Monday, December 20, 2010

holiday owls



I've been slammed with work for the last month. And in my free time have been trying to get ready for Christmas, my husband's birthday and my mom's wedding. That's a lot of events that are all about to happen in a span of a week. Here's a couple owls I made recently. The snowy owl was a gift, so I made sure to take a shot before she was given away.

I posted the holiday owls on ravlery

Monday, November 29, 2010

Eleventy Handmade: folded paper typeface





Thanks to reader Naomi for telling me about her recent type experimentation. Naomi's creating a typeface using cut & folded paper to create each letter form. In her first use of the type - she's put together this advent calendar for the holiday season (available for sale at the eleventy etsy shop).

An advent calendar is certainly a good use for this hide-and-seek type. I'm excited to see the letters as she creates them and other potential uses for the type.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Erin E. Stead Illustrates "A Sick Day for Amos McGee"

Check out how Erin E. Stead uses a combination of wood carvings and drawing to create a soft and detailed illustration style.







Be sure to check out how Erin E. Stead created the illustrations for A Sick Day for Amos McGee at The Crafts Dept. There's even more photos and info there.

I love seeing how each illustrator does things a little different :)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Q&A with Dallas Clayton



I'm having one of those days when everything is soooo much more complicated and time consuming that it needs to be. So, I'm extra thankful to receive an email today from Dallas Clayton. As I said last week, Dallas kindly agreed to answer a few questions about his new book "An Awesome Book of Thanks!"
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1. Tell us a little about your professional background. Do you have formal training in writing and illustration? Are you an author/illustrator part-time or full-time?
The only training I have is just in practice. I've always written things and give or sold or shared them with people. An Awesome Book however was the first proper book I'd ever written and indeed the first thing I'd really ever drawn. After the unexpected success it quickly became my full time job - kids book making person.

2. What inspired this new "Awesome Book of Thanks!"?
Well the first book is about dreaming big so this book is the compliment to that. Dreaming big but being thankful for all of the small things that happen on life's journey to accomplishing those big dreams.

3. How did you start the project - do you draw first? write first?
I'm a writer first, so I usually have a ton of ideas going at once then I have to decide which ones get drawn because the drawing takes so long. I'm still pretty new to drawing so it's a real process whereas the writing is fairly snappy.

4. Can you explain the process of planning and creating your book? What methods do you use - do you create mock-ups of the book, storyboards, pin-up loads of sketches, have critiques, or use other techniques?
I don't really have any techniques I kindof just write it then sit down for six months and draw the whole thing out. I'm not really much of a sketcher so I just put pen to paper and hope not to mess up too bad. It's kind of fun and kid like in that respect I suppose.

5. How did you create the illustrations? What kind of media do you use?
Pens, paper, Watercolor, markers, lots of This American Life to keep me company.

6. I often create drawings and then try to scan them and use them in layouts. I think it's easy to loose the original character of the drawings (and details of the line work, pen strokes, etc) in this process. How do you handle these issues?
I think because I've never really been a drawer by trade I'm much less of a stickler for detail. I am much more of an idea/theme person so I am usually more focused on conveying a larger emotion or concept than I am with the subtle nature of the drawings. If I could get away with stick figures and line drawings and still have the same impact I would- alas I am not there yet...

7. I think the doodley type in your layouts is a font - what font is it? who created it?
In the first book it was all hand drawn and but in the second book I had to create a font using the hand drawn letters because it was becoming way too time-consuming. I'm so glad I did that.

8. Your first book "An Awesome Book" was self-published. But, I see that you've used Amazon Encore for "An Awesome Book of Thanks". Why did you make this switch?
After An Awesome Book came out a lot of publishing houses wanted to put out books with me, but I didn't feel a connection with any of them. Amazon contacted me and I flew up to Seattle to meet with them and I just really liked the idea of their model. Progressive, internet friendly, large-reach - these were all things I was looking for. More than a publisher I was looking for a partner that could help me share.

9. Many of the blog readers are creative people and I'm sure many of them have toyed around with creating things to sell (books, stationery, art, etc). Do you have any advice for potential creative entrepreneurs?
Make things you love and try to share them with as many people as possible.
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I make loads of stuff, but mostly for myself and my family. But, Dallas totally makes me want to get off my duff and start producing things to share with the world. Thanks Dallas!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Best in Show


Border Collie


Whippet


Afghan Hound

I love these little knitted dogs by Muir & Osborne. This is the sort of thing I could make one after another if I weren't busy doing things like working.

They have a book out called Best in Show with the knitting patterns (I believe this is a British publication?) and a new US version of the book called "Knit Your Own Dog" will be available in Feb 2011.

Found via Remodelista

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Another Awesome Book



Do you remember me talking about An Awesome Book! a while back? Well, Dallas Clayton has another book out, called An Awesome Book of Thanks! (you can read the entire book at that link).

And even cooler news - Dallas sent me a pre-release copy to peruse and offered to do a little question and answer session with me.

I have a few questions to ask, but I'd like to know: What would you like to ask the author?

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Anna Emilia Latinen



I've seen (and liked) this Anna Emilia Latinen painting twice now - it was posted both at rifle and ohjoy. I think it look likes a friend of the golly bard stuff… only lighter, whispier, and a little more feminine.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Golly Bard




These watercolor drawings from Golly Bard caught my eye when I saw them at the Crafts Dept… I dig both the subject matter and the line quality in the illustration.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Green Grocery Bag Challenge


Remember those baby shower gift tags I did a month or so ago? That project recently led to another fun project. Kristin at Sew, Mama, Sew asked my business, Miller Cormier, for some help putting together a visual for a holiday project called the Green Grocery Bag Challenge.

I'm excited to say that Kristin chose the visual I put together. And, of course, I managed to slip in some hand-drawn items. Knowing that Kristin might want to re-use the type on the visual for fliers, I decided to choose a free font called king cool kc.

I'm always happy to do work for people doing good things. Plus, I like sewing and crafting too - so, win-win… win-win-win!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Have you been reading Design*Sponge?



Design*Sponge and Veer are currently running a design your own alphabet contest that I bet a few of you might be interested in entering or following.

While on the topic of Design*Sponge, check out their recent article: biz ladies: how to brand your business on a budget and be sure to read the comments that follow. The article points out some harsh realities of being a designer.

After reading that, you'll see that there are a lot of issues when you get into being a professional designer who does spec work and contests (the one above to be included). Have you ever read the AIGA's position on spec work?

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Hand painted sign

Hand Drawn Type

I know I've been falling behind on blogging. But, maybe I'll have a comeback? Check out this photo from Keegan Jones' photostream.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Print Magazine’s Hand Drawn illustration competition



Thanks to Bukola for telling me about Print Magazine’s “Hand Drawn” illustration competition. I’m too late to enter. But, will make a note to check out the results when they’re published.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Sew, Mama, Sew! baby shower gift tags


I was recently asked by Sew, Mama, Sew! Blog to contribute some free-printables to their recent "Baby Shower" celebration. Check out the gift-tags I submitted »

I use any excuse to do some illustration and hand-lettering :)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

inspiration or inadequacy?

I came across this article on design sponge today: The New Decornographers: Bloggers With Perfect, Beautiful, Craftsy Lives

Summary: all these crafty, idealistic blogs in the world make people feel bad about their less than idealistic lives. Incredibly interesting.

Do you guys actually want to hear about failures and mess-ups? or would you rather just look at pretty pictures and think up new projects to tackle?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

little cable cardigan



A future 1st birthday present for one of the much loved nephews. Hope he doesn't out grow it before his birthday!

Friday, June 4, 2010

orange socks



Another completed knitting project. These are for me :)

The pattern's called Charade by Sandra Park, you can find it on Ravlery

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Help: artist portfolio sites

I'm doing a little research for a potential website project. Looking for examples of good fine artist portfolio websites. Minimal. Modern. Organized. Let the work shine through. That sort of deal.

Also wouldn't be apposed to other types of portfolios (photography, designers, illustrators, etc) or gallery/museum sites as examples that showcase work.

Please respond in the comments with links to the sites. I appreciate your help!

Monday, April 12, 2010

paper cut out projects

I've seen a lot of these paper-cut out projects lately. Would be really fun to make and would make really cute framed art for very little cost.


ann wood @ design*sponge


found at free people


also found at free people

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Tide is High



I like this quilt. The idea of having several fabrics to create one big color block. When I have more space and time, this is on my list of things to do!

The Tide Is High from Amanda Jean, Crazy Mom Quilts

found via sew mama sew

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

goldish muted yellow, grey + navy



Another home interior color combo I'm digging… goldish muted yellow, grey and navy.

picture found at remodelista

Friday, April 2, 2010

White & Off-white



I feel like when it comes to clothes and decorating, most folks (including myself) usually feel obligated to match off-white with off-white and white with white. But I just recently realized, I like how off-white looks with white.

Picture foudn via Remodelista.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Out like a Lamb



Ah, the month of March has gotten away from me. Between house hunting and wedding planning and working, there hasn't been much time to surf the internet or make any neat stuff.

If I would've had some time, I would've made some fancy easter eggs:

There's a whole gallery of ideas on Martha Stewart

I'm particularly interested in these polymer clay eggs, because when you're done they'd be sturdy and last quite a few years.

Ah, there will be another Easter next year!

Friday, March 5, 2010

little red sweater



I was a little afraid to start an adult sized sweater from scratch having never made a sweater before. So, I started with a small one. This was surprisingly easy. And I feel really impressed with myself. This thing is soooo cute, I'm keeping it for the day when I have someone that fits in it :) Hope to start myself a sweater soon…

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Twinkle Toes

Another snowy day project that was fast and used up scraps. Itty bitty fairisle socks. I didn't gauge it properly and they turned out a little bigger than the pattern. Oh well.




Pattern from Anny Purls. It looks like the link on her site is broken. If you have a ravelry account, you can download it from there.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Elf shoes

I thought I'd take some time this week to share some of the stuff I've been making.

First up, a pair of MocaSocs for Joe's nephew, Jackson. This is a result of being snowed in too long. My work project was cancelled for the day and I had cabin fever and needed something to do that used my brain… so I found this pattern and used up some scrap yarn.

I'm also getting better at taking pictures of knitted stuff. It's not the easiest thing. But, I couldn't figure out which picture I liked better, so you get both:





You can buy the Baby MocaSoc pattern at BEKAHknits etsy shop.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Anna Rummey




I'm always a fan of ink on top of watercolor. Art by Anna Rummey. Found via mustard & sage.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

snarky valentines





I think these valentines are really funny (and nice type :). But, I must admit, I would never send one! I don't like being mean :/

from the owly shadow puppets etsy store | found via paper crave

Monday, February 8, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Jim Tierney: bookcovers


Book cover by Jim Tierney. This is just one book cover in a series… done as a thesis project.

Monday, February 1, 2010

honey interiors: headboard with red buttons



I like this interior shot, but i can't quite put my finger on why. I'm not a fan of creepy illustrated girls with big eyes, so that's not it. I think I like the neon red on pale pink on white. And I also have an old bed frame that should be upholstered, so I'm always casually noticing other's headboards.

shot from honey interiors, found via made by girl

Darren Booth: Catcher in the Rye



I came across this book cover by Darren Booth a few days before J.D. Salinger passed away.

found via casual optimist

Friday, January 29, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Big undertaking



I'm thinking of trying to knit something like this sweater. Definitely would be the biggest project I've tried so far…

Picture is from birgittezeuner's flickr photostream.
The yoke chart pullover pattern is profiled at Ravelry.