print design: twenty-fourteen

2014 marks the fifth anniversary of my mini-calendars. When I started this project, I was searching for something that would combine photography and design together, as well as be part "client gift", part promotional material. And so, the mini-cal was born.

In it's history, the images within calendar are from the previous calendar year. Travel adventures, observations close to home, some "themed" with concepts close to my heart {i.e. 2013 "Equus"}, some captured on a whim, some the result of photographic intention. 

Before we dive into 2014's edition, a look back on the previous pieces:

Twenty-Ten {2010} - The very first mini-cal. Featured images from life itself, NC to CT, small moments or objects. 4.25 x 5.5, on 14pt recycled matte with soy-based inks. Packaged in a kraft folio.

Twenty-Eleven {2011} - The Alaska Edtion, featuring images from our cruise through the inner passage in SE Alaska aboard the MV Mist Cove with The Boat Company {yes, the sea lions really were *that* close}. 5 x 5, on 14pt recycled matte with soy-based inks. Packaged in a glassine envelope.

Twenty-Twelve {2012} - Images from around local farms, abandoned homes and other rustic travel adventures from '11 - featured in a vertical format. 4.25 x 9, on 14pt recycled matte with soy-based inks. Packaged in a kraft open-end coin envelope and sealed with washi tape.

Twenty-Thirteen {2013} - Oh Equus. How you are close to my heart. This edition features images from the previous year of my life in horses, all models shown I know and love. {And of course my own Lola makes several appearances} 4 x 6 horizontal, on 14pt recycled matte with soy-based inks. Packaged in a hand-stamped muslin bag with kraft pennant tag.

And so, when it came time for 2014, and I looked back on all of the life changes, memories and images the previous year has held, the choice was obvious. This year's fifth-anniversary edition would feature photographs from Rocky Creek, a place that has become so special to myself, my husband and our family and friends over the past 12 months. 

For some receiving this calendar, the images are familiar, as they graced our wedding RSVP cards not that long ago. For me, the images will keep my mind and heart motivated through 2014 as we work to share this property with others in need.

And on the inside cover, this quote:

"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass spraining up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive."
// Eleonora Duse

{Copies of 2014 still available - contact me if you would like one!}

the new year

Ah, the new year. When so many of us are compelled to create lists of resolutions, goals, and specific ways we are going to improve our lives this year. Get fit. Eat better. Write more letters. Make the bed every day. Spend less. Tangible things that can be easily added to a daily check-list, and checked off for self validation; even though we never seem to elaborate on *how* to get those things accomplished. We all know it can be challenging to stay motivated, and those specific items don't always get completed because it is easy to say, I'll just do that later. Before you know it, Christmas is here again, and we are having the same conversation.

Lately, I've become immersed in the blog, Just My Type. Its like an extra espresso shot in my morning coffee, infused with career, relationships, media, social issues. And rather than rot my brain with celeb gossip or consumerism, Amy's articles make me laugh and somehow always seem timely. She is honest, but not uncomfortably so; and she leaves you room to agree or disagree gracefully, without prejudice. 

Some of my favorites:
- How to Harness the Power of "No"
- 13 Things I Learned About Relationships
- What Do You Stand For?
- Power of Influence

Recently, she posted this entry here. Its worth reading, maybe even a few times. 

And so, in the spirit of the New Year, on the eve of 2014 {the year of the horse!}, I am going to do my best to follow Amy's example and make a contract with myself to just be a better human this year, both in my personal life and my professional one. 

In 2014, I aim to:
• Give more than I take;
• Spend less time worrying, more time creating;
• Honor my intuition;
• Make time to write and call my family and friends, more often;
• Do something each week to show appreciation for someone else;
• Carve out time everyday to feed a passion;
• Adjust my reaction when feeling impatient, angry or unsatisfied;
• Acknowledge what I am grateful for;
• Remember that the person in front of me is more important than my phone;
• Remember that empathy always wins, when feeling judgmental;
• Learn to "Harness the Power of 'No'";
• Give myself "me" time; and
• Dedicate time each month to learning something new.

And because my OCD won't allow me to create a list without having at least *one* measurable, cross-off-able item on that list:
• Learn how to fold a &*%$#-ing fitted sheet. {Anyone, aside from YouTube, want to teach me?}

To quote Amy and JMT one final time,

"…don’t be so hard on yourself. You will slip. There will be times where you’ll be lazy and lack the discipline to follow the points of this contract. Don’t self loathe when you do. Remember to be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to be soft, to not know all the answers, to be vulnerable, and most importantly, to be human…"

What is everyone else focusing on in this new year?