Relationships with Designers + Clients

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOdoavklP11hQ4TK6FjzVyZFt2LZcnsFXk03BpQgzJ_TtFOJD5t-ZDwRefX6gPG6OtZD0noBIl9Puppu3DP15wP1erpm-oZiVeQLEwxtdzSXcUJL_kRu4JeZ4yaF4dpNHQfcLpnAk1ECP/s1600/0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOdoavklP11hQ4TK6FjzVyZFt2LZcnsFXk03BpQgzJ_TtFOJD5t-ZDwRefX6gPG6OtZD0noBIl9Puppu3DP15wP1erpm-oZiVeQLEwxtdzSXcUJL_kRu4JeZ4yaF4dpNHQfcLpnAk1ECP/s800/0004.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit: Andrew Swaine</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every so often, I am asked to serve on a committee to assist in the promotion and marketing of an event. In September, one of those events was with the New England chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers <a href="http://asidne.org/">(ASID NE).</a> It was a two-part event that offered both a Distinguished Speaker presentation and then concluded with the Excellence in Design Awards. The event was hosted at a former Lamborghini showroom on the North Shore that is now used for catered events. It was the perfect venue for a group of designers who appreciate a unique space. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZJshh3Nwdz7Xbu5cXUgXZeCk3ZORGphq1-80lBfhQMD0Tyczf3Xt-geUEQjB9APS0s80eg1dMMNWKwE_sJM9-V6FItKRLRsVtHJgqctsYTzaz3PGq_bWnGqSOw4ZdEGrHbiN3JwvQGch/s1600/0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZJshh3Nwdz7Xbu5cXUgXZeCk3ZORGphq1-80lBfhQMD0Tyczf3Xt-geUEQjB9APS0s80eg1dMMNWKwE_sJM9-V6FItKRLRsVtHJgqctsYTzaz3PGq_bWnGqSOw4ZdEGrHbiN3JwvQGch/s800/0020.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit: Andrew Swaine</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdxk9vcgfINc8ykawBsZzL4MYxlWzPNXt-3r0Uc5_P2KGQflzA4gRKInXJJwPcc7gMV_TnJpu0qWqnTBquCruUnYTS55qi9vnNRkEIctn10X8s5ge31A_KhN70_LvwV0WYSrdD5hvDOHy/s1600/ASID+Awards+Gathering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdxk9vcgfINc8ykawBsZzL4MYxlWzPNXt-3r0Uc5_P2KGQflzA4gRKInXJJwPcc7gMV_TnJpu0qWqnTBquCruUnYTS55qi9vnNRkEIctn10X8s5ge31A_KhN70_LvwV0WYSrdD5hvDOHy/s800/ASID+Awards+Gathering.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGseZ0RsCnZJD5DON2nsiRb5D8H-OVSOLgs2dL7erfkhz89x3q_zSit2VvmxCutzfKgjNGoxFCGP-VwTG1H6OXGigJyxhDZHYXiO4yDWbsddHJiOdguQBtJwe_4NDrVbfCoQ6V2s19IMl/s1600/ASID+committee+9.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGseZ0RsCnZJD5DON2nsiRb5D8H-OVSOLgs2dL7erfkhz89x3q_zSit2VvmxCutzfKgjNGoxFCGP-VwTG1H6OXGigJyxhDZHYXiO4yDWbsddHJiOdguQBtJwe_4NDrVbfCoQ6V2s19IMl/s800/ASID+committee+9.19.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>With Katherine Hawkins, Amanda Greaves, Jill Janasiewicz, Lynda Onthank</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our committee meetings leading up to the event were so much fun! We were fortunate to have a busy group of designers involved who know how to get things done. Each of us had specific tasks (my job was event graphics) but all of us pitched in wherever needed to help make the event a success. During our meetings leading up to the event, we often shared stories about the design projects we were working on, and how we handled client needs. Since client relationships can determine how much fun one has on the job, we decided to have our guest speaker discuss this topic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1Kr6X-x5_XKMKm3QUMil2-NPOlyNNrxnqrJ-65tTlD8Y7TwJbN9pRwOkDStg7BLsGt_32TXZNgmvUk3mKV0daGTUZ9adxpN3JmBm9LBJFT-5x_S2JgJshPXY-8KNp9LNBIFC54grHN-y/s1600/marybeth-jill-angela@ASID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1Kr6X-x5_XKMKm3QUMil2-NPOlyNNrxnqrJ-65tTlD8Y7TwJbN9pRwOkDStg7BLsGt_32TXZNgmvUk3mKV0daGTUZ9adxpN3JmBm9LBJFT-5x_S2JgJshPXY-8KNp9LNBIFC54grHN-y/s800/marybeth-jill-angela@ASID.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mary Beth Haggerty and Jill with guest speaker Angela Merola</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We selected <a href="http://www.angelamerola.com/speaking/">professional speaker Angela Merola,</a> a life-business-spiritual coach to present </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">Client Magnetism: Tools to Attracting Clients.</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> She was very engaging, encouraged audience interaction, and shared many valuable tips on how to find perfect clients and increase profits while doing so.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VTG1EMZdjrFWtGI2d1t7lm-jEiKvY4BXVOwQX7O14MseTE5taVZZlH3k09Ene7Z2shPBVioExCLwrXLj0A4e6UnwxFuP0AO7fkGRn2Hgy3UQdekPD6DMGyWHsxwf4z9AOVnd5eQKbRR7/s1600/table+arrangement+ASID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VTG1EMZdjrFWtGI2d1t7lm-jEiKvY4BXVOwQX7O14MseTE5taVZZlH3k09Ene7Z2shPBVioExCLwrXLj0A4e6UnwxFuP0AO7fkGRn2Hgy3UQdekPD6DMGyWHsxwf4z9AOVnd5eQKbRR7/s800/table+arrangement+ASID.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>event florals for the evening were done by Laura Thomson Design</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit: Andrew Swaine</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Angela actually offers confidence-boosting presentations on her website. But if you are an ASID designer and need CEU credits before the year ends, you must purchase an actual DVD and then take an online test afterwards to receive the credits. It is definitely worth the commitment either way! <a href="http://www.angelamerola.com/watch-ceu/">Details here.</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57l3nKkMg3BCoudTYrL0OISNev8fosyHKNuXWPCC3gMUdEChGGON00Y7tikPJz1YBpDLPKYEtNJc6AFQwdElk2HW5eRPzLDOIPPkDuHIWdOXykdjM-eofOSY1xNnOluhcBP6DSYDL03iM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-18+at+10.51.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57l3nKkMg3BCoudTYrL0OISNev8fosyHKNuXWPCC3gMUdEChGGON00Y7tikPJz1YBpDLPKYEtNJc6AFQwdElk2HW5eRPzLDOIPPkDuHIWdOXykdjM-eofOSY1xNnOluhcBP6DSYDL03iM/s800/Screen+shot+2013-11-18+at+10.51.08+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wrote a brief blog post for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace highlighting some of the client relationship building tips that Angela shared with us back in September. <a href="http://mvb.me/s/df741c">Check it out here.</a> For this post, the Designer Marketplace team chose some great photos from Williams-Sonoma. There is actually one in the post that looks a lot like how my </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">coat closet</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> for the Glen Magna Farms Designers Holiday Show House is going to look. How did they know??! Stay tuned for my own photos in a couple of weeks. Better yet, come visit me there! The mansion has been buzzing with designers and artists working their magic in preparation for the big reveal and we can’t wait to show it off! It opens December 1st. <a href="http://danversshowhouse.blogspot.com/">Ticket info here.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Relationships with Designers + Clients

photo credit: Andrew Swaine Every so often, I am asked to serve on a committee to assist in the promotion and marketing of an event. In Sept...

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Moving day ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEaIVtWGu5XHXD4g8mg75xuM1GGi7h9YrSzDfPnpKjYru4l51Q_vXdnBzb14gw-jdSbyp8PK317q2MhKfxLS3yrkm9QivLp4RfUeFtnb74jfihNafX3HYpOTMqYi_XowYM7pLnCXDcgR1/s1600/hansgrohe@wenham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEaIVtWGu5XHXD4g8mg75xuM1GGi7h9YrSzDfPnpKjYru4l51Q_vXdnBzb14gw-jdSbyp8PK317q2MhKfxLS3yrkm9QivLp4RfUeFtnb74jfihNafX3HYpOTMqYi_XowYM7pLnCXDcgR1/s800/hansgrohe@wenham.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does a week long show that I prepared for over the period of several months get completely dismantled in the period of two hours? On Sunday afternoon I showed up at closing time to pack up and take home all of the accessories from my space at the Wenham Museum <a href="http://wenhammuseum.org/northshoredesignshow.html">North Shore Design Show.</a> This took all of one hour which included chatting with some of my fellow designers who were also there beginning to pack up. Okay, maybe I spent more time stalling than actually packing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday morning I arrived to see the new 26 foot truck from my day job at <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> parked alongside the Museum to pick up the <a href="http://www.stoneforest.com/kitchen-bath/products/view/220">Stone Forest Salus Potting Sink</a> that was the inspiration piece behind my vignette. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCIDZuZDsfuu0L0UHaK7GG9c_LSQdp0CV71nwP6X9RNNy86wCNSRuP0SN4vniehVwZXsRX5_BglHnaJA9OT5dL21dcHR0u4k0rXnnRJFfQX7NYsDwx-QwdU1byYYBN9qkqHLic2kJW63r/s1600/duravit+DesignerBath@wenham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCIDZuZDsfuu0L0UHaK7GG9c_LSQdp0CV71nwP6X9RNNy86wCNSRuP0SN4vniehVwZXsRX5_BglHnaJA9OT5dL21dcHR0u4k0rXnnRJFfQX7NYsDwx-QwdU1byYYBN9qkqHLic2kJW63r/s800/duravit+DesignerBath@wenham.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I really didn’t need a 26 foot truck to accomodate the three foot wide sink, it was quite nice – and comforting – to have a couple of my co-workers from the showroom/warehouse there to carry out the extremely heavy granite sink along with the number of pretty pieces from <a href="http://www.circlefurniture.com/">Circle Furniture</a> that also had to be returned. </span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhONPNVvHLnb7IM9YwPIsVuM-RwhgK82A23pl9mdqzuW5Z8qGYlVzHU2o1iSt7i4mA-mWEXYINT7Ryk6cm_0u0SW7f0UA4clf-hTg6M2Pv6D_abW6WLFs60RXrUlnXx-b0Bj0GMnY0363u/s1600/hansgrohe2@wenham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhONPNVvHLnb7IM9YwPIsVuM-RwhgK82A23pl9mdqzuW5Z8qGYlVzHU2o1iSt7i4mA-mWEXYINT7Ryk6cm_0u0SW7f0UA4clf-hTg6M2Pv6D_abW6WLFs60RXrUlnXx-b0Bj0GMnY0363u/s800/hansgrohe2@wenham.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And since I chose the graphics and designed the look of the new trucks, it was a slightly surreal moment in time for me as well. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like every year, I did take a lot of photos from the show. I will share them later this week. Right now I am still a little sad that it is all over. I guess I could always just turn that same attention to my own house though, right? If only I had access to the same design inventory : )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>

Moving day ...

How does a week long show that I prepared for over the period of several months get completely dismantled in the period of two hours? On Sun...

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I was not paid to promote this product ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd_D9PCxCXgV7kenFRCQt-ER4ocdA0AnXNcjEKDVwgsh8YlC4GZ8YksTZV6Z4VTNsYddbnZtbeFG_MpBdRyRFhn2U2uRUvyMXp19rQnpuoIJQfKRoJ77vWa8StkwBIx2nn2DHzZveov7Z/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-10+at+11.18.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd_D9PCxCXgV7kenFRCQt-ER4ocdA0AnXNcjEKDVwgsh8YlC4GZ8YksTZV6Z4VTNsYddbnZtbeFG_MpBdRyRFhn2U2uRUvyMXp19rQnpuoIJQfKRoJ77vWa8StkwBIx2nn2DHzZveov7Z/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-10+at+11.18.16+PM.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Can I just share how much I love this new conditioner I found? It smells like a combination of coconut and mint (fresh yet relaxed?) and is filled with good for you ingredients like green tea and goji berry. Besides being like aromatherapy in the shower and actually making my hair feel silky smooth, I am loving the on-trend orange bottle and rockin’ graphics. And who wouldn’t want to start the day (or go into the night) with the belief that “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Living the Dream</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> is well within reach ... just look for it on your supermarket shelves : )  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tigihaircare.com/consumer/en-US/rockaholic/rockaholic-products.asp?product=livin_cond&categoryID="><span id="goog_163425482"></span>TIGI Rockaholic Living the Dream</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Daily Conditioner + Energy<span id="goog_163425483"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-0I8vs0Jk7JMr1EE5t1myGpYadpFg6GyOgl-Td0KYuXJAPJuMIZV4NVs37zrV4JA9A9g4jzk-ovY3s8nNki_fU3zCvGdP73ypJOsdRW5Xzii1PBE2m0Iq-FvfStd7-pCzWt8oI5hKtdJ/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-11+at+12.07.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-0I8vs0Jk7JMr1EE5t1myGpYadpFg6GyOgl-Td0KYuXJAPJuMIZV4NVs37zrV4JA9A9g4jzk-ovY3s8nNki_fU3zCvGdP73ypJOsdRW5Xzii1PBE2m0Iq-FvfStd7-pCzWt8oI5hKtdJ/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-11+at+12.07.07+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.tigistore.com/c-46-how-to-get-the-look.aspx">Click here</a> for professional styling videos</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and more products available from TIGI</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

I was not paid to promote this product ...

Can I just share how much I love this new conditioner I found? It smells like a combination of coconut and mint (fresh yet relaxed?) and is ...

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Y knot!

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;51;50;124;80;200-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0#A124-239;P;c254;51;50;124;80;200-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588132103681599378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhtTy6NBx2nuomfB_C-g4s_tJmK12RMiZbebtJD9KLIpFt7GYvM9SlTeLwbBAbqkZTvN1Vr6hHsg2Jgjln0n2UVkeFf6Kg-UIvccdQcF-o3vOSrG8D6YCMWLgHZTGUUZQlz7St-UhOdkp/s400/black-whiteYknot.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 248px;" /></a><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;51;50;124;80;200-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0#A124-239;P;c254;51;50;124;80;200-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Y knot pattern designed by Yvonne Blacker</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">available exclusively at Alluminare.com</span></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/business-of-design.html">A while back I mentioned</a> wanting to try my hand at creating patterns for fabrics, etc. What designer hasn’t searched for the perfect pattern in just the right color combination and wished they could just design what they were looking for?<br /><br />With a background in illustration, graphic design, and print production, creating a pattern for fabrics (or other surface designs) seemed like a fun extension of the same creative process to me. After day dreaming about it for some time, I have finally given it a shot!<br /><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=P120-239;P;c254;51;48;124;80;400-9700-9700-10-CSHB3x1-STEMS36x1-DK20-0-0#P120-239;P;c254;51;48;124;80;400-9700-9700-10-CSHB3x1-STEMS36x1-DK20-0-0"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588136830094981522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1PvmSxVFK0UbAK_puQbC1JAMEGYJM-Nsmy9Vn2lqZQc0sMeUBOh6tpUGljdmM_m70vJkVOPfMLhyXDNsNs36ei5RKyP7-cvRZjM9XlS-2CemxySdZBn9tRZA0jDiaMI2zYneNPVbXRp5/s400/tanYknotShadeYBlacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 294px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=P120-239;P;c254;51;48;124;80;400-9700-9700-10-CSHB3x1-STEMS36x1-DK20-0-0#P120-239;P;c254;51;48;124;80;400-9700-9700-10-CSHB3x1-STEMS36x1-DK20-0-0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Y knot in White/Chocolate Milk, Small Scale</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />on an Alluminare </span><span style="font-style: italic;">20 inch drum pendant light</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />This week my pattern </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >“Y knot”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> was introduced exclusively on </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Alluminare.com</span><span style="font-size:130%;">! Now anyone can order a throw pillow, lamp shade, fabric or wallpaper in this modern-geometric typography inspired pattern (see the chain of capital letter Ys?)<br /><br />What I love about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alluminare</span> is that each pattern they offer can be custom designed with a variety of colors and pattern sizes. See how easy it is to transform <span style="font-weight: bold;">Y knot</span> into completely different looks from subtle to bold ...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;51;163;124;80;400-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0#A124-239;P;c254;51;44;124;80;800-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588146373385871346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7SNVj6uQ09NP_eStj1ShzMnERnMTqcyU1im0I6YmGa8Rv5d7PKWkXtGQ6-NGk7xJRYLt0Fuun_Z9DzlBK9N-fIK7E9aeOVyOjQffz_P96p52NfNLBOZjdB2g6Z-mBmM5HDK5_g-8-PgB/s400/silver%253AwhiteYknotYBlacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 247px;" /></a><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;51;163;124;80;400-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0#A124-239;P;c254;51;44;124;80;800-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Y knot in White/Silver, Tiny Scale</span></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;51;38;124;80;100-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0#A124-239;P;c254;51;38;124;80;100-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588136825899507490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBblmF7cPR2wtmbJ1BsKlTsATEhOrb-a2UIGlW-GwlXSRhwd3OpUUAUJxaw2ffumz2LBug0pCeHE1s2bgzMuOxy4Z0Og1Ud_6t-pBR_5N66umpVgD8huXdaE6zvuD-qD3Q-ueRZ5YxwRXd/s400/greenYknotYBlacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 243px;" /></a><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;51;38;124;80;100-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0#A124-239;P;c254;51;38;124;80;100-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Y knot in White/Spring Grass, Large Scale</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0#A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0"><span><span></span></span></a><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0#A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588143606591718082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1enhQBPiprbGR6kKTXyk9hnTZX6r3xNBM5nWexZvJMr9FKugWrC_a-qHk78JFkKhHpyAmY2GC8CheJz0TZv7tcdeqCxhZ0sdjZLvI8DgnltsPOwe776adrhBFwUPcGBV_KyzFnD3IllEa/s400/cantaloupeYknotYBlacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 248px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0#A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Y knot in Black/Cantaloupe, Largest Scale</span></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This last pattern, when blown up to its largest scale, reminds me of a monarch butterfly! This was not intentional, just a pleasant surprise as butterflies happen to be one of my favorite graphic design icons.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Look for them in the following design show spaces:</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/05/designers-before-and-after.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">North Shore Design Show, 2010</span></a><br />(can you find 3 in this post?)<br /><br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/05/fairy-tale-event.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">North Shore Design Show, 2009</span></a><br />(can you see 5 in one photo?)<br /><br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-nursery-design-in-detail.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Danvers Historical Society Design Show, 2010</span></a><br />(can you find one?)<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I plan on creating more patterns and hopefully a collection or two in the future. Thanks to the creative minds at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alluminare.com</span>, custom pattern design is now a dream come true for me : )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://blog.alluminare.com/custom-designs-with-alluminare-and-companies-we-adore/">Click here</a> to see how you, too, can utilize the custom design features available at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alluminare.com</span>!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0#A124-239;P;c254;50;101;124;80;50-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0"> </a></div>

Y knot!

Y knot pattern designed by Yvonne Blacker available exclusively at Alluminare.com A while back I mentioned wanting to try my hand at creati...

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I am engaged ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJNNiv18Mdh3XrqxGDzark6rcKZIEcYbjIrpPYcEqfLvKQEKCizWWUeqz13NrOG3H5Nbl8BIys_Z7Rkf3iAFtqrrGAViNayc9O6PcQUmNLk88dbxfUp0ebbjplTKAsg3Ws340EedvX3nU/s1600/ringonplate%2540nefl.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565582050740382274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJNNiv18Mdh3XrqxGDzark6rcKZIEcYbjIrpPYcEqfLvKQEKCizWWUeqz13NrOG3H5Nbl8BIys_Z7Rkf3iAFtqrrGAViNayc9O6PcQUmNLk88dbxfUp0ebbjplTKAsg3Ws340EedvX3nU/s400/ringonplate%2540nefl.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Engagement “ring” available</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > at<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/retailstore.html">New England Fine Living</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Working on the soon-to-be launched <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/nefineryad-rates.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery Magazine</span></a> has completely consumed my creative thoughts.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfznEOrAK_oGHJ1SSD5zE3103byRVSF01OBYnhfx589EhMFzVuAgBoibnXcu4ErS3C0fRKxVYacJ_-WicwTIMHgfSXRmjoSbuU7OYYq1drdFr9IcvQTH75vLfOjvOLuhF4WqmQ6Id-epJ/s1600/tworings%2540nefl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNxKBcoYSEuiKNLzs4iU8TR4wQWN-AczGePvHPGPe5o5yFipfvhU-yVnjWB5vUd7W-PrABDvmi2Jt-ONBPCqNzXWdMBrpigFUDfh9Xfy7ZuFiP3ie7R3EXOGc12Xn9E3BYRV7rak3qigO/s1600/table%2540NEFL.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565582057577648626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNxKBcoYSEuiKNLzs4iU8TR4wQWN-AczGePvHPGPe5o5yFipfvhU-yVnjWB5vUd7W-PrABDvmi2Jt-ONBPCqNzXWdMBrpigFUDfh9Xfy7ZuFiP3ie7R3EXOGc12Xn9E3BYRV7rak3qigO/s400/table%2540NEFL.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Table setting by <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/aboutLinda_1.html">Linda Smith</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />of New England Fine Living</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Linda and I have been meeting regularly at this very table to discuss page layouts and desired content for the first issue.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhiIpX_cy9pxsmgYc5GW7kN-LvJwrsNcJ2krTcfkTmNe4aYlqv0lQBBswtUHdpGkjwuiYQc6fJ9Ezk-Obq9B-L1NS_jtOYbzMi2K4zOocXC6kj4tGsYQRacm0xJvScv7ITJMmiEucxIdy/s1600/vintagemuff.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565583094987478578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhiIpX_cy9pxsmgYc5GW7kN-LvJwrsNcJ2krTcfkTmNe4aYlqv0lQBBswtUHdpGkjwuiYQc6fJ9Ezk-Obq9B-L1NS_jtOYbzMi2K4zOocXC6kj4tGsYQRacm0xJvScv7ITJMmiEucxIdy/s320/vintagemuff.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Vintage fur muff: <a href="http://www.seamstheshop.com/">Seams Couture</a></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.elizabethwertzphotography.com/">Elizabeth Wertz</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I am completely in love with the photos that our photographer, <a href="http://www.elizabethwertzphotography.com/">Elizabeth Wertz</a>, has taken for our feature story.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LW8A46TvqYnvywp_ubhpkSNZS-MCYIKh3fr3v5n1D0UFXEcbAQKuf81tn2xI23zbjNICDXx2Cdz7X90scSxLkEIUhwn3nLFo3ZRJlvaXSuex8KtyqOO_E_kIZJ0gW3-ESt4krnP-VSWi/s1600/xoxocardsYBlacker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565591540728206562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LW8A46TvqYnvywp_ubhpkSNZS-MCYIKh3fr3v5n1D0UFXEcbAQKuf81tn2xI23zbjNICDXx2Cdz7X90scSxLkEIUhwn3nLFo3ZRJlvaXSuex8KtyqOO_E_kIZJ0gW3-ESt4krnP-VSWi/s400/xoxocardsYBlacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">XOXO blank notecards<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66604544/hugs-kisses-blank-notecards-set-of-10">yvonne b. designs</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />If you are in the area, please stop by <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/retailstore.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Fine Living</span></a> for your chance to take home some of the items that will be highlighted in our February issue (say “hi</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> to Linda while you are there!)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZVsm1v2VPlEH8LZB_R9w4hG9FRNt0tm8D3ZIq7SN9GWwYHCQ9EaZDPAG46ah1b7Ajurnx_x4XQKUrMLRunOybd_b4FjlB3v8LGhygFVzWgZ251Bzq6zaoKXAiotreuzdbFGmFj6zcQcN/s1600/newfloor.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565590268991115714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZVsm1v2VPlEH8LZB_R9w4hG9FRNt0tm8D3ZIq7SN9GWwYHCQ9EaZDPAG46ah1b7Ajurnx_x4XQKUrMLRunOybd_b4FjlB3v8LGhygFVzWgZ251Bzq6zaoKXAiotreuzdbFGmFj6zcQcN/s400/newfloor.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Refinished floors by <a href="http://candrflooring.com/">C&R Flooring</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>The fact that my own house is finally getting some finishing touches during this exciting time is icing on the cake. But truth be told, it’s difficult to create blog posts when my house is filled with guys (the working kind that is).<br /><br />Rest assured, I will be back soon with some “before</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> photos and worth-the-wait-happily-ever “afters</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> ; )</span>

I am engaged ...

Engagement “ring” available at New England Fine Living Working on the soon-to-be launched New England Finery Magazine has completely consu...

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Giving away the good stuff ...

<a href="http://www.friendswhodesign.com/Graphic_Design_Portfolio.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536225053538150530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83-N_l11I42o58p777JCm-cfV4mtMc3JCgXkZCGndf1oGciZ9iRqJO6HDGWl-xGLN9IKkMOcWtbgn5zFeLzDml2pPpLLsLAkSexXrFUIL3Uw88BHuyPFAGXTiBQmuegXI6GoZtTtAKPR_/s400/birthannouncement-blue_YB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy1ugEfyJ5AzDWcVAN-0dq-Ms_lsWQptXwaWIJceA6VGWW2Qa9x2tmq-rLukExSrU2qVb2-DHdpw9rlFxePxnJf8XRv9TwDqqP5FudnTUFoKIBx7-fPDO5RHUeW04FePAZyEylci-zZl0/s1600/tummytimeblanketYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536225048337115522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy1ugEfyJ5AzDWcVAN-0dq-Ms_lsWQptXwaWIJceA6VGWW2Qa9x2tmq-rLukExSrU2qVb2-DHdpw9rlFxePxnJf8XRv9TwDqqP5FudnTUFoKIBx7-fPDO5RHUeW04FePAZyEylci-zZl0/s400/tummytimeblanketYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />SATURDAY: RAFFLE</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Enter to win one birth announcement (designed by yours truly) printed on canvas </span><span style="font-size:130%;">and designed to match a chosen nursery theme </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span> a matching “tummy time</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> blanket (see samples above) at this Saturday’s <span style="font-weight: bold;">Open House</span> held at <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/retailstore.html">New England Fine Living</a> in Middleton. Many more raffle items and vendor discounts will be offered so be sure to visit on Saturday between 10am and 4pm or 7pm to 9pm for your chance to win (<a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Holiday-Open-House-and-Gathering.html?soid=1101210809150&aid=ryyp6RKzEFw">click here for event details.</a>) I will be there in the morning and definitely will be back for the evening festivities which will include a NEFLtini cocktail (while they last) ...<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.friendswhodesign.com/Graphic_Design_Portfolio.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536220469653884210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjvjLJLMUV5KlWzidnw9VD1pqCtDAsCGBSeNpv3L1c-4qaNWiJmAmiltzQLV-49bAIGvsnifcqm_mG6n2e5nlHE7L2ELNIrVjDbOeTtOL8g0m1u29J4lec_XJbdYfy_SfKJeXkjQxKhie/s400/twonotecardsYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 342px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Introducing my new line of icon-graphic note cards<br />available exclusively at New England Fine Living</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />SUNDAY: AUCTION</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Modern Smiley Face Note Cards (set of 10)<br />and Hugs & Kisses Note Cards (set of 10)<br /><br />One set of each will be auctioned off </span><span style="font-size:130%;">along with a custom designed butterfly accent pillow, apple green cork board and a few other items </span><span style="font-size:130%;">in my donated <span style="font-weight: bold;">“Girl’s Room Gift Basket</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >” </span><span style="font-size:130%;">to benefit t</span><span style="font-size:130%;">he <a href="http://lynnfieldeducationaltrust.org/?cat=3">Lynnfield Educational Trust</a> at Sunday night’s <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taste of Lynnfield</span> event at the Peabody Marriott. This almost-yearly fund-raising event is a great night out and offers a taste of many fine food establishments in our local area plus a chance to take home some great donated items by way of silent auction. All proceeds go towards educational enrichment programs and a soon-to-be established scholarship fund. Tickets are still available. <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/955597217?ref=elink">Click here for details</a> ...<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9V0sOB8lC623wYJ6Hn2_hBzOeEpAot0lIID8SWDZ0k_SGGMnzOYDg0ixkM3WGxHq3QwCEco-T8iQsRafwiZUgqNUQ7jP16LlQze_wBLb7SN2hWJFg9o_5h1cUQnmNvbz0L-2VOVVNHb7/s1600/butterflypaperweight.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536246421923385090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9V0sOB8lC623wYJ6Hn2_hBzOeEpAot0lIID8SWDZ0k_SGGMnzOYDg0ixkM3WGxHq3QwCEco-T8iQsRafwiZUgqNUQ7jP16LlQze_wBLb7SN2hWJFg9o_5h1cUQnmNvbz0L-2VOVVNHb7/s320/butterflypaperweight.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrejgBxlfUphlh3fQ5Npu6ABbVwCiwmUi4diux7YCDeTkVupz1GBkXDXpWwlqPenioMU37nPLn8C3DDGDODF4UuxOwhd7emSEFoibTe2PC5ucLq6QIqVHzT4Impb80WTb9pL5J5oikynGP/s1600/butterflypillow:grassYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536216179420959970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrejgBxlfUphlh3fQ5Npu6ABbVwCiwmUi4diux7YCDeTkVupz1GBkXDXpWwlqPenioMU37nPLn8C3DDGDODF4UuxOwhd7emSEFoibTe2PC5ucLq6QIqVHzT4Impb80WTb9pL5J5oikynGP/s400/butterflypillow:grassYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/955597217?ref=elink"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536226898852777378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UA5cPDBZYJsbpb-mONtqKjyNeEu8lmJ-c0KzhDV99ApNOvE5iSoyFPGrgEFJAMX5c5hK9zzEbBgPmkBvefOTzy50MXbieLBjnAt7DSVgN8y_hd7EH_Til_Z1KdDP9XLtorWYlDEJD-Wm/s400/tastelogo.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 164px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzedAjbYyleyuuEsYoIfwFQoUVb32B8xr9GQeCmyaES34j2f9Nl7odMV66eblWfruGJZ2-VImd5d6Qp_G4unTiw1PvvIwla-CjhViudvaw-g9LyGn5pJ3HvAu3QyfO9ipF-LSRpL7_EWk/s1600/OpenHouseInvite_NEFL.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />And if you are interested in having any of these items designed for yourself or someone on your holiday shopping list, email me at yblacker@verizon.net<br /><br />Have a great weekend,<br />xoxo yvonne<br /><br /><br /></span></div>

Giving away the good stuff ...

SATURDAY: RAFFLE Enter to win one birth announcement (designed by yours truly) printed on canvas and designed to match a chosen nursery the...

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Birthday gifts ...

<div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_DRDXMWVDp0vnrMo4RGH8jkDXDJQyc9vGoyIoguaQwnW0D1mqPN-vOus4fIsqcW3ojc-j1vYjMLIm7aLUN-2b-urksFiLgT4MaaYx8H2AB-ctqm65zFBdQ9Ve9qWDIjOHqF1554dXqU/s1600/crownandpaperweight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500964916233696994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_DRDXMWVDp0vnrMo4RGH8jkDXDJQyc9vGoyIoguaQwnW0D1mqPN-vOus4fIsqcW3ojc-j1vYjMLIm7aLUN-2b-urksFiLgT4MaaYx8H2AB-ctqm65zFBdQ9Ve9qWDIjOHqF1554dXqU/s400/crownandpaperweight.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Which would you choose?<br />A. white metal crown<br />B. glass paper</span> weight ...<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_DRDXMWVDp0vnrMo4RGH8jkDXDJQyc9vGoyIoguaQwnW0D1mqPN-vOus4fIsqcW3ojc-j1vYjMLIm7aLUN-2b-urksFiLgT4MaaYx8H2AB-ctqm65zFBdQ9Ve9qWDIjOHqF1554dXqU/s1600/crownandpaperweight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JOtzV9nx5reJDW54IXJoviAHR5Upxg3WQ0must285s7SX7Y3XF55YPzWCuHVNfcvbV72BMcS-pu99iWR7xPyDN2hkun7YP-UxstLU-K_3JdjclnP4s-H58aJxLSKnEDkbG1c8S4Sn78/s1600/yellowpillow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Today is *MY BIRTHDAY* so I am hosting a special give-a-way! I had to spend yesterday dismantling <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/06/danvers-design-show-sneak-peek.html">my designed space</a> at Tapley Hall which I promise I will post photos of soon (no more sneak peeks, but the entire space!) While taking a show down always makes me kind of sad, I did, however, bring home all kinds of pretty decorative items that will now be going into my growing collection of design “props.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> It would really cheer me up if I could give one of these items away to a follower of my blog. Please leave a comment below and tell me which item you would like *as your gift* if you are the lucky winner. Three items are from the show (A, B and C) and items D, E and F were designed<br />to coordinate with the look of the space.<br /><br />I will choose a name at random one week from today on Tuesday, August 10th, so be sure to get your choice in before 11:59pm EST on Monday, August 9th. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">If you are a Leo, like me, I will put your name in the drawing twice ; ) If you are not a Leo and would like an extra chance to win, just mention my give-a-way on your own blog, facebook or twitter. Let me know if you are entitled to more than one chance by providing<br />a link to your online post. Good luck!<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxCTLC-uMT_lSfGx5Hdbc9Dd8OyAF7VJQ51ASFEvhU4sUdSHTno20WaJDkHxSp1jKkRoDIyEKKiPJeH5hBgEoeuerk2hvW9d59u2modB21GZDY5m85flzvrsOCw7_ob6czB2sykKDmFo/s1600/yellowsequinpillow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500996685273674066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxCTLC-uMT_lSfGx5Hdbc9Dd8OyAF7VJQ51ASFEvhU4sUdSHTno20WaJDkHxSp1jKkRoDIyEKKiPJeH5hBgEoeuerk2hvW9d59u2modB21GZDY5m85flzvrsOCw7_ob6czB2sykKDmFo/s400/yellowsequinpillow.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">C. down-filled pillow covered with yellow sequins</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonnebdesigns" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500985073653197426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk2_AjHOorbTX8K5eUxR7IJd7qywFUubEYYKn-SuonkfAG3qfK0fVlA4OCX-HCb_9WOOYRQQdtfdCGHFR8l0SR_9RJTZ7haXhsYxy9ObaCFV_hlptO2DFXq6hiht4mPVxmu-w6jiFC3E/s400/dragonflycardgold.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">D. dragonfly note cards (</span><span style="font-style: italic;">set of 24) </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonnebdesigns" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501001005418363138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs71yII60p51VJeTMCe6S_Cg4p3sqLJcytya9HfRn5H3tjtPRpVcyNBntLhrsu4JMkIFEriKBFlKj_3IeLD7ZUNLY7WwVlG_Xm7HumiYCHD5d5I5Qyk8eLca4YSl8qMPkSy_G5gNl9bqg/s400/zebradragonflycardYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">E. zebra note cards with dragonfly trio </span><span style="font-style: italic;"> (</span><span style="font-style: italic;">set of 24) </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonnebdesigns" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501010611976658882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0JE_nKT-iPwqK8xPtNk3J0GVq-3cbX18QQKYTBRaRL1PgdgPRN14aDhy2wsJMeIFtVmqSv5625wzJpmZGC3KEk7GM-8GX5QFxtGRnnPjWp5zdLJhjahTYNPm7mA4oBIbaynkk44Ev8w/s400/zebramonogramcardYMB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">F. monogrammed note cards with zebra border and</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">your choice of center color and font <span style="font-style: italic;"> (</span><span style="font-style: italic;">set of 24) </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIz2WnxnAh2dFD0mPlSG0mW-PDtIJazryNh2Usv8cDMWwDcdLUtKSzr9msq_SUENkDVxdpMPBPGEwGLF6ZiDd2ng6AxnpS8nRR2c0oWQQ7GDvUFurisTCP-6tyBhWTVk30JZ7eyR-Msg/s1600/summernurserytable.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501035029204437746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIz2WnxnAh2dFD0mPlSG0mW-PDtIJazryNh2Usv8cDMWwDcdLUtKSzr9msq_SUENkDVxdpMPBPGEwGLF6ZiDd2ng6AxnpS8nRR2c0oWQQ7GDvUFurisTCP-6tyBhWTVk30JZ7eyR-Msg/s400/summernurserytable.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Check back soon for more photos<br />of “The Summer Nursery”</span><br /><br /><br /></div>

Birthday gifts ...

Which would you choose? A. white metal crown B. glass paper weight ... Today is *MY BIRTHDAY* so I am hosting a special give-a-way! I had ...

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The business of design ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcItmLaTP5gPget-zFwVDMyj6nbN2krs0ov2jnTCcidXeo0pRgl_JG1p3U6fMc3NvgGSvgrC31gvpBNsIdoRm_7veoskdj76Kf5Vo4ao1BNUz1FjZjtqeg3HwuW-d7Dffske-NcbL31lk/s1600/designerhightea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497946265631915778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcItmLaTP5gPget-zFwVDMyj6nbN2krs0ov2jnTCcidXeo0pRgl_JG1p3U6fMc3NvgGSvgrC31gvpBNsIdoRm_7veoskdj76Kf5Vo4ao1BNUz1FjZjtqeg3HwuW-d7Dffske-NcbL31lk/s400/designerhightea.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Seated from left to right: myself, Tina Melanson, Ann Chapdelaine,</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Sandra Biondo, Rosanne Palazola enjoying High Tea at Glen Magna</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After enjoying some yummy </span><span style="font-size:130%;">scones, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">tea sandwiches and desserts at last week’s <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/high-tea-at-glen-magna-farms-part-1.html">Designer Tea</a> held at Glen Magna (food provided by <a href="http://www.harvestcateringinc.com/index.php">Harvest Catering</a>, another <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-this-butlers-pantry-changed-my-life.html">coincidence</a>) the guests in attendance were able to pose some of their design questions to us. We took turns giving our individual answers to the questions. Here are just a few of the questions with my<br />(now written) responses ...</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh-PWIoK-My8DkXR0mLSR0qM3hvVx6LCrQfBGN2xsmkKd-km0XtqzSDQJUa1jO6a6nzkp6WIhJNuI7J945rHGrwoPV0p29NJYvoX5T4LDmGcEpqPbctxnCGcq3HQPvXGyU8GdKH0yT_o/s1600/teaserviceGM.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498493309544520898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh-PWIoK-My8DkXR0mLSR0qM3hvVx6LCrQfBGN2xsmkKd-km0XtqzSDQJUa1jO6a6nzkp6WIhJNuI7J945rHGrwoPV0p29NJYvoX5T4LDmGcEpqPbctxnCGcq3HQPvXGyU8GdKH0yT_o/s400/teaserviceGM.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q. When designing for a client,<br />where do you start?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I like to meet my clients in their home and start out with a tour. Even if they plan to change an entire space, there are always fixed features that will influence the end result. What style home is it? How is the available lighting? What colors are in adjacent rooms? What types of flooring are in the home? What items have they collected over the years? Is there a favorite pattern or color scheme that keeps reappearing in their choices? Really listening to them as they point out what they wish to change and what they wish to keep is the best way for me to get a sense of their design needs. It is all about getting to know what they respond to and then working with them to create a space that feels like an extension of their personality. Of course, a blank slate (like new construction) is always a great opportunity to approach design with a fresh start, but many design reference points are usually discovered in that<br />first face-to-face conversation. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yvonneblacker.com/Design_Inspiration.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498489346912149698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodo6NiScPc7BhiWgYWoiZeKm6Y27_9BMueHNlCxCaHCgLqNx4JPKeIgJtDdgFMXFe9pNqKesS6C48aeOLgHgecjEIUPD3XYzwxGrZcIlkH9R-Gu53lMsRD9IYMq_WC4E5_DEXoUu057s/s400/sampleboardcolors_YB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Q. How do you present your<br />ideas to your clients?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I usually put together sample boards using graphic design software (Quark Xpress and Photoshop are the tools of my trade) </span><span style="font-size:130%;">or I will use <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?id=971780">Polyvore</a> to create a mood board pulling images of furnishings and patterns right from the internet. I also use <a href="http://www.icovia.com/design/">Icovia,</a> another great online resource, to quickly establish floor plans. I prefer to present ideas in person, however, I am always willing to send a quick email with the design boards attached to answer design questions in a more immediate way. Even with all of these computer aided design tools, I have discovered that lots of clients still love a real hand-drawn view of their future space. When I show an illustration of my ideas for a<br />client’s space, it is much easier for them<br />to visualize the end result.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/04/decorating-spring-mantel.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498992747654683906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CKmRjuu71PhX4oy-OYBwuCmJrsu_EYeiEO_etq6zKBIDSMWZAxU0G0s6mNpwWE210hHumSrE416UPl6wBOJ898UKrjwweE-yeZcfkZioau0tRECcvrWL-Se_-jlu2JmdJ7tXVP48840/s400/eggwithvase.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/04/decorating-spring-mantel.html">Styling small spaces</a> is always<br />a fun design project for me</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q. Has the downturn in the economy<br />affected your design business?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> I am happy to say that through client referrals, and with participation in the past few design shows, my business has actually been growing. What has helped me, I believe, is that I am willing to take on design challenges that are big or small. Creating a<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">special spot</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> in a home is just as satisfying to me as redesigning an entire room. It is also a great place to start a design relationship with a new client. I still do a lot of color consultations (which is how I started out 10 years ago), and I also love to spend an hour or two providing mini “design coaching</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> sessions where I offer design tips that can later be executed at a client’s own pace. Whether faced with a complete renovation or a simple “freshening up</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> my goal is always to help people make design decisions with confidence.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-xKT5AFQkTky13OoT0GrMbNvggJeJuvkYm7IS_aLvt7wMBwz-oT3qieF4LwwGW_JlOrSDJR-RFqh6_e3AlkT7Iaf9zDcIYXgegtdtRseUvQWDMI2WmDwYueQZN7Jap01ODs0rzo1zXA/s1600/bunny:rings.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/design-show-preview-party-in-danvers.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498988455548574770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWCzwTDM_o_DLssj7V718RXvjS8EhwppW9swtQebenNQfPBH2BuY6Thi371GS_T5YqtTQhDd_PYqBGxkspWOPo2_9yHAffBxBpwCwT-fb_SLljcjm69GorG5UzWLH74939e06VWzhgt0/s320/zebradragonflycardYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A notecard I designed to coordinate</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />with my space at the Danvers show</span></span><br /><br /><br />In addition, as I mentioned to our guests, I have actually been putting a lot of thought into creating other ways to market my design aesthetic, whether it be in <a href="http://alluminaire.com/">pattern design</a>, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">printed reproductions of artwork, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> or some other type of creative representation of my design style. <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/">Jonathan Adler</a> and <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/Home/At-Home/icat/homeproducts&bklist=icat,5,shop,accessoriesandgift,athome,homeproducts">Lilly Pulitzer</a> are just a couple of designers who have successfully created a marketable brand out of their approach to design.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">And I can’t forget to mention how important this blog has been in helping me to grow as a designer. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It is a great way to share what I know about design while actually being able to connect with an audience. If someone <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/alphabet-walk-letter-y.html">gets to know me</a> here, they are more likely to feel comfortable working with me on a future design project. And through blogging, I have made a lot of <a href="https://twitter.com/yblacker">valuable connections</a> with other design professionals. I actually have some neat collaborations in<br />the works that I will share with you later!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">If you have any design questions of your own, feel free to pose them in the comment section below and I will answer each of them personally or in a post. And if you have an upcoming design project that you need help with, please give me a call at 617.899.1226 or<br />email me at yblacker@verizon.net<br /><br />I look forward to any and all design conversations!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/06/danvers-design-show-sneak-peek.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499000861027709362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eg36p3qeB7jm1f3_gggMloggGEJxyn1J4ZxfLjjX5bNsN3IGo2UVzYyJpAPa-6KYjTeJCQtSdjMjUouAHf5D3E9wQJy32c-J_nEuNxgXccbLdgGgM39WXiYVftWmC8BTJ5wMKMOtzo0/s400/DHSdesignshowbanner.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 171px;" /></a><br />Don’t miss out! This is the last week to view<br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/weekend-update-design-show-sneak-peek.html">the designer vignettes at Tapley Hall</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh-PWIoK-My8DkXR0mLSR0qM3hvVx6LCrQfBGN2xsmkKd-km0XtqzSDQJUa1jO6a6nzkp6WIhJNuI7J945rHGrwoPV0p29NJYvoX5T4LDmGcEpqPbctxnCGcq3HQPvXGyU8GdKH0yT_o/s1600/teaserviceGM.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /></div>

The business of design ...

Seated from left to right: myself, Tina Melanson, Ann Chapdelaine, Sandra Biondo, Rosanne Palazola enjoying High Tea at Glen Magna After enj...

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An anniversary present ...

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette_%28graphic_design%29" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444467816478421026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbhe67USZGw7IewKwC6-8sFix2roNRQK-WycKEYUpI-YaCDsK-gFRHGqIAI7K6eb5l6xBiVD9WpkD34cy15Hwt9P4fUNUxN5xtDunjP7DHwlhjRhbFuFucnrshoSXqPSRtk_hgbyUzOA/s400/birds.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 141px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Vignettes</b>, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_design" title="Graphic design">graphic design</a>, are decorative designs usually in books, used both to separate sections or chapters and to decorate borders.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignetting" title="Vignetting"> Vignetting</a> in photography, any process by which there is loss in clarity towards the corners and sides of an image. In <span class="mw-redirect">theater,</span> script and poetry writing, vignettes are short, impressionistic scenes that focus on one moment or give a trenchant impression about a character, an idea, or a setting. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette">Art and definitions from Wikipedia</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Since my blog and I have been together for a year, I decided to give it a gift. The traditional anniversary gift is paper after one year, so I made a new banner (virtual paper?) for the top of my blog. I always liked the idea of illustrating the ornamental aspect of design with the image of a graphic vignette on my blog’s banner, but the pen and ink drawing that I found isn’t super recognizable in such a small size.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why vignette?</span> Since my career started in graphic design I liked the idea of the woodcut image of a vignette which was traditionally used to lead a reader into a new chapter. Every blog entry is like a new chapter, don’t you think? In interior decorating, the vignette represents a close up view of a photographed space that tells a visual story. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, I am sure you know how much I like to tell a story! Also, most of my images are close ups since those are easy shots to compose without doing a complete style makeover of a given space.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/03/creature-comforts.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444474095275272226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaCUcn-KORj4l0Co4XYZB9ntAtLqlNWVJTl37XR8TPPjTTYkpB_ArIwhoWus7lOVKidoRt-MEHusKC0UrAMK4ieBGcx2yoNiMKK8-4awuXEclwmkj-U-tYJ5kBeRFjXgaOT55Mmx388w/s400/bunny:rings.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/03/creature-comforts.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">One of my favorite vignettes</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />My intention for this blog has always been to inspire others to create their own special moments in their home. New furniture, fancy drapery, expensive construction ... a small vignette does not require any of these. A vignette only needs a little design intention created with objects that relate to one another in a meaningful way. The end result usually provides a glimpse of the person who created the visual story (in some cases it may say more about the designer than the homeowner, but that is a topic for another post!)<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9VqdZxguFgAHmBtfZbEczi8n5osKMASULAY26yS3IBjJ_8vFy7fWHl4kGrXs2ovsunVJpmtoTUyBmVoAsvzLmGGsCAVAISkatS4bfGAQitO8rPfIAnFPGIz0fXNUD-rFpGCPAhg41ko/s1600-h/DesignVignettesBlogBanner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444477084085359122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9VqdZxguFgAHmBtfZbEczi8n5osKMASULAY26yS3IBjJ_8vFy7fWHl4kGrXs2ovsunVJpmtoTUyBmVoAsvzLmGGsCAVAISkatS4bfGAQitO8rPfIAnFPGIz0fXNUD-rFpGCPAhg41ko/s400/DesignVignettesBlogBanner.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 65px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Original blog banner<br />and new blog banner</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iZP3Fr4OVVT5IXuouQYAa2ZEx5YUbAo7zPTqf-v2i8CN5uRbBMGS401th67PHZgw5ERL_LJq0vlpA4k_ncy85wrC7O8yeRacnee_XbTJcGzeTE3W-tvBr2OapF1_FsvXnJ0vqAuvj9g/s1600-h/DesignVignettesPhotoBanner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444479687259811362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iZP3Fr4OVVT5IXuouQYAa2ZEx5YUbAo7zPTqf-v2i8CN5uRbBMGS401th67PHZgw5ERL_LJq0vlpA4k_ncy85wrC7O8yeRacnee_XbTJcGzeTE3W-tvBr2OapF1_FsvXnJ0vqAuvj9g/s400/DesignVignettesPhotoBanner.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 64px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our new banner, I have temporarily removed the vignette graphic and then warmed up the wallpaper background. The traditional photo corners were added to highlight the fact that photography is a big part of my blog. Now it looks more like a scrapbook which is also appropriate to the way a blog functions. It really is a snapshot in time, highlighting the projects that I am involved in while saving momentos from other interesting people and places.<br /><br />My blog has decided to try this new banner on for size. We may decide to keep it or exchange it later for something that can better illustrate the vignette concept. As I have said before, once a graphic designer always a graphic designer! Thankfully I am not able to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kern_%28typography%29">kern</a> blog entries or I probably would waste a lot of time trying to do so!<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9aJzkrxTPk0DTGb4fwArZNcZ52LOhV1Sg7kO5R-vnq6-6LOzVA6mCsfxFSNzTXkujaTNaKXpx3ZGVjTzYJYlZCfO1gun0ATgJg3lcQlt6JWdhk5l9PHSXP-QgMlg-KAS6fsqqQFcL1s/s1600-h/blackfeathersmall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444473686119675410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9aJzkrxTPk0DTGb4fwArZNcZ52LOhV1Sg7kO5R-vnq6-6LOzVA6mCsfxFSNzTXkujaTNaKXpx3ZGVjTzYJYlZCfO1gun0ATgJg3lcQlt6JWdhk5l9PHSXP-QgMlg-KAS6fsqqQFcL1s/s400/blackfeathersmall.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 166px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Please pen your thoughts ...</span><br /></div>

An anniversary present ...

Vignettes , in graphic design , are decorative designs usually in books, used both to separate sections or chapters and to decorate borders....

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Blogging and Graphic Design

<a href="http://cafechatelaine.blogspot.com/2009/11/daytripping-in-boston.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403462160065616386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiEarQLilFfuvnc4WEeMF6JHQzh_jFc-ioyffARgqR8KMVw1qRLeoR9FJnfh7V7eGnF5nJJeuEipkkNKbHG4Gi0NDYOXboOkdKF4I6X3W9cQBbGz4Pg-Pe5qZM8q23j13Xk1FZLQWWIo/s400/CCblogcards.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have met a lot of really nice people who have stopped by to browse at <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/">Beth Hylan Design Studio</a>. Chatting with one, I discovered that she, too, is a blogger (she chats and posts on “<a href="http://cafechatelaine.blogspot.com/">life in sweet New England</a>”). She handed me a few of her “mini blog cards” that feature her photographs on the front with her blog address on the back. I was totally impressed!<br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPb35cwnWnbEcWlGGhnIJ13ivv0MqoMmgqGiC6Fzb3gqGOeI9ZDV2z0i_RSGacA65ZmSKzy5aQUnTn20AQMST-aUOamKD4xoPlSg0jF397cl3MYYIJvIR7lKKbrmNvko9NAg01gViD8zQ/s1600-h/box_minicards.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402911730901805266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPb35cwnWnbEcWlGGhnIJ13ivv0MqoMmgqGiC6Fzb3gqGOeI9ZDV2z0i_RSGacA65ZmSKzy5aQUnTn20AQMST-aUOamKD4xoPlSg0jF397cl3MYYIJvIR7lKKbrmNvko9NAg01gViD8zQ/s400/box_minicards.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 127px;" /></a><a href="http://us.moo.com/en/products/minicards.php">Moo MiniCards</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The cards arrive neatly packaged in a<br />“I-will-order-them-just-for-the-box.</span><span style="font-style: italic;">”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Now, I have been in the business of graphic design in one way or another since I was 16 years old (I started out illustrating newspaper ads for a small gift shop) and I had never heard about these cute image-info minis. They have actually been around for awhile, but since I am new to blogging (<a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/03/waiting-for-spring-and-something-new.html">first post</a>, March 2009) I had never seen or heard of them.<br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANtUcl2eo6ORlHwLeLrec2YB4QEgr4mG473UYHnbY7vJxx5BrZs2-Lhiq_E1qQQC17HEdiPh-Mwn9W01xmjJqH0HaqPBU5-gbthy_WojhprW3HTRyKUawNvyG-QW1jNXlFk7tfZWKkrE/s1600-h/3minicards-bold.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402916275661349858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANtUcl2eo6ORlHwLeLrec2YB4QEgr4mG473UYHnbY7vJxx5BrZs2-Lhiq_E1qQQC17HEdiPh-Mwn9W01xmjJqH0HaqPBU5-gbthy_WojhprW3HTRyKUawNvyG-QW1jNXlFk7tfZWKkrE/s400/3minicards-bold.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 202px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The black wallpaper-like pattern appeals to me,<br />but my favorite is probably the chair with the bird<br />(just had to show the flying bunny collage!)</span><br /><br />• <a href="http://us.moo.com/en/readymade/pack/717">Black & White Business</a><br />• <a href="http://us.moo.com/en/readymade/pack/169">Vicky Woodgate</a><br />• <a href="http://us.moo.com/en/readymade/pack/369">Don’t Panic</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Today I spent **way too much time** checking out which versions I would choose for myself (I tend to “overdo it</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> just a bit with research : ). When I actually get around to creating my own, I will probably take some favorite images from my blog, or create a graphic illustration (actually, I might as well do both ... once a graphic designer, always a graphic designer!)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsbjag38JSQlICmjTOW0JvIa54HkIMRmOiiUZu2w6QmqMODAGs9zT30atmhkOkMYDUNG93jxFm6dM5GLl3yL_Q76pM1nbaBhxG5ywShI8ieFBEEPLIb73Px0kBPkvll6tqyR5xntgIc8/s1600-h/backofcardDV.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402922873034994562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsbjag38JSQlICmjTOW0JvIa54HkIMRmOiiUZu2w6QmqMODAGs9zT30atmhkOkMYDUNG93jxFm6dM5GLl3yL_Q76pM1nbaBhxG5ywShI8ieFBEEPLIb73Px0kBPkvll6tqyR5xntgIc8/s400/backofcardDV.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 147px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I did like this style for the back</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> (or “<a href="http://us.moo.com/en/make/designback.php?pid=291&bid=2">details side</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;">”</span><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a href="http://us.moo.com/en/readymade/pack/473" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402920931100000594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbWwx0nf8tCV408aP0xBuRBmJoayomMsZoZ6Rdlklyf7D5cN6tDp8zBVaGSBi7LV1CUBrheCrsJAwhheNtmF1eHSyF-JNFGxSsGPWt6Yah8wrt-pt3vUAINxYGls6t_Cx4mGW5KSRXCM/s400/birdcage.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 212px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">What would you choose for your blog?</span><br /><br /><br />For you DIY’s ...<br /><a href="http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/2008/08/mini-blog-cards_27.html">make your own</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Thanks to Cafe Chatelaine for the design tip! Here are a couple images from one of her recent blog posts ...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxxlFsuHiUqeCTYtQXpnn0bzwRLv0k-okfVLyRRE52wQMa_AhW3dXt36PjQrNMP5sb6SGfJDBa-4grnhng1PVRtW3CQAuynmoTSCQ31Bq4m5jTSgUIunSuTUb6T-iyl5GygV-_WMNoVY/s1600-h/A+Day+in+Boston+049.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402930950933945970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxxlFsuHiUqeCTYtQXpnn0bzwRLv0k-okfVLyRRE52wQMa_AhW3dXt36PjQrNMP5sb6SGfJDBa-4grnhng1PVRtW3CQAuynmoTSCQ31Bq4m5jTSgUIunSuTUb6T-iyl5GygV-_WMNoVY/s400/A+Day+in+Boston+049.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://cafechatelaine.blogspot.com/2009/10/day-in-boston.html">Cafe Chatelaine: A Day in Boston</a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I really enjoyed this post ... it reminds me of when I used to work as a graphic designer at an advertising agency (ISM) located on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. Even at nine months pregnant, the part of day that I looked forward to most was walking up and down Newbury Street “window shopping” during my lunch hour. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYjgOuCnRErBR8SepAXp_esUKlw5Gedo8-Twa0gAh2EZ1SNqoeVH3SbC4Tif8HsSxqxYR20VTAlxIdemR9BN9iNNDxxeOp2ijrqB37-4otTchxbM9Iobjl6ff41JGv-kPlgMHpS24CBU/s1600-h/A+Day+in+Boston+071.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402930954576179714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYjgOuCnRErBR8SepAXp_esUKlw5Gedo8-Twa0gAh2EZ1SNqoeVH3SbC4Tif8HsSxqxYR20VTAlxIdemR9BN9iNNDxxeOp2ijrqB37-4otTchxbM9Iobjl6ff41JGv-kPlgMHpS24CBU/s400/A+Day+in+Boston+071.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks, CC, for taking me back!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Public Service Announcement</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.blogspot.com/2009/10/donate-your-coins-and-make-difference.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402885017306855090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEiy-8-IdrWgCcTQeryxjb3R7aNoLc-cRdVTxBilB6OQT_moVUL17rEbOnin84wN76hJCkkyBybo957SYVXXMGhAf5bdlt6L286fYzoxWJtHPzKokhlJGBmRKR5JaFqwwXinHPdMrs38/s320/GC+banner+ad+10.09.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" /></a><a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.org/"><span style="font-size:78%;">www.gatheringchanginc.org</span></a><br /></div>

Blogging and Graphic Design

I have met a lot of really nice people who have stopped by to browse at Beth Hylan Design Studio . Chatting with one, I discovered that she,...

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