Elephantastic Cards

I had to post today or it would never happen. I promised myself to do one productive thing a day to avert my mind from wandering – this laborious mind needs a break from mundane thoughts. And I didn't want to miss another month without blogging.

December is probably one of the most popular months for greeting cards. Thousands of cards are being sent and received every day. But the hardest part is choosing the perfect card and sometimes can be daunting. It's probably better to make your own if you have copious spare time or take advantage of digital technology; however, if you want to design your own card, you really need just one or two elements – for example: flower and elephant.
I had to create thank you cards for work and I came up with two random things not knowing what to do with them. Consequently, I started playing with colors and hierarchy. I only needed one design but I decided to make two, then four more!


Designing cards was exhilarating! I could have created hundreds more if I wanted to but I'm going to stop at six for now. It's very important to enjoy what you do or your mind will go stagnant. Creativity comes easily when the mind is relaxed, and it's something that I need to practice more often. I hope you guys enjoyed my designs.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!
~Hamilton Wright Mabie

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Happy Spring!

Hello everyone and Happy Spring! It was such a lovely day today and I felt like drawing something silly. Perhaps it was the weather or the book that I just purchased (shown below) that inspired me.

I haven't finished reading it but I thought it was well written and the pages were filled with delicate and beautiful pencil drawings, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Consequently, I thought it would be fun to draw with pencil – it's been awhile since I've held a pencil sharpener. So, I rushed to my room and found an old, untouched sketchbook and began drawing with the pencil I found in my brother's room. It started out okay but it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. I was a bit disappointed and I thought I could fix it in Corel Paint. I have never used Corel in my life, the only reason I have it because it came with the Bamboo I purchased last month. And I was surprised by how easy it was to navigate the program and it had all kinds of brushes and tools. Although I had no idea how to use half the tools, I had fun experimenting and coloring – I think I'm going to be using Corel a lot. So, here's the finished product.

"I found you, you Spring Bandit!"


I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.
~Ruth Stout

Zazzle for Japan Relief

I'm very excited to let you know that I have new items in Zazzle to aid those who are affected by the the tsunami. I've been looking for ways to help out and I found out that Zazzle was doing something to support tsunami victims. So for each design with 10% royalties, Zazzle will match the donation in addition to the donated royalties. If you're looking to buying something, check out Zazzle, they have hundreds of designs to choose from and your purchase will go to a good cause. Here's some of the items I've created, feel free to browse – there are plenty of options.

In addition, my friend created this sticker to be purchased for only $5 and all proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief fund. You can visit her store at http://hope4japan.bigcartel.com. She has only 300 stickers and already sold 31 of them. If you're interested in acquiring one, simply click on the link above. I'm going to purchase one and I'll show it to you once I receive it. I'm also planning on selling some postcards by the end of next week in Ebay – I'll keep you posted.

Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.

- Amelia Earhart

Hope for Japan

The most powerful earthquake hit Japan on March 11th - the fifth strongest earthquake since 1900, which left 400,000 people homeless and it's expected to climb to tens of thousands. When my family and I watched the news, I was astounded by how powerful tsunami is. I've experienced a lot of earthquakes in the Philippines but never of such high magnitude. I remembered my grandpa always yelling at us to get out of the house but I would just stay in my bed – I've never taken earthquake very seriously up until now.

Japan holds a very special place in my heart. I watched anime growing up, my favorite manga artist and film director is Hayao Miyazaki, I admire Shinzi Katoh's work, I love their food, culture and most especially the people – they are one of the warmest and sweetest people I know. One of my very dear friends family lives in Japan and fortunately they were not affected by the earthquake. My heart goes to all Japanese people especially the 100,000 children who were displaced by the tsunami. Japan needs a lot of help, here's a list of organizations you can donate to.

1. AMERICAN RED CROSS
2. SAVE THE CHILDREN
3. SALVATION ARMY
4. AMERICARES
5. INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
6. SHELTERBOX

Also if you're planning on attending the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Red Cross will be there to accept donations from March 26 to April 10. In addition Cafe Press designed a limited edition t-shirt in support of American Red Cross – all proceeds will go to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami victims.

Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness, of captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable.

~Samuel Johnson

Old and New

I was searching for some files in the X-Serve this week and I found a folder with my name on it containing a few of my work from years past. When I opened the files, I couldn't believe how much my work has changed and thank goodness, I improved. If I were hiring a designer, I wouldn't hire myself (^:^). Actually, my portfolio was pretty decent, my work weren't as atrocious as these posters but what was I thinking?! Below are some of my before and after designs.

BEFORE

NOW

Always remember practice makes perfect and even if it doesn't make things perfect, it certainly makes a considerable difference. I always thought I was a mediocre designer, now I am an improved mediocre designer who is continuously learning amplitude of things. So don't get discouraged if you're not pleased with your work, let it be your motivation to aspire to be better.

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”
~ Karen Ravn