Keep Your Roots Local - Local Matters Logo

Well 'ello! How are you today? Good? I hope so. I hope where ever you are, the sun is shining.

Enough with the formalities.

I have things to tell you. I made this. The other day I saw that one of my favorite Columbus organizations, Local Matters was having a contest to design a logo and slogan for their annual local foods week. The prize is a summer of free produce, which I can definitely get down with. Go make something and enter! There's still nearly a week left.





I almost always start a project out by sketching, but I rarely (if ever) show anyone the preliminary stages. Today is a special treat.

And I almost forgot! I have succumbed to the madness that is Twitter. I KNOW! Have I no standards?! Anywho, if you care to become amazing friends with me and potentially share a milkshake with two straws some day, you should hit me up. Here I am.

Take care, everyone.

All for one and one for all.

I was making you a picture and my computer crashed. Twice. BOO. And then it corrupted my file (cue the violins, if you please). At least I had a screen shot! You should probably come bake me cookies to make me feel better.



Anyway.

I've been really in the mood to read "The Three Musketeers". Alexander Dumas is just the bomb. In high school my two best lady friends, Malin the Sea World trainer and Leah the photo journalist (Did I ever mention how amazing my friends are?) had pretty major crushes on the Musketeers, as I recall.

Boston Heights

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but my dad and stepmom, Stephanie are in the antique business. Throughout the years, I've spent quite a bit of time going to auctions, antique malls, and flea markets with them. Stephanie and I were talking a few weeks ago and decided she needed to get some of her great finds on Etsy.

So we did! It was a great day-long project. I designed a banner and quick identity for her shop, Boston Heights (named after their ultra adorable boston terrier, Gus) . Definitely check it out. She's got buckets of beautiful hand made lace that she's getting ready to list.

If you're interested in revamping your etsy, blog, or business, shoot me an email! I'd love to hear more and talk about how I can help.

A Dangerfield Kind of Tuesday

This past weekend was spent at the beach* with my family. I was mostly incapacitated during the trip due to a knee injury**, but it was still a blast. The photo above is three generations of my family.


Another pattern I finished up for fun.


And lastly, good music for your Tuesday afternoon. I came across Gregory Alan Isakov from his designer, Justin Fuller's website. Two seriously talented dudes.

The house is extremely chaotic today (always), so I'm doing my best to hanker down in the quieter areas (currently limited to bathrooms and the back porch).

*Not the beach. Just a beach. In Ohio. Which isn't much of a beach at all really... but hell, we're from the Midwest, we take what we can get!

**Our dear sweet dog ran into yours truly at full speed... where upon I fell directly onto my ass (ouch)... and in the process twisted my knee (double ouch).

Lions, Tigers & Bears (oh man...)

Hi all! Here's a peak of a project I've been working on. I can't tell you too much about it yet, but hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to share more.

I always wanted a pet bear. It's unfortunate that they maul people, don't you think?

And they lived happily.

Hello there friends*. I hope you've been playing outside a lot (have you?). I've been trying my best to get out there as much as possible, but my picnic count this summer still remains an abysmal low... of zero**. Regardless of my appalling picnicking, the above advice is getting me through this bizarre limbo of a summer without breaking a sweat. Enjoy the weekend. I'm going to make some of these.

*I assume you are all friends. If you are foe, please proclaim yourself so I may arrive at your door (under the cover of darkness, obviously) and kick you in the shins.

** If you are interested in picnicking with me, name a date. I will clear my schedule.

Orange You Glad?

I haven't been to California, but when I imagine it, it's quite nice. I'm in a really coastal mood today and needed a break from thinking about serious things, so I made a few patterns. (Here's one!)


And this song? Well. It's perfect for trying to imagine how nice it is in California right now.


Also, can I just tell you how much I love wikemedia commons? It's not much to look at on the outside, but it's chock full of good stuff, I promise. The original image I used for this was found there.

PUT YOURSELF IN MY SUITCASE

I just got back from a much needed mini-vacation to Chicago with one of my best friends, Leah. I had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. The lake was beaaautiful. And guess who got to go to the American Girl Store? THIS GAL.



In the past few weeks, I've become mildly obsessed with the simplicity (and cuteness) of tangrams. This little foxy fella is the first of a small series that I'm working on. They won't all be traditional tangrams (read about them here), but they're certainly inspired by them. Each little shape is cut out of a different fabric swatch, to ensure maximum cuteness and cuddleability (...do you not cuddle with your paper products?).

Any animals you'd love to see? I'm working on a bear, giraffe, turtle, an elephant, and a rabbit.

I LEFT MY HEART IN... (INVITATION PEAK)

I've been working pretty hard the past week or two finishing up Little Aviary's wedding invitation line. I cannot WAIT to show you. Until then though, here's a tiny sneak peak!

In other news, I've been researching my butt off trying to figure out where I want to (try) and land a job. So! I'd love to hear a little about your favorite places-- where you live or where you wish you lived.

Happy Dad's Day!

Hey dad. Thanks for being consistently great. From Star Wars to short holes, thanks not only for being an amazing dad, but also one of my best friends (and biggest fans). We're lucky to have you.

SOMETHING AMAZING

Hey internet- honesty time. These past few weeks have stunk. Like... blown chunks. I had a super amazing job opportunity, and because of formalities (international work visas-- ugh), I lost it. Right now, I'm in this bizarre limbo while I try to figure out my next move.

But I realized the other night that having no opportunities kind of means that I have every opportunity (does that make sense?). No doors are closed... I can move anywhere... I can do anything... shoot for the moon and all that jazz, know what I'm sayin? So- A print to commemorate the chance to make something amazing happen!

In the meantime, I'm certainly accepting freelance work (check out Little Aviary to see my portfolio). If you are super awesome and need some equally awesome designin', shoot me an email. I want to know you!

AIR GUITAR SOLOS

Aaand, my internet life is officially complete. Allison just sent me an email letting me know that the amazing Kathryn at Snippet & Ink stuck my postcards into one of her famous inspiration boards.

High fives and 20 minute air guitar solos all around!

GRADUATED!

Guess who graduated?! THIS GIRL. Seventeen years of schooling, and I'm done. How bizarre!

L to R: Krysti Kalkman, Em Beros, Me

My sisters and I (Me, Randi, Rebecca)

L to R: Jordan Merchant, Quinn Kellogg, Dave Armstrong, Me

So, a HUGE congratulations to all my amazing classmates at Columbus College of Art & Design. It has been a phenomenal four years. I really encourage you to check out a few of their websites. I graduated with some seriously talented friends!

Stay tuned this week. I can't wait to tell you about what's next for me!

LITTLEAVIARY.COM HAS LAUNCHED!

Hello! I'm so excited to announce the launch of LittleAviary.com! I've been slowly working on it for the past few weeks, and it's so wonderful to see it finally up and working. I hope you'll take a peak!

This past Wednesday was Columbus College of Art & Design's senior career fair. It was an exhausting process, but a really fantastic experience. I want to thank everyone who stopped by and talked with me-- especially a few CCAD students that mentioned they read this blog (by far the coolest feeling ever to know that I'm not just writing into space!).

Have a great weekend! I'll see you next week.

ZOINKS, JENKIES, YOWSA, ETC.

Hello stranger! It's sure been awhile, hasn't it? These past few weeks have been a doozy. In just two weeks I'll be graduating!

With everything quickly wrapping up, I've been left with my head spinning. I have some extremely exciting news that I'll hopefully be sharing with you next week, but until then I'd like to show you my little branding packets I've been working on. They each come packed in a little muslin bag (with a cute tag of course) and have a mini resume, a business card (not pictured), a birdie notebook (you can see the set a few posts below), and a Little Happiness Card. Fun stuff!

I'll see you soon! Things should be slowing down shortly. Wish me luck!

ALPHABETS ARE FOR LOVERS

Hello there ladies and gents. Today I bring you my morning shower idea from today (I always get the best ideas when I'm either falling asleep or in the shower...). Letters for lovers! The first one is a take on the I -heart- You idea with the small type at the bottom reading "U & I are meant to be".


Aaaand, the second one has one empty spot and reads "The only thing that's missing is you." (GET IT??!)

With all the craziness of my life right now, I'm really attracted to simple designs like this. I'll be screen printing them tomorrow at 18x24. I think this would look pretty smashing framed in a bed room or living room. I'll be sure to make some extras to put in Little Aviary's shop! If you'd like to reserve one in advance, just let me know... I'd be happy to.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I HEART B&

A tiny idea for your Tuesday! My family is very musical. We're always singing, dancing, or playing an instrument (or all three at once!). And honestly, as geeky as it sounds, marching band is what I miss most form high school. A few years ago my youngest sister, Rebecca picked up a saxophone and has been playing ever since.

I'm going to turn this design into a silk screen for her and her girlfriends to put on t-shirts and tote bags. Just because we're band geeks doesn't mean we can't be fashionable!

AVIARY LETTERPRESS NOTEBOOKS

One of the many things I've been working on lately is this series of mini books. They're tiny (about 3.5 x 5'') and are (in my opinion) damn cute! I printed the covers in letterpress (at my dear Igloo Letterpress in Worthington) and then digitally printed and glued the blue strips on top. They read "Good Ideas Can't Be Caged", "Onward & Upward", and "Prepare for Lift Off"-- all as a sort of homage to my upcoming graduation. It's time to spread your wings, dear Rachel ( eh eh?).

If anyone is interested in having a set, let me know in the comments! I'll shoot you an email when they go on sale!

MOON OR BUST

It's an odd feeling when you realize that what once was a hobby has been molded into a career. I'm so so lucky to be able to do what I love every day... it's truly pretty fantastic.

The only problem is now I'm left without a real hobby or distraction... perhaps I will take up knitting? Or skydiving? Or knitting while skydiving? Once the weather gets nice I'll at least be able to go play outside!

In the meantime, reading books and doing these little no-purpose side projects give my brain a bit of a break. Now! Back to the homework!

POPPIES AND SUNSHININ'!

It's an amazingly amazing sunny day in Columbus, Ohio right now.. and boy is it making it hard to focus on school work! And what better way to spend my time then to do some watercolor doodles of some pretty poppies? I have class in an hour, but I think I might go sit outside and bask until then.

Enjoy the day!