Week 2 Trend - Tribal

Tribal patterns have always inspired me and I am so happy to see that they have come back into popularity. They are so geometric yet something about them is so natural. I feel a new pattern working it's way around in my brain!

1. Barrington Blue from BlogLovin
2. Monique Pean Jewelry from Style
3. From Things Bright
4. By Haleyivers at Society6
5. From My Bungalow
6. Rug from Rugs USA
7. Sweater from HauteLook
8. iPhone case from Shoppe
9. Legging from Riches for Rags
10. Pillow from CB2

Trends 2014 - Triangles

I don't know about you, but I LOVE researching trends. Fashion, print, interior . . . you name it, I love to research it. So, I thought that maybe I should share some of my knowledge for others to be inspired.

For the next couple weeks, I will post once a week about a certain trend that I have seen pop up.

This week: TRIANGLES
I have always been a more organic shape / line person but I have to say that triangles are really growing on me. Everywhere I look I see them! From pillows to fashion to stationery items they are all over the place. Here are a couple pictures that inspired me.

1. Travel Card Holders by Muovo featured on Print and Pattern
2. Fabric Featured on Spoonflower
3. Tea Towel Calendar by Hangtightstudio88 on Etsy
4. Janey 23" x 11" pillow by CB2

Thank You Thursday

Photo Credit: Adrianne Adelle http://adrianneadelle.wordpress.com/

With email, twitter, facebook etc, the art of handwriting has been somewhat lost. Spelling, punctuation, grammar . . . it has all gone down the drain because of the invention of auto correct. Why know how to spell something when the computer will do it for you? I know I have found myself guilty of this very thing on many occasions.

By no means do I consider myself an expert on spelling or punctuation . . . but I do understand the importance. As a result I make a large effort to send handwritten notes to people I know and love. When I was working at Design Design, I was helping to develop a project called Thank You Thursday. The idea is simple, every Thursday pick up a pen and piece of paper and write someone a thank you note, put it in an envelop, stamp it and send it on it's way. There is always something to be thankful for. Why not make some one's day and tell them how much you appreciated what they did? Personally, I LOVE getting a colored envelope in my mailbox instead of another bill.

I challenge you to send one handwritten card to someone every Thursday for the month of February. Even if it isn't a thank you card, send one that says "I'm thinking about you." You will feel good doing it, but you will make someone else feel wonderful. It's true that it's the simple things that count.

Check out another project called The Card Crusade which encourages people to send notes.

Photo From: http://onthebarestage.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/its-not-happy-people-who-are-thankful/

Photo Credit: Adrianne Adelle http://adrianneadelle.wordpress.com/

It's all in the Family

This year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was so short that I didn't have time to design Christmas cards to send out. Between my new job and freelance work, I am happy I got any sleep!

I did get some time to design a card for our wonderful cousins. We have been very lucky the past twelve years to have lived so close to them and to have been a part of their children's lives. They have been so kind and supportive to us and have fed us many a yummy grilled dinner . . . especially during that college noodles in a box stage.

Anyway, the kids are growing faster than I can believe and it was so much fun to work with the photos to come up with this lovely card. The photography was done by Nicole Boscoe, who produces lovely photography to work with. I went with the chalkboard and handwritten trend for this one and am very happy with how it turned out. The card was printed full color front and back at 5"x7" through Overnight Prints.

More Snow

For those of you who don't know, I hail from the east side of Michigan, but moved to the west side for college. I loved it so much I decided to stick around the wonderful city of Grand Rapids. Part of my love for Michigan revolves around all the seasons that we have. Right now, we are right in the middle of winter and it has hit hard this year!

I love winter - the beautiful snow, the holiday season and skiing. Of course this doesn't include the horrible driving conditions . . . but you have to look at the glass half full right?!? Anyway, I was at work this afternoon and looked out the window to see some snow falling. It made me happy because it is so beautiful, but because my hubby is taking me skiing this weekend for the first time this season! All of these winter and snow thoughts reminded me of one of my favorite patterns I worked on last year. Enjoy!! And stay warm!!

Society6

Happy Monday to you all! I don't know about you, but it's always hard for me to get back into the work week. So I focus on happy things, no matter how small they may be.

Today I was excited to get back home and write on here about my new profile on Society6. This is a great website where artists can post their artwork and have it produced on various products. For example, you can buy phone cases, laptop skins, tote bags and shirts printed with wonderful unique artwork. This is a great way to support artists and their creative works.

I only have one design posted, but it sure was cool to see a mockup of my Geometric Gems pattern on an iPhone case!!!

http://society6.com/StruthersStudios

New Year

We are already half way through January of 2014 and it occurs to me that I haven't posted in FOREVER!!! My apologies.

With my new job, I find I have a new schedule as well. Working from 10:30am until 7pm has forced me to change my routine, therefore, the amount of design time has been limited. Learning a new job has left me exhausted in the evenings with no motivation to design. However, I have gotten some things done since my last post.

My cousin is getting married this year and I told her, as her wedding present, that I would design all of her print needs. First step . . . Save the Dates! I had so much fun with these because Rachel was very open to anything new and trendy. As an artist, it is nice to have some freedom in that sense. They turned out beautifully and I am about to start on her invitation set this week. So, I leave you now to go do some research online for these and hopefully have another post about them soon.