A Picture(s) A Day

Hello there Sweets,

How was your weekend and your Monday? I had one of those Monday's where I feel as if I'm working on 800 things and didn't get anything accomplished. Do you ever have those types of days?

And since nothing great got accomplished yesterday I thought I'd show you little pics and "teasers" if you will of things I worked on last week.

BBQ invitations _ i heart snail mail

New thank you card and business card design for me!

website in progress... Learning the program Muse... that day was slow but now I LOVE IT!

Big variety and a little all over the place but pretty cool in my humble opinion.

What do you think?

A Picture A Day

 

Every year since my husband and I moved into our house we've had a summer barbecue. It's an event we really look forward to and just a relaxed fun day with our friends and family. Each year I also think... since I'm an Illustrator I really should create my own invitations... I think that, but some how the barbecue always sneaks up on me and two weeks before I'm sending out an evite made from a template because I don't have time to do anything else. Well this year I'm determined to send out my own... so I've started sketches! ... Here is one. I'll show you the final once complete but I'm determined to send them our Wednesday this week.... hmm think I'll make it?

Diary of a Freelancer: Part Ten

I'd like to name this summer the "summer of the weddings." It's been non-stop since May and each and every one has been beautiful and meant so much to us! This past weekend was the last wedding for us, for this summer, and to top it all off my stunning sister-in-law got engaged... what a perfect ending right!!

Bride and Groom taking a stroll after their wedding on the lovely grounds of Stone House

Last week I worked Monday and Tuesday and then we got up Wednesday to drive to Little Compton, R.I. for the wedding of two amazing friends! (as a complete side note if you haven't been to Little Compton, R.I. you should go it's an incredible area, perfectly "New England" right on the water, and absolutely beautiful) When we arrived on Wednesday we went on a Vineyard tour and wine tasting, had an incredible dinner at the Stone House which is also the amazing hotel we stayed at, and then hung out by a bonfire and made s'mores! The next day was their wedding. And what a beautiful, perfect, lovely wedding it was! Highlights include "Jack" Prius decorated in his wedding finery driving the bride and groom away, the gorgeous bride and handsome groom saying "I do," Their adorable first dance, the maid-of-honor speech given by the sister of the bride with the repeated point that Gina (bride) always set the bar high and we could not stop laughing, more bonfire s'mores, an awesome d.j., and a wonderful new married couple, smiles, laughter, love... I could just keep going!! Gina and Rob I could not be more happy for you! Love you!!

Surprised at dinner! Congratulations!

Then on Friday we drove back to New York City to surprise my sister-in-law for her engagement! The soon-to-be Fiance, Dan, planned a very special evening for Melissa. He surprised her when she got home after a very long and rough week at work with lit candles everywhere, rose petals on the floor, flowers, and of course the most perfect, sparkling, stunning, engagement ring. She said "Yes!" and a lot of "WooHoo's!!" called all of her friends and family and thought she was heading out to a romantic dinner for two, but Dan had one more special thing planned. Both Dan's family and Melissa's family surprised her at the restaurant that they had their first date at. We had a lovely dinner and celebration and we are so happy for Melissa and Dan! Congratulations you two, love you!! xo


Now after a perfect week of weddings, and proposals, and happy couples I HAVE to get back to work, but thougths of such a great week will certainly be distracting today!

Have a great week sweets!

XO

A Picture A Day: So excited to finally announce...

Do you remember all those random sneak peaks I gave you of an adorable tan French Bulldog... the ones I showed you here, here, and here ... O and here too? The ones I just kept showing out of excitement even though I couldn't give you any details at all? Well today, I'm so happy to announce that all of those sneak peaks were part of my first fully illustrated book!

Months ago, the incredible author, Teresa Rigsbee contacted me about working on the illustrations for her children's/novelty book Bellissima Bulldog, The French Bulldog with an Italian Name. I was beyond flattered. She wanted me to create the illustrations for her book!? It was literally a dream come true! And so, over the months that followed, we worked together to bring her book to life. 

In my humble, non-biased, opinion *wink* the story is adorable, and charming, and educational, and unique. Bellissima Bulldog, The French Bulldog with an Italian Name, is about a Frenchie, the Queen, who lives a charmed life. The story begins with Bellissima trying to find the perfect gift for her owner, Madamoselle's, birthday. Bellisima and her pal, a chocolate lab, Jeane-Claude go on an adventure to *selflessly* look for a the perfect gift. Of course there are a few distractions along the way because what girl, human or French Bulldog, could resist their favorite shops, but in the end the mission is a success. Bellisima Bulldog also teaches a few words and phrases in French and Italian, with a glossary in the back with definitiions, and is all around the cutest story.

This was such an incredible project for me, and I feel so happy that I was part of it. The book is officially live on amazon so go purchases your copy today: Bellissima Bulldog, The French Bulldog with an Italian Name

And of course, a very special, "Thank you!" "Congratulations!!" and "Good Luck!" goes out to the talented and lovely Teresa Rigsbee! I have my fingers crossed for us! xo

A Picture A Day

Happy Monday Sweets!

How was your Fourth of July!? Mine was so wonderful and I'm moving a bit slow today trying to get back into the swing of things but I have a huge to-do list so coffee will have to do the trick...

Today since I'm all over the place I wanted to give you a peak into custom illustration work. When custom work is commissioned I typically provide three black and white sketches at the beginning of a project to show multiple options and the potential direction the illustration can go in. Usually the final is some type of hybrid between the options but sometimes the client will fall in love with one sketch or another and we just go with that. It's not because the other sketches are bad it's just that one in particular speaks to the client or is perfect for their brand more then the others. This particular project is an example of the later. It's going to be fabulous once complete and I'm very happy about where it's going but I do really like the other sketches as well so here is a peak at a discarded sketch. What do you think?

Have a wonderful week! xo

Diary of a Freelancer: Part Nine

I'm officially on vacation this week. Spending six days in lovely Cape Cod. I couldn't ask for a better week or a more relaxing destination. I'm still working, well a little, since a freelancers work does not stop, but the beauty of it is.... I can work at the beach, in the sun, by the pool, relaxing with an ice cream cone, you name it.... and I'm loving every second of it. In my next life I will come back wealthy with a house in Cape Cod, right on the water, that I live at all summer long... o and maybe one in Paris too!

At any rate I hope you have a lovely day before the Fourth of July, and a lovely Fourth!!! And I hope you are spending the week relaxing and enjoying the summer!

xo