A Graduation Announcement : Salem College

I had FUN working on this. It was sort of like designing for myself, but I had direction and a decisive voice. The main hall, Emily, a daisy. go.

As of late: Just so you know

One of the conundrums of being creative for work is having to push through the days when you feel altogether uninspired. Sometime earlier this year I started to feel thwarted by the context of my stationery projects and my work started to feel artificial and sort of stale; I was losing my style, doing exactly what was asked of me. In hindsight, I know that I'm supposed to push for a more novel approach, take people out of their comfort zone, and I didn't do it. That's why people want custom work, right? They want it to be different and not what they've seen before. Otherwise, they'd just order off their google search.

At the end of a few projects I took a step back and had to laugh. Did I design this? I remember thinking I couldn't share things on my blog because it would appear I'd abandoned myself.

Originally when I began doing stationery, I wanted to create a line of cards, paper products, etc. What I realized was that it's a lot easier to do short term projects, especially when they're already coming in. Quick, finite, low overhead. There is little time for other things. Props to people who successfully start their own line and sell it retail. I still have a version of this aspiration. Down the road, I think.

Until then, I'm doing my projects. Moving my office outside. Learning some new stuff.

Personalized stationery for Goldsboro Junior Women's Club.

So, there you have it. Fried eggs for brains.

paper, i've missed you.

Lately, my non-paper projects have taken over most of the work I've been doing. It's certainly less gratifying, but sometimes a relief. Do the work and send it on it's way. No order/print/fold/match/package/ship. But then again, no crispy paper in my hand.

So, here are some paper things that haven't made their way onto the blog.

James had a first birthday. So did Merritt.

Doing some people illustrations.

Going large scale...on a 9x12 piece of paper.

And these two are almost ready for adoption.

Merry Christmas from us! (the painted versions)

I've never done a Christmas card for myself. Embarassing but true.

Every year I tell myself I'm going to get someone to take a picture of us, but no. I feel kind of silly sending a photo of the two of us. Photo cards are for people with children, I think. Even though I prefer them.

So, with some last minute inspiration and 30 minutes of spare time....here we are.

And here we have some nice four-day-old puppies!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you. :)

Checkin' In

Gosh, I'm not a blogger. I can think of so many better things to do. Clean out the sink, fold clothes, vacuum up Christmas tree needles, anything but stare at the computer screen for one more minute. Still, I didn't want anyone to think I had expired, so I'm checking in. This holiday season has been busy and with only a few hiccups in regards to timing, paper and misprints. I'm so thankful!

I still have some small projects to finish in time for Christmas, then it's back to a mixed bag beginning next week. I can't wait to have some variety back.

On an unrelated subject, I found a dog last week sitting outside of a store and I brought her home with me. She is sweet and cute and oh-so-pregnant. Good idea, right? Long story short, I found a rescue organization who is going to find her and her puppies homes after the puppies are weaned. I have a little ticking time bomb in my house, but she is proving to be a very good girl. I also have a list of 10+ people who I can call at any hour of the day when she decides to go into labor. Eeee...

The good news is, there are three puppies. Manageable! ....I think!

Here she is, her name is Ellie. She should only be about 16-18lbs after she has her puppies, so she is a small girl.

Doesn't she look like a puppy herself? The vet estimated she is under a year old.