Design: Baby Shower Invitations for Shelly

Are you as tired of pastel pink baby shower invitations as I am? Apparently so, because I was recently asked to create something a little different for my dear friends' upcoming shower.

She rocks. Her baby is going to rock. So her invitations clearly needed to match that level of awesomeness.

Design: Debbie Does Dallas leave-behind stickers

This week I was lucky enough to work with my favorite gal about town and yours, the elusive Debbie of the Debbie Does Dallas blog . Every girl needs a little something to leave behind - and Debbie is no exception. These little signature calling card stickers do just that; and now the world will know in even more detail exactly where she's been.




Look for her stickers when you're out and about, so you too can follow Debbie's trail as she does Dallas. In the meantime, follow her on twitter at twitter.com/debdoingdallas.

So, who is this broad that calls herself Debbie and enthralls us with her dirty delights? I'll never tell...

Creations: Fall Flowers and photos

So, everyone knows that the Dallas Arboretum is gorgeous and you should go there. But seriously, you should go there! It's nice in the summer, but it's amazing in the fall because you can actually enjoy walking around in the cool weather instead of the sweltering heat.

It's so beautiful, it gives even the most inexperienced photographer (me) a fighting chance for some good pictures. (even with a point and click camera)

And having the most gorgeous subject ever doesn't hurt a bit. But my point is that anyone can go and take pictures of anyone and they will come out great no matter what you do!

So, with all this flowery autumn inspiration abounding, I just had to try my hand at creating some felt flowers. Besides the fact that I’m obsessed with all things felt, I also just wanted a small project that I could keep by the couch and work on when I’m watching TV. Plus you can use these puppies for anything; from embellishing a plain t-shirt to wearing them in your hair. You can see a little chocolate brown one I made on the pink shirt below.

Even though all of the tutorials I've read say that you should purchase top quality felt, I took my chances with the cheapo craft store stuff for my first project. It worked fine - the only drawback is that you don't have as many color choices (the upside is that you spend $5 on felt instead of $50).

This tutorial from the pearl bee is really good and includes a free pattern. I got my initial inspiration from A Alicia Accessories, which I read about here on the Old Sweet Song blog. Another great tutorial from Mia Moo here.

This is how my first attempt turned out:

There are so many different ways to make the flowers, and I got so excited about the project I just dived right in. I started by cutting out a bunch of different sized circles and sewing them together in different ways. Some rolled up and sewn like roses, some sewn together as petals, and some sewn in bunches. Once I had a pile of flowers in all different shapes and sizes, I just sewed them together in little groupings for hairclips and pins.

The colors alone give you infinite combination possibilities, and the felt lends itself so well to giving each flower it's own personality - so no two are alike. It's so easy and fun to create gorgeous little collages, you won't be able to stop. This is a project that anyone can do - and all you need is felt, a needle and thread, and a pair of scissors. I can't wait to make more :)

Design: Stock Wedding Suite - mustard and coral

A few new stock designs. I had an intense urge to break out of the norm for this set - so I went for bold, solid colors and slightly sarcastic copy text.

The 'undo' button

Since my usual medium is digital - I try to balance it out by working with my hands whenever I can, whether that's doing hair or crafting or really anything that doesn't involve me sitting in front of a computer screen. However! After having worked as a graphic designer full time for 6 years now, I have trouble transitioning when I do things in 'real time' (vs computer time where everything is done instantly). It's like I'm so connected with my adobe suite that it has actually changed the way I think; and that is just gross on so many levels.

At the risk of sounding like a complete weirdo, I'm going to admit something embarrassing. When I'm doing something away from my computer and I make a mistake, I literally say the words "undo" (or apple z! apple z!) in my head and yes, sometimes out loud. And just for a split second, I sometimes think its going to WORK. And these are the moments that I remember exactly WHY it's so necessary for me to STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER and do something real.

So this is my partial justification for including everything I make and create on this blog, instead of just keeping it straight to graphic design; which would make so much more sense, though not nearly as interesting...

Not only do these seemingly disparate activities keep me sane, but they often become the inspiration I take to the computer for my next design project.

Design: Clementines Cupcakes Logo

When it rains, it pours.... cupcakes! This is the second cupcake logo design I've done this month - this one for the incredibly talented Cara Weatherby of Clementine's Cupcakes. This bakestress does custom orders for weddings, birthdays, and really any event where you'd eat a cupcake (which, in my opinion, should be every event). From the deliciousness of her vanilla bean cupcake with salted caramel icing to the unbelievable taste of her peanut butter and jelly cupcake - her work speaks for itself. And have I mentioned the cupcakes also happen to be gorgeous? See for yourself right here.

Since Cara makes all of her cupcakes from scratch, and each recipe is uniquely her own - we really wanted the design to reflect that handmade magic. I went with a warm muted color scheme and hand-drawn lines to whip up a logo that's almost as yummy as the cupcakes themselves. Don't you worry, I've tried every single flavor personally. For research, of course!

The logo:


The business cards:

Design: Sweet Belle Confections Logo

I recently had the chance to work with the lovely Michelle Metzger of Sweet Belle Confections, and we had a blast coming up with her logo. Not only does Michelle do amazing cupcakes; she also bakes up almost any other sweet treat you can possibly imagine. Check her out on facebook.

We wanted to create something warm, sweet, and southern - just like her baked goods! Here's what we came up with for the logo:


And the business cards: