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-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-bas…

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 …

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 …

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. 

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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!}

suite-hearts: me + him {the final to-do}

The crickets that you hear are because life interfered in blogging. In a good way. My last post was October 6, five days before Bryan and I celebrated our wedding. And the last two months have been filled with travel and getting back on track. Sprinkled with a few holidays and a not-so-sweet case of the flu to shake things up. Awesome.

Back in late summer, I posted the "Suite-Hearts" designs for our own Save the Date and Main Invitation. Check them out, if you havn't already.

Each year, I have the unique opportunity to create bridal stationery suites for couples looking for the ultimate in customized solutions for their wedding - and it is truly one of my favorite projects. Super creative, very personal, and always tangible. And while the paper itself might have a short shelf-life, the reason behind the project and the memories created, do not. For a designer who is often doing more business-focused work, it can be a welcome distraction to color outside the lines. 

The final piece to my own bridal suite was in the "day-of" implementation. Most times, a suite-hearts package extends beyond just the invitation -- in our case, to menus, programs, golf cart signs, marriage certificate, custom honey labels {favors}, lantern tags and fro-yo spoons. And just in case I wasn't DIY-crazy enough, I handmade the boutonnieres {with coordinated pennant tags}, all table florals, bouquets, and clay name tags {on dinner napkins}. 

First up, the design proofs.

Friday Dinner Menu and Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu and Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Golf Cart Sign and Marriage License - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Golf Cart Sign and Marriage License - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, outside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, outside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, inside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, inside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13


 And photography by the always-amazing, insanely-talented, The Schultzes

Save the Dates - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Save the Dates - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Invitation Suite and DIY Bouts - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Invitation Suite and DIY Bouts - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu, Place Setting and Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu, Place Setting and Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Fro-yo Spoons, modeled by Maid-of-Honor / Sister of the Bride / Designer Extraordinaire, Bryce

Custom Fro-yo Spoons, modeled by Maid-of-Honor / Sister of the Bride / Designer Extraordinaire, Bryce

Lantern Tags - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Lantern Tags - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13