So guess what I did last week? I SEWED A BAG! I went to Minneapolis a few weekends ago and got some really great fabric from IKEA. I decided that I was going to sew myself a tote bag for my portfolio book and I am pretty darn proud of it! Here's some pics!!

Today I was cleaning the spare bedroom in my apartment.. We are moving soon and that room was CRAMMED full of junk. Spring-cleaning mode kicked in and it looks great now. I was really excited when I found a box full of old, vintage match books! Check out the pics:

That totally made my day. Here are some pictures of my work space now:





I got the chair for free... curb–side shopping! The posters are from UWSP's nowHERE conference, ImageHaus, and Aesthetic Apparatus' workshop at Design Camp last October. The painting was done by my professor Diane Bywaters. I love cleaning up and arranging my workspace. It always refreshes me!

This last Thursday, I went to another (and my last for the semester) portfolio review. This one took place in Appleton, WI. I've never been there before and I actually really like the city!! It was put on by the Fox River Ad Club and it was great! I got to tour Leibold, SPARK, Coalesce, and Weidert. They were all wonderful! I really enjoyed SPARK because their studio was a 3-story, old Victorian house–very different than any other studio I've been to and it was SO cool. Coalesce had a great studio, also. Lots of windows and lots of bright orange!! It was a very happy place.
Here's their websites–check our their work:
www.leibold.com
www.coalescemarketing.com
www.startaspark.com
www.weidert.com

This next week will be our last week of classes of our senior year... it's very sad! I don't graduate this year but many of my friends do and I will miss them. It's going to be an extremely hectic week. Our senior exhibition is on Friday from 3 to 6--you should definitely come if you can! It's the time when us seniors get to show off all the work (and money) we have put in for the last 4 years. :)

Talk to you soon!

I spent this last weekend in Minneapolis for AIGA's Portfolio One-on-One event. This the third year I've gone and I just love this event. It's fantastic! Here's a few photos...

My friend Dorothy (left) and I on our tours!

Ham in the Fridge's lobby art!!

Cue Design's window

My Target visitor badge!!!

The first day is full of design studio tours around Minneapolis. I was in the group that went to Target, Cue Design, and Ham in the Fridge. Every one of them was awesome! It's such a fun opportunity to see how such successful design studios work and what their environment is like.

The next day was full of student portfolio reviews. This is the first year I've actually had a book put together and I got such great feedback and advice and ideas. They also had different workshops happening throughout the day. I went to one about how to act during interviews and how to put together a good portfolio.

If you ever have a chance to go to this.. GO! I got dozens of connections out of this. I highly recommend it!

Then, when the event was over, I had the chance to go to IKEA! What an amazing store.. I got some knick knacks and some great fabric so I can sew a case for my portfolio book .

I feel so inspired and recharged from the weekend. This Thursday I get to go to a smaller but similar event in Appleton, WI called "Student vs. World" portfolio review. Can't wait!

I'm loving Black Pearl Press right now. Especially this envelope & card called "linden & lattice". Beautiful!

I would love to have these in my kitchen! I love how simply creative this is! monkeysalwayslook on etsy is selling these.

ADORABLE! Found it on thedieline.com by OrangeTango.

I love this pillow! Queen Anne's Lace is so dainty and pretty. Check out inleaf design at poppytalkhandmade.com. They are a little expensive, but gorgeous.

For those of you that know me, I love birds! I found this adorable journal by mamaroots on Etsy--and it's only $3! I may just have to get one....

hi!

this is my VERY first blog! yay!

my intention is to share with others the things i come across in life that inspire me. i want to share with people things that catch my attention, make me smile, make me laugh, make me think.

i'll get this started as soon as i can. thanks for reading!