Sending Good Cheer for 2011

A non-traditional holiday color to be sure but Pantone's 2011 color
of the year, Honeysuckle, makes a joyful statement.

It's that time of year again! While the rest of the world enjoyed their summer drinking ice cold lemonade and thinking of sand and sun, the world's holiday card designers have locked themselves in their offices. Listening to holiday music and drinking hot cocoa (maybe wearing a woolly hat and scarf for added effect) they attempted to get into the holiday spirit to produce the coming season's best Christmas and holiday stationery designs.

I was lucky enough to have one of my designs selected for sale this season. Minted's Sending Good Cheer challenge was a huge one and produced the best holiday card assortment I've seen yet. "Christmas Cafe" was my best work thus far and one of those designs that just "happened" without much work or thought, it just came pouring out of my stylus and onto the screen. I remember the biggest issue I had with it was what kind of edge to use overlapping the photo, not my normal conundrum with typography. I was so excited about this particular design that I forced my poor husband to "come look!" over five times and each time he played along like a good sport.

So with great pride and a big, silly grin, I ask you to "come look!"


"Christmas Cafe" scored in the top 30 designs of nearly 2250 and was also selected as a runner-up in the special prizes categories of "Best Type-Driven Design" and "Best Retro or Vintage Design." See the rest of the very deserving special prize winners here.

Reinpet Inspiration Boards

For Minted's holiday launch they asked the designers to create inspiration boards for their holiday cards. This is the one they chose to feature on the site for Reinpet. I think it looks pretty good for my first try but be sure to look at all the other amazing boards!

[ 1. holding pinecones by PinkStock Photos via Flickr 2. green bows in a row by Stephen Nakatani via Flickr 3. merry christmas sign by Lauren Nelson via Flickr 4. pine bough via Inhabitots 5. entry decorations by Martha Stewart 6. green eyed cat by Jaroslaw Pocztarski via Flickr 7. lights and grass by Mike McCune via Flickr ]

This is the second one I did for Reindog in my initial red colorway (it's since been changed to a beet red).

[ 1. dog in roses by Noel Zia Lee via Flickr 2. candy canes by ShutterBugChef via Flickr 3. red velvet cake by Bakearella 4. arrow marquee by Urban Outfitters 5. dog wearing bow by Mirry via Flickr 6. red candles by Victoria Reay via Flickr 7. bone cookies via doggyinsider.com ]

I'm Back!

"Braaaiinns!"

Where does the time go? Am I the only one who feels like my life is accelerating and the days are going by faster than ever? It's not like I'm working a high-stress job, it just feels like my life is going by at lightning speed and I can't control it. I digress.

I've sorely neglected my little blog for the past few months and I don't have a good excuse. What matters is that I am back now and I am ready to re-commit myself.

I will start off by saying that my Reindog submission to Minted's latest holiday card design competition has been launched as is now for sale on their website. Not only am I excited to have won a prize, been ranked 14th out of 1357 submissions, and see my design for sale on their site but I am most honored to have my work among the premier independent stationery designs on the web today. It's an absolute honor to be among such fantastic designers, artists and typographers. I have sooooo much to learn but this victory has stoked my fire and drives me to expand my abilities, refine my design sense and learn the pillars of great typography. I have a long way to go but I look forward to the journey!

Without further ado, here is Reindog, launched and for sale:

Reindog with custom backer and wrap-around address label.

You have two pets? I've got you covered!

How about a version with space for pets AND kids

There are other colorways to choose from and even a mini-book version. I have a feeling it's going to be a great holiday season!