:: MY MUGS ::

I just walked through the doors and the first thing I think is, "I'm thirsty.  I need a drink." I have mugs and a 'kanteen' that I use all the time around the house.  They're my favorite things to drink out of and I find my self attached to them for some reason.  The kanteen is easy - I take that bad boy everywhere I go and I absolutely love it.  I got it as a bridesmaids gift and I must say... it's one of my most used bridesmaids gifts ever.  The mugs I like for a different reason.  They seem to hold more liquid than your average mug and I just like their form and design.  One's a starbucks mug and the other mug I got as a back to school special at target a couple of years ago.

:: FUN-CAKES ::

This past weekend was filled with lots of fun events.  I got to attend two different parties that had their own unique theme and along with that... their own unique cakes!  First, there was Ryan's 1st birthday party with a baseball themed cake and a cake shaped like a baseball cap.  Then, it was off to Shilvi's tea party themed baby shower. She had a cool leaning abstract cake and pink cupcakes that were oh-so-cute.  So fun and so creative. Kudos to all!

:: I WANT A DOG ::

Is it so weird that I've been googling pictures of puppies and dogs all weekend long?  Then out of nowhere, a co-worker sends out a mass email today asking for a dog-sitter for this weekend.  I think it's a sign.  It's time for me to get a dog.  I miss having dogs.  Here's an old sketch I did of Aw-Hwa back in high school.  I miss her so much.

:: AN OWLY FRIDAY ::

Owls are really big this year and I'm seeing them everywhere.  I've just designed a new product for work and guess what... it's owl themed!  It's a gift basket with an owl plush, a little crinkly tree, a cute lovie, and a canvas door hanger.  They're not here yet, so this is more of a preview.  If you're interested in getting the gift set, go to the babyaspen site.  The bottom four images are owl themed items I found on Etsy for your viewing pleasure.  Go owls! 

:: MODERN INVITES ::

For the past several days, I've been looking at wedding invitations because I'll be helping a friend design one soon and noticed a lot of 'modern' and simple ones that are out there right now. Here's just a sampling of what I've been finding.  I usually despise hearts, but the yellow-toned heart actually works.  I'm really not that offended by it! 

 

{ all samples from weddingpaperdivas }

:: CHEER UP FLOWERS ::

It's one of those days where flowers are needed to put a smile on your face. Here are some old flower pictures I took just because they were pretty.  Enjoy!

:: GRANADO PACKAGING ::

My sister likes to bring soaps back from Rio to give as gifts to people.  There's one she left behind that has really cool packaging.  The closure is very unique and I love how it looks when closed.

:: VISIT FROM THE SIS ::

Wow.  I just realized how hard it is to get back into the swing of things whenever you get a mini-break or vacation.  Labor day just past and I still haven't quite gotten back into the swing of things.  My sister and her husband were visiting us from Brazil about 2 weeks ago and I STILL haven't the chance to really go back and clean the house how I'd like.  It amazes me how quickly you can turn a nice, clean and tidy place into a disaster area.  I always know when my sister is coming into town because my house becomes a post-office drop-off station.  This visit was not any exception.  As a matter of fact, I don't believe I've had so many newly purchased goods in my house at one time.  Since my little sister is pregnant and is living in a country where a can of Campbell's soup costs $6.00, I find humor in seeing her and her husband "stock up" for the trip back.  I really wanted to get the two of them something for the new baby, but seeing how they had bought out every baby store in the metro-Atlanta area, my plans changed.  I decided to make a poster for the new babe... too bad the poster didn't arrive on-time.  Oh well.  

{ Home on a normal day}

{ Home when Crystal & Jorge visit }

{ Poster for the new little peanut }

:: WORK SHOWER ::

Today was a nice break from the usually daily grind.  A co-worker of mine is getting married next month so I was able to work on a shower invitation for her.  I started with a caricature sketch of her at the end of the day yesterday and I finished the design this morning.  I used some design elements found on her actual wedding invitation and this was the result... TA-DA!!!

{ Amanda's very simple and cute invitations }

:: SEPTEMBER ALREADY ::

Summer is over and fall is almost here.  Back when I used to work at KidsII, I worked a lot with freelance designers.  I remember working with one person in particular who was super sweet and super talented - Gail Yui. I was looking at her company's design website today and noticed a lot of fall-ish themed graphics.  I love the style of her work and enjoy looking at her patterns and color palettes.  Good inspiration. (Gail - your stuff is awesome)!  Here's some of the stuff from her site:

 

{images from JYbeStudio}