Using 2 spaces was necessary because the letters were already a little spaced out and it was difficult to distinguish where the end of a sentence was. These days we don't have that problem any more! The letters have individual spacing that takes care of the problem, with maybe the exception of Courier.

That's the basics of it, if you are interested or disagree, check out this article!

Free Font: Matilde

If you like the little frames that I used around these little guys, you can download them! They are part of a really pretty free font called Matilde. Get both the fonts and the frames here.

Valentine's Day Card

Hello there!

I've just posted a printable Valentine's Day card in my etsy shop featuring this little cutie! Perfect for kids or just about anyone!

Hello New Year!

Hello everyone! Well another year has come and gone and the short list of things I set out to do last year... well let's just say that everything still needs done! Not a fun thought at the beginning of the year to realize that you didn't accomplish any of the things that you wanted to try to get done. Of course I did so many other things, just not the few extras that I had hoped to acheive! I was terribly busy with freelance work, which I am grateful for because it pays the bills : ) I don't think that is likely to change, also a good thing! I am working on rearranging my time a little so I can squeeze in some time to blog, for example. I hope to make it a more regular occurrence.

I did have some exciting things happen to me in the last year and hopefully I'll get around to sharing some of that here! I will share this with you, some fun illustrations that I did as part of a freelance project in December. I know monsters and alligators are typically threatening or scary, but I think these are just plain cute!!!

oh my neglected blog...

Well, it would seem that every time I start feeling as though things are settling down and I am able to blog with some regularity, things get absolutely crazy again! I have been so swamped with work lately (not that I'm complaining) that I just haven't had any spare time. I mean, last week I worked over 40 hours in 4 days! I have so much still in progress that I am getting mentally bogged to the point of shutting down. I feel like my laptop when I have left in on too long without restarting, but somehow I'm still chugging along : )

Anyway, lately I have been introducing some of my students to illustrators and one of my recent favorites is David Weidman. This piece in particular seems to fit in with my life/schedule lately!

Hope everyone is having a nice Spring so far!

flury of activity

Hello everyone and happy Friday!

I have been buried in grading this week. I just returned almost 500 collages to my 80 illustration students! It's been a bit busy and on top of that I've been trying to get an order of save the date cards out the door! Below is a sneak peak of the magnet that is being printed for the inside of the card. I love the color palette for this wedding!!! I'll photograph the whole thing once they are done. Have a great weekend everyone!

beautiful print

Doing some lazy internet surfing yesterday I came across this beautiful print. It's called Fancy Dress, by Yasmine Surovec a designer and illustrator from the Bay area. I love the detail on the dress. So feminine and pretty! It can be purchased here for $35 and 15% of the profit goes to the kids in need foundation, which works to provide school supplies to children in need.

A beautiful piece of art and donating to a good cause... as if I would need another reason ; )

Olympic Graphics

Ok, so everyone has already seen them I'm sure. But I really do love the graphics for these olympic games! Every time I start watching the figure skating, I just want them to stop and span around the rink so I can see all of the art! Ah, I'm a sucker for all good design!

Here are some of the icons:

and I love the little characters that are used on the website:
Have a great weekend everyone!

What type are you?

I'm sure many people have seen this, but I still think it is pretty fun. To see what type you are click here. (The password is character)

I am Archer Hairline, a font that I find quite beautiful! Happy Monday everyone.

Sorry I've been away...

So, the new year has come and already January is almost over! I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted! It isn't that I haven't had anything to post about, or that I've forgotten, just not enough time in a day it seems. I think that is the same story of most people who are self-employed. Or most people for that matter.

It's been a busy several months, and I don't feel like that will change any time soon. I do have lots of fun things that I need to photograph and share with the world, but with as gray as it has been here lately, not sure when that will happen. That's the trouble when you live in NE Ohio. I feel so behind... I'm still trying to figure out what my New Year's goals are! I do know that one goal is to commit to posting here AT LEAST once a week. I would love to do it everyday, but I don't want to over promise, especially to myself. I just end up feeling bad. So after being away for several months, I think once a week is an excellent goal.

Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful January and beginning of their new year! Here's hoping to see you all once a week!

fabric bowls

I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to make on of these fabric bowls!













You can make one though. Find complete instructions here.

Perhaps when I am done programming 3 websites, finishing up tons of wedding collateral for a friend/client, preparing for the semester to start and all of my other freelance projects I can make one too!

Yikes, it sounds like even more when I write it down. Oh well, one day at a time ; )

(Images from Imagine Fabric.)

my absence

Sorry about my absence lately. This summer seems like it has been one big project after another! I am busy this week preparing the syllabuses for my classes which begin next week! I can't believe the fall semester is here already. I have done several projects that I want to share, but haven't had any time to take photos yet!

Here is a little eye candy to tide you over until I can get back to more regular posting. It's a great childrens book by Werner Design Werks, using letters to create the animals! So great!

a bit of a break

It's been a while since I posted because my husband and I took a little staycation last week. Nothing too exciting, though we did enjoy a Dave Matthews Band concert at Blossom. A good show. I also went to the Cleveland zoo with my twin nephews, very fun!

Posting will likely be sparse for the next couple of weeks as well. We are having a house warming party in a couple of weeks and I am trying to get a lot of stuff done between now and then. Painting, cleaning, organizing... it is going to take up almost all of my time. So until next time, hope everyone is having a nice summer and wish me luck on all of my house projects : )

fabric envelopes

Found this diy post on design sponge for making fabric envelopes. So cute, can't wait to make some! I think I'll add some stitching though. I think a zig-zag across the bottom would be great!

These could really dress up an office, or be wonderful to hold a card or gift tag for a special gift.

lacking inspiration

I seem to be having one of those weeks where it is impossible to get started. I have tons of projects going on and ideas for several more, yet I can't get motivated to work on any of them. I tried giving myself some time off, spending that time out in the sun doing a bit of yard work, but that didn't seem to help. I made a to do list as well, hoping it would help me find a place to start. I think I am just lacking inspiration.

Perhaps next week will be different... I hope.

photography help & new (to me) blog

I was browsing my usual blog reads last night and came across this post that I thought was very helpful. Full of tips about taking photography for online shops. I thought it was a great post and introduced me to a new blog: mint... very fun!

lighted pennant garland

I am loving these pennant lights from once wed. They seem simple to make and would look great in any backyard or porch. Just think of how much fun you could have with different types of paper and fonts punched out. Can't wait to try and make some myself! For complete instructions click here.

bridal shower invitations

I recently had the pleasure of designing some bridal shower invitations for one of my dearest friends. You may recall the silhouette from this post. They will get more use in the wedding invitations, but I was super excited to use them for this "something blue" themed wedding shower!
The invitations consisted of a flat card with all of the particulars, a lined envelope and an envelope seal. All personalized just for Laura! Enjoy.

nature inspired etsy finds

I am feeling a bit outdoorsy today as I sit on my back porch doing a little web programming. So I thought I would poke around etsy and see what I could find to enhance this feeling, as it is such a beautiful day here (even if it is a little on the cool side.) Here's just a few:

a log print by gollybard

some green felt garland by anastasiajaminhome


tree ring paintings by focuslineart

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

my little collection

Well, here is the first peek at my little collection of mail clippings. It is interesting to start seeing the colors and patterns that happen upon my mailbox.