Hello there, is summer really almost over! I’ve been away from my blog busy preparing for the arrival of my first child. Busy at the studio wrapping up client projects and wedding invitations before my maternity leave, oh!

I’m an admirer of Ports 1961 and came across this video on hulu. I was happily surprised at how much process and behind the scenes they shared and the wonderful ideas and genius of the then creative director Tia Cibani, enjoy!

If the video doesn’t show up above please click here!

The simple most obvious solutions always get me. I found this comb package in a vending machine in a hotel lobby. I stared at it for a few moments, in all the color and noise of the objects being sold the simple comb really stood out, I had to have it to add to my collection of things!

The drawing is an exact replica of what is inside, genius!

My mom is an outstanding seamstress. She custom made all of our bridesmaid dresses, thanks mom!! She went through a sock dog phase a few years ago and hand made stuffed dogs out of single pairs of socks. This little guy lives in my car and keeps me company on all my trips. Soon my sock dog will find company in a little car seat next to him, stay posted!

I helped my friend Angie set up for her debut first Thursday event. She screened and stitched awesome totebags; perfect for all those local farmer’s market trips in PDX.

I especially love her typography. Each side of the bag is screen printed with different herbs or vegetables; a modern take on the garden, I love it! Check her out this Thursday at the studio of Morgan Pasinski: 412 NW Couch, Suite 402 or you can contact me for more info.

We’ve been away and promising to share a ton with all of you the past few weeks. I’m happy to say that the doorway between my office and new conference room is officially carved back open after several years of division. The office has expanded from my tiny studio to include a conference room, I’m most excited about the row of 4 super high windows that my desk now sits in front of.

What else is going on you may ask. Krista and I just completed branding Write Around Portland and are working on branding another company — a modern shop in the skylab building in pdx. This is a most wonderful project for the fantastic shop owner Carla. I’m working on her shop vinyls, cards, and blog. I’ll post a link once its completed so everyone can check it out. We’ve been branding events for lovely lovely people, doing some packaging, talking shop and as always keeping up our creative spark with lively discussions about design, craft, color, typography, and where to go for lunch. Oh yes, and I’m teaching two classes and one other thing that is so monumental I won’t share it just yet :)

Have a great weekend, and do something creative!

*precious

I am doing research on early Americana + ephemera for an invitation and came across the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs division. I lost myself in the large number of prints archived — truly inspiring. The print above is from Pictoral Americana; the Circus and Posters section, published in 1900.

Every year, for the past ten years or so, I take a holiday trip to SF. This yearly trip is a tradition and a nice creative break. Even though we visit the same haunts and neighborhoods we were once from, the trip is anticipated each year. A visit to grandma, a LONG look in Green Apple Bookstore, ohhs and ahhs at Park Life …

The day was one of those fantastic, sunny, winter SF days.

Here’s a shot of Lone Mountain on the University of SF campus, the light was perfect and golden.

My husband and I reminisced as we walked around the campus.

We completed the evening at Magnolia over handcrafted brew, family, and smiles. I’ll be back soon! Thanks for the photos cousin!

I was privileged to have Erik as a student a few years ago. His talent is unstoppable, find out more about his chairs here.

Happy New Year! 2009 was an amazing year for me. I launched my first line of wedding invitations in March, developed a new website and blog, was featured in Style Me Pretty and Simple Pretty, was ecstatic and honored to work with Martha Stewart Weddings on the “Just my Type” story, collaborated with fantastic brides and new companies, and was an editor’s pick on minted.com for my holiday cards. I’d like to thank all my clients, partners, fans, and family + friends for supporting me in what I do!

2010 will bring several new collaborations with talented artists, new projects for fantastic organizations, and new custom invitation projects for my very sweet and lovely couples. I look forward to sharing news with you in 2010!

check out the online print archive, ohhhh!