that ray of sunshine.

game face

2012-02-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

This is the face of determination, of hard work, of uncertainty, of growth. This week has been able to show me how everything I have worked for in my college career has come down to this moment, and it is my time to shine. I always hoped people would call me for those interviews for internships but the fact that it was before me was amazing rewarding.

I put together my trusty portfolio, knowing how hard it has been to come to this moment. I also had to accept it in terms of realizing that I am worth it, that I am not just another design student making it through the program, I work very hard and this is my dream, to make it.

Yep, I still dont believe I get to say it, I got an interview with Hallmark. Yes, Hallmark the 4.1 Billion dollar company that owns the retail greeting card market and is a staple for every holiday. Even if I dont get the opprotunity, I was chosen for an interview, mind-blowing.

It was a great week of growth, and realizing that I am worth the opportunities before me. A very hard realization that has taken some time.

eating...

2012-02-21T16:43:00.002-08:00

Okay so I have never loved eating more than I have here in Savannah, so many options, so much good food. You would think I would be gaining like 94832048 lbs. but luckily I bike everywhere and keep my outings to once a week (if i can)

Green Truck Pub;

Be still my heart. What is not to love about this place!? Fresh organic ingredients and everything made from scratch! Truly worth every penny and trip down to 40th and Habersham.

A must have is certainly the homemade ranch dressing (eek!) and homemade ketchup (perfect for this food) There arnt many words I have for Green Truck other than love. I must say, it keeps me speechless.

heres a layout I have devoted to the glory.

What a Week....

2012-02-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, if you have not seen my layout on Jillibean Soup today, you should probably do that. Jillibean Soup What an honor, I am happy for just about any first step.

It made me so very happy. Above is my V-day Garb, tried to be festive while slaving on school work, ya know. I am not to sure that my professors really cared.

Spent the week working on this, Repeat patterning really is not as easy as it looks. But I am happy with the overall result and am excited to see the finished product. This pattern is going to be applied to a model scale vehicle as a mock vehicle wrap, fun right?

Got my Pantone solid coated color bridge in the mail. It is so much easier for color matching and understanding what color you items will really print like. Downside, printed on some really flimsy text weightish paper, I paid 75$ (cheap) for this thing, where is my cardstock?!

The final Vehicle wrap laid out in illustrator for print. eek!

other than that I'm a bit flustered "breaking the grid" for a publication project for my brand identity I showed you all a bit earlier. Not as easy as it may look, argh.

Off to more and more researching. hmph.

Creating

2012-02-12T15:30:00.000-08:00

With Valentines day a moment away, I thought I would share this layout i created for Crate Papers color challenge this month. I love my kitty, and shes always there so she gets the spotlight.

Sure, I am getting back into crafting, my apartment is usually one big craft project because I cannot stop decorating it! I have been re-arranging it too.

in other random picture news, check out all of these coke bottles, and well pepsi... In the coke capital of america it is fun to see all of the collector special edition versions.

Hey there....

2012-02-09T17:40:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm back its been a pretty crazy few weeks... My mom visited me, and midterms rolled around like a thief in the night.

oh that up there? my new do, it was time for a change and plus im tired of dealing with all of my hair when its 398237493287 degrees outside.

The perk of visitors; free food. My mom and I revisited Gryphon Tea Room, owned by my school. We have not been there in some time and boy was I glad I went back. They have re-done the decor, and re-vamped the menu. I got the croque monsieur with salad on the side. Not overdone, not too heavy, perfect amount of cheese, mustard and green apple (!). It was heavenly, and certainly reminded me that that place is certainly another savannah gem.

designed this ^

& rebranded this ^

its been pretty crazy, but enjoying most of it. I have been scrapbooking again, and its been fun to try a new style I am sure you will find firmilar. soon!

getting a bit crafty!

2012-01-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

I also have to give a shoutout to my good friend Cheryl Day from Back in the Day Bakery here in Savannah for another appearance on paula deens show, I finally caught you on the show!

sorry for the vacancy, things have been a bit hectic around here; projects due, medical issues, and trying to take care of life!

Today I wanted to share a bit of a craft for you craft friends out there, I don't get much time to do this stuff while at school so this is a quick and cheep house decoration for just about anyone:

this here is part of my living room, and since my couch sits diagonal there is a cornered wall for me to decorate, quickly and easily.

We start off simply by using any sort of picture frame, any size any color, this one is from Target but I definitely hitting up your local dollar store (dollar tree) for some great architectural frames, even if they are not the right colors. I ended up spray painting all of mine gold and got a very eclectic vintage feel.

For my fabric I ended up choices coordinating designer patters that matched my quilt on my sofa up there and purchased them in fat quarters, plenty for many frames each. Take the glass insert and measure your fabric around it, and cut it with about a half inch border around the actual glass.

With the fabric cut keep it on the outside of the glass and place all layers within the frame. Now with the extra fabric peaking out pull taught from all sides to get a smooth piece of fabric on the front. If you have excess fabric on the back you can cut it from being visable while hanging.

You can add pictures on top of your fabric to give it a more personal feel if you want, I also added a few paper touches. But you can certainly keep them plain so you just get a graphic display of the patterns.

It's that simple!

ah the excitement of new scrap supplies!

heres a great picture of my every morning view. ah Savannah.

design sites & some food

2012-01-13T17:56:00.000-08:00

What a hectic full week of school, it has gone by fast though because I do enjoy all of my classes. I get to do research all of the time and just enjoy designing and concepting, and I could not ask for more.

Here are some Design Sites I have come across in the past few days researching, and are just my style.

1. Lowcountry Press// A local graduate has start up this buisness here in Savannah and its pure elegance. Its not overdone and it just works. So many letter press buissnesses I run across are typical and unoriginal, this one is still clean but with a southern twang.

2. Make and Matter// This austin based design house is my most favorite design company I have ever come across. This site speaks me X23948237409827, my style perfectly. I could stare at the design, and clean lines all day, a definate dream career.

3. The Dieline// A well organized packaging site. There are many different categories, styles and designs.

SoHo South Cafe//

SoHo South is located right on East Liberty Street here in Downtown Savannah. Its a bit under the radar but is located right across from Mellow Mushroom (a pizza place). Its a funky art spot with eclectic furnature and local art sprawled throughout. The entrance is sort of a gift shop. They offer takeout and sit-down lunch/dinner.

My friend Kaylee frequents the resurant often so she led the way. The menu is a variety of soups/salads/ sandwiches and it was to die for!

Ahh the Monte Cristo, its hard to find a place that does it right and boy was this right. Brioche bread with ham, turkey, bacon and cheese topped with a puff of powdered sugar and side of strawberry jam. The side of salad was perfectly crisp and dressing was light and refreshing. My mouth is watering while typing this, it was an experience to have again for sure! My only downfall is that it is a bit pricey but with the fresh ingredients and great variety of flavors you do get what you pay for.

Can't wait to head back!

design inspiration

2012-01-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

alright so i have been scouring the land of periodicles these past few days to find inspiration for my latest project that is a re branding for a non-profit center. below are my current ideas and inspiration for the project from HOW magazine, my most favorite and highly recommended design mag!

the rest is color and theme inspiration:

hope you guys got some great design inspiration! Happy Wednesday!

what i've learned in the past week

2012-01-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

So I have been back in savannah for a week now and I'm back to doing a lot more of this:

and this:

but none the less I have learned and redsicovered what used to be a challenge for me in my life.

1. I love Savannah-
I have fought with this issue the moment I got here freshman year, although I am happy to have saved money and learn about myself more while i was at home last year, I could not be happier that I am back. No, I dont feel homesick and I am not counting down the days to go home (yet.) but I am enjoy the beauty in which she has to offer and the reason why I fell in love with her in the first place.

2. I love my major-
I always had a doubt if I made the right decision and discovered what I truly love but after this past years visit to surtex and CHA, I love where I am at. I love the uncertanty of the future and I love that my life has yet to begin. This whole quarter I am in all graphic design classes, probably my most favorite thing is that I have earned my ticket out of foundations and onto becoming that designer that will make her mark.

3. I love living alone-
Sure would I love a homecooked meal not by me every once in awhile, yes. But I have learned the value of just enjoying being with myself. I love the fact I have no one else to worry about, manage or understand because all I have to worry about is me. I have now realized how valuable that is for me atleast.

4. I am Happy-
I cannot tell you the last time I said that but it feels good to own that now. I am starting to move on from the past, heal, and be the best I can be. I know what I have done in my life to make me successful thus far and where it is leading me; my only happiness. This degree that I am working on has not come without hardships and definite lows but I am in a current happy place.

5. I love the heat-
Yep I bet you would never hear that out of this northerner who used to die for snow. After coming back, I have been wearing shorts and t-shirts again enjoying wafty breezes and beautiful sunrizes. Not wearing my winter coat, freezing everytime i drive, and battling snow. Amen for leaving all of that.

in other news I just bought these shoes:

Which I ABSOLUTELY love, but wore yesterday walking a marthon it seems and now I have blisters and also 2390483028 embarrassing moments when I almost fell 2309u4320984 times. Although they make that beautiful clanking sound when you walk on hard surfaces (ahh I have lived my life for that sound.) They are from Red Clover Boutique (featured in my last post)

Savannah Favorites of the Moment

2012-01-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

Okay so being back just a week not much has happened but I have made strides on my resolution: visit new places both food/shopping this city has so much to offer in deals, architecture, and food! I live here so why am I not exploring it?

1. Red Clover A boutique downtown that offers beautiful boutique style clothing you love at super affordable prices, let alone the space is beautiful enough that makes you feel like you are spending $$$. I even got a student discount!

2. Back in the Day Bakery Now this has been a favorite of mine since i began living here, I know cheryl (the owner) and just love her homey bakery. Make sure you stop by for cinnamon bun saturday, best day of the week. If not lunch is always a home run with artisan breads and herbed mayo, YUM!

3. Paris Market This nationally acclaimed interior design store is any travelers dream. They import most of their goods directly from paris and their style is a bit restoration hardware. Although I can rarely afford anything there, always check out the sale section and if not it is always a great source of inspiration.

4. Savannah Bee Company The company has outfitted their downtown storefront with a natural homemade feel decorated with all sorts of their honey bottles that catch the light. Walk in anytime to taste all of their honeys and even honeycomb! A unique local treasure.

5. Express Cafe Located a block from Paula Deens resturant it is quick to see why it is popular with tourists who dont want to wait in that long line. A variety of sandwiches and salads is just the cusp of their menu which is down home comfort and service with a smile.

Hope this gets you started with exploring what savannah has to offer, for just about anyone. I look forward to the next few months where I will add to this list and explore my city!

my week in words

2012-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

wow what a week, Im back to school and back to Savannah.

I left here:

and went back to class here:

redecorated here:

and here:

started training again here:

still wearing shorts here: thank you 70 degrees.

ate at the best place in savannah of course/Green Truck Pub:

and finished off the week eating smore pie here ^ :Back in the Day Bakery.

I am back, with my newer iphone and readyiness to share. welcome back, welcome back.

Pintrest

2011-12-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

If you havent found me yet, I am on pinterest. I am nearly obsessed with this site, I have spent entire days off searching and learning. If you havent heard of this site before, you might as well get up to speed now because there is everything possible you can find on this site! From recipes while im at school or home decor that I am creating for my apartment for pennies.

I put all my pins on one board, i dont have too much time to sort them and that way i get my ideas out and down quickly. I am on Pinterest daily, so go ahead and check me out!

Vintage

2011-12-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well here is my style these days, vintage home. Since coming home from school and going antiquing, its a new passion of mine that i want to continue. I moreso love it for the cost factor and partially the craft factor rather than just buying pottery barn and such. I have been able to come up with a lot of the same looks and decor without the cost and cant wait to put it all together at my apartment!

Throughout the quarter I realized how much better I create when I'm not enthroned in school. I am able to let my mind free and learn to stretch my creativity, which is relaxing. So i will be sharing some of that soon, along with more of my hot-to inspiarations on my favorite site, Pintrest. Follow me if you haven't already! Search: Emily Spurlock

2011-09-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

Okay so I have been a little distant, but for good reason.

Came back from CHA (amazing, more to follow), finished my summer class, began working 40 hrs a week, started horseback riding again (me time), bought stuff for my apartment, searched and finally got an apartment,seeing every doctor i have for the last time i leave before school (trust me the list is long) and now im am cleaning my life way, finishing up some PT, getting my pictures taken (its only been like 5-7 years!) and having my early birthday dinner (since i wont be home :[ )

So yes I stated I'm headed back to school this year, if I havent told you I spent this past year back at home being able to work a ton, take community college classes as well as university classes and being able to live at home rent free. I am happy to begin the journey again, and hope for the best this time around, will be sad to leave my family at home and work but I know this is for the best for my future as well as this is not a forever situation.

I still will be scrappin at school, packed my supplies this weekend, so its time to get creative again with minimal supplies. Just give me some more time and I will hopefully be back in order, I can always hope.

Always a time to reflect.

2011-07-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

With summer, and where I am at with my life in general I often take a lot of time to reflect my future, where I am at now, highs and lows. While everyday and moment cannot always be sunshine and rainbows, I constantly remind myself of the joys within my job, education, and my age at this moment.
     After switching stores for my job currently, I started regretting my decision for leaving my previous store of 4.5 years and the home I had established there. But at this moment I could not be more happy, I have a boss young enough to be my sister with appreciation and guidance of a mother, friends from my previous store that I have been able to reconnect with, and a joy in what I actually do everyday for people. Three months ago let alone a year ago did I think I would find something like that again. To be within this enviroment of nuturing and acceptance, makes me want to thrive exceeded and preform over the top.
     Although the burden of completing education can stress any particular person out, I have found it hard to find the endurance to pull through. I HATE school, well what was to be high school and grade school the sense of studying, papers, and god awful subjects. Persuing a art degree, a dream come true, has its own subjects that I hate, including Art History. I do have to take plenty of gened's which is certainly not my cup of tea, and for sure is something that makes me feel as though I am wasting my money. Although the hard slave work and determination I have proved to myself goes to show the different person I am now than from 2 years ago graduating high school. That isnt to say without the people who have mentored me and pushed me through the ups and highs, just like everything in life. I am now looking forward to powering through my degree with the thought of not everyone gets to do this, I have kicked butt thus far, and I can see my dream at the end of the tunnel. After a trip to the National Stationary Show/Surtex this year in NYC I see what the insdustry intales, let alone buisness. Its an exciting adventure I am happy to hopefully join someday and hope to learn more about it when i attend CHA in the next week or so! Yep! I'll be off to Chicago for an industry dream come true, I will be gawking and awestuck the whole time I am sure! The possibilites are endless, and my education has shown me that.
     My age at this moment, full of dreams, wishes and still somewhat carefree times. Not having to worry about the roof over my head at this moment persay, and enjoying small things in life are what is to be tresured at this moment in time. Wether it is a person loving my cake at work, or a classmate enjoying my color pallette. I am at a point in which these are the moments I look forward to in my days and I remember to cherish them for the will not always last forever. I mean is it really that bad that I get excited to go to work? I frost cakes and get to chat it up with some of my great friends, not sure if that qualifies as work but I am happy to call it my job!
     The lesson out of all this, enjoy the day, reflect on moments that mean the most no matter how small, and seize the moment with the loved ones around you.

Here is my scrappy share for the day, I hope you enjoyed this blog post, I am trying to share a bit more of myself as other bloggers do, and trying to find my own creative niche.

BTW, PLEASE let me know if you will be attending CHA I would love to meet you!!! =]

ft. Crate paper's Emma's Shoppe! (LOVE!)

yes I am obsessed with this picture, my favorite riding picture, but I love trying to reinvent it with different collections and designs!

Crate Paper Layout Challenge!

2011-06-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

So I was able to scoop up my first Crate Paper collection pack at a LSS closing. I have waited awhile to get the Emma's Shoppe pack, and have had a fun time creating with it and its vintage southern feel.

This layout features my favorite bakery at school, where every Saturday and ONLY saturdays they make Cinnamonbuns, heaven, devine, and large. I save up all my workouts and bike rides each weak to indulge before I hit the books at the Library! My favorite morning treat.

Cosmocricket Challenge Part 2!

2011-06-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

I thought I would try to push this challenge to the next level by creating another layout, featuring Vermont; our favorite summer getaway!

CosmoCricket Layout Challenge!

2011-06-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

Alright with my slight obsession with Cosmocricket products, I of course have to enter EVERY challenge! I love the opprotunity to be able to get published, a goal for me that I am seeking to be furfilled.

I mixed Odds and Ends with Circa 1934 with some Social. I think I fall more and more in love with their products because they are genuwine people making intermixable products, that I can use for just about anything!

We Are

2011-06-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

Continuing my recent delivery of Snapfish pictures, this picture by far my favorite from my AP class in Senior year. This was the night of our final Art Show, that we all worked so hard for. This spur of the moment picture really captures that year's essence.

I wanted to make it really girly, well since we are all girls. I used Amy Butler, and mostly October Afternoon papers. With such a muted pallet, I decied to ad a few bright pops of color to give depth.

In other news, I am just busy trying to replenish my stockpile that I have happily worked my way through most of my old product! Yay! This means more room for new CHA, and kits. It can be expensive, but I find that collection kits are for sure the best of values with included stickers, borders, and alphas. Let alone I have a Silhouette, which I love and need to use more!

What summer projects are you getting caught up on?

Carefree at 15

2011-06-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well Hello Everyone!! What a busy fun filled summer we have ahead of us. I have some great things planned and in store for me so keep on a look out for all that is to come here on my blog!

I just wrapped up school a few weeks ago, and am completing a summer class as we speak, phew I want to nap. I have been exhausted and creativitly drained until this week when I got some snapfish photos in and have been diggin through my stash. If you have not gotten photos from snapfish, for sure it is the place to purchase! I used to go through Walmart, but Snapfishes quality even on iPhone photos is amazing!

So this layout came about with this great pic I found on my desktop, of just a fun simple photo while I was in highschool, It is a great photo that I wanted to highlight with bright colors.

Since I just purchased a glimmer mist, it has been my new found love, have used it about on everything and have tried to come up with some creative uses. Not to mention I also incoorporated a paint chip sample in here as well, I love the look of the gradient colors.

Products include: Paper- October Afternoon, Sassafrass, Basic Grey Embellies- Hero Arts, Joanns, Making Memories

Alright everyone, that is it for now, would like to hear how all of you are doing and what you would like to see more of here on my blog! Thanks Everyone!

AP Art

2011-03-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

My AP Art class was one of the greatest times I had in High School. Although I think I could of preformed better, I created lasting memories and learned about myself as an artist.

The main inspiration for this design was the studio calico paper that features the brushes, I cannot say I find many art related papers, let alone ones I like so I thought it would be a perfect time to feature it. I bounced it off of some basic grey basics in kraft along with some basic grey orange dotted paper. Added October afternoon paper and some sassafras embelishments, it has become a funky and polished layout!

This weekend has been one of self discovery, a book my mom purchased me entitled "5" has really made me want to strive more and to strive to be greater at everything I do. I want to acomplish more and attack my dreams with passion and drive. I recommend this book to EVERYONE, its a bit of an eye opener and inspiration for everyone.
I was off from work this weekend as well, a few and far between for me because of working in a grocery store. Its weird and I almost didnt like it because everywhere I went this weekend there were TONS of people everywhere! I am too comfortable to having weekdays off and being able to enjoy it without so many people, eh you win some and loose some.

Bloom

2011-03-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

So I have decided to finally make this a blog that is mine, in the sense that I want to share my life with my readers, whatever may be going on.

I feel as though I have had a hard time with trust within my life. Anyone I may know I will give them 100% of my trust until they show me that they can no longer. I delivered information to what I thought would be trustful people in a time of impulse and just plain stress and information that I told them I always wanted them to keep to themselves and absorb it in. I should completely know better knowing that in this situation I know the consequences and what ended up happening. I am now faced with my choices and the repercussions that effect an important person in my life currently. Her impact is defiantly greater than I have ever imagined, let alone her guidance is nothing I have ever experienced in my life. I certainly find that I need to be able to trust within her much more than when she did trust within me. Since these occurrences she no longer trusts me and from now on I will be forever be striving to get back to the place that we started. I have never felt this sort of appreciation or actual caring from someone in my life no matter who it may be, and I think it means more to me that it is not someone in my family but rather outside of that who actually stood up for me in times where she hardly knows me or when others would tell her not to. It makes me anxious that I never took this into effect when realizing what I was doing or even what it was actually about. I feel like i took 50 steps backward into a person that I was in the sense of being a younger teenager and unaware of actions have consequences. I am defiantly at the age where I know right from wrong and that I am subconscious of what I am actually saying or verbalizing. This will be with me for a wright of learning and a time to grow and learn to move past and conquer. But when these sorts of things happen to me, I find they forever burn a hole in my heart.

On a lighter note, here is a layout for the day.

9teen

2011-03-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

yes, I am on a cosmocricket kick. What can I say I have grown to love their products like no other, all the lines have similar colors to mix and match and their prints are fun and vibrant. I would own every collection if I could, but right now I am just trying to go through some of my old stash to get some new.

I created this layout in the intent for Scrapbook Trends magazine, if I were to have a magazine idol, they would be it.

I mixed material girl, joy ride, and boyfriend collections from cosmo, because it is so easy to do and they always go together as i said.

I love this picture for just being nineteen, and the innocence I still try to emote.

CosmoCricket Layout Challenge

2011-03-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Whatcha up to?

2011-01-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

Ahh another session of school begins again. I think I only really had an entire week off from not doing school work. I am really getting so used to it that stopping feels unproductive, but none the less I will be ready to graduate when that happens!!!

My latest graphic design class that I am taking is all hands on. =D [angels singing] I am over elated that I get to cut and past for 10 weeks and am taking advantage of it. My new buddy silhouette will be making my cuts to put my project together (CAN WE SAY PROFESSIONAL!?) I am excited to use all this scrapbook paper I spend all my paychecks on and just being able to do what i love essentially which is cutting and pasting. As much as I love graphic design I wish it wasn't so computer based and go back to the old school ways of cutting out every letter and pasting ads carefully together. Pictured above is some of my things for my first project of the class. I am sure I will show it to you when I am done.

Scrapbooking has been on hold for awhile with the holidays and my creative fart. I go through lulls of being overly anxious to create to sometimes months of not even touching paper. I am starting to get an urge again since I just recieved some new pictures so we will see if I end up having free time to devote to this hobby of mine.

yours until the headaches start
emily