Back in September, when I decided that it was time for Howjoyful to have a facelift, the very first thing I did was grab some paper and a pencil to draft some ideas. I have to admit that when it comes to me as a client I am the worst so I end up with 2 completely different ideas and 2 completely different concepts. I loved them both but I had to make up my mind and choose, and that’s what you can see now in the blog.

Since I really liked one of the rejected drafts I decided that it would be nice to show you all a little bit of behind the scenes as an excuse for it to get a little exposure, I just feel sad no one got to see it! The least I can do is give it 1 post of fame. So here it is, the poor little How Joyful that went to the trash =[

For this sketch I really liked the idea of making swirls in the shape of hearts with "How Joyful" but then I changed my mind because it seemed too busy and cutesy for my personal taste. So I started exploring other ideas and other kind of typefaces, lines and swirls. I ended up with probably more than 20 different drafts but this one below was the runner up =]

I still think I could do something with this, the one above was the last draft I did in ink and paper, but I also vectorized it. So, I would really like to actually do something with it since I spent so much time on that. I think it could be another print to frame for my office, or maybe print it on fabric? I am not sure.

This was one of my first completely free-hand projects and I loved the process so much! Now I really want to buy a new tablet to draft projects because my old one was only for PC so now I have no way to use it (the only bad thing about only having Mac products now) so hopefully I’ll get to buy one soon. I am also super excited to attend the Calligraphy class by Melissa Esplin next January at Alt Summit, I really want to get back into paper and drawing.

I’ve received a few emails asking me for the font I used in my current header, so I want to show you where it came from. I actually didn’t even have tracing paper that day, so I just started playing with the only sheet of paper I found. After my first sketch I went over to my Mother-in-laws (She does awesome calligraphy) and asked for her advice/opinion, we played with calligraphy pens and had a lot of fun. I was still indecisive over the two sketches because I started with such a different set of concepts for each one. But I decided to work more on my second draft because I thought it was way too rough at first, so with a few line changes and tracing it on Illustrator it ended up just like I wanted =]

Do you have any ideas to use the runner up?
I hope you all have a wonderful day and stay warm!
XO

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Today I am taking advantage once again of the scheduling options to bring you a post, while Ken and I are in a mini trip in Las Vegas! I can not wait to actually spend some quality time with my dear husband =] After not really see him for months!

My first experience with wrap around labels was when I made our wedding invitations and I loved the way they made the envelopes look. So I decided adventure on the envelope labels again and make this labels to send out pretty mail, because who does not like pretty mail huh? – In my 101 list I shared my desire to send out handwrite letters (something I don’t do often enough) so what better way to motivate myself than having pretty envelopes to send out! I used some of my favorite flowers and colors, so I hope you all like them as much as I do =]

I prepared 2 PDF files, one with just one page and all 4 different color labels and another one with 4 pages and one color design in each page, so if you only like one of the colors you can download this file and print only the selected page.

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As I mention before they are both PDF files, so in order to preview the file you will need to have Abobe Reader installed on your PC or MAC. Without the program you will not be able to download or preview the file. If you have troubles please visit this link, because each browser works different.

I hope you all enjoy this freebie and have a wonderful week, I’ll be back soon with some more goodies =]
XO

* This printable is provided for personal, non-commercial use only.
Check the Site policy at the bottom for further information, Thank you!

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Before I made my chopstick lamp I searched for inspiration and to see if someone else had already done something with chopsticks, I didn’t find anything but in the process I found all of this very cool lampshade tutorials I want to share with all of you.

1- Ombre Pendant Lampshade by Martha Stewart
2- Faceted pendant lampshade out of fortune tellers by the 3 Rs blog
3- Another faceted pendant lampshade, now in a drum shape by the 3 Rs blog
4- Yarn ombre lampshade by Vintage Revivals

I hope all of you have a lovely weekend and stay warm =]
XO

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Here is the second file I am adding to the shop, “Never forget your dreams, they are your life” I made this printable because I wanted to make my little sister a reminder before her high school graduation, I wanted her to see this in her room each time she get’s up, because she should never let go of her dreams. I think that this is such a lovely message to give to the young ones and a reminder for all of us that at times lost the focus. Follow your dreams and never forget them!

“Colors make me happy” is a darling set of 6 different 8×11″ printable files in a multi-page PDF doccument. Perfect for an office, craft room, sewing room or nursery, this bundle includes:

- light blue –
- light pink -
- green -
- lavender -
- light gray -
- beige -

After you checkout, the file will be automatically deliver to your email, so make sure you have enough room to receive it. This file is a 8×11″ multipage PDF document, to be able to print the file you will need to have Abobe Reader installed on your PC or MAC. Without the program you will not be able to preview the file for print.

The best part is that you can you can print them as many times as you’d like. In any of the 6 different color choices, for you or to give as presents. Just buy, print and frame!

Just remember that this files are for personal/non-commercial use only, please read the terms before purchasing =]
I hope you all enjoy!
XO

4 Comments »