design + art + soul

a year later

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

We have a big weekend ahead. Sunday will be my 1yr wedding anniversary to Israel and Monday will be my 29th birthday. We've had an amazing year and I am looking forward to the new things we will experience in the next.

to my Israel,

I thank you for loving me for being me.

Thank you for being silly and putting a smile on my face when no one else can.

Thank you for your compassion and caring for others. This makes me love you more.

I thank you for your patience and understanding even when I'm being a brat.

Thank you for being the love of my life.

Happy Anniversary!

looking ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:11:00 +0000

I almost want to chuckle a little when I say that I'm going to be taking a week off from blogging. That is sorta an understatement as I haven't been here in a month. Let me give you a recap to what I've been up to and what I'll be doing during the next month.

Well most of you know that we are expecting. I'm currently 5 months and wow they have flew by so fast. You know how when you have tons of stuff to do that time seems to fly right on by? This is where I am right now. Sitting on my little rocket ship speeding through space while I try to keep all my marbles in the same bag.

At the same time I just experienced my little Rocio starting kindergarten. We planned and prepared for over a month to get her ready. She was ready but I surely was not. Before she was born, I never new I would love her so much and I would want to shelter her from all the world has to offer. Well the bad things of coarse. It all went down ok and when she hopped off the bus on her first day of school, she exploded with all the fun she had and can't wait to go back. That totally brought a smile to my face. My little princess is growing up and I have to let her spread her wings and fly.

And well... we're trying to move... still. It's been months and the house isn't done yet. If we could only find the time to finish it up. I can't wait to get this going.

Well have a happy week. I'll do one more post in a few days. I have some special days coming up and will have lots to talk about.

rocio's mini shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:57:00 +0000

I am not a photographer by any means. I actually never want to be a photographer professionally but I want to be the photographer mama that captures all the precious moments in our family. when i'm 50, I want to look back with fond memories and pass on history to our legacy.

Saturday, I captured a few shots of rocio before she starts kindergarten. I never new I would love her this much before she was born.

she's officially a big girl

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:38:00 +0000

Rocio got a bike for her 5th birthday.

Oh Baby, We're Having a Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:29:00 +0000

Eww gross, who takes pictures of pee sticks? I do. Mostly because I need evidence that there is something growing in my belly.

I can't stop thinking.

I'm just about 6 weeks. I think. 5 pregnancy tests confirm this.

My clothes are already too tight. I have 1 pair of jeans that fit without a looking like a muffin top.

I might be on edge a little. Other than that, no morning sickness. What's morning sickness?

I'm nervous, scared, paranoid. I remember labor clearly, it hurts, big time.

We need a new car. Sorry Israel, your sports car convertible won't fit a baby.

Insurance? What insurance?

Rocio says she wants sisters. NOT brothers. This is major pressure.

Besides the above... We are excited for our new baby.

Rocio flashback

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:11:00 +0000

Rocio turns 5 on Sunday. Oh how she has grown before my eyes.

Forever changing my mind

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:31:00 +0000

I just realized over the last few weeks that I have a teeny tiny issue... changing my mind. When it comes to working on my own design projects, I can just never ever ever ever come to a closing decision. It's nearly impossible to find satisfaction. It took me about 3 months to design my own business card. Now I hate them yet when I designed them, I thought they were the cutest thing ever.

Well here is my new dilemma. I want to completely redo my business website & blog. I'm also thinking of doing it all in wordpress. The slickest sites I've seen are wordpress and that is the direction that web design is going. Israel has put in his two cents and seriously thinks I should keep my current look but I know myself. I just won't be satisfied. This is the life of a web designer I guess!

RV'ing in a 1989 Mallard Sprinter

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Ok go ahead and bust out laughing at the photo above. You wonder why I am posting this hideous picture of an RV? Well.... I own it. I should say Israel own's it. He bought it before we got married. Lucky for him because I surely would have vetoed this decision. He had a friend that needed to sell his RV to pay for his mortgage. So needless to say, Israel bought it for pennies. I remember my less than thrilled attitude when he told me about his new purchase and that he wanted to take us RV'ing in it. With some of his fancy words, I reluctantly agreed to go for the 4th of July this year as long as we went far away from here. So that no one I know would see me in it. Now I don't have anything against RV's. Israel works in the RV industry and that is what our city is known for making. It's just the fact that it was made in 1989 and looks like 1970's on the inside with a funky smell. We've been insanely busy since we got married that we probably won't go on an RV trip this year. As much as I didn't want to ride in it, I'm a little sad for Israel. He was really looking forward to a family RV trip. Maybe next year.

So are there any RV owners out there?

Project 365 here I come!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Starting Saturday May 8, I will be officially kicking off my project 365. This is going to be a huge challenge because I don't think I've ever done one thing for 365 days in a row.

Here are some of my shots over the weekend. I thought I should start practicing.

Everything you never wanted to know... My bio

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Well that's sorta an exaggeration. I finally redid my bio. It has only taken me about 100 a lot of edits but here you go. Meet the big mouth behind this blog.

Flickr

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:15:00 +0000

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Photography and Photoshop

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 06:21:00 +0000

It goes without saying that most graphic designers, web designers, and photographers use Photoshop for their work. In my design toolbox, Fireworks has been my main graphics program of choice. When it comes to photo editing though, I find that I must use Photoshop to get the best results. If I could measure my skills in this program, I would be embarrassed to say it's less than 10%.

My desire to expand my skills come exactly at right time. I'm starting a photography project. I haven't yet decided exactly what I am going to do but I know it's going to involve my camera. I've been obsessed lately with The Pioneer Woman and her photography tutorials and I want to sport them out. My husband got me a dslr camera on our wedding day (7 months ago) and I have yet to learn how to use it.

Here are some techniques that I've been experimenting on with photoshop. This is my lovely daughter Rocio.

Anyone else doing a project 365 or photo blog?

What type of camera are you using?

Blogs, weekends, and facelifts

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Hello friends & happy Saturday (nearly Sunday). I love weekends because I love sleep. I also get a chance to do personal design projects and work on things like my blog. I thought it is finally time to give it a facelift. There are so many things I want to blog about and I need more categories. Therefore it was time for some change. So I thought I should properly warn you that my blog is a in-process mode while I change things over, make graphic changes, and add new categories. I often have a hard time when it comes to designing things for myself and making up my mind so if you see my header change a hundred times, you'll know i've been busy!

So in the meantime, if you have any suggestions, send them along!

Self employed - 21 days

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:39:00 +0000

They say it takes 21 days to develop a new habit right? Well it's been 21 days of self employment and I have yet to develop a (structured) habit of this concept. Maybe it's due to the mixture of my mobile office (where ever I want to work), my self-determined work schedule or my lack of social interaction with the real world. Maybe that's just how it is when you work from home. Even with these variables that I didn't have in my previous career, I like it. That's why I quit my job right? I left my job, friends (that I miss), and financial security to live my dream as a designer. I work until 2am if I need to and I can sleep until 8am if I pull an all-nighter.

That is my life right now. It's a daily challenge, but I honestly think this is learning curve. I hope that in a year I can look back at this post and smile at my accomplishments.

Needing something new

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:18:00 +0000

I've been staring at my blog for about 20 minutes now and it just occurred to me that I need a new look. Maybe a more than a new look. Maybe I need to go in a new direction with my blog. I have so many things I want to do that I don't even know where to begin. I recently started my new blog about my new business and now left wondering what direction to go here. Perhaps I'd let you peak into my life a little more. I'm such a private person and the thought of sharing meaningless stuff about myself really does freak me out a bit. I know what you probably thinking (she really is a nerd) but it's really ok. Nerd is the new norm.

Here are my thoughts on my blog and making it more personal...

Project 365 - I admire anyone that can make the dedication in taking photos every day for a year. I don't know if I'd last a month (or a week) but I think it would be a fun challenge. I'm not so sure I want to see my own face for a year, but I would love to document my daughter's life before she grows any bigger and I wish she was back in preschool again.

Document my journey - As a new business owner, design nerd, newlywed, work-at-home mom and a Betty Crocker Wanna it may be interesting in sharing with others.

Learn & Share - I want to learn more about graphic/web design and expand my skills. Maybe you guys could be my test dummies?

More randomness - If there is anything I can say that I am a specialist at, it is meaningless random information. I'm really good at that.

Etsy Spotlight: Maria Oatley - Artist

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon Estrada) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:10:00 +0000

I love it when I find amazing Etsy artists. Maria Oatlety is an amazing artist and she is here to give you a tutorial on drawing cupcakes.

To start, you need a cupcake to draw or a well lit picture of one. A picture could prove easier for some as it’s already translated into a flat. You can use any drawing paper but I prefer BFK Rives. It’s a handmade archival paper- will stay white and last forever. My colored pencil of choice is Prismacolor Premiere.

Let’s begin by drawing the curved bottom. Then draw the sides of the cake. Try to get the angle on these as similar as possible. The top curve of the cupcake should be the same as the bottom. Draw this lightly as it will serve as the guide on where you’d draw out the flutes.

Draw the flutes all around. Make somewhat smaller loops on the sides and fatter loops up front. Use light brown to draw the concave lines of the cake and a pale yellow or white for protruding parts of the flutes. (Make the right side our light source. Draw lighter to the right.)

The frosting can be any shape so we’ll just do a simple round piping here from big to small. Shade it with light colors as we mean to make it look white. Try a cool green and cream very minimally in between and on the left corners.

Now fill out the cake. Add some light brown on the corner and shades of yellow for the rest.

All that’s left is sprinkles. It can be any color or shape. I am doing a traditional vermicelli shape with orange, green, pink and red colors still keeping in mind my light source.

Shadows are complicated. It isn’t necessary but it adds a sense of drama overall. So keeping it simple, we’ll do a small half oval on the bottom left of the cake. (This is a trade secret-just because it’s a shadow, doesn’t mean it has to be black. Try blue violet mixed with dark brown.) Add a second shadow of yellow ochre.

Tada! Good enough to eat.

Maria Oatley is a Los Angeles based artist with culinary leanings. Many of her works are inspired by sweets. Contact: moatley@hotmail.com

For more cupcake creations, go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/mariadiana

New website, new blog, new business!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 03:41:00 +0000

I have been on yet another blog hiatus. Some of you may know that my love for design was my part time career. I was a design owl by night and a Buyer by day. As taxing as it may have been, I truly enjoyed my job. At the same time, I have been designing for 7 years. So a month ago I came to the conclusion, after lots of really late work nights and deep conversations with Israel, that I must choose. How could I give up my night career as a designer or how could I give up my day career as a Buyer and lots of really really great friends. I just couldn't leave design alone. I found myself at my day job day dreaming about my life as a designer. So there was my decision staring me right in the face. 3 weeks ago I walked turned in my resignation. Surprisingly my co-workers were so supportive and happy that I choose design. They are true friends

So this has officially been my first week as a Graphic/Blog/Web Designer! Wohoo! I have been focusing on launching my new website Pretty Lovely Design and new business blog .

Stay tuned for my new life as a graphic designer. I suppose my life is going to change a bit.

Picnik DIY Photo Editing

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:47:00 +0000

This is so awesome I can barely contain myself. It has been a long time since I found a website that has tickled me as much as this one. And its FREE! I found Picnik when trying to assist a client of mine on how to edit photos without buying a major photo editing software. I found Picnik an it was easy edit and share my photos across the web. It's pretty simple to upload a photo then choose your editing features that you want to apply to your photo. There is a premium version you can upgrade to for the exceptional editing. I found that the free version is sufficient enough to accomplish basic photo editing. Check them out. Edit some photos. Spruce up your blog.

editing screen

Final Image, yours truly:)

Really Great Social Media Icons

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:45:00 +0000

I am using social icons constantly for customers and blogger friends. I thought I would post a link to my favorite social media icons to help you spruce up your page and promote your work. They are free and super easy to use. Add them to your page and link them to your social networks. A special thank goes out to all the designers & illustrators who so kindly offer these for free.

1. FreeHand_ColorStroked icon pac by mfayaz

2. Magic Marker Icons by WebTreatsETC

3. Free Social Media Icons for Designers – A Life in Pixels

4. 25 Free Social Networking Icons by Asher Abbasi

5. Polaroid icon set

6. Handycons - a free, hand drawn social media icon set by Janko

7. Heart: A Free Social Icon Set by Smashing Magazine

8. Set of social icons no.2 by Tydlinka

9. Simple circular social media icons pack by BlogPerfume

10. 65 Bookmarks And Social Icons by Studiom6

Greeting Card Giveaway Set!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:20:00 +0000

Here goes my second giveaway as promised! With this giveaway you will win 5 lovely greeting cards made by me. Each card has a different saying on them and are blank on the inside.

1. missing you lots

2. Happy Happy Birthday

3. te quiero mucho

4. Black/White Damask

5. Congratulations

These cards will ship out to the winner on Friday January 22. Here are ways you can enter... Post here what you will be doing for Valentine's Day, Follow me on my blog, or follow me on my etsy shop Paper Me Pretty. Yep that's it. You have until Thursday January 21 to enter!

Blog Design Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:18:00 +0000

A winner has been chosen for my first Blog Design Giveaway and the winner is... Bella Reece! Congratulations Bella! Contact me within 24 hours to claim your prize. I'm so excited about this and will post before & afters.

I'll be starting another giveaway tomorrow for stationery products. Stay tuned!

Wedding Blurb Books are here!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:13:00 +0000

Finally my wedding blurb books are here! I ordered them before Christmas hoping that they would arrive in time but sadly I missed the order cut off date. I decided to order 2 of the landscape hardback books and 2 of the small paperback books. These will be sweet gifts for my parents.

Ordering and editing with Blurb is super easy. I am so happy with the quality and turn out of my books. I did make one tiny mess up when editing my book. You will see in the last photo that I put the date too close to the bleed lines. I missed this when proofing my book. Luckily it isn't that big of a deal to me. These are books for my family and not for a client otherwise I would reprint them. I love them and recommend them for anyone trying to preserve their memories.

Look for the upcoming Blurb Book Tutorial!

Happy 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:22:00 +0000

source

Happy 2010! Well it's been quite a year here in Elkhart, Indiana. Our city survived the economic breakdown and no one in my family has been laid off. My little stationery studio held it's own and I'm totally pumped what this year has to come.

I had a lot of time to brain storm and reflect over my holiday vacation. I thought about new products and branding my business locally. I thought about my desire to learn how to use a sewing machine and branching out into new ventures. This year I decided not to make any new resolutions. Every year I make my New Year's resolution and I have usually quit them by January 31. So here is my new plan for 2010. No new year's resolution but a game plan for my year. I'll tweak it as I go. No chance of failure here.

1. New Shop!

A new website is in the works! Yes that's right. I decided to open a website just for my business cards. I offer so many custom options that I need something a little more customized. Set to open by March 1st.

2. Learn to sew

I can't even sew on a button. I'm venturing into new territories here.

3. Contribute / Get Involved / Give Back

I want to get involved with something that will make a difference.

4. Become a better designer

My passion for web & graphic design has grown over the years. I would love the chance to refine my skills. CS4 is now out and I think it should be headed my way for 2010.

5. My new craft blog!

Can't wait to share the details!

These are my basic game plans. They are more like hopes than anything but achievable. What are your hopes for the new year?

Merry Christmas + Feliz Navidad!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:01:00 +0000

I'm wishing a very Merry Christmas to my readers, followers, and friends. My family and I are packed and bundled up for a road trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are currently on I-94 and an hour into our 8 hour drive from Elkhart, Indiana. The roads are empty. The wind is harsh. But I am so grateful for this time to spend with my family. Enjoy!

Etsy Feature: To Boldly Fold

noreply@blogger.com (Shalon) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:10:00 +0000

This is my first Etsian interview and I'm totally excited about this one. Melissa from To Boldy Fold makes beautiful hand crafted books.

Tell us about your work. What types of things do you make?

I currently make softcover leather sketchbooks and journals with vintage and stone buttons.

What inspired you to start making books?

I am an artist, and I could never find a mass produced sketchbook that fit all the requirements that I liked. If I found something aesthetically pleasing, the paper quality often wasn't right for artwork. I started making sketchbooks for myself purely out of a need, but soon found it to be an amazing medium to work in.

What kind of materials do you use to make your books?

My materials include leather, paper, linen thread, and vintage or stone buttons. I cut the leather down from full hides and the paper from 30" X 40" sheets. That way I get the best fit for the leather covers.

Do you have any other hobbies or crafting obsessions?

I work mainly in paper- from paper cuttings to artist books to alternative processes in photography.

Where can we find your products for sale?

www.ToBoldlyFold.etsy.com

Also, my website: www.ToBoldlyFold.com

I am trying to turn this into a full time career, so check out my kickstarter project!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/toboldlyfold/to-boldly-fold-where-no-bookbinder-has-gone-befor

Thanks Melissa for sharing your crafting obsession with us. Keep crafting!