Behind the Display: Entrance

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

Simplicity and Consistency (with other displays) were key for this display, which wedding guests saw before they were escorted to their seats.

1. Decorative Letters
2. Picture
3. Jars

• Vintage jars from MOB's (mother of the bride) collection
• Other canning jars from family and friends
  

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

More on the letters: they were inspired by the One Single Photo. While I came up with other lighter options for the "LOVE" display, the A & C letters were what I had in mind from the start.

My co-worker became engaged shortly before Amanda, and I shared the inspirational photo with her. She is a creative person and I knew she would love the idea. She and her fiance were gracious enough to cut the A & C letters out of wood they had on hand.

I wrapped the lace on a roll around the letters, and the ampersand was covered in blue gradient yarn. The lace was easy, though time-consuming (the fabric was pretty wide and would catch on the unfinished wood. The yarn took much longer than I expected. I had to hot-glue gun more often than on the lace. I did end up with a few battle scars from burning myself, as the hot glue came through both the lace and yarn quite easily.

The textures of the lace and yarn and colors of cream and blue- all against the texture and color and of the hay and grass- added some romance, intrigue, and comfort to the ceremony.

So long ago

So back in January, Amanda became engaged and I was psyched to start designing her invitations and other paper projects. These were a few of the first elements I was playing with: watercolor and ink. We were attempting to develop a theme that later...well, you'll see..eventually!

Part of a Walk Through Fremont show with Rachel, Fall 2007-
read the Tribune article!

In college I met so many other people that inspired and/or encouraged me as well, whether through writing, music or photography. I scrapbooked with friends, helped with design for recitals, worked on the school newspaper. My roommates and friends still encourage me. And marrying into Ben's side of the family exposed me to very creative and ambitious people as well.

So it's interesting how one thing- like Cousin Jane giving my aunt a handmade wedding dress- can bring back so many memories and make this girl so nostalgic. Thank you to my 2.5 readers (I'm pretty sure my readership has gone up) and to those who have inspired or encouraged me over the years. Until I sat down and really wrote about it (and yes, I could write more!), I hadn't really realized the extent of my support network up to this point.

My mother-in-law helping with our new place;
she also covered our dining chairs and sewed a matching table runner

The parents

I helped Mom with her crafts for Sunday School class, and led younger students in Sonshine (a kids' time during the church service) in crafts that assisted the lesson. Mom used to take me to Michael's during the summers for kids' events, and I almost always was allowed to bring a friend along. Then of course we needed to purchase more supplies to take home and make an even better project!

I would venture into Dad's office/studio and sit on his futon while he worked at the computer or at his drawing table. Paints, charcoal, ink, lead, watercolors…so many foreign materials became more familiar over the years.

Graduation from Midland, May 2008, in front of some senior art show pieces

Got that from Papa's Side

And of course I received encouragement from my dad's side too. Aunt Ree spoiled us kids and every summer we went shopping for whatever we were interested in the time. This meant day-trips to Omaha, to visit stores like Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Mangelsen's**. And did I mention I got her addicted to scrapbooking? That was a win-win move! Plus, Laree bought me all of my first cameras.

A scrap night at Archiver's with Ree and Annie, Spring 2007

Grandma took us to work on ceramics. I learned the process of cleaning and finishing greenware; knowing the difference in texture, fragility and abilities before the pieces were fired; and the most fun part was painting, staining and/or glazing. Grandma always had fabric scraps to give me for projects and knew the right way to do anything around the house.

I also remember drawing pictures of items in Grandma's Avon book. I loved drawing the Cherry-flavored chapstick, red lipstick (like all the red shades that filled Grandma's lipstick drawer in the bathroom) and jewelry. I would painstakingly get every detail perfect, along with prices listed next to the pictures- then run through the kitchen to the front door. Grandma would answer the door so I could sit down in the living room to "sell" her items from the book.

**Hobby Lobby and Mangelsen's offered fun for the boys too: less "girly" crafts or projects, and FREE popcorn!

Mama's Family

I was lucky to be surrounded by people who encouraged me in my creative pursuits. As a little girl, I loved reading and writing and my mom would take me on countless trips to the public library to pick out books. From instructional and crafty books, to connecting to characters like Claudia from The Babysitter's Club series, those books inspired me to become a writer, an artist, to be creative at anything I wanted.

Nostalgic trip back to Ben Franklin July 2009

I always received unique and educational gifts from my mom's side of the family; I remember specifically a rubber stamp-making set from the Yonemuras. Grandma "Jima" would take me to Ben Franklin for handmade and origami paper. All of the cousins enjoy origami, and the older (girl!) cousins got me hooked on beading, stamping, and card-making.

The things you remember

For some reason, Ben seemed really impressed at my "sewing" project. My mom gave him some other examples of the phases I went through, including: beading, soap-making, stamp-making. I always enjoyed trying new arts and crafts, and had actually forgotten some of the projects she mentioned.

But it's amazing how some memories are very fresh. I remember receiving a $20 Michael's gift card one year, and making multiple trips (riding my bike) to use multiple coupons at certain times of the weekend sale. I'm guessing gel pens and scrapbook paper were included.

I kept track of what I purchased, so I could include it in my thank you letter. I remember the excitement of purchasing a stamp and purple inkpad- all for my own. (I'm pretty sure the gift card was from my aunt Alycia. Thanks!) While the inkpad has long dried out…here is one of my first stamps:

Blast from the past...for more than one of us

My aunt received a gift from her cousin Jane. As all of us Skeltons were raised to do, she read the card first: "Dear Laree, this is probably the strangest 'get well' gift you will receive."

She opened up a Barbie wedding dress that Jane sewed for Laree. Ree told the story: every time she and Jane get together as adults (not too often, as Jane lives in Texas), Ree teases Jane that it seemed that her mother made Barbie wedding gowns for every girl in their family- except her own daughter!

As soon as we saw Jane's thoughtful gift, I ran downstairs to grab a Barbie. I knew right where I had left her, years ago in Grandma's sewing room. Ree lent the doll to me; one summer I was in a phase of creating Barbie fashions. So, of course, before Barbie could showcase the new dress, I had to take pictures of my masterpiece.

Classy and Clean

How many of you go to in-home parties (i.e. jewelry, food products, home decor) and spend as much time analyzing the materials and brochures as you do the product on display?

Guilty.

image from premierdesigns.com

So of course I like to peruse materials, looking at: size, shape, colors, white space, and of course the fonts. I put myself in the designer's place and decide how he/she made each choice and how it is appropriate to the purpose of the piece.

Trajan Pro is the font that is featured in my Giant Blog Element posts. I'm trying to decide if it is overused. I tried to do some online research and couldn't find any good articles that were applicable, but I have just been noticing the font everywhere, especially in wedding-themed materials...and in Vegas I noticed quite a few posters for nightclubs and gentlemen clubs that use the font.

You would never want to use Trajan Pro for full paragraphs, as it is all-caps, but many businesses use it for headings. Paired with of course another more readable font and plenty of white space, it denotes classiness and professionalism.

image from premierdesigns.com

Epic

How would you describe the following posters/covers?

source: wikipedia.com

source: valestudios.com


source: daisy.vox.com

Another piece of the giant blog

The previous post's snippet was of a wedding program I just designed for some friends. I kept the program's design elements consistent with the original invitation: simple; same fonts; black text and lots of "white space."




This is a page out of the MLC Academic Catalog 2008-2009, the largest and most time-consuming layout project I did during my employment at the Design Studio.

A snippet

I've had a giant blog growing in my mind for awhile. Doesn't that sound lovely?

But, so far I have not had the time to gather everything I need for publication. Also, longer posts do not generate too many comments. I know, I know--I said I do not need comments. Most of the time that's true.

So here is an element from my giant blog, and hopefully over time all the pieces will come together.