Unless Someone Like You

Minted Submission

2011-12-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

Sigh. I wish I had more time for Minted! The newest art challenge is so exciting, but all the pieces I would want to do would take so much time and I'm slammed with work right now. At least I had some time yesterday to contribute the above image. I created it in tribute to my darling parakeet teddy who passed away - it's just not home without teddy!

You can view my entire collection for Minted here!

365 Pillows | Whirl

2011-12-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

Over at LeslieHamer.com I've been quietly conducting a daily project called 365 Pillows. I've been designing a pattern in repeat (or two) each day and showcasing them on throw pillows. I'll be sharing some of them here along the way - to see them all or commission a repeat pattern or placement print from me visit LeslieHamer.com!

Paper Source Halloween Kits

2011-09-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

It's a little known fact that I do all of the eblasts for Paper Source. Some are more exciting than others, but I thought I would share this one because those little mustache ghosts with the conductor hats on just kill me every time. I'm getting a little more excited for Halloween this year because for the first time I have a home instead of an apartment and will have trick-or-treaters! I can't wait.

2012 Paper Source Letterpress Calendar

2011-07-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's here! It's here! The 2012 Letterpress calendar I designed for Paper Source is now up online and available for purchase. Printed on a thick textured stock with a very satisfying deep letterpress impression, each month is two colors and takes a different theme.

We took the calendar in a new direction this year, moving the month and days to the bottom so that when each month is over you can cut off the calendar and have a 4-bar size flat card to send to a friend as a postcard. Pretty snazzy if I do say so myself! What's my favorite month? Definitely July. Drawing all those tentacles and suckers was the most fun I've had in Illustrator all year.

Bike Glasses on Real Simple.com

2011-07-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

It was a thrill when my co-worker Emily alerted me to a Real Simple feature of some juice glasses I designed. The glasses show off 3 bike illustrations I did for Paper Source to complement some existing artwork.

Not to toot my own horn, but that banana seat bike is stylin'! I'd draw it right into existence if I could. And with that, I have to admit it's totally possible that I've been watching waaaaay to much Dr. Who. Curses on you netflix!

Christmas in May

2011-05-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

I had always wondered how many christmas photo cards I could create in a weekend. The answer is a LOT. Now all I have to do is pack up all my belongings and move my small family into our new home. . . one day is enough to do all that stuff right?

Brides Magazine Scratch Off Save the Dates

2011-04-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

I just received the May issue of Brides magazine featuring a bright a colorful picture of my scratch off save the dates! You can buy them on etsy, through my website, or on wedzu. So fun!

More recent Minted.com work

2011-04-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

More selections designed by yours truly that are now live on Minted.com!

Calendars for Sale on Minted.com

2011-04-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

It's been impossible to keep up with everything that Minted.com is doing. Over the holidays I launched a calendar on their site - it was such a fun project to tackle. I only wish time allowed for me to do more than one!

Style me Pretty

2011-03-23T04:58:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love getting to see pictures of my clients weddings. I just found out about Yessy and Dustin's wedding being featured on Style me Pretty.com, with lovely photography by 13:13. View the whole story here!

New Minted Camera Business Card

2011-01-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

There's a camera theme on the blog this month it seems! It's been a loooong time since I've gotten to participate in a Minted.com challenge, but I found myself inspired to create some business cards this weekend to squeak in before the deadline. I'll add more designs to this post as I finish em!

Photography Save the Date

2011-01-13T18:57:00.000-08:00

I love when my designs are re-purposed for non-wedding uses. Case in point: Megan Clouse - who decided to use my Camera Save the Dates as a year end thank you for her clients. She even sent this lovely photo of the cards I sent her! Her blog is the real deal - check her out at blog.mclouse.com.

Wood veener wedding invitation from Night Owl

2010-05-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

One of my lovely clients had my design printed on a wood veneer by Night Owl Paper Goods. She sent along a pic today and I'm please to share it:

This custom invitation was based on my "York" design, and was additionally customized with silhouettes of the bride and groom. It can be found in my etsy wedding invitation shop here.

Our VW bug invitations on Off Beat Bride!

2010-05-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

Special Thanks to Sara from OneLove Photography for giving me a shout about photographing one of my invites! Her photographs are lovely, and as I seldom get to meet my clients it's nice to get put a face to the name. I could have told you from the bat this was going to be an awesome wedding. Congrats to Tom and Katy!

You can view this invitation and others like it in my wedding invitation etsy shop.

Photo by OneLove Photography

Bright Lights

2010-05-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

A new printable save the date for my etsy shop! Inspired by retro letting, vintage signs, and drive-in movies. This save the date will set the scene for a evening bash filled with flashbulbs, polaroids, and sequined dresses. Enjoy!

Cross Stitch Inspired Wedding Invitations

2010-04-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Starting today my "Cross Your Heart" wedding invitation design is available for sale on Minted.com! Isn't that nice of them.

Custom Wedding Invitation - Vintage Calistoga

2010-04-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

There's no getting around it, purple is everywhere this year when it comes to weddings. I've been head over heels for the vibrant match of sage and beet. I can always count on my clients to be ahead of the curve when it comes to taste.

Today I've spared no saturation when it comes to this sneak peek of an invitation in progress for Erika and Jordan. Sigh. My custom clients this month have been the best ever!

Don't worry, sensitive info has been changed, so there will be no free meals for you!

Starry Toronto Skyline Wedding Invitation

2010-04-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sigh. Why can't all my clients be astronomers from Toronto? Here's a first draft peek at an invitation in progress for Matthew and Robyn.

Hand-Lettering

2010-04-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

The first seven letters of the alphabet are the best. It's just all down hill from there.

Handdrawn letters from 4/7/10

Handdrawn letters from 4/6/10

Pocket Full Of Poses - A helpful guide for posing children

2010-04-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough to work with childhood photographer Skye Hardwick, of Work of Heart Photography on a few projects lately, including her save the dates (congrats!)

The most exciting project I've designed so far is her posing guide, "Pocket Full of Poses," pictured here. You can check it out on her website http://www.pocketposingguide.com.

From inspiration board to wedding invitation

2010-04-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

I love it when my clients send me their inspiration boards before we start on a custom design. It takes a certain kind of bride to be organized enough to put one together! I thought that it might be fun today to walk-through my process, from inspiration board to wedding invitation suite.

Caroline and Francois are getting married at their family home in Nice, France. Caroline sent along a flurry of pictures that captured their style, and I assembled them into an inspiration board. Unfortunately, I never got to find out where she got all these images from, so if one of them is yours, or if you know where it came from, let me know and I can share credit and a link back:

From here Caroline and I decided that we wanted to work with the silhouette I drew as the main image for the invitation. I was inspired by the images of the paper birds she sent along, and was determined to include them along with some type of leaf or greenery since their wedding will be outside.

My design process can be interesting, and sometimes while brainstorming I end up with ideas that don't make it into the final design, like this monogram.

Their color scheme of purple and green is possibly my favorite so far this year. I can't wait to see how these invitations turn out when finalized and printed!

Skiing Wedding Invitation

2010-04-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

Recently I was lucky enough to work with an amazing couple on their wedding poster for an end of summer wedding in aspen. It was so much fun designing this invitation, and I feel really pleased with the outcome.

Don't worry their sensitive info has been changed. Don't even think about crashing this bash. : )

Winter Wedding Invitation

2010-04-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes late at night my laptop and I (we're a team) make up wedding posters for people who don't exist. Someone out there was to be having a snowy winter wonderland wedding right?

: )

Hand Drawn Infant Portrait

2010-04-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

I don't usually work on portraits during the wedding season - if only I had time! Every once in a while a client sweet-talks me into one with their adoreable photos. Drawing children is much more fun than drawing adults - their expressions are so sincere.

Cross-stitch inspired wedding invitations

2010-04-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Soon to be for sale on minted.com - my "cross your heart" wedding design! Working on the alternate colorways has been a blast. I'll let you know as soon as it's up.

: )

Destination Wedding Invitations

2010-03-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

Dimensions: 5" x 7"

Description:

These wedding invitation suites were inspired from vintage maps and symbolize the excitement of friends and family gathering to celebrate your perfect day!

To order these wedding invitations

visit Minted.com

Children's monster stationary on Minted.com

2010-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

I managed to find a few hours one day to put together some submissions for Minted.com's Keep in Touch Good Housekeeping Challenge. I ran out of time to send in all of my ideas - but was glad I managed to get a few of them in. These Minted.com contests are incredibly fun. I've been trying to enter every other contest which has been been keeping me from spending all my time on minted designs, which I would, if I could.

elliott! Personal Stationery

Jon's Personal Stationery

Cintiq 12wx for sale - 899.00 - lightly used

2010-01-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

The time has come! My Cintiq 12 wx is officially up for sale. Since I'm moving this week I'm doing ALL KINDS of crazy irrational things - including selling this sweet baby for 899.00.

It is in perfect condition with:

- Original Box

- Orignal connectors (DVi & VGA)

- Original Pen & extra nibs

- Pen stand

- I also purchased a mini-dvi connector that allows you to hook the cintiq up to a laptop. I am including this for free.

Hit me up at leslie@unlesssomeonelikeyou.com if you are interested. Here are some pics:

As Seen in Brides Magazine - Etsy, Edited.

2010-01-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

Today a box arrived at my door with a unexpected gift - issues of Brides magazines with an etsy feature and a small write up of my work! I've attached a picture of the Chicago issue. My cheeks are rosy, I'm just tickled pink to be included.

Go etsy!!

Wedding Day Agenda Printable

2010-01-05T12:17:00.000-08:00

I probably had a little too much fun designing these printable custom wedding day agendas for my etsy shop. There is something about simple black symbols that will always appeal to me. Available as a printable for 50.00 with printed cards priced only at 1.00. Visit my printable shop DIYpaperie.etsy.com to check them out.

Holiday Poster Digital Restoration and Reproduction

2009-12-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

Every once in a blue moon I put my sleeping photoshop skills to work and do a digital restoration or two. This 16x20 vintage holiday poster was taped up on the wall each holiday by my client's mother, and the original print certainly doesn't hide this fact:

Lots of yellow tape, creases, holes, and stains needed to be taken care of. There was also some general yellowing of the entire print that needed fixin. I scanned the print in 4 pieces since it was 16x20 and assembled the images in photoshop and then went to work. The end result:

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

New Red Choo Choo Shirt

2009-12-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

Recently I collaborated with Mike at Red Choo Choo on a women's shirt. I just got my sample in the mail and it's pretty sweet! Order the design on the new Choo Choo site, or scope Mike out at west coast craft shows.

SoYoureEnGAYged.com Feature

2009-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

A big thanks to Kelly at SoYoureEnGAYged.com for a lovely feature of my work. It was fun to collaborate!

Design Mafia Feature

2009-12-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

I was tickled to find myself on the Design Mafia blog yesterday. Special thanks to John from the Mafia for giving me a heads up about the press!

Printable wedding invitations

2009-11-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

My new etsy shop is coming along. I wanted a place on etsy exclusively for customized DIY printables, and having them in my "main" etsy invitation shop UnlessSomeoneLikeYou I found it was just too confusing for buyers to figure out if they were buying something printed or digital.

The shop isn't all together yet, as I would ideally like to have around 100 printables of all kinds available. I've been encouraged by the handful of sales I've gotten even though everything still isn't up!

Here's a link to the mini!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
DIYpaperie.etsy.com

Brainstorm / Design Mafia Contest

2009-11-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

I've decided to toss my hat into the Design Mafia "Show Us Your Brainstorm" contest. Not that I have time to spare, but when I read the description this image appeared in my head and would not leave. It also provided a much need and therapeutic break from drawing wedding and childrens portraits. Smiling happy people make me snore after a while. My sister-in-law posed as my model - she's purty.

Wish me luck!

Destination Wedding Invitations

2009-10-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is my second and final entry to the "Love at first serif" competition at minted.com. I'm restricting my self to two entries in any given contest, lest I spend all my time working on minted designs instead of my own work!

I think my favorite part of minted is getting to know the other designers on the site, so often their stories of how they started designing are so similar to my own. And here I thought I was all alone in this great big world.

Destination Wedding Invitations

My first minted.com design!

2009-10-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Just a few short weeks ago I wrote about submitting a design to Minted.com. Around six o'clock tonight I started receiving emails saying "congratulations!" and "great work!" and at first, I admit, I didn't put two and two together. I was beyond thrilled when I followed the links to the Minted site and saw that I had not only one First Place, but I also was the Judge's Pick. Let's just say that there was jumping up and down and squealing involved.

You can visit and pre-order my new modern baptism invitations on Minted.com starting today!
Nesting Family - Blue Invitations

A tattoo inspired invitation for Stephaine

2009-02-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

Today I'm working on a tattoo inspired wedding invitation for stephanie and scott. Their design appointment was the first one where both the bride and I removed our shirts, it's much easier to show a tattoo than describe one! I had so much fun drawing the swallows that I have a feeling I'll be drawing more again soon. I can't wait to hear what the bride thinks!

To commission a custom design for your wedding visit my website here, or email me at leslie@unlesssomeonelikeyou.com