I recently got an email from a good friend and the subject line was "More projects by my favorite designer?"In it, she asked me to design a couple of prints. One for her apartment and one for a wedding gift. Both designed by me. AwwwwwWWWW. How could I resist an email so sweet?So below is the print I designed for her apartment. She requested it read, "Life's too short to wear matching socks." (She does not like to wear matching socks.) Hope you like it!
Creative and Inspiring Friends
Incredibly creative and inspiring friends. That's just one of the many things I feel thankful for this Thanksgiving season.But unfortunately for me, one of mine just moved all the way across the country. I'm sad for the city of Philadelphia, but I'm super happy for her and her new adventure. LA is lucky to have her.And lucky for me, she asked me to create two prints for her new place. It's an honor to know that my work is hanging in her home 2,725 miles away.Check it out:
The sky's awake, so I'm awake, so we have to play!
I've never been a morning person. I could easily sleep 'til noon every day. But when I do, I'm disappointed to have lost so much of the day. Especially in the springtime! So, I'm trying to become one of those crazy morning people. Ya know, like Anna? In Frozen?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvWBUXUiEzUShe's so stinking cute, isn't she?And at the request of a friend, I designed a print using Anna's quote. "The sky's awake, so I'm awake, so we have to play!"I'm hoping it will inspire me to get out of bed every morning. And of course, it's for sale at my Etsy shop if you dig it!
The Color of Winter
There's a lot of hate for winter, isn't there? But I don't really mind it. In my opinion, it's a great time to get comfy, catch up on TV, drink hot toddies, sled, snowboard and chit-chat by the fire. And of course, the design-a-holic in me thinks it's a great time to get some work done.I guess you could say I think winter is a little under-appreciated. So to show it some appreciation, I created the little ode below with a photo I took in Schwenksville, PA and a quote by Terri Guillemets. Enjoy!
I like life a lot.
A lot has happened over the past couple of weeks. Multiple close friends have gotten engaged (Congrats Melinda + Kara, Lindsey + Brent!), I became an aunt and Godmother (Congrats Jonny + Brigid!) and I celebrated turning 30 while sipping wine in the vineyards of Northern California.But in all honesty, I am having trouble pinpointing exactly how I feel about all of these milestones. On one hand, it is all very exciting. But on the other hand, it concerns me how quickly life is flying by.I think Audrey Hepburn described my feelings best. She once said, "Getting older doesn't frighten me, but I wish I didn't have to because I like life a lot."So true. In fact, I love this quote so much, I decided to make it a print to commemorate my 30th birthday celebration in Sonoma, California. Enjoy!
"Always Askew" Featured on People.com
PEOPLE's "World's Most Beautiful" issue, honoring women for their inner beauty and accomplishments, comes out tomorrow! And as I mentioned in an earlier post, Minted asked designers to create art prints in celebration of this issue.As inspiration, Minted provided designers with ten quotations about beauty. The perfectionist in me chose the quote, "If you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied." by Leo Tolstoy. With it, I created a simple print that will never hang perfectly straight on your wall.I'm excited to say that the Art Director at PEOPLE.com, Maggie Hong, chose it as one of her favorites. And it is now featured on PEOPLE.com. Check it out!
Maggie is quoted saying, "It's so smart to have the design tilted to echo the message of the quote. I love designs that make you think." And that is always my goal. To create designs with a concept behind them. To me, designs that make you think are much more intriguing than designs that are pretty, and only pretty.And now, you can also find Always Askew for sale at minted. If you feel inclined to buy it, don't forget to use the promo code SHOPYR7HP4 to receive 10% off. In my opinion, the print is a great daily reminder to let go and embrace imperfection. I might just have to get one myself!
Minted and PEOPLE's Most Beautiful Quotes Challenge
In their latest challenge, Minted partnered with PEOPLE and asked designers to create prints featuring quotations about beauty. When I read the list of quotes, one in particular really stood out to me. It read, "If you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied."As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, I just had to create a print using this quote from Leo Tolstoy. So I designed something that will never hang perfectly straight on a wall, and totally embraced imperfection. If you'd like to see the design sold on Minted, click here to vote!
What is the use of a newborn child?
Some days I wonder if I was ready to start a blog.Why?Well, for one, I don't have a name for it yet.And two, I don't really have a defined purpose.But maybe that's okay! I once heard a story that when Benjamin Franklin observed one of the first hot-air balloon flights in 1783, someone asked him skeptically what the use of this new invention of flight could possibly be. Franklin responded with, "What is the use of a newborn child?"Touché.So like a newborn child, I am nurturing this blog until its identity forms naturally. And until then, like a newborn child, I just hope it brings you happiness and inspiration.Thanks for sticking it out with me!
Benjamin Franklin is super inspirational. This is my interpretation of my favorite quote of his.
Tell me, who inspires you most?
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?Silly me. I thought I came up with this question at a Jimmy Buffett concert in 2011. But according to a friend (and Wikipedia), Satchel Paige said it first.Nevertheless, it is still a question I love to ask.
Sure, technically speaking, you'd be the same age. But hypothetically, how old would you think you were?My answer is 26. I'm actually 29 (as of today). But you're only as old as you feel, right?So tell me, how old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?