Week 12: It's a Wrap

It's the end of week 12.  Three whole months of blogging (minus a couple of weeks in the middle). With the changes in format, I have found the joy in my creativity without the stress of feeling like I bit off more than I could chew. In addition to getting through the week, I added 3 cards to the collection.  Are you inspired too?

Inspiration Photo

Random Thoughts and Ideations

Color Palette

Color Palette

Patterns - Circular

Circle Patterns

Patterns - Geometric

Geometric Patterns

Freebie Cards

Freebie Cards

Next week: Sketches, Doodles & Art

Week 12, Day 5: Freebie Card

It's back!!  It's freebie card day! And there are 3 different designs.

The first 2 are based on color scheme and patterns I have been creating this week.  The final card is a special request for my girl.  KK wanted me to change the colors around a bit....so you may want to get your sunglasses out!

Card 1 – Download Link

Card 2 – Download Link

KK's Card – Download Link

So which one do you like best?

Week 12, Day 4 More Patterns

So continuing with patterns, I went with a hexagon today in Illustrator.

I found a tutorial on how to make this cool retro/honeycomb pattern from Veerle's Blog.  So I created this shape and made it into a symbol, then I duplicated it.

After matching it up, I duplicated again and again, to fill my page

Now it is time to crop and fill the page with the background image/pattern.

Next, I found a cool tool in the symbol palette that allows you to change the colors around with the press of a button.  Here are some of the different variations.  

Isn't it interesting to see the difference a little color can make, and how the different colors react with each other?

Week 10, Day 7: It's a Wrap

Trauma after posting yesterday:
Yesterday after I posted the freebie card my computer quit working. It went black, wouldn't shut down, wouldn't restart, sounded like it would go on, but never made that beautiful sound a mac makes when it starts.  I was freaking out!  It put me in the depths of despair ...it's not a good feeling.

As a freelance graphic designer, blogger, photo-editor, website builder (trying), email-aholic, fb-aholic and tweeter I felt as if a part of me died.  How was I going to recover?  What if I had to buy a new computer...could I even afford it? What about the projects I'm working on, can I recover them from the Time Capsule? 

It might sound dramatic, but it's my bread and butter and if it doesn't work, I'm in trouble!

After several futile attempts to restart it, I went on my son's computer and booked an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for late this afternoon. I also did some searching for troubleshooting...I got some info, but got frustrated with the slowness of his computer and gave up and went to bed.

Today after I got home from being out and about, it started back up....never did that startup chime sound so wonderful!!!  Now I did the research to troubleshoot the problem.  Evidently I had to reset my System Management Controller...a very simple process, and now it is working fine.  R E L I E F!

So, now for the Week 10 review:
Every week I marvel at how far I've come from the beginning. Committing to this blog and finding regular time for myself has made a big difference in many ways.  D says I am different.  I guess what I am trying to relate to you is that everyone needs to take some alone time for themselves. It doesn't matter if you are reading, meditating, creating, enjoying nature, exercising, just do something for yourself!

Day 1: Inspiration - Dogwoods in Bloom

Day 2: More Photos and Sketches

Day 3: Going Graphic

Day 4: Adding Color and Patterns













Day 5: (ah haaaa, the missing day!)

Day 6: Freebie Card




















Until tomorrow.....

Week 3, Day 2: It's a Little Sketchy!

This week is about patterns.  I'm not so great at sketching patterns, but I did manage a few images.  Mostly I played with my kneaded eraser. Join me tomorrow -- I'm going over to Kathy's to play and make patterns with Polymer Clay.

My few sketches.
I find playing with patterns easier in Illustrator...
Maybe that's something I need to work on?

Testing out my new pencils...
from soft (darker) to very hard (light)

A big lump of kneaded eraser

All stretched apart.  It's similar to silly putty,
but not as elastic.

Balls in descending size

A die