Zooey + M. Ward

This valentine isn't particularly sweet, the lyrics are actually kind of sad. But the melody is nice and the overall "I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me" is quite lovely. If you aren't familiar with the sweet voice of Zooey Deschanel as paired with M. Ward, you better do yourself a favor and check out their collaboration (under the name "She and Him"). You'll fall in love.

The Kinks

I love music. I especially adore love songs. And since it happens to be that time of year, and since I don't have a whole lot worth posting about lately, I thought I'd challenge myself to a little project. Every day (fingers crossed) from now until Valentine's Day I'm going to create a little something that either has song lyrics in it or is a loose interpretation of a song. The first one is from The Kinks and is from the beautiful movie, The Darjeeling Limited. I drew it this afternoon and am quite pleased. Don't forget to listen to the song (Strangers). And don't forget to check out the Darjeeling! xoxo

Amy + Lincoln

Amy and Lincoln were married at a charming old barn in a beautiful field in California. They asked for their invitations to be romantic and nostalgic so I chose a lovely ivory linen paper and a vintage pattern to line the envelopes.

You'll Look Sweet Upon The Seat...

I'm in the mood for a little pink and green what with all of the grey I'm surrounded by lately. Thought you might be in the mood too. Enjoy this early valentine from me to you (if I were Daisy and you were Michael).

Vantage Point

I created this identity for a message series on the story of the Prodigal Son. The message was taught from the view (or "vantage point") of the prodigal, the other brother and the father in the story. The only restriction I had was to incorporate a fence (that was used as stage decoration for the duration of the series). I chose a hot air balloon because of your ability to see many different angles when you're inside of it (and also because I've always wanted to design something with a hot air balloon!). The textured background and colored circles were to add texture and a sense of whimsy. I think it was quite successful.

Cold + Snow

I feel like I just took this picture! Look at that green grass! Boy do I miss it already. It's going to be a long winter. I created this shower invitation for a friend of my very good friend (and cousin). They had an amazing photographer take their engagement photos and it was great to be able to use them for this shower. What else do you do with engagement pictures anyway?

Jason + Jess

Two of my all-time favorite people got married a couple of years ago (I can't believe it's already been that long!). Jess was such an amazing collaborator and it was her idea to do the photo corners. This invitation is so them and I was incredibly pleased with the outcome.

Seeing Green

This invitation was being sent all over the country and I had the idea to use embroidery floss to personalize it by tying a line from where they were coming from to Rockford, Illinois (where the event was happening). It was a lot of work and luckily I had help from the lovely ladies I work with, but I think it was worth it in the end.

Ladies Night Out

As a bridesmaid for Rachel, I had the privilege of helping throw her bachelorette party. A few of the ladies and I went in to the windy city for an afternoon of music and an evening of dancing and fun. I wanted to create elegant and sassy invites - they're the perfect representation of the bride-to-be.

Rachel + Jeff

This past summer a couple of my friends got married in a lovely outdoor ceremony. I was honored to create their wedding stationery.

One Last Little Bit of Holiday Business

Before the tree comes down and Starbucks stops serving their cranberry bliss bars, I have this one last little bit of Holiday paper for you. Mom hosted a Christmas cookie exchange a few weeks ago. Good thing she did too— it was the only opportunity I had to bake this entire season!

Happy New Year!

This year I decided to get out my sharpie and draw my Christmas cards. The little house in the snow globe is the spitting image of my little house in Cherry Valley. And let me tell you, this winter has felt like living in a snow globe!

Snow!

In honor of the impending snow storm, I thought you may like to see another Christmas card. So, here you go. I designed these for my friends Jess and Jason. Lovely!

What's more festive than a jello mold?

I know you thought that people didn't have Tupperware parties anymore but you would be so very wrong! Not only do they still have parties but I alone have been to a half dozen in the past nine months! Excessive? Maybe a tad. Fun with plastic? Absolutely! I hosted my second party this past Tuesday and it was a huge success! How could it not have been with invites like these:

It's beginning...

My dear friend Sharon has employed me the past few years to create Christmas cards for her. I bring them to her on Thanksgiving afternoon and we do our yearly catching up. It's such a lovely time! I think this years card was my favorite so far...