Hang On!

We're baaaack!   In Bloomington, that is.  After 3 years in Florida, we decided to head back to the Midwest.  I know, I know.  Why would anyone leave the sunny weather and lakeside living?  I get asked this question a lot; our answer isn't that clean cut as "for a job" or "to raise a family".

The truth is, we missed the people.  We missed our families.  We missed that Midwestern hospitality that everyone hears about (and until you leave, you don't realize how unique and special it is!).  We enjoyed playing on the lake day in and day out, but it just didn't seem like our "forever home".  With lots of prayer from family and friends, we decided to come home.

Since we've moved back, Dylan has started working at his family's business, Wick's Pies, a 70 year old company that makes more than 1900 pies an hour.  More on that, later!  I've continued to work with my clients remotely in Florida (YAY!), and we've been able to settle in to Bloomington with our one year old cavapoo, Penny.

I guess what I'm telling you is God is good.  But seriously, His plan for us to be in Indiana was SO much better than we thought!  We've been able to spend time with our families, attend weddings, graduations, and bbq's that we would have missed if were in in Florida.  We've enjoyed watching the seasons change.  We were able to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.

Speaking of new friends... I recently met my friend Allison on a couples retreat in Hawaii (nothing like the movie, I promise).  She is an amazing macrame artist, as well as a super sweet, god-centered woman with a passion for simple, local living.  I had the opportunity to work with Allison on updating her logo and branding, and I was inspired by her simple-living concept.  Working by hand, Allison creates every piece to-order – no two pieces are alike.  This is the true essence of hand-crafted, after all!

I also have a custom-made macrame headboard thanks to her!  We absolutely LOVE it!  It is something we will treasure for years to come, and we can't thank Allison enough!

To shop more of Allison's handmade wall hangings, visit her online at TheWov.etsy.com

Work Lately...

With all the work that has been coming down the pipeline, I haven't had a chance to sit down and write a proper blog about all the fancy peppermint bark I'd like to taste and all the DIY gifts I'd like to try…if I had time.  That said, I am feeling pretty blessed to be able to work from home and do what I love!  

Above is a tiny snapshot of some day-to-day projects that I've had a chance to tinker with.   Lots of print and web work, creative directing on the LP spring 2014 shoot & catalog, Fall 2013 catalog, Clever Training office posters & flyers, and quick insurance ad that came through today!

On another note…I am going to be an AUNTIE!  My sister is due at the beginning of March, and I am absolutely thrilled for her.  We are having a little baby shower after Christmas.  Below is the invite ;)  

Happy Friday!

Typographic Poster

I recently had the opportunity to help my sister out with a gift for her husband: creating a typographic poster based on one of his favorite quotes (by Matt Batterson).

Light Bulb!  Find your loved one's favorite saying or quote, create a similar typographic print, frame it, and gift it!  Need help designing a poster for your friends and/or family?  Contact me:

mitzidickdesign[at]gmail[dot]com

xoxo,

Mitz

Crafty Anniversary

Dylan and I had our 1 year anniversary this year, woohoo!  Over the past year, however, I have been (very) bad about getting any pictures printed from our wedding or honeymoon.  Enter: Pinterest.  I keep seeing these posts about getting "architectural prints" made at Staples for around $3, SO, I went for it!

I popped a picture into photoshop to get the right shape and to make it black and white (the architectural prints only come in black & white for cheap...not color!).  A few days later, I grabbed a frame to put the print in (24x36), and voila–a trendy piece of art to commemorate our anniversary.

If you want more specific instructions on setting up your picture for architectural prints, there are plenty of step-by-step instructions available through Pinterest

*the picture was taken in Tamarindo, Costa Rica on our honeymoon–we were hiking over a bunch of lava rock (low tide) to a different surf spot about a mile away. 


xoxo,

Mitz

Ice Cream

I stumbled onto these words of wisdom at Design Crush and completely lost it!  It's so true, ice cream will fix many problems in life...especially if it is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ;)

Happy Weekend!

(via myself!)

New Card Design

 

Another new card is now available at the Fancy Schmantzy Etsy shop!!!   Next up: Thank You card templates!  Stay tuned ;)

-Mitzi

New Card Design

Hello, all!  New business card design hit the Etsy shop today!  This is a single sided business card that would be fabulous printed on a heavy white linen paper stock (my recommendation, anyways!).

In other news, I started designing concert posters for Gasparilla Music Festival here in Tampa and am super excited to see Ra Ra Riot at the show along with 19 other bands!  Now all I need to do is figure out what I'm going to wear...

Also, I must admit–I broke down and got a Pinterest account.  I know, I know, I have been anti-Pinterest for quite some time, but with all my work starting to compile I needed a place where I could collect my other ideas/projects/diy's.  Don't worry, though, I won't go pinning the whole world wide web on my boards...it will be well curated with things I truly enjoy and am inspired by.  Follow me here!

 

 They are...

(via myself)

Herringbone cards

My friend, Amanda, just opened my eyes to Uncovet, a suuuuper trendy by-invite-only shopping retailer with deals you wouldn't believe!  These cards simply made my heart melt...

Leashes & Love

Hello, all!  I just finished up a dog walking and pet sitting services business card design.  Stay tuned for the rest of the design suite (tee's, website header, etc!)

(via me)

A Sweet New Year

Happy 2012!  Sorry it has been such a long time since my last posting; between (ugh) holiday retail hours at work, late nights with friends, and attempting to decorate my plain-white box of a home, I am finally back to kick off the new year! 

Now, if you are anything like me, exactly 9 days ago you probably picked a new years resolution like working out more, eating healthier, staying more organized, yada yada yada only to let yourself down after, oh no, day 3?  NEWSFLASH:  IT'S OK!  Each day can be considered a "new year", so let's get on with it and start enjoying 2012 by nibbling on some Dude, Sweet Chocolate.  I absolutely adore this surfer-dude vibe for a chocolate company, very unexpected and a little masculine.  I also love the fact that the packaging is hand-stamped with the company's name (see the last picture)!  All in all, kudos to Tractorbeam for the lovely branding, and may you have a sweet, sweet new year.


(via invigor8)

D*S Book Signing

Hooray for Design*Sponge book signing celebration!!!!!!!  Anthropologie on State St. hosted a lovely party with cupcakes (stood there looking at them trying to choose between red velvet or peanut butter chocolate far longer than I should have), homemade cookies via the store manager's mother (I had 2), and apple spritzers to boot! I even brushed elbows with Grace in line as she snagged some cookies before running to the signing table!

My mother and I got there a few minutes early to beat the lines and breezed right up to the signing table where Grace Bonney was wearing an adorable black and cream striped sweater dress with a pair of black, flat ankle boots (fancy, but casual).  I must admit, I was a little starstruck by her whole...aura haha but was excited to get my book signed and take a picture with her.  It is so odd to finally meet her after reading Design*Sponge for so long!  Looking forward to more d*s books to come!

 

Oh, and we stopped at Corner Bakery for a quick bite between shopping and the signing...LOVED the typographic cups and the pretty lights in front of the Palmer Hotel!

Need It!

While scouting around to find shirts for our groomsmen, I came across Need Supply Co., an amazing denim shop that has a fall collection of accessories to die for!  Think geek chic mixed with tribal jewelry and hand tooled leather.  For me, it was love at first sight when I spotted the RGB nailpolish (any designers get a kick out of that other than me?!), and most of the products come in multiple price points...if you catch my drift.

Like I was saying, I needed shirts for our guys and ended up spending an exuberant amount of time looking at the men's bags (they always seem to be designed for more wear and tear than lady-bags).

See for yourself at Need Supply Co.

Want

I don't care what anyone thinks, neon is STILL in.  Just look at these DIY felt floor pillows from the Purl Bee!  Sooo boho-chic, and the hand-sewn detail keeps these from feeling too serious.  Also, I love how large these are; perfect for lounging around on.

(via the Purl Bee)

Designer du Jour

Russian graphic designer and illustrator Iv Orlov is a wildly popular magazine illustrator; his work has been featured in Mens Health, Glamour, InFlight Review, CFO Magazine, and many more.  

I stumbled onto his work in the wee hours this morning and had to share it with you! I absolutely love these illustrations. They look like they were inspired by the Brady Bunch and the Pink Panther with a tad of swedish modern design and a hint of California glam thrown in.  I know these prints make me want to toss on a pair of platforms, a billowy top, and some insanely huge sunglasses, then crank up the Earth, Wind, & Fire!  (yes, EW&F...they still rock my world)  Anyways, Iv Orlov's work truly exemplifies simplicity of form, and for that, I adore him.

Leaving

Poster from graphic designer Hanna Arsnes

Don't Forget Yet

(via me)

Night Owl

You can never have too many cards, sketchbooks, and other paper goods!

(via nightowl)