HOLA HOLA HOLA

This Christmas card is dedicated to my very special friend Bailey Turner. I found the idea for this card on this website and knew it was the most perfect card for her!

RECIPE CARDS

This shouldn't come as a surprise to many, but I am not the best cook or even baker for that matter, but I do put in a decent attempt.  The fact that I am a picky eater and usually cooking for one, really is what I think holds me back from becoming the master chef that I wish I could be. I love watching cooking shows and reading blogs to get recipe ideas. Most of my recipes are found online, and I just print them out. Over time, I have accumulated quite the collection of "printouts" that recently it has been driving me crazy. 

I decided its time I invest in a cute recipe book/box.  I came across a few really cute recipe cards online for very reasonable. Just as I was about to purchase a set, I said to myself, "what are you doing, I can make this!". So that's exactly what I did. I designed 3 different recipe cards, all 4.25" x 5.5" , now all I need to purchase a matching box and I am all set.  Tie these up with a little ribbon, and they make a pretty cute holiday gift.

CARD #1: FRONT AND BACK

CARD #2: TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS

 

CARD #3: ONE SIDED

GETTING IN THE HANUKKAH SPIRIT

It's December, which means Christmas literally threw up EVERYWHERE. The grocery store, target, work, the mall. It is bananas. To me, the most frustrating thing this time of year isn't the crazy amount of people shopping or lack of parking spots anywhere... its the non-existent amount of Hanukkah respect! Don't get me wrong, I secretly lovvvvvvve Christmas (minus the music) and practically celebrate it every year with Collin and his family. But find it nearly impossible to buy my family a decent Hanukkah card anywhere! Last year I remember Stacey and I drove around to 5 different stores in search of a Hanukkah card to send to my Grandpa.  We went home defeated, and made him a card out of leftover construction paper. This year, I am not only prepared but beating the system. I am creating/designing my OWN Hanukkah cards. Take that Christmas!

 

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Happy December friends! ...wishing you all a wonderful winter holiday! Enjoy the little December calendar designed by yours truly. If interested in printing out a copy, let me know and I will send you a larger/printable version.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

It's the day before Thanksgiving... a quiet day here in the office.  The holiday weekend starts in about three hours, which means my brain has already shut off and I can't seem to concentrate on any actual work. Typical. So to get me through this short workday, I decided to create a few Thanksgiving designs.  I am planning on printing these out and framing them (...in the leftover frames used for Caryn's birthday) and bringing them with me to my Mom's house for our Thanksgiving dinner. Feel free to do the same. The designs are 5x7 and should fit in a standard frame.

CAH TURNS 30

This post doesn't have a whole lot to do with design and I am 99.9% positive my sister does not even read my blog, but I dedicate this post to Caryn's 30th birthday celebration that I (...with the help of a few others) threw for her this past weekend.

A lot of little decorations were made. First off were the garlands. I bought a fancy hole puncher and pack of scrapbook paper and cut out a bunch of little colored circles. We taped them (double sided) to a silver ribbon. The garlands hung all over the place and pictures dangled from them as well.

I also designed a  few of the signs that were framed and placed on display during the party.

And last but not least... the Caryn toothpicks... a HUGE hit!

Happy 30th Birthday Caryn!! Hope you enjoyed it.

2011 HOLIDAY CARD

Ever since I started working at Intersections I have taken over the job of creating the company holiday cards. In the past the designs have had a much more corporate look to them. Because its a company card, they have to be very "religion neutral" which is always easy for me as a non-christian and someone who personally HATES the way red and green look next to each other. (I'm sorry, they clash BIG TIME!)

I presented a bunch of different options but they actually decided to go with a design I created last year that was not selected. The final card is below...

ANOTHER BLOG RE-DESIGN

The latest blog to receive a face lift...and just might be the last one for awhile... is a Bushel and a Peck!

WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY

The post is dedicated to the ladies at Wolf Trap.  ...Apparently this is their new mantra over there ;)  Jen asked me to turn this cute little saying into something that could easily fit into a 3" x 3" frame.

Each of the ladies have a different custom design.  Below is what Jen's looks like framed on her desk. I hope you guys are enjoying your new "office art"!

HOLIDAY INVITATION

The holidays are quickly approaching and I am starting to make a bunch of Holiday cards for work and for a few of my freelance clients. The first, is an invitation for the Arthritis Foundation's annual Kids Rheum winter party.

As a non-Christian, I tried designing the card to be very religion friendly, but I couldn't help myself... the ornaments are just too freaking cute!

DEFINING MOMENTS

My bff and I dream of going into business together. As you know, Jen is an event planner by day, wedding planner at night/weekends and is quickly booking up! Since she gets most of her clients by referral, Jen and I decided in order to get her business to where it needs to be, we needed to brand her... so I introduce to you Defining Moments!  Wedding planning by Jen!

First, I created a logo and business cards for Jen. (shown above) Next, I designed her blog. And currently I am working on her website. (more on that to come later) I can't wait for the website to be finished and for Jen to be able to pass out her business cards at all her upcoming weddings!! Until then, you can get your Defining Moments fix at Jens blog...

...and did you know Defining Moments uses daradesigns exclusively? ;)

PIMP MY BLOG

Oh ya... another blog makeover. Are you sick of them yet? Good, because I'm making my way through my group of friends ;) Today's blog makeover is all about Bethany! Here is a look at Mrs. Mullin's new pimped out blog.

I'm thinking this should be my new motto...

I HAVE BEEN A BAD LITTLE BLOGGER

Between working, researching Halloween costumes, brainstorming/planning my sisters 30th birthday party, phone calls with insurance, and the hours I waste looking on pinterest, it seems like I haven't had much time to work on any creative projects last week.

I promised one of my girlfriends I would help her redesign her blog and spent some time last Thursday making a logo and changing up her blog for a bit.  Her blog is all about her life living and working in NYC, and she seemed to be happy with the new look. Check it out.

INVITATION DESIGNER...I CAN GET USED TO THAT

An amazing local wedding planner (aka jen schnizler) has asked me to design the invitations for one of the weddings she is planning this fall!  It's really fun working with Jen. Not only is she superrrrrrrrrrrrrr easy to please, but she has such a passion for wedding planning and gets my style so it makes all the back and forth discussion fun.

The bride had this particular design in mind, so it was very easy "re-creating the look"  and making it her own. The final products are posted below. A postcard save-the-date, invitation front and back, and an rsvp card.

 

 

 

CREATIVE DISTRACTION

 This is a little fun link that's being sent around our Marketing department this morning. I may or may not have done it a few times already. Try it, its kinda fun.

 Draw a Stickman

IT'S OCTOBER!

You know what that means... 1. I can finally wear my tall-boots and 2. 15 days until my birthday! It's the most wonderful time of the yearrrrrrrrrrr!

FRIDAY INSPIRATION

Short and sweet today... I came across this quote the other day, and knew I wanted to turn it into a poster.

PERIODIC TABLE GREETING CARDS

Instead of doing actual work I am always looking for inspiration from other designers, design blogs, stationary and card shops, etsy, etc. and today I came across this really cute idea from an invitation/stationary company... periodic table greeting cards!

The shop owner sells them individually with matching envelopes, but I think these cards would look adorable with matching brown envelopes, in a gift set, wrapped up with a bow.

I copied these messages from the originals, but since they are made up elements, it could be very cute and easy to come up with other greeting card expressions.

THE QUICKEST INVITATION EVER MADE

My sister's coworker Candace, is throwing a baby shower for her sister-in-law Nicole. Now I have never met either of these ladies before, but I am never one to turn down anyone interested in my services talents.

There might be some "Melissa Gorga vs. Terissa Gudice" type of tension going on... but from what I know, Nicole took forever providing the guest list to Candace... thus giving me, less than 2 hours to design an invitation.

Luckily for them both, I am a professional... and a hugeeeee fan of the housewives.

WINE NOT

I came across these little gems believe it or not in a gift shop at a casino in Atlantic City. And if you know me, you know I spend quiteeeeeeee a lot of time at casinos in Atlantic City, so this is not that obscure... or hard to believe... just a little embarrassing to admit.

Anyways these little signs were like $9.99 each, and while I had no interest in actually purchasing them, I found the little saying adorable. I knew I wanted to remember them so I took a picture to save for a rainy day... such as today. So here is a little rainy day artwork to brighten your day... or if your me (and have to attend a happy hour with colleagues) a little positive reinforcement.

HELLO SEPTEMBER

Anyone else feel like summer just flew right by? Thrilled that fall (my favorite season) is right around the corner, I'm shocked its already September! What the hell happened to summer?! While I sit and ponder what the heck I have been doing/or lack there of all summer long, I leave you with a great way to start the month off right, a clean calendar.

As a continual blog project, Each month I will post a new calendar that I have designed. Feel free to print it out if you like.

HAPPY HOUR IS FROM 4 to 6!

Cady: "Is there alcohol in this?"

Mrs. George: " Oh god, no, honey, what kind of a mother do you think I am? 
Why, do you want some? Because if you're gonna drink, Id rather you do it in the house."

In honor of Hump Day (...and Mean Girls) here are some fun cocktail prints. 
I found the original design inspiration from an artist on Etsy, and felt inspired to create 
my own cocktails! 

...Drinks anyone?

I LOVE HUE

I have been pretty busy at work these past few days and have neglected my poor little bloggy. I'm sorry babe, I still love you.

This week I plan on getting back on track and have a bunch of great projects I am excited to post, including my first DIY craft! I can't wait to share!! In the meantime, while I slave away over a stupid 86 page booklet (on its 10th round of revisions)... I leave you with a little "graphic design humor". Man, am I a nerd or what.