The Dingbat’s Agenda

  • February9th

    Natural Light Photos

    Posted in: About Me, photography

    I keep getting emails asking how I light my photos. I’m by NO means a good photographer, however since I’ve owned the Canon Digital Rebel Xsi I have to confess that although I’d like to take full credit for my photos, I really think it’s all the camera (and a little research on the side). I have a 50mm f1.8 fixed lens. I never shoot with my flash, and to learn the focusing and aperature/speed properties I shot in manual mode for a long time to try to learn to feel my camera. The lower the “f” number the more light is let into the camera (and the more bokeh). I like to shoot during the day in indirect light. It makes for the most true colors which is crucial for product photos.

    Christmas 2009

    My product and kids shots are almost always a little over-exposed because I like it that way. Generally I shoot with my speed between 1/80 and 1/400. Higher if I’m outdoors and it’s summer. My F-stop is usually set between 1.8 and 2.5. Sometimes I venture up to 4, and on rare occasion (like when I’m shooting the mountains beside my house) I shoot above 10. This is really jumbled up, but if any of you have a DSLR, maybe you are picking up on my ramblings. Anyways, to the point: if you have product photo questions feel free to ask, you can contact me on my about page. I’d be happy to answer! Thanks for listening to my babbling.

  • February8th

    BLACK Classic Calling Cards

    Posted in: business cards

    These letterpress calling cards were done for a client who LOVES to fish. He wanted classic black type and a dingbat. Although a little larger than dingbat size, this fish is sure to catch your eye.

    I think they turned out well, don’t you? There’s nothing like rich registration black printed on crisp white paper. I used to hate printing black until I learned the art of mixing registration black – back in black baby!

  • February6th

    Mod Wedding Proofs

    Posted in: Wedding

    These were inspired from the Beatles LOVE album and promo book for a truly mod wedding invite. The bride is looking for bright colors and handwritten typography. We established the layout first and are now on the hunt for the perfect calligrapher/handwritten touch on the first design.

    The second has potential to be done in a calligrapher’s hand as well but I’m really imagining the potential of Buttermilk by Jessica Hische with the knockout and framed impression over the couple’s names…

    The last option I revisited the hand-drawn mod swirly stuff (what would you call that – flourishes) with a more minimalist typographic treatment. It’s hard not to go overboard sometimes on these designs because I have to remember that the letterpress will change the whole dimension of the piece when printed. I tend to err on the less side in the design phases. We’ll see what the bride has to say!

  • February5th

    The Pretty Poppy GIVEAWAY!

    Posted in: GIVEAWAY

    Hi guys! I am excited to introduce you to The Pretty Poppy, a little shop filled with handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. Run by one of my good friends from high school, each piece is hand stamped, and in some cases hand carved as well, resulting in a truly unique piece of jewelry. Just in time for Valentines Day, a lucky someone can enter to win the “Love You More” necklace. Measuring approximately one inch on the longest side, this piece is handmade with love, then strung on a sterling silver chain. So very sweet!

    Here’s how to enter: Please visit The Pretty Poppy and check out all the different designs. Come back here and leave a comment telling me which piece is your favorite. Simple as that! Spread the word and receive more chances to win! If you leave a post on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc. come back here and leave an additional comment for each with a link or your Twitter ID. Giveaway ends Thursday, 2/11, at midnight (MST), and the winner will be announced on Friday. The winner will be randomly chosen from the list of comments and will be notified by The Dingbat’s Agenda via email.

    Good luck and have fun!

    This contest is not sponsored, and I am not receiving any monetary gain, gifts or samples to host the giveaway. Just FYI for the FCC :)
    UPDATED: CONGRATS COMMENTER #15! I’LL BE CONTACTING YOU SHORTLY!


  • February4th

    Real Business: Laura’s Proofs

    Posted in: business cards

    Laura Reaux Photo RI Design Proofs

    I feel really blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Laura. I thought having three kids was a lot of work, but this woman is so inspiring, with 5 adorable children of her own, it’s amazing talking to her, looking at her incredible photography work and learning from her and her great strength! Check out Laura Reaux Photography to see more of what I’m talking about!

    Laura Reaux Photo, RII Design Proofs

    The nest was an initial exploration to tie in the natural and organic feel to her brand but to help expand it. In the end we just really liked where the tree was going. Check back soon for the final printed piece!

  • February3rd

    Signature Dingbat Brights!

    Posted in: Custom

    Signature Dingbat A6 Flat letterpress notes

    Another set of Signature Dingbat letterpress A6 notes. These were super fun because the client was ordering them for a gift and decided to mix up ink and envelope. Generally people choose matching ink/envelope combos with the envelope printed in a hue darker. This lovely lady made it fun for me because she wanted a contrasting envelope and then ink color the same on both the card and envelope. Printed on 110# Lettra in an A6 size, these are perfect as a bridesmaid gift, mother-of-the-bride gift, or for anyone in your bridal party!

  • February2nd

    Custom Family Notes

    Posted in: Custom

    These letterpress notes shipped back in December and I’m just finally getting them posted. I liked designing this job because it was a note that could be used for any member of the family. I had to try to incorporate all the names, make it not too girly, and keep it simple. A lot harder than I thought, we went through a plethora of rounds before it finally came to something everyone was happy with! Enjoy :)

    IMG_0506

    Letterpress printed on a 5.25″ Square card on 110# Thick paper. Copper ink and typeset in Wade Sans Light. The ornamentation was found in an old vintage illustration book I scored at an antique fair a few months back.

  • February1st

    Personal: Cinderella Cake

    Posted in: About Me

    Yet again I find myself falling behind on this here blog! It’s been a busy month preparing for a few birthdays in the family and getting Valentine’s Day custom orders out the door. To pause a moment and give you a glimpse into my personal life, I’ve been catching up from the holidays, getting my taxes done for 2009, getting a plethora of new invitation inquiries (it’s wedding season officially for letterpress brides) and settling into the cold weather and snow that we are finally receiving. At the first of the month we celebrated Evelyn’s birthday which encompassed everything princess imaginable. I never thought I’d see the day where Disney Princesses ruled my household from top to bottom. However the only pretend play Evelyn will allow with my involvement is princesses. No school. or art class. No coloring or ballet unless the princesses are present. So for her birthday I thought we’d go all out and do a princess party for family. Original I know, but since it’s not about me I indulged her every princess fancy. My first attempt at a princess cake wasn’t totally fruitless and I can indeed confess that the frosting was the best part, vanilla bean paste and all! I’m just glad it was a success this year, because last year the power went out right when we were singing happy birthday and stayed out for the rest of the night. Not too exciting for a two year old who was afraid of the dark!

    The best part of it all? When Evelyn exclaimed, “Mom, Cinderella’s bum is on fire!” (when we lit the candle’s to sing happy birthday). Although mediocre in piping and craftsmanship, I have to say it was a fun first attempt at trying to create a princess cake. Evelyn notified me after her party that next year I will be making a Belle cake, so I better get working as her dress is much more complicated than Cinderella’s.

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