card reveal #2
Good morning and Happy Monday friends!
I have been so excited and anxious to share more card designs with you. It is funny how some things happen with design and timing during the year. When i designed the following cards, it was right before the Christmas season. So Ellie the bird was introduced first- as Santa Claus.
However, Ellie bird really started as a simple bird chirping away.
Now… Ellie is ready to deliver Easter treats and all set for Halloween as a scary ghost!
These will all be letterpressed with oh-so pretty colors as shown and sold in sets or single cards, so check back soon for information.
Last weekend when my niece Ellie was visiting, I showed her the designs and she screeched with excitement. It really was so cute, and I think she approved.
It’s a wrap!
Happy February! I hope your first week was phenomenal. A busy, busy week here at the studio and lots of great projects happening. I can’t wait to share them all. In fact…i think i just might reveal some more cards next week. After talking with one of my favorite bloggers, Cyd of The Sweetest Occassion, she pretty much told me she wants one of each! So i think i want to share more designs with you. In the meantime, a quick recap:
* If you missed the “oh so pink” February desktop, get yours here.
* When Ellie stayed with me last weekend we made some V-Day treats and you can download the gift tags here.
* A Valentine’s Day of a different color that featured an engraved invitation and a “not so traditional” color scheme for a Valentine’s Day wedding.
* Then the fun, double sided letterpressed invitation for RPI.
* Links to share with you: One of my favorite (and daily visits) is Oh. Joy. She also writes Happy Lady Eats. Check them out! Also, for some fashion inspiration and some great chics, Crowded Closet is a must read!
Have a great weekend everyone. Enjoy the super bowl if you watch, be safe and make sure you relax! Create some peaceful mental images this weekend.
A double sided project
Every now and again I get the pleasure of designing for someone other than a bride. I love working with my brides, however it is such a nice balance to do corporate work too. This project was particularly fun and the event planner Becky and her group at RPI were open to letterpress, my favorite. The assignment was to design an invitation for a series of receptions across the country to honor those who helped contribute to the transformation of RPI. Various building aspects, education and other items have been transformed.
In brainstorming ideas, I decided to use an abstract image of architectural circles for imagery. I felt it also encompassed what the large project was about. The invite was printed on #220 paper and the guys on press did an amazing job of letterpressing both sides without the impression showing through. One side was blind de-bossed while the information was on the opposite. I also love the envelope which also shows the circles partly on the flap and bleeds off the left edge. Again, kudos to the amazing print job!
a Valentine’s Day of a different color
Instead of traditional red and pink, why not burgundy and gold with a splash of champagne added in?
Invitation: The Pink Orange
Bouquet: Renaissance Floral
Dress: Priscilla of Boston
This invitation was designed for a bride for last Valentine’s Day in burgundy and gold. I loved the linen paper with the combination of engraving and offset print. The detail on the invite printed amazing in an ink with just a hint of metallic. So elegant and sophisticated!
project: Valentine’s day treats
I first wanted to thank all of you for your visits to this blog-site. Since I relaunched just a few short months ago, traffic has increased steadily and so have comments both online and off. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you taking a peek into my personal and professional life each day. I enjoy sharing all the goodies with you and look forward to it each day! If you ever have suggestions of what you would like to see or inspirations, please feel free to comment or email from the contact page. Thanks so much everyone!
As I mentioned, my niece Ellie came for the the weekend. We were very busy with art projects galore, but also some cooking projects. One of which was an easy Valentine’s Day treat. Chocolate covered pretzels. Mmmmmm….. After we finished them, I realized how appropriate they could be for favors and gifts for welcome bags as well. So not just for the sweet filled month of February. This didn’t take us long at all. Here is the low-down:
We first picked out all of our sprinkle toppings. We used a toffee crunch, rainbow sprinkles and a V-Day combo of reds, pinks and white. We melted a bag of vanilla chips and semi-sweet chips for one bag of pretzel rods. It was more than enough actually.
After the chocolate was nice and smooth, we rolled the pretzels into the chocolate. Be careful the coating is not too thick, or it just clumps off. Lay out wax paper and after you roll the pretzel in chocolate, roll into your toppings and lay on the wax paper to harden.
After the treats harden, insert into the sleeve (you can buy at most craft stores) and close with decorative string. Out of all of the decorative string and ribbon I own, Ellie picked suede. Yes, suede. How cute is she?
We made the tags to tie onto the treats which you can download here. Print out on 8.5 x 11 heavy weight paper, hole punch the top and wa-LA! You are all set. Enjoy!
february desktop: free download
What a fun, fun weekend! Ellie and I had a total blast filled with art, baking movies and just good ol’ girl time. We made some Valentine’s Day gift tags that will be available this week for download and an inexpensive Valentine’s Day treat to use them for. (Complete with photos of Ellie licking her chocolate fingers and all)! Yes, we both have the most extreme sweet teeth on earth.
So with the official start of February, I thought it was only fitting to start the month off in style with a new desktop. Yes, yes… it is the most romantic month of the year and I’m an absolute hopeless romantic, so there is a ton of pink. However, I did spare the “not-so-romantics” the endless supply of hearts and hugs and kisses. I hope this is the start of a great month so enjoy!
Download either 1280 x 1024 or 1024 x 768 here.
it’s a wrap!
I can’t believe we have come upon the last few days of January so quickly – and all of a sudden, the coldest here in the great Northeast. I’ll be logging off early today to pick up my niece Ellie for a weekend sleepover. Oh boy do we have plans! We will be very busy ladies and will even have some projects to share. Until then, here is a weekly recap!
* This week’s Designer File featured Jessica Gonacha Swift, an amazing illustrator.
* I was excited to receive the new issue of Well Wed magazine that had some features of my work, in addition featured the Slip-its as a fun gift idea!
* I was so honored to be included as one of Well Wed magazines top picks of talented professionals. See the article here.
* I I had some fun shopping for a rubber address stamp. I’ll let you all know what i decide. I think i’ll get Christopher’s thoughts too. I mean, he does live here too. 
* Of course one of my favorite posts this week was the unveiling of Deborah’s logo! I can’t wait to share the cards and accessories with you all.
I hope everyone has a really great weekend. Next week i’ll have the new desktop design for February and some weekend projects with Ellie to share! Stay warm and have fun.
logo reveal
I have been so excited to share my latest logo design with you! The last few weekly wrap-ups I have talked about this logo. I think I get so attached to my designs because I truly enjoy my work and my clients. In Deborah’s case, I think it was kismet that we met and now have become friends! It is quite amazing and I can’t wait to share her business cards which are being letterpressed. We will also be working on oodles of goodies for her new business. So I will certainly share along the way too!
When I design logos, it is very important that the logo looks great in both black and white and color. I start my sketches and brainstorming in all black and white. I’ll use shades of gray to distinguish where color might go as an option. I like to compare it to a person. If you like someone for simply what is on the outside, then you are missing out on the inside. So if the strength of a logo is based solely on color, it isn’t a strong mark. The strength of a logo needs to survive photocopies, scanning and uses of all sizes and medium.
The challenge:
Starting from scratch, the challenge was to create a logo for Deborah that represents her personality, but also the wide scope of what she does. Rather than have a list, or add one particular strength of hers, we simply used her name and added ‘designs’ to it. The word although simple, really works for her.
The next part was how to represent Deborah and her business. She is a smart savvy business woman, who is fun, feminine and knows what she wants… and stands by it! Without going ultra feminine and full of flourish, I worked in a clean and modern mark while complimenting it with a feminine touch.
The process:
The overall process is always so much fun. For this project, because Deborah and I are so much alike, I went a bit crazy and presented a bit too much to her. (I just couldn’t resist). 
After presenting a variety of concepts to Deborah, we started working with color. She knew she wanted shades of sherbet. Think summer fun, light and contemporary. Deborah had a vision and we worked through it all together. I love, love, love the final result!
The result:
address stamp fun
When Christopher and I got married, I ordered a very cool desk embosser from Wilshire Graphic Press for our thank you notes. They do a fantastic job and you can buy extra plates to switch addresses or graphics out. Then we moved, then business got busy, then we started trying to have a family, then…. then… you know, time gets away from your own little life details and i have yet to order a new plate. (Yes, we have been at our current location for over 2 years now). So, it really is time to get a new return address plate. Until, I saw this website- Paperwink. Oh the accessories! A stationer’s heaven. Why what did my eyes see? Rubber return address stamps! Love, love them. As much as I enjoy my classic desk embosser, you have to admit that a fun rubber stamp that you can order multiples of to fit your mood, event and envelope is a whole bunch of fun. Another thing? They feel so nostalgic. Sort of like the mini date stamper the local librarian used to use on our books growing up to stamp the due date. So now the question is… which one (or two) do i buy?
[1] tavern [2] parcel [3] metro [4] sweet
designer file: Jess Gonacha Swift
Have you ever had that feeling when you see something really amazing that you just want to stare? Whether it be a gorgeous piece of fabric, an article of clothing with amazing lines, and even food that is like art I will sometimes stare to figure out “how’d they do that?”
Well the same can be said for Jessica Gonacha Swift, artist extraordinaire, and one of the creative minds behind Spring. The first time I saw her work, I was in awe. Her style is so fresh, delightful and colorful! The lines are so dainty that I really just stare. Then, I stare and try to figure out where in my own home I can entertain putting one of these lovelies. I just adore them that much. See for yourself… and enjoy my interview with Jess! I especially love her meaning of success because I feel she defines it so well. I too am lucky and feel successful that I have the pleasure of working each day on projects that I am passionate about. I am also really excited to see what she has in store down the road.
What (or who) inspired you to start your own business?
It happened when I was 23 years old– I was working in a meaningless restaurant job, and I’d recently been accepted to a big art show, so I quit my job and just went for it. Luckily it worked out! Also, my mom was a doll-maker when I was growing up, so I watched her sell her work at shows, approach stores, etc. So I saw that it was possible from a young age.
Who is your favorite designer?
Orla Kiely. And Jonathan Adler. I love them both for different reasons. Jonathan Adler more for the message he embodies, and Orla Kiely because I aspire for my work to be a brand the way hers is.
How do you define success?
If I am happy, loving the work that I do and the people who are in my life, and I have enough money for all the things I need to live the way I choose to live (which includes lots of travel!), then that is success to me.
How do you keep a work/life balance?
Ha, I totally don’t! I work all the time. I’m working on more balance, but honestly, I don’t think creative people are supposed to have a balance like that, because so often the work and the life are completely intertwined. That’s what comes with working at something you’re passionate about. But I could give myself more down time, that’s a fact.
What should we expect to see from Jessica Gonacha Swift as your business grows?
I plan to work with companies to license more of my designs for products, and to eventually have my own line of products. I’d like to create a whole Jessica Gonacha Swift ‘lifestyle’ look, with my designs on a range of products, from handbags and wallpaper to gift wrap and clothing! Also, I’m beginning work on a couple of kids books, so that’s in the future as well!
Just a few of the pieces from Jessica’s collection. I love, love the spiky flowers. Then again, my heart melts for anything floral with a modern twist.
What is your favorite?
