tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77874996034802307792024-03-12T23:54:33.202-04:00design inspirationThis blog is a place for me to share beautiful, well-designed things. By things I mean anything that catches my eye within a wide range of interests - art and architecture, fashion and jewelry, typography, useful household items, interior design, landscape design, photography... you get the idea.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-88563780158048065272015-09-22T09:04:00.000-04:002015-09-22T09:04:00.656-04:00onesie decoration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64xzmyeRO60/VgAgUG9KrlI/AAAAAAAAEfE/LqmPIdM8nPQ/s1600/DSC_0030-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64xzmyeRO60/VgAgUG9KrlI/AAAAAAAAEfE/LqmPIdM8nPQ/s640/DSC_0030-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My friend since sophomore year English class, Laura, is due next month with a baby boy. Words cannot express how excited I am about this. New baby smell! New baby snuggles! I get to go home after a visit and sleep soundly through the night! It's really a win-win for me.<br />
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Laura's mom and four of her friends (including me) worked so hard to throw her the BEST. BABY. SHOWER. EVER. And it was! Truly. Delicious food, great people, amazing cake, and hard cider! Yum!<br />
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Inspired by <a href="http://offbeathome.com/2009/11/baby-shower-onesies" target="_blank">this post</a> (after googling "onesie decoration that doesn't suck") I convinced my fellow baby-shower-planners to let me set up a onesie decoration table. It was AMAZING. They turned out gorgeous! Everyone had fun!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oHKxprl4_lM/VgAgVLa8rtI/AAAAAAAAEfc/fsJeJRtD8xs/s1600/DSC_0080-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oHKxprl4_lM/VgAgVLa8rtI/AAAAAAAAEfc/fsJeJRtD8xs/s640/DSC_0080-2.jpg" width="435" /></a></div>
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This is Mary. You can tell she's having so much fun. She's also super ultra smart. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpHmFHRXCn4/VgAgT8rHqII/AAAAAAAAEfQ/2WIPgw-jjQE/s1600/DSC_0044-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpHmFHRXCn4/VgAgT8rHqII/AAAAAAAAEfQ/2WIPgw-jjQE/s640/DSC_0044-2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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This is Kim. You can tell how proud she is of this newt onesie. So very proud.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GC-dW7TEvYg/VgAgULaqDbI/AAAAAAAAEe8/yIH18JbJcok/s1600/DSC_0014-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GC-dW7TEvYg/VgAgULaqDbI/AAAAAAAAEe8/yIH18JbJcok/s640/DSC_0014-2.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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The process involved using peel and stick <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thermoweb-Peeln-Stick-Fabric-Sheets-4-1/dp/B001A36I2A/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1442849524&sr=1-1&keywords=fabric+fuse" target="_blank">fabric fuse</a> to turn <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Benartex-MOUNTAIN-Quilting-Squares-Assortment/dp/B00SUDWPNY/ref=sr_1_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1442849552&sr=1-2&keywords=quilting+squares" target="_blank">quilting squares</a> into stickers. I made stencil shapes in cardstock ahead of time - hearts, moons, animals, etc. - to help give people ideas and a starting point. To create the onesie you just trace a shape on the back of the fabric sticker, cut it out, and stick it on. It is really that easy. </div>
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I also had <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tulip-Fabric-Markers-Fine-12pk/dp/B003Z6HTEQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1442849590&sr=1-4&keywords=fabric+markers" target="_blank">fabric markers</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/C-Thru-Plastic-Lettering-Guide-02145/dp/B005IRCB3Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1442849615&sr=1-1&keywords=letter+stencil" target="_blank">lettering stencils</a> for anyone who wanted to write a message or draw free-hand. By using a mix of colored and white onesies of varying sizes, we ended up with a very unique collection. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvr6BH5XOnU/VgAgVEvxIfI/AAAAAAAAEfY/KGThaY03m8c/s1600/DSC_0093-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvr6BH5XOnU/VgAgVEvxIfI/AAAAAAAAEfY/KGThaY03m8c/s640/DSC_0093-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was so fun to plan this and have it executed exactly the way I envisioned. So many sweetly designed, homemade onesies that are beautiful to look at! </div>
<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-68936152898019139482015-09-21T09:33:00.000-04:002015-09-21T09:33:00.301-04:00greeting cardsCheck out these empathy cards by <a href="http://emilymcdowell.com/" target="_blank">Emily McDowell</a>. She is a cancer survivor who was inspired to create cards with these spot-on messages. They are honest, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking. Perfect for anyone going through a very hard time.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D2NWq-Ydnl0/VfwpZmRX-zI/AAAAAAAAEeY/QnfdmkRNJyM/s1600/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D2NWq-Ydnl0/VfwpZmRX-zI/AAAAAAAAEeY/QnfdmkRNJyM/s400/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards2.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dga8cCukeqg/VfwpZgpq8TI/AAAAAAAAEeI/ebciuxe8Fx8/s1600/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dga8cCukeqg/VfwpZgpq8TI/AAAAAAAAEeI/ebciuxe8Fx8/s400/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards1.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1l3CWvt6eU/VfwpZpDJ1kI/AAAAAAAAEeM/A7BF9V32WXU/s1600/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1l3CWvt6eU/VfwpZpDJ1kI/AAAAAAAAEeM/A7BF9V32WXU/s400/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards3.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5STkRGy_E/VfwpaK2bNZI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/rhbotl2OtlU/s1600/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5STkRGy_E/VfwpaK2bNZI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/rhbotl2OtlU/s400/Emily-McDowell-EmpathyCards4.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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They're beautiful and I adore the hand-made feel. You can buy them from <a href="http://emilymcdowell.com/" target="_blank">her website</a> and be sure to check out her other <a href="http://emilymcdowell.com/collections/mugs" target="_blank">gorgeous items</a>!<br />
<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-67401569510852231532015-09-18T09:26:00.000-04:002015-09-18T09:26:25.605-04:00history of typographyTake 5 minutes and watch this video by <a href="http://forrestmedia.org/" target="_blank">Ben Barrett-Forrest</a>. It is superb. Cut paper animation! The history of typography! What's not to love?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/65899856" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-66314596248014608072015-04-22T11:44:00.000-04:002015-04-22T11:44:29.750-04:00book signing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Last night I got a chance to meet Gabrielle Blair (<a href="http://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a>) at her book signing in Boston. I've never had a book signed before and I wasn't really clear on the point of it but I'm so very glad that I went. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8e-EHHTQ_ko/VTe-Eb-DR0I/AAAAAAAACtc/rqpsMvF81Uc/s1600/designmom-book2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8e-EHHTQ_ko/VTe-Eb-DR0I/AAAAAAAACtc/rqpsMvF81Uc/s1600/designmom-book2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I enjoyed hearing Gabby and Christine Koh (<a href="http://www.bostonmamas.com/" target="_blank">Boston Mamas</a>) do a Q&A - we got to hear a few behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the book writing process. And when it came time for the signing I was thrilled to have a chance to talk to Gabby.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxGeMw8tjb4/VTew4W24xkI/AAAAAAAACss/GkAew56puVM/s1600/Gabby-Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxGeMw8tjb4/VTew4W24xkI/AAAAAAAACss/GkAew56puVM/s1600/Gabby-Me.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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She is just as delightfully warm in person as she is online. It was a great experience! (Special thanks to Laura L who insisted on taking a photo!)
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If you don't already have it, you should <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Design-Mom-Room---Room-Guide/dp/1579655718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429716992&sr=8-1&keywords=design+mom" target="_blank">buy her book</a>! <br />
<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-81795006411581206042015-03-31T14:28:00.001-04:002015-03-31T14:28:52.561-04:00framingI was so inspired by <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2015/03/framed-photo-booth-strips/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a> recently. I took photographs of some of my artwork and got two pieces beautifully framed at <a href="https://www.framebridge.com/" target="_blank">Framebridge</a>.<br />
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<a 1em="" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocT6FGoQyFY/VRrlGd6A5PI/AAAAAAAACco/ipeNV72C9kQ/s1600/framebridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" margin-bottom:="" margin-right:=""><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocT6FGoQyFY/VRrlGd6A5PI/AAAAAAAACco/ipeNV72C9kQ/s1600/framebridge.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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They turned out so perfectly, I am kicking myself that it took me this long! Do you have things lying around that you would like to frame? Do it! They will help you mail in original artwork or work with photographs to get a beautiful, professional, finished look.<br />
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And a hand-written thank you note. Amazing!<br />
<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-34184217089410570982015-02-23T12:52:00.000-05:002015-02-23T12:52:05.008-05:00logo design in 15 minutesThis guy. Come on! If you have 15 minutes and you want a peek into logo design, watch this video.<br />
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In his interview with <a href="http://lynda.com/">lynda.com</a> designer <a href="http://draplin.com/" target="_blank">Aaron Draplin</a> describes his process for exploring a new logo design. He's insightful and inspirational.<br />
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Enjoy!
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<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-89791710884290696072014-12-10T13:19:00.000-05:002014-12-10T13:19:43.148-05:00cookie cuttersYou. Guys. There's a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Printmeneer?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">shop on Etsy</a> that sells cookie cutters. Amazing cookie cutters. Letters in different fonts!<br />
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Buy them for the type-lovers in your life. (cough cough, hint hint)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPK1x-WOzA0/VIiNEcmPfVI/AAAAAAAABxo/beUhGqM3swc/s1600/garamond-cookie-cutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPK1x-WOzA0/VIiNEcmPfVI/AAAAAAAABxo/beUhGqM3swc/s1600/garamond-cookie-cutter.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Aren't they amazing? I'm sure you love them as much as I do.
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<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-14010592015170425182014-10-31T10:31:00.000-04:002014-10-31T10:31:03.731-04:00jack-o-lanternsHappy Halloween!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DRovjWkii8/VFOcMQy5_MI/AAAAAAAABw4/iSHhT_PHRlU/s1600/jackolanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DRovjWkii8/VFOcMQy5_MI/AAAAAAAABw4/iSHhT_PHRlU/s1600/jackolanterns.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm sure I'm not alone in celebrating that this pumpkin-carving chore comes only once a year. It's fun but I'm happy to be done until next time!<br />
<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-86028486718643582652014-10-27T10:22:00.000-04:002014-10-27T10:38:19.614-04:00new websiteHooray! It's done!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-AwvEKDIAw/VE5UamR_otI/AAAAAAAABwg/60kaROatNlk/s1600/website-screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-AwvEKDIAw/VE5UamR_otI/AAAAAAAABwg/60kaROatNlk/s1600/website-screenshot.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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I rolled out the <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/" target="_blank">new website design</a> last week and so far it has gone very smoothly. Take a look and let me know what you think.<br />
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-63826577871236400582014-09-19T21:16:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:54:14.991-04:00website overhaul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Big News! </div>
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I am working on a very exciting project. A long-overdue website overhaul! Hooray! </div>
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The good part is that I'm really excited about it. It's going to be mobile and tablet-ready and gorgeous. </div>
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The bad part is the blog. I am unsure if I will be able to bring content over from this blog to the new site. This makes me sad (but not sad enough to be a dealbreaker). I will see if I can find a solution. Otherwise, I will start again with a clean slate on the new site.</div>
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Keep your eyes on <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/">www.leafprintdesign.com</a>! It's going to look so fabulous.</div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-62457008418380135402013-05-08T15:50:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:54:07.902-04:00Mandela sculpture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli of Johannesburg. My dad sent this <a href="http://www.designboom.com/art/nelson-mandela-monument-by-marco-cianfanelli/" target="_blank">link</a> to me. The <a href="http://www.designboom.com/art/nelson-mandela-monument-by-marco-cianfanelli/" target="_blank">photos below are from the site</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRm7nJkoPek/UYqrV-ceZEI/AAAAAAAABTY/etmyT7IYtZ0/s1600/Mandela1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRm7nJkoPek/UYqrV-ceZEI/AAAAAAAABTY/etmyT7IYtZ0/s400/Mandela1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oe00YLSOeiI/UYqrV5lEcDI/AAAAAAAABTU/7_NPPdfg2JY/s1600/Mandela2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oe00YLSOeiI/UYqrV5lEcDI/AAAAAAAABTU/7_NPPdfg2JY/s400/Mandela2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfzXp7sGPjo/UYqrWHp12YI/AAAAAAAABTc/3CfGgg4cTsM/s1600/Mandela3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfzXp7sGPjo/UYqrWHp12YI/AAAAAAAABTc/3CfGgg4cTsM/s400/Mandela3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXBG44cyJhc/UYqrWXNsUOI/AAAAAAAABTk/Tjtusue1qV0/s1600/Mandela4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXBG44cyJhc/UYqrWXNsUOI/AAAAAAAABTk/Tjtusue1qV0/s400/Mandela4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>South African artist Marco Cianfanelli has constructed a monument to recognize the 50 year anniversary of peace activist and politician Nelson Mandela's
capture by the apartheid police in 1962. Mandela's profile spans 50 steel columns measuring 21.32 and 29.52 feet (6.5 and 9 meters) high, each anchored
to the concrete-covered ground. The shape and form of the sculpture are representative of the leader's 27 years behind bars for his efforts to bring equal rights
and governmental representation to the once racially divided nation. The statue of the nobel prize winner has been erected in Howick, a town located 56 miles
(90 kilometers) south from the city of Durban in the countryside of the southernmost African country.
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Unbelievable!! I am blown away.</div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-23608884222612070352013-02-01T12:53:00.002-05:002014-10-27T09:53:55.872-04:00baby colors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Did you know that <a href="http://www.pantone.com/" target="_blank">Pantone</a> published a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pantone-Colors/dp/1419701800" target="_blank">book for babies about color</a>? So brilliant!
It is blatant self-promotion but it's executed so beautifully.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ur4Oqu2Ix-s/UQv-P3__DzI/AAAAAAAABFA/-YMEscyXBO0/s1600/2012-12-26+12.25.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ur4Oqu2Ix-s/UQv-P3__DzI/AAAAAAAABFA/-YMEscyXBO0/s400/2012-12-26+12.25.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D90EPRoInSk/UQv-QDf4TpI/AAAAAAAABE8/8EPnlEXzFP4/s1600/2012-12-26+12.25.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D90EPRoInSk/UQv-QDf4TpI/AAAAAAAABE8/8EPnlEXzFP4/s400/2012-12-26+12.25.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpN0RywTBNE/UQv-QDu-OaI/AAAAAAAABFE/iJooBy4ftYY/s1600/2012-12-26+12.26.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpN0RywTBNE/UQv-QDu-OaI/AAAAAAAABFE/iJooBy4ftYY/s400/2012-12-26+12.26.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPQLPIENxO4/UQv-Q3BXFiI/AAAAAAAABFI/K6_J0H6LPNk/s1600/2012-12-26+12.26.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPQLPIENxO4/UQv-Q3BXFiI/AAAAAAAABFI/K6_J0H6LPNk/s400/2012-12-26+12.26.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lovely illustrations and (of course) colors. Well done!</div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-82390929623639294982012-12-21T12:30:00.000-05:002014-10-27T09:53:48.728-04:00comfort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfWFtR6avNY/UNSb-85OQsI/AAAAAAAABDw/NUMJhjYkekQ/s1600/cookies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfWFtR6avNY/UNSb-85OQsI/AAAAAAAABDw/NUMJhjYkekQ/s640/cookies2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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What is more comforting than a chocolate chip cookie? </div>
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I know this is a design blog but hear me out. I'm kind of an expert in chocolate chip cookies. They are my go-to treat for parties, gifts, and general consumption. My life changed when I saw a <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2012/10/living-well-8-secrets-to-the-perfect-chocolate-chip-cookie/" target="_blank">design mom post on the nuance of the chocolate chip cookie</a>. Adding extra flour has made my usually flat (but extremely tasty) cookies into little works of perfection. I exaggerate but yesterday was cookie baking day (for teacher presents and santa, of course) and they turned out so beautifully. All thanks to a shift in the brown-white sugar ratio and a little extra flour. Perfection.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp4AsejkpJ0/UNSaaqp6c0I/AAAAAAAABCg/GVEBB7WRVqQ/s1600/cookies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp4AsejkpJ0/UNSaaqp6c0I/AAAAAAAABCg/GVEBB7WRVqQ/s640/cookies1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Also of note, my oven (in my new house which I love!) has a cancel button next to the timer button. More than once I pressed it to turn off the timer and, in fact, turned off the oven. Not that easy to bake cookies when the oven's off. Especially if you don't know it. Suffice it to say an emergency trip to get more butter and chocolate chips and extra hours into the night to work on batch #2 is what really made this endeavor a success. </div>
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Please remind me next year that gift cards are the way to go. Except for Santa. He needs chocolate-based fuel for the long night.<br />
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Happy Holidays everyone!
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<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-22366148937874214172012-11-02T11:00:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:53:40.600-04:00skeuomorphism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just read a <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2012/11/scott_forstall_fired_skeumorphism_the_design_concept_that_s_tearing_apple.html" target="_blank">great article</a> on <a href="http://www.slate.com/" target="_blank">Slate</a> about the debate at Apple over skeuomorphism (Steve Jobs was a big fan, so was Scott Forstall who was recently let go). </div>
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Who knew there was a word for this - skeuomorphic design is interface design that references elements in an older device that were necessary for that device to work. There are many Apple designed apps that use this technique. Some more successfully than others. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz7Jra8dE7Q/UJPd_jnny_I/AAAAAAAABBA/M5BZk8G24d8/s1600/calculator-comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz7Jra8dE7Q/UJPd_jnny_I/AAAAAAAABBA/M5BZk8G24d8/s1600/calculator-comparison.jpg" /></a></div>
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For example, I greatly prefer the calculator design by Apple (on the right is Microsoft's stripped-down version). Am I comforted by the illusion of 3D buttons? </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a36Ky3DfTW4/UJPeKc8zGtI/AAAAAAAABBI/aGau8fvGeKM/s1600/podcast-player.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a36Ky3DfTW4/UJPeKc8zGtI/AAAAAAAABBI/aGau8fvGeKM/s1600/podcast-player.jpg" /></a></div>
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The problem with replicating older objects in modern UI design is that things can quickly get hokey. I'm not a big fan of the tape-deck imagery on the podcast app. It seems outdated and unnecessary. </div>
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What I'm getting at is this... design is hard.</div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-81519849727195245562012-10-31T13:53:00.001-04:002014-10-27T09:54:22.966-04:00elegant pumpkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whYmGUtlcKo/UJFk6SObGcI/AAAAAAAABAE/e3CI_VjT1yc/s1600/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whYmGUtlcKo/UJFk6SObGcI/AAAAAAAABAE/e3CI_VjT1yc/s1600/pumpkin.jpg" /></a></div>
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Before I miss October all-together, I wanted to say Happy Halloween!<br />
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This image is (of course) from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/274720/carve-by-color-pumpkins/@center/276965/halloween" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a>. Like you even had to ask.<br />
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-85251963278208069312012-09-24T15:31:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:54:31.759-04:00flash cards<div style="align: left;">
For the design-nerd in your life. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wh8ExNGVzQ/UGCz9ZTbyFI/AAAAAAAAA-s/3LTJVKGxQCU/s1600/Flash-Cards-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wh8ExNGVzQ/UGCz9ZTbyFI/AAAAAAAAA-s/3LTJVKGxQCU/s1600/Flash-Cards-A.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5afsvppeeW8/UGCz9paUhqI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Vf5UIvy8ZZo/s1600/Flash-Cards-B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5afsvppeeW8/UGCz9paUhqI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Vf5UIvy8ZZo/s1600/Flash-Cards-B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cB0vdUcPQRI/UGCz-cqDBRI/AAAAAAAAA-8/A2JYHj5hs7Y/s1600/Flash-Cards-K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cB0vdUcPQRI/UGCz-cqDBRI/AAAAAAAAA-8/A2JYHj5hs7Y/s1600/Flash-Cards-K.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5LXfUv4QXc/UGCz-usmtJI/AAAAAAAAA_E/JbgzbATSACA/s1600/Flash-Cards-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5LXfUv4QXc/UGCz-usmtJI/AAAAAAAAA_E/JbgzbATSACA/s1600/Flash-Cards-L.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laHgmss8MZE/UGCz_BRHVdI/AAAAAAAAA_M/-B8bUg4js-c/s1600/Flash-Cards-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laHgmss8MZE/UGCz_BRHVdI/AAAAAAAAA_M/-B8bUg4js-c/s1600/Flash-Cards-O.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJOGpdvZjMM/UGCz_RjpfBI/AAAAAAAAA_U/mJAwrpD3x5M/s1600/Flash-Cards-R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJOGpdvZjMM/UGCz_RjpfBI/AAAAAAAAA_U/mJAwrpD3x5M/s1600/Flash-Cards-R.jpg" /></a></div>
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I saw these on <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2012/08/design-nerd-flash-cards/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a>. They were illustrated by <a href="http://www.behance.net/gallery/Design-Nerds-Flash-Cards/1416145" target="_blank">Emma Cook of Behance</a>. So fun!</div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-10823942764949164652012-09-14T08:06:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:54:49.507-04:00sweater weather<div style="align: left;">
So I may or may not be currently homeless. Remember those posts about <a href="http://blog.leafprintdesign.com/2012/06/good.html" target="_blank">good</a> and <a href="http://blog.leafprintdesign.com/2012/06/bad-and-ugly.html" target="_blank">bad</a> real estate photos? Well, we're still in the hunt. All this to say, I'm essentially living out of a suitcase and I can't find my sweatshirts. Also, it's September.
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What is a typography nerd to do when it gets cold and she's hoodie-less? Design her own on <a href="https://www.cafepress.com/" target="_blank">cafe press</a> of course!
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfFta6vx-ng/UFDit225lCI/AAAAAAAAA98/WjM8yqN71rg/s1600/custom_zip_hoodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfFta6vx-ng/UFDit225lCI/AAAAAAAAA98/WjM8yqN71rg/s400/custom_zip_hoodie.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-46197404615246016942012-09-12T15:24:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:55:04.147-04:00travels<div style="align: left;">
I know. It's been a month. What can I say? I'm busy. Like everyone else in the world. Happily, I was busy going on adventures! OK, one adventure. But still. Fun!
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My husband and I went away for 4 days alone together to San Francisco and to a wedding in Cloverdale. California is awesome! I have developed such a crush on San Francisco in particular. I adore the cool weather, the environmental activism, the gay-friendliness, and did I mention the weather? If you're cool and you need to escape the fog just go 5 minutes out of the city and boom. Sunny, warm, and dry. It's almost unfair.
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Anyway, here are some instagram photos from the trip. Enjoy!!
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spavyc1Ez6c/UFDge0FmzJI/AAAAAAAAA9U/Z1QQPerO9bo/s1600/instagram-CA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spavyc1Ez6c/UFDge0FmzJI/AAAAAAAAA9U/Z1QQPerO9bo/s400/instagram-CA1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eNCPFaFo2o/UFDgf-TfB1I/AAAAAAAAA9k/cqazUFnAoFI/s1600/instagram-CA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eNCPFaFo2o/UFDgf-TfB1I/AAAAAAAAA9k/cqazUFnAoFI/s400/instagram-CA3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQI0_-sJexE/UFDggYhmFGI/AAAAAAAAA9s/dUMBdW3S_hQ/s1600/instagram-CA4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQI0_-sJexE/UFDggYhmFGI/AAAAAAAAA9s/dUMBdW3S_hQ/s400/instagram-CA4.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijKe77HtVS4/UFDgg2beDoI/AAAAAAAAA90/qGUgtndYmhA/s1600/instagram-CA5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijKe77HtVS4/UFDgg2beDoI/AAAAAAAAA90/qGUgtndYmhA/s400/instagram-CA5.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-52615800963447629612012-08-13T14:10:00.001-04:002014-10-27T09:55:22.423-04:00photographic memory<div style="align: left;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqOq_PVPvn8/UClCjV34JAI/AAAAAAAAA8k/EJg-U3L46aI/s1600/Stephen-Wiltshire-NYC-drawing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqOq_PVPvn8/UClCjV34JAI/AAAAAAAAA8k/EJg-U3L46aI/s400/Stephen-Wiltshire-NYC-drawing1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALgORsWs-cM/UClCj0-HDFI/AAAAAAAAA8s/APev7k6XUsg/s1600/Stephen-Wiltshire-NYC-drawing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALgORsWs-cM/UClCj0-HDFI/AAAAAAAAA8s/APev7k6XUsg/s400/Stephen-Wiltshire-NYC-drawing2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esAiKuqANwo/UClCkR8xxVI/AAAAAAAAA80/QUkKOXZbGqs/s1600/Stephen-Wiltshire-NYC-drawing3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esAiKuqANwo/UClCkR8xxVI/AAAAAAAAA80/QUkKOXZbGqs/s400/Stephen-Wiltshire-NYC-drawing3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Prepare yourself to be amazed. This artist, Stephen Wiltshire, is autistic and can draw city skylines after taking one helicopter tour! Unbelievable, right?! These photos show him working on the New York City skyline.<br />
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I have seen this pop up on facebook recently but the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223790/Autistic-artist-draws-18ft-picture-New-York-skyline-memory.html" target="_blank">article I found</a> was from 2009. He has done this with Tokyo, Rome, and Hong Kong. I am seriously in awe!
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>
</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-28736959424706598522012-07-20T16:36:00.003-04:002014-10-27T09:55:29.645-04:00heaven<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bTIqEIXXHs/UAnAdhrrbEI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/0KLGZ8SCAhs/s1600/adirondacks-morning-fog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bTIqEIXXHs/UAnAdhrrbEI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/0KLGZ8SCAhs/s640/adirondacks-morning-fog.jpg" width="582" /></a>
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You guys, it's that time of year again. I am leaving tomorrow to spend a week in heaven. I am a truly lucky woman. <br />
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See you in August! </div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-40589011587123986302012-07-13T08:20:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:55:38.980-04:00knuffle bunny<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJBnlyrpQQM/T_sqAfccXqI/AAAAAAAAA7c/4TPATzPVaY0/s1600/knuffle-bunny-covers-mo-willems.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJBnlyrpQQM/T_sqAfccXqI/AAAAAAAAA7c/4TPATzPVaY0/s400/knuffle-bunny-covers-mo-willems.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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As a mother of two little ones, I spend a fair amount of time reading (and re-reading and re-reading) children's books. I admire many authors and illustrators and I have long planned a blog series on awesomely illustrated and designed children's books. Today it begins with<a href="http://www.mowillems.com/" target="_blank"> Mo Willems</a> and his 3-book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knuffle-Bunny-A-Cautionary-Tale/dp/1844280594" target="_blank">Knuffle Bunny</a> series. (For a funny and simultaneously academic look at<a href="http://dangersofchildrensbooks.com/" target="_blank"> the danger of reading children's books</a> be sure to check out my friend's hilarious, insightful, and intelligent <a href="http://dangersofchildrensbooks.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>.)
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The Knuffle Bunny books were a gift for my daughter from my brother and his wife. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knuffle-Bunny-A-Cautionary-Tale/dp/1844280594" target="_blank">first book</a> involves a pre-verbal Trixie losing her precious bunny at the laundromat - dramatics ensue. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knuffle-Bunny-Too-Mistaken-Identity/dp/1423102991/ref=pd_sim_b_2" target="_blank">second book</a> examines what happens when Trixie brings Knuffle Bunny to school and another girl has the exact same bunny - a crisis we can all relate to. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knuffle-Bunny-Free-Unexpected-Diversion/dp/0061929573/ref=pd_sim_b_2" target="_blank">series ends</a> with an overseas trip to visit grandparents in Holland. I won't give anything away but I may or may not have gotten choked up at the ending.
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These books are great. I truly don't mind reading them over and over and over and over again. Mostly because I'm totally absorbed in the illustrations while I read them. Mo Willems (author and illustrator) uses photography as a backdrop for his simple, colorful, and funny illustrations. I love the dynamic between the page background, the photographs, and the illustrated people. There is so much attention to detail - the photographs are manipulated to create a simple aesthetic for the background (no wires, no A/C units), shadows are added in under the illustrated characters, and the characters can walk right out of the frame of the photographs making them come to life.<br />
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Enjoy!
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uneE2SWTBUM/T_srBUsdKQI/AAAAAAAAA7k/sG5ZvTVlm9Y/s1600/knuffle-bunny-1-mo-willems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uneE2SWTBUM/T_srBUsdKQI/AAAAAAAAA7k/sG5ZvTVlm9Y/s400/knuffle-bunny-1-mo-willems.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsrJJDYZU1E/T_srB4Y5FRI/AAAAAAAAA7s/RquHkJ9cwUE/s1600/knuffle-bunny-2-mo-willems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsrJJDYZU1E/T_srB4Y5FRI/AAAAAAAAA7s/RquHkJ9cwUE/s400/knuffle-bunny-2-mo-willems.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FE7DvK5Y9HY/T_srCl6_xyI/AAAAAAAAA70/lPZhEp2ymP8/s1600/knuffle-bunny-3-mo-willems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FE7DvK5Y9HY/T_srCl6_xyI/AAAAAAAAA70/lPZhEp2ymP8/s400/knuffle-bunny-3-mo-willems.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-67990372002963590672012-07-09T11:57:00.000-04:002012-07-09T11:57:28.182-04:00yum<div style="align: left;">
I have a soft spot for beautiful food photography. I'm not sure I'll ever actually make <a href="http://www.loveandlemons.com/2012/07/06/strawberry-quinoa-feta-salad/" target="_blank">strawberry, quinoa, and feta salad</a> but wow does it look spectacular. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1MhP7qTrL4k/T_r840wYinI/AAAAAAAAA54/TpMI8yBcrEo/s1600/love-and-lemons-strawberry-quinoa-feta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1MhP7qTrL4k/T_r840wYinI/AAAAAAAAA54/TpMI8yBcrEo/s400/love-and-lemons-strawberry-quinoa-feta.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
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This photograph and recipe is from <a href="http://www.loveandlemons.com/" target="_blank">Love and Lemons</a>, which I recently discovered, and below are more photographs from their various recipes. I could have grabbed all of their images. Maybe because they're all so elegantly styled and delicious-looking? Also, it's almost time for lunch. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATrw7fbsPIs/T_r9kXf0OxI/AAAAAAAAA6I/1AW8rOeaSQ4/s1600/love-and-lemons_peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATrw7fbsPIs/T_r9kXf0OxI/AAAAAAAAA6I/1AW8rOeaSQ4/s400/love-and-lemons_peaches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67ZcYAUCjvU/T_r9jwOHBKI/AAAAAAAAA6A/DQ3MoldK2pE/s1600/love-and-lemons-cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67ZcYAUCjvU/T_r9jwOHBKI/AAAAAAAAA6A/DQ3MoldK2pE/s400/love-and-lemons-cabbage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdBGL0zQHRk/T_r9k2ZAR-I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/kWnrHzITn6o/s1600/love-and-lemons_roasted-carrots2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdBGL0zQHRk/T_r9k2ZAR-I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/kWnrHzITn6o/s400/love-and-lemons_roasted-carrots2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XA2CG4lh7gs/T_r9ldOX3II/AAAAAAAAA6Y/iFogiZvJg90/s1600/loveandlemons_chardtacos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XA2CG4lh7gs/T_r9ldOX3II/AAAAAAAAA6Y/iFogiZvJg90/s400/loveandlemons_chardtacos2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/about/about.html">contact me</a> for a consultation.</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-27205843392140955592012-06-13T16:48:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:55:55.391-04:00the good<div style="align: left;">
The art of photographing interior spaces to help sell a home is a very difficult one. Lighting is key. Composition is key. Color is key. Hiding most (but not all!) of your stuff is key.<br />
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I already highlighted <a href="http://blog.leafprintdesign.com/2012/06/bad-and-ugly.html" target="_blank">the bad and the ugly</a>. Please enjoy the good.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KV28Dm8AfU/T9j7GrftCWI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Yp6wogv4jDE/s1600/real-esate-212-trapelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KV28Dm8AfU/T9j7GrftCWI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Yp6wogv4jDE/s400/real-esate-212-trapelo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyHFSSkcxe0/T9j7G6N5VJI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/AxAiN6r2cW8/s1600/real-estate-29-hawthorne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyHFSSkcxe0/T9j7G6N5VJI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/AxAiN6r2cW8/s400/real-estate-29-hawthorne.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-roc6ioDKSUY/T9j7HTeCz4I/AAAAAAAAA5g/_i2nqBxkoxI/s1600/real-estate-30-newcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-roc6ioDKSUY/T9j7HTeCz4I/AAAAAAAAA5g/_i2nqBxkoxI/s400/real-estate-30-newcastle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QRGmNyoSvg/T9j7HoEOw3I/AAAAAAAAA5o/xdTZ1uG5qt8/s1600/real-estate-50-playstead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QRGmNyoSvg/T9j7HoEOw3I/AAAAAAAAA5o/xdTZ1uG5qt8/s400/real-estate-50-playstead.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Beautiful, right? I can't wait to find our future home. </div>
<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-36671201192456803912012-06-13T16:27:00.000-04:002014-10-27T09:56:03.936-04:00the bad and the ugly<div style="text-align: left;">
Right now I am fully immersed in the house-selling and house-buying process and when I think of things to blog about, all I can think about is how hard it is to nicely photograph a home for sale. I have seen it all - good, bad, and ugly. The photos we posted when our apartment was listed were somewhere in the middle - certainly not award-winning but hopefully not distractingly bad. Here are some that are, in fact, distractingly bad. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnK0nDNv8Z4/T9j0mTz2S2I/AAAAAAAAA4U/jSpVEKMSMIU/s1600/real-esate-10-colby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnK0nDNv8Z4/T9j0mTz2S2I/AAAAAAAAA4U/jSpVEKMSMIU/s400/real-esate-10-colby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Usually it's a problem of having too much stuff. Furniture can be hard to move for a photo but a miscellaneous empty fish tank and a plant? Also, please don't use flash. Find a way to use natural lighting.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORiLl4EgezI/T9j0mvjjDmI/AAAAAAAAA4c/kt2fPiwTerM/s1600/real-estate-24-wedgewood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORiLl4EgezI/T9j0mvjjDmI/AAAAAAAAA4c/kt2fPiwTerM/s400/real-estate-24-wedgewood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here we have a situation where the sellers were very good about removing a lot of their stuff. And they used natural lighting. However, all I see in this photo is the place where they stored all their junk piles so the pictures would look uncluttered. Oh wait.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBRJ10y5gFw/T9j1D2qVyLI/AAAAAAAAA4k/b4zkF7HoVj4/s1600/real-estate-159-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBRJ10y5gFw/T9j1D2qVyLI/AAAAAAAAA4k/b4zkF7HoVj4/s400/real-estate-159-white.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And, if at all possible, please don't zoom in to show close-ups. Do I need to see the ceiling here? No. If you could show the whole room I bet I would understand that there is natural light coming from skylights.<br />
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These are all from houses we looked at - online or in person. It's amazing what an effect photos can have on a buyer's perception of a home. Sometimes we found places that were so well staged and photographed that they were disappointing in person. I will follow up shortly with beautiful photographs so you can scrub these out of your mind.<br />
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<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7787499603480230779.post-36932270916209102762012-05-23T12:03:00.001-04:002014-10-27T09:56:13.262-04:00exploded flowers<div style="text-align: left;">
Please enjoy these incredible <a href="http://fqwimages.com/2011/08/exploded-flowers-3/" target="_blank">exploded flowers</a>, created by <a href="http://fqwimages.com/" target="_blank">Qi Wei</a>.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MU_Gy6dA_I/T70JvfO_n2I/AAAAAAAAA3k/ADL6HxT7NS4/s1600/qi-wei-exploding-flowers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MU_Gy6dA_I/T70JvfO_n2I/AAAAAAAAA3k/ADL6HxT7NS4/s400/qi-wei-exploding-flowers1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeJgSKSInd8/T70JwZIuFaI/AAAAAAAAA30/pl1sMOiVP5Y/s1600/qi-wei-exploding-flowers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeJgSKSInd8/T70JwZIuFaI/AAAAAAAAA30/pl1sMOiVP5Y/s400/qi-wei-exploding-flowers3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So beautiful!</div>
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<div style="color: #979fa6; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;">
<i>If you need a creative designer to improve your graphic identity, <a href="http://www.leafprintdesign.com/#!bio/c1xfq">contact me</a> for a consultation.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988326502568548215noreply@blogger.com0