Day 332: I’m ready for the end to be here

I am tired and wish I could take a nap, but I can’t because I have to work in a little while.

It’s gray, cold, and raining outside, and the perfect day to sleep in or take a nap on the couch in front of the T.V.. Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen for me.

So, while I had a break in my schedule I decided it was time to get a card designed earlier rather than later tonight when I’m even more exhausted.

Today’s Thank You card is inspired by a chalk board drawing, no surprise. I actually saw some logos online that inspired the shape and layout of the text, and decided to put that idea into my card but use the chalk board style. I’m still not perfect at it, but it’ll take more time and practice.

Anyhow, here is today’s card.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

12.01.14 Inspired by a chalk board drawing

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Day 327: Aching to work on creative projects

I am home, in my pj’s waiting, and I’m aching to work on creative projects today.

My creative juices are running high right now.

I really want to finish making some new necklaces that I’ve been working on, but I need Satin ribbon. I bought Grosgrain ribbon, but it doesn’t stay tied because of the groves. Satin ribbons ties easily and is really pretty.

Here’s a picture of the necklace I made for myself just recently.

Silver and White Pearl Necklace with Bows
© 2014 Stacy Schilling

There are two more necklaces that I’m in the middle of working on right now, but I need ribbon in order to finish them.

But at least I have my knitting to fall back on, and two shadowboxes that I still need to work on and finish. I spent time months ago working on the first one, but put it aside because I couldn’t fit all the elements into the 11 x  14 shadowbox. So, I guess I can try working on my shadowboxes for a little while. Maybe I’ll be inspired with a layout that I like and works effectively.

Anyhow, let’s move onto the Thank You card.

Again, today’s card is inspired by a chalk board drawing. No surprise there.

I’m getting more comfortable designing chalk board style, but I don’t think it’s my favorite.

Anyway, here it is.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

11.26.14 Inspired by a chalk board drawing
© 2014 Stacy Schilling

 

Day 325: Keep the finish line in sight

There are only 40 more days left until this design challenge comes to a close.

And I can’t wait because I’m ready for a break and something new to do with my time.

Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do and creating graphics, but I need a change. I’m just not sure yet what they will be. I might get back into sketching, but I don’t know. The idea or ideas will come when I least expect it.

Anyhow, today’s card is finished and it is inspired by a chalk board drawing. I’m slowly starting to get more comfortable with chalk board design. I still don’t feel like I’ve mastered it yet, but I do feel more confident in my work.

Okay, here it is.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

11.24.14 Inspired by a chalk board drawing
© 2014 Stacy Schilling

Day 324: Explore new creative outlets

I’ve taken up knitting now.

A good friend said she could teach me how to knit in 30 minutes. It took me 40.

I like knitting, surprisingly. It’s a new challenge and relaxing.

So, now I can add knitting to the list of my creative talents such as:

• Arts & Crafts
• Cross-stitch
• Drawing (Charcoal, conté crayon, pencil, graphite, prima color pencil, alpha hi grays, chalk pastel)
• Jewelry making
• Knitting
• Latch-hook
• Needlepoint
• Painting (Acrylic, mixed media, oil)
• Scrapbooking

I still need to learn how to do glass blowing, pottery, and sculpture. At least that’s what I can think of for now.

Anyhow, here is today’s card inspired by a chalk board drawing. Yes, I decided to tackle chalk board drawing again. I’m determined to master this form of design, but I don’t know how long it will take me. As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect”. So, practice I must do.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

11.23.14 Inspired by a chalk board drawing
© 2014 Stacy Schilling

 

Day 321: Emotions can affect they way you work

Have you ever reflected on what you accomplished or didn’t accomplish at work when your mood was affected?

For example, do you remember when you were in a great mood at work, what happened to keep the momentum going? Or when something or someone put you in a sour mood? Did you accomplish anything?

Our moods affect our ability to produce either good or bad work.

When I’m tired, like tonight, I feel like my Thank You card design isn’t as good as ones that I’ve designed in the past when I was in a happy mood. Or the past week when I had that knot in my back (which I think was due to stress because it’s almost gone), and I was in a hurry to get something done.

My emotions got the better of me today, and my card reflects it. Plus, I’m still learning this chalk board design thing and because I feel like I’m not good at it, I put unnecessary pressure on myself to make it look good.

Okay, I’m about to fall asleep. Here it is.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

11.20.14 Inspired by chalk board design
© 2014 Stacy Schilling

Day 320: The knot is back to annoy me

The knot that I thought I got rid of last week in my back has come back today. 😦

I went to the chiro earlier today, and he helped loosen my neck and back, but I couldn’t afford to have the massage therapist perform Trigger Point therapy which would have helped even more.

So, it’s old school tonight when I break out the hot water bottle and lay on the couch hoping the pain will subside.

Anyhow, I found more new fonts to play with in my designs (yay!) and try out in chalk board Thank You cards.

I’ll have to admit, chalk board design is very different from graphic design because you can use more than three fonts, and really pile on the lettering and images into the graphic. However, with graphic design, it’s all about having a minimalist design to market towards your target audience while still trying to get your brand and message across in a professional way using less than three fonts and lots of white space. So, I’m really challenging myself with this chalk board design.

Here is today’s card with more new fonts and another chalk board design.

Let me know what you think.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

11.19.14 Inspired by new fonts and chalk board design
© 2014 Stacy Schilling

Day 318: I’ve got new fonts to play with

I found some new fonts online that I decide to play with in today’s Thank You card design.

I’m all about collecting fonts, and I can never have too many!

Fonts are my friend.

Anyway, I was inspired in all these cool looking chalk board drawings people have been creating, and I wish I was good at chalk board drawing. That’s a whole other art in itself. People that can do chalk board art make me jealous because I can’t, but I can draw and paint, and do so many other things they probably can’t do so I’ll just leave it at that.

So, I decided to use my new fonts in my own chalk board drawing for a card. I think I’m going to try and explore chalk board drawings for the next couple of days and see what I come up with. I love the look of chalk board drawings, so this will be an interesting challenge for myself.

And here is today’s Thank You card with my version of a chalk board drawing. Let me know what you think.

Graphic Designer & Production Artist
“From idea to page – flawless digital/print design & production.”

11.17.14 Inspired by a chalk board drawing
© 2014 Stacy Schilling