Vincent

What a CUTIE!!! Meet Vincent who is almost 1 yrs old.

I completed this photo shoot last week for my friend Lori and despite Vincent's missed nap time we got a some good shots . The pictures were taken at her brothers BEAUTIFUL house where he was in the process of moving in. It is always fun to use a setting that is not perfect and staged. I played off the paintings laying against the walls.

The Picture above is of Vincent being held up by his Dad while using a painting as a unique backdrop.

The Picture below is one of my favorites. It is of Vincent and his dad playing. We were trying everything to get a smile out of Vincent...I know I would not be smiling if I missed nap time but he is a trooper and we got some great smiles from him.

Oh and did you notice the new logo...again. I think this is a keeper...I can change the colors as I wish but have a nice and neat symbol. The logo is a combination of ITD. What do you think?

A Sneak Peak

Here is a collage piece I am working on.....It is titled "Eco Chic Bride" I used hand made paper (my friend Kim made it for me for Christmas) and left over paper from my wedding invitations. I have found out that modge podge and handmade paper make great sculpting materials. I get so excited when I am working on a piece...i can't wait to see how it turns out.

Packaging 101

I have been racking my brain for a unique and affordable way to package my sationery. I have tried making boxes but my cuts are not perfect enough and I tried just tying a bow but it seemed too flimsy. Then I came across these books from Lotta Jansdotter , Jill Bliss, and Oh Boy. How unique and cute. So I tried making something similar and here is what I came up with.

I used a piece of mat board and measured my flat note cards adding about 1/2 inch for the sides and then 1 inch for the spine. For the spine I made 2 cuts with a box cutter, but making sure not to go all the way through the mat board (I like using a box cutter better than an exacto for some reason?!?) Then it folded up nicely into a book cover. I covered the mat board with rice paper and modgepodge and made two holes to tie the ribbon with. The ribbon is not glued and can be untied for the simple fact that when the note cards are used the ribbon can be tightened so the note cards are secure.

This is going to be a little present for my sister. My niece will be going to daycare in a few weeks for the first time and these cards have her name on them. This will be a nice touch when Casey has to write a note for Carlee's daycare.

So far this morning during my blog breaks from Coding Heart Rate (this is one of the lovely tasks I do while working in research) I came across this Magazine Called "Artful Blogger" twice once from Sweet Repeats and then Simply Stated. So I guess this means I need to check this magazine out! Maybe it is a sign..since yesterdays post was a bit negative and sad.

I get a lot of inspiration from reading what other craft, design,and art blogs. Oh an more on my sad note from yesterday...I went home..started working on a new collage piece and researched 2 art galleries to submit pieces to. So today I am feeling a lot better.

I have figured out that the passion to create a craft that consumers want is important like photography and stationery but I should not let go of my true craft Collage...It makes me who I am and give me freedom to create without limits. More to come on the piece I am creating... (just a hint...it has to do with weddings).

Days Like These and Times Like Those

Working 40hrs a week, planning a wedding, and creating a design business without losing sight of my collage art has been overwhelming!

The wedding planning has been fun and I am so excited about getting Married...but now all the craftiness is complete and I am left with making check lists for everyone. I think I would rather make the invitations over 6 times than write a list of music I want played or the photography shots I want (and I am a photographer) haha. And work is work...I would rather be browsing Design and Craft blogs all day...and putting my ideas to the test while brainstorming on my new marketing adventures.

Ahhh Days like these....Someone get me out of this rut and back to designing/positive thinking...and work haha.

Collage of Carlee

Here is a new collage I completed for my niece Carlee.

Soon to come Prints of "Not a Size Zero"

A few months ago a piece of my work got accepted into a gallery in Kings Mountain, NC. Some of you may remember this. Well I hope to soon make prints and have them up for sale on my Etsy Website. This piece is titled "Not a Size Zero" It is a statement that a woman is beautiful with hips! While I have not entered a gallery competition in the last few months I know it is a goal once my wedding is over and I am back from Aruba!Stay Tuned....

Personal Note Cards for Kaiden and Coleen

I just finished designing these custom note cards for Kaiden and her mom Coleen. I knew Kaiden loved dinosaurs so after putting together my first design with a dinosaur with a long tail and long neck (I was not sure of the technical name at the time) Kaiden asked if she could a get a Triceratops instead of a Brachiosaurus. So above is a Triceratops and below is a Brachiosaurus, who would have ever thought you would learn something about dinosaurs from making personalized stationery. haha

A bit more on Filters

Here is a collage I just completed...it has been fun playing around with the pictures I took of Jennifer and Brandon. This would make a nice layout in a photobook.