color speaks

I think a little color will lighten my mood. How about you? What ways are you using color lately?

large stencil letter

Happy Monday once again! Here's a project I created a while back for an event.

This is a large stencil letter made from standard foamboard that measures 20"x30".
For a dramatic focal point in any room or display, this does the job well. 

And edge the letter with neon washi tape for extra interest.

If interesed in how this was made, continuing reading the next paragraph.

To create the letter, I did freehand draw the letter on the foamboard. The secret however, was to create a digital file with the same measurements to use as a guide for measuring cut lines. To be more specific, I created an Illustrator file of the same dimensions (20"x30") then used a standard sans serif font blown up to the size I liked. From there I could measure how many inches each horizontal line was from the top and also how many inches each vertical line was from the side. Using a straight edge ruler, it was easy to draw each of the line dimensions on the foamboard. The curves were a little tricky using just freehand. Also, a large cutting matt was a lifesaver when I was ready for cutting out shapes with an xacto knife.

Sorry to be MIA last week. I think I'm still in a winter slump (as I mentioned some at the beginning of January). Both my husband and I are slow with work, so I spent most of last week working on potential income streams (new Etsy products, selling stuff on Ebay, etc). We are at a standstill waiting on job/future opportunities, so it's been a struggle for us. Hoping (paid) work projects pick up and future direction come soon! Anyone been there? Where you feel your hands are tied while waiting? Any tips? Ugh, no fun.

Here's to expecting a breakthrough this week!

valentine feather tag {download}

I've got a little download to share with you today. Was itching to play with a little watercolor and figured a feather tag would do the trick.

Feel free to download these feather templates and create amazing Valentine's projects with them! Perhaps a "birds of a feather" gift...or maybe "you tickle my fancy" love note? Any other ideas on what to use them for???

office details

I cleaned my office.

You don't realize how intense this was. It was like Mary Poppin's bag, where all magical crafting things come from...except also a disaster of piles upon piles. There was no floor to be seen in any of its' 10 sq ft.

Above would be all my fabric scraps. Organized. By color.

Heart is bursting with pride. Like that feeling when the house is clean, the laundry done, and fridge stocked. As if your life is almost put together. With a bonus of bunting hung on the ceiling.

Small life victories for the win!

PS. Super fun desktop wallpaper from Oh, Hello Friend. Find it here.

something wonderful

This quote jumped out at me today. Maybe because I've living in anticipation lately? Or maybe work has been slow and I've been thinking too much (and organizing!). Either way, expecting good things for your future is a must.

neon valentine

Time for a great start to another week! We are heading into the season of love, so I've been working on a little project.

It's a fun collection of love notes for my shop! And I've made an option for customizing the poems/quotes and adding names/initials to the back page. Wouldn't they be so sweet scattered through out the house? Or tucked in places like a lunchbox...

I think I'm most obsessed with the mini binder clips I used on our Christmas cards. Too cute! And printing on chipboard—my latest design craze. But I also like the neon colors instead of the traditional Valentine reds/pinks. (So actually there is a lot I like about these). What do you like most? Any sweet Valentine ideas you've been tossing around for this year?

mason jar {polka dot} candle

This is a subtle and chic candle I made for Christmas gifts last December. Of course I created enough to have a leftover for myself (yay handmade gifts!). The idea started with this pin. I didn't like the idea of items IN the oil because they deteriorate, so I wanted to dress up the jar a bit. With dots.

To Make: Directions for glass etching polka dots can be found at How About Orange. Wicks can be purchased from Amazon, along with paraffin oil. I also added essential oil for scent, but I'm not sure the candle will actually give out odor. The candle may be just for looks and ambience (good enough for me!).

learn something

A reminder that each day holds a lesson for us to learn. Sometimes lovely. Sometimes unpleasant. Hopefully surprising.

changing lives ::: print piece

Happy Monday! Today catalogs a recent print piece that I designed for a client.

In this digital world, physical print designs are few and far between (for me anyway). I love the story & transition that you get from holding something in your hands. This piece was developed by a media team of four including myself. And I'm probably most impressed with the ability to layer concepts/ideas through the transistions in this piece (which—it's often difficult to know if the viewer ever makes the connections).

So there you have a snippet of my graphic design work. Here's to having a great week, friends!

Photographs by me (Amanda O'Rourke) // Design copyright The Journey

texas cotton in a mason jar

I was given a few unique gifts this year, and one of my favorites was so simple (yet sooo pretty!). I do love cotton and mason jars (with the potential to love TX), so I might have been an easy target. But to capture a memory or a location memento—brilliant!

With a little packaging to dress it up, you have yourself an easy, thoughtful gift.