House Update: Office

In honor of your incredible patience on the utter lack of photos we have provided of the new digs, today I have a little peek at the room I spend 90% of my time in...

The office!

When we found the house, the office looked like this:

I didn't love the purple. And by didn't love, I mean truly hated. This was one of the rooms we painted in the 2 day period between "yay the house is ours" and "oh crud, we have to move everything we own". That's how motivated I was by the purple, ya'll.

The puppy was a trouper. She spent most of our painting time sleeping on top of her crate. Unless I was on the ground, in which case she spent her time invading my personal space.

The first week of living in the house, I finally unpacked everything and sort of haphazardly tossed things into shelves and arranged them in a tolerable fashion. And celebrated the fact that the papasan chair has come back from its journey to the attic.

Last night, whilst the smartest was working away on something highly technical, I decided it was time to really take a swing at making the office a space that I like rather than tolerate.

Its definitely closer. I need to put photos on the walls, hang curtains, buy a light (oh yeah- did I mention that there isn't a light?) etc, but it is a far cry from where we started. Speaking of far cry... I still can't believe I have my OWN ROOM for my office. It is just so incredibly amazing to have a little bit more space!

Ps- want to see something creepy? Blood splatter blinds. Don't worry- these are going to go. And soon. I actually tried to take them down yesterday but they are held up by an impenetrable force. And that force is likely my utter lack of upper body strength.

Friday Freebie

For your printing pleasure (prints best at 8X8)

Calendar Love

Did I ever tell you guys about the 2014 calendar that I illustrated for the smartest and I? In the midst of busy season last November, I got it in my head that we NEEDED (not wanted, NEEDED) to have a 16X20 calendar with illustrations for each month. "What fun", I thought to myself, "How neat! I could use a hand cramp right about now". So, right around Christmas time, I found myself with this little guy proudly in hand (and yes. The smartest does make me retire the glitter-deer for the other 11 months of the year)

In the interest of full disclosure... we don't use it much. It is actually currently situated behind our coatrack, rendering it at least mostly useless, but it was a fun project to explore. I based most of the hair/clothing choices on things we actually wear on a regular basis (though, of course, in the illustration it looks as though my hair isn't attempting to overthrow the rest of me on a regular basis. Which is inaccurate). And if I had drawn May the way it actually is... you would see the puppy and I cowering in a storm shelter, rather than frolicking under an umbrella. But you know... artistic license and all that.

Menu Matching

Today, between bathing the dog and warming blankets in the dryer, I have been making some menus to match some of my favorite programs in the shop! I have a couple of completely new ideas that I am mulling over- but in the meantime...


Infographic Wedding Menu 

Poster Style Wedding Menu

For the Sake of Illustration

Yesterday, instead of doing laundry, the dishes, or doing the shop maintenance that is desperately calling my name, I decided to try my hand at a new illustration style that I have been eyeballing for a couple months. Illustration always scares me because I'm not very skilled at pen on paper drawing- free-handing isn't my strong suit. Actually, if we're being completely honest, nothing that happens outside the realm of my computer screen is my artistic strong point. Most days, I feel like a bit of a hack, some sort of a writer wrapped in artist's clothing (provided artists wear their neon green sweatshirt every day of the week without shame). Today, though, I am feeling a little bit more like the artist that I claim to be.

I chose this photo of the Tetons that I took the last time we visited the artist parents, because I love this photo but it has a bummer factor by those obnoxious floating buoys interrupting the pretty mountain scene:

And, after 3 hours of gazing intently at my computer screen as though it were a crystal ball and I a fortune teller, I had a hand cramp, and this staring back at me:

I'll admit, I'm pretty excited about how it turned out.  I'm debating doing a series of the national parks, or maybe of some of the smartest and I's favorite places. Oh, the possibilities on a Friday when your coffee cup is full and your puppy is snoozing.

New in the Shop: Mountain Goats

Every now and then, I get really excited about a design. Like really excited. Like "sorry smartest you are on your own for dinner, I must continue to play at my computer" excited. That's pretty much how I feel about this new invitation I just put in the shop (see it here):

I've decided to expand some of my existing illustrated invitations to include a few more pieces, and I am having the BEST time adding the new illustrations. I've got a beach version in the works that is also keeping me very entertained... stay tuned for that magic!

A Magpie Post

Growing up, we lived in an area that had an abundance of magpies. It is the nature of magpies to gather shiny things- which can often make their nests beautiful and eclectic creations full of spunk and sparkle.

Sometimes I think I might have a little magpie DNA running through my veins.

In true magpie fashion, I have been scouring the town for pretty things, and have returned home to share them with you:

For those of you following me on Pinterest, these probably aren't news to you. For those of you who aren't super about Pinterest quite yet... it is the ultimate magpie paradise. See my shiny nest here.


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New in the Shop: P is for Program

January is one of my favorite times to start making new designs for the upcoming year. I love researching the trends for the new year, and I love getting to give the shop a bit of a face lift in preparation for the warmer months. This program is actually based on our Christmas card design- I am really excited to see how it does! See it in its full glory in the shop here.

Christmas Present to me: New Website!

Do you guys want to know a dirty little secret? I haven't updated (or even touched) my website since Christmas of last year. Isn't that sad? When my domain name came up for renewal, I very nearly cancelled it, since apparently I have become lackadaisical in my old age. I decided to keep it- and even carved out a touch of time last week to do some updates- FINALLY.

Check it out here! Here's a little preview of the front page:

New in the Shop: Mushrooms and the Eiffel Tower

Psssst. I've been making stuff again. I know, I know. You thought this day would never come. Ever. These bad boys are officially listed in the shop and ready for purchase!

 

Pssst. Christmas is coming.

Now that we are officially on the flip side of October, I am getting the Christmas tingles a little bit. To spread those tingles around a little bit, I wanted to share a couple new and fun Christmas items I'm putting in the shop this year:

 

Don't worry- we'll be back on Monday with more ridiculously detailed trip recaps!

Owl Baby Shower Invitations

A couple of months ago, the BHO mentioned that she might be in the market for some baby shower invitations for her sister in law, who is having a baby girl in November. I started thinking about a way we could make something really cute and unique, and I remembered the bat card:

And since bats aren't overly baby friendly, I decided to take the wings idea and do another design. And what do all babies love that have wings?

Dragons.

Just kidding. Owls. The answer is owls. So I designed this little gal, complete with wings:

Feel free to ignore my very neglected nail polish. I have since given up on painting my nails since I am unusually hard on my hands, apparently. From what I can tell, I think people liked it pretty well! So. The moral of the story is that if you like babies, owls or dragons... I'm your girl. And that the BHO is an awesome supporter of B is for Brown (actually, all of the artist family seriously are), which I very much appreciate.

Rats. Now I want to make a dragon baby shower invitation. Anyone out there having a dragon themed baby shower?

New in the Shop: Love Story Programs

I've been loving the August program rush for the past couple of weeks- and even found a tiny corner of time to make a couple of new things... like this brand spanking new love story program that I absolutely love:

Ps. I have the sewing machine out. If you hear screaming in the night, please come and rescue me from its angry teeth. If no screaming commences... I may have a new tutorial soon. Gasp.

New in the Shop: Info Graphic Wedding Programs

I've been working on some new goodies for the shop lately. Here's one of my favorite (ahem, and completed) projects as of late: 

Adorable Inspiring Tidbits

I found things that I adore today. Accidentally. While doing research for various projects that have really nothing to do with what I found. But I love them anyway.

Firstly- I found this font. That's right. Its a font. SO CUTE. The font came from here, and the gal operates from this site. 

And a bit after that... I came across these bad boys:

From here. So adorable. I definitely want to learn more about vintage style- these are so fun!

Variations of "Bach"

That's right- I'm feeling a little punny today as I start my Wednesday with a cupboard full of coffee.

One of my favorite things about my job is how different each bride is. I love getting to infuse the different personalities into invitations and programs and see where the designs end up. Here are 3 examples of the same invitation package that have been customized for 3 different amazing brides.

Printable Table Numbers

Whilst I was traipsing around the coast- a design project that I did for Intimate Weddings.com went live. We did a series of floral printable table numbers, which was SUPER fun. They printed an example and snapped some photos- and the numbers look absolutely gorgeous! Check it out here.