MINTED CHALLENGE: LITTLE JOURNEYS

Thanks to everyone for their support about the art prints challenge. Because of all the positive feedback and support from the previous challenge, I have decided to enter another challenge... the "Little Journey's" art print challenge. Which is a collection of art prints specifically for a nursery. I felt particularly inspired for this challenge as I have two friends who recently announced they are expecting. I designed the prints with them in mind as I created fun art work that I could envision in each of their future nurseries. (...your welcome)

Below are the designs I submitted. Feel free to click on the link below to "vote" for my design.

Sheep Dreams - vote here

ABC's - vote here

MINTED DESIGN CHALLENGE

As a designer one of my favorite websites to get ideas and inspiration is Minted.com. At least 2 to 3 times a month, Minted has "design challenges" calling all designers to submit their work. The previous categories have been: moving announcement, wedding invitation, graduation announcement, etc... The winners of these design challenges win cash prizes (first $500, second $250, third-twenty $150, special awards $150, and editor's picks $100) and the opportunity for their design to be sold on Minted. A while back, I decided to participate in  the "arts print challenge". Basically I submitted a few prints.  I actually didn't tell anyone about the submission or the challenge... I'm not sure why, but I kind of did it for fun.  It was neat going on the the site and seeing other people actually voting and liking my designs (without having to force them to). 

A few weeks ago I got an email from Minted... here is what it said:

"Hi Dara! We’ve just been presented with an exciting opportunity to include a preview of Minted art prints on display for the designers and bloggers at this year’s Alt Design Summit! <http://www.altitudesummit.com/about/>  We feel that your design is a perfect example of what’s to come when Minted takes the leap into luxe art prints. This also is an amazing opportunity to show off your work to some of the most influential design bloggers in the world. We are pre-requesting your files as early editor’s picks so that we can print art prints for the conference."

Here I was...all self-conscious about my submission and what do you know, I was selected as an early editors pick AND they want my print on display at what seems to be the coolest design conference! (oh ya, that also means I won $100!)

Below is the art print I submitted. It is 16"x16", picture this framed in a white frame.

Since my design was selected as an early editors pick, I was asked not to post/tell anyone about it until all the winners were chosen.  Now, all the winners are posted on their site, and I should be receiving my "prize" in the mail any day now. I also have to re-create the print in 5 different sizes in 3 color options each. (definitely stressing over the alternate color combinations!) My print will be on sale on the Minted website for people to purchase and on-top of my cash prize, I will receive an additional 8% commission on all of my prints sold.

I am super flattered to have actually won an art challenge!  This is definitely a confidence boost, and gives me a little more confidence to participate in more challenges. Another challenge is coming up at the end of the month and I intend on participating and submitting a few prints. I have already started working on the new designs... be on the lookout for a post about the next challenge (yes, this time I will inform you about it as well as make you vote)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

GETTING READY FOR V-DAY

You either love it or hate. Me, I have always loved Valentine's Day. I'm a huge fan of anything/anyone that encourages eating chocolate and love any excuse to buy different colored M&M's. Valentine's Day has always been a holiday celebrated in our family and I can always expect a festive package from my parents, and sisters around this time of year.

Below are a few of the Valentine's I have created and am thinking about giving to Collin.

This year, I also plan on designing my own valentine postcards to send out to all my loved ones and that includes you! If you would like to receive a Valentine from yours truly, leave me a message with your home address!

BRIDESMAID INVITE

So I mentioned how my sister has a million best friends... (see post about dress shopping) Julie, one of her best highschool friend's wedding is coming up. Apparently as a bridesmaid you are responsible for throwing the bachleorette party... and as sister of the bridesmaid, I am tasked the responsibility of creating the invitation... for free. ;) 

Some of the designs below... the first one is the winner.

TGIF

...I stumbled across some construction paper and colored pencils at the office today. I feel like I am 12 years old again... listening to music and doodling.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON...

One of these prints is for sale on Etsy for $8.49 (plus shipping) ... the other, took me about 3 minuets to create.

Can you tell the difference?

HAPPY FEBRUARY