Inspiration: Tracy Morgan

No, not that Tracy Morgan (although I am a huge 30 Rock fan)... This Tracy Morgan is the set director for J.Crew. She is also an extremely talented painter. I love her expressive strokes and bold, bright colors.

"My interest in painting flowers started when I began selecting flowers for our weddings and parties shoots for J. Crew. I'd bring them home and just start painting. It's an emotional process for me. I just kind of make up the rules and I go."

"Everything in my apartment comes from garage sales in Maine, where I spend my summers, or the flea market on W. 25th Street in New York."

Tracy exhibits her work regularly in New York City. For more information or to check out more of her work, visit her website here.

Modern Vintage

Remember these? The kitchen towels that had the calendar year printed on them? My Grandma used to have these every year and I always thought they were pretty cool (I was 9, okay?  I also thought Mazda Miatas were cool). I kept coming across them the other day while I was searching through Etsy, and I thought "Why doesn't anybody do these anymore...?"

Divine inspiration hits, and I thought "Well, I'll just do them!" I did a quick search for a kitchen towel printer and found a nice, family run operation in upstate New York who was available and affordable and I was off! I had a design already in mind so I went straight to work and by the end of the day I was ready to print! It all came together so quickly that I feel like this design was meant to be or something (super cheese - I know). 

Towels are printed on 100% linen and are 18x29". They make great gifts for just about anyone in your life: Grandmas, Mother-in-Laws, Teachers, Secret Santas - you name it! Available in my Etsy Shop - click here for more info or to order!

Happy Friday!

Venn There, Done That

I'm really not all that creative. I mean, really. Who is? It seems that everything has been done before and every time I think I have a cute, clever idea for a new design - I look go online and - WHAM! - Not only has someone else already thought of it, they are doing it waaaaaay cuter than I could have... *sigh... (*which I am totally over by the way. I don't know why I just wrote that...)

Anyway, so I (thought I had) a super cute idea for a holiday card using a venn diagram, and whaddayaknow? Venn diagrams are soooooooo hot right now (said like Mugatu from Zoolander). So, in my utter disappointment I have decided to share some of these lovely beauties with you. Most of them are pretty good. 

First, we have a little religious sarcasm (and I'm usually a fan of any kind sarcasm).

Next, a little Save the Date / Wedding invitation action. Super cute. Wish I would have though of it.

And if it's good enough for wedding, it's usually translates well for baby. Also super cute. 

And now for a little hipster humor. Because, man, sometimes those hipsters are funny. 

And finally, holiday. These are just 2 examples I found online - but they are pretty cute. My idea is closer to the top one. 

And, who knows? Maybe I'll do it anyway. It may not be the most original idea out there, but it's still mine. Kinda.

Día de los Muertos

For whatever reason, I really love all of the imagery for Dia de los Muertos.  I just love all of the bright colors juxtaposed with macabre skulls; the handmade, folksie quality of all of the pieces, all of the different textures and styles... It's all right up my alley!

I don't know that much about the actual holiday (except what I just read on Wikipedia and that all of the private school kids get to stay home...) but I think I would like it: A day where you celebrate your deceased loved ones with food, drink and dance? Sounds alright to me! 

Happy Day of the Dead!

100 Girls on Cheap Paper

This is a fantastic book by Tina Berning (that my awesome Chicken* got me for Christmas!) It helps me remember how much beauty there is in rough sketches; and that by using the supplies you have at hand you can cause a very dramatic effect in a short amount of time. Enjoy!

(*for those who don't know: Chicken = My awesome bro, Cabe)

Stay Golden!

I was watching The Golden Girls the other night (love my Girls) and Sophia (the lovely and charming Estelle Getty) shuffled in wearing this delightful ensemble.

and I just thought to myself "Well, look at her! Yellow and gray! That little Sophia Petrillo is way ahead of her time!" I was just so tickled that this show is still relevant (on many levels) after 25 years.

It inspired me to go in search of my own "Sophia" look - Enjoy!

Alaskan Wildflowers Lithograph from Blasts from the Past shop on Etsy; Decorative Pillows from Festive Home Decor Shop on Etsy; Blooming Goldenrod Dress from Anthropologie

It's Not How Good You Are...

February is by far my least favorite month. It's cold. It's snowy. You are sick of your winter coat (and scarf and gloves... and all of the clothing stores all over the world like to tease you with their awesome spring arrivals that you will not be able to wear for at least 2 months... Thanks, (insert your favorite store here) - I'm so glad you are ready for espadrilles and tank tops, but we have a 90% chance of snow today! And I live in the South!!!)

So, when I get down in the dumps about something I have absolutely no control over I like to read this little book to remind myself that there are plenty of things I DO have control over - such as my life/business and how I want to live/run it.

It is just a friendly reminder that anyone can achieve great things if they only put their mind to it!

Two Thousand Eleven

I don't make New Years Resolutions (mainly because I feel that is you want to do something you should just get off your butt and do it) and this year is no exception. However, in the future I do want to step away from the computer and draw, sketch and paint more. So, yesterday I (got off my butt) and did some pseudo-blind contour sketching for the first time in a long time. They weren't great, but I had fun and it inspired me, so let's see if I can keep it up!

The (second) Most Beautiful Tree in the World!

This weekend I went to my mom's house in Owensboro, Kentucky for some (much needed) R & R + Christmas decorating + shopping - it was absolutely fantastic! On Saturday afternoon we went to Newbergh, Indiana (a quiet, little town with some GREAT shopping) where I bought some gifts on my list, some new ornaments for MY tree and a few other things. That evening we watched Love Actually (great movie!) while we decorated HER tree.

The (second) Most Beautiful Tree in the World.

The Mantle

Our stockings that Mom made for us when we were born.

On Sunday morning I woke up to a real treat: SNOW!

Now, all I have to do is finish decorating MY tree and get pictures up!

Remember - it's not too late to participate in the (totally rad) 2011 Desktop Calendar Giveaway! The winners will be (randomly) selected on Wednesday! Click here for more details!

Happy Friday!

illustration by J Press Designs

...and a special thanks to Sophorn of No Rococo and Kerry of I Love Memphis for the awesome shout-outs yesterday! It's not too late to participate in my (totally rad) 2011 Desk Calendar Giveaway! Please see below for more details. Have a fantastic weekend, everybody!

Shout-Out Central!

Wren, the mastermind behind The Apron Thief, was kind enough to give my Black and White calendar a shout-out today! Her blog is fantastic (check it out here) and I am so proud to be a part of it!

I'm not great with words, so I'll let Wren (great name, huh?) explain her blog herself!

Hi, my name is Wren (like the bird)! The Each Day blog is about being thankful, about learning to find BALANCE, about being present, and about INSPIRATION and CREATIVITY. It is a place for creative and passionate people to learn, share, and grow. Here you'll find articles on balance and being your best self, DIY projects, handmade finds, beautiful photography, small business tips and resources, and inspiration in many forms!

Thanks again, Wren!

Also, don't forget to check out my other calendars on my Etsy shop (click here)! It's not to late to order for the Holidays!!!

This is not your Grandmother's bench

My (amazing) mother is a super talented woman who has been creating awesome needlepoint work for the last 9 years (an old hobby she picked up again after pseudo-retiring). It seems as if she is always creating something stunning and impressive - shoes, pillows, bookmarks, luggage tags, purses and wall hangings to name a few! The latest addition to my ever growing collection is this beautiful occasional bench.

My mom found the bench at an estate sale (for $5!), took off the old covering, had the design custom printed on the canvas (from a sketch I provided her) and needlepointed the design (which took close to a year!) Once she completed all the work she had the bench re-covered. The end result? A glamorous and stylish occasional bench that I will always treasure. Thanks, Mom!

On another note: Jonny and I carved a pumpkin last night (we named him Frankie... get it?!?) Have a happy and safe Halloween!

October Inspiration Board

In my home, I love to display all kinds of stuff on my magnetic-chalk-inspiration-board thingie (one of the best gifts I have ever received, BTW): invitations, ticket stubs for recent concerts, photos, nicknacks and really anything that I come across that inspires me in some way. My board changes constantly, so I am hoping to share it with you from time to time to show you all the little comings and goings in my life. PS - We totally went to Iceland this past summer - check out our photos here.

Real (Nashville) Weddings - Christy & Alex

Christy Collier (a great friend of mine who I met in New York) became engaged the Fall of '08, and I was super excited when she asked me to design her Save the Dates! Her wedding was going to take place in Nashville (her hometown) and she wanted to combine her wedding colors (navy + deep red with accents of Tiffany blue and pink) + a "Nashville" look. We selected the below design - chic and modern with a slight Western feel - perfect for the occasion!

We wanted the invitations to be more formal than the Save the Dates, so we decided on using (multiple) classic fonts and, but a non-traditional layout. Simple color choices mixed with the fonts and layout plus the super glamourous and luxurious letter press printing gave the invites the modern yet vintage look that Christy and Alex were after.

How did you meet? Tell us your story.

We met on match.com. He was my first and last match date! :-)

Describe the inspiration behind your wedding invitations.

We were pushing for the vintage/whimsical aspect of our wedding theme and found a wedding invite online with font we thought really captured that feel. We emailed Susan the font which she later used in our very own invitations but with her own flair (which we loved and turns out, so did many of our guests!).

What/ where did you draw inspiration from when planning your wedding?

Etsy, She & Him songs, Twinkly Light photos a la Tavern on the Green

How/ Where did you find your dress?

I was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's style and wanted a dress that was a fusion between her wedding gown in funny face and from her real-life wedding to Mel Ferrer in 1954. I saw a dress on a mannequin, at Arzelle's dress shop in Nashville, that had a lovely bodice and long train. I tried it on and told the sales person i wanted the train cut off to hit my knee. She looked mortified.

What are 3 adjectives that describe your wedding day?

Vintage, chic, whimsical

Church: The Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett Center Reception: The Cannery Ballroom Flowers: Melissa Broadwell, Vintage Florals Photography:Krista Lee Photography Cake: Sweet Dreams Cookie Company Invitations: J Press Designs DJ: Russell Cothran, DJ Catering: Chef's Market Lighting-Nashville Event Lighting

Empire State of Mind

I just got back from an AMAZING (short) long weekend in New York City. We spent most of our time in Brooklyn (visiting my brother) and I am in LOVE. Brooklyn has so much local charm, great food, awesome shopping and way more personality than Manhattan these days. Our trip included (but was not limited to) a Broadway show, 5th Avenue shopping, taxi cab shenanigans, Bodega sandwiches, a street festival (Atlantic Antic) and Brooklyn Flea. It was incredible! Thanks for everything, Chicken!

I picked up some fantastic items at Brooklyn Flea. A silk screen by Beau Ideal Editions, two prints by John Murphy, and an awesome necklace by Christina Stankard.