STARMAS

This is the third year that Christopher and I put together our holiday website! We do this in lieu of sending Christmas cards. This project all started with our wedding website, which was designed for our wedding information and RSVPs. Later that year, when the holiday season rolled around, we decided to keep the digital communications going. I love that this is a project that we collaborate on. We also keep a record of years past, which makes me all kinds of nostalgic!

Our excitement for Star Wars VII was the inspiration for the site this year. We've been dreaming about the new movie for what feels like forever making the timing for this style of site was perfect. Christopher found a technique using CSS to run the scrolling text and title sequence. From that point, it took writing our update and creating some sweet action figure style graphics to go along with the look to bring it to life.

Click on the image to view the site and make sure to turn up the volume!

After creating the site, we made a graphic for the email we sent out (title image above). Projects like this are so rewarding to work on because they come from a fun place and intended for an audience that we love (our friends and families).

Shooting our photos was the best! We had a very basic set up, using a sheet and a stand-in beer bottle as lightsaber to make it happen.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday so far and the end of 2015 is filled with love and happiness! May the force be with you always!

CHRISTMAS STUDIO SOUNDS

Have you been feeling festive this year?

Have you been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving, perhaps?

Maybe you've just been bit by the Christmas bug, like me?

Welllllll I want to share with you some great and new(!!!) Christmas/holiday tunes that I've been listening to while in the studio. Tell me what jams have been giving your inner elf something to dance about too!

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

By far my favorite new Christmas record this year has been provided by the lovely Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. This R&B and Soul album, named It's A Holiday Soul Party has a great vintage sound, like time traveling back to the 1960's. It's a little brassy and Sharon's voice is so filled with passion and joy. I think the first track on the album 8 Days (of Hanukkah) is a very fun way to set off this album, not only by giving some love to this Jewish holiday but it sounds like it beamed in from a School House Rock video! Seriously! Even the music video is perfectly retro. There are a couple classic Christmas tunes on this album as well, perfect for you to sing along with instantly. Another song I love for the narrative and non-traditional perspective is the second track called Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects. Hit that play button below and enjoy!

Charlie's Hand Movements

This little batch of songs from Charlie's Hand Movements is sort of flirting with a bit of an 80's flair. The first track Secret Santa has a techno robotic vibe that feels pretty current. The second track, It's Christmas Time (And I Don't Want To Wait) sounds very love struck and emo-ish circa early Death Cab for Cutie, but to me, I think it nails that melancholy feeling that accompanies the holiday season. You know the one, when you run head-first into the holiday season and then when it draws to a close it leaves you feeling a bit sad. The third song is a DELIGHTFUL cover of the Elton John song Step Into Christmas. The final piece is a spoken word selection being played over instrumentals, it's not holly or jolly, it's opinionated and rather funny.

a Drift

This song, Merry Xmas (war isn't over), by the French band a Drift isn't your typical Christmas song by any means, though it's instrumentals would lead you to believe otherwise. It's as if it's a response to the John Lennon Christmas song Happy Xmas (war is over). The response is a little more… well… realistic. It packs a punch, but it goes down smoothly, like a really nice bourbon. And really during a time of year when people tend to reflect, it is important to take into consideration large scale issues. I appreciate that this song does just that! Have a listen to the track, which is posted below, and let me know your thoughts!

Lindby

Bringing this list back to a little bit more of a poppy and happy note, try out this little set, entitled Dashing To The Snow is by Lindby, a band out of Fort Worth, Texas. The first song in the set features Leon Bridges, so there's that! These songs are festive to a T and a bit jazzy too. The only wild card song is the third song, Trepak (Russian Dance) from The Nutcracker. This playlist is a perfect little slice of Christmas joy! I think this list is perfect to play while decorating Christmas cookies or wrapping presents, IMO.

THE VOICE OF A LOGO

One of my favorite areas of design is…

branding!

Merging personality and position with visual elements is as exciting to me as meeting a new person and learning allllll of their stories! IMO, building a brand is at it's best when it is sharing true intention.

I recently had the chance to work on a campaign logo for my father who will be running for local office next fall. Cue all bad memories of tacky campaign logos…NOW… In order to avoid, avoid avoid! the tacky train, we discussed early on what the main focuses are for the position he is running for. From there I got to work on creating a meaningful logo that would accompany any campaign materials he would need to produce. Since running a campaign is a loooong process, it was important to get to work right away.

The area in which the campaign will be run is a rural part of northern Michigan so agriculture and nature are of huge value to the community. Since my father shares in these passion, it was important to highlighting that in the logo.

preliminary notebook sketches

sketches digitally coming to life

full color version of the finished logo

Here is an explanation of the logo in greater depth: 

At the bottom, the name anchors the logo in red. From there the blue field, which represents the water of the bay, contrasts with your name to give a visual nod to the American flag and being patriotic. Next up, there is the warm brown color which represents the farm land and agriculture. At the top we have a tall triangle that represents a tree and the shape of a sun setting, this is to signify nature. These forms all come together to form a triangle that points upward to represent progress and 'moving up' coming from the candidate.

In the development of a brand's logo it is important to have a great amount of knowledge of the project (or company) before even starting! Maybe it's back story, goals, personality… As you become familiar with the brand position, working on it's visual representation becomes, maybe not easy, but way easier! I always let intention be my guide. Stylistic trends and effects are the furthest thing from my mind.

I hope you enjoyed this look at finding the voice of a logo, brand discovery and how integrated design starts! This form of branding is something I find true passion working within.

Intentional + Heartfelt = a brand's happy place!

PERFECT FOR THE COLD

Today I want to share with you my favorite foods for the cold weather months. Since this is the time of year where we get together for holiday meals or parties, here are my suggestions for your next potluck, family meal or holiday celebration. While we are in this season of celebrating gratitude, have fun throwing around those pots and pans! Know that it's an act of love to feed another person, even yourself!

There is a recipe for each section. Enjoy! AND let me know if you decide to make one of these :)

BRAN MUFFINS

This time of year makes me want to eat things that are more robust in flavor and fill me up a little bit more. That usually means oatmeal, but I like to make a batch or two of bran muffins for the same reason. The earthy flavor is so perfect this time of year. I like to add dried cranberries for some sweet and tart flavor too.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup of wheat bran

1 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

2/3 cup of brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup of all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup of dried cranberries

how to

Preheat oven to 375º F

Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners

Mix together wheat bran and buttermilk; let stand for 10 minutes

Beat together oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk/bran mixture

Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt

Stir flour mixture into buttermilk mixture, until just blended

Fold in dried cranberries and spoon batter into prepared muffin tins

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean

Cool and enjoy!

SAVORY CHEX MIX

This little number is a family recipe that I've had since I was child! I look forward to it every year because it is fun to customize. I also love the way it makes the entire kitchen smell. Nothing makes me think of the holidays more than the scent of this snack.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of melted butter

1 tsp of seasoning salt

1/4 tsp of garlic powder

1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce

12 cups of your favorite cereal combo (like chex, goldfish, cheerios, bugles, pretzels, cheeze-its)

1 1/2 cups of your favorite combination of nuts (I like peanuts and cashews)

How To

Preheat oven to 250º F

Mix together all of the cereal pieces and nuts

Stir the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings together

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients

Mix together on a baking sheet or broiler pan

Place in oven for 30 minutes, remove from the oven to stir everything in 10 minutes intervals

BAKED BRIE

What is better than a cheese spread at a party? A gooey wheel of cheese wrapped in a puff pastry! I have made this recipe a few times and it comes together really fast and it tastes as impressive as it looks. The nutty flavor is perfect when paired with fruit and jam.

Ingredients

1 wheel of brie cheese

1 egg (optional)

1 sheet of puff pastry (from the freezer section of a grocery store)

Apple slices, grapes, raspberry jam, honey, or anything you like to serve along side when it's ready to eat

How To

Preheat oven to 375º F

Thaw puffed pastry sheet for around 45 minutes at room temperature

Roll out pastry sheet and wrap it over the wheel of brie, with rind in tact

Whisk egg and spread onto the exterior to create an egg wash

Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Bake for 20 minutes or until the color is a golden brown

Serve hot with fruit of your choice or jams

CARROT SOUP

This soup recipe has become a winter tradition. I make a batch of it at least once a season. It seems innocent but it's pretty decadent. It involves heavy cream so yeah, bust out your stretchy pants! I usually serve it with grilled sandwiches.

Ingredients

8-10 carrots, unpeeled washed and sliced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

6 cups of chicken or vegetable stock

4 tbsp grape seed oil or butter

1 1/2 tsp curry seasoning

1 1/2 tps parsley

1 tsp thyme

1 1/2 tsp dill

1/2 cup of heavy cream

salt & pepper to taste

how to

Heat grape seed oil or butter

Add garlic and cook for about one to two minutes making sure it does not burn

Add carrots, chicken stock and spices

Bring to a low boil and then simmer on low heat for 45 minutes

Add heavy cream and let simmer for an additional 15 minutes

Puree using an immersion blender

Add salt and pepper to taste

Serve hot & enjoy!

PORK WELLINGTON

I used this recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. I think it has the perfect flavors for the cooler months, like apples and thyme. Also, it's in a puff pastry so it's like your dinner rolls are all ready taken care of! I got the recipe from Alton Brown and his show 'Good Eats'.

Ingredients

1 whole egg

1 tbsp water

1 oz dried apple rings

1 whole pork tenderloin, approximately 1 pound

4 1/2 oz thinly slice prosciutto ham

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves

1 tsp all-purpose flour

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed completely

1 tbsp whole-grain mustard

How To

Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 400º F

Remove puffed pastry sheet from the freezer, cover and set aside

Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl and set aside

Place the apple rings into a food processor and process for 30 to 45 seconds or until they are the size of a medium dice and then Set aside

Slice the tenderloin down the middle lengthwise, creating 2 separate pieces

Lay the tenderloin pieces next to each other head to tail, so when laid back together they are the same size at the ends

Lay out a 12 by 16-inch piece of parchment paper on the counter and arrange the pieces of prosciutto in the center, overlapping them enough to create solid layer that is as long as the tenderloin

Top with a second piece of parchment, and using a rolling pin, roll over the prosciutto to help adhere the pieces to each other

Remove the parchment paper and sprinkle the prosciutto with the salt, pepper, and thyme

Set the tenderloin down the middle of the prosciutto. Spread the dried apples in between the 2 pieces of tenderloin and push back together so the apples are held between them

Using the parchment paper to assist, wrap the prosciutto around the tenderloin to completely enclose in a package

Sprinkle the counter with flour and roll out the pastry to 12 by 14 inches

Spread the mustard thinly in the center of pastry and lay the prosciutto wrapped tenderloin in the center of the pastry on the mustard

Fold the puff pastry up and over the top of the tenderloin, then roll to completely enclose, brushing the edges of the pastry with the egg wash in order to seal

Turn the tenderloin over so the side of the tenderloin with the double thickness of pastry is underneath. Pinch the ends of the pastry to seal

Brush the entire pastry with the egg wash

Place the tenderloin on a parchment lined half sheet pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of at least 140º F.

Remove the tenderloin from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

HOT CHOCOLATE

I loooooove chocolate any time of the year but heated up in a mug is my favorite way to enjoy it right now. It's even better when you add your own additional flavors. Grab your favorite seasoning and shake that shiz! This is a very simple recipe which makes it even better, IMO. This recipe is enough to make hot chocolate for you and a friend.

Ingredients

2 cups of milk (skim, whole, soy or anything in between)

6 tbsp of your favorite melting chocolate

A dash of your favorite seasoning, like cinnamon, lavender, cayenne, etc.

Whipped cream and/or mini marshmallows

How To

Heat milk over medium heat in a sauce pan

Stir over the stove to keep the milk from burning

Add the chocolate as soon as the milk starts to create steam and continue to stir

Pour into your favorite mug

Add marshmallows, whipped cream or sprinkles to the top!

UPDATES & MOTIVATION

Welcome once again to my digital playground!

Today I thought I would share some new posts that I added to my Society6 shop, being that it IS gift giving season and all ;) these newly added pieces are all from my Daily Intention series that I regularly share to Instagram.

Shameless self promotion aside, I wanted to chat with you about motivation and LEARNING TO LOVE THE PROCESS.

The process of making these daily drawings has given me greater clarity of what I have to say as a designer and illustrator. Lately I focus on positivity, puns, simplicity and freedom, all of which are attributes that I reach for each day of my life. These themes come from my desire to enjoy the act of making more than holding the end result too tightly.

As I become closer to my art practice I have been learning that there's really no end, or no right answers, there is only the process and effort.

To love the process is to love the art. As soon as I realized this, the act of creation has become immeasurably more fun!

My process looks a little like this:

1. Fill your time with experiences, such as reading, watching films, trying something new, traveling.
2. Reflect on how you've been feeling, write it down, talk with friends.
3. Use the tools that interest you the most to express yourself.
4. Take what you can from what you made and let it go.

The posting and sharing is all well and good, but they only act as milestones. The desire to move on to the next thing comes from loving the act of picking up your tools and trying something new, solving a new riddle, discovering new land.

I hope this gives you a little better idea of why these themes in my designs are so important to me and why I am inspired by them.

Enjoy your day and LOVE the process!