Remember that mood board I posted a while ago that I said I loved for its unique style? Well, this is the finished design! And let me tell you, it was fun to work on. The idea for the design just popped into my head not long after we started talking about all of this, and it was one of those projects where I just knew what I should do. It normally doesn’t happen like that – normally I will work out my many different ideas on paper and think a lot about my options before deciding. But this time it just happened. And I loved it. Rachel was so sweet and so much fun to work with! She told me more than once how excited she was about the design, and her enthusiasm definitely fueled mine. =D I thoroughly enjoyed working with her, and am so glad we were able to come up with a design that she loves so much. Head on over, check out her blog, and leave her some love!

One thing I did on this project that I haven’t done much of is hand lettering. I’ve always been interested in calligraphy and the art of writing (you should see my fountain pen collection.), but I have to say I’m not that great at working with calligraphy nibs and dip pens. So hand lettering is perfect for me – because it’s slow, careful drawing that creates the flourishes and decorations, instead of fast + necessarily steady strokes. And I love how unique it is. Because no matter how perfect you can draw out what you’re working on, it will still have that personality that comes from doing things by hand. And I think that is very special.

For the title, Dramatic Elegance, I drew inspiration from two different typefaces, Bispo and Champignon. Both fonts are really beautiful, and I wanted to include elements from both, while still creating something that was my own. I worked out what the title would look like in my sketchbook (I can’t say how important it is to visualize what you’re going to do before you actually start doing it), and then drew it out in pencil and then ink. After cleaning it up in Photoshop it was ready for the blog!

Meghan loves pink. And all things vintage. And writing (she’s written three books!). So we had a blast creating her design…I especially loved the idea of combing black & white/sepia elements with the other girly colors. She was so sweet and kind – truly a pleasure to work with. Seriously, the best projects are the ones where you and your client can connect on a personal level. I really believe so much in life is about relationships, even when it comes to business!

I think my favorite part of this design is the header with the hand-drawn flowers. (not my own work – another amazing artist did that!) There’s something about hand-drawn, hand-lettered art that just adds so much depth and character to any project. So I guess that’s why my other favorite thing about this design is the hand-drawn typewriter + books in her signature (those I did draw!). You’ll have to click on over to see it! And be sure and leave her some love while you’re at it.

You can’t get better than trees + deep red + hand drawings! I love the rustic feel of this board and the bright colors mixed with darker ones. This is another project where the style is very similar to my own – and it is so much fun to work on something that is so close to the very things that I love. I am looking forward to sharing the finished products!

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.
-Lord Byron