Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanksgiving Memories

In the spirit of the holiday week, I thought I would add a photo I took earlier this fall. This image makes me think of dressing up with paper head dresses for Thanksgiving back in elementary school. What memory comes to mind for you? For those of you who don't check back...hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Holiday Cards

I've been working to get some of my holiday card designs posted and have finally made a little progress. I have more to come, but here's the first round of holiday card designs. What do you think?

Order your custom designs now!! Beat the rush on getting your unique designs printed and in the mail.

Modern Folded Customized Photo Cards...



Flat Customized Holiday Photo Cards



Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wabi Tea Co.

Today, I finished the store display signs to be used in Tria Market, on the aisles where the products will be sold. As of now, Wabi Tea Co. products can only be purchased at Tria as well as in the Blissful Heights Healing Center. The line of loose leaf teas consists of 36 organic healing blends and 6 of these teas are yummy dessert teas. The tag line for the promotional campaign is a, "A dessert your body deserves"and I for one can vouch that they are indeed delicious!

For this project, I designed the package labeling you see in these photos for both the daily teas and dessert teas. I also did the design work for the store display signs.

This first pic is of one of the end aisle displays...

A photo of the display sign on the retail side of Tria Market.


This sign is displayed within Tria Market Restaurant, which exclusively serves the dessert teas.
Photo of the dessert tea line product tins, on display in Tria Market.

A glimpse of some of the daily teas that are for sale in Tria.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

An Amazing Artist

While procrastinating this morning, I began shopping around on Etsy and came across this incredibly talented artist. I am in love with these paintings and so inspired by them. The colors and the abstract movements were executed beautifully. Check out her shop - SagittariusGallery These two beauties are original oil paintings, but she offers prints of these as well. What a great Christmas gift?!?! (hint, hint)



Monday, November 17, 2008

Black Crowes

Saturday night was a fun night hanging out with good friends and listening to some great music. We went to see the Black Crowes at the Alabama Theatre. If you have never seen the Alabama Theatre, you should check out their website (Especially the photo tour). I have been to several shows in the theatre and each time I visit, I again, think of the beauty within the venue.

Black Crowes jammed for a couple of hours and I slowly fell in love with Chris Robinson...sorry Caleb! :) Here is a not so clear photo of my new favorite musician!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Gift Guide Begins!

As part of the Southeastern US Etsy Street team, there will be a really cool gift guide that will publish each Friday between now and Christmas on the group blog! Can you believe it is really that time of year? I know, I for one, can not. Although, this guide gets me excited about the holidays and also makes me realize how many amazing artist live in such close proximity to me!

5 amazing jewelry pieces made from an eclectic group of southeastern artist. Click here and check it out! Here's a sneak peak...


Cinnabar and Swarovski earrings from karma711.

Oh! And don't forget the giveaway contest below! Ends tomorrow at noon. Enter now and win :)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Chicago Blues

What better way to get your morning going than a little James Cotton?! Hope you enjoy this...Man, I love the blues!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Blog Giveaway!

Ok, here's the deal - I feel like giving something away! Yay!

What is it? A shot at winning at An Original 5x7 Professional Quality Fine Art Photographic Print (That would be signed by the fabulous artist...yours truly)

How do I win? The game is "Name that Print" - This photo was taken in Maui, HI at sunset from the balcony of our ship on our first wedding anniversary. I have only been so clever as to come up with, "Hawaiian or Maui Sunset"...unique I know. Well, that's where you come into play.

Leave a comment with your most creative title and if you win not only will you be the person who named this print, but you will also get your signed copy, with the winning name on the back.

So, good luck and I'm excited to finally have a cool name for the print. Help!

I love this print. I have it framed in my house. Now...Name it and win it!

Oh, and the deadline is this Saturday, November 15 at noon, CST. Yay!!!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Leonardo Da Vinci

Yesterday afternoon, I finally went to see the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit that was being shown at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Not only did I see his amazing work, but also learned many interesting facts about Leonardo himself. I never knew that he was not a prolific painter. He had fewer than 20 paintings and of these not all of them were finished. Although he had few paintings, he had hundreds of drawings and sketches. Some of these sketches and drawings are what made up the exhibit that we saw yesterday.

While studying the art, I found his minimal stokes to be quite fascinating. It only took him one stroke to convey what it takes most many shades and shadows to create. He makes it look so easy...as does anyone who is brilliant at their craft.

This photo was taken of a promotional piece created for the exhibit. The original piece was part of the exhibit.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Beach

Here are a couple of beach photos taken a few weeks ago on the Alabama Gulf Coast, in Fort Morgan, AL. This area is quite secluded and was a perfect fall get a way. This particular day the waves were crashing and the air was cool. Can't wait to get back over the holidays!


Friday, November 7, 2008

Golden Leaves

Stepping away from my computer and work, I decided to clear my head on a short walk through the neighborhood. Impossible to ignore, these radiating leaves caught my eye from the house across the street. Although Winter is peaking its head into most places, Fall is still the season here in Alabama.


Sunday, November 2, 2008

Calm and Heal

Creative expression always helps me in more ways than I ever realize at a specific time. It is always when I look back that I see how I was able to vent through art. Painting, photography, or whatever your passion may be - when you think of it as a way to use your art as a way to clear your head and to redirect your negative energy - You will be amazed at how you will let yourself go into your work.

Painting is one of my creative outlets. If I am down on myself, stressed or worried about something, painting always seems to be an excellent way for me to release the negativity. This one, in particular, took me a little time because I kept adding layers and wanting to add colors in different places but I think I am officially calling it quits on this specific therapeutic piece!

Simply named, "Abstract" for now, I will be posting it in my Etsy shop soon when I decide how much to charge for it. I have yet to post any paintings in my shop, therefore any thoughts on the piece, pricing or anything else related is appreciated. Hope this inspires you in some way!



Saturday, November 1, 2008

Photo + Paper

In October of 2007, my husband and I went to Hawaii to celebrate our anniversary. While in Maui, we took a bike ride down Haleakala Crater - This photo is one of many that I took while coasting down the volcano.


Who ever would have thought, that from these photos, that I took Hawaii, a set of holiday inspired cards would be created?!?! Inspiration comes in the strangest of forms. The key is to recognize the inspiration when you see it. Now for sale in my shop, are these cards the Artistic Evergreen Note Cards.



I currently have these listed in the "Holiday" section of my shop. Do you think this is the best place for them? I would love to know your thoughts. I had a tough time decided where to categorize the design.