This is an exception. So, at the risk of being completely obnoxious, here we go,
the pre- US Thanksgiving, obnoxious holiday sale!
You might also consider some holiday teeny tags while you're at it...:-)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
so obnoxious!
I love how Nordstrom posts about how the Christmas stuff shouldn't go up before Thanksgiving has happened, I so agree, and I love their attitude...however, if we wait, this inventory is going to be GONE.
This is an exception. So, at the risk of being completely obnoxious, here we go,
the pre- US Thanksgiving, obnoxious holiday sale!
Stock up, make a great Advent calender with lots of little boxes, use them to dress up your holiday table, package all your special little gifts in them...they are perfect, and, we are practically giving them away!
You might also consider some holiday teeny tags while you're at it...:-)
This is an exception. So, at the risk of being completely obnoxious, here we go,
the pre- US Thanksgiving, obnoxious holiday sale!
You might also consider some holiday teeny tags while you're at it...:-)
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Help us empty our warehouse!
email : nadine(at)bluedogzdesign(dot)com
or, just call us!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
laser beams and love
Here's something that I have been thinking about lately, it makes me feel slightly comforted and slightly depressed, but here it is.
What if, we all had little laser beams and when the time is right for us, we release our beams at people.
The actual targets of our beams might not have much to do with anything except that we are ready, they are there, and there is something that is drawing us to them (good looks, sweet smile, charisma, their smell...)
What if, when we are ready for something in our lives, maybe we just aim and shoot? Then, we go about doing what we are ready to do, in terms of learning about ourselves, surrendering, trusting, committing, or in so many cases, suffering. Maybe, because who gets shot, is, mostly arbitrary, in my laser beam equation, this leads to so much of our suffering, heartbreak, loneliness...divorce?
I mean, think about your failed relationships, or just some of the jerks you even fell for, the ones that really hurt, you were probably ready for something that the person you laser shot was not ready for, or maybe even not looking for...Then, we go around heartbroken and sad because we made this huge effort and perhaps spent years of our lives in it, we shot our beam at this person and we didn't get what we were shooting for.
We even go out to shoot new targets and tell these new targets about our bad past shots (or they tell you about theirs)! (a little fucked up, right?).
Think about that shot you had that cost you so much time and suffering, only to turn out to be a TOTAL waste of time...and yet, even though you know it, you still think about them, they still jump around in your head like target practice and all you want to do is shoot them, although not so much with your fancy little laser beam... I think that these shots, the ones we just can't let go of are probably because we had big shit to learn or try to learn, we were super ready for it and the targets were just dead wrong. Because other bad shots, well, they just don't haunt us. See what I'm saying?
Anyhow, it's not that I am not a romantic, or don't believe in love, au contraire, but seriously, does life need to be this intense?...
and, like magic, just as I typed this last sentence, a past shot, a LONG shot comes to mind. He was so un-intense, so un-passionate about me that I could have died a thousand deaths and he never would have even noticed, until, as a good friend recently reminded me, he noticed that my half of the bills weren't paid.
So, yes, I will take the intensity, I will aim again, I will shoot and I will see who gets hit with my beam and try and decide whether I should quickly throw it back in and let it go or take it home and figure out what it is I am supposed to learn from it. And I am not saying that it might not take a few shots at the same target sometimes, but, maybe every so often, two people target each other, simultaneously, both shoot, and both happen to have the same stuff to learn. And, then again, sometimes the short shots are pretty great too, don't you think?
What if, we all had little laser beams and when the time is right for us, we release our beams at people.
The actual targets of our beams might not have much to do with anything except that we are ready, they are there, and there is something that is drawing us to them (good looks, sweet smile, charisma, their smell...)
What if, when we are ready for something in our lives, maybe we just aim and shoot? Then, we go about doing what we are ready to do, in terms of learning about ourselves, surrendering, trusting, committing, or in so many cases, suffering. Maybe, because who gets shot, is, mostly arbitrary, in my laser beam equation, this leads to so much of our suffering, heartbreak, loneliness...divorce?
I mean, think about your failed relationships, or just some of the jerks you even fell for, the ones that really hurt, you were probably ready for something that the person you laser shot was not ready for, or maybe even not looking for...Then, we go around heartbroken and sad because we made this huge effort and perhaps spent years of our lives in it, we shot our beam at this person and we didn't get what we were shooting for.
We even go out to shoot new targets and tell these new targets about our bad past shots (or they tell you about theirs)! (a little fucked up, right?).
Think about that shot you had that cost you so much time and suffering, only to turn out to be a TOTAL waste of time...and yet, even though you know it, you still think about them, they still jump around in your head like target practice and all you want to do is shoot them, although not so much with your fancy little laser beam... I think that these shots, the ones we just can't let go of are probably because we had big shit to learn or try to learn, we were super ready for it and the targets were just dead wrong. Because other bad shots, well, they just don't haunt us. See what I'm saying?
Anyhow, it's not that I am not a romantic, or don't believe in love, au contraire, but seriously, does life need to be this intense?...
and, like magic, just as I typed this last sentence, a past shot, a LONG shot comes to mind. He was so un-intense, so un-passionate about me that I could have died a thousand deaths and he never would have even noticed, until, as a good friend recently reminded me, he noticed that my half of the bills weren't paid.
So, yes, I will take the intensity, I will aim again, I will shoot and I will see who gets hit with my beam and try and decide whether I should quickly throw it back in and let it go or take it home and figure out what it is I am supposed to learn from it. And I am not saying that it might not take a few shots at the same target sometimes, but, maybe every so often, two people target each other, simultaneously, both shoot, and both happen to have the same stuff to learn. And, then again, sometimes the short shots are pretty great too, don't you think?
Friday, August 10, 2012
A Cocktail Party!
Yesterday my Mom called asking for a favor...could I please whip something up to send via email, for a cocktail party that she and her husband will be hosting...here's what happened! (if you ever need invitations, announcements, postcards etc, I would love to whip something up for you too)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
100 years young!
This will be the first and only time that I have the opportunity to design an invitation for my grandfather's 100th birthday party, this September. What an honor. I kept it simple and sophisticated, in greys and black on a just-off-white card, and charcoal grey envelope (from one of my favorite paper stores in the world, Nota Bene). I printed them on my HP ink jet printer.
My grandfather is quite an amazing man, he grew up in Montreal, adored my fabulous grandmother Frances until she passed away, and told me just last week, that he lots of plans with her when he joins her one day. He played football for the very first Professional Montreal Football club and worked in the textile business selling fabrics for many many years. He had hip replacement surgery in his nineties and decided that it was a good time to give up his driver's license, 2 years ago (thank GOD!).
He still lives on his own, resents wearing his hearing aid and teeth, and is as sharp as a tack.
I only hope that I will have as long and as amazing a life as my grandpa Irving.
It should be quite a party :-)
My grandfather is quite an amazing man, he grew up in Montreal, adored my fabulous grandmother Frances until she passed away, and told me just last week, that he lots of plans with her when he joins her one day. He played football for the very first Professional Montreal Football club and worked in the textile business selling fabrics for many many years. He had hip replacement surgery in his nineties and decided that it was a good time to give up his driver's license, 2 years ago (thank GOD!).
He still lives on his own, resents wearing his hearing aid and teeth, and is as sharp as a tack.
I only hope that I will have as long and as amazing a life as my grandpa Irving.
It should be quite a party :-)
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The Head of the Class!
I have done some fun little jobs lately, like immediate gratification for a designer.
As much as I love the big jobs, sometimes the little ones are just, well, refreshing!
Both were to design new website headers.
The first was for the adorable and talented Nicole Cohen of www.sketch42blog.com
She was a dream client, really knew what she wanted and could communicate it beautifully (sounds like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how hard it can be for some clients to tell you what they want!).
Plus, I was using her gorgeous painting as the header's backdrop...hello?, again, makes my job easy. She told me what she was thinking, I proposed some ideas and, as she is so adept at doing (read her blog!) she took it to the streets for opinions...In the end, chose the typography that she liked the best. I think she chose very well and am proud to say that I helped her design her new header. I am a fan of her blog and her work, take my advice, spend some time on her site.
The next header was for my fabulous friend, writer (can't-believe-we-met-through-twitter-because-she-feels-like-freaking-family!) www.nataliekarneef.com She, knew a little less, what she wanted, but, she did know what she liked, again, a good starting point (read on). My challenge was to find the thread that brought all the things she liked together (or some of them). Here are some examples of what she liked; vintage-ish, turquoise, red, brown, green, granny wallpaper, flowers, black and white photographs, good humor, drinking humor (she'll appreciate me sharing that!) and naturally, as you'd suspect... old maps, typewriters, motorbikes and scooters... (this was not the entire list) but, let's face it, it's pretty obvious, right?
Here's what she got,
Ok, it might not have been that simple, we went back and forth a few times, hey, I am a designer, not a psychic, but seriously, want to know how much fun is it to go back and forth and throw around ideas about headers until the cows come home with someone you adore?...you can't even put a price on that kind of fun!
Would I sound super cocky saying that I freaking love the result?..oh well.
Oh, and, get familiar with Natalie, and her writing, you will be happy you did!
Need a header? get in touch. Headers make me happy. (that sounds wrong)
As much as I love the big jobs, sometimes the little ones are just, well, refreshing!
Both were to design new website headers.
The first was for the adorable and talented Nicole Cohen of www.sketch42blog.com
She was a dream client, really knew what she wanted and could communicate it beautifully (sounds like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how hard it can be for some clients to tell you what they want!).
Plus, I was using her gorgeous painting as the header's backdrop...hello?, again, makes my job easy. She told me what she was thinking, I proposed some ideas and, as she is so adept at doing (read her blog!) she took it to the streets for opinions...In the end, chose the typography that she liked the best. I think she chose very well and am proud to say that I helped her design her new header. I am a fan of her blog and her work, take my advice, spend some time on her site.
The next header was for my fabulous friend, writer (can't-believe-we-met-through-twitter-because-she-feels-like-freaking-family!) www.nataliekarneef.com She, knew a little less, what she wanted, but, she did know what she liked, again, a good starting point (read on). My challenge was to find the thread that brought all the things she liked together (or some of them). Here are some examples of what she liked; vintage-ish, turquoise, red, brown, green, granny wallpaper, flowers, black and white photographs, good humor, drinking humor (she'll appreciate me sharing that!) and naturally, as you'd suspect... old maps, typewriters, motorbikes and scooters... (this was not the entire list) but, let's face it, it's pretty obvious, right?
Here's what she got,
Ok, it might not have been that simple, we went back and forth a few times, hey, I am a designer, not a psychic, but seriously, want to know how much fun is it to go back and forth and throw around ideas about headers until the cows come home with someone you adore?...you can't even put a price on that kind of fun!
Would I sound super cocky saying that I freaking love the result?..oh well.
Oh, and, get familiar with Natalie, and her writing, you will be happy you did!
Need a header? get in touch. Headers make me happy. (that sounds wrong)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
getting paid...and what you might have wanted to say at some point.
The whole getting paid part of being a designer, gets grey, doesn't it?
I mean, our self esteem, confidence, self loathing, cockiness, future rent payments...they are all part of it aren't they? But are they?...This video de-personalizes the whole getting paid thing, at least it has for me. I have learned a lot from this and feel it's my design-duty to share it with you now. So if you design at all, and have clients, or intend to have clients, do yourself a favor and watch.
Because designers are rent paying, food eating, traveling people too dammit! (enjoy, i did!)
By Mike Monteiro of www.muledisign.com
I mean, our self esteem, confidence, self loathing, cockiness, future rent payments...they are all part of it aren't they? But are they?...This video de-personalizes the whole getting paid thing, at least it has for me. I have learned a lot from this and feel it's my design-duty to share it with you now. So if you design at all, and have clients, or intend to have clients, do yourself a favor and watch.
Because designers are rent paying, food eating, traveling people too dammit! (enjoy, i did!)
By Mike Monteiro of www.muledisign.com
Friday, April 27, 2012
Party PrePacks!
We have some limited quantities left in our warehouse of some of our very best selling boxes, so rather than just having them end quietly, they are going out with a BANG!
We have partnered them with the most adorably coordinating teeny tags for
party favor prepacks. Don't wait too long...they are selling out.
We have partnered them with the most adorably coordinating teeny tags for
party favor prepacks. Don't wait too long...they are selling out.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Portfolio Photo Shoot
The other day I woke up and decided that it was time to get organized. And, quickly!
I had an opportunity to get my design work in front of one the biggest giftware companies in the world, and it had to be done within 5 days... In essence, I needed to get my portfolio together. FAST. I could not let this opportunity pass me by, even if the endeavor felt, well, daunting.
I called my close friend and talented photographer Lynn Poulin and asked her if she had time for a sesh, she said "sure girl" in her cute way. I promised that I would do the styling and she could work her magic.
I also frantically called one of my larger clients, who I have just finished up several collections for andasked begged for samples/mock ups to use (since some of the products are in the process of being produced, as we speak!). Although I didn't get all the collections I had hoped to include, I did get enough to show what I am up to these days. The shoot was, I would have to say, one of the very best we have ever done together.
I had gone back and forth in my mind about what to do, super simple, a little styled, a lot styled. I quickly spoke to Lynn about some of my ideas before starting and she pushed me to do my thing.
(partyware for www.pierrebelvedere.com)
It's so easy to get influenced by what we see all over the internet, all over Pinterest, etc, but when I started to play around and just let myself go where I felt the photos needed to go, they turned out very me, very my style, simply put, what I do best. I am excited to share some of my new products/designs with you.
I had an opportunity to get my design work in front of one the biggest giftware companies in the world, and it had to be done within 5 days... In essence, I needed to get my portfolio together. FAST. I could not let this opportunity pass me by, even if the endeavor felt, well, daunting.
I called my close friend and talented photographer Lynn Poulin and asked her if she had time for a sesh, she said "sure girl" in her cute way. I promised that I would do the styling and she could work her magic.
I also frantically called one of my larger clients, who I have just finished up several collections for and
I had gone back and forth in my mind about what to do, super simple, a little styled, a lot styled. I quickly spoke to Lynn about some of my ideas before starting and she pushed me to do my thing.
(partyware for www.pierrebelvedere.com)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Packaging the easy way!
You know how you always see such beautiful, simple things in magazines or online and think,
"why don't I ever do something like that?"
I get people telling me that about my little stylings or projects all the time.
So, here's a really simple one.
I used clear cello bags from my local craft store, I picked up a bag of colorful gumballs at the local grocery store and I used teeny tags from my line, which you can buy, right here (and, coincidentally, they are on sale!)
You can put anything inside the bags, of course, the more colorful and fun, the better! How about a homemade cookie or some fun beads and colorful string?...Best party favors ever and most of all, super easy to make!
Now, go forth and have fun!
"why don't I ever do something like that?"
I get people telling me that about my little stylings or projects all the time.
So, here's a really simple one.
I used clear cello bags from my local craft store, I picked up a bag of colorful gumballs at the local grocery store and I used teeny tags from my line, which you can buy, right here (and, coincidentally, they are on sale!)
You can put anything inside the bags, of course, the more colorful and fun, the better! How about a homemade cookie or some fun beads and colorful string?...Best party favors ever and most of all, super easy to make!
Now, go forth and have fun!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
random photo styling
I have been wanting, for a very long time, to learn how to take good photos. I am using a little point and shoot, but I am determined to get some results with it... I played around today and tried some new things.
If anyone wants to offer up advice, you are MORE than welcome!
I enjoy the styling part much more than the actual clicking part, but I'm hoping that as (if!) I get better, I will enjoy the picture part too.
Here is a little silk scarf in a BlueDogz Design CC box (I think this is a great gift idea!), a teeny tag used as a keychain, some favorite bracelets, an elephant (yep, random) and my favorite aviators (an ebay purchase from many years ago).
If anyone wants to offer up advice, you are MORE than welcome!
I enjoy the styling part much more than the actual clicking part, but I'm hoping that as (if!) I get better, I will enjoy the picture part too.
Here is a little silk scarf in a BlueDogz Design CC box (I think this is a great gift idea!), a teeny tag used as a keychain, some favorite bracelets, an elephant (yep, random) and my favorite aviators (an ebay purchase from many years ago).
Thursday, March 8, 2012
I cried, I laughed...I made a new fort!
After yesterday's breakdown, I got back to making something that I had been wanting to make for a while...a new fort for her tiny-ness!
A little over a year ago I put this little sucker together:
It was pretty simple, some large dowel, tied together with lots of ribbon and and old drop cloth that I draped over the structure, trimmed and sort of sewed into place. We had some good times in the little teepee fort, but, since we only have one, broom sized closet in our entire loft, and no where to really hide anything; after the initial new teepee play week was over, it became more of a pain to walk around than much else.
I folded it up, as best I could and hid it as best I could, which wasn't so great, as it ended up kind of sticking out from under the never-used-crib which is right beside the big bed. She still plays with it every so often, but it falls over lots, is getting harder and harder to set up and generally just kind of bugs me.
...Ever since I got KatieFengShui-ed...I don't know, I just have trouble having stuff hanging around that is not really doing anything... So, the other day, there I was on good ole' Pinterest, my favorite time suck (are you following my pins? you should http://pinterest.com/bluedogzdesign )when I came across this little beauty.
Not only was it very very pretty, but I loved that when it wasn't being used, it could be folded up and put away. Here's what happened.
(and, all this with my reverse sewing lever not working on my cheap little sewing machine).
I used, all together now- IKEA fabrics for the details and 2 big canvas drop cloths that I sewed together for the actual house part. You can pick them up at any local hardware store and they are great for these types of projects or for any indoor forts in general. (indoor forts...that almost sounded like...oh, never mind)
I think she is going to LOVE it!
A little over a year ago I put this little sucker together:
I folded it up, as best I could and hid it as best I could, which wasn't so great, as it ended up kind of sticking out from under the never-used-crib which is right beside the big bed. She still plays with it every so often, but it falls over lots, is getting harder and harder to set up and generally just kind of bugs me.
...Ever since I got KatieFengShui-ed...I don't know, I just have trouble having stuff hanging around that is not really doing anything... So, the other day, there I was on good ole' Pinterest, my favorite time suck (are you following my pins? you should http://pinterest.com/bluedogzdesign )when I came across this little beauty.
Not only was it very very pretty, but I loved that when it wasn't being used, it could be folded up and put away. Here's what happened.
(and, all this with my reverse sewing lever not working on my cheap little sewing machine).
I used, all together now- IKEA fabrics for the details and 2 big canvas drop cloths that I sewed together for the actual house part. You can pick them up at any local hardware store and they are great for these types of projects or for any indoor forts in general. (indoor forts...that almost sounded like...oh, never mind)
I think she is going to LOVE it!
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