Adventures in Illustrating...

Okay, I'll admit it, I signed up for the class because it was called "Pretty Paper Products".  I have an absolute obsession with paper.  I love paper.... I love looking at it, designing with it, collecting it.... I may be obsessed, yes. Seriously, do NOT take me to a scrapbook store. Ever.

So I happened upon these online classes one day.  And I thought, why don't I learn to design my own paper, patterns and art work for myself! Anyone who knows me knows I love design, but graphic design honestly scares me to death.  Maybe it's because I'm such a hands on designer? Truly, it's hard for me to imagine creating something on a computer screen and "trusting" that it's going to look good in real life.  So, I decided to overcome my fear and I signed up for some Illustrator classes.  OH.  MY.  GOSH.  

Why did nobody tell me how cool this was before!!!!

So, I started out small by designing a pear. I honestly never thought it would turn out so cute.  Well, what I learned is this... it was fun, it took no time at all to learn how to do, and ultimately I've probably just exchanged one obsession {paper}, for another {graphic paper}. Wouldn't the smaller pear make the cutest stamp?

So..... the "pretty paper" class lead to the "making a pattern" class, which of course lead to the "ornaments & embellishments" class... and if I take those, naturally that means I really should just stick with it and take the "Illustrator ~ Illustrating" class right!?  

Did I mention I might be obsessed?

If you're looking for creative inspiration, you really should check out nicolesclasses.com... it will not disappoint.  And I promise... you don't need to be a trained artist to draw in Illustrator.  I did it. :)

New Year, New Look

I love the New Year!  As a very goal oriented person, I tend to set goals and take a personal inventory year round so I'm not much of a resolution maker.  The thought of setting resolutions/goals once a year is not a concept I am able to grasp easily I guess.  I do however love the idea of a fresh start.  There is something so revitalizing and rejuvenating about the New Year.  The thought of being able to kind of start over and refresh, well, it just makes me happy!

This year I was approached by a friend who asked me to write an article offering her readers some tips for restyling their window coverings for the New Year.  Of course this sparked a wealth of ideas and really got me thinking about my approach to beginning a new year and how it affects my home.  As I say in the article; 

"Every New Year we tend to focus on making resolutions that center around becoming something better… someone who is more organized, more involved, more patient, happier, and healthier.  The list goes on and on.

As an interior designer I rather enjoy turning my focus toward my home and the spaces I live in every day.  I don’t know about you, but when I feel better at home, I tend to feel better in all aspects of my life..."

This is how I approach my home every New Year, but never really thought about it too much until I began writing this article.  For me, the idea of renewing and beginning again, begins at home.  There is real value in loving and feeling good about the spaces where I spend the majority of my time.

Head on over to this website to read the full article, and please let me know what you think! And be sure to check back soon for more interior tips and restyling tricks to renew and refresh the spaces you live in every day.

Happy New Year!