Gingerbread Cocoa Christmas Card!

Hey everyone!! Just wanted to update the blog with another Holiday design / illustration project I completed this month!! Just like any other family my family sends out Christmas cards! But why would they just run down to Wal-Mart and buy some when they were blessed with such a wonderful, talented and artistic
daughter??

I pitched them some thumbnails just like I would any other client and they decided on a cup of hot cocoa with a candy cane stirrer jammed in the top of a mound of whipped cream. They decided on a green mug over clear glass or other colors and I added a little gingerbread guy to the front. Here is the final design:

Cute right??? I created the background lattice with some fancy Illustrator brushes over a gradient background. The design was then all pulled together in Photoshop and sent to a printer. We also added a graphic to the inside as well: 

They were printed as 5"x7" cards with a glossy finish on the front. They just arrived today and everyone is overjoyed with how they came out!! Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Inspiration Post: Retro Holiday Cards!

Hey everyone!! Well, it is time for my FIRST Holiday related post of 2012. If you celebrate Christmas or love gift giving, decorating, baking, etc I want to get you into the Holiday spirit!! And what better a time for artists to get some exposure then sending around their own custom cards for the Holidays!! So that's why this month's inspiration post is all about "Retro Holiday Cards!!"

 

Who doesn't love getting a card in the mail?? I have always love commercial art since I was a young child. Christmas cards like these are the kind that I grew up being mesmerized and inspired by. In fact when I was little I loved picking out what cards to give to people in our family but hated seeing them go in the post; I wanted to keep them all!! Keep scrolling for some of my favorite Holiday imagery on cards of yesterday!

"A Pair of Warm Wishes" Greeting Card sold by poshtottydesignz on Etsy

Cats love getting into decorations and these two kittens are just too cute!! Their giant heads and teeny tiny eyes and noses are just darling. If I tried to stick my own cat into a stocking and photograph him I'm sure the result wouldn't come out nearly as pleasant. But that's the beauty of this illustration, it is the perfect picture of curious kittens ready for the holidays!! Although I am unsure of the original artist's name it is dated 1950 according to it's Esty listing.

I stumbled across this card on Pinterest looking for inspiration for the Holiday Helper magazine cover. It immediately became one of my favorites with it's sweeping style of illustration. The bright pink sparkling figure skating dress is so glamorous!! And you got to love the scared little bunny sliding across the ice. The added glitter as an embellishment really makes it shimmer and shine!! I especially like the fact that it's more of a winter wonderland with no glaring reference to CHRISTMAS. If I received this card from my mother I would treasure it for ages!! No idea who the original artist is though :(

Strawberry Shortcake Holiday Card sold by PinkCarnivale on Etsy

This card is from 1983 and if you are an 80s kid then you should recognize that pint sized little ginger girl on the front; it's Strawberry Shortcake!! Not only am a fan of this card because I grew up with Strawberry Shortcake but because it involves baked goods!! Looks like Strawberry and Custard, her pet cat have stopped on their stroll to eye up some cakes, cookies and cupcakes through the shop's window!! The attention to detail on this illustration is impeccable!! Even the border is filled with Holiday sweets like candy canes and gingerbread!! 

 

Vintage Christmas Card photographed by Neato Coolville on Flickr

This cute little snowman is in touch with his feminine side sporting a striped pink scarf as he lets his little birdy friend perch on his top hat! What I like most about this card is it's simplicity; the simple stylized pupils, the little tree with simple ornament balls and the small sprinkling of snow surrounding the outside of his portrait.It shows you do not have to go all crazy with details to execute a card design.

Rainbow Brite Holiday Card by PinkCarnivale on Etsy

And the best for last!! Since I featured Strawberry Shortcake, I can't forget my absolute FAVORITE 80s girl, Rainbow Brite on her Holiday card!! These cards were printed as one single sheet and can be split apart by tearing along the perforated edge. I always wanted to be Rainbow Brite when I was little, riding around on Rainbow Horse spreading cheer and color to everyone with magical star sprinkles!! Here Rainbow Brite and her friends are getting ready for the Holidays, wrapping gifts, trimming the tree and just throwing and candy around for no reason.

That's all for this month everyone!! I hope these images inspired you to get a jump-start on the holidays. If you have never tried making your own cards before, why not give it a shot?? They don't have to be perfect remember this Holiday season, it is the THOUGHT that counts!! Hope everyone has a super weekend and stay tuned for next month's inspiration post!

Inspiration Post: PIZZA PIZZA!

Happy Halloween everyone!! Just because it's a Holiday doesn't mean I'm not going to post October's edition of "What Inspires Laura." The time I take out each month to compile a list of group of things that inspire me in hopes to inspire YOU as well! This month's theme is "PIZZA PIZZA."

Mmmmm! Pizza!! The tasty treat that in the states is literally just a phone call away from arriving at your door piping hot and covered in whatever toppings you fancy! Pizza was always a treat at my household and it still remains my brother's favorite food. Try not to get hungry as you scroll down!!

Hello Kitty Mini Pizzas - LoveBones Flickr

Let's start things out with an actual photograph of some pizza; Hello Kitty pizza that is!! I love Hello Kitty so why not? I bet these took a long time to make. And any little girl (or even big girl) would light up if they found these in her lunchbox for lunch! The pepperoni bows are just too cute! I found this photo on Flickr by user LoveBones!

Twinkie Chan - Pepperoni Pizza Scarf on Etsy

Time to move onto something less edible. A pizza-themed scarf?? Yes, by TwinkieChan and if her name (or photo) doesn't seem familliar to you, I highly suggest you check out her Etsy store or her website. She creates all sorts of crazy crochet creations and is solely responsible for this yummy looking scarf for boys or girls! Not only would I totally rock this scarf it's so creative and unconventional it makes my imagination do backflips!

Toys N Bricks - LEGO Pizza Promo Set NYCC 2012

From pizza scarves to building blocks!! I was never good at playing with LEGOs it was more something appealed to my brother's creativity but I am really digging this promo pizza set for New York Comic Con this year!! Bravo to the people at LEGO for thinking up this blocky little slice in it's own matching authentic pizza carry out box!! For more photos and details of this set be sure to check out the Toys N Brick's blog!!

Tiny Pepperoni Pizza Ring - CatrinasToybox on Etsy

Pizza is round so where's a perfect place for it to wind up at? On a ring of course! I have to hand it to Catrina'sToybox on making this very realistic looking ring. It makes me want to go out, buy some polymer clay and get to work on making my own itty bitty pieces of food! You can only buy this ring on Etsy so be sure to check out her shop with lots of other Polymer Clay listings!

Birthday Party Invitations - DwellStudio on TinyPrints

And last but not least a print piece, something more up my alley. I always adore simple designs. This invitation features a simplistic full color pizza with a slice cut out and ready to eat. All your party info is on the right in white text on a bright green background. It definitely inspires me to create my OWN pizza party invites! You can snag these invites from TinyPrints by clicking this link: http://www.tinyprints.com/product/8056/birthday_party_invitations_pizza_slice.html

And that is all I have for this month!! Hope you didn't drool too much over these different approaches of the always appetizing PIZZA! I've showed you pizza on a ring, on a scarf and even made of building blocks! Where will you we see pizza next?? That's up to you!! Hope everyone has a GREAT week and stay tuned for next month's inspiration post!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Thank You!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! Just wanted to share another food-related print project I did. Back when I was working at a newspaper creating ads one of the advertisers needed an a late ad in as soon as possible!! She promised to bake us cookies if we could put the ad in.

(dramatic re-enactment of the heavenly cookies - photo via penniesonaplatter.com) 

Most people make that promise but then not follow through on it (pro-tip office workers LOVEEE junkfood). But she actually did. And she baked the softest, yummiest, chocolate chips cookies I have ever tasted in my LIFE! Mine never turn out gooey and puffy they always turn out thin and flat!!

The cookies deserved a special thanks so I created a thank you card featuring a cute little cookie just for her!! The back was personalized with a message of appreciation for the treat. I am definitely considering using them as my standard "Thank You," card I enclose with any printed works for the post. Now go bake me some cookies!!

Breakfast Valentine's Cards!

Hey everyone!! Tomorrow is Valentine's day and that means today is a great day to unveil some newly made FREE Valentine's cards, just for you!! This is the second time that I have done something like this. Last year's Valentine's cards were Lady Gaga themed and to-date have over 360 page views, my 9TH most popular post of all time, woohoo!!

Well this year I decided to create cards of one of my OTHER favorite things; food!

More specifically breakfast food!

There's waffles, eggs, toast, oatmeal, OJ all your favorite breakfast item accompanied with sweet little Valentine's day themed sayings! Feel free to print these and hand them out to friends, family, classmates and maybe even your secret crush on that special day, February the 14th!!

There are seven total per sheet, download the PDF and start printing by clicking on this link:
http://violet-ink.com/Printables/BreakfastValentines.pdf

Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!

Sweet Holiday Cards for Sale!!

Hey everyone!! I listed a new item in my Etsy shop. Last year I made some Christmas cards to sell at a craftshow. Unfortunately the night before the craft show I got into a bad car accident and was not able to make it :( 1 year later, I still have 2 packs of the Christmas cards left.

I missed the art show once more thanks to my hectic Holiday schedule, working black friday, thanksgiving, saturday, sunday, nearly everyday!!! So I decided to add them to my Etsy shop instead :D

To order a set be sure to check out the listing at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63025234/sweet-holiday-cards

I also decided to discontinue a couple of other items in my shop because they were not selling well :( and it was costing to much to relist them. Christmas is approaching fast, it's almost December already!!

To see my entire selection of handmade goods, be sure to go to the shop front at: http://violetink.etsy.com

For the rest of the day today I'll be making some gift tags for the presents I wrapped.

Christmas Fairy Card Set

Art Fest Update Uno

Just got my card's from the printer today. They didn't print my logo on the back which makes me sad, but everything else is in order.

Oh and last night started working with some of my new ribbons I bought.

Skulls and crossbones :D

Twelve should do for now...

My Last Week

Hey doodleblog. Blah blah blah excuses work etc. Well I have been working on my Christmas cards. I literally did no artwork last week since I was covering a lot of shifts at work, including working 10-4 and then coming back to work 7-close...grrr...

Me and a friend sat down last nite trying to figure out the best way to turn out a profit, since I just orderedt hose from the printer, and I'm probably going to sell them in packs of six, for about 12 dollars.

My little Christmas fairies I haven't been working on due to issues transferring files back and forth the various computers that I own :\

Work on my website has halted...for now. I made a few changes in organizing my portfolio with some new nifty buttons. Here's a screen cap but for the full effect be sure to visit my site at www.violet-ink.com :D

Oh and used my two days off to have a Halloween Party with my friends...I was Robin!

So hope everyone had a good Halloween.

First Look at Christmas Cards

Like I previous mentioned in my other entry, I am going to be selling at the Arts Festival again this year. I have decided two make 2 Christmas sets. Each set will contain a set of three uniquely designed christmas cards, and a set of Christmas stickers. My two sets are going to be Christmas Fairies and Christmas Goodies.

I have three designs for the Christmas Fairy cards so far.
Here are a first look at two:

Also ordered 250 business cards online and waiting for them to ship :3 I have my own little website @ http://www.violet-ink.com, Violet Ink Design, being my freelance identity. Incase you didn't know, which it would be hard not to notice, I am a freelance Graphic Design desperately searching for a job.