My dad called me one afternoon and informed me he was holding my official diploma. I am most certainly an alumni now! Since I haven't been home yet I asked them to email me a picture. (!)
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
a letter a day- F
(e)F! I skipped a day.
But don't worry, I'm still going to post it with the correct date as if nothing happened... shhh.
See, the reason why I skipped a day is because I was busy reading a book... like for fun... that hasn't happened in a while. I have a cold againnn; so it was a much needed day of relaxation, entirely spent lying on the couch. Once I finished around 3 o'clock in the morning it was already technically the next day and I was too tired to draw my F.
The book I read, by the way, was Paper Towns by John Green. Yes, it is a teen mystery, and yes I was somewhat embarrassed that it was located in the children's wing of our library, but I would still recommend it. Elyse suggested I get it since the library was all out of The Hunger Games. I am planning on reading that next before I see the movie. Anyway, Paper Towns is a sort of coming of age book focused on a group of seniors about to graduate high school. It is innocent and sarcastic yet can be poetic and deeply metaphorical at times. At least that's how I would describe it. It's an easy read, although I wasn't 100% in love with the ending. Although, I think that can happen with any good book, due to the fondness you gain for the characters. I want to know what happens after the last page. But I can't. That's the beauty of a story, it eventually comes to an end.
January 29, 2012
January 28, 2012
a letter a day- D
I wanted to do a blackletter, but coming from the Mitten I figured that would be too day-twa. Not that representing the infamous Tigers D would be a negative by any means, just not what I intended to do with this project. So... blackletter styled type coming soon! :]
By the way, I must say I appreciate the simplicity of this D in contrast to the craziness of yesterday's C.
By the way, I must say I appreciate the simplicity of this D in contrast to the craziness of yesterday's C.
January 27, 2012
January 26, 2012
January 25, 2012
a letter a day
A letter a day keeps the designer at play.
(clever, riiight? hah)
I got bored tonight. blah. So I decided to create a 30ish minute project to force upon myself every day... for 26 days. I will draw in this little sketchbook a new letterform to keep my creative juices from becoming stagnant. Because I can only assume non-flowing creative juices would probably smell gross. So I can't have that.
B already said he wasn't a fan, and that you can't tell what it is. I told him that isn't necessarily the point. Its just for fun, and sketch practice. I'll obviously have letters I like waaay better than others. Why would you want to start out with the best? :]
Now these will just be sketches, I'm not going all out like Jessica Hische Daily Drop Cap style. At least not on this first batch. I need to get away from the ol' MacBook (which I love very much) and improve my doodle-ability skillz. I have this cute little eco-friendly memo book courtesy of French Paper Co. (♥) that has been collecting bookshelf dust. I have a tendency of coveting all these paper samply things I am sent or obtain at conferences, but never actually using them. Well then what's the point of having samples? This little baby memo book wants to be loved. So, I'm giving it some typographical attention.
Without further ado, here is A.
B already said he wasn't a fan, and that you can't tell what it is. I told him that isn't necessarily the point. Its just for fun, and sketch practice. I'll obviously have letters I like waaay better than others. Why would you want to start out with the best? :]
January 23, 2012
cat nap
Are you like me and suffer from as-soon-as-I'm-about-to-get-up-and-be-productive-my-sleepy-kitty-comes-and-uses-me-as-a-pillow syndrome? Then you awww and think, "Well now I caaan't move, I guess I'll wait 15 more minutes until he wakes up."
I can't imagine what it must be like with babies! I don't see how you'd get anything done!
Well, it's a hard habit to kick, that's for sure.
January 21, 2012
sunshiny saturday
It is a sunshiny Saturday indeed. Side note: my computer accepted sunshiny as a word, which I for some reason thought I was clever enough to make up. Warm yet blinding rays are casting striped shadow shapes through the blinds all around the apartment.
Anyway, my friends and I failed at being crafty yesterday and resorted to thrift store shopping, movie watching, ghost story telling, and MacDonalds late night munchies. We went from Tangled to The Exorcist to The Forth Kind. Princessess, possessions, and aliens... it was quite the night. There were definitely tears shed from laughing too hard. So, on this sunshiny Saturday I am going to be crafty and creative since yesterday's attempt was almost non existant.
Here's a screenshot of a fun little project for my sister that is in the works. She is great in the art of cooking and baking. This has saved me years of having to make dinners or bring anything edible to family gatherings. The kitchen somewhat repels me, but that's another story. So I am working on an identity design she would like to eventually use for her future dessert business. I'm not sure when it's actually going to come into fruition but, it's fun to play around with different ideas.
Also, I don't think I've really posted any of my designs here... not gunna lie I was kind of hesitant to put anything up. :]
January 19, 2012
factoids
In honor of my recent 23rd birthday I thought I'd leave you with 23 random facts you may not know about me. :]
1. i prefer lists, fragments, & paraphrasing over paragraphs. (hence... lol)
2. i was recently given a collection of antique doilies handmade by my great grandmas and great aunts.
3. i used to figure skate, competing in both freestyle and synchronized competitions. it's still one of my most favorite things to do.
4. my favorite freestyle skating routine was to the score from harry potter & the sorcerer's stone. my coach's boyfriend suggested it and i'm convinced i was the first person in the country to use that music for a routine. no joke. i felt pretty cool. i still get butterflies every time i hear it as well as having the urge to get up and start skating across the hardwood floor.
5. i had braces from 5th grade to 7th grade.
6. i am the ultimate procrastinator and i completely blame my mom. haha okay this also means i work great under pressure/last minute.
7. i typically write in all lowercase letters, but am forcing myself to write sentence case for this blog... except for lists like this.
8. i recently found out i have an astigmatism in both of my eyes.
9. i have never gone to the doctor for a broken bone.
10. however, i am quite certain i broke my tailbone in a skating accident. i took a pillow to school for my bum but never went to a doctor for x-rays. still hurts every now and then.
11. my favorite drink is milk and my favorite food is ice cream.
12. my graduation years from high school & college are 2007 & 2011. i was bound and determined not to go longer than 4 1/2 years in college so i would always be the class of "7/11".
13. i drive a lime green bug, which has been my favorite car since elementary school.
14. i didn't know i had curly hair until junior high.
15. i've always been intrigued by the medical field, and secretly would like to work in a hospital even though i know i never would.
16. along with figure skating, growing up i participated in: dance, gymnastics, soccer, softball, basketball, golf, and cheerleading.
17. i like doctor pens. they are always so much smoother to write with and much more unique looking than the 20-Bic-in-a-bag pens from the office store.
18. even though i was a figure skater, roller blading has always kind of terrified me.
19. some of my earliest memories are of crafting with my mom & my sister.
20. i remember the moment and what the drawing looked like when i realized i could draw well. i don't remember how old i was and i'd give anything to see what that drawing looks like now! it was of my stuffed animal puppy that you could un-velcro her stomach and all her baby puppies fell out. anyone remember those? hah, no just me? k.
21. i have 4 cameras. little orange point & shoot: fujifilm finepix z, white toy camera: holga 135bc, fancy dslr: canon rebel t2i, and an old 35mm film camera gifted from my uncle: olympus om1-n. this clearly means i need to experiment more.
22. when doing self portraits, my middle school drawing teacher told me i looked like a porcelain doll: big eyes, small lips, and pale skin. i wasn't sure whether to take that as a positive or negative comment.
23. i don't think i can plan on doing this every year because it took me awhile to come up with 23... i mean 22 random facts. but then again i am also really really bad at thinking of specific things on the spot. oops see- i snuck one last one in!
I would love to have had photos with many of these but sadly most of "these" kind of reminiscent photos are back at my parents house. It would have made this post suuuper long anyway. You'll just have to imagine me with braces wearing figure skating outfits. haha
... OH my gosh!! NOW I'm starting to think of more facts! This is very typical, like when you're talking on the phone and someone asks "Do you have any questions?" And you're like, "No, I don't think so, not at the moment." Then the minute you hang up 17 questions immediately come to mind. And by you I mean me. And I'm going to end this very long wordy post...... now.
17. i like doctor pens. they are always so much smoother to write with and much more unique looking than the 20-Bic-in-a-bag pens from the office store.
18. even though i was a figure skater, roller blading has always kind of terrified me.
19. some of my earliest memories are of crafting with my mom & my sister.
20. i remember the moment and what the drawing looked like when i realized i could draw well. i don't remember how old i was and i'd give anything to see what that drawing looks like now! it was of my stuffed animal puppy that you could un-velcro her stomach and all her baby puppies fell out. anyone remember those? hah, no just me? k.
21. i have 4 cameras. little orange point & shoot: fujifilm finepix z, white toy camera: holga 135bc, fancy dslr: canon rebel t2i, and an old 35mm film camera gifted from my uncle: olympus om1-n. this clearly means i need to experiment more.
22. when doing self portraits, my middle school drawing teacher told me i looked like a porcelain doll: big eyes, small lips, and pale skin. i wasn't sure whether to take that as a positive or negative comment.
23. i don't think i can plan on doing this every year because it took me awhile to come up with 23... i mean 22 random facts. but then again i am also really really bad at thinking of specific things on the spot. oops see- i snuck one last one in!
I would love to have had photos with many of these but sadly most of "these" kind of reminiscent photos are back at my parents house. It would have made this post suuuper long anyway. You'll just have to imagine me with braces wearing figure skating outfits. haha
... OH my gosh!! NOW I'm starting to think of more facts! This is very typical, like when you're talking on the phone and someone asks "Do you have any questions?" And you're like, "No, I don't think so, not at the moment." Then the minute you hang up 17 questions immediately come to mind. And by you I mean me. And I'm going to end this very long wordy post...... now.
January 14, 2012
snow day
Michigan finally got some snow that stuck! Schools were canceled, people got to hit the slopes, and I relaxed at home and watched as Moo swatted the window at his first sightings of snowflakes.
January 11, 2012
23
Happy Birthday to me. It's the big ol' 2-3.
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| And yes, any reason to pull out the sparklers is good enough for me. |
January 2, 2012
a year in review
Some highlights from 2011.
January
I began my 22nd year of life.
Looking back, it was probably one of the more rocky years I would say- but still good.
February
I don't remember much of you, but B & I did attend President's Ball for our senior year.
March
Spring Break! I actually went somewhere since high school. B & his family took all of us to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky and a gorgeous mountain side resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was such a great trip, I enjoyed every minute of it.
April
Finished trying to juggle full class load, 2 jobs, and my senior show... needless to say it didn't go as well as expected. But- began with turning 2 jobs into 1 new job, signed up for last semester of classes, signed lease for new studio apartment, and was ready to start anew.
May
Helped my Mom de-burgufy their house. (eliminate all traces of burgundy) I did the damage, she did the decorating. Unfortunately, I don't have any great pictures of the final project... you'll just have to take my word for now. It looked beautiful at Christmas!
June
We impulsively adopted our little bundle of Moo! He has made everyday life so much more hilarious and fuzzy.
July
Too amused with this guy to do anything.
Oh- but did have time to start this!
August
Last semester of undergrad at Grand Valley State University! Started senior show again, (went a little better this time around).
Also, traveled to NYC for the first time! Check it out here, here, & here.
September
Renegade Craft Fair with Elyse & Collyn in Chicago!
October
Was able to attend the AIGA National Design Conference as an associate along with a group of classmates. We were able to explore Phoenix, AZ, learn tons of new things, have some serious bonding nights, and meet even more amazing people!
January
I began my 22nd year of life.
February
I don't remember much of you, but B & I did attend President's Ball for our senior year.
March
Spring Break! I actually went somewhere since high school. B & his family took all of us to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky and a gorgeous mountain side resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was such a great trip, I enjoyed every minute of it.
April
Finished trying to juggle full class load, 2 jobs, and my senior show... needless to say it didn't go as well as expected. But- began with turning 2 jobs into 1 new job, signed up for last semester of classes, signed lease for new studio apartment, and was ready to start anew.
May
Helped my Mom de-burgufy their house. (eliminate all traces of burgundy) I did the damage, she did the decorating. Unfortunately, I don't have any great pictures of the final project... you'll just have to take my word for now. It looked beautiful at Christmas!
June
We impulsively adopted our little bundle of Moo! He has made everyday life so much more hilarious and fuzzy.
July
Too amused with this guy to do anything.
August
Last semester of undergrad at Grand Valley State University! Started senior show again, (went a little better this time around).
Also, traveled to NYC for the first time! Check it out here, here, & here.
September
Renegade Craft Fair with Elyse & Collyn in Chicago!
October
Was able to attend the AIGA National Design Conference as an associate along with a group of classmates. We were able to explore Phoenix, AZ, learn tons of new things, have some serious bonding nights, and meet even more amazing people!
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| Downtown Phoenix |
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| GVSU Group |
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| Marian Bantjes & Debbie Millman! |
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| Roomie Love |
November
Work + school, work + school, work + school. Repeat.
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| Remember when the Grand Rapids sky was pink? |
December
Senior show. Specks. Wizard of Oz. Graduation. Christmas. NO SNOW! Family & friends.
Phew! What a year. Here's to another one!
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