JHill Design

new personalized state monogram prints

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Dave is from VT and I am from NH, I always thought a nice anniversary gift would me a map of our states together. Of course... I have never gotten around to buying one. The idea came back to me when I was thinking about what to make for him for Valentine's day. That coupled with our monogram, (it must be something in the water at our studio... was totally inspired by all of Jill Rosenwald's monograming of her ceramics line), and you know I had to add a little text in the mix.
They were SO much fun to work on and a big thank you to my studio mates Erin, Jess, Jill and Sarah for their critiques as the process went along.

The above monogram features our Cincinnati print, you can see the light outlined shape of the roses in the background of the print. This one is all about home state nicknames. LMN for our favorite former intern Laurie and her husband Nick. Below that is "est 2011" - the year they were married. Then the line "a GOLDEN girl (heart) a PEACHY boy" because Laurie is from CA and Nick is from GA.

This print is all about rival sports teams and features our Hamptons 2 pattern (otherwise known as the Red Sox pattern). The tagline says "a YANKEE girl (heart) a RED SOX boy". Is it even possible that these two rivals could find love?

Here is the monogram print I did for Dave and I. It features the new Franconia, New Hampshire pattern which I am currently in love with. He grew up in Woodstock, VT and I in Keene, NH. (I wanted the color scheme of the pattern to be the green of the deep forest, purple of the lilacs and that BRIGHT orange of the hunting vests I used to see at Wal-Mart.) I think the fall-ish pattern speaks well for both our states. We were married in 2009 and our tagline is "a GRANITE STATE girl (heart) a GREEN MOUNTAIN boy."

This idea is for those couples with strong ties to their alma matter states. "A LONG HORN girl (heart) a TAR HEEL boy". The states are filled with our chapel hill pattern.

You can see the monogram state print filled w/ each of our 75+ patterns here on our site. If you'd like to have your order for valentines day place framed orders by this Friday.

A very neon xmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:39:00 +0000

December's Digital Download is a little Christmas tree centerpiece with some preppy NEON flare. The pattern is a take on our Hamptons, New York pattern. Simple to make (I think I remember making something like this in nursery school... though it was probably covered in gold macaroni) the PDF is available here for $2. The set comes in 2 sizes and 2 colorways - neon and traditional.

TA DAH!!!

thanks baltimore!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:33:00 +0000

Thanks to Urbanite magazine in Baltimore for featuring our 2012 Wall Calendar in their December issue. I love when one of my patterns is embraced by the city that inspired it and I'm very glad Baltimore likes their crabby pattern. The nicest thing? The editor sent the sweetest note about their love of the pattern. Merci!

Print Reveal : Nashville, Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:54:00 +0000

I have truly fallen in love with Nashville. I am always refusing to listen to my country-music-loving sister's tunes... but I now have several playlists featuring old country crooner's like Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. This is one place that I have never been to that is definitely on my short list.
The Nashville City print is available in 3 sizes for $22 - $65 and the Tennesse Map Print is available in 3 sizes for $15 - $50. You can save 15% on the TN prints through Sunday with code "ILOVETN".

NASHVILLE MOVIE CLUB

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I was thrilled to see that two of my favorite movies were filmed in Nashville. If you haven't seen them add them to your Netflix que, (or whatever that company is called now), and grab the popcorn.

#1. Coal Miner's Daughter : the autobiographical film of singer Loretta Lynn's life going from a dirt-poor childhood in Kentucky to singing at the Grand Old Opry and paling around with Patsy Cline. Sissy Spacek won an Academy Award for playing the role of Lynn. Here is a great montage.

and a few of the real Loretta

#2. Walk the Line : this movie is the tale of the singer Johnny Cash. He is played by Joaquin Phoneix before he got all weird. June Carter Cash is played by Reese Witherspoon, who won an academy award and a golden globe for her performance. I love the music, the story and the relationship of June and Johnny. Here are a few of my favorite songs.

and one of the actual Johnny and June at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1968.

and in 1970.

eye candy : pretty letters

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I love these beautiful letters for a nursery by Mike Perry. I wish he had a "c" for Mister Charley. The Mister Charley who has infected this whole household with his baby cold germs.

Source: gallerynucleus.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

eye candy : a little fleetwood

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:14:00 +0000

I am a BIG Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks fan. This year Lizzie and I both went to Night of a Thousand Stevies in NYC, sooooo fun. This post is for Lizzie though. As she boarded the plane to start a new adventure in London this song was playing at Logan Airport, must have been fate. She needs a copy of Amy Rice's Poster.

Source: notesondesign.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Top 10: Nashville, Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:18:00 +0000

My favorite thing about our PIHNB Top 10 is to hear from people who are near and dear to our featured place. This month we were lucky to have 2 contributors to our PIHNB Nashville Top 10, (well this is a Top 8). Without further ado....

From writer and editor Margaret Littman:
"My favorite thing about Nashville is that it is the most creative place I have ever lived (also the weirdest, but that’s a different story). It would not be unusual to see a unicyclist, a man covered in lemon meringue pie or a gaggle of hula hoopers on a Tuesday on your way to the grocery store. The influx of people who have moved here to make their dreams come true in the music industry contributes to a constant state of wonder and optimism.

When not listening to something funky somewhere, I have a few preferred tourist stops in Music City:

1. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: This outdoor park has bells that play the Tennessee Waltz, a
chronological look at the Volunteer State’s history and a linear garden that represents that the foliage across the state.

2. Parthenon: A replica of the Greek wonder, this one include a giant gold statue of Athena by a local artist and ongoing art exhibitions, plus the delights that are Centennial Park.

3. The Station Inn: This dive in the Gulch is one of the country’s bets places to hear bluegrass, not to mention see the hilarious Doyle and Debbie parody show.

For more of my Nashville picks, check out my app here."
Follow Margaret on twitter here.

From writer and editor Lindsey Solomon, blogger at TypeL:

4. Music City
Nashville’s reputation as a musical haven comes honestly. People who live here seem to want to be a musician, know an aspiring one or have the opportunity to enjoy watching musicians any time they desire. I love living in a place where my favorite musicians come to play. Plus, famous stops like The Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium just ooze history.

photo by Peyton Hoge

5. Music Art City
Many come to Nashville for music, but I came (at least partially) for the art! The Frist Center for the Visual Arts – a non-collecting institution – has ever-changing and always exciting exhibits. Cheekwood, likewise, hosts wonderful exhibitions (including an impressive permanent collection) and includes fantastic gardens one could walk in for days. I am dying to try Nashville’s monthly Art Crawl, too. Free shuttles cart art lovers to numerous downtown galleries – what’s not to like?

6. Neighborhood Vibe
I like cities that don’t feel so much like cities. Okay, I like cities that do feel like cities, too, but that’s another story. Nashville, to me, falls into the former category. There are so many neighborhoods that I wish to know better, each with their own personalities. For example, East Nashville appeals to my farmer’s market, vegetarian food loving side, while 12 South’s cottages and coffee make me wish I lived in this more walkable area of town.

7. Coffee
Is Nashville a city known for coffee? I’m guessing most guidebooks wouldn’t list it as such, but it is becoming one in my estimation. Nashville, in no particular order, is home to: Bongo Java, Frothy Monkey, Ugly Mugs, etc., etc., etc. While I plan to try all of these places and more, my favorite so far is Roast, Inc (don’t let the simple website fool you). They are “Nashville’s Only Single Cup Brewer,” which means they’ll prepare their latest delicious fair trade find in the brewing method of your choosing. I love watching them work with a crazy Yama Siphon Brewer (like a Bunsen burner chemistry experiment gone right) almost as much as I love drinking French press coffee without the at-home mess.

8. We Are Nashville
I didn’t live in Nashville when the 2010 flood came, but, from a distance, I saw the volunteer nature of my state come alive once again. Most of my friends were (so thankfully) unaffected by the waters, but I heard stories of them helping their friends and neighbors and acquaintances and strangers rebuild their lives. The “We Are Nashville” blog post and subsequent campaigns made me want to be a part of this city and its people more than ever.

Follow Lindsey on twitter here.

Thanks so much to Lindsey and Margaret!

PIHNB Mixtape: Nashville

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Doing a mixtape for Nashville is kind of crazy. A massive mix-playlist would be a better idea. But here are few tunes that I've been listenting to while I work on the Nashville print. My favs have been Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline with a little Loretta Lynne thrown in for good measure.

eye candy: i'm a hustler

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Seriously. I am doing this, like every day.

Source: parisapartment.wordpress.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Eye Candy: Bus Passes

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

If Boston's MBTA's T-Passes looked like this, I'd buy them just to glue them in my sketchbook.

Source: flickr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: kindraishere.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: stickersandstuff.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Pattern Love: Patterned Chairs

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:30:00 +0000

A while ago I wrote about my love for Dale Chihuly's trade blanket collection at his exhibit at the MFA. These (amazing) chairs remind me of those Pendelton blankets.

Source: bluecaravanblog.wordpress.com via lizzie on Pinterest

Tennessee Muse: Yee Haw Industries

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:10:00 +0000

I've long-loved Yee-Haw Industries. They specialize in original letterpress posters promoting special events, music acts and theatre shows as well as handmade, woodcut, fine art prints. Kevin Bradley and Julie Belcher make up Yee-Haw and they are based in lovely Knoxville, Tennessee.

One evening, perusing Etsy, Dave and I found this Yee-Haw Vice Presidential Wrestling Poster. We got a real kick out of... you know... a tiny Sarah Palin, a lumbering Joe Biden, and a burley John Edwards with Britney, Dr. Phil and Paris thrown in for good measure. When our first wedding anniversary came around, this was my "paper" gift to Dave. It hangs in our dining room and still makes me laugh. (There is a presidential one as well, but the VP one is just so hilarious.)

These Farmer Market prints would be so nice framed in a kitchen.

Yee-Haw's prints are sketched on paper before they grab their carving knives. The designs are carved into either wood or lineolium, with each color being carved into a different block. For the type and dingbats they grab their tweezers and lots of shims (little pieces that don't print, but create leading, word spacing, ect...).

As would this one, for reference next time, you know... you're doing a little butchering.

The entire piece is created on the press, proofed and then dissaembled to begin the printing process. Each block is run on the press separately, beginning with the key block and ending with the lead and wood type, and dingbats.

I love the over-laid type on this print. Plus it is double sided, which is pretty bad ass.

A four-color poster goes through the press four times for one final print. If that poster is ordered in a quantity of, say, 200 posters, that's 800 press runs for one order. That's a lot of rolling. I imagine everyone at Yee Haw to have massive arms.

I'm a big Johnny Cash fan, as is Charley. Why we do not own this print... I don't know.

I married into a family of hard-core JD fans. I think they'd appreciate this.

In between each color printing the posters need to dry for 8 hours. They also must be incredibly patient, and obviously incredibly talented.

IN JEN'S BABY BAG: PLAY MATS

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Charley has a big bedroom that is kind of empty and carpeted. But it is on the second floor of our apartment and we spend a lot of time downstairs. He neither likes crawling on the hardwood floors or our scratchy Moroccan wool rugs, so we are thinking play mats. Maybe those foam ones, maybe a quilted one... I'd like to have something like this AMAZING handmade one of our neighborhood. There's the gym, the playground, the bike path... Unfortunately this talented mom doesn't create these to sell, and I can barely sew a button on a shirt. If anyone has any playmat sources let me know!

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

what i'd wear: nashville, tn

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

I asked, "What would you wear in Nashville?", on twitter. "a sundress & cowboy boots!", "definitely cute cowboy boots and some comfy jeans", "Obvious boots, hat, fringe, teardrops on my guitar.", and my fav from Hillary, (who's a long-time jhill customer and also totally hilarious), "motorcycle boots, fringe, last night's eyeliner". I took all their advice to heat and here is my outfit. I have a thing fo Mr. Cash and that onesie is for Charley, the cowboy is for Lizzie and the rest is for me.

Nashville by jennifer hill featuring white boots

Eye Candy: Trade Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:30:00 +0000

You could say I have something of an ephemera fetish. I got weak in the knees over a hand written funeral receipt at Brimfield a few years ago. I love these trade cards, the type is so clean and the colors POP! Do yourself a favor and spend an hour or two perusing Sheaff-ephemera.com.

Source: sheaff-ephemera.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Pattern Love: Painted Floors

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

A while ago I did a large scale stencil mural in our apartment. I actually just completed another one for the Boston leg of the Design Sponge book tour. Next I'd like to move on from walls and onto the floor. When Dave and I buy our dream house *someday* I hope it has beat up wooden or flat concrete floors that I can stencil one of my patterns on. Aren't these lovely?

Source: smallshopstudio.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Indy on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: erineverafter.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: erineverafter.blogspot.com via Ali on Pinterest

Mood Board: Nashville, Tennesee

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:23:00 +0000

I have been working on a Tennessee print for... over a year. At first I couldn't decide between Memphis and Nashville, both so amazing! So in the end I did a city print for Nashville and a map print for Memphis. Below is a snippet from my Pinterest Tennessee mood board. All things Johnny Cash, Opry, guitar, Cowboy shirts and boots.

Traveling Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:19:00 +0000

New! IPad, Computer and IPhone Wallpapers

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:04:00 +0000

I've been wanting to do this for SO LONG! We've finished the first collection of JHill Design downloadable wallpapers for your computer, iPhone and iPad.
There are 5 designs available and they are renditions of the Andalucia, New Orleans, Bangkok, Death Valley and Positano in a modern color palette, (thanks to the brillant color work of our intern Molly). The IPhone set, IPad set and Desktop set are $4 each or get all the sets for $10. JHill Blog readers will get 10% off our digital download collections through 9/9/11 by using code "wallpaper10" at checkout!

pick your place entry: sweetest mat

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:02:00 +0000

This personalized city print was an engagement gift from Linda's Maid of Honour and sister Nina. She had guests at the wedding sign a white mat and had it double matted over the mat that comes with the print. It is proudly displayed in their entry hallway. Linda says, "I have to say we get a lot of comments from people that come over and they instantly linger in the hall to read the various inscriptions. This will definitely be a gift that we will cherish forever."
I love how customers take the prints and make them their own by doing something like this. You are a sweet (and clever) lady Nina! The lovely photo below is by Shang Chen Photography

You Pick the Place Entry: Cutest Groom

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:13:00 +0000

First entry into our "You Chose the Place" promo is Sarah Goodwin of Daisies and Pearls, a Maine wedding design and event planning business.
Sarah says, "My husband, Chad and I receive so many sweet compliments on our JHill prints, which proudly hang in the entry of our home. I can't think of a more perfect wedding and/or anniversary gift.

The Newport, Rhode Island print, a gift to Chad from me, was captured by Stacey Hedman for Meredith Perdue Photography on our wedding day. It recalls the day he proposed. We recently celebrated our one year wedding anniversary for which I gave Chad the gift of paper; a Camden, Maine print honoring our wedding day."

I mean seriously, how cute is he holding that print? Lizzie and I died when we saw this. I love how they did colored mats too. Learn how you can enter our contest here!

The next place is your choice!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:27:00 +0000

The winner will be chosen September 1, 2011 - so please send in your entries before then to be included. Either post on our facebook wall or email to info@jhilldesign.com. Thanks!

Scratch Map

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Via A Cup of Jo these scratch maps are very cool. Available here... we want to get one and scratch off all the places Jen has made patterns for. Someday it will all be purple... right?

Feel like Flying?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer hill) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:34:00 +0000

The first 20 seconds, major vertigo. Next 20 seconds, I am convinced this is fake. Then the shadow on the side of the mountain - I start to feel like Peter Pan or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," flying around on broom. And I am just watching. I can't imagine DOING this. It just seems.... insane. Remarkable, but insane.

(Love their accents too!)