One of my favorite jobs ever was in NYC at Place Textiles. When I started, it was still in the first year of business. It is headed by the fabulous, inspirational and kind Kristie Strasen. She is, to this day, my favorite person to have ever worked for. She is a wonderful mentor and incredibly driven woman. Anyways, I loved working there with her and Juliet and being surrounded by gorgeous colors and luxurious fabrics. I remember telling her if I EVER owned anything that wasn’t Ikea it would be uphosltered in Place fabrics, no questions asked….
Well we still have no “real” furniture…since our place out here was furnished, and since we were packing all our worldly belongings into a minivan! Anyways, yesterday we received a WONDERFUL package with the next best thing….. AMAZING pillows made of some gorgeous Balmory and Hidden Canyon…
 Place Textiles Fabric Pillows, Balmory Campari (red), Hidden Canyon Sable (brown)  Place Textiles Fabric Pillow, Hidden Canyon Sable  Balmory Campari What an incredible gift… LOVE it! If you are in the market for fabric, check them out… they are in showrooms across the US including in Portland!
I’ve also been spending free time painting the AWESOME frames that David and our friend Geno made for Davids show. I’ve found that buying the little tester paints from Glidden have just the right amount of paint to cover a large frame and feature rockin’ colors! Plus $2 is much better than spending $30 for a gallon of paint that you aren’t certain you need. Check out this cool color, “red geranium”. It’s that perfect red/orange color! Can’t wait to see it framing out one of David’s new pieces! 
On another note, we were lucky enough to get to watch Little Dumpling last night and today while her momma is at the state fair. She came over wearing THIS outfit yesterday.
She is such a little princess. We love having her as a house guest!
Tags: art, crafts, Design, fabric, nyc, paint, Portland
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 | 2 Comments
I think it’s really special to not just “give a gift”, but to “give a meaningful gift.” Now “meaningful” can mean lots of different things. Perhaps you know you’re friend is tight on cash, but REALLY wants some new clothes…. so in that case, “meaningful” can be something as simple as a gift card to their favorite shop. I also tend to think “meaningful” is often “homemade”…. but that’s just me. I think if you enjoy being creative and crafty then by all means, please create away… if it makes you anxious…. then buy some tasty wine and a great card and I’m sure your friend will be more than appreciative.
For my friend Yari’s recent birthday, I wanted to make something that was both useful and fun. I know that Yari loves to cook, so I thought it would be great to make her a recipe box. I also designed some custom recipe cards for both her, and made some for me to write my favorite recipes on. I actually found a great shaped recipe box at an antique shop that I refinished. I hand painted it so that it could be totally personalized. I completed the package by sending a local food mag and a cute dish towel. Here are some photos of the project.
 Above photo by Yaritsa Arenas. 
Tags: art, crafting, Design, friends, Gifts
Posted on August 19th, 2010 | 2 Comments
My painting for this months Art Walk was featured in the Daily Astorian’s Coast Weekend! I was so excited when I found out. 
Tags: art, artwalk, beer, coast, newspaper, painting
Posted on August 13th, 2010 | Submit Comment
While camping in Forks this past weekend, I was able to take a solo hike and take some shots. I’m so happy to be getting back into photography again. I loved photography (had a minor in it!) while at Aquinas College. Then life got really busy and I just sort of took a break. A long break. I finally got a light, but good camera…Canon S90. It’s been SO fun using it. Here are some shots I took last weekend. I am a little fascinated by all the organic lines in the tree branches…. nature is pretty incredible stuff.
Tags: camping, Design, Forks, rainforest
Posted on August 12th, 2010 | Submit Comment
This past weekend we went camping with our great friends Angela & Geno. It was a great little break and we had all sorts of fun. I snapped lots of photos (will post more later). I loved the following two signs though and thought they were great for design inspiration. I love the Restaurant sign especially…. a happy little accident that adds charm.
Also, I’ve begun working a great new job part-time. Check out the vintage building where i’m working! Pretty great huh? I love the typography!
Tags: camping, Design, inspiration, Restaurant signs
Posted on August 9th, 2010 | 3 Comments
Love to do clean branding. Here is something new I’ve been working on for a friend about to launch a hair salon…I can’t wait to see this printed… so crisp.
Tags: Business Card, Design, Hair
Posted on July 26th, 2010 | 2 Comments
After working on the new business card I decided to just jump right in and see what I thought about a resume as well. I’m diggin it. I can see it working nicely as a site too… Do I take the leap?
Posted on July 21st, 2010 | 4 Comments
My life and surroundings have changed pretty signficantly in the last year or so. Does change in some aspects of life also encourage significant change in my personal work choices? I think this may be the case. So i’ve been exploring with some different colors, designs and fonts. I want to freshen up my personal branding. I’ve know it’s much more difficult to work on design that reflects your personal choices than when you are merely designing for a client. This time around has proven no different. We are ever changing people… should our personal design choices reflect that….or should they stay consistent and recognizable? It’s a tough decision. Here is my latest idea for a business card. I really like it. I am at the point where I am trying to decide if I like it *enough* to warrant A). printing business cards B). updating my resume and personal stationary to reflect the new design C). *Perhaps* also designing a personal size with this design as my basis for *just* my design work so that LONG LIVE LOVE can be where more of my design inspiration and blogs will live…. What do you think?
Speaking of a refresh… UH I have been dying to go shopping lately. Unfortunately shopping expenses are not really in the cards right now. Before we left NYC I got a couple of great summery dresses. I figured I could at *least* pair them with a cardigan and some boots if the Oregon weather didn’t cooperate for summer fashion…. I have to admit though, it’s been a little too chilly for even that. So those new pieces are just sorta sitting until I make it down to Portland or up to Seattle, where the temps seem to be much more in line with summer. HOWEVER…. today while drooling over at anthropologie, the one and only store I could probably spend a yearly salary in an hour… I remember this little nugget…. Miss Yari got me a birthday GIFT CARD!!!!! So…. I got myself something today that *is* Astoria, Oregon weather appropriate. I just couldn’t resist… it looks so comfy but still a little chic. I love the sweetheart neck and the cute lacey stiching. Can’t WAIT to get it in the mail. 
Posted on July 19th, 2010 | 2 Comments
Angela told us about this great organization called RiverSong Foundation. RiverSong is a nonprofit that promotes responsible animal stewardship by offering services, support, and education. They hope to connect people with the resources they need to be better pet parents, compassionate consumers and effective advocates for animals. Pretty cool eh? Last Sunday David and I went over and got to play with the little kitties and I brought my camera so I could snap some shots of the little ones so that I could make a pro-bono flyer for them. All these sweet little animals need new homes. Could you be one? Spread the word!
www.riversongfoundation.com
xoxo H & D
Posted on July 17th, 2010 | 5 Comments
|
|
|
