New Place

So, in case you haven't noticed from my emotional posts lately, I'm moving! Its time to look forward to new experiences rather than long for what once was.  In that mindset today, I looked the new place up on the ever-impressive Google Maps. So, this is where I'll be from July 1 and onward! Pretty nice place. Come visit me and we can sit on the porch with mint juleps, or some other summery drink. ;)

You Gotta Start Somewhere!

Last week I took my first ever web design class; HTML Fundamentals. I already knew a bit of html, but not some of the foundational stuff about starting a website and actually putting it online.  After the 2 day class, here is my site!  Now, keep in mind that this was a fundamentals class, and that without CSS or anything else you can't really do anything too pretty (i.e., I'm not in love with how this looks, of course, but happy I built it all with code!).

And here is it in code form!

Obligatory Diploma Shot

Its official- I have a professional certificate in graphic design! Now its not art school or anything, but I think its an accomplishment.  I have learned a TON in the last 2 years and I think I have found something I really love and am pretty good at. And today, I took my first class in web design, so the drama of my professional development continues!

Its coming...

I took this photo about a year ago in Santa Cruz. And how perfect that I found it while browsing through an old image folder today, because change is looming in my life! After two amazing years in a great house with people I love, we are disbanding as some of our group move across the country.  I am very sad, but hoping for a great new chapter in my life, and reminding myself that change can be one of the scariest things about life, but also one of the things that makes you feel the most alive.

 

You know what moving means...new blog posts about room decor!  Stay tuned :)

Shell House: Another Reason to Love Where I Live

Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood not far from my own is something that will shock and awe--this crazy shell house!!  I'm not sure of the true story behind this place, but I have heard that a man built it for his mother, who was deathly afraid of earthquakes and comforted by the sea. He created a structure that is both earthquake-safe and shaped like something straight out of the The Little Mermaid.  Isn't it beautiful and strange?  I am dying to see the inside...

Save the Dates (again)

Remember my Save the Dates for our annual fall reception at work last year?  Well,
since we have the word annual in there it means we are having another one in the fall and its time to tell people to mark their calendars! Here's this year's version...

Class Work Exhibit!

Some fun news: one of my class projects was chosen to be in an exhibit at the UC Berkeley Art and Design Center in San Francisco! This poster and box design will be hanging in the halls of the building until July 11. The box is "Boarder's Best lip balm"-- I wanted to make a small box and this was the smallest snow-related box that came to mind. :)

As you may remember from my "Weekend Away" post about a trip to Tahoe this spring, the inspiration for both of these projects came from ski trips.  In fact, I did a good bit of the design work on my laptop in the car...which goes to show that a a little play can help your work!

Letterpress Goodness

I recently followed a wonderful tutorial on Pugly Pixel on how to make things look like letterpress in Photoshop, and thought I'd share my result! By the way, there are TONS of things to learn from that site--check it out!

Hesitant

Look at this sweet little guy! I don't know what he's really thinking, but I think I may be feeling the same way: my life is going to change quite a bit in the next few weeks as a number of folks in my close community of friends move far away. I will also have to leave my wonderful house. I am mostly optimistic, focusing on how all this will bring new people and places into my life, but sometimes I too feel like floating in a still pool like this, reflecting quietly on it all and hoping I can pause time before waves of change come rushing in.

Photo via pinterest.

A Panoramic Day

This weekend we got snowed out of a camping trip we had planned, so instead went on an awesome hike on Mt. Tamalpais; we hiked a few miles down first, ending at Stinson beach, then climbed back up the mountain. It was great! I got to try out the cool panoramic feature on my camera; we had such sweeping views throughout the hike.We also worked up a huge appetite, which was promptly satisfied at Pearl's Phat Burgers, which I highly recommend! Don't you just love a long weekend?

 

Click on the photos for a larger view.