GRunveiled + Drafting.

It's funny how as soon as I posted about the beauty of winter's slower paced reflection, my life starts to speed on again. ha, someday my life will slow down...but probably not. I guess my 80 year old soul will have to try and keep up with my 25 year old body, once again. {oh, but all I want to do is sew + dip that beautiful nib into that smooth calligraphy ink!} But the things keeping me busy are pretty awesome - I'm really excited about them!

I started a Pattern Drafting class at Kendall College of Art and Design (a seriously cool gift I got for Christmas). This week we drafted our bodice - fun, but very difficult! For someone who still uses her fingers to do simple math, drafting makes my head hurt! But after three hours of 1/4ing, 1/2ing, and 1/3ing my measurements I have a bodice draft that should fit me to a tee (that is if I did all the math correctly!) luckily I have some delightful people in my class to help me along. thanks!

With the help of my dear friend Suzy @ suzannewilliamsdesign, I redesigned my logo. I wanted to keep it simple while incorporating my calligraphy. so here it is:

Another huge highlight for the week was getting into the GRunveiled show. I am thrilled about this! It's a really cool bridal show held at St. Cecilia's downtown Grand Rapids on February 24. I went last year to check it out and loved the vendors that were there -- unique and local, with lots of great design! I can't wait!! If you're interested, check out the website for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the last bits of January!

winter. beauty.

I have a strange love with winter. it's cold, clean, crisp. everything is dead, and quiet. i become introverted and search that idea of wholeness. what does that mean? what does that look like? this time of year is nothing like those carefree summer days or those cozy fall evenings, but there is a beauty in this serene white world around us. with these quieter days, I have more time to devote to those around me and the design + crafts that I love. one project I was working on was some custom aprons. a great idea for those who love to cook! here's a peek at them:

I also wanted to share a great new magazine I was introduced to (the wonderful Joyce had given me a subscription to it for Christmas -- how did she know I would just love it? :)it's called: UPPERCASE. maybe you have seen it already, but it's wonderful. those uncoated pages (same as selvedge) are just a treat to feel, not to mention the oh-so-awesome pages stacked within. here is a link to check it out.

hope you are well.

2011.

the new year has begun. I am very excited to see what 2011 will bring.

I took the past couple weeks off. a break. a holiday. much needed.

I hope you have had the chance to rest as well.

but...now, lots to catch up on. :)

Did you know there are more type designer's per capita in Holland (the Netherlands), than anywhere else in the world? yup. another reason to love the dutch. :)

over break I met with Earl Kallemeyn, a letterpress printer from Brooklyn who had informed me of this statistic. It was such a treat to meet up with him! he is a highly talented printer who combines paper, type, design and color in such beautiful and simple ways. what's really neat is that he is family as well (my mother's cousin) and has the same ties to the Netherlands as I do. seeing his work and conversing

with him was such an inspiration and affirmation that simple type designs combined with quality paper is perfectly enough to have exceptionally beautiful designs. He gave me a bunch of his samples that I can't stop dragging my finger across the indentation of the press. Thanks again for meeting with me Earl! Check out his website at iletterpress.com.

here are the promised pictures from the Artist Market. Many thanks to Laura (lpoortenga@gmail.com) and my mom for taking some great pictures for me. I really appreciate it!

setting up the booth.

2011 calendars

bags: grey, white and curry camera

jan hagel cookies homemade by the wonderful debi visser, mom, and wilma bauman, grandmother. free for the taking!

oh, how I love calligraphy gift tags.

'don't forget to write those you love' cards.

get me to the kitchen, eileen!

'in case you forgot your camera' bag

the bird loved the jan hagel.