a glimpse into my sketchbook.

This is how my mind works. 

Awesome (and Free) Holiday Fonts

Hey! Remember when I said I hate writing? My eight month absence proves that if you didn't believe me already. But there is something about Christmas that just makes me excited & extra creative. Here are some fantastic fonts I have found that work great for holiday projects! Enjoy!

LINKS: Rokitt, Little Lord, Lobster Two, Abraham Lincoln, Grand Hotel, Penelope Anne

HELVETI-CAT

that is all. 

found here

CMYK for your everyday life

1, 2, 3, 4

infographic resume

I came across these resumes and fell in love. For the creative professional, how better to show your skills & abilities than visually? it's genius!  

1. found here 2. found here

the perfect rings

 it's too good! every designer should have these wonderful rings so they can kern to their heart's desire

buy it here

lets talk about spectacles

a few weeks ago I got glasses for the first time in my adult life. [the actual first time was for a year in first grade, I rocked some large frames in 1996] I'm glad glasses are super adorable right now, they help me see things & look stylish. [win, win!] 

1 – 2 – 3

like these looks? follow me on Pinterest here! 

brand inspiration

I'm currently working on re-branding myself (myself meaning my tiny little freelance design business). This will of course include a logo which my head immediately starts designing. I think I need a solid name before I start any logos...but I couldn't help looking for some early inspiration!

g found here; water color bubbles live here; C is here; & Confetti&Co comes from here

intelligence made visual

I love this quote because it is totally how my mind works. 

Visual communication forever! 

[found here]

yes, please.

GIANT CROSS STITCH! This lady makes some seriously beautiful things. 

happy 2013 [& a free download!]

Happy NYE! Are you ready for 2013? The last year has had it's great moments mixed in with some of the toughest stuff yet. But He is so faithful & I am excited to see what this next year brings. I thought I would make my last post of the year a fun one. I made a sparkly desktop background just for you wonderful readers.

download the "Shine for Christ" background here

reg, bold, italic.

so cute! 

[find more awesome work by Tang Yau here]

pantone christmas

pantone & Christmas, two of my favorite things. 

These ornaments are completely awesome. 

[get them for the designer in your life here]

pom poms

diy pom pom bookmarks. genius!

[the instructions live here]

some of my favorite [minted prints]

Minted has such fun artwork! They are all created by independent artists and printed on beautiful archival paper—here are some of my favorites!

1// 2// 3

1// 2// 3

1// 2// 3

doodles

found myself doodling during a snow storm yesterday. here was one of my favorites. happy monday! 

[temporary] tattoos

Ok, so remember when you were a kid and having temporary tattoos was just about the coolest thing of all time? [or was that just me?] Well, now I feel that way again. Tattly makes some seriously amazing temporary tattoos. How fun would these be as gifts or at a party as a favor?

[Tantone; Kitty; Crops]

still life

Mixed media is so fun. I love all of the unique looks you can make by combining different forms of art! Kari Herer has mastered this. She brings the art of floral design to her photography—so cool! [note to self: add floral design to my list of things to learn!]

[see all of her still life images here]

some of my favorite [design blogs]

Kelly Hicks Design

Find her here! 

I love reading blogs that I can relate to. Kelly is a designer living in Minnesota—I feel like we could be friends! Her design is always gorgeous. I always look forward to a new post! With her diy, fashion and home decor posts there is something for everyone. 

Jones Design Company

Find her here!

This lady creates such beautiful designs! I love her classic style. I'm pretty sure her blog is where my obsession with calligraphy started. She also mixes in great tutorials and personal posts. A great read.

design love fest

Find her here!

Bri is seriously inspiring. Her design is functional yet so unique. She is constantly doing something new! I love reading her blog to see what is inspiring her. She also has great downloads and style posts that are just so dang fun.

There is a mini list of some of my favorite design blogs. [I might have to do this again, I have so many more!] I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I do! Go forth & be inspired! 

some of my favorite [christmas cards]

There is just something about letterpress that makes a card feel so much more important. It might be the thick stock or it might be the beautiful indentations on the paper. [probably a combination of both] Add to that some bright colors, foils & calligraphy? I'm completely sold. 

[they live here]