Handsome Gavin // Baby Announcement Design

I'm just gonna say it.

I love designing baby announcements.

There is nothing better than designing the first thing a mother sends out to "show off" their new baby.

I don't get to see Brooke as much as I would like to. It actually has been quite some time since I've saw her and many of my fellow Purdue DZ sorority sisters - but the great part - we can always pick up right where we left off. So, I was thrilled to design Brooke & Grant's announcement of their handsome Gavin.

Take a look!

Design Thursday // My Motto

I don't care who you are - happiness looks good on everyone. I love the feeling of smiling so much that your ears hurt. Yeah, you thought I was going to say cheeks. But, I'm weird like that, and smiling so much makes my ears turn red and get so sore. But you know what they say, no pain - no gain.

SO go on. Be happy. Smile so much it hurts. And if you have any good jokes - send 'em my way!

Hand-lettering // Bless Your Heart

For Christmas I asked santa/mom/dad/whomever was listening for a Wacom Bamboo splash tablet because I've really been drawn to hand-lettering lately. And I thought, what the hell, I'll try my hand at it. Literally.

I'm not gonna lie, I've really enjoyed using my tablet. I actually don't even use a mouse anymore. I'm a believer in tablets. I'm kicking myself because I let my fear of tablets keep me from one this long!

Anywho - you don't care about that.

One of my favorite songs is "Only Prettier" by Miranda Lambert. Because why?

Well I’ve been saved by the grace of Southern charm
I got a mouth like a sailor and yours is more like a Hallmark card
And if you wanna pick a fight
Well I’m gonna have to say goodnight
I don’t have to be hateful, I can just say bless your heart.

That's right - I can just say, Bless Your Heart.

P.S. I love Miranda Lambert. P.S.S. I love The Pistol Annie's.

Valentine Memory // A Bushel and A Peck

Do you have a saying that makes you feel deep down to the bone loved?

One that sends you back to a memory that you have stored in your brain that you pull out only for special occasions.

I do.

My mamaw used to sing this to me at night, during the day or just flat out tell me that she loves me a bushel and a peck. If you asked me to sing the rest of the song - I couldn't. But the words, "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck" are tattooed on my brain. I can feel the love as I type.

So, why don't you tell your Valentine, loved one, best friend or stranger, "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." I guarantee you'll get a smile back. And in the end, a genuine smile can be the best "change" the giver can receive.

 

Green Leaf Cafe // Logo Exploration

Sometimes things fall thru - so something better can fall into place. 

The client I was working with designing these logos had a ton on his plate already - so, his idea of Green Leaf Cafe slipped through the cracks (for the time being, at least). But, I thought I'd brush some of the dust off and show you some of my logo ideation.

I was happy with how these turned out and I could already picture the branding for the entire cafe. Which still makes me a little giddy. But, you know what my mom tells me, "you can't win 'em all." And in this case - these pretty logos never made their appearance in the world - but, I think they at least deserve to say hello on my blog!

Do you have a favorite? 

Cheers To 30 Years!

Previously I posted about a surprise birthday party for my Grandpa Barry. Well, exactly 1 day before that we had my brother's surprise party too! My family sure does love a good reason to order a Donut Bank cake. I mean, seriously - they have the best icing on the planet. Sometimes my whole hand accidentally hopes to run into the cake. Okay, Okay - maybe not my WHOLE hand. But pointer finger, yes, definitely. (I'm not even mad)

For my brother's birthday we decided to go with a "Cheers To 30 Year's" theme. For one, he like his beer. For two, my family always loves to have something to 'cheers' about!

front:

back:

Happy Birthday, Brother!! Proof that you can't help but have a big ol' grin when you're holding onto a Donut Bank cake.

 I'm just glad he shared.

 

I'm sensing a birthday theme on the blog lately. Who's next?!

Put Your Swagger In It!

When sending our your Christmas cards - are you the type of person to really add your own flare?? Or did you find yourself just running out to Target in hopes they would still have some cards left of the shelf? Or were you like me and didn't send a dang thing out. Whoops. :)

My great friend, Emily Beavers asked if she could use me for my designing abitities and I much obliged. Because for 1) she always lets me put my own flare on things and 2) I knew that it would turn out pretty awesome. Don't mean to toot my own horn, but - toot! toot!

So after a few emails and what's app messages we came to the conclusion that the card was going to be based around "Joy to the World & 2013" Emily really wanted her card to be based around travel because she had a HUGE change in life last July when she and her husband packed their bags, their sweet doggy Stella and made the trek to Shanghai. So naturally - she wanted her card to really be about where they have been and where they are now.

So, I think this is a perfect example of adding your own "swagger" if you will to your own card. Because honestly - people spend a lot more time looking over cards with pictures or something personal. Rather than opening - seeing a Target card and then a signature. BOR-ING. Yes, yes, don't yell at me - I understand some people just don't have the time or cash flow for a personal card. But, there are a plethora of other venues you can take to making your Christmas/New Year card personal. I personally appreciate the typed out letter letting of what each and every person in the family is up to - including the dog!

So, without rambling too much. Here is Emily's "Joy to the World & 2013!" Let me know what you think of it! And of course, contact me for your 2013 Christmas/New Year cards. Never hurts to start planning early, right!?

TGIF!!

Pretty Paper...

Remember how you were going to send out Christmas cards last year - and remember how you didn't? I'm teaming up with Kelli from CK Photo to make some badass Christmas cards for anyone who feels like beating the hustle and bustle of the holidays!

Shoot me an email if you feel like getting some more deets! abby.lynn.raber@gmail.com

Happy Thursday!

Growing Up

There are so many people that are growing up around me.

Sometimes I wonder if people think that I'm growing up?

Nearly 76.2% of my friends are married.

Out of those 76.2% - I'd say 45.333333333% are with child, having a child or thinking about children.

How do you judge growing up? Is it an age? Is it owning a house? Is it having a steady job? Is it having a significant relationship with another human being? Is it finally obtaining the house with the white picket fence and 2.5 children? Is it owning your own business? Is it traveling the world?

Whoa - this is way more serious than I want it to be.

I originally set out to write this post about my best friend and her new baby - Anna, growing up. She's two months now. Since Lauren lives in Alberta, Canada - I get to watch Anna grow up via Skype & pictures. Thank God for Skype. But, I was blessed with her getting to come home 2 weeks ago and I made the 5 hour trip to go see my best friend's baby. And of course see Lauren, Brandon, Amy & Tom - but Anna was the main event.

I think there were multiple times that I had flashbacks of meeting Lauren for the first time at Purdue. Or having flashbacks of us complaining about class, going to get Den Pops, complaining about boys, drinking (kool-aid of course), or watching re-runs of Sex & The City on that infamous purple futon. Regardless, when I step back and look how Lauren has grown into an incredible wife and now mom - I tear up. I'm so proud of her.

Okay, enough sappiness.

I designed Anna's birth announcements and tried my hand at snapping some family photos with my trusty Nikon D5000. It's even crazy to me to see how much she's grown up in those 2 short months! I can't imagine how Lauren feels!

Take a peek!

It's easy to photograph people when they are so darn cute.

TGIF, Friends!!

Grandpa Barry is 80 going on 50!

Okay, so I have two things to celebrate. I can celebrate on a Thursday, right? #1 - that I'm taking the time to blog! And #2 - I checked and I've had 14,746 views as of today. Wow. Me? People have actually looked at this 14,746 times. I don't believe it. Now, I know that is probably an extremely small number compared to eh, let's say Google!? Holy cow - I bet they get 14,746 views every second. Maybe even more. Hey, but we all gotta start somewhere. :) 

I actually made this invitation back in July for my Grandpa Barry's surprise 80th birthday party that my granny had during our annual family vacation. I can honestly say that nobody else in this world deserved a surprise party more than my Grandpa Barry. He is one of the most brilliant, warm-hearted, fear-less, silent, loving, artistic man that I know. And, most importantly - he has the best thick head of white hair - it's manly gorgeous (if I can say that?). When I was younger and used to stay the weekend with Granny & Grandpa Barry, I used to love when I would get to hang out in the craft room with him. I can still smell the oil paints and see the almost finished canvas. He knew that I was a creative soul even before I did. He knew that I would much rather make giant tissue paper flowers than pretty much anything else. Grandpa Barry is one man that I'll happily sit six hours with painting pottery at 'Fired Up' - trust me, we've done it.

Happy 80th Birthday, Grandpa Barry. Cheers to many more winery tours with you! I love you.

See, I told you Grandpa Barry had a great head of hair! And check out my beautiful Granny!