BLACK WINGS AND GAME NIGHT

Hiya! I hope you guys had a great week. I had an fabulous week, of course I would say that tuesday was my birthday. When I was a little kid it felt like my birthday only came every other year and now it feels like I blink my eyes and it is my birthday again. Anyone else feel this way or is it just me? My husband made me a Mexican Fiesta that was so delicious: homemade chips and guacamole, tostones, bean tacos and a slice of Gangster Vegan pie for dessert. Epic! I am working on a new seamless pattern set. Stay tuned for that. 

1. For my birthday my husband bought me Black Wing 602 Pencils. These are amazing! I highly recommend you give them a try. They are so smooth. I had wanted to try them for a while and they did not dissappoint. 

2. I really enjoyed Game Night. Very funny movie. 

3. Why You Should Stop Being So Hard on Yourself. 

4. Recent addition to my Etsy shop. 

5. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

CACTUS AND DIALS

Hiya! I hope you guys had a great week. We skipped spring and bounced right into summer this week. I have been working on some new content for my Etsy shop and Stock sites. I added a design element set and a chalkboard version. I hope you like them. I am pretty happy with how they turned out. Now i just need to think of what to make next. 

1. Keys, buttons and dials. I love this!  

2. I'm sure most people can relate to this. 

3. Yes! More joy please!

4. Recent addition to my Etsy shop. 

5. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

Y AND HOM

Hiya! This week flew by so fast. I feel like I blinked and it is the weekend. Usually I do lose track of the days sometimes because I work from a home office but even for me this week whizzed by. It has been a pretty doomy week, weather-wise. It has been so dark in my apartment, it feels like the middle of the night all day. I would like to participate in a Hom work assignment so stay tuned for that. I really enjoyed participating in the 36 days of type but working on something everyday makes it a little difficult to get other work done. The Hom work assignments are once a week so I think there will be a nice balance there. I have had my stand up desk for a week now and I am loving it! I have been standing up quite a lot and it just feels great man. I hope you had a great week! Here are some things I think you should check out. 

1. Trash Polka. A different approach to tattooing. 

2. Absolutely wonderful article about mental health. worth reading. 

3. True Facts. 

4. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

MOM AND DAILY TYPE

Hiya! I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's day. It was great fun over at the Anderson's, we laughed, we (by we I mean Reed) cried and had an overall wonderful time. Here is a picture of my mom and I circa 1974 or 1975. 

1. The 36 days of type lettering project is over but I will still share all of the letters in case you missed them on Instagram. I think I will need to join more challenges like this because I won't be able to wait until need year, it was too much fun. I hope you enjoyed it as well.

2. I got a stand up desk as an early birthday present. So far i LOVE it! I felt like such a slug sitting all day long. This is fantastic!!! I feel so free!!

3. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

DAILY LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS

Hiya! I am working hard on finishing up the 36 days of type lettering Instagram challenge. Come follow me on Instagram to see what it is all about. If you want to check out the project, search the hashtag #36daysoftype. I am a bit sad that it is almost over. I have had so much fun coming up with a different design everyday. It is also so great to reflect on all my designs and ask myself which ones worked and which ones didn't. Of these four above I am going to have to say that "r" is my favorite. Which is yours?

1. I love TED talks so much. This one is especially fantastic on how to have a better conversation. I definitely have things to work on.

2. I thought this was funny. 

3. This book looks so good! The Untethered Soul. 

4. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

MORE LETTERS AND A QUESTION

Hiya! I just posted "z" the last letter on my Instagram. Don't worry! It isn't over yet. There are still 10 numbers but that one was the last letter. What a fun project! I hope you enjoyed following along with me. Thank you for all the likes and comments. Out of the set of four above I think M and N and my favs. Which are yours? These are from the 36 days of type lettering Instagram challenge . If you want to check out the project, search the hashtag #36daysoftype. 

1. An Interesting Question.  

2. Please take the time to watch I am Evidence on HBO. 

3. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

TYPOGRAPHY AND LIVING LIFE

Hiya! It is still chilly here, I guess spring didn't get the memo that she should be here by now. I am crossing my fingers next week will be warmer. Here are four more for the 36 days of type lettering Instagram challenge . If you want to check out the project, search the hashtag #36daysoftype. Please let me know what you think.

1. Like-minded vs. like-hearted. 

2. You Don’t Have To Live Life By The Rules. 

3. I pretty much want to make every recipe Minimalist Baker creates. 

4. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

LETTERS AND THE ALPHABET

Hiya! This week blew by! I am still plugging along with the 36 days of type lettering Instagram challenge. I just finished the letter M. I would love to know which letter is your favorite so far. I think B & H are my faves. If you want to check out the project, search the hashtag #36daysoftype. It is pretty fun just to look at all the amazing creativity.

1. Just bought this boobie pin and I am loving it!

2. Super cool Chart of the Evolution of the Latin alphabet. Thank you Matt Baker, UsefulCharts.com

3. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

36 DAYS OF TYPE AND WONDERFUL MOVIES

Hiya! I had an amazing week! I hope you did as well. I started the 36 days of type lettering Instagram challenge. It is so much fun coming up with the ideas of what to creatively do with each letter and to execute it. It is also really fun to look through all the letters that other people create as well (#36daysoftype). Some people make each letter very different like I am doing and other people make a complete alphabet. Please let me know which letter is your favorite. 

1. I saw two absolutely wonderful movies this week that I highly recommend:
My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de courgette) is a French animated film about a little boy who is adjusting to life in the foster care system. It is done in a claymation style. The animation is so creative and the story is beautiful. Available on Netflix. 

Coco. This stunning film follows a little boy on the holiday Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). Gorgeous computer graphics and a story that will pull at your heart strings. 

It is so great to see movies that are so creative. Be prepared with a lot of tissues. I pretty much cried my eyes out of my head. 

2. Found a great Instagram account you should check out. The Sad Ghost Club. 

3. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

EASTER AND BROCCOLI

Hiya! I hope you all had a great week! Clearly I had a great time! Sorry Am I was laughing so hard I wasn't holding the phone properly and your head got cut off. This is the annual Leyman Easter gathering, post egg hunt and high on sweets. I hope you had a great week.

1. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

2. The Broccoli Tree: A Parable. 

3. Yes!!! Monty Python is Coming to Netflix. 

4. I'm not sure I totally agree with this. What do you think? When your ideas get stolen. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

STICKERS AND A LOGO

Hiya! I hope you all had a great week! It felt like this week zoomed by fast! Is it just me or does it seem like winter is never going to end? C'mon spring! I feel like I was winning at life this week. I accomplished a lot. I finished my taxes (yay!/ugh!). I added a bunch of stickers to my Etsy shop. I will be adding a couple more as well. Please stop by and check them out.

1. I am designing a logo for Field Hockey Fanatix. That was super fun! These are the different options I showed Anne Marie. 

2. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section). I add a new freebie every month. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

STICKERS AND INTENSITY

Hiya! I hope you had a great week! I just placed my sticker order so I am pretty excited. I will keep you updated. I will have a lot so lets hope people like stickers as much as I am anticipating. 

1. Come on over and check out my Freebies page (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section)

2. I really want to make hamantaschen for Easter. I know it seems strange to want to make Jewish cookies for Easter but during college I worked at a Jewish Deli and I really loved a lot of the foods I tried while working there. They had the best bagels I have ever had in my life. Sadly, I recently found out they closed. 

3. Some awesome lettering. 

4. Intensity vs Consistency. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

THANK YOU FOR THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

Hiya! Lately I have been wanting to make stickers from my doodle designs. Actually a better way to describe this would be an obsession. I'm sure my husband could validate this. HA! I asked people to vote on which three designs they liked the most on Facebook and Instagram. I received an overwhelming amount of responses. Thank you so much everyone who voted. If you haven't voted yet and would like to please post me a comment. I was surprised, not surprised and disappointed by the data I recorded. It was an emotional roller coaster. HA! Here is my data: 

Orange Fox: 37
Cactus: 28
Jar of Hearts: 26
Grey Fox: 23
Rainbow: 22
Fat Bird: 20
Pineapple: 19
Keep Going: 17
Hi: 13
Cassette Tape: 10
Watermelon: 9
Heart Text Bubble: 8
Key: 8
Lightning Cloud: 5
Raspberry: 5
Eyes: 5
Album: 5
Diamond: 4
Cupcake: 3
XOXO: 3
Doughnut: 3
Strawberry: 2
Pie: 1
Lips: 1
IHeartU!: 1

I wasn't surprised that the fox was the winner and the cactus was a runner up. I was surprised that the jar of hearts got so many votes. I was a bit disappointed that the food ones didn't score better because they are some of my favorites to make.

A lot of people also commented that they loved them all and they couldn't possibly pick 3, that it was too difficult. That made me very happy! I create things I like and that I think are cool and I hope other people feel the same way but I don't usually hear so many responses on my work. I was overwhelmed with happiness. Hopefully people have the same enthusiasm about stickers LOL! I am working right now on making sticker sheets and individual stickers. So I will keep you updated. I think it is going to take me a few weeks. I am very excited and nervous at the same time!

Thank you for all your great comments, love and support. It means a lot! Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

DECO DIVIDERS AND A BAD ROOMMATE

Hiya! Pretty doomy week, weather-wise, I am hoping spring is right around the corner. I am ready to move on to the next season. I am working on an art deco inspired text divider set. Stay tuned for more. How was your week? Here are some things to check out. 

1. I am addicted to Good Mythical Morning. If you don't know about this you tube channel, please check it out!

2.  I thought I had some bad roommates. Nothing like this! This is also a local story so it adds an additional creepiness. 

3. Adventures of a strange carrot. 

4. Guerrilla Girls are very inspiring. 

5. Freebie of the month: XOXO. Download it here. (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section)

Thank you for reading this. It means a lot! Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

A QUESTION AND TYPES OF PEOPLE

Hiya! How did your week go? It went pretty well for me. I had an idea to ask you guys a question this week since asking questions is my thing. Maybe I missed my calling and I should have been a lawyer or a reporter. So here goes: What is the funniest movie you have ever seen? I can't wait to see your comments! 

1. Blacker than black.

2. I'm in love with this pin. 

3. Found this quote. Fabulous!

5. Freebie of the month: XOXO. Download it here. (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section)

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

WEDDING INVITES AND A SELFIE STICK

Hiya! What a fun week! Ok so we all know what happened last Sunday, unless you live in a hole and I guess if you live in a hole you probably wouldn't be reading this unless you have internet in your hole then well done. Anyways! We won!!!! Wooooo hooooooooo! Fly Eagles Fly, On the road to victory, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight Eagles Fight, Score a touchdown 123, 123, Hit 'em low, Hit 'em high, And watch our Eagles fight, Fly Eagles Fly, On the road to victory, E-A-G-L-E-S!, Eagles!

1. I designed a wedding invitation for Noel and Bill. I think it turned out quite well. A pretty fun project and Noel is like a dream client to work with. Let me know what you think. 

2. I got a selfie stick to use for group shots at family gatherings. The funny thing was when I attached my phone to it everyone was so into it that I never actually got to take a photo. hahaha! It was still pretty fun and a very inexpensive piece of equipment too.

3. If you are into color and nature you will love this video. Why Is Blue So Rare In Nature?

4. If pink turns you on. This video will be your jam. 

5. Freebie of the month: XOXO. Download it here. (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section)

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

A FREEBIE AND AN INVISIBLE FISH

Hiya! This week I have been working hard designing fun wedding invitations for Noel and Bill.

I have all my snacks ready for the Super Bowl. Can't wait!! We are having hoagies, fries and mozzarella sticks. What are you eating? I am excited for the Super Bowl commercials as well. I always enjoy how clever they are. 

It has been pretty cold here so I am trying not to turn into a popsicle. If only I could travel in a heated bubble that would be great. 

Every month I am going to have a free illustration for you starting with this week, download it below. This month the free download is love themed for Valentine's Day. I hope you enjoy it. 

I am patting myself on the back right now because I have reached 600 sales in my Etsy shop. WooooHoooooo! I have worked hard to get here. I have learned so much about marketing and hope to learn even more this year. 

1. Freebie of the month: XOXO. Download it here. (No Credit card required. Just skip the payment section)

2. What an interesting fish. 

3. Just in case you wanted to feel older, songs that turn 40 this year. 

4. Above illustration. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

FRAMES AND DESIGNER TIPS

Hiya! I had a pretty good week. How did yours go? I am pretty excited about the super bowl. That seems very weird for me to say since I am not a sports person. I have watched the last few Eagles games and have been torturing my husband by asking him questions. He says he isn't annoyed but he also says I don't talk too much and I even think I talk too much. No more super bowl rings for you Tom Brady. Fly Eagles Fly! Here are some things to check out this week!

1. Working with a designer.

2. Awkward Covers. 

3. Thriller—1930's Jazz style 

4. Above Picture 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

A LOGO AND WILD CATS

Hiya! I had a pretty good and busy week. I hope you did as well! Here are some things to check out this week!

1. I created a logo for my amazing cousin Karen Sutton. I had a lot fun making it. 

2. Bruce Lee’s Famous Metaphor for Resilience

3. The Secret History of the Color Black. 

4. The World's Smallest Wild Cat Is Indescribably Cute

5. Lock and Key Illustration. 

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!

LISTS AND TIPS

Hiya! Here are some things to check out this week!

1. I don't know about you but I am always looking for new podcasts. Hopefully you will find something worthwhile in The 50 Best Podcasts of 2017. 

2. Wonderful life tips.

3. Phew! I have actually read a few of these. I need to read them all though. Mom your favorite made it to the number 1 slot. Dad yours is at number 5.  Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Novels.

4. Above Illustration.

Please leave comments. I would love to read them! See ya next week!