snow days and holidays!

ANYBODY ELSE HAVING PROBLEMS UPLOADING PHOTOS?  This will not let me upload photos...    :( help.

storm?

Well, we had a little bit of snow this season...Only about 2 feet at my house! I missed quite a bit of work, was forced to stay in for quite some time (which is not said in happiness or sadness, just awkward!). I will post photos at some point, BUT I have excuses as to why I haven't been blogging and need help from all of you first:  

#1: My little Macbook died, hard drive crashed and I have lost EVERYTHING. This includes all the links to my favorite blogs (Sandy, Molly, etc...) I need the links!! I love checking in and now I can't.  wah.

#2: We have not had the internet for over a week -- which means no blogging...I might be doing this from work...maybe. 

#3: I got a new camera and have not gotten a chance to install the new software, once that all goes down, I will post new photos. 

These are my excuses... :) Happy winter!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, we sure did. I think the winning gift this year was a Wii from Travis's mom, it has been quite a hit at our house, tons of fun. Sophia is an amazing bowler, by the way! :)

etsy finds....

Well, I decided to start this post out with a shout out to Heather. A fellow graphic designer that I work with. She opened an Etsy shop! Good job Heather, way to fulfill your goals and keep yourself challenged...Inspiring! Here is a link to her shop! While I was checking her Etsy shop out, I browsed further on, delving into my paper/stationery obsession and found another great Etsy shop, paperheartdesign. Cute stuff. Just thought I'd throw those out there, support the indies.

I am finding all the people who live my dreams online. At first that sounds....I don't know, depressing. BUT, little do you know, it is actually VERY exciting. The reason for this is that it gives me faith and confidence that someday, I, TOO, may have my own stationery design business. Soon I will open an Etsy shop and move forward from there! Anyway, here is my newest muse: Pretty pretty paper. Well, that's all for now!

Turkey day

Well, it is now over and we are moving on to discussion of the next holiday, MY BIRTHDAY! Oh, and Christmas. 

We had a great Thanksgiving, Some of my family and some of Travis's family all got together at our house and had a feast! It was just nice to have everyone together that could make it and not even have to leave the house. It was great, couldn't ask for more. Usually I am horrible about taking pictures, but on Thanksgiving, I made myself (and everyone else) do it, and I am glad I did. I got some great ones! Here are a few:

On another note, I designed my Christmas cards, but haven't printed them OR sent them out. So, I just hope for all of you out there looking forward to it, that you get it BEFORE Christmas. You know how I am though, no promises! 

Just for you Sandy, I am so excited that you started your blog, I will check it often! 

Yes, I am still here.

It's been a long time. So sorry. I am not sure what the reason for that is, but I would assume it has to do with time, stress, weather, priorities, business....you know, that's just a few guesses...

I am pretty sure nothing has changed from before, but the days are shorter and I am just a sissy when winter comes along. Okay, I am done with the complaints. 

Just for all of you who have been waiting, here is a photo of my baby niece...I just want to meet her, she is beautiful. Big brother John and Petra, you guys did good!

I love this photo.... s-t-r-e-e-e-e-t-t-t-c-c-c-c-h!

In other news, dad turns 60 this weekend, I can't even believe it. I hope he has many more to come, should be a good celebration. 

I have been job searching, unfortunately, the job I want is the one I currently have. There is a slight chance it works out that way, but the economy isn't giving me too many optimistic thoughts.  I suppose everything will work out in the end.....yikes!

Scary times.

November fifth

November 5th was a good day. This is short and sweet, but here is what I am thankful for:

1. My new niece, thank you John and Petra!! Pictures to come later. 

2. Our fresh, new president, thank you America! 

And THAT is why November fifth was a good day!

Paper Show

Well, today was my first ever paper show. It was great! West Coast Paper had a show at the Lawrence Gallery, It was full of designers, paper reps and great art! I came home with two bags full of paper samples, posters, and all sorts of promotional pieces from different paper companies. They really make some great marketing items. Here is a photo of just three of the books I picked up today:  

French Paper Company, Curious Collection, and Cougar Paper Company

On another note, How About Orange posted a link to download presidential posters, (mostly Obama! YAY!) Here is my fave. Nice and simple. You can go here to download and print your very own!

Well, I am off to read a story, put the little one to bed, and then design Christmas cards!! Yes, you read that right, CHRISTMAS CARDS!

As promised.....

Photos from the lovely pumpkin patch...

We had a blast!  Perfect weather, hay rides, corn maze AND hay maze, bunnies and chicks and a pig, horse, cow and more! Even with all that and more,  I think the hit in the kid's eyes was the pumpkin launching cannon: wow.

Great finds....

Here are a few great finds I came across today...

First, at a blog I like to check now and again, the style files there was a feature about what is called a 'riad'. It is decorated SO beautifully, I think this decor would look so nice in our rustic house. Here are my favorite shots from her blog, she has many more posted, if you'd like to see more!

Another great site that I was referred to today is a great place to look for inspiration if you like to make cards. tiny prints has some great cards for all occasions. I tried to post a sampling of their cards, but my patience ran out when the photo wouldn't load.... sorry. 

Tomorrow Sophia and I are going on a field trip to the farm and the pumpkin patch with her school, and finishing the day by moving my Grandparents here from California. We will now be able to see them once a week, instead of once a year. Can't wait for tomorrow. Will post pictures soon...

self-motivating....

Well, I have officially begun self-motivating, doing things for MY benefit, not someone else's. I have to be honest, it feels good. I have been working out a little (which, if you know me, is unheard of.) But compared to the fact that I have been diligently working on making myself a website, working out is really nothing! I haven't gotten far, and I have to say, the hardest part of it is making the decisions of what I want to feature on it. I will absolutely let everyone know when it is finished, but for now, just a taste....

Stay tuned for more!

blogging...again.

Slightly lame. Yet so wonderful. I spend each day wishing I had more time to make lovely things, but when I come home I end up spending all of my free time LOOKING at lovely things... Not quite what I had in mind....  In my search, I found some of the most perfect things though, they make for great inspiration! First of all, I want this lady's life.  Dwell Studios is a company I have looked at quite a few times before, she just designs great bedding. She seems to have done well for herself....maybe she will take in an apprentice and pay me massive wages?!?! Doubtful. My favorite, you ask? This of course!

Moving on. I went to Craft Warehouse today....I didn't realize 

a. I love this place

b. This place could be SO inspiring

c. This place could take all of your money

I found something there, I didn't buy it, but will be going back for it now that I know what I am going to do with it....Some sort of resin stuff... I believe it is what this person uses to make these super cute charms, tacks, earrings......etc.....  

(familiar Petra? HERE is something you can do with all of that free time you have...)

NOW, I too, would like to make those things. Not only do I also have wonderful paper to put under the resin...I could probably make my own paper/images and use those... BRILLIANT!  

Well, there is my inspiration for today...I need to spend more time creating, less time looking..

blog love..

I spent some time today doing some extensive design research, blogging! I love blogging,  but more than that, I love what I find on all the awesome design blogs out there.  Here are a few along with some of the great finds I have come across:

How About Orange is always a go-to. She can even make something like this look awesome... Amazing.

I love to check design is kinky, great artist finds of all kinds.

Via design*sponge I came across these great pillows that makes me want to screen print again SO BAD!!!  Made by Flowie .

Bloesem led me to these great towels. These towels are available at the artist's website here

her name is Maja Brugos.

That is just a start, and to finish, my latest addition to my beloved blogs list, TRAVIS has started a blog! Check here.  

I added a followers link and want all of my lovely peeps to join the followers list....who knows, maybe it will inspire me to blog more often!

Lately--

We have been busy! But wonderful. Sophia is now officially hammering away at Kindergarten, all day, every day. Wow, that is a long day for a little tyke. On Tuesdays, she has ballet after school, so we are basically leaving the house at 7 and getting home around the same time in the evening, welcome to the real world!  OUCH!

I have been really busy at work, which I absolutely love. To me that means that I have a lot of variety and the time flies by. After work projects are hard for me, but when I am at work, I like to be busy! On the side, I have recently talked to my second job and told them I will only be working one Saturday a month, this way I don't have to work 6 days a week every week, it's a little to draining for me. I miss my poor family! 

In the personal life things are wonderful. I am going to be heading to my cousins wedding in a few weeks, my lovely sister-in-law and brother are having a baby soon, and there is a possibility that my grandparents are moving closer to me soon -- three wonderful and exciting things to look forward to! I went shopping for that soon to be new niece today and realized that I really need a new baby, if for no other reason than to buy baby clothes, such cute stuff out there!

Well, that is it for now!

Sophia colored this picture on this kids coloring site! It is always nice to find a new site for her!

Click on the picture to get to the site, really crappy design, but fun site! I love that I can post her artwork.

My little graduate...

I have recently received some photos from Sophia's graduation...I am so proud! Here are a couple of cute photos....


That's it for now!

Our outside yard and gardening is really coming along this year. Usually, I try to plant a garden, but don't end up with much reward, this year, I haven't yet eaten a tomato from my garden, but there are a lot of green ones in there! Hopefully the sun will make a few more appearances and redden them up. I have been giving tons of zucchini away, I am so grateful to have something growing, yet, someone should've told me not to plant it in my garden box with anything else, it really knows how to take over! My other fruitful plant has been my green beans, those have been just right! Sophia eats them up and says she's "getting healthy", which of course, I LOVE! Here are a few images of the garden and our little area right out the front door! 

I LOVE SUMMER!

I get to walk out my front door to this every morning!

Well, that's all for today!

4 a.m. and blogging

It has been a LONG time since I last posted. I have been pretty busy and I suppose that is somewhat of a good thing. I have been working a lot, and am just not used to this whole 8-5 life! But, I must say, I am getting more comfortable in it and actually really like my job, I just hope I can keep it. My job now is an internship and is supposed to end on September 5th, there is paperwork in the process of approval for me to stay longer, however, but as all large companies go, it is taking FOREVER. So, I have been just patiently waiting to see if I will have a job as of September 6th. 

This internship has done so much for me, I have been exposed to so many new things that, as a designer, I should know. I was able to attend a photo shoot and a press check. I understand the corporate world so much more now, and to top it all off, I have met some wonderful people. They are so helpful and understanding, always willing to help, yet they totally trust me and have confidence in me that I don't even think I have. It has been a great experience either way. 

On another note, Sophia is 5, and she starts Kindergarten on Friday. YIKES! She is very excited to start in a big school. She will still attend an immersion Chinuk school, but she will go to the public school in the morning and attend the immersion school in the afternoon. Her school offers all day, five days a week Kindergarten, so she would be going that often either way. This way she just gets to keep her language aspect. I am so proud of her. Wow.

Well, I am signing off, but I will leave you with a crafty find! I found these from a link off of HOWABOUTORANGE.blogspot.com:

fabric bird silhouettes

Coolest. Website. Ever.

I wish I had all the time in the world for this website. AMAZING! I printed this dollhouse out just now and my only goal is to have it done by the time Sophia gets home on Sunday or Monday.



Check it out:
There is also food, vehicles, animals, etc....fun
Japanese paper museum

More design...

Well, since I haven't had much for design postings, I decided to share a couple of things I have worked on recently. In earlier posts, I shared some business logos and postcards for my sisters pilates biz, well, since my sister is a genius, she also has another business going which is business consulting... Here is what I have worked up so far...nothing is final, nothing is concrete, just some ideas I sent her way..

As much as I want to put just the logo on here, this blogger won't let me (does anyone know why this happens sometimes?) ....so the logo is obvious in the photos below, it is the red circle with the ag in it. .....

These are just my favorites:
the letterhead and business card:





Now that I have a "real" job, I spend so much time working that I have lost all time and motivation to do design and art for me. I want to get back into this, I need to be printing and drawing, taking photos and checking up on design news, even though I do it everyday at work, there is something different about doing design for work and doing design for me. My goal is to get that back!

Ciao for now....

I'm baaaaack....

Well, it has been awhile, I just haven't had it in me. I have been working six days a week, and surprisingly, I kind of like it. It is hard, and a little exhausting, but I have definitely found the good that comes out of it. The number one benefit of being super busy is the appreciation of free time. I have found that the time I have, I enjoy so much more. I play more with Sophia and, to be honest am SO much nicer. Being out of school, I have found that I don't have to feel guilty for free time, I always did before because there is always something to be studying or working on when you are in school. Not anymore!! YAY!

I really enjoy my job, and will enjoy it even more when I start getting paid for it, I hope it turns into a full time thing, kind of. Right now I am interning, and it lasts until September. I hope it becomes a job, because I could use the security, pay and benefits of a full time job for a couple of years. There is a little part of me that wants so badly to do freelance, so if I can get that up and going while working full time, maybe in the next years that will happen too.

It is so nice to be able to spend some time with Sophia, I feel like the time is slipping by too quickly. She is turning five in the next couple of weeks and will be in full time Kindergarten before I know it. Amazing to watch her grow, yet heartbreaking at the same time. WOW.

One other thing that is WONDERFUL right now is that my garden is taking over. Travis built me a little garden box, and I have absolutely maxed it out. I planted zucchini in it and maybe they should have gotten their own space, they are HUGE. Yet not yet fruitful... soon enough.

I have been feeling grateful, yet, I have a lot to be grateful for:



CIAO!

I Know.

I am slacking. I have no motivation for the blog right now. I'm busy, I need to format photos, I will do my best to fix this soon. SO SORRY!! Here is one of T and me in NYC.....



That oughtta hold you over for awhile...

--love--
Esther

....to NEW YORK

I am in the airport, waiting for takeoff. See you all when I return!

--E

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN....

Please pretend as though I just sang that such as Europe would have done in the 80's....

Less than 24 hours until I never REALLY need to go to Western Oregon University again. Done. Graduated. Period.

Less than 46 hours until I board to plane to New York. So freakin' excited, I don't know what to do with my spare time, because I only want to sit and think about NY, and research things to do, and look for places to shop, etc....

By the way, this is one of the coolest features of Google ever!
Go to Google maps, type in New York, NY in the location. Zoom in and then push the button that says "street view". Click on the location or the little man, and *poof* there you are practically IN New York.

Awesome.

The survey...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:00 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. Last movie you saw? Kung-fu Panda...It is actually really cute and funny.
4. What is your favorite TV Show? Cold case Files, Intervention, First 48, The Office, Desperate Housewives...I like quite a few.
5. What is your middle name? Therese
6. What food do you dislike? Sometimes certain meats gross me out.
7. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I usually only set my iPod on shuffle...But I am loving Kate Nash lately.
8. What kind of car do you drive? Honda Accord
9. Favorite sandwich? avacado, salami, swiss, salt and pepper, sprouts, tomato on a roll.
10. What characteristic do you despise? meanness. irresponsibility
11. Favorite item of clothing? jeans
12. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? OH, there are so many, Italy or Greece probably
13. Favorite brand of clothing? I don't know, wierd question
14. Where would you retire to? As close to my kids as possible
15. Favorite birthday? I'm sure it was the younger years...which I really don't remember well
16. Favorite sport to watch? Anything in real life, I don't enjoy them as much on TV. I suppose baseball
17. Are you a morning person or a night person? morning
18. How tall are you? 5' 7"
19. Pets? cat and lots of fish.
20. How are you today? RELAXED!!
21. What is your favorite candy? Skittles
22. What is your favorite flower? Lilies, orchids
23. What day are you looking forward to? Saturday, waking up in NY!!
24. What are you listening to right now? Spongebob being funny and Sophia laughing.
25. What was the last thing you ate? A disgusting lunch at Sophia's school, poor kids!
26. Do you wish on stars? yep
27. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Orange or lime green
28. How is the weather right now? wierd...
29. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Katie's mom and son Michael
30. Favorite soft drink? Root beer
31. Favorite restaurant? I don't know, depends on the mood... A good sushi restaurant is always a treat
32. Hair color? brown
33. What was your favorite toy as a child? trees to climb, but my favorite thing was playing with my brother.
34. Summer or winter? S-U-M-M-E-R
35. Hugs or kisses? Both
36. Chocolate or Vanilla? Both
37. Coffee or tea? Coffee
38. What is under your bed? shoes, a board
39. What did you do last night? Stayed at my mom's house. Read, went for a walk.
40. What are you afraid of? the dark, being home alone overnight, other people that do terrible things.
41. Salty or sweet? Again, both
42. How many keys on your key ring? About 8
43. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
44. How many cities have you lived in? 6
45. Do you make friends easily? Oh yeah, I'm friendly.

It's your turn now...

Here is the lovely ballerina....

Finally. Photos of the production Copellia by my very own little princess:






Now, where does this sassiness come from?

THIS is a great ad...

I just LOVE this! So hilarious...
The cheer one is the best!



This is from the Ad Council Creative

Dedicated to Sophia

Well, I think today's post will be all about Sophia! Why? Because we love her SO much!
I just received some pictures from a friend, her and her friend Raven playing dress-up and hanging out by the horses...





Nice expressions, especially on that last one....

:

She had her ballet performance ALL weekend and did such a great job, I cried at each performance because I was so proud, silly, I know, but I just can't help it! I will post pictures as soon as I get some, I am waiting on a disk full of them... darn it!


Well, that is all for now!

anxiety + excitement = me

Well, I believe the countdown is at 17 days. As of June 13th, I will have a bachelor's degree (hopefully), and will be on an airplane to New York. My anxiety has gotten SO crazy, I feel like a freight train about to slam into a brick wall. WOOOOO-HOOOOOO! Here we go! I have already began planning all of these wonderful things that I want to do after graduation, for some reason, I think I am going to be swimming in free time...hmmm. I think I have a rude awakening coming. However, in an ideal world, my after graduation days would look something like this.......

M-Thurs, go to work (already this is probably not true), be home by 5pm, tidy the house cook dinner.
Friday, spend the day in my studio out in the garage, making prints. (we don't have a studio, BUT WE WILL!)
Saturday, Go to my retail job in McMinnville and be surrounded by lovely things and people that love to shop....
Sunday, whatever I want....relax, clean, print, design, ahhhh

Now, since I can't really plan that way, because it is not realistic, I have decided the better way to go about this is to prioritize the free time that I do have. SO, my plans are as follows:

1. freelance design when work is available and time allows.
2. Create an Etsy account, I think I have one, but I would actually like to use it and sell wonderful creations, which leads to my next priority:
3. make some wonderful creations.
4. buy a hosting site and create an actually good website for myself.
5. Tend to my blog more often and try to post if not daily (M-F), then weekly.
6. sew more

I don't know, I think I can do it all....I just need a little more time........

I tried to upload a little closing photo for today, but the blogger wouldn't let me, sorry. I will save it for next time!

Until then!! ¡CIAO!

I need some inspiration!

I have the end in sight, graduation is right around the corner...I have TOTALLY lost all motivation. Does this happen to everyone at this point? I suppose from the last post, I have made progress, I finished the screen print I was contemplating. It ended up a bike, Maybe I will post it on the next post, I don't have an image of it as of now. I DO however, have an official website. I also sold a print for the first time ever! YAY.



Well, that now belongs to the Monmouth Independence Community Arts Association. YAY! I am sad to see it go, yet this is the life of an artist, I either need to learn this lesson, or change careers!

I also designed this postcard/poster set for the student juried art show, (which I have two pieces accepted into)




"Bugs" is in the student art show, as is my favorite print, "War is Murder"



So, as for now, check the blog, check the website, leave me some lovely comments. Thanks!

screenprint ideas..

Well, I am to be doing sketches for screenprints, yet have no ideas....I started researching and browsing, hoping something would jump out, and of course, found some GREAT things...

First idea...Alphabet poster. I think this would be a good combination for a graphic designer/printmaker, it makes sense.
second...continue repetitive pattern theme.

Here are some of the sites I came across in my search for inspiration.

I love the colors and layering of this work

Maybe a lion and a pattern, illustrated and colorful, of course.

I don't know, I will come back to this later...

A couple of good etsy finds

This shop has some great pendants, wooden and also graphics transfered onto glass, cute images and color choices

This second one is a brother sister duo, they make t-shirts. Pretty great ones at that.

That's it for today!

Today, I spent hours....

Screenprinting. I was so stressed prior to the day, but actually ended up really enjoying myself and having a great day. I came home feeling so accomplished, it was great.

I have been blog searching like crazy, it has become one of my favorite ways to pass the time (way too much time). I hope one day I can have one of these design blogs that I love to look at so much, oooh, what fun that would be. I just though I would link a few more blog sites that I enjoy checking out, and new ones that I have found.

Rebeca Mendez is an artist that I have highlighted before, yet, I didn't highlight her correctly. In an earlier post, I put a picture of a wine label I designed (Lush wine), this label was based on Rebeca Mendez's design, SO, I think I should link her website here.

Rebeca has one project in particular, that I love, here is the description:
Here Over There is a photographic series that began on the island of Chiloe, Chile, on December 23, 2002 and continues to this date. I photograph the beds I sleep on during my travels with consistent parameters—the image is taken as soon as I awake, on the first morning of my stay, with the available light, with a hand held camera, and from the same point of view. The idea of my hotel beds came from the thought that I might never sleep in this bed again, and most likely I will never even remember this intimate moment of full surrendering.

For some reason, I just love this! Some of her photos are beautiful, and they give you a view into such a personal situation.

Secondly, I just came across a blog that I fell in love with. I like blogs that are not only design-based, yet a little bit personal, maybe I am just nosey, but I like to know of people's lives. Here is her link "Making it lovely" And, for the record, I found her through the decor8 bloggers list of favorite blogs.

It's been awhile,

I have been slacking. Well, here's the catch-up, the term is FLYING by, I can't even believe it. I am SO excited, yet, scared. Does graduation mean I have to get a real job? Does that mean I can no longer just float on by and have someone tell me what to do each day, I actually have to self-motivate...AAAAAHHHHH! That is scary. So, I suppose I will just shoot back into reality and the next thing you know, I will be going to my 9-5 each day.

In other news....I went back to Nectar today. It was great, I missed it. (if you are not familiar, this is where I go to apprentice) I haven't been for awhile due to my schedule not really fitting with theirs, but we figured it out. I was just there for about 3 hours, but it was fun to be back.

I have also been focusing on trying to get a portfolio together, it is fun. Getting all of my artwork together and looking at it as a cohesive whole is amazing. Just putting it all in one room and photographing it has really built confidence. I actually feel as though there is a theme behind it, which I didn't see before, so that is nice. I will have my official "senior show" here soon, May 9th, so I have got to get it all together and ready to be hung....That is also scary. But should be fun.
As soon as I have a web link for a portfolio, (which will be soon due to assignments), I will put it on here for all to see.

Oh, and one last thing, How About Orange had these coasters on her post today, if any of you ever want to buy me a gift, I LOVE these!



(not that I need coasters....)

The return of the pattern

I have once again been trying to successfully create pattern. Mainly for prints, yet a little for other reasons....I just love pattern. Here area a few I'm working with now, maybe you will recognize the blue floral pattern from a previous post:

Postcard week

It must be the week of postcards, that is pretty much all that I have been designing this week. One for my sister's pilates business and one for the student juried art show at school. Here is what I have for each so far...







I am obviously on a circle streak...I love them!

new inspiration

With the new term and new projects swamping me down already, I have come across such wonderful inspiration. My goal for printmaking class this term is to continue on my pattern theme. I just am madly in love with fabric and wallpaper prints, and found so much wonderful inspiration from so many sites this week. Here are just a few!

Print and pattern has some great patterns featured on the blog sometimes. A few that I found:





The Reprot Depot also has some nice fabric images, here are a couple of my favorites:





I found so many other great patterns as well, unfortunately, I am not organized enough to save them as to where they were found online, so I will probably never find them again...At least I learned this lesson for next time. Hope you enjoy. I am now off to sleep, so I can be back at it in the morning!