Type Crimes and Nerd Alerts!
When I first started dabbling with design, I didn’t know a thing about typography and was constantly trying to figure out why my text didn’t look like the text I saw in professional publications. I remember trying to fix this problem by changing the fonts thinking that was the problem but of course that never worked! If this sounds familiar, then you’ll definitely want to pick up the book, Thinking With Type by Ellen Lupton. It’s an excellent overview of the history of typefaces and the principles of using them today. It includes great tips and tricks including highlighted Nerd Alerts (explanations and InDesign tips) and Type Crimes (common errors). Pick it up! I guarantee you’ll learn something from it! Or, if you’ve already read it, what did you think?
How Amazing Are These Images?
Needlework by Gintare Pasakarnyte and Photo and post-processing by Ausra Osipaviciute. Via
Totally Obsessed!
The timing of Judy Aldridge’s post about her newly decorated home over at Atlantis Home couldn’t be more perfect. That is, now that I’m moving and thinking about decorating my own space I can totally use some inspiration pictures and as always, Judy never disappoints! I am absolutely obsessed and will definitely have to steel a few ideas from her chic office space! What do you think? Need more? Click here!
Photos by Manny Rodriguez
Change Is Never Easy
My husband and I have been in our current home for 10 years and have recently decided to move about 1.5 hours away. I know it’s not far, but we can’t help feeling sad (we’ve cried just about every day since making this decision). This has been our home, the place we have put our hearts and souls into, and the place where we are surrounded by all the people we love. I am going to miss it terribly but I also know that sometimes you need to give up a good thing to gain new good things. So, I am trying to remain positive and optimistic as I pack my home and sort through the memories of the journey that took me to the place I am at today. To those of you who have been a part of our lives these past 10 years, we can’t thank you enough for all the support and love you have poured on us. We love you dearly and are looking forward to making new memories with you in our new home!
Pattern Love: Givenchy Resort Spring 2013
The prints and patterns in this collection are uh.may.zing! I am totally inspired by the mix of geometric shapes combined with bohemian inspired paisleys. See more photos from this collection here!
DIY: Crystal And Pyrite Necklace
A couple of weeks ago I made a necklace similar to the one above for a friend. After seeing it on her, I decided I wanted one too! So, I thought I’d snap a few photos and share the process with you!
STEP 1: GATHER ALL YOUR MATERIALS
Headpins (or wire)
3 Crystal Beads
2 Pyrite Beads
2 Pieces of Silver Chain Measuring 2 1/4″ Wide
4 Crimping Chain Connectors
2 Strips of Leather Cut Into 1/8″ x 9″ Strips (I used an old thrifted leather jacket)
4 Small Jump Rings (1/8″ Diameter)
2 Large Jump Rings (1/4″ Diameter)
2 Metal Triangle Beads
Wire Cutter (not shown in photo)
Round Nose Pliers
Flat Nose Pliers
Glue Gun (not shown in photo)
Sewing Machine (optional)
STEP 2: Grab a headpin. Snip off the end that has the head. Use your round nose pliers to create a circle one end of the wire.
STEP 3: Insert the pin into a pyrite bead. Trim the side of the wire without the circle so it sticks out of the bead about 1/4 inch. Using your round nose pliers bend the remaining wire around the pliers to create a circle so you now have one circle on both ends of the bead.
STEP 4: Do steps 2 and 3 for the remaining pyrite and crystal beads.
STEP 5: Grab one of the pyrite beads which should now have the wire with a loop on both ends. Using your round nose pliers, create an opening in the loop. Grab a crystal bead and insert its loop inside the opening so the two beads are linked together. Close the opening using the flat nose pliers. Continue linking the beads until they are all linked together in the order shown in photo 5.
STEP 6: Grab one small jump ring and the triangle bead. Using the flat nose pliers, open the jump ring and attach it onto the triangle. Do the same with a another small jump ring. You should now have two small jump rings attached to one triangle. Do the same thing to the second triangle bead. Set them both aside.
STEP 7: Grab one chain and one chain connector. Slide the chain connector onto the chain and use your flat nose pliers to flatten the metal onto the chain until it’s securely attached. Do the same to the opposite side of the chain and then repeat this with your second piece of chain. Both chains should look like the chain in photo 7. Set aside.
STEP 8: Attach the triangle to one end of the string of beads we created in step 5. Do this by opening one of the jump rings on the triangle and hook it to the loop on the bead. Close the jump ring. Do the same to the opposite side. Now take the remaining jump ring that is on the triangle bead and attach it to the silver chain. Do the same to the opposite side. You should now have something that resembles the image in photo 8.
STEP 9: We’re almost done! Next, attach your larger jump rings to both ends of the silver chains.
STEP 10: Grab a piece of leather and slide it into one of the large jump rings.
STEP 11: Fold the leather and glue it with your glue gun and then finish the necklace by doing the same to the opposite side.
* In addition to gluing the leather, I chose to add extra strength to the fold by running it through my sewing machine. This is probably a bit overboard but I always tend to go the extra mile!
Letterpressed Business Cards For Armour Sans Anguish
I recently just completed a super fun branding project for my friend and talented dressmaker, Tawny Holt of Armour Sans Anguish. After talking with Tawny and researching her Pinterest page, I found that she was drawn to geometric shapes. However, the aesthetics of her clothing line is quite the opposite—romantic and whimsical. So, combining the two was quite the challenge. But after sketching out a few ideas, I think this combination of hard edged lines with curvy ones is absolutely perfect and works well for both the logo and sublogo. Ladies, if you haven’t seen her amazing dresses then get to her etsy site now! Word of warning… you’re gonna need that credit card!
Sporty Little Tanks Available At REI
I always love seeing my art on the final product! Available for purchase at rei.com.
Take A Break And Have A Picnic!
For 6 consecutive weeks during the summer, all my friends pack our baskets with blankets, wine, and food goodies for an amazing potluck picnic during our town’s concert in the park events. The event takes place mid-week, so I’m always on the hunt for something quick and easy. This past week I found this Roasted Corn and Edamame Salad and am now adding it to my permanent collection of picnic recipes. It’s super easy and absolutely yummy! To save some time, instead of roasting the corn, I pan fried it in a little bit of butter, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper. I also omitted the mayonnaise from the original recipe. Try it out, and let me know what you think!
INGREDIENTS:
2 ears fresh corn, unhusked, or 1 1/4 cups cooked corn kernels
1/2 cup shelled edamame
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup small-diced red bell pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped or grated ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Soak fresh corn in cold water about 30 minutes. Heat grill on high. Grill corn in husk, 10 to 15 minutes, turning once. Let cool. Remove husks. Cut corn from cob into a bowl. Alternatively (this is how I made it), cut corn from cob into a bowl and saute in 1 tablespoon of butter, a pinch of sea salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and let cool. Combine with remaining ingredients. Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Picnic photo by Eirik Slyngstad and found here
