Finding My Style

For the past five days I have been battling a nasty head cold which has left me flat on my back with Kleenex up my nose. So, not only do I have cabin fever from this nasty weather but I sat and did nothing for four days straight! I am not a person who does "nothing" well and the idea of not being productive has been driving me crazy. I suppose if catching up on TV shows and movies is productive, then bully for me.

Anyway, in my DayQuil stupor, I have worked out some ideas on developing "my style." I find myself looking at other artist's work and loving it so much that I think, "Why didn't I come up with that?" I have had this mental block that has prevented me from mixing my graphic design with my true passion - painting. Stay tuned for a series of pieces that will do just that and push me to go outside my box.

To start, I am taking a sketch I did and working it digitally and then adding some watercolor to it. Ok, deep breath . . . here we go!

Week 5 Trend - Honeycomb

I was happy to see the honeycomb come out as a trend this year. Take a look at some fun inspiration that might trigger an idea for you!

1. Wall stencil from OMGstencils
2. Photo featured on Fox on the Run web page
3. DIY honeycomb wall treatment from Vintage Revivals
4. Honeycomb necklace from RachelPfefferDesigns

Week 4 Trend - Radiant Orchid

Most people know that Pantone has released the color of the year, Radiant Orchid. Personally, I was very excited to see this color because of my love for purples. Enjoy this organic color as it pops up in fashion as well as interior design. Hopefully all this snow will melt soon and we will see Radiant Orchid in all the beautiful spring flowers . . . hey, I can wish right?

1. Plant Pots from IKEA
2. Editable Chocolate Buttons from TheFrostedPetticoat
3. Photography from Glamourous Chic Life
4. Photography from Stylesight
5. Photography from ThreeColors
6. Photography from Pantone

Society6 Special Offer

There is a special going on right now at my Society6 page! Get free shipping with your purchase of a product from the Struthers Studios shop. Offer ends tonight at midnight Pacific time (2/9/2014). Spoil yourself with a new iPhone case or wall clock for your home. It's easy! Click on this link to get your special offer Struthers Studios
Offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with insert.

Glitter Stripes iPhone Case

Dahlia 3 Tote Bag

Dahlia 1 Wall Clock

Week 3 Trend - Pineapples

Every year you see a specific icon pop up as "trendy" and this year I am seeing a lot of Pineapples! Whether it be a pillow, lamp, vase or wall hanging this sweet treat will bring a fun tropical element to your house.

1. Wall hanging from The March Collective
2. Original Print from Wall Studio
3. Brass Pineapple Buckets from The Enchanted Fig Tree
4. Original Print from Laura Blythman
5. Photo from Life InStyle; Product from Ourlieu

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!!