Cool Packaging

I am a nut for cool product packaging. I am the consumer that picks up a product simply because it is designed well. Lucky for my pocketbook I don't buy them based on that but I definitely ogle.

The other day there was a tweet with this link and I thought I would share here for the non-tweeties that visit. These are a few of the designs I really liked.

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Illustration Friday - Focused

My submission for this weeks topic - Focused. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

I Love Robots

When I saw a custom request for robot illustrations I jumped in right away. Robots are super fun to draw, color and imagine. This is the full set available HERE.

Here are a couple of party invite samples I put together.

I definitely want a robot-theme birthday party with stuff like this. I love the cupcakes!

(photo from Hostess with the Mostess)

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Shading

I've been trying to decide how I want to do my shading in my illustrations. I usually do shapes with a darker color and tone it down with opacity. But after doing a few tutorials I started playing with gradients more. I think I like the blue robot shading best - which is my usual method.

Which do you prefer?

I'm working on a robot art set. I love robots. I should have more to share over the weekend :)

Update: I've decided why do I need to pick one? Use them whenever they work best. Duh!

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Sweetie's Birthday

So January is birthday mania in our house. Today is my Sweetie's birthday. My job today is mixed with getting actual illustration work done and spoiling him :)

So last night I started by making Double Chocolate cupcakes. We got some vanilla icecream too! YUM.

Finished his birthday card this morning. Above is the illustration I did for the card.

I will be treating him to a healthy lunch (we are still recovering from the Red Robin calorie intake - hah). And then wrap it up with watching Terminator - Salvation on DVD.

Happy Birthday Sweetie! :)

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My Birthday

Today I become a little bit older and hopefully a lot wiser. We shall see.

My birthday plans are going to be accomplished in three easy steps:

1. See Avatar. Since it is a work day I am hoping minimal people will be there and I can pretend it was reserved for a private viewing.

2. Eat at Red Robin after the movie to discuss and gobble down the forbidden french fries. Maybe even get a milk shake!

3. Remind myself I am only as old as I feel. Though honestly I woke up this morning a little sore from how I slept. That didn't help this theory.

I hope everyone else has a wonderful January 25. I plan to.

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This illustration is my new splash page for my updated website.

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Practice

I've been pushing myself to learn more about Illustrator and there are some great tutorials out there. This was a good review of using gradients and altering paths. Nothing too complex but I learned a few things all the same.

This is my version of the bunny from this tutorial.

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Valentine Cupid Digital Stamps

I got the Valentine Cupid Digital Stamp set done and it is available now in my MyGrafico shop.

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Illustration Friday - Wilderness

Warming her tooshie by the fire. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Valetine Cupid Art Set

I got the set done and can show it! I really love the colors. Available here.

A sample card, this little cupid makes me smile :)

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Love Birdies

I'm working on one more Valentine's Day set but didn't get it completed to show the whole group tonight. But this is one of my favorites to share for now.

And in honor of Martin Luther King Day this was my quote for the day:

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."
Martin Luther King

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Twitterin'

I took the plunge! I am finally using my Twitter account. It's a new challenge for me. Because you see, I am a bit of a shy, introverted geek. These social media tools were a bit overwhelming and nerve-wracking for this girl. But it isn't so bad after all.

I got myself TweetDeck installed so I can cross-pollinate my Facebook and Twitter updates and keep up on others a lot easier. I'm learning the lingo and trying to find my voice. I'm following some celebrities (hah - but you can actually learn a bit of the lingo from their tweets) and finding other illustrators/designers on twitter. I also really like receiving tweets from design/illustration resources that keep me current. This shy girl is definitely understanding the advantages.

Are you on either of these?

Find me on Twitter and Facebook.

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Gone Fishing Stamps

Another set I created this weekend. Available here.

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New! Camping in the Wild Digital Stamps

A new set for my MyGrafico shop - available here.

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A Nice Surprise!

I was very fortunate to be a winner of these awesome cards by Deborah Mori. She is a wonderfully talented artist/designer and has been a huge inspiration for me since I started this whole blogging and sharing experience.

You can see more of her work on her new website and check out her blog - she is very active and has such an uplifting spirit.

Thank you Deborah - you made my Saturday! :)

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Love Cottage

Working from home today and wanted to finish this illustration I started last week. It was an idea for Valentine's Day but I didn't use it. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Lovely Sweets Stamps

I got the stamps done this weekend - available here!

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Otherwise I had a pretty relaxing weekend in-between organizing my office and watching re-runs of Arrested Development (love that show!).

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Lovely Sweets

Created a new Valentine's Day set for MyGrafico. I think they are so cute I would have a hard time eating them... but I would. :) hah

It is available here. I will have some stamps available soon too!

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Thank You Card

Made a little thank you card. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Welcome 2010!

Well it is the beginning of a new decade. One that I hope brings a lot of promise. Though I haven't been feeling too motivated to start all the things I want to this year. But hey, it is only the 2nd day of the year, right? I can relax a bit and enjoy my holiday vacation and ignore the voice in my head chanting "you really should be doing...", right?

My hopes for 2010:

I want to get a better handle on allowing myself to relax and do things that aren't on my "TO DO" list - WITHOUT feeling guilty about it.

• Continue to be healthy with whole foods and exercise.

• Continue to read fiction and not always design/freelance trade books. It is so nice to get lost in a good story - aah yah.

• Push myself to illustrate (yay!) more AND put myself out there (ugh!).

• Not worry about what others think of me and just try to have inner happiness.

I think these are all reasonable goals and I'm feeling optimistic that 2010 will be a successful year *fingers crossed* for me, my family, friends and all of you!

Thanks for reading/looking at my blog in 2009. I hope you continue to visit and say hello from time to time.

All the best for 2010!

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