May 2013 Pantone Calendar: Palettes and Patterns (free)

In celebration of Pantone's 2013 Color Of The Year, I'm designing a free monthly downloadable calendar that showcases the lively and radiant Emerald Green.

April showers bring... Well we all know the saying and it never seems to fail us. It is this month that spring starts to fully awaken and become vibrant all around. Flowers are well on their way to becoming their best selves and gardens are beginning to come to life. There's really nothing like it. It could be chilly, rainy or grey but if I pass a fully blossomed pink cherry tree on a walk or a porch filled with colorful hanging baskets it just makes everything in my head stop and puts a big smile in my mind. Flowers are my eye candy, a love I have developed from my mom and grandma, and I really can never get enough. So in honor of all the newly blossomed flowers all around I am dedicating this months Pantone Calendar to pure sugary sweet eye candy.

Each 4x6 calendar card features a different Emerald Green color palette and pattern in hopes that it'll inspire you to find ways to incorporate it into your lives. Be it through paint, decor, pillows, accessories, or clothing a little vibrant green can't do you wrong.

All you need to do to get your free calendar is download the May Card Here, print it on a thick piece of card stock, and cut it out. You can put it on your fridge, pin it to cork board, or stand it up on your desk with a memo clip or small easel.

Stay Tuned for the upcoming month's calendar on the last week of each month.   

May Palette: Eye Candy

Illustration: alysha findley

March 2013 Pantone Calendar: Palettes and Patterns (free)

In celebration of Pantone's 2013 Color Of The Year, I'm designing a free monthly downloadable calendar that showcases the lively and radiant Emerald Green.

Spring Forward, Fall Back is the mantra that my mom always used when she called to remind me of the time change each year. I don't know about you, but this year I am more than ready to Spring Forward. Light, birth, brightness, color, warmth, and sound are all things just within reach, and I am taking them all by the reins. I'm beginning to see colorful flowers at the garden shops, a layer of clothing is being put back in the closet, and I can almost hear the birds chirping. I can't wait to begin my mornings opening all the windows, soaking in the sun on my front porch, and watching all the dogs trot on by during their morning walks once again. So let's get in the mood for March. Go grab a green beer, eat some Cadbury Mini Eggs, and say Hello to Spring!

Each 4x6 calendar card features a different Emerald Green color palette and pattern in hopes that it'll inspire you to find ways to incorporate it into your lives. Be it through paint, decor, pillows, accessories, or clothing a little vibrant green can't do you wrong.

All you need to do to get your free calendar is download the March Card Here, print it on a thick piece of card stock, and cut it out. You can put it on your fridge, pin it to cork board, or stand it up on your desk with a memo clip or small easel.

Stay Tuned for the upcoming month's calendar on the last week of each month.     

March Palette: Spring Forward 
                                                                                                

Illustration: alysha findley

Feb 2013 Pantone Calendar: Palettes and Patterns (free)

In celebration of Pantone's 2013 Color Of The Year, I'm designing a free monthly downloadable calendar that showcases the lively and radiant Emerald Green.

Each 4x6 calendar card will feature a different Emerald Green color palette and pattern in hopes that it'll inspire you to find ways to incorporate it into your lives. Be it through paint, decor, pillows, accessories, or clothing a little vibrant green can't do you wrong.

This weekend I found myself bathed in the Emerald trance on two occasions. One was when I scored a fabulous Emerald Glass Cat Decanter from the 50's that I can't wait to bust out at my next meal, and the second was a great little dress I found on sale just in time for a friend's birthday dinner. I've never given this color a second look before, but it has definitely gotten my attention and quickly made its way into my heart. And that's what color is all about, openness and exploration. It's not about following a trend or being influenced on what to buy or pay attention to but about expanding your horizons and challenging your comfort zone. Color is powerful: visually, psychologically, and emotionally.  And who knows, a new palette just might influence you in a surprising way. Try it out with something small and see how it makes you feel. You might have a new, bright world just waiting for you in the chips of a Pantone Book.

All you need to do to get your free calendar is download the February Card Here, print it on a thick piece of card stock, and cut it out. You can put it on your fridge, pin it to cork board, or stand it up on your desk with a memo clip or small easel.

Stay Tuned for the upcoming month's calendar on the last week of each month. 

Feb Palette: You Light Up My Life

Illustration: alysha findley

How To: Make Subway Signs (w/ free downloadables)

One day as I was rushing down our typical steep old house stairs (I admit, not my smartest habit) that lead to the basement, I felt like I was running down to the subway to catch a train that was just about to get there. After that thought lingered on for a second and reality set back in I decided that it would be fun to turn the stairwell into some kind of quasi-subway station. I choose to make it into a trip down memory lane and make signs of meaningful subway stops that Matt and I have visited on a trip or from places that we've lived.

After choosing the specific stops, I found images of their respective signs online so that I could re-create them with accuracy. Then I drew them in Illustrator, got them printed, cut down some wood, and mounted them. It was a fairly simple project and extremely enjoyable from start to finish. 

What You Will Need:

  • Printer: either yours or a print shop. If you use the size I have provided you will need access to a large format printer. The images are 4.25" x 17.5" and 4.25" x 16.75".
  • Ruler and Xacto Knife
  • Glue and Brush: I used Modge Podge.
  • Wood: if you mount it the way I did you will need a 1/2 " piece of wood cut down to the size of your sign. You could also use foam core, matte board, or gator board.
  • Mounting Supplies: I used flush mounts for mine, but you can use any hanging device you have.
  • Paint (optional): if you want to paint the edges of the wood the color of your signs.

How To:

  1. I have made PDF's of my NY Subway SIgn and the NY Bronx/Uptown Sign for you to use. (fyi: the subway sign is a little smaller (4.25" x 16.75") to fit the specific place I was putting it in) 
  2. Cut out the signs with an Xacto knife and ruler.
  3. Cut your boards to size (wood, foamcore, etc).
  4. If you're going to paint the sides of your board do that now.
  5. Brush on a layer of glue to your board (not too wet and not too thin. You don't want your paper to start buckling, but you do want it to stick).
  6. Slowly mount your paper to your board. Line up the edge on the lefthand side of the board paying attention that the top and bottom edges are also lined up. Press the paper down on that left side while holding the rest of the paper up with your right hand. Continuously rub the paper from top to bottom as you slowly lower the the paper to make contact with the board. Rubbing the paper as it makes contact will help get rid of any air bubbles that might get trapped.
  7. Let dry and then mount your brackets to the back and hang.
  8. Sit back, admire, enjoy, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.