Some Gift Ideas For You December 29, 2009

Wow, what a Christmas!  I was snowed in with my very sweet family in Kearney, NE from Tuesday evening until Sunday morning but despite the close quarters for an extended amount of time, we had one of the best holidays that I can remember!  Thanks Mom, Dad and Kate for making it special.

Not only did we eat a lot of very delicious food cooked by my Mom. . . we also exchanged gifts like most families do during this time of a year. Now a few of mine were too creative and cool not to share, maybe you will want to gift them to someone special to you!!

What an amazing surprise from my boyfriend Brian, a beautiful easel for painting. I’m almost ready to start my first one.  Thanks Bri!  This can be found at my favorite art store in Omaha, Dick Blick.

I’ve already scoured this beautiful collection of creative places by Jo Packham. I love this website and love the book even more, which can be purchased here!

Envirosax!  My sister knows me too well. . . I always forget my reusable bags when I make a quick stop at Target or the grocery store and end up throwing more plastic bags in the trash feeling horribly guilty.  This is the perfect solution, roll them up, keep them in your purse and they come in so many patterns and colors, it’s the perfect gift any time of year. Make sure to purchase them at one of the two Material Girl locations in Omaha!

What creative and unique gifts did you give or receive this holiday season? I would love to hear!

Smiles,

Megan

Holiday Traditions December 21, 2009

Every year before Christmas my Aunt Jody has my sister and I over to do some sort of holiday treat decorating, then she cooks us an amazing dinner. It’s a special tradition we’ve done since we were little tykes, now we may have a missed a few years in there while we were both in college but we’ve been back at it the last few holidays.

Because we are so creative, she’s always trying new techniques or ideas with us. This year, we tried the technique called flooding. Basically, after piping the outline of the cookie you flood it with a frosting that dries quick and with a matte finish. Then you go back and pipe designs on it and add sparkles and treats.

While we aren’t professional and she may change her frosting recipe a bit for next year, I think they turned out gorgeous!! And I’m sure they taste amazing too. . . I didn’t even sneak a taste, but my sister did.

Thanks for another fun holiday night Aunt Jody!!

Smiles,

Megan

Send me your license plates! December 15, 2009

These new holiday decorations found in my house come from my good friend Karla at Back At Ya Babe.  She collects old, raised license plates and makes them in to everything imaginable!!

A little something for the wall or a front door. . .

And a little something for a mantle, above a door, or high above my kitchen sink!

Smiles!

Megan

What a pretty little gem. December 13, 2009

I just completed this memory box for my friend Amy.  Her brother Ted married a beautiful woman named Stephanie and Amy wanted to give them a unique gift that represented their special day.

All the box making materials and papers were purchased online at Hollanders.com.  The other little treasures were found everywhere from Silver Bella to Tiede’s, my favorite junk store!

Amy said their wedding was going to be very classy and elegant, Silver and Black with a touch of red, so that’s what I went from.

The photo corners will fit a 5×7 photo and the flowers at the top left are a velvety black I purchased at Silver Bella.

A subtle way to include names of the bride and groom and date of the event.

After unwrapping the bow and opening the top, this is the pretty you will find.

A flower made of a mixture of vintage and modern, glass and plastic buttons.  Love this detail.

Congratulations Ted & Stephanie!

Smiles!

Megan

Hello world! December 12, 2009

This is my first ever business card I designed for myself during Scientific Illustration school at UC Santa Cruz back in 2003.  I “painted” the cow in Photoshop – I think the udder area is my favorite part. I still love this business card but since I’ve expanded my creations beyond just illustration it isn’t relevant anymore.  But I still wanted to share.

I’m so excited to start this blog and share all my favorite creative things with all of you and hope that you share with me in return.  I’m hoping this blog and sharing of all things creative and bright will inspire my branding efforts.

Smiles!

Megan